Hysteria

Erin and Alyssa dig into the latest news from the Twin Cities— the senseless tragedy of Alex Pretti’s death, and the inspiring resolve of the Minnesotans who continue to stand up for each other. With Greg Bovino’s “demotion,” are things about to take a turn for the better, or is this cynical political window-dressing from Team Trump? Then, Melania Trump’s movie premiere at the White House’s janky new makeshift room, and Paris Hilton’s fight on Capitol Hill to ban AI-generated deep fake porn. And of course, we wrap up with Sani-Petty. Alex Pretti’s Friends and Family Denounce ‘Sickening Lies’ About His Life (NYT 1/25)Republican calls are growing for a deeper investigation into fatal Minneapolis shooting of Alex Pretti (PBS 1/26)Scoop: Stephen Miller behind misleading claim that Alex Pretti wanted to "massacre" agents (AXIOS 1/27)Trump Defends Noem as She Faces Bipartisan Criticism (WSJ 1/27)Democrats Vow Not to Fund ICE After Shooting, Imperiling Spending Deal (NYT 1/24)Melania’s $75 Million Movie Premiered in a Makeshift Theater (The Daily Beast 1/24)‘They sold my pain for clicks’: Paris Hilton urges lawmakers to act on nonconsensual deepfakes (The 19th 1/22)

In our 32nd episode of This F*cking Guy, Erin and Alyssa dive deep into the past of the bigoted big mouth, Rush Limbaugh. From having a face for radio, to his obsession with “feminazis” to spouting disinformation about smoking and covid to his very last days, this may be one of our most deplorable guys yet.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Sources:https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/rush-limbaughhttps://visitcape.com/rush-limbaughs-cape-girardeau-a-tour-of-the-radio-legends-roots/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/rush-limbaugh-dead-trump-ruined-america-1129222/https://www.stlmag.com/The-Original-Rush-Limbaugh-Biography-Tells-the-Story-of-Missouri-Courtroom-Legend-Rush-Limbaugh-Sr/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/business/media/rush-limbaugh-dead.htmlhttps://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/05/rush-limbaugh200905?srsltid=AfmBOopZzxf3nuOZgNcONoy2P7uWCZnX182fW0lCLqmEW0QgF5ezWleahttps://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/02/23/147299323/law-student-makes-case-for-contraceptive-coverage/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/03/02/147809138/student-is-outraged-by-rush-limbaugh-calling-her-a-slut-and-prostitutehttps://www.vanityfair.com/news/daily-news/2012/03/rush-limbaugh-sandra-fluke-obama-apology?_sp=b361603d-59b8-49de-8771-e1f85795940f.1763504275351https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/can-rush-peter-gabriel-legally-order-limbaugh-to-cease-using-their-songs-101473/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/rush-limbaugh-feminism-feminazis/2021/02/19/3a00f852-7202-11eb-85fa-e0ccb3660358_story.htmlhttps://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/limbaugh-draws-fire-on-obama-parody/https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-rush-limbaugh-mock-aids-death-radio-show-1570282https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627887https://www.espn.com/gen/news/2003/1001/1628537.htmlhttps://www.bet.com/article/u945ji/limbaugh-dumped-by-group-hoping-to-buy-ramshttps://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03/post-limbaugh-next-conservative-kingpin?srsltid=AfmBOorVAZVgaPOjyPUN45HmLjxy-N_fsLDZJ9VTTpBddI_th9OWUozthttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/look-rush-limbaugh-fortune-passing-203619163.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFoRip8fz4FHwOH2WCUZPwEuQkW7dzucbZpLzmYo76VRkDnTSXOdVyD0Gal1rlu_JsyOMoGYJi5ciu5Lp9wIGfnullBmfQpywCyqrZ-3W18NUVCvg2G2E_Mz-UcpYS45S2vBsh8FQEWM2gjzZMXKYUh3r9WefakZygmKPkkgrdCchttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-18-et-rush18-story.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/28/us/rush-limbaugh-arrested-on-prescription-drug-charges.html

Journalist and activist Kat Abughazaleh joins Hysteria to talk about her firsthand experience standing up to ICE and how to show up for immigrants in your community. Erin and Alyssa also get into updates from Minnesota and the death of Renee Good, the status of the Epstein files, and how Trump used his first year of presidency to line his own pockets. Then they have a discussion about the TV shows that are keeping them sane, especially the increasingly-popular genre “competency porn.” They wrap up with a petty chat about Kyrsten Sinema’s affair lawsuit and the latest Beckham family drama.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Prosecutors Subpoena Minnesota Democrats as Part of Federal Inquiry (NYT 1/20)Some Minnesota students are missing school because they fear ICE (AXIOS 1/15)Following Renee Good’s killing, her son’s Minneapolis charter school receives right-wing attacks (Sahan Journal 1/15)‘No longer in my hands’: How Hill Republicans stopped caring about DOJ releasing the Epstein files (Politico 1/19)Amazon CEO says Trump tariffs are driving prices up (Axios 1/20)New York Times Trump Wealth ReportTV’s most satisfying escape right now is watching ‘competency porn’ (Washington Post 1/13)

Erin and Alyssa break down how misogyny, ICE, and Renee Good’s death are all inherently intertwined and why the Trump administration is targeting the Twin Cities. Then, Moms First founder Reshma Saujani joins for some good news: Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s historic plan for universal childcare in New York. They also discuss dark money in the political influencer economy, Bob Weir’s legacy, and Atsuko Okatsuka’s new comedy special.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow (NYT 1/12)Whistles, then gunfire: How the deadly ICE shooting unfolded in Minneapolis (CNN 1/10)Trump administration escalates attack on Minnesota with more immigration agents (The Guardian 1/12)Hochul and Mamdani Announce Plan to Make N.Y. Child Care Universal (NYT 1/8)Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals (AP 1/12)Washington’s New Lobbyists: Paid Online Influencers With Few Rules (WSJ 1/11)Bertha: Grateful Dead Drag

Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco dive into the latest Epstein files drop, what happens now that the Obamacare subsidies have expired, Bari Weiss’ new town hall series, and Trump’s crusade against federal childcare funding. Plus they recap the new Netflix show Members Only: Palm Springs and wrap up with Sani-Petty. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Show notes:https://apnews.com/article/affordable-care-act-health-subsidies-expire-35060610e82ca3257821c53f2a34ecf6https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/hhs-freezes-10-billion-child-care-funding-5/story?id=128945422https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minnesota-fraud-schemes-what-we-know/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://apnews.com/article/abortion-wyoming-ruling-legal-a8396f0ed4a3229eed5e9fea575be63ehttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-free-press-town-hall-series/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r38ne1x2mohttps://www.wired.com/story/epstein-files-whats-in-doj-release-december-19/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/doj-says-it-may-need-a-few-more-weeks-to-finish-release-of-epstein-files?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/4.8-Million-People-Will-Lose-Coverage-in-2026-If-Enhanced-Premium-Tax-Credits-Expire.pdfhttps://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/epstein-documents-redaction-process?Date=20251218&Profile=CNN&utm_content=1766090812&utm_medium=social&utm_source=blueskyhttps://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a69878730/members-only-netflix-palm-beach-local-reactions/ 

In this new series from Lovett or Leave It, Rachel Lindsay joins Jon Lovett to talk about what it’s like to go from being a lawyer, to Bachelor contestant, to the first Black woman to be the Bachelorette. Can you actually find love on these shows? Can you ever trust that it’s real? And what role to do fireball shots play in the process? Plus Rachel reflects on the moment she realized producers were preparing her to lead the franchise, even as they seemed to be worried about racial stereotypes in how she might be perceived by the audience. She talks about the perfect storm that led to Chris Harrison’s fateful interview on Extra which ultimately led to his ouster from the Bachelor world entirely. And Lovett does ask about the fantasy suites, but from a place of concern and confusion, mostly. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.To hear more episodes of Bravo, America!, subscribe to Lovett or Leave It wherever you get your podcasts, or on YouTube.

This week Erin and Alyssa update us on what some of the worst f*cking guys have been up to in 2025. From Elon Musk, JD Vance, Stephen Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene and more, find out who they think reigns as the worst f*cking guy of 2025.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Sources:https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/07/31/2025/the-217-billion-blunder-new-psi-report-reveals-billions-in-taxpayer-dollars-squandered-by-dogehttps://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06/https://web.archive.org/web/20250918205509/https://www.kskulk.com/antichrist/lecture-1/https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/06/02/stephen-miller-wife-musk/https://abcnews.go.com/US/speaker-mike-johnson-daughter-profiled-attending-purity-ball/story?id=105785626

Erin and Alyssa dish on the Vanity Fair profile on Trump’s inner circle, America’s embarrassing response to yet another wave of gun violence, and Erika Kirk’s media blitz. Then they break down all the ways Project 2025 has rolled back the rights of women and lgbtq people this year. They wrap up Solicited Advice, I Feel Petty, and a live reaction to the new Melania Trump documentary trailer.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Project 2025 Tracker: www.project2025.observerSusie Wiles Talks Epstein Files, Pete Hegseth’s War Tactics, Retribution, and More (Vanity Fair 12/16)What we know so far about the Brown University shooting (BBC 12/15)What we know about the Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting (BBC 12/15)CBS News faces questions after faith-forward town hall with Erika Kirk (Salon 12/14)Project 2026 Declares Open War on Women’s Rights (Ms. 12/13) 

Erin and Alyssa break down Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bullsh*t on 60 Minutes, Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center Honors, and Melania’s embarrassing attempt at a children’s storytime. Then comedian Kara Klenk joins for a petty discussion about Angel Trees and performative charity. They also dish some Solicited Advice on celebrating the holidays on a budget, dating in your 20s, and the very best vacuum.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Katie Miller’s Excuse for Free Military House Falls Apart in Damning Police Report (The Daily Beast 12/9)Takeaways from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ’60 Minutes’ interview Greene says Republicans in Congress make fun of Trump behind his back (The Hill 12/7)At the Kennedy Center Honors, Little Glitz and One Striking Accessory (NYT 12/8)TikTok made Angel Trees a trend. Now it’s making them a scapegoat (Salon 12/1)

In our 30th episode of This F*cking Guy, Erin and Alyssa dive deep into the past of the unqualified a** kisser, Kash Patel. From lying about being the lead prosecutor on the Benghazi case, to being a top contender for biggest Trump simp, to his totally normal, not suspicious, relationship with his twenty-something girlfriend, to his unbearable performative masculinity as FBI Director, this may be one of our corniest try-hard guys yet!View a complete list of sources hereFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, joins Hysteria to give some holiday and hosting advice, including potluck wisdom, host gift etiquette, and the best topics for dinner party discussion. Erin and Alyssa also get into some petty news stories, including Trump’s mystery MRI, Karoline Leavitt’s nasty Thanksgiving feast, and the University of Oklahoma student who flunked a paper after including questionable bible citations. They finished up with a discussion of Wicked: For Good, blind items, and Mormon Wife Whitney Leavitt’s upcoming Broadway debut. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Trump says he’ll release MRI results but doesn’t know what part of his body was scanned (AP News 12/1)OU student claims bad grade is an attack on her faith (Salon 11/30)Melania Trump Announces Muse Films Production Company (The Hollywood Reporter 11/28)

Erin and Alyssa are joined by their producer, Caroline Reston, for a Hysteria Thanksgiving special. They answer juicy questions from the conversation tin, dish out solicited advice on holiday woes, and do an extra petty edition of Sanity Corner. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Erin and Alyssa dive into the past of moronic conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones. From the conspiracy theory bible that inspired Infowars, to spreading 9/11 false flag propaganda that grew his following, to having vein-popping tantrums that would terrify most cardiologists, to owing the Sandy Hook families 1.4 billion dollars, this may be our most hysterical man-baby-guy yet!For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Sources:https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/alex-jones/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/meet-alex-jones-175845/https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2022/06/politics/alex-jones-infowars-fringe-to-frontline/chapter-01.htmlhttp://nbcnews.com/news/us-news/not-fake-news-infowars-alex-jones-performance-artist-n747491https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/04/28/alex-jones-infowars-loses-primary-custody-his-kids/101017394/https://pagesix.com/2025/03/27/celebrity-news/infowars-conspiracist-alex-jones-and-wife-erika-wulff-divorcing/https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/alex-jones/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/us/politics/alex-jones-jan-6-trump.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2022/01/25/politics/alex-jones-january-6-plead-fifthhttps://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/alex-jones-texts-highlight-infowars-overlap-proud-boys/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2013/11/alex-jones-americas-top-conspiracy-theorist.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/07/alex-jones-infowars-bankruptcyhttps://www.npr.org/2024/09/24/g-s1-24410/alex-jones-infowars-bankruptcy-sandy-hook-judgehttps://www.npr.org/2025/02/05/g-s1-46738/infowars-alex-jones-onion-bankruptcy-judge-sandy-hookhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/17/alex-jones-bankruptcy-casehttps://www.npr.org/2025/08/13/nx-s1-5501648/alex-jones-infowars-receiverhttps://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/alex-jones-bankruptcy-doesnt-shield-infowars-assets-judge-sayshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RYT6N4TVrshttps://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/alex-jones-infowars-store-165-million-1281059/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/charliewarzel/we-sent-alex-jones-infowars-supplements-to-a-lab-hereshttps://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2020/attorney-general-james-orders-alex-jones-stop-selling-fake-coronavirus-treatmentshttps://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/alex-jones-urged-rogan-host-pro-rape-extremist/

Erin and Alyssa give a big update on Epstein news, from Congress’s measure to compel the DOJ to release the files, Megyn Kelly’s disgusting (and confusing) pedophilia apologia, and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Makeover-Apology Tour. Then CNN’s Abby Phillip joins to discuss her new book A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power, and the state of the media landscape one year post-election. They wrap up with some Solicited Advice on dealing with conspiracy theorist boyfriends and the perfect nail color for an important job interview.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Epstein survivors make last-minute push to convince House Republicans to release files (CNN 11/16)Trump Lawyer, 87, Offers Creepy ‘Not a Pedophile’ Defense of Epstein (The Daily Beast 11/15)Marjorie Taylor Greene takes sharp jab at Trump after public fallout (The Hill 11/18)Met Museum unveils 2026 Met Gala theme: ‘Costume Art’ (CNN 11/17)'Teen Vogue' is moving under Vogue.com — and staffers are being laid off (NPR 11/4)

Progressives are way behind in building a media architecture that supports our movement. The good news is that we have an opportunity to experiment, innovate, and deliver products that cut through the noise and actually make a difference. Erin Ryan hosts Meredith Lynch, creator of The Moment, Tara McGowan, founder and publisher of COURIER Newsroom, Stephanie Valencia, co-founder of Equis and Latino Media Network, and Jessica Valenti, author of the hugely popular Abortion, Every Day newsletter.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. 

Live from Crooked Con, WA Rep. Pramila Jayapal joins Hysteria to share her wisdom on resistance and offer insight into how Democrats can become a “proposition party,” not just the opposition party. Then comedian Suzanne Lambert takes the stage to share some solicited advice on dating in D.C., dealing with conservative men, and workplace fashion. They wrap up with a petty discussion about Republican wigs and Nancy Mace’s latest meltdown.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The 2024 election closed the book on the old way of thinking about political geography. Famously blue areas moved right. So did famously red ones. We need a new strategy that works as well in supposedly safe states like New Jersey as it does in tossups like North Carolina and Wisconsin. Alyssa Mastromonaco hosts Rep. Sarah McBride (D–DE), Rep. Janelle Bynum (D–OR), Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party to talk about how we can fight our way back to power everywhere on the map.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

In our 28th episode of This F*cking Guy, Erin and Alyssa dive deep into the past of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. From stealing orphaned children’s dog, to becoming Trump’s lapdog, to her shady involvement with the Epstein files, to role-playing as Trump’s personal lawyer, this may be our most theatrical sycophant yet! View a complete list of sources hereFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Democrats won big in off-year elections across the country on Tuesday, and Erin and Alyssa give the rundown on all the victories that are giving us hope. They also round up the latest MAGA bullsh*t from Trump’s social security changes to Nancy Mace’s airport freakout. Then they provide some Solicited Advice on dealing with workplace bitterness and how to conquer your pushup goals. They wrap up in the sanity corner with a discussion of the Bruce Springsteen biopic and Jennifer Aniston’s new man.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Trump Administration to Send Only Partial Food Stamp Payments This Month (NYT 11/3)USDA Threatens Stores Giving Discounts to People on Food Stamps (The New Republic 11/3)Red State Workers Could Lose Out on Disability Benefits as Trump Administration Rewrites Eligibility Rules (Pro Publica 10/31)Why the Hell Did JD Vance and Erika Kirk Hug Like That? (The New Republic 10/31)Rep. Nancy Mace berated Charleston airport police due to missing escort, incident report says (CNN 11/1)Trump feels ‘very badly’ for British royal family after Prince Andrew was stripped of titles (The Guardian 11/3)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul joins to discuss the end of SNAP Benefits, ICE raids, and how NYC’s progressive swing affects the rest of the purple state. Astrologer Chani Nicholas also stops by to share insights on the stars, Scorpio season, and what to expect in the sky in 2026 (watch out for August!). Then Erin and Alyssa react to Cheryl Hines’ deeply strange appearance on charisma black hole Katie Miller’s podcast, spoiler alert: they reveal the details of RFK Jr.’s disgusting diet.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.US government says it will stop paying for food aid next week (BBC 10/26)Some new ICE recruits have shown up to training without full vetting (NBC News 10/22)SNAP’s Contingency Reserve Is Available for Regular SNAP Benefits, as USDA and OMB Have Ruled in Past (CBPP 10/27)