
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

Jun 2, 2022 • 1h 14min
Joy, Justice and Excellence w. Becky Pringle
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk to the President of the National Education Association Becky Pringle about what it means to arm teachers with guns and the extraordinary burden teachers have carried the past few years. Then in News: Erin and Alyssa talk about Michigan Governor’s Whitmer executive directive on abortion, reproductive health, Japan’s terrible abortion laws, plus a man does a cool thing?! Next: Kara Klenk and Tien Tran join to discuss the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp defamation and counter lawsuit trail and then invent a new word: clout whoring. Finally, Sanity Corner! Show Notes:Text ACT to 644-33 Why the Depp-Heard trial is so much worse than you realizehttps://www.vox.com/culture/23131538/johnny-depp-amber-heard-tiktok-snl-extremism 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.

May 26, 2022 • 1h 9min
Laws > Prayers w. Shannon Watts
On this week’s show, Erin and Alyssa welcome Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, to process the massacre that happened in Uvalde, Texas, and to offer a glimmer of hope in the wake of tragedy. Then, Priyanka Aribindi and Kiran Deol join for Personal/Political to discuss combatting the fatigue that comes with the omnipresence of these horrific attacks and say Fuck That Guy to the men who continuously to allow them to happen. Finally, a much, much needed Sanity Corner filled with TV recs. Show notes:Text ACT to 64433 to get involved in the fight for gun control 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.

May 19, 2022 • 1h 27min
Bad Abbotts w. Bethenny Frankel & Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the primaries then are joined by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to talk about the baby formula shortage and what led to this catastrophic situation. Plus Bethenny Frankel joins to talk about her new book and the future of female leadership. Next: Grace Parra-Janney and Julissa Arce join to discuss the systemic failures of our government and the everyday heroes who pick up the slack. Finally a much needed 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.

May 12, 2022 • 1h 16min
Gaetz's Underage Lasagna
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk about the Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, start their own religion and come for your semen. Then Michaela Watkins and Akilah Hughes talk about the Matt Gaetz tweet and the “cat lady” trope. Plus, 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.

May 5, 2022 • 1h 28min
SCOTUS Scammed Us
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the leaked SCOTUS draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the political and emotional fallout. (We’d like the record to show that pro-life old men are extremely creepy!!!) Then Tien Tran and Kiran Deol join to rage and rant about the imminent takedown of Roe, and deconstruct our culture’s obsession with scammers. Plus, I Feel Petty!Show Notes:With our constitutionally protected right to abortion under attack, abortion funds are working nonstop to make sure people can still access (and afford) abortion.Visit votesaveamerica.com/roe to learn more, donate, and take action.More reading:Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 1 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. Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 2

Apr 28, 2022 • 1h 35min
I Know How You Feel w. Alison Leiby & Dr. Heather Irobunda
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk about the recent trove of Mark Meadows texts, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s testimony, Ron DeSantis’ battle with Disney, Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter and toast the reporters covering Ukraine. Plus Dr. Heather Irobunda and stand up Alison Leiby join to discuss medical gaslighting, how to improve communication with your doctor and normalizing being happy (??) after an abortion. Plus, I Feel Petty!Show Notes:Tickets to Alison Leiby’s Oh God, A Show About Abortionhttps://www.ohgodshow.com/

Apr 21, 2022 • 1h 15min
Call Your Sneaky Friends w. Sen. Mallory McMorrow & Kim Kelly
Erin Ryan talks with labor journalist and author Kim Kelly about the recent Amazon and rumblings of Starbucks unionization and her new book Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor. Plus, Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow joins to discuss her viral speech on the Senate Floor and the Republicans the growing trend of labeling their Democratic opponents as groomers and pedophiles. Plus Amy Westervelt and Mary Annaïse Heglar (hosts of the podcast Hot Take) join to talk about Earth Day and sustainability burnout. Finally, I Feel Petty! (Alyssa is out this week, but back next!) Show Notes:Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Laborhttps://www.indiebound.org/book/9781982171056?aff=PublishersWeeklyListen to more of Amy Westervelt and Mary on Hot Takehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hot-take/id1488414960Mallory McMorrowhttps://www.mcmorrowformichigan.com/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.

Apr 14, 2022 • 1h 8min
“No US in Abortion”
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation, the Etsy strike and Ivanka Trump’s testimony to the Jan 6 committee. Then Grace Parra-Janney and Kara Klenk join to talk about the murder charges levied against a Texas woman over her pregnancy loss and the exhaustion over the inundation of abortion headlines. Finally, never tweet Alyssa “I expect better from you”, she is watching 90 Day Fiancé and don’t come for her… and other pettys in I Feel Petty.Show Notes:Follow: Shout Your Abortionhttps://www.instagram.com/shoutyourabortion/?hl=enFor 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.

Apr 7, 2022 • 1h 14min
“I am the Cringe”
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco talk about the Republicans attempt to stop Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to SCOTUS, the historic Amazon Union vote in NY, Alabama’s mistrust in pregnant women, toast Colorado for enshrining the right to an abortion and troast Mitt Romney and Lisa Murkowski. Then, Michaela Watkins and Dana Schwartz join to discuss the rise and evolution of cringe culture. Finally, Sanity Corner!Show Notes:How to help Ukraine:Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)Donate to Humanitarian EffortSupport #SupportUkraine Humanitarian Effort on MightycauseUnited Help UkraineDonate to the Life-saving medical supplies to Ukraine’s front lineshttps://www.facebook.com/donate/1790857681112387Revived Soldiers UkraineDonate to Treatment of the wounded and the provision of hospitalshttps://www.facebook.com/donate/349402380213614/2361219087352065Razom for UkraineDonate to Tactical medical training and emergency response in Ukrainehttps://www.facebook.com/donate/1158240871580789/10223987229401655/Nova UkraineDonate to Humanitarian Aid to Ukrainehttps://www.facebook.com/donate/1137971146948461/5313902711988404/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.

Mar 31, 2022 • 1h 25min
The Post Scruples-Era w. Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss the obstacles birthing people experience obtaining abortion pills in red states, toast the Oscar winning movie CODA, and Madeleine Albright and give their first ever troast to Susan Collins for announcing her yes vote on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Plus, Senator Amy Klobuchar joins to debrief the SCOTUS briefings, the Ginni Thomas texts and her current legislative wins. Then Kiran Deol and Julissa Arce join to talk about Julissa’s new book and the case for rejecting assimilation. Finally, we talk about RSVP etiquette in I Feel Petty. Show Notes:Buy Julissa Arce’s book “You Sound Like a White Girl: The Case for Rejecting”https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250787019?aff=msmagazineMadame Hysteria is Elizabeth Packard.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.