The Daily Beans – “Refried | When Introverts Attack” (feat. Leigh McGowan, Brian Tyler Cohen, & Sean Savett) – Episode Summary Podcast by MSW Media | Aired November 2, 2025 (original show date: October 31, 2023)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode features a mix of timely news, in-depth analysis, and special interviews centered on U.S. democracy, justice, and the fight against conservative extremism. Host Allison Gill (“A.G.”) covers key national news stories, examines state-level Republican maneuvers (notably in Wisconsin and Virginia), and hosts guests Leigh McGowan (“Politics Girl”) and Brian Tyler Cohen to discuss their live political activist event in Wisconsin. The episode also features White House National Security Council Deputy Spokesperson Sean Savett, focusing on continued U.S. support for Ukraine and other allies.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Quick News Rundown & Key Stories (00:45 - 19:17)
• Interview: Leigh McGowan & Brian Tyler Cohen (“Justice Defended Live” and Wisconsin’s pivotal political landscape) (19:24 - 32:17)
• Interview: Sean Savett (White House NSC) on Ukraine and National Security (32:37 - 49:41)
• Listener Good News & Community Submissions (49:57 - 57:18)

Detailed Breakdown

1. Quick News Rundown & Major Headlines (00:45 – 19:17)

Covered Stories:

• Judge Chutkan Reinstates Limited Gag Order on Trump (D.C. Coup Case)

  • Trump barred from influencing witnesses or attacking prosecutors and their families.
  • Violations in the New York civil fraud trial already netted him $15k in fines.
  • “Let’s see how long he lasts under this limited gag order… Jail is a remedy, but that comes down the road after several levels of fines.” – Allison Gill (02:48)

• Virginia Voter Purge Scandal Under Gov. Glenn Youngkin

  • Over 3,400 qualified voters removed from rolls in run-up to major state elections—far more than the 270 initially admitted.
  • Software errors plus strict restoration policy, compounded by shifting official explanations.
  • Quote:

    "I've been calling it weaponized incompetence... This administration can't be trusted with the voting rights of Virginians.” – Aaron Mucher, Democratic Party of Virginia, as quoted by AG (05:10)

• Ken Paxton (TX AG) & George Santos (US Rep) Upcoming Fraud Trials

  • Paxton: Fraud trial set for April 15, 2024.
  • Santos: Arraigned on more felonies, trial scheduled September 2024.

• Federal Agents Subdue January 6 Defendant in Court

  • Vitaly Gos Jankowski attacked officers after being ordered to jail for threatening prosecutors via doxxing.

• Former ND State Senator Indicted for Child Pornography & Child Sex Tourism

  • Raymond Holmberg pleads not guilty, faces up to 50 years.

• United Auto Workers Win Tentative Agreement with GM

  • Six-week strike ends with “record pay hikes.”

• Ivanka Trump Set to Testify in NY AG Fraud Trial

  • Insights into past meetings with Forbes journalists where she and Trump inflated asset values and square footage.
  • Memorable quote from the story, showing habitual misrepresentation:

    “We have like, no debt on it,” – Ivanka Trump, omitting $125 million in debt. (17:40)

2. Interview: Leigh McGowan & Brian Tyler Cohen – Justice Defended Live, Wisconsin as Democracy’s Battleground (19:24 – 32:17)

Purpose of “Justice Defended Live” Event, Madison, WI:

• Why Wisconsin Matters:

  • “Anyone who's been following what's been happening in Wisconsin knows that it is a perfect example that Republican extremists are willing to do pretty much anything to hold onto their power… The Democratic Party of Wisconsin are just such superstars.” – Leigh McGowan (20:03)

• 2024 Stakes:

  • Senate seat (Tammy Baldwin) is “increasingly difficult” to defend.
  • “Wisconsin for the presidential election is the tipping point state every election... The way we win isn’t by waiting until October or November of an election year but rather... a full year out.” – Brian Tyler Cohen (21:00)

• Recent Wisconsin Political Developments:

  • Progressives flipped high court balance, threatening severely gerrymandered maps.
  • GOP’s foiled attempt to impeach Judge Janet Protasiewicz to block fairer maps:

    “You can’t just impeach someone for the crime of not letting you blindly take over your state... They backed down because of the work that was done to draw attention to what they were trying to do.” – Leigh McGowan (23:58)

• Reproductive Rights and Other Key Issues:

  • Old abortion ban overturned; clinics have re-opened in Madison and Milwaukee.
  • Emphasis on organizing and vigilance:

    “Just not paying attention to politics doesn't mean politics doesn't affect you. It means you can’t affect it.” – Leigh McGowan (24:00)

• Call to Action for Listeners in Ohio and Virginia:

  • Abortion rights on the ballot; importance of voting and checking voter registration due to widespread purges.

• Why Do a Live Show?

  • “First live show for people who have made a career sitting in a quiet room alone with a teleprompter... even though we’re introverts, we’re going out to remind ourselves we are humans in the world.” – Brian Tyler Cohen (28:20)
  • “We can't allow people who can't win to continue to rig the game… We have to organize and strategize and inspire people and have people come out, en masse, to vote against this kind of corruption.” – Leigh McGowan (29:20)
  • “Because we’re on news with swearing, like: No fucking thank you. I’m not having it.” – Leigh McGowan (30:19)

Political Takeaways:

• GOP’s strategy: Rigging rules, gerrymandering, undermining voting rights, attacking judicial independence.
• Democratic model: Organize early, empower local parties, and defend democratic norms.

Event Info:

• Justice Defended Live: Nov 3, 7:00pm Central, Madison & streaming at wisdems.org (31:30)

3. Interview: Sean Savett (White House NSC) on Ukraine Funding and National Security (32:37 – 49:41)

Biden Administration’s Package:

• $60 billion package: Support for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza humanitarian aid, and Indo-Pacific security.
• “Both Putin and Hamas want to annihilate neighboring democracies, and we just can’t let them do that. It’s incredibly important for our national security.” – Sean Savett (33:23)

Interconnected National Security:

• Russia’s war on Ukraine tied to Hamas/Iran, North Korea, and China’s ambitions toward Taiwan.
• “Funding Ukraine is funding Israel… less than 5% of our defense budget will go to help defeat our biggest enemy and the biggest enemy to democracy.” – Allison Gill (37:11)

Controversies in Congress:

• Speaker Mike Johnson wants to split funding bills for Ukraine, Israel, and border security—a move the White House warns could undercut security priorities and humanitarian aid.
• “If we let Putin take Ukraine, will others see a green light?… Other would-be dictators are watching.” – Sean Savett (38:47)
• “To separate [aid] off would risk weakening those priorities and leaving some critical things behind.” – Sean Savett (41:32)

Institutional Patterns:

• Historical GOP resistance to Ukraine aid (Trump’s impeachment, 2016 platform, Manafort, Giuliani’s shadow policy, current Speaker’s opposition).
• “Is this [House chaos] a feature, not a bug? It seems like part of a larger attempt to defund Ukraine.” – Allison Gill (43:38)
• “Our policy is absolutely to strengthen NATO… after 9/11, NATO allies came to our aid.” – Sean Savett (44:12)

Responding to GOP Messaging:

• Matt Gaetz’s dismissive comment about Ukraine:
  • “I’ve never met a Ukrainian who identifies as anything other than a proud Ukrainian national… To erase another country’s independence, just like Putin is trying to do, is really wrong-headed.” – Sean Savett (46:18)

Will Ukraine Funding Pass?

• “There is strong bipartisan support… If they put this supplemental vote package up, it would pass.” – Sean Savett (49:24)

4. Good News & Listener Submissions (49:57 – End)

A fun, heartwarming, interactive segment showcasing:

• Personal triumph stories (e.g., “puking on an ex’s shoes,” overcoming career hurdles after teaching burnout)
• Animal rescue & fostering updates (call to adopt Penny the dog in Chicago)
• Gardening community stories, small business shoutouts (Wild Peccaries on Etsy), encouragement to submit happy news
• Emotional support and resilience messages:

  “I just want your listeners to know that it’s worth it to start putting yourself first and to take care of yourself.” – Adam, listener (53:54)

• Encouragement to “Vote blue over Q and bring someone with you.” (56:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I've been calling it weaponized incompetence… this administration can't be trusted with the voting rights of Virginians.” – AG quoting Dem legal director (05:10)
• “You can’t just impeach someone for the crime of not letting you blindly take over your state… They backed down because of the work that was done.” – Leigh McGowan (24:00)
• “No fucking thank you. I’m not having it.” – Leigh McGowan (30:19)
• “If we let Putin… will others see a green light? That's a fundamentally important question.” – Sean Savett (38:47)
• “I've never met a Ukrainian who identifies as anything other than a proud Ukrainian national.” – Sean Savett (46:18)
• “Check your voter roll, check your voter registration… because we've heard from Ohio, they quietly removed thousands of people.” – AG (28:00)

Episode Takeaways

• Vigilance is needed in democracy: voter purges, legislative chicanery, and extremist court tactics threaten basic rights in states like Wisconsin and Virginia.
• Early activism and engagement win elections—waiting until the last minute isn’t enough, as modeled by the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s success.
• U.S. security is interconnected globally; consistent support for Ukraine and Israel, while also upholding humanitarian values, is vital to deterring aggression worldwide.
• Grassroots organizing, humor, and community stories inspire hope and action even amid ongoing threats to democracy.

For more:

• Attend/stream Justice Defended Live: wisdems.org
• Contact Congress to support unified national security funding.
• Check your voter registration.

Hosted by: Allison Gill
Guests: Leigh McGowan (PoliticsGirl), Brian Tyler Cohen, Sean Savett
Tone: Progressive, candid, occasionally snarky, always community-minded.

[End of Summary]