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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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