The Daily Beans Podcast Summary
Episode: Refried Beans | The One With Ben Folds (feat. Ben Folds)
Release Date: May 18, 2025

Introduction
The Daily Beans, hosted by Alison Gill of MSW Media, delivers a progressive news podcast infused with social justice themes and a touch of snark. In this episode titled "Refried Beans | The One With Ben Folds," released on May 18, 2025, Alison Gill is joined by musician Ben Folds to discuss current events and delve into his new album, "What Matters Most."

1. Main News Segment

Alison Gill, along with co-host Ben Folds, opens the episode by covering a slew of significant news stories from May 15, 2023. This segment is rich with political and legal updates, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the week's events.

A. Representative George Santos' Fraud Admission

Timestamp: [00:45 - 04:54]

Ben Folds introduces the episode's key news stories, beginning with Representative George Santos, who has admitted to committing fraud in Brazil to evade prosecution. Details include:

• Fraud Details: Santos confessed to using two stolen checks in Brazil for purchases totaling approximately $1,350, which included buying sneakers for a friend.

• Legal Proceedings: A non-prosecution agreement has been reached, requiring Santos to pay fines totaling 24,000 Brazilian reyes (about $5,000) to the shopkeeper and charities.

• Quote: "Santos attended the meeting virtually. Resolution of the case removes the possibility Santos might have been obliged to travel to another country to resolve pending charges." [03:50]

This admission comes amidst questions about Santos' whereabouts during previous subpoenas and his abrupt emergence in the U.S. congressional elections.

B. Daniel Penny Charged with Manslaughter

Timestamp: [04:56 - 10:05]

The podcast covers the case of Daniel Penny, a former Marine charged with second-degree manslaughter after the choking death of Jordan Neely on the New York subway.

• Charges and Court Appearance: Penny surrendered to authorities and appeared before a judge, waiving the reading of his charges and not entering a plea.

• Background: Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran, is pursuing a bachelor's degree in architecture and has received multiple medals for good conduct during his service.

• Quote: "Now, as a veteran myself, I'm tired of service being used as an excuse for deplorable behavior. If anything, we should be held to a higher standard." [07:30]

Alison expresses frustration over the misuse of military service as a defense for misconduct.

C. House Republican Report on Biden Administration

Timestamp: [10:06 - 15:24]

Alison discusses a House Republican report that found no evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden or his family, countering previous allegations and rants, particularly referencing Pete Strzok's statements.

• Durham Investigation Update: The report suggests that the Durham investigation has concluded with no significant findings, highlighting zero convictions and only two acquitted indictments.

• Quote: "The Durham report should be coming out soon because the investigation is apparently over. They got zero convictions." [08:15]

Alison speculates on potential omissions in the Durham report, especially regarding any crimes discovered during investigations in Italy.

D. Trump’s Legal Proceedings and Media Interactions

Timestamp: [15:24 - 35:51]

A substantial portion of the news segment focuses on former President Donald Trump's ongoing legal battles and interactions with the media.

• Court Orders and Hearings: Trump has been ordered to appear via video for his Manhattan criminal case due to logistical challenges. Judge Juan Manuel Marchan has imposed a protective order limiting Trump's and his lawyers' ability to disseminate evidence.

  • Quote: "I'm bending over backwards and straining to make sure that he has given every opportunity possible to advance his candidacy and to be able to speak in furtherance of his candidacy," said Judge Marchan. [09:40]

• Potential Federal Court Transfer: Trump's lawyers have filed a motion to move his case to federal court, with deadlines set for late June. [09:37]

• CNN Town Hall with Trump: The episode delves into Trump's recent town hall on CNN, highlighting the strategic benefits to his campaign despite causing embarrassment to the network.

  • Quote: "Trump's team for months played hard to get with CNN... pairing Collins with Republicans who mostly voted for Trump in 2020, was as close to home turf as the campaign could get." [15:24]

• Trump Media Financial Investigations: Internal documents reveal that ES Family Trust, connected to a Caribbean bank, seeks a stake in Trump's media company, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and potential money laundering.

  • Quote: "The financial tangle offers a possible explanation for why the SEC has yet to approve the deal." [22:34]

Alison underscores the complexity and potential implications of these financial maneuvers on Trump's media ambitions.

2. Interview with Ben Folds

Timestamp: [21:25 - 48:03]

Alison Gill transitions to an exclusive interview with Ben Folds, a renowned musician known for his storytelling prowess in music.

A. Introduction to Ben Folds and His New Album

Timestamp: [21:40 - 22:08]

Alison welcomes Ben Folds, highlighting his role as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra and his upcoming album, "What Matters Most," set to release on June 2nd.

B. Songwriting and "Christine from the Seventh Grade"

Timestamp: [22:48 - 34:26]

Ben discusses his creative process behind the song "Christine from the Seventh Grade," which addresses themes of disconnection and the impact of misinformation.

• Inspiration: The song originated from a songwriting exercise where Ben challenged himself to create "headline songs" based on local news clips.

  • Quote: "I wanted to write about the writer and why they write this crap. And I imagined her as being someone I knew from seventh grade, like Chris, Christine." [27:38]

• Themes: The narrative explores how individuals can drift into harmful ideologies, reflecting on personal loss and societal divisions.

  • Quote: "She used to smile at school. I remember her being a happy kid. Now she doesn't look happy anymore." [26:07]

Ben emphasizes the importance of storytelling in art as a means to connect and heal, noting how songs can provide solace to those grappling with similar issues.

C. Storytelling in Music and Art

Timestamp: [29:08 - 35:02]

The conversation delves deeper into the role of storytelling in Ben's music, highlighting his belief that stories within songs help listeners feel less alone.

• Art as Stories: Ben shares his perspective that all forms of art, whether music, books, or comedy, are inherently storytelling mediums.

  • Quote: "Almost all my way into art in general is stories. It's either you're implying a story..." [31:46]

• Timelessness in Music: He discusses the challenge of creating songs that are both timely and enduring, ensuring their relevance beyond their immediate context.

  • Quote: "I kind of was sort of like, I think I want to make a lockdown record and date it. Because this, this is useful, I hope." [34:26]

D. Reflections on Communication and Connection

Timestamp: [33:06 - 35:00]

Alison and Ben reflect on how the pandemic has transformed communication methods and the lasting impact of these changes on personal connections and political campaigning.

• Pandemic's Impact: They discuss how remote communication tools adopted during lockdowns have reshaped interactions, making them more accessible yet sometimes less personal.

  • Quote: "Things shifted in the way that we communicate and it will still always be relevant." [33:24]

Ben appreciates the narrative strength of his songwriting, tying personal experiences to broader societal changes.

3. Good News Segment

Timestamp: [36:20 - 47:58]

In the uplifting Good News segment, Alison Gill and Ben Folds share heartwarming stories submitted by listeners, fostering a sense of community and positivity.

A. Gardening and Nature Appreciation

Timestamp: [37:13 - 38:07]

• Lola Gale's Backyard Transformation: Lola shares photos of her newly arranged backyard, transforming it into an English garden that brings joy to her and her pollinators.

  • Alison's Reaction: "This is lovely... So thank you for that submission." [37:54]

B. Pet Stories

Timestamp: [38:07 - 40:35]

• Scott's Dog Charlie: Scott showcases his dog, Charlie, humorously comparing his poses to a fashion model.

  • Alison's Comment: "That is a really good side eye." [40:57]

• Landa Banana's Mini Dachshund Lucky: Landa describes Lucky's adorable expressions and his playful relationship with family members.

  • Quote: "He has a love hate relationship with my second oldest, as clearly seen in the photo." [40:10]

C. Personal Triumphs and Family Stories

Timestamp: [38:40 - 44:59]

• Vana's Family Milestones: Vana shares stories of saving her mother during COVID-19, celebrating wedded bliss, and overcoming personal challenges, including sobriety and healing from trauma.

  • Quote: "We kept her alive, vaxxed and she lived independent again. She died naturally a year later surrounded by love." [38:42]

• Hilda/Gilda's Advocacy and Humor: Hilda discusses her advocacy work against fraudulent breast cancer groups and shares a humorous take on pop culture references related to her experiences.

  • Quote: "I prefer the original title, you don't know Jack." [41:45]

D. Community Support and Resilience

Timestamp: [44:43 - 47:58]

• Family Boundaries: Listeners share strategies for setting boundaries with family members to maintain healthy relationships and address problematic behaviors.

  • Alison's Advice: "Set a boundary so you can't wear that shirt over to our house anymore." [44:25]

• Megan's Gratitude for the Podcast: Megan expresses her gratitude for the podcast's positive influence during challenging times, sharing a delightful story about modifying a favorite song with her child.

  • Quote: "Then the two-year-old baby girl... said, oh, I thought they were saying tacos. And forever after, we now sing tacos instead of thunder." [45:01]

Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Alison and Ben urging listeners to support Ben Folds' upcoming tour and album release. Alison also reminds listeners that Dana Goldberg, a co-host, will return after her travels with the Human Rights Campaign. Both hosts emphasize the importance of community, storytelling, and staying connected amidst challenging times.

• Closing Remarks: "Take care of the planet, take care of your mental health. Vote blue over Q." [47:49]

The episode concludes on a positive note, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to delivering both critical news and uplifting stories to its audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Daniel Penny Case: "Now, as a veteran myself, I'm tired of service being used as an excuse for deplorable behavior." [07:30]

• Durham Investigation: "They got zero convictions." [08:15]

• Judge Marchan on Protective Order: "I'm bending over backwards... to advance his candidacy." [09:40]

• Trump Media Financial Concerns: "The financial tangle offers a possible explanation for why the SEC has yet to approve the deal." [22:34]

• Ben Folds on Storytelling: "Almost all my way into art in general is stories." [31:46]

• Alison on Communication Shifts: "Things shifted in the way that we communicate and it will still always be relevant." [33:24]

• Good News Pet Story: "He has a love hate relationship with my second oldest, as clearly seen in the photo." [40:10]

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the multifaceted content of the The Daily Beans episode, providing listeners with a clear overview of the discussed news topics, insightful interview with Ben Folds, and heartwarming good news stories submitted by the community.