American Fever Dream

Latest Episodes:

#360 Trump vs. Trump: Final Debate Recap Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

Alise, Sami, Bryan, and Amanda are back to recap the 2020 election cycle’s final presidential debate. They start by getting in their feelings about the election just 11 days away. Then, they run through the debate’s most memorable moments, from the president claiming the pandemic is behind us to Biden’s stellar facial expressions and Trump’s contest with himself for who could be the most xenophobic. Did last night’s debate change any votes? Then, Amanda is joined by Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama to discuss voting rights in the south and what’s at stake for women this election.

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#359 Do You Know Who My Dad Is? Episode 7: The McCains & The Romneys Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

The Betches Sup presents the seventh installment of the 8-episode limited series exposing the connections you never knew existed: Do You Know Who My Dad Is? explores dynastic nepotism and the effects it has on media, culture, and our current political system. Hosts Bryan Russell Smith and Alicia Angeles are talking all about the privilege that leads inexperienced and unaccomplished children of powerful people to get ahead.

This week, we’re talking all about the families responsible for producing two recent Republican presidential nominees, the McCains and the Romneys. First, Bryan tells us about the rise of John McCain, from his family’s military roots to his election to the Senate, and finally his ascendence to power and eventual campaign against Barack Obama in 2008. Next, Alicia explains the origins of Mitt Romney’s dynastic family, including his father’s time as Governor of Michigan, the source of their enormous wealth, and how he became a presidential nominee. Finally, they close things out with a game of “Do You Know Who Said It?” featuring real quotes from both John and Mitt.

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#358 The NRA Has Met Its Match Ft. Shannon Watts Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

Bryan and Amanda are joined by Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, the largest gun safety reform organization in the country. With more than 6 million supporters, Moms Demand is more popular than the NRA. So why don’t our laws actually reflect Americans’ values on gun safety? Watts shares how the NRA wields disproportionate impact over the gun safety debate and whether the pandemic has made school-age children more or less safe from guns. She describes how volunteers across the country have pressured state legislators to radically alter gun laws that keep communities safer. Finally, she shares the first thing she would urge President Biden to do to address gun violence in America.

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#357 The Mute Button We’ve All Been Waiting For Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

On this episode of the Sup, Sami and Alise are back and with only two weeks to go before election day, they start with an update on some election news. They discuss Trump ranting about Dr. Fauci on a campaign call, referring to him and other health experts as “idiots” that nobody wants to listen to. Next, they talk about the news that the final debate will feature the ability to mute the candidates’ microphones, and react to Trump lashing out at Kristen Welker, an NBC News journalist who will moderate the event. Finally, they discuss how some Republicans are abandoning ship as Trump’s poll numbers continue to plummet and all signs point to a devastating White House loss that takes the Senate down with it.

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#356 Another Deadly Wave Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Bryan and Amanda are back to recap the weekend’s news, from surging COVID cases across the midwest to record-breaking early voting numbers out of key battleground states. They run through rising COVID numbers across the country not seen since the height of the pandemic as experts warn the next few months could be the darkest thus far. So will Americans see any economic relief? We check on the state of stimulus talks and how the White House, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell’s respective political motivations will impact negotiations.

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#355 Do You Know Who My Dad Is? Episode 6: The Walmart Family & The Koch Brothers Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

The Betches Sup presents the sixth installment of the 8-episode limited series exposing the connections you never knew existed: Do You Know Who My Dad Is? explores dynastic nepotism and the effects it has on media, culture, and our current political system. Hosts Bryan Russell Smith and Alicia Angeles are talking all about the privilege that leads inexperienced and unaccomplished children of powerful people to get ahead.

This week, we’re talking all about two of the richest families in human history, the Waltons and the Kochs. First up, Alicia tells us how Sam Walton and his Walmart empire led his children and their descendants to become the wealthiest family in the world. Next, Bryan tells us all about the infamous Koch brothers and how their family fortune enabled them to become one of the most powerful influencers of political policy on the planet. Finally, they close the show with a game of Walton family trivia called “Retail or Tall Tale” featuring a few facts that just may surprise you.

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#354 “Beautiful And Free” Ft. Rep. Stephanie Murphy Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Today, Bryan and Alise are back to preview debate night. JK, no debates -- just two dueling Town Halls on separate networks at the same time. What was NBC thinking? Then, they share the news that Barron Trump had COVID with his parents and how Trump broke the news. They also run through highlights from day 3 of Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing. Is it NBD she couldn’t remember five freedoms on the spot, or is it disqualifying? Finally, Amanda hops on with Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL 7) to chat about how women can move the needle in the final days of the election.

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#353 Judge-ment Free Zone: Confirmation Recap #2 Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

On today’s Betches Sup podcast, Sami, Kaitlin, and Amanda catch up on Day 2 of confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. They lament that having a law degree absolves justices from sharing their own views, even when Barrett’s are well documented. They run through the most alarming moments from the hearing, including Barrett’s refusal to recuse herself from election-related matters or comment on the constitutional right to an abortion. Finally, they compare what they wish Democrats would do with the hearings with the actual strategy.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Curology: Get a powerful skincare treatment made for you today! Go to Curology.com/sup for a free 30-day trial, just pay for shipping and handling!

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#352 ACB, IVF, WTF? Confirmation Recap #1 Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Amanda and Alise are back to run through early voting mayhem in Georgia and Texas, where long lines and voter suppression attempts haven’t stopped hundreds of thousands from flooding the ballot box. Then, they talk through the early days of Amy Coney Barrett’s Senate confirmation hearing. Is there anything of value to be gained if her appointment is a foregone conclusion? They discuss her disturbing answers to questions about abortion rights, racism, and IVF.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Curology: Get a powerful skincare treatment made for you today! Go to Curology.com/sup for a free 30-day trial, just pay for shipping and handling!

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#351 Do You Know Who My Dad Is? Episode 5: Fox News & The New York Times Oct 09, 2020

Show notes

The Betches Sup presents the fifth installment of the 8-episode limited series exposing the connections you never knew existed: Do You Know Who My Dad Is? explores dynastic nepotism and the effects it has on media, culture, and our current political system. Hosts Bryan Russell Smith and Alicia Angeles are talking all about the privilege that leads inexperienced and unaccomplished children of powerful people to get ahead.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking all about the families behind two of the biggest media empires in the world, Fox News (the Murdochs) and The New York Times (the Ochs Sulzbergers). First, Bryan walks us through the history of the Murdochs, starting with patriarch Rupert Murdoch’s rise to wealth and power. Plus, he shares the many scandals the family has endured and how Rupert’s children stand to inherit his vast empire. Next, Alicia outlines the lineage of the Ochs Sulzbergers and how the role of publisher has been passed from one (white male) family member to another for over a century. Finally, they finish this week’s episode with a game called “Get With the Times” all about some of the most interesting facts about these two media families.

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