Hysteria

Rachel Lindsay, the groundbreaking former Bachelorette and media commentator, shares her unique journey from law to reality TV. She reveals the surprising dynamics inside the Bachelor house and the intense pressure of choosing between contestants. Rachel also discusses the challenges of being the first Black lead, facing racism, and how production influenced her experience. The conversation dives into representation in reality TV and the fallout from the infamous Chris Harrison interview, bringing light to the balance between authenticity and entertainment.

The hosts take a deep dive into the antics of notorious figures like Elon Musk, critiquing his Doge failures and outrageous stunts. They hilariously dissect Mark Zuckerberg's shift from the metaverse to AI glasses and the surrounding controversies. Ghislaine Maxwell’s dramatic testimony and Kash Patel's chaotic leadership also make the list. With plenty of political missteps from figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Pete Hegseth, the hosts debate who truly deserves the title of the worst f*cking guy of 2025.

Erin and Alyssa dish on the Vanity Fair profile on Trump’s inner circle, America’s embarrassing response to yet another wave of gun violence, and Erika Kirk’s media blitz. Then they break down all the ways Project 2025 has rolled back the rights of women and lgbtq people this year. They wrap up Solicited Advice, I Feel Petty, and a live reaction to the new Melania Trump documentary trailer.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Project 2025 Tracker: www.project2025.observerSusie Wiles Talks Epstein Files, Pete Hegseth’s War Tactics, Retribution, and More (Vanity Fair 12/16)What we know so far about the Brown University shooting (BBC 12/15)What we know about the Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting (BBC 12/15)CBS News faces questions after faith-forward town hall with Erika Kirk (Salon 12/14)Project 2026 Declares Open War on Women’s Rights (Ms. 12/13)  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this lively discussion, comedian Kara Klenk shares her sharp wit, delving into Melania Trump's cringeworthy children's storytime attempt. The trio critiques performative charity through the lens of viral Angel Trees and the complexities of thoughtful giving. They also provide down-to-earth advice for celebrating the holidays on a budget, navigating dating in your 20s, and even the best vacuum picks. With humor and insight, they tackle both the absurd and the practical in today’s cultural landscape.

Dive into the controversial world of Kash Patel as the hosts expose his dubious claims about the Benghazi case and his questionable connections to Trump. From his self-importance and performative masculinity to his relationship with a much younger girlfriend, the criticisms are sharp. They scrutinize his media ventures post-2020 and the financial controversies surrounding him. With mockery and insight, the hosts dissect Patel’s opportunism and the dangers it poses to political institutions.

The Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, joins Hysteria to give some holiday and hosting advice, including potluck wisdom, host gift etiquette, and the best topics for dinner party discussion. Erin and Alyssa also get into some petty news stories, including Trump’s mystery MRI, Karoline Leavitt’s nasty Thanksgiving feast, and the University of Oklahoma student who flunked a paper after including questionable bible citations. They finished up with a discussion of Wicked: For Good, blind items, and Mormon Wife Whitney Leavitt’s upcoming Broadway debut. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Trump says he’ll release MRI results but doesn’t know what part of his body was scanned (AP News 12/1)OU student claims bad grade is an attack on her faith (Salon 11/30)Melania Trump Announces Muse Films Production Company (The Hollywood Reporter 11/28) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Erin and Alyssa are joined by their producer, Caroline Reston, for a Hysteria Thanksgiving special. They answer juicy questions from the conversation tin, dish out solicited advice on holiday woes, and do an extra petty edition of Sanity Corner. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Erin and Alyssa unravel the chaotic saga of Alex Jones, revealing his bizarre early life and outrageous self-mythologizing. They dive into his conspiracy roots, from the Waco incident to the infamous 9/11 claims that skyrocketed his popularity. Listen in as they dissect his failed predictions, iconic rants about 'chemicals in the water,' and the dark monetization of fear through questionable products. The duo also covers his personal turmoil, courtroom dramas, and the staggering $1.4 billion judgment related to the Sandy Hook controversy. It's a wild ride through the mind of a real-life man-baby.

Abby Phillip, a political journalist and CNN anchor, joins the conversation to discuss her book, *A Dream Deferred*, which explores Jesse Jackson's fight for Black political power. She highlights Jackson's activism in the 1970s and his approach to coalition-building, revealing lessons for modern Democrats. The discussion also touches on parallels between Jackson and Bernie Sanders, and the impact of Jackson's efforts on Obama and the Democratic Party. Abby shares her experiences reporting under Trump, introducing a fascinating mix of politics and media insights.

Tara McGowan, founder of Courier Newsroom, emphasizes the challenge of creating engaging truth amid misinformation. Stephanie Valencia, co-founder of Equis, highlights effective media strategies for reaching Latino audiences, combining digital and radio. Jessica Valenti, prominent writer and activist, advocates for focused coverage on critical issues like abortion, stressing the need for authentic narratives. Together, they explore the gaps in progressive media and the urgency to innovate to engage and mobilize audiences effectively.