Errin Haines, Editor-at-large of The 19th News, dives deep into the chaotic political landscape, analyzing Trump's DEI panic and the latest on Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr. They highlight disturbing trends in reproductive healthcare, especially the intersection of anti-abortion tactics and environmental policy. Haines also critiques Elon Musk's influence on privacy rights, alongside discussions on accountability in government. To balance the heavy topics, they celebrate icons like Beyoncé and Jalen Hurts, highlighting the importance of representation and cultural impact.

Julissa Arce, an influential author and immigration activist, joins the conversation to delve into the emotional toll of Trump's immigration policies. She shares heart-wrenching stories of undocumented individuals navigating fears of deportation and the complex impact on families. The discussion also covers critical deportation statistics and the rights of individuals when facing ICE. Arce emphasizes the necessity of community support, accurate information, and advocacy for asylum seekers and undocumented individuals, urging listeners to stand in solidarity.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joins Hysteria to talk about the future of the Equal Rights Amendment under Trump, her goals for her role as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and honor the memory of Cecile Richards. Erin and Alyssa also review Trump’s executive orders from his first days in office and question if any of them will actually improve the economy (spoiler alert: they won’t).Tracking Trump's executive orders: What he's signed so far (Axios 1/21)What Trump supporters believe and expect (Pew 11/13)Biden Proclaims That The Equal Rights Amendment Is The Law Of The Land—But What Does That Mean? (Vanity Fair 1/18) 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.

Michaela Watkins, a talented actress and comedian, shares her insights on the recent Los Angeles fires and the inspiring community relief efforts that have emerged. She highlights the resilience of locals coming together to support those affected, including a teenager who started a recovery fund. The conversation dives into societal perceptions, coping mechanisms, and the power of kindness in tough times, all laced with Michaela's signature humor. Together, they emphasize the importance of empathy and the enduring spirit of community amidst adversity.

Erin and Alyssa break down the legal saga unfolding between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the misconduct that happened on the set of It Ends With Us and the smear campaign that followed. They also discuss a historic breakthrough in the fight against medical debt, Meta’s twisted new hate speech policies, and how Democrats should deal with conservative BS in 2025. 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.‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine (NY Times 12/21)A Timeline of Blake Lively’s Legal Dispute With Justin Baldoni (Vogue 1/2)Gillibrand to head Senate Democrats’ campaign arm (The Hill 1/6)Medical debt will be erased from credit reports for all Americans under new federal rule (The 19th 12/7)For Harris, an Awkward Election Task: Certifying the Vote She Lost (NYT 1/6)Facebook lifts restrictions on calling women ‘property’ and transgender people ‘freaks’ (The Independent 1/7)

The Hysteria team is off this week, but we're excited to bring you an episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams. In this episode, Stacey talks to Kate Nazemi, a local education activist and parent, and Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, about the future of public education during a second Trump Administration. They break down Project 2025’s education policy prescriptions, the threats to the Department of Education, and what changes a President can and cannot make. Then, they discuss how to best get involved at the local level to make change in your community – from attending local school board meetings, to writing to your local representatives.If you liked this episode, subscribe to Assembly Required wherever you get your podcasts: crooked.com/assemblyrequired

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco say goodbye and good riddance to 2024 with help from guest panelists Akilah Hughes and Kara Klenk. They reflect on the parts of the year that kept them sane, from the Paris Olympics to the Kendrick-Drake beef. Then, they talk about holiday traditions and read out listener submissions about odd and wholesome ways to celebrate. 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.

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. Supreme Court to hear challenge to banning TikTok in U.S. (Washington Post 12/18)In reversal, key House panel votes to release Matt Gaetz ethics report (CNN 12/18)The House has its committee chairs. Here’s what the selection means (Punch Bowl News 12/13)Gillibrand Presses Biden to Amend the Constitution to Enshrine Sex Equality (NYT 12/13)Texas’ abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine (Politico 12/14)Postpartum depression is costing the United States billions. Can cities help? (The 19th 12/9)

After the media storm (and internet thirsting) surrounding the UHC CEO shooting suspect, Erin and Alyssa make sense of the cultural response online and what this says about the rage Americans feel toward the for-profit healthcare industry, and whether we’re entering a new era of class solidarity… or of fame-hungry copycats. Then they discuss the rise of the Manosphere and whether the men of America are okay (spoiler alert: they’re not). 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. What We Know About the Killing of the UnitedHealthcare C.E.O. Brian Thompson (NYT 12/9)A Year Before CEO Shooting, Lawsuit Alleged UHC Used AI to Deny Coverage (Newsweek 12/5)Emboldened ‘manosphere’ accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election (AP 11/30)

It’s no secret that we are angry about Trump’s win, but who and what are we angry at? Editor at Large of the 19th News, Errin Haines, joins Erin and Alyssa to discuss how racism and misogyny led to Trump’s win. They also check in on how democratic governors are bracing for Trump’s impact, and the latest news on disgraced Secretary of Defense pick Pete Hegseth. Finally, they feel petty about the new Bridget Jones Diary, but The Later Daters on Netflix keeps them sane.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.Dems’ new Trump resistance strategy: Playing nice (Politico 11/15)Tesla Excluded From EV Buyer Credits in California Proposal (Bloomberg 11/25)Who Needs Congress When You Have Cameo? (NYT 11/25)A Running List of the Allegations Against Pete Hegseth (Mother Jones 12/2)