Hysteria

4.7 (7.2K)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED WEEKLY

Political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.

9H AGO

Epstein: We’re Gonna Need More Red String w. Akilah Hughes

Erin Ryan and guest host Akilah Hughes lock in and dive deep into the latest Epstein Files dump, following threads between fertility, finances, 4Chan, the FBI, and more. Then they discuss how upcoming entertainment events like the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and the Oscars put athletes and performers in a position they didn’t ask for– but also provide an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. They wrap up with a petty conversation about Ballerina Farm and the danger of unlearning things we learned more than 100 years ago. Takeaways from the millions of newly released Epstein files (BBC 2/1)A list of powerful men named in the Epstein files, from Elon Musk to former Prince Andrew (PBS 2/1)Government says it's fixing thousands of documents in Epstein-related files that may have had victim information (PBS 2/3)

1h 27m
JAN 29

ICE Fission

Erin and Alyssa dig into the latest news from the Twin Cities— the senseless tragedy of Alex Pretti’s death, and the inspiring resolve of the Minnesotans who continue to stand up for each other. With Greg Bovino’s “demotion,” are things about to take a turn for the better, or is this cynical political window-dressing from Team Trump? Then, Melania Trump’s movie premiere at the White House’s janky new makeshift room, and Paris Hilton’s fight on Capitol Hill to ban AI-generated deep fake porn. And of course, we wrap up with Sani-Petty. Alex Pretti’s Friends and Family Denounce ‘Sickening Lies’ About His Life (NYT 1/25) Republican calls are growing for a deeper investigation into fatal Minneapolis shooting of Alex Pretti (PBS 1/26) Scoop: Stephen Miller behind misleading claim that Alex Pretti wanted to "massacre" agents (AXIOS 1/27) Trump Defends Noem as She Faces Bipartisan Criticism (WSJ 1/27) Democrats Vow Not to Fund ICE After Shooting, Imperiling Spending Deal (NYT 1/24) Melania’s $75 Million Movie Premiered in a Makeshift Theater (The Daily Beast 1/24) ‘They sold my pain for clicks’: Paris Hilton urges lawmakers to act on nonconsensual deepfakes (The 19th 1/22)

1h 31m
JAN 25

This F*cking Guy: Rush Limbaugh

In our 32nd episode of This F*cking Guy, Erin and Alyssa dive deep into the past of the bigoted big mouth, Rush Limbaugh. From having a face for radio, to his obsession with “feminazis” to spouting disinformation about smoking and covid to his very last days, this may be one of our most deplorable guys yet. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Sources: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/rush-limbaugh https://visitcape.com/rush-limbaughs-cape-girardeau-a-tour-of-the-radio-legends-roots/ https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/rush-limbaugh-dead-trump-ruined-america -1129222/ https://www.stlmag.com/The-Original-Rush-Limbaugh-Biography-Tells-the-Story-of-Missouri-Courtroom-Legend-Rush-Limbaugh-Sr/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/business/media/rush-limbaugh-dead.html https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/05/rush-limbaugh200905?srsltid=AfmBOopZzxf3nuOZgNcONoy2P7uWCZnX182fW0lCLqmEW0QgF5ezWlea https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/02/23/147299323/law-student-makes-case-for-contraceptive-coverage/ https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/03/02/147809138/student-is-outraged-by-rush-limbaugh-calling-her-a-slut-and-prostitute https://www.vanityfair.com/news/daily-news/2012/03/rush-limbaugh-sandra-fluke-obama-apology?_sp=b361603d-59b8-49de-8771-e1f85795940f.1763504275351 https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/can-rush-peter-gabriel-legally-order-limbaugh-to-cease-using-their-songs-101473/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/rush-limbaugh-feminism-feminazis/2021/02/19/3a00f852-7202-11eb-85fa-e0ccb3660358_story.html https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/limbaugh-draws-fire-on-obama-parody/ https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-rush-limbaugh-mock-aids-death-radio-show-1570282 https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627887 https://www.espn.com/gen/news/2003/1001/1628537.html https://www.bet.com/article/u945ji/limbaugh-dumped-by-group-hoping-to-buy-rams https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03/post-limbaugh-next-conservative-kingpin?srsltid=AfmBOorVAZVgaPOjyPUN45HmLjxy-N_fsLDZJ9VTTpBddI_th9OWUozt https://finance.yahoo.com/news/look-rush-limbaugh-fortune-passing-203619163.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFoRip8fz4FHwOH2WCUZPwEuQkW7dzucbZpLzmYo76VRkDnTSXOdVyD0Gal1rlu_JsyOMoGYJi5ciu5Lp9wIGfnullBmfQpywCyqrZ-3W18NUVCvg2G2E_Mz-UcpYS45S2vBsh8FQEWM2gjzZMXKYUh3r9WefakZygmKPkkgrdCc https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-18-et-rush18-story.html https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/28/us/rush-limbaugh-arrested-on-prescription-drug-charges.html

44 min
JAN 22

Hardcore Competence w. Kat Abughazaleh

Journalist and activist Kat Abughazaleh joins Hysteria to talk about her firsthand experience standing up to ICE and how to show up for immigrants in your community. Erin and Alyssa also get into updates from Minnesota and the death of Renee Good, the status of the Epstein files, and how Trump used his first year of presidency to line his own pockets. Then they have a discussion about the TV shows that are keeping them sane, especially the increasingly-popular genre “competency porn.” They wrap up with a petty chat about Kyrsten Sinema’s affair lawsuit and the latest Beckham family drama. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Prosecutors Subpoena Minnesota Democrats as Part of Federal Inquiry (NYT 1/20) Some Minnesota students are missing school because they fear ICE (AXIOS 1/15) Following Renee Good’s killing, her son’s Minneapolis charter school receives right-wing attacks (Sahan Journal 1/15) ‘No longer in my hands’: How Hill Republicans stopped caring about DOJ releasing the Epstein files (Politico 1/19) Amazon CEO says Trump tariffs are driving prices up (Axios 1/20) New York Times Trump Wealth Report TV’s most satisfying escape right now is watching ‘competency porn’ (Washington Post 1/13)

1h 44m
JAN 15

Despot Times w. Reshma Saujani

Erin and Alyssa break down how misogyny, ICE, and Renee Good’s death are all inherently intertwined and why the Trump administration is targeting the Twin Cities. Then, Moms First founder Reshma Saujani joins for some good news: Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s historic plan for universal childcare in New York. They also discuss dark money in the political influencer economy, Bob Weir’s legacy, and Atsuko Okatsuka’s new comedy special. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow (NYT 1/12)Whistles, then gunfire: How the deadly ICE shooting unfolded in Minneapolis (CNN 1/10) Trump administration escalates attack on Minnesota with more immigration agents (The Guardian 1/12) Hochul and Mamdani Announce Plan to Make N.Y. Child Care Universal (NYT 1/8) Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals (AP 1/12) Washington’s New Lobbyists: Paid Online Influencers With Few Rules (WSJ 1/11) Bertha: Grateful Dead Drag

1h 37m
JAN 8

Going Low in 2026

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the latest Epstein files drop, what happens now that the Obamacare subsidies have expired, Bari Weiss’ new town hall series, and Trump’s crusade against federal childcare funding. Plus they recap the new Netflix show Members Only: Palm Springs and wrap up with Sani-Petty. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Show notes: https://apnews.com/article/affordable-care-act-health-subsidies-expire-35060610e82ca3257821c53f2a34ecf6 https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/hhs-freezes-10-billion-child-care-funding-5/story?id=128945422 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minnesota-fraud-schemes-what-we-know/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://apnews.com/article/abortion-wyoming-ruling-legal-a8396f0ed4a3229eed5e9fea575be63e https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-free-press-town-hall-series/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r38ne1x2mo https://www.wired.com/story/epstein-files-whats-in-doj-release-december-19/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/doj-says-it-may-need-a-few-more-weeks-to-finish-release-of-epstein-files?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/4.8-Million-People-Will-Lose-Coverage-in-2026-If-Enhanced-Premium-Tax-Credits-Expire.pdf https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/epstein-documents-redaction-process?Date=20251218&Profile=CNN&utm_content=1766090812&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a69878730/members-only-netflix-palm-beach-local-reactions/

1h 36m
12/25/2025

Lovett or Leave It Presents: Bravo, America! (with Rachel Lindsay)

In this new series from Lovett or Leave It, Rachel Lindsay joins Jon Lovett to talk about what it’s like to go from being a lawyer, to Bachelor contestant, to the first Black woman to be the Bachelorette. Can you actually find love on these shows? Can you ever trust that it’s real? And what role to do fireball shots play in the process? Plus Rachel reflects on the moment she realized producers were preparing her to lead the franchise, even as they seemed to be worried about racial stereotypes in how she might be perceived by the audience. She talks about the perfect storm that led to Chris Harrison’s fateful interview on Extra which ultimately led to his ouster from the Bachelor world entirely. And Lovett does ask about the fantasy suites, but from a place of concern and confusion, mostly. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. To hear more episodes of Bravo, America!, subscribe to Lovett or Leave It wherever you get your podcasts, or on YouTube.

1h 22m
12/21/2025

This F*cking Guy: Kristi Noem, Elon Musk, JD Vance & More: Who Was The Worst F*cking Guy of 2025?

This week Erin and Alyssa update us on what some of the worst f*cking guys have been up to in 2025. From Elon Musk, JD Vance, Stephen Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene and more, find out who they think reigns as the worst f*cking guy of 2025. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Sources: https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/07/31/2025/the-217-billion-blunder-new-psi-report-reveals-billions-in-taxpayer-dollars-squandered-by-doge https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250918205509/https://www.kskulk.com/antichrist/lecture-1/ https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/06/02/stephen-miller-wife-musk/ https://abcnews.go.com/US/speaker-mike-johnson-daughter-profiled-attending-purity-ball/story?id=105785626

45 min

See All (397)

Pod Save America is a no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They’re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts. For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com.

4.5 (83947)

POLITICS
Each week, “Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor and Obama’s former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes break down the biggest developments in foreign policy, national security and global politics. They try to explain which stories matter and why, and what we can all do to understand and shape the world around us. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.

4.8 (24213)

POLITICS
Former Obama speechwriter, self-described comedian and Pod Save America co-host Jon Lovett takes the stage for a new season of the hit show that dared guests from Danny DeVito to Amy Klobuchar to ask “What is this?” and “Where am I?” Each week, Jon breaks down the biggest and dumbest stories in politics to help you keep up with and laugh at the news, with big guests and surprising conversations you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes every Saturday morning on your podcast feed and on YouTube. And if you’re in LA, come to a taping. You’ll be amazed by what we cut from the live show. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Lovett or Leave It, Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, and Offline with Jon Favreau, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.

4.7 (24870)

NEWS
Is the internet slowly breaking our brains, and if so, what can we do about it? Offline with Jon Favreau is a place where you can take a break from doom-scrolling and tune in to deeper conversations about the impact of technology and the internet on our politics and culture. Intimate interviews between Pod Save America host Jon Favreau and notable guests like Stephen Colbert, Hasan Piker, Chimamanda Adichie, ContraPoints, Margaret Atwood, and Rachel Maddow shed light on how our extremely online existence shapes the ways we live, work, and interact with one another. Together we’ll take on the most existential questions facing Americans right now, to figure out how to live happier, healthier lives, both on and offline. New episodes drop every Saturday, wherever you get your podcasts and on the Offline YouTube channel. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Offline with Jon Favreau, Pod Save America, Pod Save the World, and Lovett or Leave It, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.

4.7 (2231)

SOCIETY & CULTURE
Need more Pod Save America? You asked, we recorded. Welcome to Pod Save America: OnlyFriends a biweekly show featuring Jon, Jon, Tommy, Dan and your favorite Crooked personalities where we dig into even more news of the day, test takes and chase tangents in a subscriber-only podcast for just us friends. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Pod Save America: OnlyFriends, Pollercoaster, and Terminally Online or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

3.8 (18)

GOVERNMENT
Does every new poll make you want to crawl under your desk and get into the fetal position? Do you hate the polls but can’t quit them? Well, we have a podcast that’s just for you (and us!). Pollercoaster is Crooked’s new home for exclusive in-depth analysis across the biggest national polls, latest voter trends, and closest races up and down the ballot. Join former White House Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer and a series of expert guests to break down the polls, unpack what they actually mean, and whether or not it’s time to hit the panic button. New exclusive episodes of Pollercoaster drop twice monthly for Friends of the Pod subscribers. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Pollercoaster, Inside 2024 and Terminally Online or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

4.2 (45)

GOVERNMENT

View Subscription FAQs

Alyssa Mastromonaco

Host
Blair Imani

Host
Erin Gloria Ryan

Host
Grace Parra

Host
Kiran Deol

Host
Megan Gailey

Host
Ziwe

Host
Katherine Abughazaleh

Guest
Reshma Saujani

Guest
Rachel Lindsay

Guest

4.7

out of 5

7,215 Ratings

MN

Jan 29

nigey&jack

The ppl in MN are proud boys, oath keepers, and 3 percenters all given badges to kill citizens. Homeland security and ice didn’t’ exist before 911. They need to be ended!! You can’t retrain hateful racist employees.
To those that are using the Meta ads as a reason to down-rate Crooked media…🤦🏻‍♀️

Jan 26

Fecund Essence

Really? Since when has it been wrong to TAKE money from people you DISagree with and use it against them?!? I think it’s a wonderful tactic, so what if I have to listen to bs for 30-90 seconds, oh wait, I can skip ahead… Also, doesn’t it show INTEGRITY to be given money by an entity and STILL have the guts to speak against them!?! THINK about it people..
Love the pod

Jan 3

trvilli

I love the woman perspective of the American experiment
Smart

12/22/2025

abenvie

Reliable and entertaining source of current events. This podcast makes USA's lunacy easy to listen to

Political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.