The Daily Beans: "Charlotte’s Angels (feat. Charlotte Clymer)"
Hosted by Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg
Release Date: July 29, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Daily Beans, hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg delve into a range of pressing political and social issues, culminating in an insightful interview with esteemed activist and writer Charlotte Clymer. The discussion spans from significant Senate races and legal battles to personal stories of resilience shared by listeners.

Key News Highlights

1. Senate Races: North Carolina and Georgia

• North Carolina's Open Senate Seat:
  Democrat Roy Cooper, the former governor of North Carolina, has officially launched his bid to contest the open Senate seat in 2026. According to CBS, Cooper's entry is seen as a substantial boost for the Democratic Party in the state.

  Charlotte Clymer remarked: "Roy Cooper is just exceptionally gifted... North Carolinians look at him and say, that's our guy." (24:36)

• Potential Republican Challenger:
  Multiple sources report that Michael Watley, the RNC chair, is contemplating a Senate run after being directly encouraged by former President Donald Trump. Dana expresses skepticism about Watley's prospects.

• Georgia's GOP Primary:
  Republican Representative Mike Collins announced his candidacy to challenge incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. Collins emphasized his focus on "working for Georgia, not the California crazies or New York nutjobs," although his announcement was met with some derision.

  Dana Goldberg noted: "That's how aggressively she was trying to rationalize what she was seeing." (29:20)

2. Legal Battles and Judicial Decisions

• Senator Durbin and Ghislaine Maxwell Tapes:
  Senator Richard Durbin, alongside Senator White House, has demanded recordings and transcripts of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's meetings with Ghislaine Maxwell. Durbin alleges potential witness tampering and hints at a "corrupt bargain" for Maxwell's pardon.

  Allison Gill stated: "The victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have been repeatedly let down by the criminal justice system." (07:37)

• Texas Lawsuit Over Abortion Pills:
  A Galveston man, Jerry Rodriguez, is suing a California doctor, Remy Couteau, for allegedly providing his girlfriend with abortion-inducing drugs. The lawsuit challenges Texas's anti-abortion laws and tests the state's "shield laws" protecting abortion providers.

  Dana Goldberg quipped: "An 18th-century anti-obscenity law. The Comstock Act is stupid." (10:03)

• Planned Parenthood Defunding Blocked:
  A federal judge has permanently blocked the Trump administration's efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, ensuring that the nation's largest abortion provider continues to receive Medicaid reimbursements.

  Allison Gill highlighted: "Restricting members' ability to provide healthcare services threatens an increase in unintended pregnancies." (11:00)

3. Controversies and Legal Issues

• Lauren Boebert's Son Charged:
  Lauren Boebert's 20-year-old son, Tyler Boebert, has been charged with criminal negligence related to an incident involving his grandson. This marks another entry in Tyler's extensive legal troubles.

  Allison Gill remarked: "He's due in a Weld county court on September 8th. We'll see what happens." (16:12)

• Dr. Phil's Bankruptcy Filing:
  Dr. Phil McGraw's conservative-leaning network, Merritt Street Media, has filed for bankruptcy just a year after its launch. The company is also suing its distribution partner, Trinity Broadcasting, for breach of contract.

  Dana Goldberg summarized: "Dr. Phil has made headlines in recent months for embedding himself with ICE agents..." (18:15)

4. Landmark Ruling in Ukraine

• Recognition of a Same-Sex Couple:
  In a groundbreaking decision, a Ukrainian court has recognized a same-sex couple, Zorian Kiss and Timur Levchuk, as a family. This ruling marks the first of its kind in Ukraine and sets a precedent for expanding LGBTQ+ rights in the region.

  Allison Gill noted: "This court ruling may serve as a critical legal milestone in expanding those rights for LGBTQ families." (10:03)

Featured Interview: Charlotte Clymer

The episode features an in-depth conversation with Charlotte Clymer, a renowned essayist and activist. The discussion centers on the political landscape in North Carolina, focusing on Roy Cooper's Senate bid and the controversies surrounding Oklahoma's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters.

• Ryan Walters' Controversies:
  Charlotte critiques Ryan Walters for prioritizing cultural battles over educational improvements in Oklahoma. She discusses allegations of Walters introducing the Lee Greenwood-branded King James Bible into classrooms and incidents involving inappropriate content in his office.

  Charlotte Clymer shared: "Ryan Walters... is the most 'pick me' Trump-supporting right-wing extremist, faux Christian nonsense, bullshit artist." (27:21)

• Impact on North Carolina's Senate Race:
  Charlotte expresses optimism about Roy Cooper's bid, emphasizing his strong connection with North Carolina voters and the state's Democratic Party's strategic efforts.

  Charlotte Clymer stated: "Roy Cooper is the superman of North Carolina Democratic politics. So we just won. We're good to go for this seat." (38:12)

Good News Segment

In a refreshing departure from the heavy topics, Allison and Dana introduce the "Good News" segment, highlighting listener submissions that showcase resilience, community support, and personal triumphs.

• Listener Stories:

  • Town Hall Success: Allison shares her experience hosting a town hall with Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs, praising the positive interaction with constituents.

    Allison Gill shared: "Sarah Jacobs showed up to answer the questions of Darrell Issa's constituents. It was a really great event." (44:58)

  • Supporting Special Needs Puppies: A listener highlights the efforts of Kyle and her team, who foster special needs puppies, providing them with care and a chance at life despite severe health conditions.

    Dana Goldberg reacted: "I can barely handle these photos. My heart, these puppies." (53:53)

  • Personal Triumph Over Adversity: Rachel shares her son's courageous battle with type 1 diabetes and his positive experience at a specialized summer camp, emphasizing the importance of community support.

    Rachel stated: "He learned independence around his condition... I'm beyond thankful for our anonymous donor for making this possible for my kid." (50:17)

• Encouraging Community Engagement:
  Allison and Dana invite listeners to share their own good news, encouraging submissions that range from personal achievements to community shout-outs.

  Allison Gill encouraged: "If you have any good news... we want to hear it." (43:05)

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating the importance of community, resilience, and informed political engagement. They express gratitude towards Charlotte Clymer and their listeners, emphasizing the show's commitment to delivering thoughtful and progressive content.

Notable Quotes

• Allison Gill on Durbin's Letter:

  "The victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have been repeatedly let down by the criminal justice system." (07:38)

• Charlotte Clymer on Ryan Walters:

  "He's the most 'pick me' Trump-supporting right-wing extremist, faux Christian nonsense, bullshit artist." (27:21)

• Dana Goldberg on Media Trust:

  "There are certain reporters for outlets that run the gamut from corporate to independent. I follow those reporters because I trust in their reporting and I trust in their sources." (37:22)

Final Thoughts

Allison and Dana ensure that listeners are well-informed while balancing the gravity of news with uplifting stories from their community. The episode underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and support systems in navigating current sociopolitical landscapes.

Stay Connected:
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