Sane(ish) with Jo Carducci

Buckle up for a ride through the world of political comedy under siege. This week, Jo and Tara Setmayer break down Jimmy Kimmel’s wild return from suspension, Disney and ABC’s backstage power plays, and the chilling push from FCC threats and Trump-backer media moguls. It’s full balls-to-the-wall, South Park energy as they dissect how corporate interests, right-wing media, and grassroots outrage collided to save late-night comedy…at least for now. Jo gets personal about Disney nostalgia, dog show circuits, and why laughter is medicinal when democracy’s on the ropes, while Tara explains the real cost of speaking out when everyone’s watching and waiting to cancel. Listen as these tough Jersey girls call out censorship tactics, hypocrisy in “hate speech,” and remind us why courage and humor are non-negotiable if America’s gonna weather this storm. Link to Video from Interview: https://youtu.be/6oVcnGg1w2Y Sane(ish) Partners: - Fast Growing Trees: Sane(ish) listeners also get 15% OFF their first purchase by visiting⁠ https://www.FastGrowingTrees.com/SANEISH ⁠– and using the code SANEISH at checkout. - Incogni: Right now, you can get 60% off an annual plan by going to https://www.Incogni.com/JOJO and using code JOJO at checkout. That’s ⁠⁠Incogni.com/JOJO⁠ ⁠and use the code JOJO at checkout. - OneSkin Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JOJO at - https://www.oneskin.co/#oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo welcomes former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn—a frontline defender on January 6th and now a relentless advocate for democracy.Jojo and Harry dig into the personal cost of defending the Capitol, the ongoing fight against gaslighting and political revisionism, and why real accountability matters more than ever. From firsthand stories of courage to frank talk about who’s behind today’s threats to democracy you don’t want to miss this episode.  Sane(ish) Partners: - Fast Growing Trees: Sane(ish) listeners also get 15% OFF their first purchase by visiting⁠ https://www.FastGrowingTrees.com/SANEISH ⁠– and using the code SANEISH at checkout. - Incogni: Right now, you can get 60% off an annual plan by going to https://www.Incogni.com/JOJO and using code JOJO at checkout. That’s ⁠⁠Incogni.com/JOJO⁠ ⁠and use the code JOJO at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo welcomes activist and Siren Network co-founder Sam Schwartz for a conversation about what real political influence looks like in the new media landscape. They dig into how creators are moving audiences from passive news consumption to active organizing, why legacy outlets have lost their edge, and what it takes to build an independent platform that actually shapes discourse. Alongside the challenges of building new media power, Sam shares hard-won insight from years of fighting for common-sense gun reform—explaining why political will, not public consensus, is the biggest roadblock to change. Sane(ish) Partners: - Fast Growing Trees: Sane(ish) listeners also get 15% OFF their first purchase by visiting https://www.FastGrowingTrees.com/SANEISH – and using the code SANEISH at checkout. - Incogni: Right now, you can get 60% off an annual plan by going to https://www.Incogni.com/JOJO and using code JOJO at checkout. That’s ⁠Incogni.com/JOJO⁠ and use the code JOJO at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this candid episode of Sane(ish), Jo sits down with Senator Alex Padilla for a real-time reckoning with democracy’s fragile state. Recorded as breaking news unfolded about the death of Charlie Kirk, the conversation does not shy away from the day’s pain and makes clear: political violence has no place in America, no matter our differences. Jojo and Senator Padilla dig into the Supreme Court’s most recent ruling allowing immigration raids and profiling in Los Angeles, examining its consequences for basic rights, the economy, and the social fabric of entire communities. Senator Padilla offers clarity on immigrant contributions, the trauma playing out in neighborhoods and workplaces, and why the fight for constitutional protections isn’t over…even in the face of setback.This episode is a call for decency, honest oversight, and fierce hope in the ongoing battle for justice and democracy, while honoring the belief that disagreement is not an excuse for hate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Jo sits down with the sharp-tongued, chaos-loving hosts of the Find Out podcast—Tim, Chris, and Luke—for a rapid-fire breakdown of what happens when democracy’s on the line and the only rule is: “mess around, and you’re gonna find out.” From Nazi-hunting and meme warfare to the FAFO50 campaign (hello, California!), everyone’s airing their hottest takes on why fighting back—with humor, mockery, and unapologetic truth—is the only way forward. Forget strongly worded memos and polite floor speeches; this is all about calling out the pearl-clutchers, deflating the drama kings, and giving authoritarians a taste of their own medicine.Plus the “Are You Fucking Kidding Me” moment of the week ripped from the pages of Epstein’s birthday book with a side of Trump lies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo connects with Olivia Julianna to spill what the mainstream won’t: survivors coming for Trump, DC’s useless grandstanders, and the dirty tricks Texas keeps beta-testing for the rest of America. From Republican stunts that cost real lives to why “as goes Texas, so goes the nation” isn’t just a cliché, this episode calls out the powerful by name, laughs through the pain, and unpacks what we actually do about it (hint: staying pissed, loud, and registered). Yes, there’s swearing. Yes, you’ll hear real talk on surviving red state cruelty, hopelessness, and how fantasy football is somehow less rigged than American politics. Come for behind-the-scenes stories, leave with your outrage validated and your resolve supercharged. Right now, you can get 60% off an annual plan by going to https://www.Incogni.com/JOJO and using code JOJO at checkout. That’s ⁠Incogni.com/JOJO⁠ and use the code JOJO at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every time the news cycle spins a little crazier, Michael Steele manages to cut through the crap. Today, Michael & Jo get real about why “off-ramps” are a joke, how the cult of Trump owns the GOP, and why politicians hiding behind closed-door complaints are wasting everyone’s time. They talk about MAGA distractions, media circus nonsense, gerrymandering, the actual threats to voting rights, and why pretending it’s ‘business as usual’ is the fastest way to lose the country. Right now, you can get 60% off an annual plan by going to https://www.Incogni.com/JOJO and using code JOJO at checkout. That’s Incogni.com/JOJO and use the code JOJO at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the day another community was shattered by a school shooting in Minnesota, Jo and Jess Piper drop the niceties and get honest about America’s epidemic of gun violence laying bare the emotional toll of shooter drills, the rage and helplessness of waiting for news, and the absurdity of politicians hiding behind “thoughts and prayers” while refusing to act.With unfiltered stories from rural communities, and real families, they dig deep into how weaponized propaganda, failed policies, and spineless leadership are costing lives. Jess shares what organizing looks like on the ground in Missouri, why responsible gun owners like her are demanding change, and how incremental victories can still matter even against the odds. Get 15% off OneSkin with code JOJO at https://www.oneskin.co/#oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo’s joined by former GOP Rep-turned-Dem Joe Walsh for a conversation about everything from the endless social media attention wars to Gavin Newsom’s headline-grabbing comms game and the sky-high stakes for democracy. Jo and Joe break down the difference between fighting and flailing and why unity beats purity testing every damn time.They tackle exactly what’s making headlines: toxic tribalism, party infighting, and why old-guard media like Joe Scarborough and the “polite center” are missing the point when it comes to how Democrats need to meet the moment (looking at you, Joe! Stop clutching your pearls about Newsom’s style and pay attention to what actually fires people up). - Get 15% off OneSkin with the code JOJO at OneSkin.co/#oneskinpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strap in—this episode of Sane(ish) with Joel Rubin is one hell of a ride. First, Jo shares a preview of her chat with Gavin Newsom. Then, we’re talking Putin’s shady-ass visit to Alaska, America’s democracy freezing its ass off, and all the bullshit power plays that make you wanna scream into a pillow. Joel’s got the no-BS rundown on what’s really behind the chaos and how the fight to save our elections and sanity is hotter than ever. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Get 60% off an annual plan at incogni.com/JOJO and use code JOJO at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three Blondes Walk Into a Podcast… Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan—the uncensored, hilarious hosts of the hit chart-topping I’ve Had It Podcast join Sane(ish)! In this outrageously honest episode, three sharp-witted hot blondes dive into everything from fighting political insanity and calling out MAGA hypocrisy to surviving life’s messiest, most relatable moments. Jennifer and Angie are bringing all the in-your-face energy that made their show and their new book, Life Is a Lazy Susan of Sht Sandwiches a must-listen and must-read for anyone who’s “had it” with surface-level nonsense. Jo, Jennifer, and Angie break down why humor is a weapon against the noise, how progressive women are leading the real fight, and what it takes to survive (and laugh at) the outrageous world we live in. Plus: plenty of uncensored rants about Ted Cruz, Trump’s Liberace Oval Office, and the deeply “unf*ckable” political bench—all with a hope-filled message about empathy, resilience, and genuine community. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Get 60% off an annual plan at incogni.com/JOJO and use code JOJO at checkout. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Navy intelligence officer and bestselling author Malcolm Nance joins Jo for an unflinching deep dive into America’s most urgent crisis: the rise of authoritarianism and Trump’s not-so-hidden racism. In this explosive conversation, Nance dissects the playbook threatening our democracy, exposes the dangerous alliances fueling extremism, and offers a blueprint for how everyday Americans can push back. From the corridors of DC power to the streets where rights are won or lost, this episode reveals the uncomfortable truths the mainstream won’t say out loud — and why ignoring them could cost us our freedom. If you care about truth, justice, and preserving the soul of our nation, you can’t afford to miss this. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re not losing your mind a little, you’re probably not paying attention. This week on Sane(ish), Jo sits down with John Fugelsang to roast hypocrisy, unpack the ridiculousness and share some much-needed truths about faith, rage, and grit. Jo’s been writing about everything from South Park mercilessly dunking on Kristi Noem to why sometimes you just have to escape to the beach to keep your head above water in this crazy political circus. John’s new book, Separation of Church and Hate, drops soon—and it’s a no-holds-barred takedown of the toxic mix of religion and hate fueling so much of what’s wrong right now. John shares powerful insights from his upcoming book, Separation of Church and Hate, a no-holds-barred takedown of the dangerous mix of religion and hate that’s poisoning America’s soul. Together, they call out fake piety, hypocrisy, and the cynical hijacking of faith to justify cruelty and division, while reminding us what faith could and should be—a force for justice and mercy. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo sits down with Colorado’s own Congressman Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger and national security hawk. With D.C. gridlocked, Texas politics unraveling, and new headlines piling up about democracy under siege, Jason brings the heat on what real leadership and service look like in 2025. They dig into why chaos in Congress isn’t just noise it’s a real threat to national security and the rights Americans can’t afford to lose. From Crow’s high-profile lawsuit against the Trump administration to his frontline perspective from the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, nothing’s off the table: presidential power, accountability, military families under fire, and whether anyone in Washington still remembers what public service actually means. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo sits down with Ron Filipkowski, MeidasTouch’s editor-in-chief, ex-prosecutor, and the guy whose X feed you check before your first coffee. The two dive straight into the Texas caper: Democratic lawmakers making a midnight dash out of the state—more Springsteen than C-SPAN—to stop the GOP’s latest attempt to gerrymander themselves a permanent majority. With the chaos playing out under the relentless August sun, Jo and Ron unpack why power grabs, broken maps, and viral misinformation aren’t some Beltway sideshow, they’re the main event and the stakes are everybody’s future. Ron litigates the headlines, calls out the media hacks, and tears into the cynical math of a system built to silence voters.  Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jo gets raw and real with Senator Ruben Gallego for a deep dive into what happens when Congress ghosts the hard truths and survivors are left carrying the weight in silence. Against the backdrop of another performative escape to summer recess, Jo shares the most personal Substack yet: a letter to survivors who watch their abusers rise to power while the world shrugs. Gallego joins to talk about what courage in service and policy actually looks like, calling out those who dodge the work—whether it’s justice for the abused, real border solutions, or protecting veterans from becoming bargaining chips. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman joins Jojo from Jerz in the July heat (cicadas and all) to break down a week when political theater has nothing on the real-world consequences of cowardice and cover-ups. From Trump’s “Ukraine Pivot” to the MAGA meltdown over the Epstein files, Vindman pulls zero punches. They unpack Tulsi Gabbard’s attempts to get back in the Trump camp, what’s really holding up peace in Ukraine (hint: it’s not Kyiv), and why Russia’s old playbook keeps working on both sides of the Atlantic. Jo digs deep for the “WTF” of it all, how far right narratives fuel chaos, and what’s at stake when America’s so-called leaders would rather distract, duck cameras, or chase conspiracies than actually govern. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Epstein files scandal explodes and unfinished business piles up, Speaker Mike Johnson just sprinted for the exits—slamming the gavel on an early summer recess before anyone could say “roll call.” Congress didn’t just adjourn; it staged a getaway, ducking the cameras and dodging the receipts. Jojo from Jerz grabs the megaphone and sits down with Congressman Jim Himes to drag everything into the July sunlight: Who’s really winning when the People’s House turns into the People’s Airbnb? Why is “governance” optional when the headlines get too hot? And does Johnson seriously think democracy just pauses itself for a vacation? They torch the vanishing act that left critical crises in limbo, break down the art of hiding from hard votes, and lay out exactly why the rest of us should be demanding more than out-of-office messages and way fewer empty Chambers. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Jo in the middle of a week when American democracy feels like it’s on the clearance rack. From Congress giving away its power with the Recessions Act, to lawmakers cosplaying as fiscal hawks while slashing PBS and NPR before even considering a billionaire tax cut, Jo and Raskin unpack what’s happening beneath the circus. They go deep on the Epstein files detonating what’s left of MAGA credibility, and the staggering hypocrisy of Republicans demanding “transparency” until it lands at their own feet. Raskin connects the dots—from the House’s refusal to release the files, to the gutting of programs that fight sex trafficking, to a so-called “rescue” bill that throws millions off health care and SNAP, explodes the deficit, and hands China the keys to America’s clean energy future. With his signature clarity, Raskin exposes the schemes behind those “beautiful” bills, the real-world impact on his Maryland district’s federal workers, and why the Founders never meant for public service to be a playground for kings and cronies. If you’re exhausted by performative investigations, billionaire giveaways, anti-government crusades, or just want to know how to hold the damn line, this episode is your permission slip to get mad, get clear, and get in the fight. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins Jo for a no-holds-barred breakdown of a week so stupid you can’t make it up: Congress duck-walks away from the Epstein files, Republicans lock arms to shield the secrets their own base is demanding, and suddenly the MAGA mob is eating itself while Trump twirls behind the curtain. Moskowitz drags the whole charade from Russian nesting dolls of lies, binder theatrics, Bondi’s “desk,” and a GOP so tangled they can’t remember which version they’re selling. But it’s not just the spectacle. Jo and Moskowitz dig into the GOP’s next-level sabotage on disaster response; how Kristi Noem gutted FEMA, why children in Texas paid the price, and why Republicans are poised to claim “government doesn’t work” after personally setting it on fire. You’ll hear why outrage matters annd exactly what Democrats must do: stay on offense, call out the lies, and never trust the old rulebook. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices