The Daily Beans – Episode: Women At Risk (feat. John Fugelsang) Release Date: April 25, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Daily Beans, hosted by Alison Gill of MSW Media, listeners are treated to a blend of incisive political commentary and engaging discussions. Although Dana Goldberg is absent due to work commitments, Alison is joined by comedian, fundraiser, and activist John Fugelsang to explore critical issues impacting women today. The episode weaves through a series of pressing news topics, insightful interviews, and a heartwarming "Good News" segment, all infused with the podcast’s signature mix of social justice perspectives and snarky humor.

News Highlights

Alison Gill opens the episode with a rapid-fire recap of the week's most significant political and social developments. Here's a closer look at the key topics covered:

1. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Use of Signal App ([05:20])

   • Summary: Alison delves into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial decision to install the Signal messaging app on his Pentagon desktop. This move, intended to circumvent secure communication protocols, raises significant security concerns as it potentially exposes sensitive military information to breaches.
   • Notable Quote: “This puts our troops at risk, and in doing so, Hegseth effectively cloned the Signal app on his personal cell phone.” – Alison Gill ([05:45])

2. Pentagon Resumes Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Troops ([08:30])

   • Summary: In an important policy reversal, the Pentagon announces the resumption of gender-affirming medical care for transgender service members, reverting to Biden-era policies following a federal court ruling that deemed previous restrictions unconstitutional.
   • Notable Quote: “The Defense Department is returning to the Biden era medical policy for transgender service members due to a court order.” – Alison Gill ([08:50])

3. President Trump's Criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ([12:15])

   • Summary: President Trump lashes out at Ukrainian President Zelensky for rejecting a peace deal aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict. Trump accuses Zelensky of obstructing negotiations and references the Mueller report to legitimize his stance.
   • Notable Quote: “It's wanting to maintain a democratic sovereignty that makes it so hard. It's just, it's unbelievable.” – Alison Gill ([12:45])

4. Deportation of Venezuelan Citizen to Texas Despite Judicial Order ([16:30])

   • Summary: Defying a federal judge’s order, the Trump administration deported a Venezuelan man from Pennsylvania to Texas. This act mirrors previous attempts to sidestep judicial rulings on migrant deportations, raising ethical and legal questions.
   • Notable Quote: “It's a violation of a court order again.” – Alison Gill ([17:05])

5. Trump Targets ActBlue with Attorney General Investigation ([20:10])

   • Summary: President Trump issues a memorandum directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate ActBlue, a primary Democratic fundraising platform, under the guise of combating illegal straw donations. This move draws criticism for its potential hypocrisy, given past Republican practices.
   • Notable Quote: “Taking aim at one of the key pillars of the financial infrastructure for Democratic candidates.” – Alison Gill ([20:35])

6. Implementing Schedule F at the Social Security Administration ([23:00])

   • Summary: Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudic announces plans to reclassify a significant portion of SSA employees under Schedule F, effectively removing their civil service protections and allowing for at-will employment. This shift is part of a broader administrative effort to diminish federal employee safeguards.
   • Notable Quote: “You're a policymaker and so we can fire you at will.” – Alison Gill ([23:45])

7. DOJ Leaks on Congestion Pricing Litigation Risks ([27:10])

   • Summary: An inadvertent leak from the Department of Justice reveals internal assessments of the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle New York City's congestion pricing. The leaked document highlights substantial legal vulnerabilities that could undermine the administration's position.
   • Notable Quote: “The letter was accidentally filed on the public docket.” – Alison Gill ([27:35])

8. Declining Approval Rating for President Trump ([30:00])

   • Summary: Recent polls indicate that President Trump's approval rating has declined to approximately 45%, marking a faster drop than seen in prior administrations’ initial approval slips. This trend reflects growing public disapproval of his early tenure.
   • Notable Quote: “Trump's approval rating has sunk to about 45%, down from 52 one week after he took office.” – Alison Gill ([30:35])

9. Office of Personnel Management's Proposed Schedule F Rule ([32:00])

   • Summary: The OPM proposes a new rule to reclassify policy-influencing positions under Schedule F, facilitating the swift removal of employees accused of misconduct or poor performance without the usual civil service protections. This proposal is seen as a significant shift towards reducing federal employee job security.
   • Notable Quote: “It will allow agencies to quickly remove employees from critical positions who engage in misconduct, perform poorly.” – Alison Gill ([32:20])

Interview with John Fugelsang

The highlight of the episode is an in-depth conversation with John Fugelsang, who provides a nuanced perspective on Pope Francis' legacy and the mysterious conclave process to select his successor.

• Pope Francis' Impact ([24:07] – [31:51])

  • Summary: Fugelsang praises Pope Francis as one of the most transformative figures in recent Church history, lauding his progressive stances on climate change, migration, and social justice. He acknowledges the pope's imperfections but emphasizes his genuine efforts to modernize the Vatican and align the Church with contemporary social values.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Pope Francis was the greatest pope of all time.” ([24:28])
    • “He approved blessings for same-sex couples.” ([28:14])
    • “This church is going to need women and gay people more than women and gay people need this church.” ([30:31])

• Conclave Process and Future of the Papacy ([29:52] – [35:41])

  • Summary: Fugelsang discusses the intricacies of the conclave, the secretive process by which cardinals select a new pope. He speculates on the potential for a progressive successor, given Pope Francis' influence on the appointment of cardinals from diverse backgrounds. Fugelsang also touches on the challenges and political maneuvering expected within the conclave.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “This guy came from outside of the European Insiders League. He brought the outsiders into the inner sanctum.” ([31:51])
    • “If they finally go ahead and get a pope from Africa, they'll try to play both ways and get a very arch, conservative African pope to think they can split the difference.” ([32:20])

• Personal Anecdotes and Reflections ([35:47] – [44:19])

  • Summary: Fugelsang shares personal connections to Pope Francis, including his father's influence as a Franciscan brother. He reflects on the pope's compassionate actions and how they contrast sharply with political figures like J.D. Vance. The discussion also touches on contemporary political issues, including the influence of aging politicians and the need for fresh leadership.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Pope Francis modeled way better than our friend Bill Maher that you can still be kind to these people without being played for a sucker by them.” ([35:47])
    • “They don't care about the law any more than they care about abortion. They don't care about immigration. They just care about power.” ([39:12])

Good News Segment

Alison transitions into the uplifting "Good News" segment, where listeners share positive stories and personal triumphs. This segment highlights community resilience, personal achievements, and the impact of government programs on individuals' lives.

1. Kevin from Mesa ([38:10])

   • Summary: Kevin expresses his love for a local eatery, Toasted Mallow, praising their exceptional s'mores and the peaceful presence of a hummingbird on his patio.
   • Good News: Discovery of a local favorite spot and the joy of observing wildlife.

2. Anonymous Listener – Shared Umbrellas Community ([39:50])

   • Summary: An anonymous listener honors her 90-year-old mother’s pioneering efforts in healthcare and her teenage daughter’s resilience despite health challenges. She announces the creation of an online community, Shared Umbrellas, aimed at supporting caregivers and individuals with autism.
   • Good News: Launch of a supportive online platform for caregivers and the celebration of a beloved family member’s achievements.

3. Rachel Pronoun ([40:30])

   • Summary: Rachel celebrates the expansion of her reproductive healthcare department to include gender-affirming services. She shares beautiful bird photographs, fostering a sense of connection with nature.
   • Good News: Growth in inclusive healthcare services and appreciation for local wildlife.

4. Anonymous Listener – Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival ([42:00])

   • Summary: A listener excitedly shares plans to attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of engaging with sheep and crafting with wool. She also shares adorable photos of her cats, Rama and Racha.
   • Good News: Anticipation of a joyful community event and the comfort of pet companionship.

5. Deborah S. ([43:00])

   • Summary: Deborah thanks the podcast for its impact on her life, crediting the Social Security Fairness Act for helping her overcome debt. She showcases her five dogs, celebrating the positive changes in her financial stability and personal life.
   • Good News: Personal financial relief through governmental support and the joy of her pets.

Conclusion

Alison wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to share their own good news stories, fostering a community of support and positivity. She highlights the importance of collective action and mutual assistance in navigating challenging times. Additionally, Alison invites listeners to support The Daily Beans through Patreon, emphasizing the benefits of becoming a patron to help sustain the podcast’s mission of delivering progressive news with integrity and humor.

Final Remarks:

• Call to Action: Share good news, support the podcast via Patreon, and participate in upcoming events.
• Acknowledgments: Gratitude to listeners, contributors, and guest John Fugelsang.
• Sign-Off: Alison signs off warmly, reiterating the podcast’s commitment to social justice and community engagement.

Notable Quotes Throughout the Episode:

• “This is a terrible, terrible thing to have happen.” – Sarah Temkin, gynecological oncologist ([17:45])
• “It's a sad day indeed for women's health research.” – Eric Witzel, epidemiologist ([18:20])
• “They all lock themselves in a room, they blow black smoke, and then when you see white smoke, there's a new pope.” – Alison Gill ([29:52])
• “The best thing about it is, I think it's going to motivate a lot of people to finally see Conclave.” – John Fugelsang ([30:01])
• “You just have to pay your POD pet tariff, which means attach a photo of your pet.” – Alison Gill ([44:18])

Closing Credits

The Daily Beans is written and executive produced by Allison Gill, with additional research and reporting by Dana Goldberg. Sound design and editing are handled by Desiree McFarlane, with art and web design by Joelle Reader from Moxie Design Studios. Music is provided by They Might Be Giants. The show is proudly part of the MSW Media Network, a collection of creator-owned podcasts dedicated to news, politics, and justice. For more information, visit mswmedia.com.

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Daily Beans effectively combines critical news analysis with personal stories and community engagement, offering listeners a comprehensive and engaging overview of current events affecting women and broader social justice issues. The presence of John Fugelsang enriches the conversation, providing depth and humor to the serious topics discussed.