American Fever Dream

Latest Episodes:

#331 Do You Know Who My Dad Is? Episode 1: Influencers Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

The Betches Sup presents an 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, our hosts are talking about influencers. First, Bryan examines the rise of Cara Delevingne as a model, actress and influencer, sharing just how far back in history her powerful family can be traced. Next, Alicia talks about the ascension of the Hadid sisters, and how their wealthy and influential parents helped them get where they are today. Finally, they close things out with a game of Do You Know Who My Dad Played, all about actors whose parents gave them a leg up.

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#330 Will Woodward’s Bombshell Change The Election? Ft. Sam Vinograd Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Today Sami is joined by Sam Vinograd, National Security Analyst for CNN and former Senior Analyst to the Obama administration, to talk about the threat Trump’s presidency poses to our national security. They start with a conversation about Bob Woodward’s new book and the bombshell news that the president admitted to downplaying the coronavirus threat. They discuss the impact of Trump’s repeated attacks on the intelligence community, as well as the whistleblower allegation that Homeland Security told him to stop a report on Russia’s attempts to interfere in the election. Next, they talk about the evidence that senior Russian officials were behind the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Finally, they close things out with a conversation about how Trump’s latest scandals will move the needle in the upcoming election.

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#329 Is Trump Getting A Nobel Peace Prize? Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

Kaitlin and Alise are back and start the show with details about the Rochester Police officials who resigned yesterday after protests over the killing of Daniel Prude. Next, they talk about the unprecedented, norms-breaking move by the Department of Justice to assume responsibility for defending Trump in a defamation suit brought on by E. Jean Carroll. Finally, they close the show with Trump getting nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by a Norwegian politician.

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#328 The Trump Ship Is Sinking, Literally Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

Sami and Bryan start things off with details about the pro-Trump parade that caused five boats to sink this weekend. Then they discuss the Atlantic report claiming Trump called troops that died in war losers and suckers. Next, they talk about the House Oversight Committee launching an investigation on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for violating federal election laws and lying to congress under oath. Plus, they discuss the release of Michael Cohen’s tell-all book, featuring some not-so-surprising claims about the president’s conduct. Finally, they close the show with details about the many wildfires that continue to rage across the country.

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#327 November Is Coming Ft. Rep Dina Titus and Donna Imam Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

Today we have a stacked Labor Day episode in which Amanda interviews two incredible women trying to save us in November. First, she chats with Nevada Rep. Dina Titus about the unique impact of COVID 19 on her Las Vegas district, and how she’s worked with local leaders as Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have refused to provide relief for hardworking Nevadans. Then, Amanda call up Donna Imam, who is running to unseat nine-term Republican incumbent John Carter in Texas’s 31st district. Imam shares the moment she knew she had to run and discusses Texas’s changing demographics.

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#326 ‘Suburban Women Voters’ Ft. Rep Debbie Dingell Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

Today, Amanda talks with Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell to discuss the state of the election in this critical swing state two months out from November 3. She describes the state of school re-openings in her district and reminds us that the choice between safety and schooling was never inevitable, but one Trump forced us to make. She laments the division and hatred stoked by the president and recounts when she was on the receiving end of his Twitter bullying. Finally, she explains how Trump’s failed leadership has impacted the economy and the simple questions Michigan voters should ask themselves before November.

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#325 No Soup For You Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Bryan and Alise start the show with reports that CDC has recommended that public health officials prepare to distribute a coronavirus vaccine as early as October or November. They also discuss Dr. Fauci clarifying that a vaccine may be available for certain groups before clinical trials end, but not as early as two months away. Next, they talk about Trump suggesting that voters in North Carolina vote twice to see if they can expose the weaknesses of mail voting, followed by Attorney General Bill Barr playing dumb about voter laws. They react to a viral quote Trump gave about protesters using bags of soup to attack police. Finally, they touch on some revelations from Sarah Sanders new book.

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#324 Did The CDC Just Cancel Rent? Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

Kaitlin and Amanda are back to debrief Trump’s Kenosha visit. Then, they discuss the president’s refusal to acknowledge the rising threat of white supremacist domestic terror. They share reports that Trump refuses to hear the term “white” in briefings about domestic extremism and how racial tensions in the United States compare to the rest of the world. Finally, they explain how the Centers for Disease Control has the authority to halt evictions and why even this has a big catch.

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#323 Trump, Golf, Gun Violence Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Alise and Bryan are back and start the show with a conversation about the violence that has continued to roil American cities (and has been endlessly covered by the media). They discuss Trump’s refusal to say the name “Jacob Blake” and his unwillingness to condemn the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse. Next, they talk about Joe Biden delivering a speech in one of his first campaign appearances outside of Delaware since the pandemic began. Then they cover Trump’s plans to visit Kenosha, Wisconsin today despite pleas from local officials that it would just make things worse, and react to his astonishing comparison of police killing black people to making mistakes playing golf. Finally, they close the show with first-hand tips for helping support Biden’s campaign and updates on the contentious Massachusetts primary taking place today.

For links to register to vote and request a mail ballot in every U.S. State visit: betches.co/deadlines

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#322 A Conversation With Yusef Salaam Of The Exonerated 5 Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Kaitlin and Amanda speak with Yusef Salaam and Ibi Zoboi to discuss their new graphic novel “Punching The Air,” inspired by Salaam’s experience being wrongfully incarcerated as a teenager as part of the Exonerated 5. Salaam describes the sometimes traumatic experience of writing about an incarcerated teen, what he hopes readers absorb from the book in a time of racial reckoning, and how he hopes to share the power of art with a new generation.

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