The Ghost Economy

Today, we're talking about the spookiest thing we can think of: the economy. The stock market is up in 2025, but the gains are concentrated in a handful of companies, primarily driven by speculation about what AI will be. Sarah and Beth discuss what the AI economy means for regular people, our jobs, and our future. Topics Discussed The AI Economy Crypto Speculation Outside of Politics: Steven King and Louise Penny Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sarah and Beth are joined by Lacy Boling of the Paducah Cooperative Ministry, who shares how government cuts are impacting Food Banks across the US, their ability to meet their community needs, and how we can help. Topics Discussed How federal assistance has slowed to a trickle What could happen to families when SNAP benefits run out What happens to food pantries when need skyrockets What all of us can do that actually helps Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The East Wing of the White House being torn down during a government shutdown might be the most egregious physical manifestation of America’s problems right now. Corruption abounds, Congress is adrift, and our international impact is murky at best. Plus, healthcare costs are skyrocketing for millions of Americans.  Sarah and Beth break it all down together. They discuss the destruction of the East Wing, the government shutdown, ICE in Chicago, the Gaza ceasefire, the strikes on Venezuelan boats, the healthcare costs, and more. Topics Discussed Corruption at the White House Government Shutdown and Congress Adrift Donald Trump’s International Legacy and Actions Healthcare Cost Increases Outside of Politics: Our Switzerland Trip Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should SNAP benefits cover soda and candy? Six states get federal approval to exclude them, and Sarah and Beth debate whether this is smart public health policy or government overreach—wrestling with the tension between the "nutrition" and "assistance" parts of the program's mission. Should tax dollars subsidize products that make people less healthy? Sarah and Beth explore the "common sense politics" of restricting junk food purchases, Sarah's personal experience using SNAP cards during COVID, and whether the Biden administration should have approved state waivers as experiments instead of blocking them. Is the soda industry the real villain? Sarah calls soda "poison" and predicts it will be viewed like cigarettes in decades to come, while Beth argues the government should regulate the industry upstream rather than police individual purchases downstream. Plus: Bedtime routines, sleep struggles, and why Beth can sleep through anything while Sarah wakes up at the slightest sound. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a college "greet line" handshake turns into a 24-year friendship? Sarah welcomes her longtime friends Mike and Smith to explore how their trio has survived decades of different life phases, cross-country moves, and major life changes, from their freshman year at Transylvania University through careers, marriages, and parenthood—all anchored by a book club that became their lifeline. Why are platonic male-female friendships so rare in American culture? They examine the social dynamics that make cross-gender friendships uncommon, how romantic assumptions complicate these relationships, and what it takes for friendships to survive when partners enter the picture, exploring whether having sisters, shared interests, or just good "riffing" chemistry makes the difference. Is America heading toward a "soft secession" by blue and red states? They flip the script on our usual Outside of Politics segment and tackle the current political moment, debating whether fertile ground exists for a viable third party, why Trump's cultural omnipresence makes him irreplaceable, and whether the country's "bimodal" split on everything from news consumption to local governance signals a fundamental breaking point in American democracy. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth tackle the complicated state of climate discourse in America. While extreme weather events become increasingly common and climate change shows up in our daily lives—from electricity bills to insurance rates—the national conversation remains frustratingly frozen in partisan gridlock. They explore why climate change has become such a divisive political issue despite its visible effects, discuss the tension between climate catastrophism and practical solutions, and examine what effective climate messaging might look like going forward. From the “mile wide, inch deep” nature of public support to the challenges facing both progressive and conservative climate advocates, this conversation captures the full complexity of where we are—and where we might need to go. Finally, Sarah introduces Beth (and us) to junk journaling, a creative practice of transforming everyday ephemera into meaningful keepsakes. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will there finally be peace in Gaza? Sarah and Beth discuss President Trump's efforts to coordinate a peace deal between Israel and Gaza. They reflect on what it must mean to families on both sides of the conflict to see a potential end to this war in sight.  Why isn't Congress back in session to end this shutdown and what does it have to do with Epstein?. Sarah and Beth talk to Rep. Ro Khanna about the government shutdown and his efforts to get the Epstein files released. Rep. Khanna also shares why the two are intertwined.  How much cleaning is too much cleaning? Outside of politics, we're talking about cleaning content and what level of cleaning goes past reasonable standards of cleanliness.  Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Government shutdown drags on with no end in sight. Sarah and Beth explore why Republicans lack motivation to resolve it—from giving Russell Vought a runway to shut down agencies, to avoiding responsibility, to the Epstein document discharge petition battle.  Federal troops and ICE operations escalate in American cities. Sarah and Beth break down the National Guard deployments to Los Angeles, DC, Memphis, and the blocked attempt in Oregon, plus aggressive ICE raids across the country.  What "war zones" actually look like versus Portland protests. Sarah and Beth push back on the administration's characterization of cities, discuss ice impersonators endangering citizens, and debate whether Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker are handling federal overreach differently.  Plus: Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album—what worked and what didn't. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Trump's Gaza peace plan actually work? Sarah and Beth break down the 20-point proposal and why Netanyahu is finally feeling the heat. They discuss what's changed—from polling on Israel to Ukraine's drone warfare lessons—and whether this administration's transactional approach might accidentally deliver lasting peace. Why are so few panicking about the government shutdown? With funding lapsed and Congress in recess, Beth and Sarah explore the "giant shrug" response from those not directly affected and whether crying wolf has made actual shutdowns feel disminished. They debate Democratic strategy on healthcare protections, discuss the problem with shutdown threats, and propose what a genuine budget process reform could look like. What happened when Pete Hegseth called 800 generals to Quantico? Sarah and Beth dissect the defense secretary's retreat featuring Christian nationalism, complaints about "fat" people in the military, and Trump's "enemy within" rhetoric. They work through the tension of taking legitimate military critiques seriously while resisting the administration's trap of making everything a partisan thunderdome—and why the calm response from cities with National Guard deployments offers a better model. Plus: The treats roundup you need this week, from The Pitt to fall magazines to cinnamon toast blondies. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the path forward for Gaza and the West Bank? Beth and Sarah discuss Trump's fourth meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister as European countries recognize Palestinian statehood. They examine Tony Blair's transition proposal, Trump's 21-point plan, and whether the Trump administration can be a reliable partner in peace. What happens to a government shutdown when "we don't have local politics anymore"? As the government funding deadline hits tomorrow, Sarah and Beth explore why the old political playbooks may not work in today's splintered media environment. Sarah and Beth evaluate Democratic negotiating priorities - from healthcare tax credits to PBS funding - and debate whether representatives should act as delegates or trustees when Constitutional order itself is at stake. Is the Comey indictment as flimsy as it looks? Beth breaks down the two-page indictment charging the former FBI Director with lying to Congress about a 2016 leak. With a grand jury already refusing one charge and a statute of limitations that barely applies, they discuss what it means when the Justice Department has fully become "the revenge department for the president" rather than serving the American people. Plus: Sarah shares her Common Ground Pilgrimage to England and achieves her life dream of comforting a crying baby on a transatlantic flight. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.