Podcast
The Bitchuation Room
Hosted by Francesca Fiorentini · EN
A weekly caucus of progressive comics, activists and thinkers hosted by Francesca Fiorentini
67episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Candidate Corner: Faizah Malik for LA City Council Or Unseating LA MAGA
Feb 2700:54:37Tap to summarizeShe’s a badass housing attorney who’s written tenant protection policies and is now running for city council at a time when LA is more expensive than ever. And she’s looking to unseat the most conservative city councilmember here, Traci Park. She is Faizah Malik looking to represent real people in one of the wealthiest districts in the city on a message of affordability and true safety. As LA city council emerges from years of corruption and scandal, Faizah could join a growing number of council members who come from the grassroots and who reject corporate donations. She talks about ICE attacks on the city, the Palisades rebuilding, Olympics 2028, and why sitting councilmember Traci Park is funded by and supports big real estate, big oil and the far right. It’s time to defeat the MAGA of LA. Go to www.faizahforla.com to get involved. The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE in Los Angeles with Emma Vigeland on Sunday March 22nd at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBR322 *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com. *** Get your union-made podcast merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On: Substack: franifio.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Cuomo of California with Jennifer Welch, Angie Sullivan, and Anat Shenker-Osorio (Ep 321)
Feb 2501:53:20Tap to summarizeThe current reality of pedo-rings, state murders, and Epstein’s sperm bank of Nobel laureates *scrubs eyes* feels pretty far away from the “politics of joy” Kamala used to peddle. But a couple of leaks from the otherwise-shelved DNC autopsy of why Harris lost is revealing it did have a lot to do with Gaza. Francesca unpacks what we do know with political communications strategist Anat Shenker-Osorio (59:41). Plus, the badass bitches of the “I’ve Had It” podcast Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan (10:56) join Francesca to talk about ICE whistleblowers and suspicious deaths. Justice for Ruben Ray Martinez! They’ve also had it with lukewarm dems and our criminal enterprise of a government. Plus, what was Jeffery Epstein’s eugenicist plan at Zorro Ranch to impregnate girls and freeze his dick? The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE in Los Angeles with Emma Vigeland on Sunday March 22nd at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBR322 *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com. *** Get your union-made podcast merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On: Substack: franifio.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Candidate Corner: Kat Abughazaleh for Illinois!
Feb 1900:45:47Tap to summarizeShe’s a 26-year old Palestinian-American journalist who’s spent her career reporting on the right. And now she wants to beat their agenda in Congress. She’s Kat Abughazaleh and she’s running for the democratic primary in Illinois’ 9th district on an anti-authoritarian platform of affordability. Kat joins Francesca to talk about her diverse district, how AIPAC is bolstering one of her rivals, how she was indicted by Kash Patel’s DHS, and why we should not trust the right’s newfound anti-Israel stance. Get involved and or donate: https://katforillinois.com/ Early voting is on in Illinois, and election day is March 17th. Pitch us a candidate to interview at bishiation@gmail.com. *** The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE in Los Angeles with Emma Vigeland on Sunday March 22nd at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBR322 *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com. *** Get your union-made podcast merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On: Substack: franifio.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The Empire’s Wasteland w/ Abby Martin (Ep 320)
Feb 1801:42:17Tap to summarizeStopping climate chaos means stopping the U.S. military. It is the biggest polluter and consumer of fossil fuels. In her new documentary, "Earth's Greatest Enemy”, Abby Martin unmasks the global military empire's climate impact on humans, animals and nations. Plus, was our only hope against Biden’s genocide a blunt and White Castle? We discuss Kal Penn’s recent admission on Hasan Minhaj’s show. Also this week, we learned that a 2-month old is being held in the squalid Dilley detention center in Texas. The baby is one of thousands held at this private immigration prison. Francesca and Abby discuss the growing warehouse detention center industry with direct ties to the White House. And Hillary Clinton strikes again with the world’s worst take on immigration, offering another stark reminder why Democrats should leave Clintonism behind. Featuring: Abby Martin, journalist and documentarian (13:21) hhttps://earthsgreatestenemy.com/ *** The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE in Los Angeles with Emma Vigeland on Sunday March 22nd at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBR322 *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on Substack: franifio.substack.com. *** Get your union-made podcast merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On: Substack: franifio.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Gerrymandering Armageddon w/David Daley & Usamah Andrabi (Ep 319)
Feb 1001:38:36Tap to summarizeCan Democrats convince voters they’re serious about stopping ICE ahead of the midterms? And also, will the midterms be fair given the amount of redistricting fuckery? Francesca and Usamah Andrabi of Justice Democrats discuss Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer's lackluster 10 commandments for ICE and how the so-called opposition party is already making concessions. Plus, will there be even BE midterm elections? We discuss how Trump is strong-arming Republicans to ensure they do not lose the house. David Daley joins to talk about how Republican gerrymandering has reshaped American politics and how the John Robert’s Supreme Court is on the precipice of delivering a death blow to the Voting Rights Act. Plus, Francesca reacts to MAGA's spin out about the Bad Bunny's súper Super Bowl show. Featuring: Usamah Andrabi, spokesperson and communications director for Justice Democrats (27:56) https://x.com/usamahandrabi David Daley, journalist and author (56:06) https://x.com/davedaley3 *** See Francesca LIVE Saturday February 14th at 9:30pm Pasadena for New World Disorder: https://www.showclix.com/event/new-world-disorder-Valentines-Day-Edition-02-14-26-9-30-pm The Bitchuation Room will be LIVE in Los Angeles with Emma Vigeland on Sunday March 22nd at Dynasty Typewriter. Tickets here: https://bit.ly/TBR322 *** A Virgin Group spokesperson contacted our show re: Richard Branson and says: “Any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than twelve years ago, and was limited to group or business settings, such as a charity tennis event. When Epstein offered a charity donation, the Bransons asked their team to carry out due diligence before accepting the donation, which uncovered serious allegations. As a result of what the due diligence uncovered, Virgin Unite did not take the donation and Richard and Joan decided not to meet or speak with Epstein again. Had they had the full picture and information, there would have been no contact whatsoever – Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims.” Anyway, do your own research. *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com. *** Get your union-made podcast merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On: Substack: franifio.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →How Sports Betting Came For EVERYTHING
Feb 700:27:42Tap to summarizeWant to bet on the U.S. invading Iran? Sure why not? You can do exactly that with prediction markets, the billionaire-backed platforms that gamble on the future while sucking your wallet dry. Francesca looks at the very recent rise of platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi which are now partnering with everything from awards shows to UFC fights, and even news outlets. After sports betting was legalized in 2018, the online gambling model that has lured many Americans in is expanding. This time to politics, culture and current events. You can now bet on how many deportations there will be in a year, or if Kristi Noem will keep her job. It’s as dystopian as it sounds but it’s having real-life consequences. People are losing thousands of dollars on these betting schemes, which are dubiously legal. Polymarket already paid out a massive settlement to the Commodities Futures Trading Commission in 2022 and is now facing a class-action lawsuit out of the Southern District of New York. But the platforms aren’t slowing down despite the legal hurdles. That’s in part thanks to Trump’s newly minted head of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, who’s a former crypto lawyer, who wants to remove regulations. Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour wants to ‘financialize everything’ and hopes prediction markets grow to be a trillion-dollar venture. The problem? They’re rife with corruption. Insider trading is everywhere in sports betting, and now that same cheating streak appears to be rearing its head in political betting as well. Beyond that, what does it mean when we stop being actors in the world around us and simply become gamblers? And what lengths could people go to to see their bets pay off? Black Mirror could never. Thanks to Andy Vasoyan, Brent Godin and Paige Oamek. *** See Francesca LIVE Saturday February 14th at 9:30pm Pasadena for New World Disorder: https://www.showclix.com/event/new-world-disorder-Valentines-Day-Edition-02-14-26-9-30-pm *** Support the show becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom and get exclusive perks. You can also be a member on YouTube, Twitch, or a paid subscriber on substack: franifio.substack.com. *** Get your union-made podcast merch: www.bitchuationroom.com *** Thanks to Paige Oamek, Andy Vasoyan & Brent Godin *** Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bitchuationroom.bsky.social Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast on: iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Google Music: http://bit.ly/GoogleBitchuation Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation Find Francesca On: Substack: franifio.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Grow The Squad with Ryan Grim & Dave Anthony (Ep 215)
Jan 17, 202401:40:59Tap to summarizeSix years ago four progressive women of color broke into Congress with the wind of the people at their backs. But what have been the lessons of the growing Squad? Ryan Grim, author of the new book "The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution", joins Francesca to discuss how corporate and foreign lobbies have tried to tank the progressive agenda. Then Dave Anthony of The Dollop podcast joins to talk about South Africa taking Israel to the International Court of Justice for genocide, and Trump enriching himself DIRECTLY from foreign governments while in office. Finally, plane doors are falling off because shareholders need more returns on their airline investments! Francesca and Dave will solve the airline crisis with even more free market solutions.Featuring: Dave Anthony, https://twitter.com/daveanthony Ryan Grim, https://twitter.com/ryangrimFRANCESCA IS BACK AT SF SKETCHFEST doing stand up on Saturday January 27th at Lost Church (Tickets: https://sched.co/1VUwM) and Sunday January 28th at 7pm for the LIVE TBR with Miles Gray of The Daily Zeitgeist, Emma Vigeland of The Majority Report and Nato Green. (Tickets: https://sched.co/1VUtt)The Bitchuation Room Streams LIVE every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioSupport The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Friday *BONUS BISH*Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVEMusic by Nick StarguFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodGet your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.comThe Bitchuation Room Streams LIVE every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioSupport The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Friday *BONUS BISH*Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVEMusic by Nick StarguFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodGet your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com
Transcribe →Sad Dad Futurism with Paris Marx & River Butcher (Ep 214)
Jan 10, 202401:39:09Tap to summarizeWhy does AI feel inevitable? Because that's how its pushers thrust it onto the market with no scruples and a whole lot of hubris. Paris Marx of Tech Won't Save Us Podcast joins to talk about how generative AI is not only undermining workers, it's massively reliant on fossil fuels and fresh water resources. And comedian River Butcher talks the upcoming Iowa Caucus, Nikki Haley v Trump on the Civil War and which of Epstein's former associates deserves a second chance. Featuring:River Butcher, https://twitter.com/rivbutcherwww.riverbutcher.comParis Marx, https://twitter.com/parismarxhttps://www.disconnect.blog/****THE BITCHUATION ROOM IS BACK AT SF SKETCHFEST on Sunday January 28th at 7pm with Miles Gray of The Daily Zeitgeist, Emma Vigeland of The Majority Report and Nato Green. Get tickets here: https://sched.co/1VUttThe Bitchuation Room Streams LIVE every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioSupport The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Friday *BONUS BISH*Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVEMusic by Nick StarguFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodGet your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com
Transcribe →New Year, New Strategies with Bill Fletcher & Will Weldon (Ep 213)
Jan 3, 202401:47:03Tap to summarizeGird your political loins, 2024 has arrived. It's time to cut her off at the pass, to pre-empt, to make good on resolutions ... preferably ceasefire resolutions. Labor activist and writer Bill Fletcher joins Francesca to talk union solidarity with Palestine, how Biden might be coaxed to step aside, and why the antiwar lane on the left is so wide open. And comedian Will Weldon talks about sad centrists on Twitter and Senator John Fetterman's heel turn. Finally, some "Trumpdates" that include his stench, Vanilla Ice and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.Featuring:Will Weldon, comedian Bill Fletcher Jr., labor activist & author****THE BITCHUATION ROOM IS BACK AT SF SKETCHFEST on Sunday January 28th at 7pm with Miles Gray of The Daily Zeitgeist, Emma Vigeland of The Majority Report and Nato Green. Get tickets here: https://sched.co/1VUttThe Bitchuation Room Streams LIVE every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioSupport The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Friday *BONUS BISH*Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVEMusic by Nick StarguFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod, InsGet your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com
Transcribe →Oh Holy Hell with Subhah Agarwal & Trita Parsi (Ep 212)
Dec 20, 202301:30:27Tap to summarizeThis holiday season, let's talk about how close we are to World War 3. Trita Parsi of The Quincy Institute joins Francesca to discuss the regional implications of Israel's war on Gaza, what happens to Palestinian refugees, and why the Biden administration is truly screwing itself. Plus, comedian Subhah Agarwal joins to talk about women (and moms!) in red states finally fighting back against draconian anti-abortion laws. Finally, a Christmas game of "keep, re-gift, or trash" with Elon Muskian trinkets. In other words, stop trying to make Grok happen.Featuring:Subhah Agarwal, https://twitter.com/subhahTrita Parsi, https://twitter.com/tparsi****THE BITCHUATION ROOM IS BACK AT SF SKETCHFEST on Sunday January 28th at 7pm with Miles Gray of The Daily Zeitgeist, Emma Vigeland of The Majority Report and Nato Green. Get tickets here: https://sched.co/1VUtt****The Bitchuation Room Streams LIVE every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioSupport The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Friday *BONUS BISH*Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVEMusic by Nick StarguFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPodGet your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.comThe Bitchuation Room Streams LIVE every TUESDAY and FRIDAY at 1/4pmEST on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/franifio and Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifioSupport The Bitchuation Room by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom to get special perks and listen/watchback privileges of the Friday *BONUS BISH*Tip the show via Venmo:@TBR-LIVE Cash-App:@TBRLIVEMusic by Nick StarguFollow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @Bi...
Transcribe →