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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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Where to Start

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Today's news brings updates on nationwide campus protests, centered at Columbia University where over 300 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested. Mayor Eric Adams suggests the protests are influenced by outside agitators. Similar protests have erupted across the country, resulting in over 1500 arrests. Violence erupted at UCLA where 15 people were injured in clashes. In Congress, the House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, though its future in the Senate is uncertain due to debates over its impact on free speech. On abortion, Florida's 6-week ban is now in effect, while Arizona voted to repeal its 1864 abortion ban, but it won't take effect immediately. In Louisiana, a federal court blocked the state's new congressional map, leaving it without a map for the 2024 elections. Lastly, the Federal Reserve decided not to cut the inflation rate, maintaining it between 5.25 and 5.5%, citing the need for greater confidence in sustainable inflation reduction. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Violence, chaos erupts on campuses as protesters and counter-protesters clash over the war in Gaza  CBS News: Antisemitism Awareness Act passed by House of Representatives. Here's what the bill does NBC News: Florida's 6-week abortion ban takes effect, cutting off access in much of the South AP News: Arizona Senate OKs bill to repeal the state's 1864 near-total abortion ban  WA Post: Federal judges strike down La. congressional map with second Black-majority district CNBC: Fed keeps rates steady as it notes 'lack of further progress' on inflation Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Wednesday, May 1st, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Just as ceasefire and hostage negotiations are gaining momentum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares his intention to invade Rafah, stating that the military will do so regardless of a truce. Meanwhile, Columbia University sees pro-Palestine protests escalating as students occupy administrative buildings, demanding divestment and transparency. In a different protest scenario, Brown University agrees to consider divesting from Israeli funds. In legal news, Donald Trump faces consequences for violating a gag order during his trial, with Judge Juan Merchan holding him in contempt and warning of jail time. Trump's potential plans for a second term, including extreme policy proposals, also surface. On a different note, there are reports of easing federal restrictions on cannabis, with the DEA expected to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule 3, potentially impacting taxation and research efforts. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Netanyahu vows to invade Rafah 'with or without a deal' as cease-fire talks with Hamas continue AP News: Police clear pro-Palestinian protesters from Columbia University's Hamilton Hall after occupation WA Post: Police breach occupied building at Columbia: University protest live updates AP News: Trump trial day 9 highlights: Judge rules Trump violated gag order TIME: Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like  NBC News: Biden administration plans to reclassify marijuana, easing restrictions nationwide Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly considering issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials for their actions during the Gaza military campaign. Netanyahu reportedly asked President Biden to help prevent the ICC from issuing these warrants. Additionally, US congress members from both parties have attempted to warn the ICC against issuing the warrants. A coalition of attorneys, including some from the Biden administration, has urged President Biden to halt military aid to Israel, accusing Israel of violating US statutes and international humanitarian law. Amnesty International has also called for the halt of arms sales to Israel, alleging violations of international law. Campus protests have spread across universities in the US, with tensions escalating, while legal challenges from several Republican-controlled states are targeting federal expansions to Title IX aimed at protecting transgender students. On a positive note, a federal appeals court ruled that state health care plans must cover gender-affirming surgeries, citing violations of the anti-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NY Times: Israeli Officials Believe ICC Is Preparing Arrest Warrants Over Gaza War  Axios: Netanyahu tells Biden he's worried about possible ICC arrest warrants Axios: Congress threatens ICC over Israeli arrest warrants Politico: Attorneys inside and outside the administration urge Biden to cut off arms to Israel  WA Post: Amnesty International says Biden must halt arms transfers to Israel NY Times: Columbia Suspends Student Protesters in Pro-Palestinian Encampment  AP News: Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensions AP News: Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensions -student-protests-war-19ed919ff6ff9573a8add4ec67e26181 AP News: Conservative states challenge federal rule on treatment of transgender students WA Post: Court says state health-care plans can’t exclude gender-affirming surgery 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.

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Crown Jewels

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Mention It All

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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.

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Your two funniest friends talking about crime. Each week, we break down a crime, cult, scam, or scheme with a healthy dose of irreverent humor.

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.

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