American Fever Dream

Latest Episodes:

Afternoon Tea With Amanda Litman Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

On the second installment of Afternoon Tea, Sami Sage is joined by Amanda Litman, author and co-founder of Run for Something, for another dose of political therapy. They begin with an explanation of how Amanda started helping normal people run for office and do a mini role-play to demonstrate how you might convince someone it’s worth taking a chance on themselves and run for elected office. They also talk about the biggest barriers to transitioning into a life in office (yeah, you still gotta pay your bills) and how someone might go about fundraising at a local level. Amanda tells us what makes a great candidate (hint: it doesn’t include a background in politics) and how to make up for a lack of experience in running a campaign. Then it’s time for the Four Questions, which leads to a shared daydream about going on a beach getaway with Michelle Obama. Can you imagine?

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#427 Sisterhood Of The Changing GOP Base Ft. Rep. Jim Himes Feb 04, 2021

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Sami, Milly, and Amanda check in on Jared and Ivanka’s personal financial fallout from the pandemic they failed to contain. Then, they break down Republican’s secret “family meeting” to determine the fate of two women who represent diverging wings of the party. They analyze what happened with Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor Greene and look forward to Democrats voting to remove the latter from her committee assignments. Finally, Amanda is joined by Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) who shares his harrowing experience during the Capitol attack and what he expects for next week’s impeachment trial.

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#426 Can The 14th Amendment Save Us From Trumpism? Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

Alise, Kaitlin, and Amanda start with the news that lauded Black women creators were snubbed at the Golden Globes. Then, they break down the respective arguments from Trump’s lawyers and the House impeachment team and what they foretell for next week’s trial. They acknowledge that Trump will likely be acquitted and remain eligible to hold federal office while extremism spreads unfettered. That’s unless Trump and his abetters are tried under the 14th Amendment, and how the Reconstruction era gives us a road map to use it.

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#425 AOC Shouldn’t Have To Do This Feb 02, 2021

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Amanda, Alise, and Milly Tamarez are back to react to Rep. AOC’s account of what happened during the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. They lament the state of politics that forced a millennial woman to relive her trauma before millions to make accountability more likely, and why women on both sides of the aisle are becoming symbolic figureheads at a time when America is emotional and distraught. Then, Amanda is joined by Jessica Morak and Caroline Grosshans, attorneys who explain which Trump-era Title IX rule changes are here to say and how sexual assault survivors can find resources on campus.

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#424 Use The Emergency Credit Card! Feb 01, 2021

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Amanda, Sami and Bryan are back on a snowy Monday to ask where the fuck our $2,000 checks are?! They check in on the state of COVID relief negotiations and ask why winners are even negotiating at all. They debunk the idea that $2,000 couldn’t benefit every family or that certain income levels should be excluded from help. They weigh the political backlash if Biden doesn’t pass a bipartisan bill and discuss the problems posed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Finally, they play an excerpt from Rep. Barbara Jordan’s 1974 speech opening impeachment proceedings for Richard Nixon that could have come right out of 2021.

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Afternoon Tea With Liz Plank Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

In the first ever episode of Afternoon Tea, Sami Sage sits down with author Liz Plank for an afternoon of political therapy. They start by talking about living in a post-Trump America (sigh of relief) and how hard it is to shift the way we think about politics. They also discuss the historic nature of Kamala Harris becoming VP and what it means for our country. Liz explains the best way to rectify the imbalance in gender equality (it involves men acknowledging they have a gender identity in the first place) and why it’s important to be open to supporting female leaders. Next they discuss why women are expected to overcome being women, and explore the hidden scourge of ableism in our society. Finally, Sami asks Liz the “Four Questions” which leads to a conversation about our happiest memories and why we all just wanna be held (wow, this really is a political therapy session after all).

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#423 GameStonk You Don’t Stop Jan 28, 2021

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Alise, Bryan, and Amanda are back to break down the GameStop short squeeze and COVID fatigue. How did a group of retail investors on Reddit pull off a maneuver that exposed how hedge funds manipulate the market every day? They explain the practical impacts of this extremely satisfying parable. Then, they have a candid and honest conversation about COVID fatigue and hitting a wall at this stage in the pandemic. Finally, they parse mixed public health messages about whether the pandemic is finally getting better, or about to be the worst it’s ever been.

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#422 GOP Self Destruction Pact Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

Kaitlin and Amanda react to Senate Republicans voting overwhelmingly to put this whole deadly insurrection thing behind them. Then, they share disturbing polling that 56% of Republicans think Donald Trump should be president in 2024, and what Democrats need to do right now to stop it. Finally, Kaitlin explains how the filibuster has been used throughout US history to maintain white supremacy and asks why we’ve all gotten so comfortable with minority rule.

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#421 Filibuster? I Hardly Know Her! Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Milly, Alise, and Amanda are back to figure out why Mitch McConnell is controlling the Senate even after his demotion last week. They break down the history and practical uses of some procedural moves that could allow Democrats to pass legislation: budget reconciliation and removing the filibuster. What are the merits of each approach, and the consequences for taking them? Finally, we make the case for why Democrats should end the filibuster and do it fast.

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#420 Ted, You Went To Princeton! Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

Amanda, Sami, and Bryan break down a surprisingly news-packed first weekend of the Biden administration. They peek inside the Senate’s bullet journal for the next few weeks and to see what will be prioritized amid impeachment hearings, COVID relief, and cabinet nominees. Then, they consider why Republicans are so eager to delay impeachment, and what the outcome bodes for Trump’s future impact on the party. Finally, they break down news that the New York Times fired an editor over a harmless tweet and how the media’s overcorrection to so-called “liberal bias” disproportionately hurts female journalists.

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