The Left Needs a Pep Rally Ft. Akilah Hughes

On this episode of American Fever Dream, V and Sami have their first book club of ‘AFD approved’ beach reads. They’re first joined by author Molly Jong-Fast of How To Lose Your Mother to chat about grief, sobriety, and how to get through the ‘worst year of your life.’ Then, switching gears, David Litt stops by to talk about his new book, It’s Only Drowning, a novel about how surfing with his MAGA-loving brother-in-law led to unexpected political insight and where we all go from here. Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@BetchesNews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on American Fever Dream, V and Sami are joined by Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow to talk burnout, billionaires, and why Democrats keep losing the narrative. They unpack the myth of self-made tech moguls and why political performance matters more than ever to take dems out of 1996 into 2025. Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on American Fever Dream, V and Sami are joined by Akilah Hughes to break down the mess that is the Democratic Party. They unpack their political atrophy, their lack of authenticity, and how Republicans have mastered political theater over them. And finally, the talk about the power of protest, but most importantly, they want a time machine so that Oprah could win the 2016 presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on American Fever Dream, V and Sami unpack hell on earth - Hawk Tuah’s live podcast at Vid Con. Then, they deep dive into how President Trump bombed Iran without telling anyone (including Congress) and the implications of Christian nationalism in politics. It’s all getting very 2003 again — but with a president that’s a fascist instead of one that can paint dogs. Watch this and more today ⁠youtube.com/@thebetchesnews⁠!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, V and Sami unpack the No Kings protests and explore how a grassroots movement sent a powerful message across the country. Then, they discuss what made these demonstrations feel different, why small-town actions mattered, and what Democrats must learn from the moment. Finally, they take a deep dive into the growing collaboration between tech companies like Palantir and the U.S. military—and what it means for the future of democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, V and Sami unpack the ICE protests in LA and dig into the disinformation spreading through on-the-ground reporting and the media ecosystem at large. Then, they’re joined by Charlotte Howard, Executive Editor of The Economist and co-host of the Checks and Balance podcast, for a deeply worrying look at Trump’s economic chaos, crypto grifts, and how the U.S. economy went from best-in-class to dumpster fire. Spoiler: we also picked a new mascot for the Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode of American Fever Dream, Sami Sage sits down with New Jersey Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill for a candid conversation about why Congress is stuck, what it’s like trying to change a broken system from the inside, and why the Democratic Party needs a serious reboot. From glitter at Pride to calling out Biden after his debate performance, Congresswoman Sherrill doesn’t hold back.  Watch this and more today youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, V and Sami are joined by Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, hosts of the I’ve Had It podcast, to talk about their new book Life Is a Lazy Susan of Sh*t Sandwiches. They dig into dealing with religious trauma, marriage to a sex addict, and what it’s really like being progressive in the Bible Belt. Then, they deep dive into the overlap between faith and politics, the Democrats' ongoing messaging struggles, and why Trump still unfortunately has a hold on so many voters.  Watch this and more today youtube.com/@thebetchesnews!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sami sits down with Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman to discuss her new book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes. They unpack the chaos that is the Supreme Court and what can be done to fight back. Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sami and V talk about the breaking news on Biden’s health. Then, they unpack the Pope’s comments on marriage and the Louisiana plantation that burned down. And finally, they’re joined by Chasten Buttigieg to talk about his new children’s book Papa’s Coming Home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices