Podcast Summary: "I've Had It" Episode - She Wants to Kill Me

Title: She Wants to Kill Me
Hosts: Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Guest: Congressman Eric Swalwell
Description: Join Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan along with their special guests on “I’ve Had It” for a comedic and insightful exploration of everyday frustrations and political discourse.

1. Opening Banter and Personal Grievances

Jennifer and Angie kick off the episode with their signature humor, sharing personal frustrations that set the tone for the episode's theme of "having it" with various nuisances.

• Angie (00:31): Discusses her exasperation with uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, lamenting the perpetual struggle between aesthetics and comfort.

  "I've had it with the cutest shoes being uncomfortable... I think I'm just going to go to my house shoes. Back to my house shoes and flip flops 24/7."
  (00:31)

• Jennifer (00:31): Relates her own experience with corrective shoes from childhood, adding a personal touch to the conversation about uncomfortable footwear.

  "I wore corrective shoes... they were so ugly, they weren't very cute."
  (01:15)

2. The Smelly Microwave Incident

The hosts transition into a relatable workplace scenario that many listeners may have encountered: dealing with offensive odors in a shared office microwave.

• Jennifer (02:31): Narrates her ordeal with a coworker who repeatedly heats up smelly fish in the office microwave, leading to an hour and a half battle to eliminate the odor.

  "It's horrible. The secondhand smell is so horrible. I opened up the front door, put a plant to keep it open... it took about an hour and a half before I didn't smell this overtly heinous fish smell."
  (02:31)

• Angie (04:34): Agrees and provides additional context from friends in large companies, emphasizing the social contracts around shared spaces.

  "There's a mandate that you cannot cook fish in the microwave because it permeates the whole office... it's one of those social contract situations."
  (04:34)

3. Introduction of Guest: Congressman Eric Swalwell

After sharing personal anecdotes, Jennifer and Angie welcome their special guest, Congressman Eric Swalwell, to discuss more substantial societal and political issues.

• Jennifer (15:00): Segues into introducing the guest with enthusiasm, setting the stage for an engaging conversation.

  "So let's welcome to I've had it in New York City, Congressman Eric Swalwell."
  (15:00)

4. Discussing the Freedom Caucus and Political Climate

Congressman Swalwell delves into the dynamics within Congress, particularly focusing on the Freedom Caucus and its impact on legislation and governance.

• Eric Swalwell (20:45): Critiques the Freedom Caucus for their restrictive views on personal freedoms, highlighting concerns about their influence on education, healthcare, and personal autonomy.

  "They don't want much freedom for your body... they want to be in places that are personal to you where you don't want government."
  (20:45)

• Jennifer (32:51): Expresses alarm over the speaker of the House exhibiting signs of delusional behavior, questioning the normalization of such conduct in high office.

  "There's this fundamental problem that... the speaker of the House is insane... he is a fanatic and I think possibly like crazy that he's hearing all these voices and it's delusional."
  (32:51)

5. The Role of Social Media and Disinformation

The conversation shifts to the influence of social media platforms and the spread of misinformation, particularly by influential figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

• Eric Swalwell (43:55): Emphasizes the need for higher standards on social media, especially to protect children from the rampant spread of disinformation.

  "We have to look at if Facebook is going to get rid of any patrolling or any standards... they should be on the hook for what happens on your platforms."
  (43:55)

• Jennifer (43:07): Highlights the absurdity of conspiracy theories circulating on social media, underscoring the challenges in combating false narratives.

  "We're living in a post-fact world... Anyone that heard that would immediately know that that was crazy."
  (43:19)

6. Parenting and the Overabundance of Group Chats

Both hosts and Congressman Swalwell express their frustration with the proliferation of parent group chats, which they find overwhelming and intrusive.

• Jennifer (05:47): Shares her disdain for endless parent group chats, advocating for their elimination to reduce unnecessary stress.

  "I refuse to engage... I've had it with parents who want to horn their way into the classrooms and tell our teachers what to teach."
  (05:47)

• Eric Swalwell (27:54): Echoes the sentiment, discussing the impracticality and overreach of parental involvement in educational settings.

  "I don't want to pick the fucking curriculum... I wish Republican parents had other things to do."
  (27:54)

7. Midterm Elections and Future Legislative Goals

Looking ahead, Congressman Swalwell outlines his strategies and hopes for the upcoming midterm elections, emphasizing the importance of focusing on constituent needs over partisan disputes.

• Eric Swalwell (51:11): Advocates for strategic campaigning aimed at addressing everyday issues faced by Americans, distancing from frivolous political antics.

  "We have a pathway to winning the midterm elections... who is self-recruiting or being recruited by us."
  (51:11)

• Jennifer (53:20): Highlights the need for strong representation and the importance of candidates who resonate with the public's concerns.

  "We need the optics of all of you saying, we're here, we're the rebellion. We're going to work with them where we can, but we are not, you are going to be safe."
  (53:20)

8. The Impact of Personal Background on Political Views

Eric Swalwell shares personal anecdotes about his family’s political leanings and how they have shaped his own perspectives and policies.

• Eric Swalwell (47:43): Reflects on his Republican parents and their influence, discussing the generational shifts in political beliefs.

  "My parents are Republican... they blame me for becoming a Democrat because I went to college."
  (47:43)

9. The Influence of Influential Figures and Hypocrisy in Politics

The discussion touches upon the perceived hypocrisy among political leaders and the influence of powerful individuals like Elon Musk.

• Eric Swalwell (37:30): Criticizes the emotional and psychological stability of influential figures, expressing concerns over their unchecked power and alliances.

  "I do not believe that about Elon Musk. I do not believe that about Donald Trump."
  (37:30)

• Jennifer (46:25): Points out the contradictions in political leaders' actions versus their public personas, stressing the importance of integrity.

  "I do not believe that about Elon Musk. I do not believe that about Donald Trump."
  (46:25)

10. Closing Remarks and Future Endeavors

As the episode wraps up, Jennifer and Angie promote their upcoming projects and extend their appreciation to Congressman Swalwell for his participation.

• Jennifer (54:58): Announces their new podcast, "IHIP News," designed to provide daily political hot takes paired with their trademark humor.

  "It's called IHIP News. It's Monday through Friday. Every day, 15 to 20 minute hot takes on the political landscape of the United States of America."
  (54:58)

• Eric Swalwell (54:49): Expresses gratitude for being part of the show, highlighting the importance of open and honest dialogue in combating political challenges.

  "Thank you. It's an honor."
  (54:51)

Notable Quotes

• Angie on Uncomfortable Shoes (00:31):

  "I've had it with the cutest shoes being uncomfortable... I think I'm just going to go to my house shoes. Back to my house shoes and flip flops 24/7."

• Jennifer on Corrective Shoes (01:15):

  "I wore corrective shoes... they were so ugly, they weren't very cute."

• Jennifer on Smelly Microwave (02:31):

  "It's horrible. The secondhand smell is so horrible... it took about an hour and a half before I didn't smell this overtly heinous fish smell."

• Congressman Swalwell on Freedom Caucus (20:45):

  "They don't want much freedom for your body... they want to be in places that are personal to you where you don't want government."

• Jennifer on Speaker of the House's Behavior (32:51):

  "There's this fundamental problem that... the speaker of the House is insane... he is a fanatic and I think possibly like crazy that he's hearing all these voices and it's delusional."

• Eric Swalwell on Social Media Standards (43:55):

  "We have to look at if Facebook is going to get rid of any patrolling or any standards... they should be on the hook for what happens on your platforms."

• Jennifer on Political Hypocrisy (46:25):

  "I do not believe that about Elon Musk. I do not believe that about Donald Trump."

• Eric Swalwell on Midterms Strategy (51:11):

  "We have a pathway to winning the midterm elections... who is self-recruiting or being recruited by us."

Conclusion

In this episode of "I've Had It," Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan blend personal anecdotes with incisive political discourse, inviting Congressman Eric Swalwell to shed light on the complexities of modern American politics. From workplace nuisances to the intricate power plays within Congress, the conversation offers listeners a mix of humor and thoughtful analysis, encouraging them to reflect on both everyday frustrations and broader societal issues.