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Episode 169: Mob rules Oct 10, 2018

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Eli Sanders, Rich Smith, and Katie Herzog look into the latest Republican scare-talk: Democratic "mobs." Then it's on to something that's actually, truly scary: the new climate change warnings from a panel of UN scientists. After that, Katie announces her run for US Senator in Maine and then explores a student-made list of anonymous rape accusations at the University of Washington. Finally, Stranger arts writer Jasmyn Keimig talks about the work of Natalie Diaz, who just won a MacArthur "Genius" grant. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 168: Baby Riches Oct 03, 2018

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Dan Savage, Rich Smith, and Eli Sanders talk about the bombshell New York Times story that proves Donald Trump lied about being a self-made billionaire. (Spoiler: Trump's daddy gave him a whole lot more cash than Trump has ever acknowledged.) Will this shredding of a core Trump myth change anything at all? Then, Katie Herzog talks about the case of Jack Smith IV, the "woke" journalist who was fired from Mic amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Was this the right response to these particular allegations? Finally, Rich and Eli talk with Dan about that new movie Dan made them watch: Active Measures. It's impressive. It's also a lot. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 167: Judicial Crisis Sep 26, 2018

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The sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh keep piling up, with the latest stomach-churning claim landing just as we sat down to record this week's show. Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, Rich Smith, and Katie Herzog talk about what's sure to happen next (fantasy and reality edition). After that, The Great Ted Cruz Restaurant Chase and a book by Michiko Kakutani that just might help you navigate this insane moment. It's called "The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump." Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 166: Her word vs. his word Sep 19, 2018

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The rush to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court has been slowed by accusations from Chrstine Blasey Ford, who says Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school. Dan Savage, Katie Herzog, and Eli Sanders talk about this very consequential #MeToo moment and what should happen next. After that, Rich Smith returns from a sojourn in Trump Country to tell us about a rural Congressional race that's so surprisingly close it's giving him new hope for the Democrats taking back Congress. Finally, Dan talks about all the great shows he watched while grudgingly taking some forced time on the couch. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 165: "Tremendously Wet" Sep 12, 2018

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As Hurricane Florence bears down on the mid-Atlantic, the President boldly declares that the country is "ready for it." But are we? And does Trump have any room to talk now that Puerto Rico has revised its death toll from Hurricane Maria to around 3,000? With Eli Sanders on vacation, Rich Smith asks Dan Savage and Katie Herzog to tell us how prepared we really are, and to speculate about whether we'll ever be prepped enough. Then, the steady state. Right after we taped the show last week, the New York Times published an anonymous op-ed from a "senior official" in the Trump administration. The writer claims that an unelected group called "the steady state" is secretly preventing Trump from blowing up the country. Is that…good? And who wrote that damn op-ed? We'll discuss. Finally, a dispatch from the heart of Amazonia. The trillion-dollar company made headlines this week with a string of stories about how badly it treats its workers. Meanwhile, right here in Seattle, Amazon is one of the most visible drivers of income inequality and cultural tension. Rich and Dan talk to new Stranger staff writer Nathalie Graham about a piece she wrote in response to a new "Money Diary" entry from Refinery29, which shows readers what the city's like from the perspective of an Amazonian making $240,000 per year. She's living fancy free, but is she really living?

Episode 164: Banning Bannon Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

Dozens of people have now been arrested for protesting inside the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. We talk to one of them: Tiffany Hankins. After that, Eli Sanders, Rich Smith, and Katie Herzog talk about whether Democrats are really showing enough spine in trying to stop Kavanaugh, and what more they can really do without a Senate majority. Next: The New Yorker's decision to invite Steve Bannon to headline its annual festival, the subsequent Twitter furor, and the magazine's decision to cancel Bannon's invitation. Who screwed up here? And finally, two books, one podcast, and one old Netflix series that offer quick, delightful escapes from our political hellworld. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 163: A Delicious List Aug 29, 2018

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In Florida, there's now a fascinating governor's race match-up between one candidate who's backed by Bernie Sanders and another who's backed by Donald Trump. The Democratic candidate, Andrew Gillum, could become the first African-American to lead the state. Eli Sanders, Rich Smith, and Katie Herzog talk about that, as well as the real legacy of John McCain, who died on Saturday at the age of 81. Plus: A tour through a magical list—drawn up by Republicans!—of all the things Democrats are likely to investigate if they retake control of the House in November. Also, Katie explores a thorny question: Is it too soon for Louis C.K.'s comeback? Finally, a few movies we love right now, including Eighth Grade and Crazy Rich Asians. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 162: Guilty! Times two! Aug 22, 2018

Show notes

This week, on the same day, and at almost the same moment, it became official: Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort are both guilty of major federal crimes. Dan Savage, Rich Smith, and Eli Sanders talk about what it means for Trump, and how it feels to finally have the long-apparent guilt of these two Trump associates in the record books. After that, Katie Herzog offers her take on the news that Asia Argento, a major figure in the #MeToo movement, secretly settled with a man who accused Argento of sexual assault. Katie says this development is another reminder that the "believe women" slogan has certain flaws. Finally, Charles Mudede on whether Omarosa's "black card" should be returned and the fascinating spat between Spike Lee and Boots Riley over Lee's new movie, BlacKkKlansman. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 161: Riding the Wave Aug 08, 2018

Show notes

The "blue wave" came through Blabbermouth's home state on Tuesday, and Dan Savage, Rich Smith, and Eli Sanders talk about what happened — including some drama Rich got into with local Republicans trying to pull an "enemy of the people" move on his right to report. They also talk about the Ohio special election, in which there's a virtual tie between the Democrat and Republican candidates in a district that Republicans would normally win easily. That's great news for wave-trackers, but: Did the Green Party candidate in this special Ohio election spoil the Dem's chances of turning a virtual tie into an outright win? Dan has some thoughts. After that, Katie Herzog explains what QAnon is and why Republican "thought leaders" are trying to keep Trump's base from believing the conspiracy theory. Finally, Dan offers a tribute to Charlotte Rae and Eli talks about a new, must-see documentary called Dark Money. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 160: The Witch Trials Begin Aug 01, 2018

Show notes

Special council Robert Mueller sent his first "witch" to trial Tuesday morning in Virginia. Over the next three weeks, Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign manager, will face 18 felony counts of tax fraud and bank fraud. It's an airtight case likely to land Manafort in jail for life, but it apparently has nothing to do with Trump-Russia collusion. Or does it? In Eli Sanders's absence, Rich Smith asks Dan Savage and Katie Herzog about what Mueller's really trying to squeeze out of Manafort. Then, Dan and Katie stick around for a grab-bag second segment. Topics under discussion include: Twitter drama, the media making the same mistakes it made in 2016, and "Quiet Skies," a secret government operation designed to spy on U.S. citizens in airports. Speaking of secret operations: Sean Nelson, the Stranger's Editor at Large, joins Dan and Rich in the third segment to talk about Mission: Impossible—FALLOUT, the latest action film in the series starring Tom Cruise. Is it awesome? Is it not awesome? Is Tom Cruise hiding something? Does anybody care? We do. This episode is brought to you by Quip. Go to GETQUIP.COM/blabbermouth right now and you'll get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush.

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