Episode Summary: Refried Beans | With a Cord of Steel (feat. Rep Adam Schiff) | 02/09/2022

Release Date: February 8, 2025

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Daily Beans
• Host/Author: MSW Media
• Description: The Daily Beans is a women-owned and operated progressive news podcast for your morning commute, featuring the Webby award-winning host Allison Gill and comedian/fundraiser/activist Dana Goldberg. It delivers social justice and political news with just the right amount of snark.

1. Introduction

Alison Gill opens the episode with a light-hearted segment on "Refried Beans," where she revisits a past episode from February 9, 2022, allowing listeners to reflect on how events have unfolded over the years. Dana Goldberg briefly interjects with her humorous take on refried vs. fried beans, setting a playful tone before diving into the news.

2. Hot News Recap

a. FBI Investigation into Far-Right Groups (00:31 - 08:00)

Alison Gill provides an in-depth overview of the FBI's investigation into a meeting held on January 5, 2021, involving key figures from the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. This gathering, occurring just 24 hours before the January 6 Capitol breach, included Stuart Rhodes (Oath Keepers) and Enrique Tarrio (Proud Boys).

• Notable Quote:
  • "The meeting put the heads of the nation's two best-known violent far-right pro-Trump groups in immediate proximity to each other 24 hours before the breach of the Capitol." – Alison Gill [02:00]

Gill highlights conflicting accounts from attendees, where some claim the discussion was innocuous, focusing on wedding gifts rather than insurrection plans. However, the FBI remains skeptical, as noted by Gill:

• "Stuart Rhodes was indicted this year on charges of seditious conspiracy for the insurrection." – Alison Gill [05:15]

The segment emphasizes the ongoing nature of the investigation and its implications for understanding the coordination behind the January 6 events.

b. Arrest of a January 6 Insurrectionist (08:00 - 12:00)

The episode covers the FBI's recent arrest of Matthew Jason Bedingfield, who was previously out on bail for an attempted murder charge related to a 2019 Walmart parking lot shooting. His involvement in the Capitol riot adds complexity to his legal situation.

• Notable Quote:
  • "Bedingfield was on bail on a first-degree attempted murder charge... he was on probation in the shooting case when he was arrested Tuesday." – Alison Gill [10:30]

Gill explains how online investigators played a crucial role in Bedingfield's identification through facial recognition and social media verification. The arrest underscores the meticulous efforts to hold January 6 participants accountable, even those with prior serious charges.

c. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell Breaks with RNC (12:00 - 16:00)

Alison Gill reports on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's departure from the Republican National Committee's stance that labeled the Capitol attack as a violent insurrection.

• Notable Quote:
  • "We saw what happened. It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next." – Mitch McConnell [14:30]

McConnell criticizes the RNC for selectively supporting Republican members and emphasizes that the committee's role is to back all party members regardless of differing views. His stance contrasts sharply with that of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who avoided addressing the RNC's characterization of January 6.

3. Interview with Congressman Adam Schiff (16:40 - 28:41)

a. Introduction to Adam Schiff and His Book (16:40 - 17:35)

Alison Gill welcomes Congressman Adam Schiff, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and member of the January 6th Select Committee, to discuss his book, Midnight in Washington. She praises his work and sets the stage for a deep dive into the current political climate.

b. The January 6th Insurrection and Democratic Resilience (17:35 - 22:10)

Schiff recounts his personal experience during the January 6th events, highlighting the chaos inside the Capitol and the immediate response to the breach.

• Notable Quote:
  • "I hung back when we were instructed to evacuate, to let other people go first... I knew from our preparations that she intended to preside for the entire joint session." – Adam Schiff [19:00]

He reflects on the precariousness of democratic institutions, noting how fragile the "guardrails" of democracy held up only inches from breaking. Schiff expresses deep concern over ongoing efforts to undermine election integrity and the role of local and state officials in maintaining democratic processes.

c. The Split in the Republican Party and Democratic Strongholds Under Attack (22:10 - 25:28)

Schiff discusses the growing divide within the Republican Party, emphasizing the need for Republicans to return to being a party of ideology rather than mirroring Trump's autocratic tendencies.

• Notable Quote:
  • "We really need the Republican Party to return to being a party of ideology... having some devotion to the truth." – Adam Schiff [23:00]

He draws parallels between current legislative threats and historical injustices like Jim Crow, warning of a "new generation of Jim Crow" through election subversion laws. Schiff calls for active engagement from all Americans to preserve democratic integrity.

d. The Role of the Department of Justice and Future Optimism (25:28 - 28:41)

Addressing concerns about the Department of Justice's handling of the January 6th investigations, Schiff expresses cautious optimism. He praises the indictment of seditious conspiracy and underscores the importance of ongoing investigations into election subversion efforts.

• Notable Quote:
  • "What we do in this moment will determine how quickly we get through it or how much damage we have to suffer along the way." – Adam Schiff [27:30]

Schiff concludes with a message of hope, emphasizing the resilience of millions of Americans committed to democracy and urging continued vigilance and participation.

4. Good News Segment (28:41 - 35:41)

Alison Gill transitions to a heartwarming segment where listeners share their good news stories, ranging from adorable pet photos to personal achievements.

a. Listener Submissions: Pets and Personal Stories

• Example 1: An anonymous listener shares photos of a dog named Kitten in a candy cane sweater, showcasing the pet's charming antics and adorable attire.

  • Notable Moment:
    • "Thank you so much. Look at these turkeys." – Alison Gill [33:00]

• Example 2: Jory Pronoun recounts a playful incident where her mutts, Penny Pants and Spruce, chewed up her AirPods, illustrating the humorous challenges of pet ownership.

• Example 3: James shares his journey as an aspiring jeweler, highlighting his handcrafted pieces inspired by his wife and seeking feedback from the community.

b. Community Engagement and Support

Gill encourages more listeners to send in their stories, appreciating the sense of community and the uplifting content that balances the show's intense political discussions.

5. Conclusion (35:41 - End)

Alison Gill wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to listeners for their submissions and encouraging continued support for the podcast. She promotes Dana Goldberg's upcoming live show in New York and teases the next episode featuring “I Am Politics girl from Midas, Touch Leigh.” The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of community values: taking care of oneself, others, the planet, and mental health.

Key Takeaways:

• The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of ongoing investigations related to the January 6th insurrection, highlighting the complexities of legal proceedings against former insurrectionists.
• Congressman Adam Schiff offers critical insights into the fragility of American democracy, the internal struggles within the Republican Party, and the imperative for active civic engagement.
• The Good News segment fosters a sense of community, showcasing the diverse and personal ways listeners contribute positivity to the podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• "We do not have the luxury of despair." – Adam Schiff [26:18]
• "This was a violently insurrection... There is no ambiguity there." – Mitch McConnell [14:30]
• "What we do in this moment will determine how quickly we get through it or how much damage we have to suffer along the way." – Adam Schiff [27:30]

This episode of The Daily Beans adeptly balances hard-hitting political discourse with lighter, community-driven segments, offering listeners both critical information and uplifting content.