Amanda, Claire, and Doug break down the 2026 midterm news for you: Who were the most inspiring winners? The most deserving losers? What were the best memes? The worst takes? How should Democrats use their stunning new majorities in the House and Senate to deliver the change voters demanded, on immigration and affordability, when Trump wields the veto pen? There will be arguments! And, live on tape, a very unwelcome surprise! ==Learn More== Amanda, Claire, and Doug express their own personal opinions on The Melting Pod. This episode was produced by Michael Palmer (palmer.media). Read more about the topics in this episode: Takes: * Bernie Sanders: “Trump is a funny guy” * The Voters Who Flipped Congress - The Daily (Nov. 5, 2026) Memes: * Tiger Beat cover with Ossoff, Talarico, and El-Sayed * Frodo awakens after election night * Pick another protein * Sinners parody News: * The multi-faith family behind America’s first Muslim senator-elect, Abdul El-Sayed - Economic Times (Nov. 2026) * Xavier Becerra on Why His Upbringing and Career Give Him an Edge Over Other Gubernatorial Candidates - KQED (Feb. 2026) * Melat Kiros becomes the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress - NPR (Nov. 2026) * Amish Shah Becomes First Indian American Elected to Congress From Arizona - India New England News (Nov. 2026) * A well-known Sacramento Democrat [Dr. Richard Pan] is taking on this suddenly vulnerable California Republican - CalMatters (Oct. 2025) * Mixed Immigration Status Gave Brothers [Randy and Angel Villegas] ‘Very Different Perspectives’ - StoryCorps, NPR (Apr. 2021) * Pia Dandiya, the Harvard-Educated Daughter of Indian Immigrants, Headed to U.S. Congress - American Kahani (Nov. 4, 2026). * Darializa Avila Chevalier: pro-Palestinian doctoral student steps into politics with ‘faith in the future’ - The Guardian (June 2026) * Who is Adam Hamawy, the Gaza volunteer surgeon heading to Congress? - Arab News (Nov. 2026) * Midterm Election Results in 5 States Provide Way for National Popular Vote to Reach 270 During 2027 ==Give More== Want to help build a more sane and humane immigration system? Support hardworking organizations like these: National: * #AfghanEvac – working to ensure the U.S. keeps its promise to our Afghan allies * Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project – the country’s largest membership organization of asylum seekers, working together for change * Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) – organizing and advocating for racial, social and economic justice * Haitian Bridge Alliance – providing humanitarian, legal, and social services * International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) - strategic litigation and advocacy to uphold the rights of people seeking safety * Justice Action Center - immigrant justice through litigation and storytelling Local: * Al Otro Lado - legal and humanitarian support to refugees, deportees, and other migrants in the U.S. and Tijuana * Catholic Charities Rio Grande Valley - providing assistance to the poor and most vulnerable populations in the Rio Grande Valley community * Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center - free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and refugees in West Texas, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico * Support an immigration service provider near you See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
