
The New Abnormal
Blunt truth and dark humor for a world in chaos. A Daily Beast podcast hosted by Danielle Moodie & Andy Levy. Tune in every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 2min
Dems Need More Viral ‘D*** Pic’ Moments If They Want to Stop Musk
On this episode of The New Abnormal, California Rep. Robert Garcia’s Elon Musk “d--- pic” during a DOGE hearing proved that some Democrats know how to counter Republican rhetoric, so why are the party’s longtime stalwarts having such a difficult time stepping aside? Plus! How NYU School of Law’s Christopher Sprigman is leading a fight to stop Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing personal data. Then, Buddhist scholar Lama Rod Owens discusses how to keep a level head in trying times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Super Bowl Halftime Show Was Tailor Made to Trigger MAGA
The New Abnormal hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie break down Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. Then, Dannagal Young, author of “Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation”, joins the show to talk about what common sense means and why President Donald Trump is using it as a catchphrase. Then Dr. Emily Nagoski, author of “Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections,” joins the show to discuss what the conservative policy agenda Project 2025 means for sex educators. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 2025 • 30min
MTG’s ‘Sickening’ L.A. Wildfire Attack Comes Back to Bite Her
On this episode of The New Abnormal, Vermont Rep. Becca Balint hammers Georgia Rep. Marjorie Talor Greene over her “sickening” use of DEI to attack L.A. wildfire victims. “It's become crystal clear that the phrase DEI is used in place of much more offensive terms,” said Balint. Plus! Journalist Lois Parshley discusses her latest article, “Trump’s Tech Donors Have Big Plans For Greenland.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 5min
Right-Wing Group's Unbelievable New Tactic to Tackle DEI
On this episode of The New Abnormal, the right-wing American Accountability Foundation is ushering in a “McCarthy-style” era with its diversity, equity, and inclusion “bureaucrat watch list.” Plus! Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, breaks down the Trump administration's attacks on public education, and Tax March executive director Maura Quint delves into the fight for tax justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 4, 2025 • 1h 4min
Trump May Tank U.S. Economy Faster Than Any Other President
The New Abnormal hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie are not confident about Trump’s economy. Then, ProPublica investigative reporter, Mica Rosenberg, joins us to break down a recent piece, “ICE Enforcement Official Tapped to Lead Unaccompanied Migrant Children Office, Triggering Alarms.” Then journalist and author, Eoin Higgins is here to tell us about his new book, “Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2025 • 31min
FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel Sets Off Alarms During His Confirmation
On this episode of The New Abnormal, could FBI director nominee Kash Patel be President Donald Trump’s most extreme cabinet appointment yet? During his confirmation hearing, senators grilled Patel over his intent to weaponize the FBI to “come after” conspirators “not just in government” but “in the media.” Plus! Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project, joins to discuss the ACLU’s lawsuit against Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship and the broader fight to protect immigrant rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 3min
GOP Doubles Down on Trump’s DEI Blame Game Amid D.C. Crash Tragedy
On the latest episode of The New Abnormal, President Donald Trump wasted no time finger-pointing as he addressed the mid-air crash between a passenger plane and U.S. Army Black Hawk that left 67 dead in Washington D.C.– and it appears he has the backing of his allies. Plus! Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee discusses Trump's flood of executive orders, legal battles ahead, and what Democrats can learn from past fights. Also, Religion News Service reporter Jack Jenkins delves into white Christian Nationalism’s influence on Trump’s project 2025 directives and the growing pushback from faith leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 2025 • 1h 2min
It Took Trump One Week to Turn on U.S. Allies
The New Abnormal hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie are not surprised at Trump’s war of words with an American ally just one week into his presidency. Then, Trevor Timm, co-founder and the executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation, joins the show to talk about Joe Biden's press freedom legacy and the threats to those freedoms we face under a second Trump administration. Plus! Journalist and author Jacob Silverman explores the growing influence of Saudi investments in U.S. tech and their ties to the likes of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 2025 • 39min
Rev. Mariann Budde Rattles Trump With Plea for ‘Mercy’
Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde rattles President Donald Trump during his big inauguration week by asking for “mercy.” During an inaugural prayer service on Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral, Budde addressed Trump in her sermon. “Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God in the name of our God. I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country. We're scared.” The New Abnormal co-host Danielle Moodie called the address to the president Trump an “absolute profile in courage.” She added, “I know that MAGA loves to feed off people's fear and that's what gets them excited, but it is people like her that are modeling how you stand up to these people.” Plus! Political scientist Jules Boykoff, author of What Are the Olympics For?, explores the intersection between sports and politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Billionaire Trump Sets Out a Tip Jar Like an Underpaid Barista
Labor reporter Hamilton Nolan joins the latest episode of The New Abnormal to discuss Trump’s cryptocurrency venture—and what it portends for the future of his presidency. Plus! A conversation with New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, whose office filed a challenge to Trump’s executive order that would get rid of birthright citizenship in the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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