

Getting Hammered
Laissez-Faire Media
A sharp, funny politics podcast for people who want the news without the freakout.
Each week, Getting Hammered® takes a hammer to the headlines, breaking down politics, media spin, and cultural meltdowns with skepticism and fun. Overcaffeinated and underprepared™, moderately right and moderately reliable, we never take ourselves too seriously. But keep you informed on serious topics with no panic and no partisan loyalty tests. Just laughs, well-earned side-eye, and occasional libations.
Each week, Getting Hammered® takes a hammer to the headlines, breaking down politics, media spin, and cultural meltdowns with skepticism and fun. Overcaffeinated and underprepared™, moderately right and moderately reliable, we never take ourselves too seriously. But keep you informed on serious topics with no panic and no partisan loyalty tests. Just laughs, well-earned side-eye, and occasional libations.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 6min
Fraudsters, OnlyFans, and Venezuelan Dictators, Oh My!
In this episode of "Getting Hammered," hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, the political landscape in Minnesota with Tim Walz's withdrawal from the governor's race, and the implications of OnlyFans models receiving work visas in the U.S. Plus, robot surgery, January birthdays, and disco! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 17min
Last Call For 2025
In this episode of Getting Hammered, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss their Christmas experiences and last minute Mrs Claus magic. The conversation transitions to more serious topics such as U.S. military action against ISIS in Nigeria, ongoing Ukraine-Russia negotiations, and the implications of fraud in Minnesota's childcare programs. They also touch on the renaming of the Kennedy Center, Pop Tart Bowl and the controversy surrounding a throuple featured in the Wall Street Journal.
00:00 Welcome and Holiday Recap
15:04 US Military Actions on Christmas
30:06 Minnesota Fraud Scandal
43:30 Kennedy Center
54:03 Pop-Tart Bowl and College Football
01:00:36 Throuple Housing Dilemma
01:04:24 White House Christmas Ornaments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 6min
A Conservative Crash Out For Christmas
Kelly Maher, a sharp political analyst and writer, teams up with Mary Katharine Ham to dive into the tumultuous week of political news within the conservative movement. They tackle contentious topics such as Ben Shapiro's push for truth in commentary and Tucker Carlson's reaction to the current dynamics. The duo discusses the split within the right at AmFest and JD Vance's call for inclusivity in the America First coalition. They also scrutinize Candace Owens' controversial claims and the ongoing crisis at the Heritage Foundation, all while sharing light-hearted holiday anecdotes.

Dec 19, 2025 • 1h 5min
Bonus Getting Hammered Gets a Lil Hammered: Christmas Cocktails!
Mary Katharine Ham makes cocktails for spirits expert Vic Matus. It's nerve-wracking. Did she succeed?! We mixed a LOT of liquors, with a
garnish of news, plus favorite and hated Christmas carols and movies! On the drink menu: A Cranberry Snow Globe Spritzer, a Gingerbread Martini, a Cranberry Margarita, a Peppermint White Russian, and a Cider with Bourbon. We even had fresh-roasted chestnuts!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
A Few Good Podcast Hosts
In this episode of Getting Hammered, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk holiday preparations and Nashville hot chicken followed by more serious topics, addressing tragic news events in Bondi Beach and Brown University. The conversation shifts to political insights regarding the current administration feature in Vanity Fair, followed by a discussion on Rob Reiner's passing and Trump's controversial response. Ending on a lighter note with a discussion on font changes at the State Department and concludes with a highlight of "Trashed Panda" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 2025 • 33min
Bonus: Karen Vaites and MKH on School Closings, Literacy, and Why Them Kids Ain't Learnin' Good
We're excited to offer some interviews as bonus content on Getting Hammered with friends of the show on topics we care about. Today, Karen Vaites, an expert on literacy and curriculum, who really knows the nitty-gritty about how students learn, what works, and what we can replicate. We rant a bit about school closings and Randi Weingarten, then get on to the business of moving forward— the Mississippi Miracle, the Southern Surge, and whether skepticism is warranted. We are optimists. There is good news! We're trying to spread the word and help spread the strategy. That's where you come in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 2025 • 58min
Chicken Tenders & Kennedy Center
In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal updates and holiday preparations to the competitive landscape of fried chicken chains. They delve into the political implications of Jasmine Crockett's Senate run, the Minnesota fraud case, and the cultural issues surrounding it. The conversation also touches on college football playoff controversies and reflections on the Kennedy Center Honors.
10:35 - Jasmine Crockett
22:40 - Minnesota Fraud
31:00 - Kennedy Center Honors
39:43 - College Football Playoffs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
A Near-Christmas Miracle: We're Back!
In the inaugural independent episode of "Getting Hammered," Vic and MK decide to bring back the show at least once a week this holiday season, with thanks to all you listeners who have stuck around during hiatus season. In the near future, we'll concoct some ways for you to support the show as we head toward the new year, whether it's premium content, subscriptions, or contributing to our holiday cocktail fund. In the meantime, you can help by subscribing, listening, reviewing, and spreading the word. Today, Vic and MK do a review of Thanksgiving health damage, Christmas traffic, and MK's kids destroying decor before diving into U.S. military attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats near Venezuela, the law of the sea, Franklin memes, Aftyn Behn, midterm forecasts, special elections, and people who should not sing on stage, the Minnesota massive fraud story, and the drama, drama, drama of Lane Kiffin.
10:10 Narco Terrorist
21:45 Minnesota
31:25 2026 Prospects
44:39 Lane Kiffin
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2025 • 48min
Post-Election
We’re back again to discuss on the recent election outcomes in New Jersey and Virginia, Mamdani in NYC, and a few updates while we have been away. Tune in!
8:06 - Elections
27:19 - Mamdani
35:58 - Heritage Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 18min
Life After Charlie
Watch this episode on Youtube!
We're back to discuss Charlie Kirk and the reaction to his assassination, Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, and a few other things we missed while we were away. Tune in!
timestamps:
14:49 - Charlie Kirk
44:07 Jimmy Kimmel
58:43 - Lightning Round Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


