
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

Aug 11, 2022 • 1h 27min
Adult Children
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco toast to the victory that is the Inflation Reduction Act before getting into teacher shortages, abortion bans, and Facebook being a menace to democracy. Next, Kiran Deol and Julissa Arce join to talk about parental approval of your decisions, from childhood to adulthood. Finally, a little I Feel Petty, a little 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.

Aug 4, 2022 • 1h 20min
Kiss My Kansas
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco start on a high note, celebrating the abortion rights victory in Kansas before discussing more reproductive rights news and embarking on another state-by-state Tour de Fuckery. Then, Shaniqua McClendon and Dana Schwartz come on to discuss quiet quitting, girlbossing, and having a life outside of work. Finally, a I Feel Petty-Sanity Corner combo. 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.

Jul 28, 2022 • 1h 17min
Kiln of the Patriarchy w. Betsy West & Julie Cohen
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to Betsy West and Julie Cohen about their latest film Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, an inspiring story about recovering from gun violence which they describe as a romance, a comedy, and a musical! In news, Erin and Alyssa continue discussing Roe’s impact, from walking out on an anti-abortion speaker to codifying gay marriage to responding to right-wing Twitter hate with fundraising for abortion access. Then, Michaela Watkins and Megan Gailey come on to discuss the nuances of cheating. And, ladies’ choice: I Feel Petty and Sanity Corner.Show NotesGabby Giffords Won’t Back DownGabby Giffords' Top Hits 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.

Jul 21, 2022 • 1h 9min
Made In Names w. Amanda Nguyen
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco interview activist Amanda Nguyen, the founder and CEO of civil rights accelerator Rise, to talk about gamifying lawmaking and seeking justice for rape survivors across the globe. Then, in news, Erin and Alyssa assess the current state of the fight for abortion rights on multiple stages: the streets, medical facilities, and the courts. Next, Tien Tran and Julissa Arce join to talk about changing your name, à la J. Lo turned Jennifer Affleck. Finally, the best of both worlds: a little I Feel Petty and a little Sanity Corner.Show NotesRise (Amanda's organization)Alicia Garza (activist who inspires Amanda)The Rehearsal (Nathan Fielder's new show)The Summer I Turned Pretty (series by Jenny Han) 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.

Jul 14, 2022 • 1h 18min
"Radical!" w. Bernardine Dohrn
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to academic and activist Bernardine Dohrn on the heels of Crooked’s new award-winning podcast, Mother Country Radicals, which tells the story of her life in advocacy. Next, in news, Erin and Alyssa start with a glimmer of hope and move on to a Tour de Bullshit, going into the terrible things happening in individual states, from Alaska to Tennessee. Then, Kara Klenk and Grace Parra Janney join to discuss cults. Finally, a positive ending with Sanity Corner.Show NotesVideo source: Sen. Hawley accused of transphobic questioning at abortion hearing (Washington Post)Mother Country Radicals 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.

Jul 7, 2022 • 1h 2min
Generation Nudes
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by Grace Parra Janney and Julissa Arce to do another special episode of Solicited Advice. Then, 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.

Jun 30, 2022 • 1h 24min
We Ride at Dawn w. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand about the realities and battles of a post-Roe America. Next, in News, Erin and Alyssa dive into the different responses — from Democrats, from the GOP, from the states — to the overturning of abortion rights. Then, they’re joined by Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz to talk about the power of imagining different realities through science fiction while we live in an increasingly dystopian society, and why queer and other marginalized people are so good at writing them. Finally, finding joy in Sanity Corner.Show NotesOur Opinions Are Correct (Charlie Jane's and Annalee's podcast)Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane AndersDreams Bigger Than Heartbreak by Charlie Jane AndersNever Say You Can't Survive by Charlie Jane AndersAutonomous by Annalee NewitzThe Future of Another Timeline by Annalee NewitzThe Women Could Fly by Megan GiddingsBrave New World by Aldous HuxleyWitchmark by C.L. PolkRing Shout by P. Djèlí ClarkWayfarers (Series) by Becky ChambersSpear by Nicola GriffithCharlie Jane's playlist of versions of "Funkin For Jamaica" by Tom Browne 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.

Jun 23, 2022 • 1h 26min
The Future WAS Female
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco prepare for more Supreme Court decisions this week by working through three hypothetical outcomes of the impending abortion ruling. Next, in News: Erin and Alyssa discuss January 6 hearing updates and states no longer scheduling abortions in light of being in Roe v. Wade limbo. Then, Dana Schwartz and Julissa Arce join for Personal/Political to break down “The Future Isn’t Female,” an op-ed in the New York Times by Michelle Goldberg, and the cringe state of feminism today. Finally, 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.

Jun 16, 2022 • 1h 46min
Pull Yourself Up by the Bra Straps w. Katy Tur
Happy 200 episodes! Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to NBC anchor Katy Tur about her honest new memoir Rough Draft. Then in News: Erin and Alyssa discuss Liz Cheney’s Jan. 6 opening statement, the tampon shortage (and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s dizzy, transphobic comments about it), a new Ohio law allowing teachers to carry guns after barely any training, and the alt-right attacking Pride events nationwide. Later, Megan Gailey, Naomi Ekperigin, Grace Parra Janney, and Kiran Deol join to reflect upon the craziness that has — and surprisingly hasn’t — gone down since Hysteria’s beginning four years ago. Finally, a sophisticated 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.

Jun 9, 2022 • 1h 29min
To Dianne For w. Rebecca Traister
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to NY Mag writer-at-large Rebecca Traister about her newest piece on Dianne Feinstein. Plus in News: Erin and Alyssa reflect on the Uvalde victim stories and Matthew McConaughey’s surprising engagement in the gun conversation. Then Megan Gailey and Dana Schwartz join to discuss the bikini menace and the rise and fall of the “bikini body”. Finally, a very petty I Feel Petty.Show Notes:Text ACT to 644-33 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.