Podcast
The Moment LIVE! Politics & Culture, Explained
Hosted by The Moment LIVE · EN
Two of the sharpest voices in media. The guests shaping politics and culture. Real conversations, live, twice a week.
The Moment LIVE is the news show that actually makes sense. We're breaking down the biggest headlines and cultural moments of the day in smart, funny, honest conversations with the people shaping them.
Hosted by Meredith Lynch — digital investigator, media sensation, and commentator whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Vogue — and Rebecca Sananès, Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and executive producer behind Pivot and the #1 ranked podcast Archetypes.
New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single moment.
Topics: politics explained · current events · news and culture · political commentary · breaking news · media criticism · pop culture and politics · news without the drama
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Does Tyra Banks Have A Case Against Netflix? Rachel Lindsay On West Wilson's Delusion & Taylor Frankie Paul PLUS Trump's UFC Birthday Is Giving Idiocracy
1w ago00:50:58Tap to summarizeNew York City is electric. The Knicks won in 5 and the city is prepping for their congressional primaries. Will Jack Schlossberg's name recognition deliver a win for him? Then: Trump's 80th birthday UFC fight is giving full Idiocracy energy. Joe Rogan looks like he ate Tony Danza. Nate Bargatze was there and claims he's not political. A UFC winner used his moment to make jokes about Michelle Obama — and Meredith and Rebecca on why nothing is ever enough for these people and why it's not just a joke. Then Rachel Lindsay — attorney, author, first Black Bachelorette and co-host of Higher Learning and Morally Corrupt — on whether Tyra Banks actually has a case against Netflix for the ANTM docuseries, why the Streisand effect might make it worse, why Tyra's biggest problem was how she said it not what she said, why Rachel is officially soured on the Taylor Frankie Paul Bachelorette season coming back, and whether West Wilson thinks he's the next Bachelor. Plus: Juneteenth is Friday — Rachel is from Texas and it's deeply rooted. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Topics: Tyra Banks Netflix lawsuit ANTM defamation, Rachel Lindsay Higher Learning podcast, Taylor Frankie Paul Bachelorette return ABC, West Wilson Summer House exit, Trump UFC birthday fight Idiocracy, Joe Rogan Dana White, Nate Bargatze White House, Michelle Obama UFC Josh Hokit, Knicks win in 5 NBA Finals, NYC primary, Jack Schlossberg, Juneteenth The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok 00:00 The Moment LIVE: News, Pop Culture & Politics 01:27 Knicks Joy Takes Over NYC 02:06 New York Congress Primary and Name Recognition for Jack Schlossberg Kennedy 06:59 Trump's UFC Birthday Fight Is Giving Idiocracy: Joe Rogan, Dana White & Michelle Obama 21:23 Meet Rachel Lindsay: First Black Bachelorette, Attorney & Co-Host of Higher Learning 23:33 Does Tyra Banks Have a Case Against Netflix? The ANTM Lawsuit Explained 25:46 The Streisand Effect — Is Tyra Making It Worse by Suing? 31:44 Authenticity and Image Control 33:54 Taylor Frankie Paul Bachelorette Season Scandal- Dropping This Summer? 40:35 West Wilson’s Leaving the Summer House: Is West the Next Bachelor? 48:03 Having a Moment
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Taylor Swift Courtside at Knicks NBA Finals, NYT Epstein Cover Up Bombshell, & Rep. Mark Takano on Political Influencer Disclosure
2w ago00:53:11Tap to summarizeThe Knicks are in the NBA Finals and New York City is losing its mind — Taylor Swift was courtside, Wemby got egged, and why Meredith is rooting for San Antonio too. Then: the New York Times dropped a bombshell excerpt from the upcoming Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan book — inside the situation room where Trump's inner circle scrambled to cover up his involvement in the Epstein files. Susie Wiles, JD Vance, Karoline Leavitt, Kash Patel, Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche were all in that room, and one of them is leaking intel. Then Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) — former public school teacher for over two decades— on the PAID Act, his new legislation that would require political influencers and creators to disclose when they've been paid by a candidate or committee, how enforcement would work through the FEC, what happens when a PAC pays an intermediary, whether it has bipartisan support, and where the line is between creator economics and journalism standards. Plus: art and literature are having a moment. Read more books. Next Tuesday: Rachel Lindsay. Topics: Knicks NBA Finals Taylor Swift courtside Wemby, NYT Epstein cover-up Maggie Haberman Jonathan Swan book, JD Vance leak, Susie Wiles Kash Patel Karoline Leavitt situation room, Rep Mark Takano CA-39 PAID Act, political influencer disclosure legislation, FEC enforcement creator accountability, PAC intermediary paid endorsements, bipartisan creator disclosure The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok 00:00 The Moment LIVE: News, Pop Culture & Politics 01:54 Knicks NBA Finals: New York City Is Losing Its Mind 02:51 Taylor Swift Courtside at the Knicks — The Celebrity Breakdown 07:33 Wemby, the Spurs & Why San Antonio Needs Our Energy Right Now 12:09 NYT Epstein Bombshell: Inside Trump's Situation Room Cover-Up 19:55 Rep. Mark Takano CA-39 on the New Law That Would Change Political Influencer Disclosure 20:25 The PAID Act: Should Political Influencers Disclose Who's Paying Them? 23:14 How the PAID Act Would Be Enforced: FEC, Fines and Creator Accountability 27:10 PAC Intermediaries, Paid Endorsements and Is It Buying Votes? 31:37 Does the PAID Act Have Bipartisan Support? 32:55 Creator Economics, Journalism Standards and Where the Line Is 38:28 Art and Literature Are Having a Moment: Read More Books
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Nithya Raman Beats Spencer Pratt, Trump Calls Fraud & Rep. Adam Smith on Iran PLUS Gwyneth Goes Independent & Ariana Goes Solo
2w ago00:46:45Tap to summarizeNithya Raman surged past Spencer Pratt in the LA mayor race — and Trump immediately called election fraud on Meet the Press. What that means for the midterms, why California's voting system creates a vacuum, and why Spencer Pratt's reality show contract gives him a vested interest in chaos. Then Gwyneth Paltrow declared herself an independent on the Goop podcast with a Palantir-esque defense contractor and nobody's buying it. Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have split as she kicks off her Eternal Sunshine tour. She's performing while visibly unwell and the conversation needs to happen. Then Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, on why Trump assumed Iran would break like Venezuela, why Netanyahu's philosophy has never worked, why Jill Biden owes Democrats an apology, how the MAGA cult started with Rush Limbaugh's dittoheads, and three concrete steps to protect the midterm elections. Topics: Nithya Raman Spencer Pratt LA mayor race, Trump election fraud California, Rep Adam Smith Iran war, Netanyahu Iran strategy, Gwyneth Paltrow independent political, Palantir defense contractor, Ariana Grande Ethan Slater split, Jill Biden, MAGA cult Rush Limbaugh, midterm election protection, Jay-Z Reasonable Doubt, Beyoncé album The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok
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Scott Pelley Fired From 60 Minutes, Jess Craven on Creators vs Journalists, Maine Elections & Could Nithya Raman Still Beat Spencer Pratt?
3w ago00:50:00Tap to summarizeRebecca Grossman, the LA socialite who hit two little boys in a crosswalk while street racing at 83 miles per hour, was got a $176 million civil verdict. Her co-defendant Scott Erickson had to make a PSA about not driving too fast. Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès on why that's not the same thing. Then: the New York Times dropped a sweeping Graham Platner story, ex-girlfriends ranging from 2013 to 2021, physical violence allegations, and a Heritage Foundation operative who says she knew about the tattoo before he did. Pink flags add up to red flags. And if Graham Platner were a woman, he'd have been canceled on day one. Then Jess Craven, activist, political content creator and author of Chop Wood Carry Water on Substack, on Scott Pelley being fired from 60 Minutes after standing ten toes down and whether corporate journalism is officially dead, the line between creator and journalist and why it matters, the Maine Senate race and whether one more revelation changes everything, and the California primary: Nithya Raman is catching up to Spencer Pratt and progressive votes are still coming in. The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok Topics: Rebecca Grossman Scott Erickson, Graham Platner NYT story ex-girlfriends physical violence, Scott Pelley fired 60 Minutes CBS Bari Weiss, Jess Craven Chop Wood Carry Water, creator vs journalist independent media, Maine Senate race Graham Platner Janet Mills Susan Collins, Nithya Raman Spencer Pratt LA mayor primary, June 6th ICE raids Los Angeles anniversary, Doja Cat Elon Musk Twitter
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Margaret Cho on Heated Rivalry, Spencer Pratt & MAGA's Celebrity Pipeline PLUS Delaney Hall, Love Island & Graham Platner's Sexts
3w ago00:51:53Tap to summarizeDelaney Hall detainees are on a hunger strike — and Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès on why 60,000 people are currently detained by ICE, why showing up to your hearing and still getting arrested is the point, and why it's good that Delaney Hall is close enough to an airport that people can actually show up. Then: Graham Platner has a sexting scandal and a Reddit history, and Rebecca thinks he still beats Susan Collins. Then Margaret Cho, comedian, actor, musician, one of Rolling Stone's 50 best standup comics of all time, on Spencer Pratt being Trump 2016 all over again, why people are blaming Karen Bass because they want to blame a woman of color, MAGA's celebrity pipeline from Reagan to Amber Rose, why she turned down Heated Rivalry because of Trump and has been hosting watch parties ever since, purity politics getting us into this mess, whether we peaked with Obama, and what she wants to see for Pride and the LA primary. Plus: Love Island USA is back and Widow’s Bay on Apple TV+ is a must watch. Topics: Margaret Cho, Spencer Pratt LA mayor primary, Karen Bass LA mayor, Delaney Hall hunger strike ICE protests, Graham Platner sexting scandal Maine Senate, Love Island USA season 7, Heated Rivalry Apple TV+, MAGA celebrity pipeline, purity politics, Widows Bay Apple TV+, Pride 2026 The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok
Transcribe →E. Jean Carroll DOJ Investigation, Summer House Reunion & Rep. Castro on Dilley's DNA Machine ft. Peyton Dix
4w ago00:43:52Tap to summarizeTrump's DOJ has reportedly opened an investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury by denying outside funding for her lawsuits, specifically from a Reid Hoffman nonprofit. Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès on why this is the DOJ going after another Trump enemy, why Todd Blanche has recused himself, and what this means for Carroll's $88 million in judgments. Then Rep. Joaquin Castro joins from the road with a Dilley update: a DNA swabbing machine that only exists at Dilley, an "anonymous" assault hotline that requires a personal PIN, a 15-year-old soccer player missing the last week of school, and why blocking ICE funding is the only real lever Congress has left. Then Peyton Dix, co-host of Higher Ground's Lemme Say This, on the Summer House reunion Part 1: Amanda Batula said "f*** off" to Ciara Miller on the first question, West just sat there, the "from being capital to owning capital" audience question that nobody needed, and where this franchise goes from here. Plus: Keke Palmer and Sean Evans- is this a soft launch or does the internet just need serotonin? Topics: E Jean Carroll DOJ investigation perjury Reid Hoffman, Todd Blanche, Rep Joaquin Castro Dilley DNA machine, CoreCivic, Summer House reunion Amanda Batula West Ciara Miller, Peyton Dix Lemme Say This, Keke Palmer Sean Evans, Hacks finale HBO, Margaret Cho LA primaries The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok
Transcribe →J. Lo is Moving On, Dating Apps Ranked & Michael Tubbs on Guaranteed Income, Our AI Future, and What Does a Lieutenant Governor Do?
4w ago00:58:15Tap to summarizeJennifer Lopez is moving on, and we have intel on Ben Affleck, Brett Goldstein, and Leah Remini's friendship fallout. Plus: the dating apps ranked, Feeld app discourse, and reflections on nightmare dating stories. Then: Spencer Pratt blocked Meredith after she reached out to his team. Then Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton, youngest mayor of any major American city at 26, founder of Mayors for Guaranteed Income, and candidate for California Lieutenant Governor, on what the Lieutenant Governor actually does, guaranteed income, the Stockton SEED program, why California could put AI data ownership on the ballot, and why being a Democrat is the floor not the ceiling. The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok Topics: J. Lo Brett Goldstein dating, Leah Remini Jennifer Lopez friendship, dating apps ranked Field app, Spencer Pratt, Michael Tubbs California Lieutenant Governor, guaranteed income Stockton SEED, AI data ownership California ballot, Mayors for Guaranteed Income
Transcribe →David Hogg on Why Ken Martin Must Resign, Pope Leo Says AI Is the Issue of Our Time & Hasan Piker Subpoenaed Over Cuba
4w ago00:47:14Tap to summarizePope Leo released his first encyclical and it's about AI. Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès on why the CEO of Anthropic was present at the release of Magnifica Humanitas, why Pope Leo is the AI Pope for a reason, and what Catholic social teaching has to say about the wealth gap, workers, and children in the age of artificial intelligence. Then: Hasan Piker has been subpoenaed by federal investigators over his trip to Cuba. Rebecca on the great reshuffling of internet personalities, Ashley St. Clair's tour of the left, and why Chuck Schumer is not coming to Hasan's defense. Then David Hogg, co-founder of March For Our Lives and Leaders We Deserve, on why Ken Martin must resign as DNC chair, what the incomplete autopsy report was missing (Gaza, Biden's age, inflation — all of it), why Democrats are allergic to accountability, what he told DNC officers to their faces and what they agreed to and then ignored, his $300K bet on Zohran, and which progressive candidates in California actually deserve attention right now. Topics: Pope Leo AI encyclical, Anthropic, Hasan Piker subpoena Cuba sanctions, Ashley St. Clair Hasan Piker interview, David Hogg, Ken Martin resign DNC, DNC autopsy report Gaza Biden age inflation, Leaders We Deserve, Zohran NYC mayor, Spencer Pratt gun LAPD schools, Mia Bonta progressive California, Randy Viegas Bakersfield The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok 00:00 The Moment LIVE: News, Pop Culture & Politics 00:23 Today's Rundown: Pope Leo on AI, Hasan Piker Subpoenaed & David Hogg on Ken Martin 01:01 Pope Leo's AI Encyclical: The CEO of Anthropic Was in the Room 03:41 Pope Leo Is the AI Pope: What Catholic Social Teaching Says About the Wealth Gap 12:18 Hasan Piker Subpoenaed Over Cuba: The Sanctions Explained 17:35 Ashley St. Clair, Tucker Carlson & the Great Reshuffling of Internet Personalities 20:33 Meet David Hogg: March For Our Lives & Leaders We Deserve 21:52 Ken Martin Must Resign: David Hogg on the DNC Autopsy Report 27:21 The DNC Is Allergic to Accountability: What Was Missing From the Report 32:58 Why Democrats Keep Taking Corporate Money & Losing Anyway 35:51 Progressive Candidates in California Who Actually Deserve Attention 44:00 What’s Having a Moment For You?
Transcribe →Bethenny Frankel Is At It Again, Jeff Bezos Billionaire Tax Interview & Rep. Ted Lieu on Trump's Slush Fund, the Justice Department, Karen Bass, and AI Regulation
May 2200:46:57Tap to summarizeJeff Bezos did a sweeping CNBC interview where he said the bottom 50% of income earners should pay zero taxes, and then had no answer for how to make that up. Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès on why "I'll give my billions away someday" is not a tax plan, and why taxing the wealthy would actually improve their mental health. Then: Bethenny Frankel is claiming $20 million a year in affiliate marketing, and Meredith has been getting DMs about Bethenny scamming small businesses for years. The Sugar Hi bakery cake story, Michael Capponi at her birthday party, and why Emma Grede should run the other way. Then Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36) — Air Force Colonel, six terms, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus — on Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund and why it's a completely fake lawsuit, Todd Blanche and the Justice Department, MAGA cracks and Thomas Massie's loss, the incomplete DNC autopsy report, Democrats up plus 15, his endorsements for Karen Bass for mayor and Becerra for governor, AI regulation and guard rails. Plus: Donald Trump is skipping Don Jr.'s wedding, and why Dilley should be closed before the school year starts. Topics: Jeff Bezos, CNBC tax interview, Billionaire tax, Bethenny Frankel affiliate marketing, Sugar Hi bakery Michael Capponi, Rep Ted Lieu CA-36, Trump billion slush fund Justice Department, Todd Blanche, Thomas Massie primary MAGA cracks, DNC, autopsy report, Ken Martin, Karen Bass mayor, Xavier Becerra governor, AI regulation, Don Jr wedding Trump, Dilley detention center, Miss Rachel, The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok 00:00 The Moment LIVE: News, Pop Culture & Politics 00:25 Today's Rundown: Bezos Tax Interview, Bethenny Frankel & Rep. Ted Lieu 01:51 Jeff Bezos Says Tax the Bottom 50% at Zero — But Who Pays for It? 03:44 Bezos & Steyer: Giving Away Billions Is Not a Tax Plan 13:24 Bethenny Frankel's $20M Claim, the Sugar Hi Bakery & Michael Capponi 20:19 Meet Rep. Ted Lieu: CA-36, Air Force Colonel & Vice Chair Democratic Caucus 22:52 Trump's $1.8 Billion Slush Fund & the Justice Department 27:09 MAGA Cracks, Thomas Massie & the DNC Autopsy Report 30:42 Democrats Up Plus 15: Can They Flip the House? 32:34 Karen Bass for Mayor & Becerra for the CA Governor's Race: Rep. Lieu Endorsements 35:05 AI Regulation, Guard Rails, and IPOs 40:20: Trump Skips Don Jr’s Wedding 42:54 Ms Rachel’s Advocacy and Dilley Should Close Before School Starts
Transcribe →Shein Buys Everlane, Trump Hits New Low & Brad Lander on ICE Arrests & the Epstein Files
May 1900:49:59Tap to summarizeDescription: Shein just bought Everlane for $100 million — and Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès on what it means that the millennial conscious fashion brand sold to fast fashion's biggest villain, why Everlane represents the death of the girl boss era, and why it's actually a signal of the shrinking middle class. Trump's approval rating just hit a new low of 37%, only where it was right as he was leaving office the first time. Only 32% of Americans think the country is on the right track. And Democrats aren't doing much better. Plus: Incumbent Louisiana Senator Dr Bill Cassidy lost his primary to MAGA-backed candidates, and why Meredith thinks 60% of why Democrats lose is just that America really hates women. Then Brad Lander, candidate for NY-10 running against establishment Democrat Dan Goldman, on the Epstein files 24-hour filibuster reading room, being arrested by ICE while escorting immigrants to court, yesterday's federal judge stay on ICE arrests in New York City immigration courts, what a Democratic House and Senate can actually do in the next two years, affordable housing social bonds, and his advice for LA's mayoral race Topics: Shein Everlane acquisition fast fashion, Trump approval rating 37% new low, Bill Cassidy primary loss, Brad Lander NY-10 congressional race, Dan Goldman, ICE arrests immigration court New York, Epstein files filibuster reading room, Eliza Orland, affordable housing social bonds, ranked choice voting Spencer Pratt, Couples Therapy Showtime, Democratic Party 2026 midterms The Moment LIVE is hosted by Meredith Lynch and Rebecca Sananès. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Subscribe so you never miss a moment. Follow The Moment LIVE YouTube Substack Instagram TikTok 00:00 The Moment LIVE: News, Pop Culture & Politics 00:24 Today's Rundown: Trump's New Low, Shein Buys Everlane & Brad Lander on ICE 02:16 Trump's Approval Rating Is at 37%: The Lowest Since January 6th 03:20 Democrats Are at 26%: Nobody Is Happy Right Now 04:06 Why Democrats Lose: Misogyny & the Higher Standard for Women 05:47 Bill Cassidy Lost His Primary After Voting to Confirm RFK Jr. 07:50 Shein Is Buying Everlane for $100M: The Death of the Girl Boss Era 18:09 Everlane Is a Signal of the Shrinking Middle Class in Fashion 22:24 Meet Brad Lander: Running for NY-10 22:28 The Epstein Files 24-Hour Filibuster Reading Room 24:15 Brad Lander Was Arrested by ICE Escorting Immigrants to Court 31:07 A Federal Judge Just Issued a Stay on ICE Arrests in NYC Immigration Courts 33:20 What Can Democrats Actually Do With the House & Senate in Two Years? 36:05 Affordable Housing Social Bonds & Street to Home Vouchers: Brad Lander’s Plan 41:56 Having a Moment: Couples Therapy and Aqua’s Barbie Girl Retirement
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