

The Bitchuation Room
Francesca Fiorentini
A weekly caucus of progressive comics, activists and thinkers hosted by Francesca Fiorentini
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 22, 2021 • 1h 3min
Restaurant Workers Say ”Check Please!” with Jena Friedman & Saru Jayaraman (Ep105)
There isn't a labor shortage, there's a WAGE shortage. Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage joins Francesca to discuss the openings for real change in the restaurant industry. And comedian Jena Friedman on Texas’ abortion ban is tested by randos and Customs and Border Patrol forgets what year it is and whether black migrants are human. PLUS in a Patreon-only bonus discussion, Jena and Francesca hash out the case of Gabby Petito and what we are and are not talking about. Join to listen: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom. Featuring: Jena Friedman, comedian, Soft Focus, Indefensible on AMC+ Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroomFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodGet your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.comThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 15, 2021 • 1h 23min
The Conservative Brain with Jesse Fernandez & Dr. Danna Young (Ep104)
How can we lure loved ones away from the conspiracy theory dark side? Dr. Danna Young joins the podcast to discuss how to put away the quick quips and jokes and actually listen to those who we disagree with. Plus, comedian Jesse Fernandez on 20 years since 9-11 and George W. Bush somehow is speaking not from a prison cell, dogs that can smell Covid, and the "Tax the Rich" dress. What do we make of it? Performative or powerful, neither or both? Finally a new game: "Would you/wouldn't you?" Featuring: Jesse Fernandez, comedian & writer Dr. Dannagal Young, professor of communications & political science Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroomFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 5, 2021 • 1h 17min
Cheese Nips & White Nationalists LIVE from Portland with Mac Smiff, Eric Ward & Matt Lieb (Ep103)
From neo-Nazis to composting, what happens in America first happened in Portland. Francesca and comedian Matt Lieb had the pleasure of sitting down in person with BLM activist and journalist Mac Smiff, civil rights strategist Eric K. Ward of Western States Center along with more than 130 fired up audience members to talk about how to uproot white supremacy from the police to the Capitol rioters. Plus Nabisco workers are taking their strike to the next level, America comes face to face with the dire need to abort the Supreme Court, and Eric Clapton goes off the deep end. If you were lucky enough to be there you know how special it was. Recorded on Thursday September 2, 2021 Featuring: Mac Smiff, activist & journalist https://twitter.com/MacSmiff Eric K Ward, Western States Center, SPLC fellow https://twitter.com/BulldogShadow Matt Lieb, Pod Yourself A Gun, Good Mythical Morning https://twitter.com/mattlieb Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Thanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 2021 • 1h 25min
A Socialist in Peru with Brett Erlich & José Ragas (Ep102)
Can Peru's new leftist president deliver economic justice for poor and indigenous Peruvians? Professor José Ragas joins to discuss. Meanwhile in the "first world" while Delta cases rage, Americans reject the Covid vaccine and choose livestock de-wormer instead. And guy who definitely has a maid, Bill Maher, comes in hot with the coldest take on Afghanistan. And the only Capitol police officer who behaved the way we all expected on January 6th speaks out. Plus, what's your milk crate challenge in life? Featuring:Brett Erlich, TYT head of programming @bretterlich José Ragas, Professor of History Catholic University of Chile, @joseragas----Contents:6:15 What are you Bitching About- Afghanistan, Lindsay Graham21:26 The Week Where22:15 Covid Neigh-sayers30:27 Ok Boo-Maher!37:40 A moving Capitol Police Officer interview48:25 A Socialist President in Peru1:14:00 My Milk Crate Challenge Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroomFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 23, 2021 • 1h 34min
The Empire Takes An L with Max Elbaum & Matt Lieb (Ep 101)
Everyone thinks they could've done Afghanistan war better! And Biden isn't backing down from his decision to withdraw. Author and activist Max Elbaum joins Francesca to weigh in on the 20-year war and whether this will be a new chapter of American de-militarization (or whether the President will just pivot to military aggression against China.) Plus, comedian Matt Lieb on Covid taking out conspiracy theorists and OnlyFans hanging sex workers out to dry. Featuring: Max Elbaum, author & activist (Revolution in the Air, People's World) Matt Lieb, comedian (Pod Yourself a Gun, Good Mythical Morning) Get your official Bitchuation Room merch: www.bitchuationroom.com! 20% off when you become a patron at patreon.com/bitchuationroom Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Thanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Ornes, Cody Hickox & Rosalie Atkinson Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 16, 2021 • 1h 22min
Taliban PRIME with Nando Vila & Jennifer Jajeh (Ep 100)
Well that war de-escalated quickly. On the 100th episode of The Bitchuation Room (!) Francesca welcomes Nando Vila of Jacobin Weekends and comedian Jennifer Jajeh to discuss the Afghan government falling once again to the Taliban. You'd think the Americans would've had a bit more of a plan than this? Or was it just to funnel money to weapons manufacturers? Plus, census data scares the right, anti-vaxers think their sperm will be valuable and moderate Democrats seek to stymie the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation plan. Plus, how do you keep it 100? Featuring:Nando Vila, @nandovila (Jacobin Weekends)Jennifer Jajeh, @jenjajeh (comedian/actor, Transparent) Contents:9:00 What are you bitching about?21:50 Anti-vax sperm is the new bitcoin!28:40 Moderate democrats stopping infrastructure budget37:15 Are white people actually in decline according to the census?51:10 The "failure" in Afghanistan1:11:00 Keeping it 100 Get your official Bitchuation Room merch: www.bitchuationroom.com! 20% off when you become a patron at patreon.com/bitchuationroom Join Francesca LIVE in Portland on Thursday Sept 2nd at the Alberta Alley with Matt Lieb, Mac Smiff, and Eric Ward. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBRPortland Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Ornes, Cody Hickox & Rosalie AtkinsonMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 9, 2021 • 1h 28min
Love the Warrior, Hate the War with Esti Lamonaca & Nato Green (Ep99)
Yes the U.S. military is a place to organize for social justice. The Bitchuation Room welcomes Esti Lamonaca, a non-binary combat veteran with the grassroots veterans organization Common Defense, which advocates an end to forever wars. Plus, comedian Nato Green joins Governor Cuomo's pathetic "cultural" excuses for sexual harassment, Tucker Carlson's open mouth kiss of Viktor Orban's Christian nationalism, and Biden's broken promises on immigration. And finally what non-Olympic sport would you win a medal in? Nato claims a silver medal in Napping. Featuring: Esti Lamonaca, organizer with Common Defense @commondefensewww.commondefense.us/join Nato Green, comedian & labor organizer, @natogreenBuy Nato's comedy albums from Bandcamp Contents:5:23 Thank you to Patrons & tippers~6:28 Francesca bitches about IPCC & climate change, Nato's story about Frantifa member20:35 Week Where round up21:17 Cuomo blames Italian-ness for sexual harassment31:39 Tucker introduces audience to the authoritarian Viktor Orban47:58 Vets resist forever war with Esti Lamonaca of Common Defense1:19:58 "My Olympic Medal” Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroomFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 7, 2021 • 1h 1min
The Zombie Drug War with Ioan Grillo (FULL)
Journalist Ioan Grillo on the ways a lack of American gun control impacts the narco-trafficking violence and feeds a Zombie drug war. We discuss the "iron river" of guns, immigration, the prison industrial complex, paramilitaries, narco-states, hopes of drug legalization, and the only way Francesca will do cocaine.Featuring: Ioan Grillo @ioangrillohttps://www.ioangrillo.com/---Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroomFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 4, 2021 • 3min
*Patron Early Access* The Zombie Drug War with Ioan Grillo
Head to www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to listen to the full interview NOW!Journalist Ioan Grillo on the ways a lack of American gun control impacts the narco-trafficking violence and feeds a Zombie drug war. We discuss the "iron river" of guns, immigration, the prison industrial complex, paramilitaries, narco states, hopes of legalization, and the only way Francesca will do cocaine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 26, 2021 • 1h 32min
Bumble Snitching with Josh Gondelman & Brianna Westbrook (EP 98)
A dating app turns in yet another insurrectionist (this time a dude with a metal whip) and a Montana hero confronts a Fox News nightmare. Comedian and writer Josh Gondelman joins to discuss that and why his voice would be great for the Garden of Eden. Plus AZ Democratic Party vice-chair Brianna Westbrook on what to do about Kyrsten Sinema’s status quo stranglehold on the state, and what it will take to primary her. Featuring: Josh Gondelman, comedian(Make My Day Podcast, Author of Nice Try, writer for Desus & Mero on Showtime) Brianna Westbrook, vice chair of AZ Democratic Party(DSA Phoenix, Former Bernie Sanders surrogate) Join the Franita and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroomFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodThanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra OrnessMusic Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-canneryLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseSupport The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuationSpotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Find Francesca On: Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranifioInsta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices