American Fever Dream

American Fever Dream

From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night. For constant news updates, sign up for the Sup email newsletter at betches.com/newsletters and follow us on Instagram at @betches_news. And follow V on TikTok and Instagram @underthedesknews. Watch American Fever Dream On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebetchesnews

Episodes

Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Ad Controversy

July 29, 2025 • 56 mins
In the final episode of American Fever Dream, V Spehar and Sami Sage go out with their hottest grab bag of takes. First, they dissect Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad and its alleged white supremacist undertones. Then, they deep dive on Hunter Biden’s interview and the weight of American political family dynasties. And finally, they have a rapid fire take-off covering Plymouth Rock to Epstein conspiracies to the fall of gay bars ...
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Inside Trump & Epstein’s PR Machine

July 22, 2025 • 63 mins
In this episode of American Fever Dream, V and Sami critique Jubilee’s YouTube debate platform and react to the latest episode of Surrounded with Medhi Hasan. Then, they deep dive into how digital dependency has eroded our attention span across generations. And finally, they unpack Jeffrey Epstein's influence over  powerful institutions of America and who is really protecting who. Watch this and more today on youtube.com/@betche...
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Why Trump Doesn’t Want the Epstein Files Released

July 15, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode of American Fever Dream, V and Sami deep dive into the dark, unresolved legacy of Jeffrey Epstein. They unpack how Epstein groomed girls from elite institutions and the power structures that protected him. And finally, with Ghislaine’s court appeal and Trump’s constant media deflection, they try to thread the needle between what’s next and if justice will ever be served. Watch this and more today on youtube.com/...
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Books We Read to Cope Ft. Molly Jong-Fast and David Litt

July 8, 2025 • 70 mins
On this episode of American Fever Dream, V and Sami have their first book club of ‘AFD approved’ beach reads. They’re first joined by author Molly Jong-Fast of How To Lose Your Mother to chat about grief, sobriety, and how to get through the ‘worst year of your life.’ Then, switching gears, David Litt stops by to talk about his new book, It’s Only Drowning, a novel about how surfing with his MAGA-loving brother-in-law led to unexpe...
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The Senate's Medicaid Meltdown & How to Stay Sane Ft. Mallory McMorrow

July 1, 2025 • 63 mins
This week on American Fever Dream, V and Sami are joined by Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow to talk burnout, billionaires, and why Democrats keep losing the narrative. They unpack the myth of self-made tech moguls and why political performance matters more than ever to take dems out of 1996 into 2025. Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...
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The Left Needs a Pep Rally Ft. Akilah Hughes

June 26, 2025 • 38 mins
This week on American Fever Dream, V and Sami are joined by Akilah Hughes to break down the mess that is the Democratic Party. They unpack their political atrophy, their lack of authenticity, and how Republicans have mastered political theater over them. And finally, the talk about the power of protest, but most importantly, they want a time machine so that Oprah could win the 2016 presidential election. Learn more about your ad ch...
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America Joined a War and VidCon Was Hell

June 24, 2025 • 44 mins
This week on American Fever Dream, V and Sami unpack hell on earth - Hawk Tuah’s live podcast at Vid Con. Then, they deep dive into how President Trump bombed Iran without telling anyone (including Congress) and the implications of Christian nationalism in politics. It’s all getting very 2003 again — but with a president that’s a fascist instead of one that can paint dogs. Watch this and more today ⁠youtube.com/@thebetchesnews⁠!...
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Why the “No Kings” Protests Hit Different

June 17, 2025 • 55 mins
This week, V and Sami unpack the No Kings protests and explore how a grassroots movement sent a powerful message across the country. Then, they discuss what made these demonstrations feel different, why small-town actions mattered, and what Democrats must learn from the moment. Finally, they take a deep dive into the growing collaboration between tech companies like Palantir and the U.S. military—and what it means for the future of...
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The Crypto Grift That Could Break America ft. Charlotte Howard

June 10, 2025 • 57 mins
This week, V and Sami unpack the ICE protests in LA and dig into the disinformation spreading through on-the-ground reporting and the media ecosystem at large. Then, they’re joined by Charlotte Howard, Executive Editor of The Economist and co-host of the Checks and Balance podcast, for a deeply worrying look at Trump’s economic chaos, crypto grifts, and how the U.S. economy went from best-in-class to dumpster fire. Spoiler: we also...
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NJ Governor Race EXCLUSIVE: Mikie Sherrill on Trump, Congress & the Future and We Can’t Afford To Wait

June 5, 2025 • 17 mins
In this bonus episode of American Fever Dream, Sami Sage sits down with New Jersey Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill for a candid conversation about why Congress is stuck, what it’s like trying to change a broken system from the inside, and why the Democratic Party needs a serious reboot. From glitter at Pride to calling out Biden after his debate performance, Congresswoman Sherrill doesn’t hold back.  Watch...
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The Truth About Trump, Sex Addiction, and Religious Trauma Ft. Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan

June 3, 2025 • 64 mins
This week, V and Sami are joined by Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, hosts of the I’ve Had It podcast, to talk about their new book Life Is a Lazy Susan of Sh*t Sandwiches. They dig into dealing with religious trauma, marriage to a sex addict, and what it’s really like being progressive in the Bible Belt. Then, they deep dive into the overlap between faith and politics, the Democrats' ongoing messaging struggles, and why Trump st...
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How The Supreme Court Got Hijacked: Leah Litman Breaks It Down

May 27, 2025 • 44 mins
This week, Sami sits down with Strict Scrutiny's Leah Litman to discuss her new book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes. They unpack the chaos that is the Supreme Court and what can be done to fight back. Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Biden's Health, Vatican Controversy & Chasten Buttigieg On LGBTQ Lit

May 20, 2025 • 66 mins
This week, Sami and V talk about the breaking news on Biden’s health. Then, they unpack the Pope’s comments on marriage and the Louisiana plantation that burned down. And finally, they’re joined by Chasten Buttigieg to talk about his new children’s book Papa’s Coming Home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Democrats Are Getting This One Thing Right With Alyssa Mastromonaco

May 15, 2025 • 52 mins
In this bonus episode, Sami and V are joined by former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Barack Obama, Alyssa Mastromonaco, to chat about jam-making, Gen Z Catholicism, and key messaging strategies for Democrats. Then, they reveal their picks for Delulu Girlie Of the Month and make 2028 presidential dream tickets . Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...
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Tara Palmeri Talks Lindy Li Showdown

May 13, 2025 • 64 mins
This week, Sami and V are joined by independent journalist Tara Palmeri to talk about her recent interview with Lindy Li, a Democratic commentator turned MAGA enthusiast. Then, they deep dive into content creator journalism and Tara unpacks her experience covering the Jeffrey Epstein case. And finally, they play Yay or Nay, where they decide what’s good news and what’s bad with a simple one word answer. Watch this and more toda...
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett Slams MTG, DOGE & Donald Trump

May 6, 2025 • 51 mins
This week, Sami sits down with Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett to discuss how she is giving her constituents “something to vote for.” They deep dive into what Republicans are afraid of, DOGE cuts, and fights with the one and only, Marjorie Taylor Greene. And finally, Rep. Jasmine Crockett unpacks her vision of government oversight to keep the Trump swamp in check. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...
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A Sleepy White House Correspondents' Dinner, A 2024 Election Tell-All, And Democratic Hope With Amanda Litman

April 29, 2025 • 66 mins
This week, V and Sami unpack why the "Democratic Party is a delusional circle jerk." Well, kinda! They cover the very quiet White House Correspondents' Dinner and deep dive into Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes's 2024 election cycle book, Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. Then, Run For Something's Amanda Litman stops by to give us hope about future Democratic Party wins. Watch today on Youtube.com/@thebetchesne...
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The Pope Passed, The Market Crashed, And A Free Press Is Somehow Still Intact with Catherine Rampell + Stephanie Ruhle

April 29, 2025 • 82 mins
This week, Sami and V are joined by MSNBC co-host of The Weekend: Primetime Catherine Rampell to discuss the difficulties of a free press in 2025. Then, they unpack top headlines of the Pope’s passing and Harvard vs. Paul Weiss. And finally, Sami interviews MSNBC host of The 11th Hour, Stephanie Ruhle, on business and the rule of law. Watch today on Youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
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Bernie At Coachella, Luxury Good Chinese Propaganda, And Talking Gen Z with Rachel Janfaza

April 15, 2025 • 73 mins
This week, Sami and V cover Bernie at Coachella and the Chinese propaganda machine that is making social media users distrust European and American brands. Then, they unpack the latest updates on how the Trump administration is literally trying to buy Greenland. Spoiler: it’s as insulting as you think. And finally, Rachel Janfaza of The Up and Up stops by to deep dive into the minds of Gen Z and their political beliefs. Watch Epi...
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How Are Trump's Tariffs Are Affecting Me with Chris Hayes

April 8, 2025 • 72 mins
This week, V and Sami deep dive into yet another financial crisis millennials will live through due to Trump tariffs. Can we not live through an unprecedented time, just once? And then, they play a game called, Delululu Derivatives, where they guess if an economic theory is ‘girl math’ or 'MAGA math'. And finally, Chris Hayes stops by to talk about his new book, Sirens’ Call. Watch this and more today on the Betches News YouTube! ...
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