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American Fever Dream

American Fever Dream
From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Saage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night.
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Latest Episodes

Where to Start

Monday, January 20th, 2025 - Israel-Hamas ceasefire; TikTok ban; Trump inauguration; Cancer trends; CA price gouging

Today’s Headlines: The Israel-Hamas ceasefire began Sunday, with 3 Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners released. Aid is flowing into Gaza, but Israel warns fighting may resume. Back in the US, TikTok briefly went offline after a Supreme Court ban but returned following Trump’s 90-day reprieve and plans for U.S. ownership. Trump’s inauguration today will include signing orders on immigration, environmental rollbacks, and more. He also launched a cryptocurrency over the weekend reportedly earning billions. Meanwhile, a cancer report shows higher survival rates but rising diagnoses in young women, with racial disparities in mortality. In California, rent gouging was declared illegal by the state AG. Finally, Biden exits office after commuting 2,500 sentences and declaring the ERA valid, though without legal force. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Live updates: Israel releases 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of ceasefire deal with Hamas NBC News: TikTok begins restoring service for U.S. users after Trump comments Axios: Trump meme coin doubles again, stake worth $58 billion or more  Yahoo: Steve Bannon says tech 'oligarchs' have 'surrendered' to Trump  NBC News: Trump expected to sign more than 50 executive orders Monday WSJ: Trump to Begin Large-Scale Deportations Tuesday - WSJ NY Times: Breast Cancer Rates Climb Among Younger Women  AP News: California officials warn against price gouging as rents soar in fire-stricken Los Angeles  Politico: Biden declares the ERA the law of the land — but it likely will not matter  CBS News: Biden sets presidential pardons, commutations record as he commutes almost 2,500 more sentences  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Friday January 17th, 2025 - Israel-Hamas deal & Cabinet hearings updates; FL AG to fill Rubio’s seat; Johnson’s House rules; SpaceX crash and more

Today’s Headlines: Israel and Hamas' ceasefire deal remains unapproved as Israeli strikes continue amidst disagreements over prisoner exchanges. Trump’s cabinet hearings spotlighted Scott Bessent's opposition to raising the $7.25 minimum wage. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis named Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson barred proxy voting for pregnant members and replaced House Intel Chair Mike Turner with Rick Crawford, aligning with Trump’s foreign policy. TikTok CEO Shou Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration, fueling speculation about TikTok’s future, while NYC Mayor Eric Adams quietly visited Mar-a-Lago. Lastly, a SpaceX rocket failed mid-flight, resulting in a "rapid unscheduled disassembly." Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WA Post: Ceasefire deal delayed as Netanyahu bargains with far-right allies  NBC News: Confirmation hearings day 3 highlights: Doug Burgum, Scott Bessent, other Cabinet picks face Senate questions Axios: DeSantis to pick Florida AG Ashley Moody to fill Rubio's Senate seat  Newsweek: Pregnant Congresswoman Blasts 'Unreasonable' House Voting Rules Axios: Mike Johnson faces bipartisan shock, fury for ousting Intel chair Turner NY Times: Eric Adams Heads to Mar-a-Lago to Meet With Trump  NBC News: SpaceX says its Starship spacecraft broke up midflight as videos of debris emerge online  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Thursday, January 16th, 2025 - Israel-Hamas deal; South Korea arrest; Biden farewell; TikTok Ban; Bondi Hearing; FAA vs. Southwest; FDA Red Dye ban

Today’s Headlines: srael and Hamas reached a phased ceasefire and hostage deal starting January 19, with major obstacles ahead. South Korea’s impeached president was arrested for alleged rebellion and abuse of power. Biden’s farewell address warned of oligarchy and tech power threatening democracy. TikTok plans a U.S. shutdown pending a Supreme Court ruling on its ban, as Trump considers delaying enforcement. Pam Bondi faced grilling over DOJ independence in her AG confirmation, while Rubio, Ratcliffe, and Wright had smoother hearings. The Department of Transportation sued Southwest Airlines for delays, and the FDA banned Red Dye No. 3 in consumables, effective by 2027. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Reuters: Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal to end 15 months of war in Gaza  AP News: South Korean authorities take impeached President Yoon to detention center after questioning NY times: President Biden's farewell address  Axios: What will happen to TikTok on Jan. 19  WA Post: Trump considers executive order hoping to ‘save TikTok’ from ban or sale in U.S. law AP News: Pam Bondi doesn't rule out probes of Trump foes as attorney general NY Times: U.S. Sues Southwest Airlines Over Chronic Delays NBC News: FDA bans Red No. 3, artificial coloring used in beverages, candy and other foods Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

The Hosts

Sami Sage
Sami Sage is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Betches. She’s the host of the @Betches and Morning Announcements podcasts and in her spare time likes to scroll on her phone and stare at her dogs, Bruce Bader Ginsburg and Larry David.
V. Spehar (They/Them)
Vitus “V” Spehar is an accomplished TikToker, political advocate, and host of the newest podcast from Betches Media. Their signature brand, Under The Desk News, started out as a series expanding on news events in a nutshell and quickly became GenZ and Millennials go-to source for news. V’s in-depth citizen journalism led them to collaborate with notable figures like former President Obama, President Biden and more than a dozen members of Congress to inform their massive audience in a sustainable way while pushing for civic participation.

Featured Guests
Katie Couric
Tammy Duckworth
Kirsten Gillibrand

Reviews

My favorite way to get the news
“Just the vibe I need to hear troubling news in a crazy world”
Informative and fun to digest
“This podcast is amazing! With the news constantly being such a drag, it’s great to have a safe place to learn what’s going on, with a side of comic relief. Can’t recommend it enough!”
Digestible and entertaining
“I’m a news junkie and I work in media. The Sup is one of my favorites. They’re incredibly entertaining, relatable, and knowledgeable. They make news concepts digestible and reach out to a broader audience than many traditional media organizations do.”
All Podcasts

@Betches

Co-founders Aleen Dreksler, Jordana Abraham, and Sami Sage — aka the OG Betches friend group that started it all — welcome you to their pop culture group chat. Each week, they cover all the latest in celeb drama, the hottest TV and movies out now, and never fail to say some v funny sh*t (ofc). Come for the hot takes, stay for the group chat vibe.

American Fever Dream

From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night.

Ask Men Anything

There’s one question that has stumped our universe for centuries: Why do men? Emma Willmann is on a quest to find out the answer in this podcast from Betches Media. Each week, Emma is inviting some of the funniest and most interesting men she knows into the studio and pulling from the Ask Men Anything inbox to ask your biggest, weirdest, and most pressing questions of earth’s most mysterious beings. What makes a man ready to settle down and choose a partner? Why don’t men ask their friends follow-up questions? And men know golf is boring, right?

Betches Brides

Betches Brides is here to help you laugh (cry?) through it all. Each week, stand-up comedians Selena Coppock — the mind behind the @nytvows parody account — and Chelsea White meet to swap stories about their own wedding journeys, while answering listener emails to help you not trip down the aisle. Selena and Chelsea are here for all Betches Brides and newlyweds in need of advice, empathy, and laughter — including themselves. 

Childproof

Parenting is hard, but it's even harder when you feel alone and have only the sounds of Cocomelon to keep you company. Betches Media’s Childproof is a parenting chat show for when you’re craving adult conversation.

Good Bodies

In a world where wellness can make you unwell and beauty standards feel anything but standard, Betches Media presents a podcast that digs into the emotional side of well-being.

Mention It All

Bravo, Bravo, f*cking Bravo. Three times a week, we break down everything Real Housewives and more, from episode recaps to social media drama.

Morning Announcements

Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage gives you quick daily updates with the most important info you need to know about politics and current events.

Oversharing

Think of Jordana and Dr. Naomi as your BFF and your therapist, sitting side-by-side at the brunch table trying to help you get through your problems. Because sometimes we really need advice from people with no skin in the game. And let’s face it, your friends can’t stand to hear that story one more time.

Pop Crime

If your idea of a fun Friday night includes pouring over #FreeBritney testimonies, reciting Alexis Neiers’ phone call to Nancy Jo from memory, and checking in on Carole Baskin’s wiki page for the 4,327th time, then Pop Crime is the show for you. In this new podcast from Betches Media, host Kiki Monique is combining her two true loves – pop culture and true crime – into a cocktail of scandalous storytelling. Each week, she makes sense of the messiest celebrity legal drama, infamous crimes of the past, and dirty deeds of the rich and famous so you have something to talk about at your next happy hour… or at least a new wikipedia page to bookmark.

So Bad It's Good

When culture pops, so does Ryan Bailey. On So Bad It's Good, a daily podcast presented by Betches Media, Ryan dissects the best (and worst) entertainment has to offer, welcoming special guests to chat about all the latest headlines, big TV moments (past and present), and literally every scandal, feud, or Hollywood controversy that’s made us lose our shit. (We’re looking at you, Tom Sandoval.)

The Betchelor

We’re here to say all the things you’re screaming at your TV while watching The Bachelor — because that finale dress was disgusting.

U Up?

From interpreting dating app messages and weird sexual encounters, to defining the relationship and everything in between, we’re here to make sure you don’t die alone.