← The Daily Beans
The Daily Beans
Bring Back Shame (feat. Ophira Eisenberg)
00:51:19
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 Today, Todd Blanche says DOJ isn’t moving forward with the $1.8B Slush Fund BUT that the “settlement” giving Trump and his family immunity from tax audits and investigations; Donald Trump is going to appoint Bill Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence; the Pentagon bans journalists - this time by classifying the press room; the President hasn’t made a public appearance in six days and the Dr. Oz press briefing didn’t answer any questions; Senator Jackie Rosen catches Marco Rubio in a lie about his whereabouts during Iran talks; Oversight Democrats demand Jim Comer arrange interviews with Blanche and Patel in the Epstein matter; Trump endorses the missing republican Tom Kean in the New Jersey House primary; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.
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- [00:02]
Amanda Sturgel
It's no surprise that newsmakers try to manipulate the audience. They want you to believe that they are the one holding the line, and they'll use any trick they can to get you there. But don't let them fool you. Get Unspun. I'm Amanda Sturgel. I've been a reporter, and today I teach future reporters to cut the spin and think critically about what newsmakers say. My podcast, Unspun, shows you how to know when you're being manipulated by the news, learn to spot the tricks, and how to make up your own mind about what's true. So if you're tired of being fooled by the news, subscribe to UNSPUN today. Unspun. Because you deserve the truth.
- [00:40]
Allison Gill
MSW Media.
- [00:53]
Ophira Eisenberg
Jelly beans. Jelly beans. Jelly beans. Jelly beans.
- [01:04]
Allison Gill
Hello and welcome to the Daily beans for Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Today, Todd Blanch says the Department of Justice is not moving forward with the $1.8 billion slush fund, but that the quote, unquote settlement that gives Trump and his family immunity from tax audits and investigations will continue. Donald Trump is going to appoint Bill Pulte to replace Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence. The Pentagon bans journalists, this time by classifying. The president hasn't made a public appearance in six days. And the Dr. Oz press briefing doesn't answer any questions. Senator Jackie Rosen catches Marco Rubio in a lie about his whereabouts during Iran talks. Oversight. Democrats demand Jim Comer arrange interviews with Blanche and Patel in the Epstein matter. And Trump endorses the missing Republican, Tom Kaine, in the New Jersey House primary. I'm Alison Gill.
- [01:54]
Dana Goldberg
And I'm Dana Goldberg.
- [01:58]
Allison Gill
Hello, everyone. Happy Wednesday. Happy Wednesday to you, my friend. And to you.
- [02:01]
Dana Goldberg
We're halfway through lots of news and not maybe a couple good news stories somewhere mixed in. We're counting on you people. Really? We are.
- [02:10]
Allison Gill
Yes, really. Send us all your good news@dailybeanspod.com and click on Contact. And later in the show, I'm going to be talking to one of my favorite comedians and writers of all time, Ophira Eisenberg. She has a new comedy special out on Veeps that's an app. Her comedy special is called I Used to Be Nicer. And we're going to be talking about the importance of laughing during all of this as I wave my arms generally. So lots going on today. We have a lot of news to get to, so let's hit the hot notes. Hot notes. All right, everybody. First up from Reuters, President Trump appointed Federal Housing regulator Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence on Tuesday, elevating a political loyalist with no national security experience to lead the sprawling U.S. intelligence community at a time of war and global tension. Palti, who's 38, has used his position as head of a low profile mortgage regulatory agency to push for criminal investigations of several of Trump's perceived enemies for alleged mortgage fraud. None have yet resulted in criminal charges. Pulte replaces departing Tulsi Gabbard in the intelligence post. Democrats and at least one Republican, Bill Cassidy, blasted Pulte as unqualified to oversee U.S. intelligence services. Pulte can serve in the job for up to 210 days. That's frightening. Without being confirmed by the Senate. That timeframe will allow him to stay in the Post through the November midterm elections, in which Trump's fellow Republicans are seeking to retain control of Congress. Trump says Pulte will continue as Federal Housing Finance Agency director as well. And the problem with him, you know, being there through the midterm elections is in the direct as the Director of National Intelligence is what if he declares there was some sort of false foreign election interference and somehow, you know, fucks with the midterm elections? And Democrats actually should refuse to authorize Section 702 of FISA, which is set to expire in nine days, because, as Marcy Wheeler points out, as DNI, Pulte will write certificates that authorized the FISA program. And he's proven to be a liar and a rabid partisan. So they should withhold their votes on nominating him or withhold their votes on FISA on extending FISA if they're going to keep him in that chair. And Ryan Goodman reminds US that Title 50 of the US Code, Section 3023, says that there is a Director of National Intelligence who shall be appointed by the President. Any individual nominated for appointment as DNI shall have extensive national security expertise. And as we know, Bill Pulte has zero national security expertise.
- [04:44]
Dana Goldberg
Fat goose egg. Yep. All right. Thanks, ag. This one's from the Post. The Defense Department has designated its press office a classified space and banned journalists from accessing it to meet with the public affairs officers who have traditionally answered their questions. The change in security status, which took effect in recent weeks, was confirmed by four people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. While Pentagon reporters are still largely barred from the building as litigation over the agency' press rules continue, the change would have an outsized impact on them upon a possible return. Restricting access to a space that they have for years been able to just walk freely. And this is a quote. The Pentagon Press office has been redesignated as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility due to speech writers from the Office of the Secretary of War sharing the facility. I'm sorry, he's got speechwriters. Someone's writing that shit for him.
- [05:41]
Allison Gill
He turned the press room into a skiff.
- [05:43]
Dana Goldberg
Yep. By the way, that's from acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez. And Joel said that in a statement to the Washington Post. He said these speechwriters routinely handle classified material and require SIPR net. What is that? SIPRnet?
- [05:58]
Allison Gill
Cybernet? I'm not sure.
- [06:00]
Dana Goldberg
Cybernet access, he said. As a result, journalists will no longer be permitted to enter the office space. Access to Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public affairs and to the Press Secretary remains available by appointment only. The move comes amid months long legal battle over whether journalists should have unescorted access to unclassified spaces in the Pentagon. Members of the media traditionally have been allowed to access public spaces in the Defense Department, talking to sources and attending regular briefings.
- [06:30]
Allison Gill
So. So you know, all these press outlets are suing to have access. So what he's done is he's turned the press office into a skiff to keep them down. And from alternate. While testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday about Trump's floundering efforts to end the war with Iran, Marco Rubio. Lil Marco faced Accus. He was busy enjoying himself at a party when he should have been negotiating a peace deal. His attempt to deny that accusation prompted a back and forth that has raised some eyebrows. The exchange arose when Senator Jackie Rosen, Democrat from Nevada, suggested Rubio was partying as Vice President J.D. vance and Donald Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were in Pakistan negotiating with Iranians. Historically speaking, the Secretary of State is considered the country's top diplomat and would normally be tasked with helming such pressing talks. But instead, Rubio was with Trump at a UFC fight as the talks fell apart. Quote, that's embarrassing for us, said Rosen. Congress represents the American people. We have the power to confirm who represents America abroad. We confirmed you to be our Secretary of State. We confirmed you to be in the negotiations that are happening. And it's just unthinkable to me that you're missing high stakes negotiations. You probably shouldn't have voted for him. Quote, you're 100% inaccurate and 100% wrong. I was at a party. He said, if people are going to slander me, I'm going to Answer it. And he went on to insist that he spoke with negotiators at least six times. Quote, I know your staff wrote up this cute statement for a TikTok video, but it's not true. Rubio's defense was that he was not partying but was co located with the President in the midst of high stakes negotiations. So, quote, I could immediately inform him about events occurring halfway around the world. So he went to the UFC fight.
- [08:12]
Dana Goldberg
Mm.
- [08:13]
Allison Gill
So he could be co located with the President and inform him about the talks.
- [08:16]
Dana Goldberg
Oh, my God, he's so full of shit.
- [08:18]
Allison Gill
Photos of Rubio at the UFC fight circulated in April, showing him bleary eyed amidst a jocular atmosphere. He was drunk as he allegedly. As he. The President spent the evening. He and the President spent the evening watching the fights. Negotiations in Pakistan broke down. By the time the fight was over, Vance had signaled that he was returning to the US the talks having failed. So he was at the UFC fight. On his way to the fight, Trump assured reporters asking about the war then in its sixth week, that, quote, we win regardless. We've defeated them militarily. That was nearly two months ago. And as of now, peace negotiations are still ongoing.
- [08:53]
Dana Goldberg
What a disaster. All right, this one's from abc. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are demanding that Committee Chairman James Comer bring in Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel to answer questions immediately as part of the panel's probe into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epst. Ranking member Robert Garcia on Tuesday sent Comer a letter which was first obtained by ABC News, requesting that Blanche and Patel appear for separate videotape transcribed interviews before the committee as questions mount over their handling of the Epstein files, especially since Bambondi just flew through Blanche under the bus. Now, the GOP controlled committee to date has not video recorded any of its transcribed interviews, only depositions. And I quote, given the deep involvement of Director Patel and Mr. Blanch, the committee can cannot credibly continue its investigation without their videotaped, transcribed testimony. That's from Garcia. That's in the letter he wrote to Comer. In a statement to ABC News, Garcia said the panel's closed door interview last week of former Attorney General Pam Bondi made one thing clear. We need to talk to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and the FBI Director Kash Patel. These agency leaders were directly involved in the COVID up of the Epstein files and botched rollout of the documents, which revictimized survivors and made a mockery of our justice oversight. Democrats are demanding answers straight from the source that's from Garcia. Bondi, during her appearance on Friday, told lawmakers that Blanche was delegated responsibility for overseeing the release of millions of Epstein files. Democrats also want to question Blanche over his involvement in convicted co conspirator Galene Maxwell's prison transfer. Bondi testified, according to a source familiar with her testimony, that she opposed a pardon for Maxwell and was unaware of the transfer until after it happened. And I quote, rather than provide answers in her testimony, Ms. Bondi repeatedly shifted responsibility to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The letter comes the same day that Blanche is slated to testify on Capitol Hill, which was a disaster before House Appropriations Subcommittee. Blanche's testimony could spark fireworks after Bondi's transcribed interview on Friday, where she testified that she delegated compliance with the Epstein Transparency act to her then deputy. Garcia said Democrats want to hear from Patel, who Bondi frequently named during the interview as also overseeing the release of the Epstein files. Democrats said that they were alarmed by Bondi referring to Patel repeatedly during the interview. And I quote, By Ms. Bondi's own account, Director Patel was involved in locating, reviewing, and possibly redacting FBI records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Ms. Bondi even raised concerns that FBI had previously withheld material from the Department of Justice. That's all from Garcia.
- [11:42]
Allison Gill
Wow. Thank you for that. And speaking of Blanche and his testimony, he was there before the House Appropriation Subcommittee today. And in Ms. Meng's opening remarks, she talked about the Department of Justice trying to uphold the rule of law, but how the rule of law has been actually undermined by him and the leader, other leadership of the Department of Justice. She said something along the lines of, and I was typing this as I was listening, so it might not be an exact quote, but a growing number of Trump administration officials are enriching themselves by making personal deals connected to their positions. Yet American families are struggling. The DOJ has now said that Trump and his family members no longer have to be audited by the irs. She also talked about the slush fund set to pay those who attacked the Capitol on January 6th and assaulted law enforcement officers. And she touched on all of the people that have been forced out of the Department of Justice and the FBI because of political retribution and the multiple flimsy criminal investigations into Trump's political foes. It was a good opening statement. She also discussed the media reports of wealthy people buying pardons, like drug trafficker Juan Hernandez, former Honduran president, who the Bureau of Prisons paid our used our tax money to pay to move him from prison to the Waldorf Historia Hotel.
- [12:51]
Ophira Eisenberg
Wow.
- [12:52]
Allison Gill
Now, Rose Delara went deeper into the slush fund, including the illegality of the five member commission, the fact that there's no standard for who's eligible to receive a payout and there's no oversight or transparency requirements. And she talked about the provisions that the United States is barred from criminal or administrative tax investigations into Trump and his kids. Now, Blanche's opening statement was also of note in that he didn't mention the slush fund at all. It wasn't until Rep. Meng got a turn after the Republican chair to ask him about the slush fund. And he said, we're not moving forward with the fund, period. The reasons for the fund remain important, but we're not moving forward with it. And Meng said, ever. And Blanche said, correct. And she goes, will you put that in writing? Will you sign documents rescinding the fund? And Blanche balked. He said, there's no fund. I don't need to sign documents. I don't know what you mean. And Meng says, we want you to put it in writing. And Blanche said, I'm telling you, it's not a thing. Like he refused to put it in writing. So what about the tax crime immunity for Trump and his kids? Blanche, under questioning by dilauro. And we'll play clips of this on the Beans Talk. Blanche said that part of the settlement, quote, unquote, settlement remains. So he's actually leaving the IRS immunity for Trump and his kids.
- [14:11]
Dana Goldberg
Yep.
- [14:12]
Allison Gill
But getting rid of the slush fund. And we're going to talk about that over on Beans Talk because you and I talked about it yesterday, too.
- [14:18]
Dana Goldberg
All right, and then from the Guardian. On the day Donald Trump endorsed him as a tireless advocate for New Jersey's seventh District, by tireless. Maybe he's been sleeping for the last three months. The representative, Tom Kane Jr. Was as he has been since early March, nowhere to be found. Yeah. Kane, a New Jersey Republican, was last seen when cast a House floor vote on 5th of March and he's running unopposed in Tuesday's Republican primary. The Democratic race in his district, meanwhile, has attracted multiple candidates and ample fundraising. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has reportedly spoken with Cain previously, had not been given a return date. Three Republican leaders told that to cnn. Kaine's Republican colleagues, according to cnn, said they're worried about his health and about holding a seat that four Democratic candidates, each having raised over a million dollars, are lining up to contest in November. Some have begun asking what New Jersey law would require if Cain were unable to continue after winning tonight's uncontested primary, uncontested.
- [15:23]
Allison Gill
He's running unopposed. You know, there's no other Republicans going up against the completely missing guy that
- [15:29]
Dana Goldberg
we talked about yesterday, which is just wild. I mean, cowards.
- [15:35]
Allison Gill
This is why I have to like toot our own horns for a second. A little self shout out here before we get to Ophir Eisenberg. Yesterday we talked about about this guy Cain being missing and today we find out Trump endorses him. Yesterday you and I talked about the slush fund and what would happen with the tax immunity thing. Today we got an answer on that. So I think that if you listen to the Daily Beans, you'll always be a little bit ahead of the mainstream media.
- [16:01]
Dana Goldberg
And so we do seem to have our finger on the pulse.
- [16:03]
Allison Gill
We seem to do that pretty well. So. And we don't have AI writing our shit for us either like some other network.
- [16:09]
Ophira Eisenberg
So.
- [16:09]
Dana Goldberg
Yeah, no kidding.
- [16:10]
Allison Gill
It's all us. It's all human powered and, you know, we actually just think about stuff and watch things. Anyway, thank you all so much, everybody. Stick around. I'm going to be right back with a really lovely break from the news chaos with Ophira Eisenberg, followed by the good news. Stick around. We'll be right back after these messages. We'll be right back. So every time the seasons change, I get the same urge to reset my entire life, right? And somehow my closet ends up at the top of the list. Suddenly I'm looking at my usual outfits, thinking this cannot be all I've got. But this is exactly why Daily look showed up at the right time for me. So thanks to Daily look, the number one premium personal styling service for women, for sponsoring the show, you have to check this out. For 50% off your first order, head to DailyLook.com and use code. Daily Beans. Daily look takes the most exhausting parts of shopping off your plate. You fill out a style quiz with your body shape, price range, preferences, lifestyle, and then the same real personal a stylist curates a box for you every single time. An actual person who gets to know your taste instead of some generic algorithm. Then they Send up to 12 hand selected pieces to your door and you try everything on at home. Keep what you love and send back the rest with free shipping both ways. So I'm not looking for errands when what I'm looking for is better clothes. And one of my favorite pieces lately was this nice blazer. Somehow made me look way more put together than I actually felt. So I loved it. Dana had the same kind of luck with one of the pieces from her recent box. And we've both been talking about how good these pics have been for us. They fit us exactly. And that is what I love about Daily Look. The clothes are good, the styling is smart, and it gave me a brand new style that I was looking for. It's, it's great. So it's time to get your own personal stylist with Daily Look. Head to DailyLook.com take the style quiz and use code Daily Beans for 50% off your order. Once again, that's DailyLook.com for 50% off. And make sure you use our promo code Daily Beans so they know we sent you one last time. Dailylook.com promo code Daily Beans.
- [18:07]
Ophira Eisenberg
I'm Brian Caram, and I've spent decades covering politics. Now I'm taking you behind the scenes, one interview at a time. Join us as each week Brian confronts the issues that matter, posing the questions you wish you could ask. No filter, no agenda, just the truth. We're not here for sound bites. We're here for substance. Join me, Brian Caram, every week as we cut through the noise and get straight to it. This is just ask the Question for curiosity will lead us to the facts. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. And remember, when you want answers, all you have to do is just ask the question.
- [18:54]
Allison Gill
Hey, everybody. Welcome back. I'm super excited today because you know how big I am into taking a break, finding community, laughing, like having joyous things in your life because those are the things that we're fighting for during the day. And so joining me today is standup comedian, one of my favorites, writer, podcast host, NPR, CBS, CNN. The moth. Remember the moth? I love the moth. HBO, Comedy Central, iHeart. She hosts one of my favorite trivia comedy shows back in the day, Ask Me another. She hosted it for nine years. Her breakout memoir, screw Everyone Sleeping. My Way to Monogamy, has been optioned for a television series. Her solo show, leaving a Mark, a comedy about scars, won Women in the Arts and Media award for solo show scripts. And just finished. She just finished a successful Europe. She has a new special out. It dropped on May 15th. It's an amazing hour of comedy. It's called I Used to Be Nicer. Please welcome Ophira Eisenberg. Hi, Ophira.
- [19:54]
Ophira Eisenberg
Hi. Thanks so much, Allison. I know it's a. I just do all these different things. I cobble them together. I really do.
- [20:02]
Allison Gill
Yeah. I am one of those people who's like, I need someone to write a bio for me, because I don't understand how any of this fits together. And so there were things. There's more stuff that you've done. You have a weekly parenting comedy podcast called Parenting is a Joke, and you were Webby finalist for best host. And I want to start there because there are so many things in this comedy special, this new comedy special. I used to be nicer that deal with, like, current political issues, but in a way that is relatable to everyone that makes us laugh and talk a little bit about the importance of comedy in the political environment.
- [20:45]
Ophira Eisenberg
You know, so I've been at this for years, but I would say only in the last. I'm gonna say, you know, four or five years. That might be a tad generous. Do people come up to you after shows and they actually say the same line every time. They go, I just. Thank you so much. We just needed a laugh. You hear this all the time. You hear people ask, like, asking for escape. You hear they come right up to you and they go, oh, I just. I needed this so much. I needed this so much. I have never, ever, ever had that before. People would come up and they'd be
- [21:21]
Allison Gill
like, ah, you know, it's great.
- [21:23]
Ophira Eisenberg
You know what? Just the entire world has changed, and people are desperate to hear. I just think something that's a little lighter. And I think political comedy has right now has really flourished. And so there's a lot of people doing very smart takes. You know, we've moved away a little bit more from real generic stuff that's still out there, but there's a lot of people doing really smart takes, and that is speaking to what people want to hear.
- [21:50]
Allison Gill
Yeah. I have to agree with you. We get it constantly. My co host, who's also a comedian, Dana Goldberg, and I. You keep me sane. Thank you for, you know, like, bringing me the headlines without, you know, making me want to cry all the way home after I hear about it or, you know, ending the show with good news or on an up note or things like that.
- [22:10]
Ophira Eisenberg
Oh, yeah, yeah. So we're providing a service. Okay, we're providing service.
- [22:15]
Allison Gill
It's totally a service. But tell us about the parenting podcast, because you touch on parenting a bit in your special. Right. I used to be nicer. And that title kind of oozes its way into the parenting aspect of it, along with some of the things that are happening in this political environment. But talk a little bit about the parenting aspect of your comedy and why that's so important.
- [22:40]
Ophira Eisenberg
I think it's because, well, I became a Parent late. I'm an old mom, everybody old mom. So when I became a parent after years of not thinking that was going to happen and then all of a sudden I'm experiencing it at a, at a different point in my life, a point in my life where I just have more experience and a little bit of a, you know, well seasoned outlook on the world. And it's very, I find being a parent very hard. I think all of the general cliches people say about it are true. I also think when a of fathers and mothers get on, who are extremely accomplished, get on interviews and they say, oh yeah, I won a Pulitzer Prize and I'm groundbreaking in this and I accomplish this, but the most important job I have as a parent, I say, you're lying. Okay. I say, no, I think you have many identities and that's okay. But I feel like this current world, I don't relate to how they want me to be a parent. And I am judged so hard for being a mom, a career mom, and there's tons of career moms, but you are judged so hard and then you're doing standup and then I'm doing it late at night and yes, I'm missing bedtimes and I get so much shrapnel coming at me from people trying to digest how that's possible. And of course in the parenting world too, I don't relate to the wine in the sippy cup comedy parents. That I think is mostly the kind of stuff given out for moms. Like it's sort of like chardonnay and all that world. That's the levity. I don't relate to it. So I just was looking for my people and I wasn't sure where to find them. So I thought it's gotta be other artistic people, other comedians and stuff have to feel the same, you know. And I think all kinds of. I talk to people with careers who are first responders or work in any of the hospitality industry and we keep the same hours and they say they have such a hard time with the other, the community of parents and just finding their way. Because once you live a little bit different than the mainstream, you know, it's a. You're out of the, you're out of the conversation.
- [24:47]
Allison Gill
Yeah, but that group of people, of relatable people to you is getting larger and larger because of the economy, because we all are in this gig economy. Because it's not like back in the day when you go to your job at Microsoft and come home at 4 and have the childcare person and do, you know, do the thing which has been the way for so long. But, you know, our society and politics has changed so much that I think that that group of relatable folks, relatable parents in this age day and age is growing like exponentially almost.
- [25:22]
Ophira Eisenberg
I know we just need the conversation to grow. I don't know why the conversation is behind, but I feel like there's a whole bunch of these people going, yes, yes, yes. But yet it's still like the world is set up for nine to five. That's how it's completely set up. I mean, just. It's so you're all. Everyone I know is cobbling together caregivers. He, you know, God forbid there is a clerical day in the school calendar. Everyone loses their mind.
- [25:47]
Allison Gill
They're like, what are we doing? What are we doing?
- [25:50]
Ophira Eisenberg
No snow days. I want all of these things off the calendar, you know, totally.
- [25:55]
Allison Gill
And then, and then. And you tackle this so well and in such a relatable manner in your, in your special, the misogyny starts seeping in. Now, you and I and women of a certain age have been experiencing misogyny forever, since we were young girls, but now it's like on steroids or something.
- [26:18]
Ophira Eisenberg
Yeah, I know. Now, I mean, that has really, you know, I reflect and I go. There was a time and I think about this in my comedy career because it's. I can feel it so starkly how women are perceived on stage and the value of our voice. And so there was a period where I don't think I was naive. It was getting. And then it took a massive shift backwards and now you are pushing against. I mean, I just even think of like the Tradwives and all of those kind of icons that really gained a lot of, you know, air in social media. And you're just like, where. What are we doing right now? And so I love talking about it. And let me tell you something, I can see it sometimes in the audience's eyes that the mental men do not like it. They do not like it. And then this ricochet factor happens where hopefully if the, if it's a straight couple and they're married or like, hopefully I'm winning over the woman, but, you know, it's like also sometimes she will be mad at me because she's taking the side. It's like we. I'm always like, is this 1942? Is that where we're at?
- [27:30]
Allison Gill
Well, all these comedians, the Theo Vaughns and the Tony Hinchcliffe's used to be like, in Their weird corner. And. But then we've got President Trump bringing them out at Madison Square Garden. And I absolutely love Chelsea Handler's takedown at the roast of Tony Hinchcliffe, but it used to be not very acceptable except in a small group of people, but now it's everywhere. This whole manosphere thing is exploded and no shame, right?
- [28:03]
Ophira Eisenberg
I love shame. I love shame. I want shame to come back.
- [28:06]
Allison Gill
Make shame great again.
- [28:07]
Ophira Eisenberg
Again. We need more sh. Or we. Yeah, we need. And I, you know, I am so jealous. I am so jealous of the male confidence. And I know that comes with just winning as the patriarchy, just the constant winning. Because I have said to many a man, many a man, have you looked in the mirror? Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself, I am worthy? And they laugh. They laugh at the notion, the notion of doing that. And I'm just so jealous. So I love, like, trying to piece that together, like how I am still trying to figure out how to just, you know, take up space in a room. And yet these, These guys who are not worthy, I mean, like, not to be cruel, but many of them are not worthy.
- [28:53]
Allison Gill
No. Like, oh, to give me the confidence of a mediocre white man.
- [28:56]
Ophira Eisenberg
Exactly. And so, And I just see it, you know, I, I love talking about the wellness community because I think it's specifically targeted at women. And I think it's, you know, if I were to be a little bit conspiratorial, which is where my comedy will go in this sense that I think it's saying, like, hey, by the way, you're not. The reason you didn't get the promotion is because you didn't manifest enough. You know, that's why. Love that.
- [29:21]
Allison Gill
I love the part in your special about your friend with the things on the walls and the phrases. But I, you know, I gotta say, like, the actual self care is going to a comedy show or watching a comedy special and laughing about self care. That's the real. That's where it really, like where the rubber meets the road. And, you know, in addition to misogyny and parenting, you talk about the system, like, cheat the systems, like how it's all stacked against us and, and how you can, you know, use it to your advantage. Yes.
- [29:53]
Ophira Eisenberg
You.
- [29:54]
Dana Goldberg
You have this.
- [29:55]
Allison Gill
You have this great. I don't.
- [29:57]
Ophira Eisenberg
You know what?
- [29:57]
Allison Gill
I don't want to give anything away, but your closing line is spectacular. Oh, thank you. I'm not even going to say what it. Why it's just you. It has to be observed to be believed. How Amazing. It is. I was like, yeah, doop. And you know, people, once you watch the special, you understand what I'm talking about. But to bring it all together and take up space in a room despite what's going on and to have that kind of incredible audience reaction, by the way, your audiences are always just so amazing.
- [30:33]
Ophira Eisenberg
I'm very pleased that I can pull in some smart people. I love clever crowds. I mean, who doesn't? I say that and many people don't.
- [30:41]
Allison Gill
Do you ever do the thing where about like a third away into your set, you'll tell like a dumb low brow dick joke? And if, depending on how much they laugh, that's kind of where the fork in the set goes, you're okay. Nope. These guys need heady. These guys need smart dick jokes. Oh, yeah.
- [30:59]
Ophira Eisenberg
I mean, it happens. Happens all the time. I mean, sometimes I just, I'll take a pause and I'll, I'll listen for a moment and you know, you have to have. Talk about confidence and self esteem. You have to have a lot of confidence and self esteem to listen to your audience because it's, you know, that feels very exposed. And so you listen to them and you go, all right, they need it slower. I gotta, I gotta slow it down a little bit. Or, oh, they're up for anything. They're on the roll. I mean, sometimes when I have a. Which you were kind of speaking to, like how the systems are broken and about using self checkout. Like if the robots are running everything, then we have to figure out ways to basically mess with the system. So I talk about like stealing at self checkout. And I will have people look back at me and go, no, I don't. And I'm like, you know, you do, you know, you thought about it, you know that you've put something on the bottom rack of the shopping cart and pretended you didn't see it. Everyone knows that's the free shelf.
- [32:01]
Dana Goldberg
Everyone knows that.
- [32:04]
Allison Gill
Oh, man, it's just, it's so funny, you know, to, to think about that instant feedback that you get and your really, really incredible ability. Because you've been doing this for so long, you've been in front of live audiences for so long that you get this amazing ability to know exactly where the audience wants to go and that you can. You, you know, you've got enough jokes in your arsenal to take them where they. And I think that that's like. I wanted to ask you, was this a full, like this special, was it set when you went up or did it, does it change in the middle or like, how does it work? Do you.
- [32:43]
Ophira Eisenberg
It is with this particular set. I mean, I worked on it for. I decided upon it and then worked on it for, you know, just that exact set for an amount of time. And I think just exactly how it was for about six months with the eye that something might leave, something might enter. I was constantly flipping around with the writing, like, this tag needs to be stronger. I'm listening to the audience, and they lose me. They are lost here.
- [33:07]
Allison Gill
So.
- [33:08]
Ophira Eisenberg
Da, da. And, you know. And then you go into the taping with a set because you have a whole bunch of people that are, like, watching you in your team with a script going through it, which is amazing. When they come up to you afterwards and they're like, by the way, the way you said this was incorrect. And you're like, how dare you. But in this case, this is. I went in with the set, and this is the set. And I actually didn't. I did not end up. I didn't cut anything. Which you. You go in with the idea we'll lose a couple things, probably. But it was such a. I mean, to give myself any credit, it. It went how we hoped it would, and so we did not cut anything.
- [33:47]
Allison Gill
Right. But after months and months and months of putting it together and adding tags and taking things away and rearranging stuff, I mean, that's how you develop. That's, you know, why, like a few. Yeah.
- [33:56]
Dana Goldberg
Place.
- [33:57]
Allison Gill
Who's not a comedian watching hacks. That's why she goes on the road. She's like, I gotta go back on the road to build this set. And then you tape it, then you put it out, and then you start all over again.
- [34:08]
Ophira Eisenberg
Start all over again. But still, live performance is live performance. Completely unpredictable. So you could work on something for years, and then that night, I don't know, you say it wrong, the rhythm's off, something weird happens, and that joke dies. And you're like, what are we talking about? I mean, there's still that percentage of. Of everything going wrong.
- [34:27]
Allison Gill
Yeah. And it's different for each person. Like, when I would do two shows Friday, two shows Saturday, it was always the second show Friday. That was the worst for some reason. Like, did the worst. Right. Like, the first one always hit really great. And then you. And then you try to do it. You try to replicate it. But I think that's the mistake is trying to replicate stuff as opposed to just going in like, you haven't done it that day.
- [34:50]
Ophira Eisenberg
Chasing the dragon. Chasing the dragon. But also, there used to be all these theories about, you know, audience energy. And it used to be just based on as we were talking about the hours of the average American employee, that Friday late nights were the worst show because people were so tired from their week. And then they had a couple drinks after work, and then they went out and they were just not able to take it in. So it used to be known that Friday late night was everyone's hardest show.
- [35:18]
Allison Gill
It's very adult of you to be. To know that it's about the audience instead of just putting it all on yourself with your own imposter syndrome and low self esteem.
- [35:28]
Ophira Eisenberg
It's a lot of manifesting, Allison. It's a lot of manifesting. A lot of.
- [35:31]
Allison Gill
And again with the misogyny, you know, that the. You generally get a really good audience. Go. I remember I did a show. I won't tell you who it was with, but it's a very famous person.
- [35:41]
Dana Goldberg
It was at the Comedy Store main
- [35:42]
Allison Gill
room, and the crowd was easy. They were whores. They loved everything. Everybody was saying, Neil Brennan did well. Like, everybody was doing great. I went up, I did a great set, and then this one person didn't do very well. And then it, like, came back the backstage after, and he's like, oh, tough crowd, right? And all the rest of us were like, no, not really. Like,
- [36:05]
Ophira Eisenberg
I have one on that. Which actually kind of relates to misogyny. I was on a show in a near club, and this happens fairly often, but the lineup was all guys. Yeah, I was the only one on the lineup, and I was about two thirds of the way in the lineup. I think there was one person after me, and all of the guys are leaving the stage. I'm sitting. This place had a green room. I'm sitting in the green room. And they're coming back just going, God, that's a tough crowd. I did not like that crowd. Just all of them. And I'm bracing myself thinking, okay. Thinking of adjustments in my head and what I'm dealing with. And then I got out there, Alison, and I looked at the crowd, and for whatever reason, I would say over 50% of the crowd was women.
- [36:48]
Allison Gill
Ah.
- [36:50]
Ophira Eisenberg
And I had a ball. And I was just like, oh. The problem was that none of these guys could adjust to the fact that it was an all female sensibility being the majority of this crowd. And they're not used to having to deal with that.
- [37:06]
Dana Goldberg
Right.
- [37:06]
Allison Gill
They're up there doing the hump the stool and talking about how lesbians just need some D and how my wife take my wife, please. Whatever. And they're like, why don't these women laugh? Why not?
- [37:16]
Ophira Eisenberg
They laugh.
- [37:16]
Allison Gill
I fellated the microphone, like, everybody. Every good male I know and why, why?
- [37:20]
Ophira Eisenberg
And I thought that was so interesting. Yeah. I walked away with a big smile on my face that night. I was just like, you know what? Sometimes it's good to know it goes by fantastic.
- [37:29]
Allison Gill
Fantastic. Well, this has been really fun. I know we didn't really talk about much news, but that's okay. It was nice to stroll down memory about standup comedy, and I really appreciate that, and I really hope everybody gets to a chance to see, like, right now, stop what you're doing. Go watch I used to be Nicer. Tell everybody where they can find and watch this. And also follow you on socials. Sure.
- [37:52]
Ophira Eisenberg
So right now it's streaming on Live Nation has a streaming app called Veeps. Just the same word as the. You know, it's V E, E, P S. Makes you think of perhaps that Julia Louise Dreyfus hilarious show Veep. But this is Veeps, and so you can stream it there. And so it's gonna be there exclusively. And then in July, it will be out in Apple, like itunes and as an album and Google Play and Amazon and all those places where you can get it. So. But if you get it now, it's special. And I will just say, you know, for Veeps, they have a very good artist deal just to say something nice about a company, which is very rare, so please support them. And they've got lots of good comedy specials right now. There's tons of great people, so you get a lot from it. And if you want to follow me and see all the new things I'm doing and more about me blathering on about how I used to be nicer. Because I know you used to be nicer too, I bet. On the socials, I'm Ophira E. And
- [38:53]
Allison Gill
that's O P H I R A. Right, Right.
- [38:56]
Ophira Eisenberg
Opa H I R A. Thank you. Thank you for saying that, Allison.
- [39:00]
Allison Gill
Yeah.
- [39:00]
Ophira Eisenberg
And then an E at the end, because as it turn out, turns out, at Ophira was taken
- [39:08]
Allison Gill
because, of course, there's so many ophiras out there.
- [39:13]
Ophira Eisenberg
Ms. Isaac, there just has to be one more.
- [39:17]
Allison Gill
Has to be one more. Thank you so much for spending time with us today. I took some time on. On a weekend that I actually carved out some time to watch this. So worth it. Thank you. I needed those laughs, and I needed that relatability. So I really appreciate all your work and everything you do from the beginning of time. Since you've been doing this since B.C.
- [39:36]
Ophira Eisenberg
thank you so much.
- [39:39]
Allison Gill
Since the. Since the 1900s.
- [39:42]
Ophira Eisenberg
Thank you. When women ruled. No.
- [39:46]
Allison Gill
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
- [39:47]
Dana Goldberg
Exactly.
- [39:48]
Allison Gill
When they are nine. Anyway, thank you so very much, my friend. It's been great to laugh with you. Everybody else, you want to stick around? We're going to hit the good news, but we have to take a quick break. Thanks so much, Ophir. I appreciate it your time. Thank you. After these messages. We'll be right back.
- [40:06]
Ophira Eisenberg
Hi, I'm Frances Collier. And I'm Angela V. Shelton. And we're Frangela. You know what you need in your life? The Final Word podcast.
- [40:14]
Allison Gill
Yes, you do.
- [40:15]
Ophira Eisenberg
That's right. It is the final word on all things political and pop cultural, where we make real news, real funny, where we inspire you so you can hashtag real resist, subscribe. And get a new episode of the Final Word podcast each week. It's the news we think you need to hear.
- [40:31]
Dana Goldberg
That's right. We think you need to hear it.
- [40:33]
Ophira Eisenberg
Okay. Yeah. It's what we say. So. That's right. And because all we do is give. Every Thursday, you can listen to our hysterical podcast, idiot of the Week. We round up the stupid. Because you know what? Somebody has to.
- [40:45]
Dana Goldberg
Okay.
- [40:46]
Allison Gill
All we do is give. All right, everybody, welcome back. It's time for the good news.
- [40:53]
Ophira Eisenberg
Who likes good news?
- [40:55]
Dana Goldberg
Everyone.
- [40:56]
Ophira Eisenberg
Then good news, everyone.
- [41:11]
Allison Gill
Good news, good news. And if you have any good news or good trouble suggestions, and I mean your good news can be anything. You can be, if you want to just write in and say, say hi. And yet you're thinking about us. We would love that. Or that you're thinking about a spouse or a loved one or you know, yourself. Give yourself a shout out. We would love to hear about why you're awesome. Because everyone who listens to the Daily Beans is awesome. Maybe you have a shout out to a nonprofit you want us to know about. Maybe you have a funny joke or some misheard song lyrics. It can be anything at all. Send it to us dailybeanspod.com click on contact. And don't forget to attach your pod pet tax, which can be a photo of your pet, but it can actually just be a photo of any, anything random animal on the Internet. Your baby pictures, what you're making or creating. Maybe you got goats or chickens. We want to see them a sunset. Show us what you're making and creating. It can be a picture of anything. Send it all to us dailybeanspod.com click on contact. First up is your good trouble. And this is a good trouble tip from a listener. Russ Vaught from the Office of Management and Budget posted a rules change regulation for federal financial assistance. And surprise, it's really bad.
- [42:22]
Dana Goldberg
Shocking.
- [42:23]
Allison Gill
Elizabeth Elizabeth Ganexi, a former NIH program official for 22 years, broke down every aspect of the rules change on her substack. Senior political appointees, rather than career scientists or program officers, would now be required to conduct a pre issuance review of every discretionary grant before it's awarded political appointees and not scientists. These appointees are explicitly forbidden from deferring to peer reviewers or routinely ratifying their recommendations. The criteria they must apply include blocking awards that touch on denial of the sex binary in humans, anything that touches on illegal immigration, or anything deemed to promote anti American values. The rule also requires that discretionary awards must demonstrably advance Donald Trump's policy priorities. In practice, that gives political appointees veto power over any science that conflicts with the current administration's ideology. We'll have a link to this substack post for you in the show notes and a link to the Federal Register where you can comment. The period ends July 13. Public input is critical. Scientists, educators, researchers, nonprofits, conservation groups, public health experts, government agencies, advocates, and community members should all submit comments outlining the potential effects these rules changes might have on their work and the people they serve and the public good. So thank you so much from the anonymous listener for letting us know about this rule that you can comment on.
- [43:52]
Dana Goldberg
All right, thank you, Ag. This is from Dan. Pronouns he and him. Hey, AG and dg thank you both. And the team behind the scenes to provide an oasis in a sea of insanity. Sometimes it seems hopeless, but then a win that refreshes. Now some grandson and baby goat pet tax is this unusual flower my sister discovered.
- [44:11]
Allison Gill
Cheers. Okay, okay. Look at. Look at the goat. Look at the grandson. Birds.
- [44:19]
Dana Goldberg
I know.
- [44:19]
Allison Gill
Oh, and the flower that you discovered, It's a cat wearing a flower.
- [44:22]
Dana Goldberg
Cute.
- [44:23]
Allison Gill
Amazing. Thank you. Thank you so much for that. Next up, anonymous pronoun. She and her dear beans Queens. I've been a listener since the kitchen table days.
- [44:31]
Ophira Eisenberg
What? What?
- [44:33]
Allison Gill
And I feel like it's been a lifeline or five since this all began. I wanted to share that I just finished my 1L year of law school at the University of New Mexico. School. School of law.
- [44:43]
Ophira Eisenberg
Nice.
- [44:43]
Allison Gill
I'm 47. I have a spouse, three kids, 13, 11 and 10. A dog and a cat. It was a whirlwind first year and I feel like I overcame so much, like the stigma of being an older student handling all of our family business while keeping up with classes and so much more. Sometimes I wonder what in the heck I'm doing. Then I remember my very wise professor who once told me I could be 50 with a law degree or 50 without one. So here I am. I also want to give a shout out to my husband of 16 years for stepping up and supporting me in this endeavor. He doesn't ask, he just does. He's amazing and I'm so thankful for him. Now, on the funny side, I've been collecting degrees for quite some time and he just wants to know when we get our return on investment. Okay, I guess I'm done after this one. Also, Dana, when are you going to do a show in the abq?
- [45:32]
Dana Goldberg
Well, I'm glad you asked because I am bringing the funny fest back to Albuquerque on October 9th. It's a Friday night. It's basically coming out weekend, national coming out weekend. So it's been on hiatus for six. So if you're in the Albuquerque area or you want to travel to Albuquerque, mark it on your calendar. October 9th. It's gonna be four incredible headlining comedians at the Chemo theater where I started my career. And it's gonna help benefit Equality New Mexico. So mark it on your calendar. As soon as tickets go on sale, the beans are gonna be the first to know.
- [46:03]
Allison Gill
Ask and you shall receive. Anonymous attached as my pop pet tax. The first pictures are two year old adopted kitty named Perk. Strange name. P E R str but he came with it so it stuck. The second picture is of my two kids at the last no Kings rally in Santa Fe. They made their own signs and stood side by side with all the adults in the crowd. And I was so proud. Okay, the kitty's adorable. That's what I call a Ned cat. Because many, many moons ago I had a cat named Ned. That is this kind of cat. And let's see. Oh, they made their own signs. Those are amazing. Nico says no to fascism. Look at these amazing kids.
- [46:41]
Dana Goldberg
Awesome.
- [46:42]
Allison Gill
That drawing of Donald Trump is really great, by the way.
- [46:44]
Dana Goldberg
I know, it is really good.
- [46:47]
Allison Gill
Thank you for that. Amazing. You want to take the next two, my friend? They're kind of short.
- [46:50]
Dana Goldberg
Sure, you got it. This is from Rob Pronoun. She and her I love androgynous names by the way. Shout out to my BFF Olson. We are old beans and newish to the pod. In the middle of a recent phone call, Olsen out of nowhere starts singing Daily beans, Daily Beans.
- [47:05]
Allison Gill
Beans, daily beans.
- [47:07]
Dana Goldberg
Pod Tariff is our fave headshot from 10 years ago on a camping trip. Happy Pride month, ladies. And I gotta say, Rob, I would definitely want to hang out with both of you. I feel like we definitely would have been friends in our heyday.
- [47:19]
Allison Gill
Yeah, I would like to have a nice craft beer with the two of you.
- [47:23]
Dana Goldberg
Totally. All right, this is her, Marcia. Pronouns she, her and grandma. We are descended from John J. Buckley, the first Librarian of Congress Congress. We are Vietnam veterans and children of World War II veterans. We are doing our own celebration of 250th birthday. We are keeping our patriotic decor up from Memorial Day through July 4th. We are giving away flags, fans, pins, stickers and other goodies to celebrate and start conversations. And this house looks amazing, Marsha. Well done.
- [47:52]
Allison Gill
Incredible way to just take it over and have a proper 250th without fluorida and Vanilla Ice.
- [47:59]
Dana Goldberg
Hell yeah.
- [48:00]
Ophira Eisenberg
Yeah.
- [48:01]
Allison Gill
Amazing. All right, next up, Lana. Greetings to the mavens of my morning musings malaise lately. But. But for YouTube. I love it. I have a couple of my favorite Dyslexia can be funny moments and one good trouble. When I was a kid, there was a juice stand called the Orange Delight. I read it as Orange del Te because it's spelled D E L I T E. And she read it as D E L T I E Orange Delti. And I thought that was the name of it until I was a teenager. Teenager. As an adult, I cannot look at a sign that says Martial arts studio and not read Martial Oh, Marital Arts Studio. There have been funnier, but those stay inside. Okay, I'm gonna tell you mine and maybe it's yours too. But every time I see public, like a public esplanade. Esplanade. I think it says pubic.
- [48:46]
Dana Goldberg
That's just in my head.
- [48:47]
Allison Gill
I've been getting into some very fun trouble. I'm an artist. I've been in politics and a politics nerd since my mom was in her second trimester. I volunteered with Rock the Vote at 14. Remember that? And I never really stopped, as so many of us were. I felt so powerless when ICE came to Los Angeles. If I find it, I'll attach a clip of what ended up being a convoy of vehicles that went to storm MacArthur park and take down a violent group of summer camp attendees. I remember I decided to buy a pack of 108 and a half by 11 Matte sticker sheets and multicolored chisel tipped markers. I basically unloaded on these sheets. Some were very low brow, informing everyone. Stephen Miller's face is all bald skin. Others were short but thought provoking prompts. Others were advertising to the next no Kings rally. It can be whatever you want and putting it on paper and sticking it out where people can see it really does help with the frustration. Pro Tip the easier something is to remove from wherever you stick it, the less trouble you get in with the fuzz. My pot that tax is my pumpkin taking a sunny nap after barely making it home from the bar. She adopted me in 2020 and we've been besties ever since. Thank you, thank you, thank you for putting love first, comedy second, and for putting comp passion in the hopper with the beans. It makes the finest brew. Oh that's so nice of you to say. Look at this orange cat without a brain cell in his head.
- [50:07]
Dana Goldberg
So happy. That was so, so happy.
- [50:09]
Allison Gill
Oh adorable. Thank you so much. What a great idea. You just buy a bunch of matte sticker sheets and some chisel tip markers and go to work.
- [50:15]
Dana Goldberg
Yep. All right. From Ashley Pronounce she and her dear queenies of the Beanies dg, I wanted to say thank you for talking about how important Martina McBride's song is. Independence Day is. I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of looking forward to certain people having to hear that song and its powerful message. Although let's be honest, it would have flown over the tangerine palpatine's head faster than a Big Mac on January 7th 90s country women do not get the flowers they deserve. That is very true. My mom's a survivor of domestic violence and an activist as well as a listener. So back in the 90s she and a group of her friends started a group Save Survivors Against Violence Everywhere after some men got incredibly laughable or raped, inducing sentences for attempting an actual murder. To this day, my mom goes in and does a presentation to the medical students about domestic violence and what to look for so that the doctors can be better informed. I'm so proud of her and so thankful that she's still here and still fighting the good fight, even while I'm heartbroken that she has to fight it. Dr. Ag, the parallels between abusive men and the current administration are eerie and I thank you for pointing pointing them out. I have two photos for you from my pod Pet Tax. Please enjoy. Oldest Axolotl Toothless Sorry you can't get one in California. I just moved from my kids room to my office so I get to watch them all day and it's been magical. Also, a little over a month ago I went to the national zoo with my mom and my niece. For my 50th birthday we went bird watching at the Trump Winery. So you had to go see the otters Dana. Of course we did not get pictures of the ones that were smiling and mugging for the camera, but instead here's a peaceful photo of two otters sleeping. Sorry that they are on dry land, not in the water. Happy pride and welcome back Dana.
- [52:03]
Allison Gill
Look, she made you a welcome Back Dana with Rainbow Hearts otters card.
- [52:07]
Ophira Eisenberg
So cute.
- [52:10]
Dana Goldberg
I love our fans. Ashley. Thank you so much.
- [52:12]
Allison Gill
Dude, check out this axolotl.
- [52:14]
Dana Goldberg
Your little axolotl bottle's cute.
- [52:16]
Allison Gill
It's maxing you. Look.
- [52:17]
Dana Goldberg
He's like it's adorbs.
- [52:19]
Allison Gill
Yeah, amazing. Oh you guys, I needed that today. On this Wednesday, on this taint of the week. Thank you so much for sending in all of your good news. Please send it all to us. Overwhelm us with it. We want too much. Send it to us@dailybeanspot.com click on Contact. We're going to see you with a couple of really important clips from today's hearings and a couple of press briefings and even somebody running for governor of Minnesota that wants to pardon Derek Chauvin, the guy who murdered George Floyd. Yep, if she's elected governor, us a bunch of really important stuff. So I hope you'll join us over on Beans Talk. Otherwise we'll be back in your ears tomorrow. Until then, please take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, take care of your mental health, and take care of your friendly I've been ag, I've been dg and them's the beans. The Daily Beans is written and executive produced by Allison Gill with additional research and reporting by Dana Goldberg. Sound design and editing is by Desiree McFarlane with art and web design by Joelle Reader with Moxie Design Studios. Music for the Daily Beans is written and performed by the Might Be Giants and the show is a proud member of the MSW Media Network, a collection of creator owned podcasts dedicated to news, politics and justice. For more information Please visit msw media.com msw Media history is messy. It's weird, wild and anything but boring. Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is a history podcast about unhinged stories that make you stop and ask, wait, is this real life? From crazy disasters and tasty scandals to enlightening and surprising heartwarming tales, we explore the moments where people behave badly and sometimes beautifully. We've got naughty politicians, cultural chaos, and a deep love for the Pacific Northwest, including Bigfoot. It's thoughtful, irreverent, occasionally serious, and always entertaining. Let's fall down the rabbit rabbit hole. MSW.