FYPod Episode 7: "Are Dems Allowed To Be Horny?" with Jessica Burbank

Release Date: March 22, 2025

In Episode 7 of FYPod, hosts Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey delve into the intricate dynamics of Gen Z’s political inclinations, particularly focusing on their surprising swing towards Trump in 2024. Joining them is Jessica Burbank, a dedicated investigative journalist from The Bulwark, who offers valuable insights into the motivations and behaviors shaping the youngest American voters.

1. Introduction to Jessica Burbank

The episode kicks off with Tim and Cameron introducing their guest, Jessica Burbank, who brings a fresh perspective to the conversation.

[00:56] Jessica Burbank:
"Thanks for not calling me liberal. You've got a good political education if you know that."

[01:00] Tim Miller:
"Yeah, I'm the lib now. You know, I'm the lib and you guys are different."

[03:01] Jessica Burbank:
"I grew up in the tri state area and a pretty working class family in kind of like a pull yourself up by your bootstraps mentality."

Burbank shares her humble beginnings, emphasizing her working-class upbringing and initial foray into politics through public speaking engagements against corporate farming practices. Her journey from trade school to bartending, and eventually to political commentary, underscores her deep-rooted understanding of grassroots issues.

2. Jessica’s Career and Investigative Work

Jessica elaborates on her transition into content creation and investigative journalism, highlighting her work in exposing misleading narratives within mainstream media.

[05:27] Tim Miller:
"Yeah. So recently sometimes it's like picking up stories that are not getting any national attention. Like there was a Luigi Mangione copycat."

[05:20] Jessica Burbank:
"Sometimes it's like there's a guy, Leo Hanian, who reported misleading stories about how raising the minimum wage was causing job losses in California."

Burbank discusses specific instances where she has debunked false claims, such as Leo Hanian’s misuse of Bureau of Labor Statistics data to argue against raising the minimum wage in California. Her method involves reanalyzing data to provide accurate information, thereby challenging biased reporting.

3. Navigating Social Media and Content Creation

The conversation shifts to the role of social media in modern journalism. Jessica explains how her followers contribute to uncovering underreported stories.

[08:52] Jessica Burbank:
"I get a signal message from someone who's been following me on social media. They're like, hey, I live in Portland. This thing happened, no one's talking about it."

[09:39] Jessica Burbank:
"Unfortunately, it's like 50 50. I've had to block so many people."

Burbank emphasizes the importance of a reliable network of followers who tip her off about local incidents, enabling her to bring these stories to a national audience. However, she also candidly addresses the challenges of managing unsolicited messages, many of which are unrelated to her journalistic endeavors.

4. Political Leadership and Democratic Party Dynamics

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the Democratic Party’s leadership and the qualities needed to resonate with the working class.

[12:23] Cameron Caskey:
"The interesting thing about AOC is that a lot of people seem to be seeing her as the strongest leader in the party right now."

[15:08] Jessica Burbank:
"I think a lot of people are more likely to get to Washington and sell out because they didn't live through it. They don't have that experience that like people are struggling to survive in America."

The hosts and Burbank debate the effectiveness of current Democratic leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Bernie Sanders, assessing their ability to connect with and lead the party. They highlight the need for leaders who genuinely understand and embody the struggles of the working class, rather than those who appear out of touch despite their progressive rhetoric.

5. Main Segment: The Harry Sisson Controversy

The episode's focal point is the scandal involving Harry Sisson, a young social media influencer accused of deceptive and manipulative behavior towards multiple women.

[29:14] Tim Miller:
"Harry Sisson is a 2234 year old, just generic white male who became successful on social media by parroting whatever the DNC wanted him to say."

[30:42] Cameron Caskey:
"I don't think he has any material power, but when you have X amount of followers online, the way that works, the way the world works now... You're going to get in trouble for that."

[34:02] Cameron Caskey:
"If you're gonna be making, you know, a big splash with those people, you're gonna be held accountable for behavior that people on the right are not necessarily gonna be held accountable for."

[40:17] Tim Miller:
"The Harry Sisson thing is so infuriating because it reinforces the belief that straight men are not welcome in the Democratic party."

Tim Miller presents allegations against Harry Sisson, including deceitful interactions with women under false pretenses and inappropriate requests for explicit photos. The discussion highlights a broader critique of how liberal influencers may exploit their platforms for personal gain while facing severe backlash for misconduct, a phenomenon less prevalent on the conservative side. Jessica Burbank counters by emphasizing the importance of honesty and ethical behavior, even within progressive circles.

[41:04] Jessica Burbank:
"Why do you have to be dishonest? You can be horny, but be honest. It's easy."

This segment underscores the podcast's central theme: the ethical responsibilities of political figures and influencers, regardless of their ideological leanings.

6. Boomer Mailbag: Perspectives on Aging

In the Boomer Mailbag segment, listeners engage with questions about aging and personal growth.

[48:30] Jessica Burbank:
"That's what I do every day, minus the nine grandchildren. So apparently not. Apparently we're the same inside and we just get wrinkly on the outside."

[50:37] Tim Miller:
"Jessica, where you at? Actually, before you, Jessica, I want to read two of his embarrassing flirts."

The hosts and Jessica share personal anecdotes about maintaining one's core identity while evolving over time. They discuss the balance between holding on to foundational self-attributes and embracing personal growth, echoing sentiments that change is inevitable but certain aspects of oneself remain constant.

7. Gen Z News: The "Ghosted Generation" and Job Market Realities

The Gen Z News segment explores the concept of Gen Z being termed the "ghosted generation" due to their experiences with frequent rejections in both dating and professional spheres.

[51:20] D:
A new article describes Gen Z as the ghosted generation. Do you relate?

[51:59] Cameron Caskey:
"I would have appreciated getting rejections from a lot of the jobs I applied to. A lot of them just never respond."

[53:02] Jessica Burbank:
"I don't know. I'm really lucky. I have a really good partner who's... But I do think in the dating world, because of social media, there are infinite possibilities."

Cameron discusses the frustration with the lack of feedback in job applications, contrasting it with the promise of numerous opportunities that often lead to overwhelming rejections. Jessica reflects on the superficiality fostered by social media, where the abundance of choices can hinder commitment and meaningful connections.

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts provide final reflections on the discussed topics, emphasizing the importance of integrity and accountability in both personal and political realms.

[56:02] Cameron Caskey:
"Thank you so much for tuning in. Thank you for not ghosting your friends at the FY pod."

[56:37] Tim Miller:
"Thanks Jessica."

[56:38] Jessica Burbank:
"Thanks for having me guys. Bye FYP Nation."

The episode concludes with a reminder to listeners to stay engaged and informed, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to dissecting and understanding the political landscape through the lens of America's youngest voters.

Notable Quotes

• Jessica Burbank [03:01]:
  "I grew up in the tri state area and a pretty working class family in kind of like a pull yourself up by your bootstraps mentality."

• Tim Miller [05:20]:
  "So recently sometimes it's like picking up stories that are not getting any national attention."

• Cameron Caskey [12:23]:
  "The interesting thing about AOC is that a lot of people seem to be seeing her as the strongest leader in the party right now."

• Jessica Burbank [15:08]:
  "I think a lot of people are more likely to get to Washington and sell out because they didn't live through it."

• Tim Miller [29:14]:
  "Harry Sisson is a 2234 year old, just generic white male who became successful on social media by parroting whatever the DNC wanted him to say."

• Jessica Burbank [38:00]:
  "If Harry Sisson was a conservative and this news leaked, the conservative world would be saying, my dog, hell yeah, man."

• Tim Miller [40:17]:
  "The Harry Sisson thing is so infuriating because it reinforces the belief that straight men are not welcome in the Democratic party."

• Jessica Burbank [41:04]:
  "Why do you have to be dishonest? You can be horny, but be honest. It's easy."

• Cameron Caskey [51:59]:
  "It's very professional and respectful to tell somebody who took the time to fill out an application for a job that you're not going to go with them."

Episode Highlights:

• Jessica Burbank's Journey: From a humble, working-class upbringing to becoming an influential investigative journalist, Jessica provides a firsthand account of navigating the political landscape and the challenges of countering biased narratives.

• Investigative Insights: Jessica underscores the importance of scrutinizing misleading data and amplifying underreported stories, reinforcing the need for diligent journalism in an era dominated by social media influencers.

• Political Leadership Debate: The hosts and Jessica engage in a critical analysis of Democratic Party leadership, questioning whether current figures like AOC and Bernie Sanders truly embody the values and experiences of the working class.

• Harry Sisson Scandal: A deep dive into the controversy surrounding Harry Sisson highlights the pitfalls of leveraging social media fame without ethical considerations, sparking a broader conversation about accountability in political discourse.

• Generational Perspectives: Through the Boomer Mailbag and Gen Z News segments, the episode bridges generational gaps, exploring the evolving dynamics of communication, relationships, and professional expectations in a digital age.

Conclusion:

Episode 7 of FYPod offers a comprehensive exploration of the interplay between Gen Z’s political trends, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the ethical responsibilities of influencers within the Democratic Party. With Jessica Burbank’s incisive commentary, Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing America’s youngest voters.

For those seeking to comprehend the shifting political tides influenced by the TikTok generation, this episode serves as an essential listen, blending engaging dialogue with critical analysis to illuminate the forces driving contemporary American politics.