
American Fever Dream
From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night.For constant news updates, sign up for the Sup email newsletter at betches.com/newsletters and follow us on Instagram at @betches_news. And follow V on TikTok and Instagram @underthedesknews.Watch American Fever Dream On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetchesnews
Latest episodes

Mar 23, 2023 • 51min
#843 What’s The Real Likelihood Of A TikTok Ban?
Topics:
Why hasn’t Trump been arrested yet? We read between the lines.
Tiktok’s CEO makes the case against a ban in the US. What actually makes the app more dangerous than other platforms? (It’s not the issue getting the most attention.)
Ron DeSantis was always going to expand his “Don’t Say Gay” rules
Are Men OK? We check in on a US representative who seems a little *too* worked up about plant-based milks.
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Mar 20, 2023 • 54min
#842 A Trump Arrest & An Arresting Read ft. Ari Shapiro
Topics:
Why does Donald Trump think he’s getting arrested tomorrow?
How a Trump indictment could impact the 2024 Republican primary
NPR’s Ari Shapiro joins to peel back the curtain on his new memoir “The Best Strangers In The World,” which chronicles his career in journalism and live performance (IYKYK). He reflects on the anti-LGBTQ sentiment he witnessed as a teen in Oregon, his long career of reporting across the globe, his many creative iterations including as a singer for Pink Martini, and of course, his favorite JLO movie.
Pick up “The Best Strangers in the World” wherever books are sold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16, 2023 • 43min
#841 Gender Equality Is *How* Far Away? Ft. Ms. Pat
Topics:
Would the US government actually ban TikTok?
How Ronald Reagan killed Ms. Pat’s dog
A series of women’s rights and women’s wrongs, starting with the UN head’s claim it will take 300 years to achieve gender equality
Is a statue for the unborn coming to the Arkansas capitol?
Unpacking accusations of “wokeness” around Silicon Valley Bank as we revisit the query: Are Men OK?
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Mar 13, 2023 • 1h 7min
#840 Who Got Robbed This Weekend?
The group chat debriefs on the 2023 Oscars: Michelle Yeoh triumphs, Jamie Lee Curtis has a controversial win, the Academy rewards fatphobia, and Ozempic gets a lifetime achievement award
The pandemic began exactly three years ago. Who were we in 2020, and who are we in 2023? We discuss collectively + personally
Why we’re frustrated by the Silicon Valley Bank rescue
Politicians did stand up at an exclusive dinner this weekend. We rate their jokes.
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Mar 9, 2023 • 56min
#839 Women’s Rights & Women’s Wrongs
Topics:
Why is our International Women’s Day hangover so brutal this year?
The aftermath of Walgreens’ bizarre pledge to deny abortion medication to patients in states where it’s legal. Why did the move prompt such a reaction, and are other pharmacies really the heroes?
Sarah Huckabee Sanders weakens child labor laws in Arkansas
Women thriving this week: From single women who’ve overtaken their married peers and the woman who could singlehandedly ban TikTok in the US to Anna Wintour’s upcoming veto.
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Mar 6, 2023 • 45min
#838 Biden Lights Up The D.C. Groupchat
Topics:
On the demise of one of America’s most high profile couples: Kellyanne and George Conway (Ok, Tom and Ariana too)
Has CPAC lost all of its far-right influencer cred?
President Biden pisses off his besties over D.C. criminal reforms. Why can’t Democrats ever stick the landing messaging around crime?
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Mar 2, 2023 • 57min
#837 Ghosted By Student Loan Forgiveness?
Topics:
Joe and Jill Biden caused a political scandal by ordering the same rigatoni dish at D.C. restaurant. Was this egregious behavior?
Will the Supreme Court block Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan? And will young people blame Biden if they do? We look ahead to the decision and potential aftermath
Bringing in women’s history month with a roundup of women who, despite it all, managed to thrive this week
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Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 1min
#836 The Me Too Cultural Reset
Topics:
Describing our weekends in headline format
Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans move to ban college minors in gender studies
Tennessee prepares to enact the nation’s first drag ban… and Nashville would like a word
New criminal sentences for R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein. We reflect on five years since Me Too. What fundamental changes have stuck, and what inequities remain?
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Feb 23, 2023 • 58min
#835 Burgers, But For Girls
Topics:
Which Republican politician was banned from Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s wedding? Plus, untangling the family’s lawsuit against their wedding planner
Unpacking the fallout after the Dominion Voting System’s lawsuit against Fox revealed pundits admitting their election fraud claims were false
Don Lemon will receive “formal training” after sexist remarks about women in their “prime”
Is it ever appropriate to talk about age and politics? Yes, and here’s why
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Feb 21, 2023 • 53min
#834 The Internet Needs An Umbrella
Comedian Jon Laster joins to share the origins of Blapp, an app that helps you shop Black-owned businesses for all the things you already need
What exactly did Tiger Woods think was so hilarious about handing a tampon to his opponent?
What to know about Section 230 and the Supreme Court case that could change the future of the internet
Download the Blapp app wherever you buy apps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices