The Daily Beans – "Own Goal" (feat. Zerlina Maxwell)

Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill (A.G.), Dana Goldberg (D.G.)
Featured Guest: Zerlina Maxwell
Podcast Theme: Progressive, women-led political news with keen analysis and signature snark.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into busy midweek headlines, from political shakeups and legal maneuvering in Congress to new fallout from government actions under both previous and current administrations. It features a timely, insightful interview with progressive commentator Zerlina Maxwell about Democratic strategy, how to hold elected officials accountable, and practicing self-care in activist spaces.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Hot Notes: Top News Stories ([00:00]-[19:14])

• Fannie Mae Watchdog Firings & Trump Connections ([04:24])

  • Watchdogs investigating Trump appointee Bill Pulte for allegedly obtaining mortgage records of top Democrats (notably Letitia James) were fired.
  • Multiple layers of internal and federal investigation had begun before firings; subsequent retaliation and questions over diversity/equity motives.
  • Allison Gill: “If you're listening, spokesperson for the FHFA, come at me, bro. Sue me.” [07:44]

• Republican Provision for Surveilled Senators ([07:50])

  • A hidden clause in the government funding bill: Allows 8 GOP Senators whose phone logs were subpoenaed by Jack Smith to sue the government for $500,000 each—taxpayer funded—if not notified of such searches.
  • Dana: “These motherfuckers…Pays to be a criminal.” [09:20]
  • AG’s take: “I was trying to think of how Democrats could exploit this, but, I mean, it's only if they want to break the law, right?” [09:38]

• Trump Appeals E. Jean Carroll Civil Verdict to Supreme Court ([09:46])

  • Trump’s latest legal move seeks SCOTUS review of the $5M Carroll verdict.
  • Dana incredulous: “How could you…What would your reasoning be to exclude [the Access Hollywood] tape? I mean, come on. That wasn't me in the tape.” [11:31]

• Border Patrol Commander Exits, Chicago Update ([11:53])

  • Greg Bovino (CBP) leaving Chicago; ICE presence to drop from 250 to 100 but is expected to jump to 1,000 in spring 2026.
  • AG notes: “He deployed that tear gas lying about being hit in the head with a rock…That's why it was so disgusting that they posed in front of the bean in Millennium park and said everybody say Little Village.” [15:35]
  • Dana: “He really is a piece of shit.” [15:53]

• Utah Court Strikes Down GOP Gerrymander ([15:55])

  • Victory for voting rights: Utah’s court reinstates a fairer congressional map, citing voter-approved anti-gerrymandering amendment.

• $3 Million Settlement for Kansas Newspaper Raid ([17:04])

  • Marion County, KS will pay journalists and a councilor after a controversial 2023 police raid.

Interview: Zerlina Maxwell – Democratic Strategy & Accountability ([21:43]-[41:05])

Segment Timestamps

• Introduction to Zerlina Maxwell ([21:43])

  • Host of Mornings with Zerlina on SiriusXM; author of “Inner Work Dispatch” Substack, focused on self-care and progressive political analysis.

• Venting on the Senate's Shutdown Deal “Own Goal” ([22:12])

  • Zerlina: “I feel like Democrats often do this where they shoot their own selves in the foot…We didn't even get a full week to celebrate…the wins from the recent elections…Instead it was like a self own or like own goal in soccer.” [22:12]
  • Critique: Democrats ended the shutdown without leveraging wins for voter-prioritized issues (like ACA subsidies); appeared to protect donor interests over grassroots voter needs.
  • Zerlina: “Democrats do not have to help Republicans govern when the Republicans are in charge.” [23:10]

• Frustration Among Federal Workers ([24:44]-[25:29])

  • AG (former fed): “All of the federal workers…who are furloughed, who are not getting paid…were also very upset. They wanted the shutdown to continue unless we got the ACA benefits we were promised.” [25:29]

• Donor Influence vs. Voter Demands ([27:05]-[30:16])

  • Zerlina: “They need to hear more from the people. They need to hear more from the voter. And these senators…are not on the ballot in 2026. And this is why they were free to make this decision…” [29:16]
  • Key strategy: Flood electeds with constituent calls—donors aren’t the only ones with influence.

• Election Messaging Success—and Establishment Resistance ([30:16]-[33:01])

  • AG: “The people will do you right if you stand up and fight for them…And what we showed on Tuesday, and they still ignored it.” [31:14]
  • Zerlina: “One of the undercovered pieces…is that everybody had the same message, whether they were running in New York City or…Virginia. They talked about the economy, the cost of living…” [31:56]
  • Activist takeaway: “Be so annoying that they're like, oh my God, if these voters won't stop calling me, I'm gonna lose my mind.” [33:02]

• Participatory Democracy and Ongoing Organizing ([33:17]-[36:09])

  • Both stress: Democracy isn’t just voting; ongoing action, organizing, protests, and calls matter.

• Mental Health & Activist Well-Being: Zerlina’s “Inner Work Dispatch” ([37:07])

  • Zerlina shares that her Substack was inspired by her own journey managing grief and burnout, and her mother’s work as a psychotherapist.
  • “If I'm not actually happy when I'm sitting by myself at home alone, then there’s still work that needs to be done.” [37:47]
  • She advocates for ‘unlearning hustle culture’ and prioritizing true wellness as part of sustaining political work.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• “Every accusation is a confession.” – Allison Gill [04:13]
• “[Congresspeople] need to hear more from their voters than their donors.” – Zerlina Maxwell [29:44]
• “Be so annoying that they're like, oh my God, if these voters, like, won't stop calling me, like, I'm gonna lose my mind.” – Zerlina Maxwell [33:02]
• “Democracy is something you have to participate in probably every day for it to function properly, especially in the system that is not functioning properly at all.” – Zerlina Maxwell [33:50]
• “If we can't actually be whole human beings and actually enjoy our lives, then…what's the point of any of this?” – Zerlina Maxwell [40:01]

Good News Segment & Listener Contributions ([43:27]-[end])

• Listener Good News, Corrections, and Uplifting Stories

  • Initiatives spotlighting food charity, free pets’ clinics (notably Doney Ko Pet Clinic in Seattle), and creative grassroots mutual aid.
  • Listener interactions include thesis titles, pet photos, humorous asides (see “cat gang bang correction”), and positive experiences with social programs (e.g., Social Security survivor benefits).

• Calls to Action

  • Support emergency cash transfers (e.g., via GiveDirectly.org) for those who lost SNAP benefits.
  • Reminders to call representatives about government shutdown votes.
  • Encouragement to check in on neighbors and support their well-being.

Structure & Flow

• Rapid-fire news analysis opens the show and sets energetic, irreverent tone.
• Deep-dive interview with Zerlina Maxwell anchors the episode, weaving macro-political analysis with real-world grassroots strategy and care for activist mental health.
• Listener good news segment offers heartwarming and humorous closure, balancing gravity with genuine joy and solidarity.

Conclusion

Big Themes:

• Persistence of establishment politics vs. grassroots energy in Democratic strategy
• Importance of continuous civic engagement—calls, protests, organizing—beyond elections
• The necessity of personal resilience and mental health for sustainable activism

Final Message:
You—listeners, voters, activists—have more power than you realize, both in politics and in your own well-being. Stay loud, get involved, and don’t forget to practice self-care along the way.

For more:

• Listen to Mornings with Zerlina (SiriusXM channel 127, weekdays 7am ET)
• Read Inner Work Dispatch on Substack
• Support MSW Media and The Daily Beans on Patreon for bonus content

Episode summary by PodcastGPT. For the full discussion—including all the snark and warmth—listen to The Daily Beans wherever you get your podcasts.