Podcast
American Fever Dream
Hosted by Betches Media · EN
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
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Ad Controversy
Jul 2900:53:44Summary readyIn 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 in America. What a fever dream, indeed! Watch this and more today on youtube.com/@betchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Inside Trump & Epstein’s PR Machine
Jul 2201:00:19Summary readyIn 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/@betchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why Trump Doesn’t Want the Epstein Files Released
Jul 1500:53:59Summary readyIn 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/@betchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Books We Read to Cope Ft. Molly Jong-Fast and David Litt
Jul 801:07:41Summary readyOn 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 unexpected political insight and where we all go from here. Watch this and more today at youtube.com/@BetchesNews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryThe Senate's Medicaid Meltdown & How to Stay Sane Ft. Mallory McMorrow
Jul 101:00:09Summary readyThis 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/adchoices
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The Left Needs a Pep Rally Ft. Akilah Hughes
Jun 2600:34:40Summary readyThis 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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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America Joined a War and VidCon Was Hell
Jun 2400:41:20Summary readyThis 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryWhy the “No Kings” Protests Hit Different
Jun 1700:52:38Summary readyThis 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 democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryThe Crypto Grift That Could Break America ft. Charlotte Howard
Jun 1000:54:55Summary readyThis 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 picked a new mascot for the Democrats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryNJ Governor Race EXCLUSIVE: Mikie Sherrill on Trump, Congress & the Future and We Can’t Afford To Wait
Jun 500:17:13Summary readyIn 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 this and more today youtube.com/@thebetchesnews! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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