American Fever Dream

Latest Episodes:

#576 Bannon In Shackles Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

Alise, Kaitlin, and Amanda share a shocking update on the Zebras on the run in Maryland. Then they break down what you should know about the House’s investigation into the Capitol attacks and attempts to hold Trump allies in contempt. They connect this to other Democratic efforts in Congress and debate whether voting rights ought to get more attention. Is Joe Manchin getting closer to supporting the voter protections we need? Finally, they break down what it will take to get Steve Bannon in shackles.

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#575 Breaking News: Dads Are Parents Too Oct 19, 2021

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Alise, Bryan, and Amanda start by detailing a weekend of NFL football in London. Then they react to Tucker Carlson’s homophobic and misogynistic comments about Pete Buttigieg taking maternity leave. They explain how the comments play into hateful stereotypes about same-sex couples while reinforcing the idea that men are not primary caretakers. They explain why Carlson’s comments -- while unusually offensive -- manifest in more subtle ways every day, and what needs to happen to permanently change how we view men, women, and caregiving.

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#574 The Great Resignation Meets Labor Rights Oct 18, 2021

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Milly, Sami, and Amanda discuss how the increased activity around striking and labor rights has intersected with the white-collar “Great Resignation.” Why are workers across the country finally saying “no thanks” to the late stage capitalist hellscapes that have dominated our lives? How did the pandemic put a spotlight on these inequities? They also check in on the latest bullshit from Joe Manchin, this time related to needy children and the burning planet.

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#573 All Fun And (Squid) Games Oct 14, 2021

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Alise, Sami, and Amanda break down the upcoming governor’s election in Virginia and push back against calling it a “referendum” on Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress. How can we more constructively frame Biden’s challenging few months without being so dramatic? Then, Betches Podcast Director Sean Kilby is back to discuss “Squid Game,” the dark Korean series that’s become a global phenomenon. Why does the show resonate so strongly at this particular moment? Who were our favorite games and characters? Finally, they debate the show’s closing message and speculate about season 2.

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#572 It’s Time For PTO After Miscarriage Oct 13, 2021

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Senator Tammy Duckworth joins us to discuss a topic hugely personal to many of our listeners: miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Sen. Duckworth describes the Support Through Loss Act, which would provide paid leave to those experiencing pregnancy loss, a failed adoption, or unsuccessful fertility treatments. She shares how her own experience with pregnancy loss makes the bill personal and why men need to be a bigger part of the conversation around miscarriage and mourning. Finally, she shares how the bill recognizes the many ways people become parents in 2021 while funding additional research into pregnancy loss.

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#571 Men Cancelling Themselves: NFL Edition Oct 12, 2021

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Milly, Alise, and Amanda are joined by Betches Podcast Director Sean Kilby to react to NFL head coach Jon Gruden resigning over racist, homophobic, and misogynistic emails. They detail the weekend of revelations that ultimately led to his resignation and why the specific makeup of the NFL -- 70% of players are Black -- makes them so problematic. They react to allegations of “cancel culture” and compare Gruden’s commitment to hateful language with Dave Chappelle’s doubling down on transphobia.

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#570 We Need To Talk About Blue State Abortion Limits Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

NYC Councilmember Carlina Rivera joins Milly and Amanda to discuss access to abortion among Latina communities. While much has been made about the Texas ban on abortions, Latinas around the country -- even in New York City -- have struggled to access abortion services because of onerous government restrictions like Title 10 and the Hyde Amendment. She breaks down the abortion fund she helped create to help out-of-state women access abortion care in NYC. Then Milly joins to chat with the Coucilwoman about her upbringing in a Puerto Rican community in New York’s lower east side.

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#569 Afternoon Tea With Alicia Menendez Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

In this week's Afternoon Tea, Sami is joined by journalist, author, podcast host and MSNBC anchor, Alicia Menendez. To start, they begin with a conversation on Alicia's background, how she became a reporter, and finally making the jump as the anchor of her own show, "American Voices With Alicia Menendez." They chat about the key to being a great interviewer, the qualities of a good guest, and what it means for a guest to really show up. Next they discuss Alicia's book, The Likability Trap, and share their thoughts on society's obsession with perfection, how toxic it can really be, and how perfectionism holds women back. Alicia also shares the importance of finding new, diverse stories to cover and being the first in all of national TV news to bring light to the violence against the AAPI community. Finally, they close with a discussion on the Biden administration, the unique policy challenges they face, and what to expect from her upcoming MSNBC special "American Voices: Latinos Inside the White House," airing Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

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#568 We Love A Matriarch ft. Julian Castro Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

Alise, Milly, and Amanda start with a quick update on the debt ceiling agreement before discussing Instagram’s impact on teen girls. Then, Secretary Julian Castro joins us for a special interview tied to Hispanic Heritage Month. He shares the songs, stories, and sayings that defined his upbringing in Texas raised by a Chicano activist in San Antonio’s Mexican-American community. The hosts share common Latine experiences that often get lost in the monolithic narrative, how they relate to Selena, and the most unusual things they found in their childhood refrigerators.

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#567 End The Filibuster For THIS? Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

Sami, Kaitlin, and Amanda debrief on Democrats’ path to raising the debt ceiling with no Republican help. Will this be the push they finally need to end the filibuster? Then they react to the Facebook whistleblower’s Senate testimony. What is different about these revelations? Finally, they run through the most absurd lines from Mark Zuckerberg’s response.

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