990 episodes

From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night.
For constant news updates, sign up for the Sup email newsletter at betches.com/newsletters and follow us on Instagram at @betches_news. And follow V on TikTok and Instagram @underthedesknews.

American Fever Dream Betches

    • News

From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night.
For constant news updates, sign up for the Sup email newsletter at betches.com/newsletters and follow us on Instagram at @betches_news. And follow V on TikTok and Instagram @underthedesknews.

    Allred for Texas, Adios Ted!

    Allred for Texas, Adios Ted!

    Topics:

    Representative Colin Allred discusses his vision for a more equitable Texas and his campaign to unseat Ted Cruz, stressing the need for a more engaged and representative leader.

    Allred shares his journey from being an NFL linebacker to a lawyer and now a representative, driven by a desire to represent all 30 million Texans.

    Sami and V ask Allred to address looming issues such as the Texas power grid, paternity leave, and the near-total ban on abortion.


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    • 30 min
    This Is Why We Choose The Bear

    This Is Why We Choose The Bear

    4:27 TEMP CHECK: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister, and six passengers were found dead at the site of a helicopter crash on Monday, one month before the next election. Was it foul play or an inevitable accident?
    20:30 MAIN NEWS: After uncovering the brutality of P. Diddy’s assault on Cassie Ventura and Sami, V exposes the deadly problem of not believing women, the uniquely American “Boyfriend Loophole,” and the need for comprehensive legislation like the Violence Against Women Act.
    43:40 DOWN BALLOT: Our down-ballot girlies of the week are the organization Run for Something, community leader Dulce Vasquez, veterans Marche and Marquetta Johnson, and accomplished Afro-Latino organizer Brandon Fletcher Dominguez.
    48:07 AMER-I-CAN’T: Sami and V rant about the state of American healthcare highlights the inefficiencies, lack of communication, and disregard for patient care that they recently witnessed.
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    • 1 hr 12 min
    This Is America, You Have The Right To Be Wrong And Stupid

    This Is America, You Have The Right To Be Wrong And Stupid

    Topics:

    Sami is joined by Sharon McMahon, the author of “The Small and the Mighty,” to share how history can be constructed and verified as accurately as possible.

    Sharon stresses the importance of local journalism and how it has been the backbone of America’s microcultures.

    How different generations navigate gathering information, disseminating it, and learning that the best way to be right is to be wrong first.


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    • 52 min
    Politicians Need To Say F*ck More

    Politicians Need To Say F*ck More

    15:55 TEMP CHECK: Vice President Harris spoke at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies’ annual legislative leadership summit and imparted some honest words to the group.
    24:30 MAIN NEWS: Sami and V give a rundown of the MANY threats to the 2024 election, from AI and disinformation, to election denial, to voter suppression by Trump’s army of poll-watching volunteers. Plus, what the hell is an incidental election and what are the odds of one happening?
    58:07 DOWN BALLOT ERA: Our villain of the week is Judge Scott McAfee, who is presiding over Trump’s Fulton County, Georgia election interference case and is running for reelection.
    1:00:00 AMER-I-CAN’T: Senator Katie Britt of Alabama created the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed Act, which proposes to establish an online government database listing agencies and pregnancy care providers, but excluding abortion-related services. It also collects your health and pregnancy information…what could go wrong?
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    • 1 hr 5 min
    How The Supreme Court Became Weaponized

    How The Supreme Court Became Weaponized

    Topics:

    Sami and V are joined by the hosts of Strict Scrutiny to talk about how the Supreme Court’s handling of important cases like Mifepristone and EMTALA raises concerns about standing and the potential impact on reproductive rights.

    They predict the risks of the Supreme Court undermining federal supremacy over state law as constitutional principle and what the long term ripple effects are.

    What can we do about it? Sustained public attention and pressure are crucial in influencing the court’s decisions and how democratic political officials should be pushed to take action.


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    • 54 min
    Mamala For America, Dictator For A Day

    Mamala For America, Dictator For A Day

    12:45 TEMP CHECK: V and Sami take the nation’s temperature after Drew Barrymore’s “Mamala Controversy” and how her interview with Vice President Harris became cringe-worthy and even inappropriate.
    29:17 MAIN NEWS: Project 2025 outlines Trump’s policy plans, which aims to consolidate executive authority and implement conservative policies, potentially hinting to an authoritarian government.
    50:53 DOWN BALLOT ERA: Our down ballot girlie of the week goes to Caroline Gleich. Caroline has climbed Mt. Everest and is now running for Senate in Utah to fill the seat Mitt Tomney once occupied.
    53: 20 AMER-I-CAN’T: Noelia Voight, recently resigned Miss USA, brings attention to mental health concerns and the pressures faced by pageant contestants.
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    • 58 min

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