
Hysteria
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 20, 2022 • 1h 2min
Live from LA! w. Karen Bass
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco come to you live from LA, reuniting for the first time since pre-pandemic! They kick off the show interviewing LA’s (hopefully) future mayor Congresswoman Karen Bass about all things midterms. Then, Megan Gailey, Julissa Arce, and Kiran Deol join to talk about the doomed fate of wife guys. Finally, the crew finishes the show reading and arguing about hot takes from the audience. Show NotesKaren BassRoger Stone calls Ivanka Trump an 'abortionist bitch' after not getting January 6 pardon 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.

Oct 13, 2022 • 1h 30min
Beto O'Rourke Makes History w. Beto O'Rourke
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco welcome Hysteria’s FIRST MALE interview guest: Beto O’Rourke! Never not breaking barriers over here. After talking to him about his Texas governor race, Erin and Alyssa continue their October Witch of the Week series with the indigenous Deer Woman. Next, Tien Tran and Megan Gailey join to talk about rich-poor friendships and end the show with a Halloween-adjacent Sani-Petty. Show NotesBeto for TexasThe Deer WomanThe Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones90 Day Fiancé Tell All Live w/ Mike O'Brien, Tien Tran, Ashley Ray + More! 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.

Oct 6, 2022 • 1h 11min
Consent of the Governed w. Kyra Harris Bolden
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into staunchly pro-life Herschel Walker’s abortion underwriting and Florida’s invasion into the privacy of student athletes before sitting down with Michigan State Supreme Court candidate Kyra Harris Bolden. Next, Amanda Nguyen and Nona Willis Aronowitz come on to chat about sex, consent, and how the "sexual revolution" has let some women down. Then, we end on a Sani-Petty.Show NotesKyra Harris Bolden for Michigan Supreme CourtBaba YagaRise (Amanda Nguyen's organization)Bad Sex: Truth, Pleasure, and an Unfinished Revolution by Nona Willis Aronowitz 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.

Sep 29, 2022 • 1h 15min
Downward Viral w. Chloe Maxmin
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco shoutout Lizzo’s crystal flute skills before getting into the news: the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s death, the election of Italy’s brand new lady fascist and state-level lies and secrets that will make you shake your damn head. Then, Michaela Watkins and Julissa Arce join to talk about the intersection of misogyny and disinformation, inspired by Don’t Worry Darling and the pervasion of Russian bots online. Finally, a balanced ending: 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 NotesLizzo plays James Madison's flute at Library of Congress (Correction: Erin said John Adams instead of James Madison)Fighting fascists with Bernie Sanders (Pod Save the World episode mentioning protests in Iran)Oriaku Njoku: National Network of Abortion Funds, Access Reproductive Care-Southeast, 2022 TIME100 NEXT ProfileChloe Maxmin: Rural Runners film, Dirt Road Revival book, Dirt Road OrganizingOlivia Wilde Controversies TikTokSUAY SEW SHOP

Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 27min
Ol’ Yeller w. Secretary Katie Hobbs
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco get into the latest abortion news — bans, polls, men being evil — before sitting down with Arizona’s Secretary of State Katie Hobbs to discuss her running for governor in a major toss-up race against a rocket launcher enthusiast. Next, Kiran Deol and our senior producer Caroline Reston come on to talk about getting berated and how to respond when someone yells at you. Then, we end the show with an instant classic, Sani-Petty.Show Notes:Puerto Rico never recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Maria (2017). Now, the island is completely flooded and without electricity again. You donate to organizations who are on the ground doing the work. One in particular we want to highlight is Taller Salud. They’re a feminist mutual aid org currently coordinating hurricane relief. Donate here.Katie Hobbs for Governor 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.

Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 27min
Vacation Daze
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the highs (WNBA breaking records, Abbott Elementary winning Emmys) and the lows (the proposed federal abortion ban, the mess that is the GOP) of the latest national news. Then, Kiran Deol and Kara Klenk join to discuss why Americans are so bad at unplugging when they’re OOO. Finally, we’ve chosen a name for our I Feel Petty and Sanity Corner combo: 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.

Sep 8, 2022 • 46min
“Let the Bachelorettes Kiss!” w. Jill Gutowitz & Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Jill Gutowitz and Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein to discuss the queering of reality dating shows and the undeniable chemistry between the two current Bachelorettes. Plus, rounding out the summer with a I Feel Petty/Sanity Corner combo!Show NotesSix on Broadway Tony Performance 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.

Sep 1, 2022 • 1h 23min
Handmaid’s Fail w. Dr. Aria Halliday
Erin Ryan is joined by guest co-host Grace Parra-Janney to embark on another Tour de Fuckery, checking in on what tomfoolery is going on in various red states. Then, Erin chats with scholar, teacher, and cultural theorist Dr. Aria Halliday about the Handmaid’s Tale as a post-Dobbs cultural reference and the relationship between Black women and reproductive justice. Next, Julissa Arce and Amanda Nguyen come on to discuss the suburban equalizer, the Target run. Finally, a little I Feel Petty, a little Sanity Corner. Show Notes:Abortion organizations in Mississippi who are also working on flood relief after the devastating flooding in Jackson:Mississippi Reproductive Freedom FundMississippi Abortion Access CoalitionBuy Black: How Black Women Transformed US Pop Culture by Dr. Aria S. HallidayKilling the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and The Meaning of Liberty By Dorothy RobertsDoechii 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.

Aug 25, 2022 • 1h 18min
Horny Judgment
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco get into Biden’s student loan debt relief program, Secretary-Mayor Pete’s proposed new rules to strengthen airline passenger protection, and discuss how abortion on the ballot is driving women to register to vote in higher numbers than men. Then, Grace Parra-Janney and Dana Schwartz join to talk about Finland’s Prime Minister daring to have a social life, our Russian conspiracy theories of her public attack and the unfair judgment we place on public facing women and their social media. Plus, another I Feel Petty/Sanity Corner Combo Extravaganza! 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.

Aug 18, 2022 • 1h 16min
Talkin’ Toxic
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss Dr. Oz’s baffling crudité video, living in a post-Roe digital dystopia, and future former Congresswoman Liz Cheney. Then, Akilah Hughes and Tien Tran come in to talk about identifying our own toxic traits — and seeing the positives in our negatives. Finally, an extra toxic I Feel Petty-Sanity Corner combo. Show Notes:Not Just Kansas; Women Motivated to Vote in States with Repro Rights at RiskJared Kushner’s ‘Breaking History’ Is a Soulless and Very Selective MemoirKaleigh Cohen FitnessThanks, ObamaAlcohol and Excess During Thanksgiving BreakThe Split 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.