

Hysteria
Crooked Media
Political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 19, 2023 • 1h 3min
Cooking with Gas
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco start with all things news, from gas stoves and TikTok to Andrew Tate’s disgusting incel MLM (TW: rape) and the Idaho Murders (TW: murder). Then, Michaela Watkins and Kara Klenk join to answer the question: when should we give brutally honest advice to friends, and when should we hold our tongues and just be supportive? Finally, a little Sani-Petty — great if you’ve got a sweet tooth!Show NotesNational Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support 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.

Jan 17, 2023 • 24min
Introducing Radiolingo: “That’s Amoré”
We say love is love is love is love. And that’s true! But it’s also รัก if you’re Thai. Yêu và quý if you’re Vietnamese. And a lot of hard work no matter where you’re from. In this episode of Radiolingo, the sweet sticky mess that is romance. Listen to and follow RADIOLINGO for free, wherever you get your podcastsAbout the Show: Radiolingo investigates all the ways language shapes our world and how our world shapes language. Hosted by Ahmed Ali Akbar, an audio journalist and James Beard Award-winning writer, each episode introduces a new way of looking at the impact of language across our lives, our relationships, our culture and much more. Radiolingo is a Crooked Media and Duolingo production.

Jan 12, 2023 • 1h 12min
Burning Down the House w. Rep. Pramila Jayapal
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into news, highlighting the nurses strike in NYC and two of their favorite Katies (Porter and Hobbs). Next, Rep. Pramila Jayapal joins to discuss the saga of electing Kevin McCarthy, what Democrats need to do to prepare for 2024, and her current book recommendations. Then, Kiran Deol and Megan Gailey come on to talk about Prince Harry’s memoir, family estrangement, and loudly airing your family’s dirty laundry. Finally, a little Sani-Petty, covering everything from Gwen Stefani (who claims to be Japanese?) to the Buffalo Bills. 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. Show NotesThe NYC nurses strike reveals a fundamental flaw in US health careThe Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy LefteriNo Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies: A Lyric Essay by Julian AguonReckoning by V (formerly Eve Ensler)Gwen Stefani: "I Said, 'My God, I'm Japanese'"

Jan 5, 2023 • 1h 9min
Nepo Baby One More Time
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco ring in 2023 with GOP chaos (Kevin McCarthy taking L’s in the House speaker vote, Matt Gaetz being funny for the first time in his life), great new California legislation coming into play (including more abortion protections and no new fur coats), and Idaho murder updates. Then, Tien Tran and Dana Schwartz join to discuss, according to Vulture, 2022’s favorite buzzword: nepo baby. Finally, in Sani-Petty, period talk, wholesome TV, and Movies. Show NotesBash asks Pelosi if McCarthy has what it takes to be House Speaker. See her responseHow a Nepo Baby Is Born 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.

Dec 22, 2022 • 1h 7min
Holiday Happy Hour w. Sen. Gillibrand, Hirono & Klobuchar
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco put on their coziest beanies and review this Year in Chaos, remembering everything from JLO changing her last name to the January 6th hearings and the raid in Mar-a-Lago. Then, Senators Amy Klobuchar, Mazie Hirono, and Kirsten Gillibrand join to talk about their favorite festive traditions, holiday recipes, and whether or not they’ll be drinking some ‘nog (spoiler: the answer is yes, and it WILL be boozy). Happy Holidays!Show NotesSenator Amy KlobucharSenator Mazie HironoSenator Kirsten Gillibrand 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.

Dec 15, 2022 • 57min
Burnt Out on Murder w. Jena Friedman
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are army crawling towards 2023 with the help of White Lotus, a hopeful reformation of the Electoral Count Act, and the schadenfreude of watching a crypto bro fly too close to the sun. Then, Jena Friedman and Megan Gailey join to talk true crime, from copaganda to genuine ACAB content. Finally, we close it out with a Sani-Petty — but with all Sani, no Petty, because we’re treating ourselves during this year-end chaos!Show NotesTrue Crime Story: IndefensibleNot Funny: Essays on Life, Comedy, Culture, Et Cetera by Jena FriedmanLadykillerr/idahomurders 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.

Dec 8, 2022 • 1h 8min
Bay Area Wrapper w. Rep. Jackie Speier
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to Rep. Jackie Speier about her iconic political career ahead of her upcoming retirement from Congress (which, she assures, does NOT mean she won’t be booked and busy). In News, Erin and Alyssa cover everything from the Georgia runoff results (yay, Warnock!) to the Good Morning America host cheating scandal. Then, Julissa Arce and Dana Schwartz join to dive into getting the “ick.” Finally, a little Sanity Corner, a little I Feel Petty.Show NotesWalker delivers concession speechWhy Warnock Won and What it Means (Dan Pfeiffer)Congresswoman Jackie SpeierYou Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting Assimilation by Julissa ArceImmortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz 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.

Dec 1, 2022 • 55min
Chief of Vibes w. Megan Rapinoe
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco sit down with U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star and activist Megan Rapinoe to talk about the Qatar World Cup, pay equity and transparency, being a woman in soccer, and her and her fiancé Sue Bird’s shoe collections. Then, in News: Erin and Alyssa talk January 6th updates (summary: Find Out Season continues), rail workers’ labor rights, and recent Balenciaga scandals. Finally, Megan Rapinoe joins the ranting in I Feel Petty.Show NotesSoccer star Megan Rapinoe urges accountability after investigation finds systemic abuse and misconduct in women’s game [CNN]Megan Rapinoe x Trusaic 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.

Nov 24, 2022 • 1h 10min
Extra Helpings
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Megan Gailey and Kara Klenk celebrate Thanksgiving by bringing you another installment of Solicited Advice! Plus Sani-Petty! 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. Show NotesHook On Chair, Clip on High Chair, Fold-Flat Storage Portable Baby Feeding SeatINSTANT POT BUFFALO CHICKEN

Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 20min
Conservateur Tears w. Mallory McMorrow
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow to take a victory lap on Michigan’s big election night! From enshrining abortion rights to flipping the state house and state senate. Then in News: Erin and Alyssa talk about Trump's Presidential announcement, the University of California academic worker strike, the Taylor Swift/ Ticketmaster clusterfuck, and toast Christina Applegate. Plus! Dana Schwartz and Kiran Deol join to talk about the decline of women’s magazines and their conservative counterparts. Finally, we, of course, talk about Tiffany Trump’s wedding in I Feel Petty. 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. Show NotesSen. Mallory McMorrow