The Daily Beans — "Sanity With Profanity"

Hosts: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Date: October 29, 2025
Episode Overview:
This politically charged and humor-laced episode dives into a week rattled by catastrophic climate events, state violence and government cover-ups, emboldened military dissent, food insecurity sparked by federal neglect, and the ongoing deterioration of U.S. institutions and democracy under Trump. AG and DG bring their characteristic blend of snark and social justice to every headline, reminding listeners to stay angry, organized, and hopeful through “good trouble.”

Episode Theme & Purpose

The podcast unpacks a cluster of urgent, progressive news stories:

• Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact and the consequences of climate policy rollbacks
• A federal cover-up after the police shooting of an unarmed Black man in D.C.
• U.S. military secrecy and aggression in South America
• National Guard members defying Trump’s immigration orders
• Democratic states’ legal challenge to the suspension of food benefits during a federal shutdown
  All told with frank outrage, irreverent humor, and a call for collective action and resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catastrophic Hurricane Melissa & Climate Policy Failures

[02:29 – 07:08]

• AG reports that Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, is decimating Jamaica. The Prime Minister calls it "catastrophic" and the UN labels it "the storm of the century."
• DG highlights a failed NOAA hurricane hunter mission: “Even for the people who fly into hurricanes for a living, this isn’t normal people. The storms are getting worse, they’re getting more frequent.” [03:58]
• AG adds that NOAA’s specialized planes are aging and resources are being diverted to ICE and CBP instead of climate protections.
• DG connects catastrophic events in Alaska to deliberate Trump-era funding cuts for weather protection, leading to delayed responses and worsened disaster impacts.
• Memorable quote — AG:

  "All of our resources are going toward ICE and CBP operations because the administration is also systematically dismantling Biden's climate bill." [05:25]

2. Police Violence & Cover-Up in D.C.

[07:08 – 12:30]

• AG reports the shooting of Philip Brown, an unarmed Black man, by a Homeland Security agent during a “Make DC Safe Again” operation. The incident was not included in the official report; bodycam footage was withheld from the defense.
• DG, in shock:

  “Oh my God.” [08:10]

• Court revealed a D.C. officer was told not to document the shooting. The judge dismissed all charges against Brown for insufficient evidence, but he still spent three nights in jail.
• AG bluntly concludes:

  “They shot him because he revved his engine and then left the entire gunfire part out of their report... This screams of a cover up to me.” [11:31]

• DG: “This is supremely fucked up and I hope that they do a further investigation into this.” [12:30]

3. Military Secrecy & Violence in Latin America

[12:30 – 14:50]

• DG: Trump administration is forcing military officials to sign NDAs regarding expanded operations in Latin America, prompting fears of U.S. invasion in Venezuela.
• The Pentagon has initiated strikes in the Caribbean, killing at least 57 people with minimal evidence of wrongdoing, most victims presumed to be civilians or fishermen.
• AG, disturbed:

  “This is just murder. This is state-sanctioned murder. Most of these folks are just fishermen. Civilians.” [14:50]

4. Illinois National Guard Dissent

[14:50 – 17:15]

• AG spotlights two Illinois National Guard members (Staff Sgt. Demi Palacek and Capt. Dylan Bleja) refusing Trump’s order to deploy against immigrants in Chicago. Palacek: "Absolutely. I would definitely say no. I'm not going to go against my community members, my family and my culture."
• Both cite legal and moral reasons; Bleja draws parallels to 1930s-40s Germany.
• Legal permanent residents in the Guard are panicked, with service tied to citizenship.
• AG highlights complexities for green card holders and chilling implications for dissent.

5. Suspension of SNAP Benefits and Lawsuit

[17:15 – 19:18]

• DG: Twenty-five Democratic states file suit to stop Trump’s USDA from cutting off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the federal shutdown.
• The USDA refuses to use available $6B contingency funds. Lawsuit argues this violates both law and the program mandate to serve all eligible households.
• DG, furiously:

  “They didn’t just run out of money. That’s what it’s for. These motherfuckers. I’m so sick and tired of this.” [17:15 – 19:18]

• States seek an emergency restraining order and many Dem governors promise state-level aid as a stopgap.

6. Democratic Resilience & Community (Good News Segment)

[24:04 – 36:48]

• “Good News” listener submissions feature stories of activism victories, local protest, immigration success, solidarity in disability rights, and personal milestones.
• Notable moments include:
  • Free speech win in Connecticut (Visibility Brigade)
  • Surprise reunion of two pioneering policewomen at Seattle’s “No Kings” rally
  • A young woman with Down syndrome joining a Peoria rally, fearing for her Medicaid amidst hostile policy changes
  • (From AG): “We need to microdose hope. And if you’ve got big good news and want to help us macrodose hope, that’s fine too.” [36:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• AG (on climate crisis):

  "These are the planes that are built to do this... And they had to abort because it was so turbulent. And that's, that's horrifying. This is going to be a devastating, devastating storm." [04:49]

• DG (on federal non-disclosure order):

  “We're going to do a bunch of legal shit. You're not allowed to say anything.” [12:33]

• AG (on SNAP):

  "Our federal taxes are being used to bomb, murder innocent people in the waters off of Venezuela and conduct mass deportation of our neighbors here at home. It's infuriating." [19:18]

• DG (National Guard):

  “When we have somebody in power who's actively dismantling our rights—free speech, due process, freedom of the press—it’s really hard to be a soldier right now.” [16:02]

• Listener submission:

  “My granddaughter cannot read or write, but she's a registered Democrat. Now she's afraid she might lose her Medicaid to fund Republican billionaire tax cuts.” [34:52]

Key Timestamps

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Hurricane Melissa & climate resources | 02:29–07:08| | D.C. police shooting cover-up | 07:08–12:30| | U.S. military NDAs & Latin America operations | 12:30–14:50| | Illinois Guard defies Trump orders | 14:50–17:15| | SNAP lawsuit by Democratic states | 17:15–19:18| | “Good News”: activist & personal victories | 24:04–36:48|

Tone, Language & Flow

• The hosts blend anger (“These motherfuckers. I’m so sick and tired of this.”), dark humor, and solidarity. They don’t mince words about state violence or governmental cruelty.
• Regular calls for action: “Let’s get out there and do some good trouble.” [27:20]
• Emphasis on community, persistence, and the role of progressive media (“We keep fighting. We keep moving forward.” [19:57])

Summary Takeaway

This episode captures the overwhelming blend of outrage and activism under the daily drumbeat of Trump-era reversals in climate, justice, and welfare—pairing hard news with audience solidarity and hope. By elevating local voices and personal stories, AG and DG provide both catharsis and practical inspiration for progressive listeners determined to survive, resist, and ideally, win.

To submit your own good news: Visit dailybeanspod.com and click "Contact."
To support or join the new video podcast (early release for patrons): patreon.com/muellershewrote

Final note (AG):

"Please take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, take care of your mental health and take care of your family. I've been ag." [37:31]