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

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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More Guts, Less BS: Alencia Johnson Says It's Time To Flip Tables

April 3, 2025 • 25 mins
Alencia Johnson dives into her new book, Flip the Tables, shaking up the status quo of political activism with a heavy dose of spirituality. She talks about why communities need to get messy, the raw journey of self-discovery, and why self-worth shouldn’t be defined by society's bullshit standards. Alencia also takes a hard look at today's democratic leaders, demanding more guts, more heart, and way more action from activists who a...
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WHCD Cancels Amber Ruffin, Trump Wants Greenland, And Snuffleupagus Joins OnlyFans

April 1, 2025 • 51 mins
This week, V and Sami are joined by the self-proclaimed “Hatch of morning television”, MSNBC host Ali Vitali. Together, they cover the White House Correspondents’ Dinner cancelling of Amber Ruffin, PBS and NPR DOGE cuts, and the Trump administration’s obsession with Greenland. And finally, in an attempt to have a fun diversion from the hellscape we live in, the three of them played ‘Sesame Street Side Hustle’ where they guessed wha...
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Jillian Olmsted On Serving The Homeless Population, NIMBYism, And Running The Inn Between

March 27, 2025 • 40 mins
In this interview, V sits down with Jillian Olmsted, the Executive Director of The Inn Between, an organization that serves unsheltered individuals by giving them a place to stay, providing necessary medical attention, as well as hospice care. They deep dive into the intersection of end-of-life care, NIMBY-ism, stopping the cycle of homelessness, and how you can help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Democracy Dies At The White House Easter Egg Roll: Cyber Checks, Katie Phang On Paul Weiss, And DMs Leaking War Plans

March 25, 2025 • 56 mins
This week, V and Sami unpack “cyber checks” while traveling and Sami describes her recent experience returning from Paris. Then, they do a deep dive into the Easter ‘Egg Roll’ on the White House lawn that is now brand sponsored like a NASCAR race, because we do, indeed, live in hell. Following that, Sami and V discuss Chuck Schumer’s Senate leadership capabilities and MSNBC host Katie Phang stops by to explain Trump’s overnight att...
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Trump Is Applying His Make Up Wrong Ft. Suzanne Lambert

March 20, 2025 • 49 mins
V and Sami are joined by comedian Suzanne Lambert as they dive headfirst into the chaotic collision of humor, politics, and culture. Joined by guests Suzy and Bruce, they dissect everything from potential government shutdowns and the political power of fashion, to the hilariously awkward realities of navigating relationships in the digital age. They riff on the absurdities of politics, the dysfunctions of government versus busine...
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Everything's Computer: Trump Bought A Tesla, Hallow App Celebrity Endorsements, Meta A.I. Slop + Carlos Eduardo Espina Speaks To Covering Immigration

March 18, 2025 • 73 mins
Today, V and Sami dive into the Hallow App and its god-fearing celebrity endorsements. Then, they cover Trump’s purchase of a Tesla and his parade of it on the White House lawn. And to top off our coverage of fascist men that failed upwards, Sami and V break down Sarah Wynn-Williams’s Facebook memoir Careless People. And finally, Carlos Eduardo Espina stops by to speak to his experience covering immigration and parsing through the ...
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USAID Cuts, The Future Of Telemedicine, and Trump Eying Canada

March 11, 2025 • 79 mins
Today, V and Sami dive into some 1990's level political gossip and what it says about today's circus of American politics. Then, they take a wild turn north, wondering if Trump has his sights set on annexing Canada (because, of course, that’s a thing now). From political blunders to healthcare nightmares, they break down why our neighbors might not be so friendly for long. Plus, a look at Canada’s new prime minister, the future of ...
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Putin, Politics, and the Billionaire Puppet Show

March 4, 2025 • 60 mins
Today, V and Sami break down Zelensky’s U.S. visit and what it means for foreign policy—because nothing screams “global alliance” like a right wing reporter playing fashion police in the Oval Office. They also dive into Zelensky's visit to King Charles's house, the European response, and why billionaires just can't resist meddling in politics. And because reality isn’t unhinged enough, they explore the bizarre collision of celebrit...
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Authoritarianism And Codependency Of The American Voter Ft. Marianne Williamson

February 27, 2025 • 65 mins
Today, V and Sami are talking to Marianne Williamson as she dives into the challenges and dynamics within the Democratic Party, the evolving political landscape, and how paving the way for Trump has been in works since the 1990’s. She shares her opinion on immigration, explaining why no amount of private charity or personal transformation will ever compensate for true social justice. With a deep focus on America’s foundational idea...
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Is Everyone At DOGE An Intern??

February 25, 2025 • 51 mins
Today, V Spehar and Sami Sage unravel the absurdities of modern politics—from AI-generated satire to the Senate’s latest Voterama. As federal budget cuts hit local communities and far-right movements surge across Europe, they draw unsettling parallels to history in the making. Plus, who is Big Balls and why does everyone working at DOGE act like an intern?? With sharp analysis, biting humor, and a deep dive into the power of creati...
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How You Can Push Back In The New Trump Era Ft. Senator Tammy Baldwin

February 20, 2025 • 29 mins
Today, V sits down with Senator Tammy Baldwin to discuss the chaos of the first few weeks of the new Trump era and the influence of power players like Elon Musk. Baldwin calls for bold action against unconstitutional moves and stresses the need for constituents to demand change in assertive and creative ways. Baldwin also dives into the shocking Senate confirmations that are shaping public health and the potential for harm, urging ...
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What Vance Got Wrong At The Munich Security Conference

February 18, 2025 • 61 mins
Today, V and Sami are explaining what went down at the Munich Security Conference and why the United States is like a toxic ex that needed to go. There were literal tears shed by political leaders and JD Vance gave a very weird, and unnecessary, speech in response to the war in Ukraine. They delve into visa and immigration concerns, generational political perspectives, and the complexities of evolving Middle Eastern politics. Plus,...
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Kathleen Martinez on Immigration Law & Deportation Realities

February 13, 2025 • 35 mins
Today, V and Tik Tok's favorite immigration lawyer, Kathleen Martinez, discuss the current climate of immigration law and the realities deportation. Kathleen shares her journey to becoming an immigration lawyer, the importance of understanding rights, and the implications of recent legislation like the Laken Reily Act. Plus, she explains why she thinks building a wall is 'so dumb.' The discussion rounds outs with an emphasis on the...
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