According to the centrist group Third Way, Democrats should scrub their vocabulary of 45 words and phrases spanning six pejoratively titled categories: therapy-speak, seminar-room language, organizer jargon, gender/orientation correctness, the shifting language of racial constructs, and explaining away crime. “Was it something I said?” Third Way asks of Democrats’ losing streak. No—winning is something you do.This week, Katelyn and Christine cancel "Centrist Language Nannies,” debunking Third Way and the rest of the pundit class’s overhyped language policing. Our hosts make the case for concrete policies that help people and—spoiler alert—win elections.Stream on our YouTube channel—remember to ring the bell! Listen via Apple or Spotify. Be sure to check out the merch store—Merch Me, Daddy!Links for Apple:Follow Katelyn on Bluesky: @katelynburns.comFollow Christine on Bluesky: @yourombudsmomThird Way (with our regrets for linking): Was It Something I Said?Adam Wren for Politico: The ‘woke’ words Democrats should cut from their vocabularyDr. Alan Pelaez Lopez: The X in Latinx is a Wound, Not a TrendNicole Froio for The Flytrap: Deny, Defend, Depose, Slay: How Luigi Mangione Became a Thirst TrapBuy Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger via The Flytrap’s Bookshop.org affiliate linkMerch Me, Daddy—Cancel Me, Daddy’s merch store!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Age verification laws are the latest front in the religious right's movement to censor your speech and limit your Internet access, including what information you can access. Whitewashed as interventions to "protect children," these conservative laws and their so-called content moderation actually make it more dangerous for kids, especially trans and queer kids cut off from digital lifelines. No one in Mississippi can access Bluesky, including critical local news alerts, thanks to the state's ban. You know who warned us this would happen, back when Visa and Mastercard first started refusing to process payments for what conservatives—not you—have deemed NSFW video games, the games you can no longer play? Sex workers.This week, Katelyn and Christine interview adult performer and content creator Siri Dahl, one of the first people to call out the Trump administration’s anti-pornography crackdown for what it is—an effort to suppress free speech for all. The Supreme Court’s June decision upholding age verification laws for porn—“corn”—websites arms Trump’s federal lackeys with your data and allows them to more broadly encroach on internet privacy. What is obscene? This government wants to decide and limit what information you can access, from gender-affirming info about trans identities and hormone therapy for trans and menopausal people to reproductive health issues about menstruation, contraception, and abortion. It is a fascinating conversation between intersectional feminists who recognize that sex work is another facet of bodily autonomy.Stream on our YouTube channel—remember to ring the bell! Listen via Apple or Spotify. Be sure to check out the merch store—Merch Me, Daddy!Links for Apple:Follow Siri Dahl via her website, www.siridahl.com, and Instagram @thesiridahlagainSiri’s SFW free speech explainer videoStream and support the Corn Telethon on September 4!Ashton Pitttman for the Mississippi Free Press: Editor’s Note | Bluesky Blocks Mississippi IPs, Citing State’s Age Verification Law, Free Speech and Privacy ConcernsJasmine Mithani for The 19th News: Supreme Court clears the way for increased age verification for porn sitesKarl Bode for Techdirt: Waypoint Writers Quit After Vice’s Chickenshit New Owners Delete Articles Critical Of Steam PoliciesJosh Taylor for The Guardian: Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.ioChristine Grimaldi for The Flytrap: The District of AbortionMartin Austermuhle for The 51st: What’s going on with the National Guard in D.C.?Merch Me, Daddy—order your “Mother” stickers in Cancel Me, Daddy’s merch store!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Excommunicated! Executed! Deposed! What did today’s equivalent of cancellation look like in Medieval Times? For Edward II, it was losing the throne. For Anne Boleyn, it was losing her head.Get your Justice for Anne Boleyn merch: https://www.cancelmedaddy.storeThis week, Katelyn and Christine time travel through cancel culture history with Dr. Eleanor Janega, co-host of the hit history podcast “Gone Medieval.” Need a good laugh? Despite the ruthless punishments, it’s a convo on the lighter side that skewers Braveheart propaganda to tell the real story of how “She-Wolf” Isabella of France and her latest lover, Roger Mortimer, deposed her husband, Edward II. Join Cancel Me, Daddy’s alliance with Eleanor of Aquitaine, whose beauty and brains led her two lesser husbands—King Louis VII of France and King Henry II of England—to contribute to her reputation as a “femme fatale.” Then there’s Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor who would rather “excommunicate and chill” than crusade and conquer. Make sure to check out Cancel Me, Daddy’s merch store for medieval swag—“Justice for Anne Boleyn!”Watch the full episode on Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channel. Ring the bell to be notified for our next episode! We’re offering channel memberships and doing a monthly livestream for channel members—join today!We’re connecting the dots from papal bulls to modern media pile-ons, asking: How did medieval rulers weaponize public opinion? What role did gender, gossip, and propaganda play? And why do these centuries-old scandals feel so familiar in today’s political circus?Dr. Janega brings the receipts, the context, and the dark humor. If you’re a history nerd, a politics nerd, or just love a bit of royal drama, this one’s for you.-Subscribe to the Gone Medieval podcast via History Hit, Apple, or Spotify -Follow Eleanor Janega on Bluesky: @goingmedieval-Buy Eleanor’s book, The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society, via The Flytrap Media’s Bookshop.org storefront -Check out Eleanor's Crusades project! https://americanprestige.supportingcast.fm/welcome-to-the-crusades-the-first-crusade-Merch Me, Daddy—order your Anne Boleyn crop tops and stickers in Cancel Me, Daddy’s merch store!👑 Perfect for fans of history with a progressive twist, and anyone wondering if we’ve really evolved at all. 👑#MedievalHistory #CancelCulture #Politics #HistoryPodcast #ProgressiveMedia #EleanorJanegaWhich historical figure do you think got the roughest deal? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’re ready for your hot takes!Links:-Merch Store: https://www.cancelmedaddy.store/-CMD Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cancelmedaddy-CMD TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cancelmedaddypod-CMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancelme_daddy/-CMD BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cancelmedaddy.bsky.social-Linktree: https://linktr.ee/CancelMe_DaddyCancellation List Patreon Supporters:-Megg-I Beauregard-Diego M Sanchez-Leslie Zavisca-Maggi Joseph-Siobhan GreenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Donald Trump is bungling the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in real time. The Trump-Epstein connection is the politics news of the month, with no end in sight to further developments about the extent of the so-called “Epstein files” that may or may not be in the administration’s possession. Trump’s MAGA base is openly angry at him for seemingly the first time over the course of two administrations. Some Republicans have demanded answers, even as GOP leaders have shut down the House to stop Democrats from pursuing the release of further information. Both parties are using the scandal to their advantage, to the detriment of Epstein’s real-life victims and survivors. This week, Katelyn and Christine interview independent journalist Ken Klippenstein about the Epstein discourse that split MAGA and might finally, finally stick to Teflon Don.Watch the full episode on Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channel.Links:Follow Ken Klippenstein on Bluesky @kenklippenstein.bsky.socialSubscribe to Ken’s newsletter: www.kenklippenstein.comNPR’s “Morning Edition”: A timeline of the controversy over the administration's handling of the Epstein filesMarianna Sotomayor and Kadia Goba for The Washington Post: House largely grinds to a halt over Epstein filesKatelyn Burns for Vox (2020): “At a news conference in 2019, [Trump] lied so often — about everything from Labor Secretary Alex Acosta’s involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case to whether Article II of the US Constitution gives him unlimited power — that Vox’s Aaron Rupar called it a “master class in gaslighting.”Landon Thomas Jr. for New York (2002): “I’ve known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy,” Trump booms from a speakerphone. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it — Jeffrey enjoys his social life.”In this episode, we cover:• The documented Trump-Epstein connection timeline• Political psychology of scandal immunity• How conservative media frames controversial stories• Progressive analysis of MAGA loyalty dynamicsThis isn't just another Trump scandal breakdown - it's a deep dive into American political tribalism and the media narratives that shape public opinion.💬 What do YOU think? Will this scandal move the needle, or is Trump's base truly scandal-proof?🔔 Subscribe for biweekly progressive political analysis that cuts through mainstream media spin👍 Like if you want more deep-dive political psychology content📢 Share with friends who need to hear perspectives the news cycle ignores---Cancel Me, Daddy explores the confluence of politics, social media culture, and traditional media by finding perspectives ignored by the news cycle. Thoughtful analysis & verbal shitposting from progressive hosts who aren't afraid to ask the hard questions.🎙️ Listen on all podcast platformsLinks:Merch Store: https://cancelmedaddy-shop.fourthwall.com/CMD Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cancelmedaddyCMD TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cancelmedaddypodCMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancelme_daddy/CMD BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cancelmedaddy.bsky.socialLinktree: https://linktr.ee/CancelMe_DaddySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this exclusive interview, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander reveals how he became the kingmaker behind Zohran Mamdani's shocking primary victory over Andrew Cuomo. While mainstream media missed the story, we dive deep into the political strategy that helped Mamdani defeat establishment candidates in the race for NYC mayor.Zohran Mamdani's upset victory on his way to possibly becoming the next New York City mayor may have come as a surprise to everyone except Brad Lander. Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman, and Lander, the city’s comptroller, cross-endorsed each other in NYC’s ranked-choice primary voting system for the Democratic mayoral nominee. Mamdani and Lander found common ground in their progressive values and their mutual commitment to defeating the status quo in disgraced former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, a billionaire-backed “Democrat” with multiple workplace s*xual harassment allegations in his rearview mirror. With Mamdani on his way to defeating scandal-plagued NYC Mayor Eric Adams and becoming the city’s first Muslim and South Asian and Ugandan mayor, Lander is contemplating his next move.This week, Katelyn and Christine spoke at length with Lander about how he helped Mamdani overcome the Cuomo machine, his controversial ICE arrest and how it changed the primary race, and the political and media discourse over antisemitism after Mamdani’s win. What is Lander’s next move? Katelyn asks!Brad Lander breaks down the progressive cross-endorsement strategy that centrist politicians like Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams never saw coming. From behind-the-scenes political maneuvering to the future of NYC, this conversation exposes what traditional media won't tell you about New York City politics.Key Topics Covered:-How Brad Lander's endorsement strategy changed the NYC mayor race-Zohran Mamdani's path from outsider to primary winner-The political calculations that shocked Andrew Cuomo supporters-The Media's reaction to Zohran Mamdani's win in the NYC mayor race and the weaponization of antisemitism-Brad Lander's vision for New York City's political future post-Eric AdamsLinks:Follow Brad Lander on Bluesky: @bradlander.bsky.social and Instagram: @brad.landerNo, it is not misspelled. It’s “Comptroller.”—New York’s neighbor at NJ.govGwynne Hogan, Ben Fractenberg, and Rachel Kahn for The City: Brad Lander Detained by Masked Federal Agents and Accused of Assault — But Released With No ChargesNew York State Attorney General Letitia James: Transcripts and Exhibits from Independent Investigation into Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Former Governor Andrew CuomoZohran Mamdani’s Queens assemblyman biographyMamdani, in his own words, on being called an antisemiteJustin Baragona for The Independent: Anti-woke activist applauds his ‘friends’ at the New York Times for Zohran Mamdani college application ‘scoop’Cancellation List Patreon Supporters:-Megg-I Beauregard-Diego M Sanchez-Leslie Zavisca-Maggi Joseph-Siobhan GreenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The New York Times’ "The Protocol" podcast was designed to cast doubt on the efficacy of gender-affirming care for youth. The podcast recycled previous NYT’s reporting that platformed dubious sources in the absence of a “smoking gun,” let alone any credible evidence. Yet, the Supreme Court would take the claims seriously, citing the Times in last week’s United States v. Skrmetti 6–3 decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on minors’ access to gender-affirming care—violating their civil and human rights.. “Letting the states decide,” as we’ve seen with post-Roe abortion access, endangers people’s quality of life and their very lives.This week, Katelyn and Christine have a robust discussion with mental health reporter Sandy Allen, a trans journalist who once worked with the host of “The Protocol.” Together, Katelyn, Christine, and Sandy debunk the Times’ reporting and expose numerous issues with the new anti-trans podcast in the context of the Supreme Court’s wreckage. Watch the full episode on Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channel!Links:Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channelFollow Sandy Allen (he/him) on Bluesky at @sandyernestallen.bsky.socialSubscribe to Sandy’s newsletter, What’s Helping Today, and order his excellent book, A Kind of Mirraculas Paradise: A True Story about SchizophreniaKatelyn Burns for MSNBC: Trans lives are on the line at the Supreme Court — and it’s hard to be optimisticEvan Urquhart for Assigned Media: “You Betrayed Us, Azeen”Evan Urquhart for The Objective: Mom of trans child accuses New York Times’ ‘The Protocol’ podcast of exploitationCancellation List Patreon Supporters:-Megg-I Beauregard-Diego M Sanchez-Leslie Zavisca-Maggi Joseph-Siobhan GreenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Comedian Josh Gondelman was surprised to learn that he’s married to famous singer-songwriter Fiona Apple. After all, he’d just celebrated his eighth wedding anniversary with his wife, author Maris Kreizman. But Google’s AI summary of Josh’s personal life essentially scraped his professional Internet presence and misinterpreted the “data” from an old standup bit and a 2020 tweet. With big tech companies pushing AI into seemingly everything these days, what lessons can we learn from this massive, yet very funny error? This week, Katelyn and Christine reunite! in! person! for a sit-down with Josh at Multitude Productions’ NYC recording studio. How can we protect our livelihoods and our lives from AI-ification? Katelyn, Christine, and Josh discuss how people like us can beat the machines.Watch the full episode on Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channel!Links:Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channelFollow Josh Gondelman on Bluesky and InstagramWatch Josh’s upcoming YouTube comedy special, Positive Reinforcement, dropping 6/27! Subscribe to Josh’s newsletter, That’s Marvelous!, and read the issue about his “marriage” to Fiona AppleGianmarco Soresi's Spongebob bit: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8V2nYBy5300Cancellation List Patreon Supporters:-Megg-I Beauregard-Diego M Sanchez-Leslie Zavisca-Maggi Joseph-Siobhan GreenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Progressives on the left and the more mainstream #resistance may disagree over policy. But there’s one practice upon which they agree: Democrats need to stop complying in advance and start fighting back against Trump 2.0. “Fighting back,” however, automatically assumes a reactionary approach, according to congressional hopeful Kat Abughazaleh. The former journalist and influencer is taking a proactive approach to her Illinois 9th congressional district primary campaign, filling her potential constituents’ basic material needs while working to earn their votes. “The only way to fight fascism is loudly, proudly, and every single day,” Abughazaleh says. No wonder she’s drawing comparisons to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).This week, Katelyn and Christine interview Abughazaleh about why she decided to run for Congress and how she’s building out a unique mutual aid-style campaign to help her connect with the voters in her district. Abughazaleh hopes to bring this style and substance to Washington, transforming how Democrats do politics. “You don't have to just do lip service. You don't just have to, promise a bunch of shit and then not deliver,” she says. “You could be helping people right now.” Watch the full discussion on Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channel!Links:Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channelKat's campaign launch videoLink to Kat video on right wingers being weird towards herJack Lucey for Chicago Contrarian: Chicago Social Media Influencer and Congressional Candidate Kat Abughazaleh Is a Social ContagionCancellation List Patreon Supporters:-Megg-I Beauregard-Diego M Sanchez-Leslie Zavisca-Maggi Joseph-Siobhan GreenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Internal conflict could oust two of the Democratic National Committee’s newest, youngest leaders with bold yet different visions for the future of the party. A procedural complaint will result in a revote for two vice chair positions currently filled by Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, the first openly LGBTQ elected official of color to serve in the commonwealth, and David Hogg, the prominent Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting survivor and activist. Hogg alleges the revote is retaliation for the separate $20 million initiative he’s leading to challenge incumbent Democrats in their “safe blue” primaries, according to Politico. Rep. Kenyatta alleges it isn’t true.This week, Katelyn and Christine demystify the Democrats’ internal machinations with Rep. Kenyatta. If reelected, Rep. Kenyatta says he wants to win back Democratic voters without sacrificing abortion rights, trans folks, and disabled people, as other elected Democrats have been willing to do in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. Rep. Kenyatta outlines his vision for the party: “Make Life Better.” Links:Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channelFollow Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta on Bluesky at @malcolmkenyatta.bsky.social and Instagram at @malcolmkenyattaAndrew Howard with Elena Schneider for Politico: DNC panel opens the door to removing David Hogg from his national postChristoper Wiggins for Advocate.com: Malcolm Kenyatta says David Hogg is distorting the truth as DNC moves toward new leadershipRep. Kenyatta’s appearance on Fox News (we can’t believe we’re linking to Fox, either) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Conclave Me, Daddy! Katelyn and Christine’s long-anticipated “cradle Catholic” episode arrives as the church’s cardinals gather at the Vatican to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis in April. Come for the “cardinal stacking,” stay for the cosplaying on Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channel, where you can stream the full episode.This week, Katelyn and Christine put the “Spotlight” on the “Conclave” with an expansive conversation about the past, present, and future of the Catholic Church in their lives and as an influence on policy and politics around the world. Was Pope Francis really the “woke pope” that the media made him out to be? Reinforcing and reaffirming anti-trans bigotry and abortion stigma are as much a part of his legacy as his climate change, migrant, and Gaza ceasefire advocacy, according to Katelyn and Christine. Pope Francis didn’t take substantive action to address the Church’s rampant child sexual abuse, either. How much influence can the head of an institution have on the institution? But it is never all serious on the pod. Katelyn and Christine pick their favorite pope memes and least favorite adult converts, both of which include J.D. Vance. And Katelyn and Christine compare their New England Irish Catholic and New Jersey Italian Catholic childhoods (guess whose?). By the end of the episode, one will be elected the “woke people” (guess who?).Links:Cancel Me, Daddy’s YouTube channelKatelyn Burns for MSNBC: I sometimes miss my Catholic faith. The Vatican’s new decree reminds me why I’ll never go back.Christine Grimaldi for GEN magazine (RIP): Meet the Conservative Power Couple Behind Trump’s War on Your Civil RightsMatt Novak for Gizmodo: The Funniest Memes About JD Vance Killing the PopeJude Ellison S. Doyle for Medium: What We Talk About When We Talk About Elizabeth BruenigQueer “Conclave” reviews (spoiler alert): J.P. Brammer for ¡Hola Papi!: PopeCrave and Samantha Allen and James Factora for them: We Need to Talk About the [Redacted] Twist in Conclave Anas Baba and Jane Arraf for NPR: Gaza's Catholics mourn Pope Francis. 'He used to call us at 7 p.m. every night'See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Vivian Jenna Wilson first made headlines in 2024 as Elon Musk’s estranged “transgender daughter,” a reductive framework that much of the mainstream media continues to use for clicks. Wilson is newsworthy for all of who she is: an outspoken critic of Musk, an advocate for trans rights, a college student, an aspiring model, a gamer, and a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” superfan. Don’t come for her on Bluesky if you can’t handle a clap back. This is the Vivian Jenna Wilson that Teen Vogue introduced to the world in the magazine’s March 2024 cover story.This week, Katelyn and Christine chat with Teen Vogue editor Lex McMenamin about the making of the cover story. Teen Vogue often sets the bar for political coverage that doesn’t play both sides when one side is full of—you know. *side-eye emoji* Katelyn, Christine, and Lex demystify and define journalism standards amid a larger discussion of how to improve trans media coverage under Trump 2.0. Links:Ella Yurman for Teen Vogue: Vivian Jenna Wilson on Being Elon Musk’s Estranged Daughter, Protecting Trans Youth and Taking on the Right OnlineFollow Lex McMenamin (they/them) on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/leximcmenamin.comFollow Ella Yurman on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ellayurman.bsky.socialFollow Vivian Jenna Wilson on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thevivllainous.bsky.socialDavid Ingram for NBC News: Elon Musk's transgender daughter, in first interview, says he berated her for being queer as a childSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former NFL player and Barstool Sports alum Pat McAfee didn’t have to name the Ole Miss freshman at the center of ongoing online and IRL harassment on the February 26 episode of his popular ESPN show. Following the Barstool playbook, he gave just enough information about the false internet rumor for his millions of viewers and subscribers to further slut-shame the teen, turning her life into a living hell. She already wasn’t safe on campus, and her mother’s house was swatted the morning after McAfee’s remarks, which he made on an episode that was supposed to be discussing the NFL’s annual college scouting showcase. This week, Katelyn and Christine chat with award-winning independent journalist Frankie de la Cretaz about the disturbing story—a cautionary tale that could put any one of us in danger. We also encourage you to listen to our recent episode about online harassment that can quickly move offline, and learn how we can protect ourselves and each other. Links:- Subscribe to Frankie de la Cretaz’s newsletter, Out of Your League- Follow Frankie on Bluesky and Instagram- Listen to our recent episode about online harassment with Tat Bellamy-Walker, PEN America’s digital safety officer See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
California governor Gavin Newsom apparently thinks that he can be the Joe Rogan of the left, and he's out with a puzzling new podcast in an attempt to prove it. Except his idea is to apparently do softball interviews with some of the most grotesque voices on the right. In his first episode he ends up agreeing with professional bigot and right wing activist Charlie Kirk's extreme views on trans issues.Katelyn and Christine question who this podcast is supposed to be for, and why the Dems are feeling so inept lately (and an extended riff about Chuck Schumer).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Why should you care about private equity? It is affecting all of us in the U.S., even if we don’t realize it. Private equity money promises to invest in a growing list of our workplaces, often to sell them off for parts. Journalist Megan Greenwell knows this experience all too well as the former editor-in-chief of Deadspin, the acclaimed sports website that experienced private equity’s familiar slash-and-burn cycle. And the cycle doesn’t stop with our livelihoods, Greenwell writes in her forthcoming book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream. Our lives—our hospitals, our housing, our food, and our water—are increasingly under the control of private equity. This week, Greenwell joins Katelyn and Christine to define the problem that spans presidencies and propose solutions that will outlast the ever-tightening broligarchy. Citations:Follow Megan on Bluesky @greenwell.bsky.socialPreorder Megan’s book, Bad Company, via The Flytrap’s Bookshop.org affiliate link or your local independent bookstoreMegan Greenwell for Deadspin (RIP), “The Adults in the Room”Anna Merlan for Mother Jones, “How Elon Musk and His DOGE Goons Are Following the Private Equity Playbook,” Q&A with MeganSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
From Mark Zuckerberg at the inauguration to Elon Musk in the oval office, the tech broligarchy is upon us, shaping policy to erase trans people, Black people, and “childless cat ladies” from the Internet and ultimately from public life. “Cis” has been a slur on Twitter since 2023. More recently, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, put an end to third party fact-checking, reduced automated content moderation, and loosened hateful conduct standards. Guest Tat Bellamy-Walker joins Katelyn and Christine on this week’s episode to identify and clarify Meta’s three-pronged attack. Bellamy-Walker, a longtime journalist turned program manager of digital safety training and resources (media) at PEN America, provides us—and listeners—with tangible steps to protect ourselves and each other online. Listen and learn about digital hygiene, counter speech, resources, and more. 2FA all the way!Citations: Follow Tat Bellamy-Walker on Twitter: @bell_tatiPEN America’s Online Harassment Field ManualExtensive safety resources geared toward women and nonbinary journalists at the International Women’s Media FoundationDonate to the Black Journalists Therapy Relief FundDelete Me and other subscription services to scrub your personal data from the InternetDonate to the Trans Journalists AssociationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Comedian Gianmarco Soresi is a rising comedy star with nearly 950,000 subscribers on YouTube alone. You have likely come across one of Soresi’s sets if you’ve been scrolling through social media as a brief escape from our current reality. *stares directly into camera* But this self-described “matza pizza” skewers rather than ignores our current reality, bringing his full self—Jewish, Italian, leftist—into his routines and crowd work that address the war in Gaza, transgender rights, and other quote-unquote issues that leave other comedians crying “cancel culture.”This week, Katelyn and Christine conduct a wide-ranging interview with Soresi about politics, comedy, art, media, and, of course, cancel culture. When comedians like Dave Chappelle say they can’t try out new material or blame marginalized groups for hemming them in, the joke’s on them. Trust us—listening to this episode is a must. And Soresi’s a comedian to watch.Citations: Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram: @gianmarcosoresi and YouTube: @GianmarcoSoresi Listen and subscribe to The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi via Apple Podcasts and Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
January 6, 2025 marked two grim occasions: the four year anniversary of Donald Trump inciting his followers to take over the U.S. Capitol and the present-day Congress certifying Trump’s 2.0’s presidential election victory.This week, Katelyn, Christine, and special guest Meredith Shiner compare and contrast their experiences as congressional reporters on Capitol Hill. Meredith, a communications consultant and journalist, is the preeminent critic of the insurrection that aired live and what she calls the “polite coup”—the 147 Republicans who voted to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory. Biden and the Democrats abdication of their responsibility to any timely or enduring accountability and the mainstream media’s passivity, exacerbated by consolidation under their billionaire owners, are recurring topics. But the discussion does not get mired in cynicism. This episode’s energy is what we all must hold on to heading into next week’s second Trump inauguration, and whatever comes after.Links: Follow Meredith Shiner on Bluesky Meredith Shiner for The New Republic: The Capitol Riot Killed “Both Sides” Journalism Katelyn Burns for Rewire News Group: Lawmakers Who Survived Sexual Assault Demand Halt to Kavanaugh Hearings Follow HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery—a great Washingtion reporter—on Bluesky Alexander Mallin for ABC News: Where the Jan. 6 Capitol attack investigation stands, by the numbers: DOJ Chris Canipe and Jason Lange for Reuters: The Republicans who voted to overturn the election Ben Jacobs for The Guardian: 'This needs to stop': Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs' statement to court Claire Wang for NBC News: Behind the viral photo of Rep. Andy Kim cleaning up at midnight after riots Hyunsu Yim and Ju-min Park for Reuters: South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe Greg Owen for LGBTQ Nation: Trans & wildly popular “Oprah of China” suddenly blackballed by Chinese government Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
“Imagine if a document saying all the things that he wants ends up in the wrong hands,” Melissa Nathan—the crisis public relations expert who preserved alleged domestic abuser Johnny Depp’s public image—texted behind the scenes of her latest smear-campaign-for-hire. The New York Times called Nathan’s bluff. publishing the extent of her actor-director client Justin Baldoni’s alleged retaliatory social media operation to turn public sentiment against actress Blake Lively, the target of his alleged workplace sexual harassment on their film “It Ends with Us.”This week, Katelyn and Christine discuss the coordinated campaign against Lively, perpetrated by our old enemies behind the Amber Heard defamation allegation. We highly recommend you check out the links in the show notes for the context that Cancel Me, Daddy has been providing since its beginnings with Oliver and Katelyn! Revisit the 2022 “Depp-ception” episode with guest and “Cancel Gunkle” Michael Hobbes, who returned in 2023 to cancel The New York Times over spurious and harmful reporting about trans kids. We’re still side-eyeing the paper and the byline.Links: Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for The New York Times: ‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine Cancel Me, Daddy, 05/26/2022: Deep Depp-ception (ft. Michael Hobbes) Cancel Me, Daddy, 06/09/2022: Fallout Of A Verdict (ft. Moira Donegan) Transgender Map by Andrea James: Megan Twohey vs. transgender people Cancel Me, Daddy, 01/26/2023: We're Back to Cancel the New York Times (ft. Michael Hobbes) Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein: Slain Healthcare CEO’s Life Airbrushed by Media Andrew Beaujon for Washingtonian: Felicia Sonmez’s Dismissal by the Washington Post Will Go Before the NLRB Porpentine for The New Inquiry: Hot Allostatic Load Emily St. James for Vox: How Twitter can ruin a life It’s Been a Minute, 06/16/2023: Are children a marginalized group? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The health insurer horror stories haven’t stopped coming in the two weeks since UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed by alleged murderer-turned-folk hero Luigi Mangione. And the ruling class is not having it! Elected officials, corporate CEOs, and the mainstream media with the power to change or buck the system are hell bent on protecting it, at the expense of many more lives.This week, Katelyn and Christine discuss the sudden, ongoing suppression of free speech, sharing each of their experiences with health insurance, censorship be damned. Their conversation spans UHC’s denials and demands for Christine’s mental health records in 2024 to Kate’s gender-affirming surgeries, which she crammed into one year to meet her deductible under one of the various insurance plans that Americans will have in their lifetime. Thirsty Internet assassin boyfriend memes, of course, rise to the top. And Kate asks Christine to name the greater Italian American—Christopher Columbus, or Luigi Mangione? Tune in for her answer!Links: Katelyn Burns: “Among Us” skeet via Bluesky Annie Waldman for ProPublica: How UnitedHealth’s Playbook for Limiting Mental Health Coverage Puts Countless Americans’ Treatment at Risk Jeanne Pinder for Clear Health Costs: UnitedHealthcare delays mental health payments, causing outrage Independent journalist Marisa Kabas’ Mangione family Bluesky skeet censored Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein: New Crisis Hotline for CEOs? Taylor Ardrey for USA Today: 'Delay, Deny, Depose': Florida woman arrested, accused of threatening insurance company Reductress: Luigi Mangione meme Samantha Irby: Luigi Mangione meme via Instagram r/WhitePeopleTwitter (and Bluesky): Luigi Mangione versus Kyle Rittenhouse meme Your Ombudsmon's Corner: Marisa Kabas skeet critiquing Semafor Editor in Chief Ben Smith defending Bluesky’s apparent welcome to transphobes and trolls Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Last month’s Loser Election prompted an X-odus from Elon Musk’s crumbling app to Bluesky, which grew by 1 million users per day toward the end of November. Despite the grim news cycles, Bluesky is far from all doom and gloom. It is, in fact, putting the social back in social networking.This week, Katelyn and Christine chat with Faine Greenwood, who created the “Alf hog” meme that caught the attention of everyone from AOC to Jeri Ryan to Jake Tapper in the early days of Bluesky. Katelyn, Christine, and Faine have fun with verbal shitposting and Internet shitposting and give credit to the nascent trans accounts that helped shape Bluesky, which they hope will remain a safe and fun space amid an influx of anti-trans and anti-abortion trolls.In Flytrap news: Subscribe to read Christine’s first essay about her colonoscopy for Christ, “The Red Mass Went Up My Ass,” edited by the inimitable Katelyn herself!Links: Faine Greenwood on Bluesky: @faineg.bsky.social Follow Katelyn at @katelynburns.com and Christine at @yourombudsmom.bsky.social on Bluesky! Gael Cooper for CNET: Bluesky Climbs to 22 Million Users, and Luke Skywalker Is One: Should You Join? Faine Greenwood: The Great Bluesky Migration: I Answer (Some) Of Your Questions Memes, Memes Everywhere: Tom Bombadil with boobs, and https://lychgate.tumblr.com/post/699130356376403968/i-have-painted-the-fellowship-of-the-big-naturals and https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/gandalf-big-naturals Gita Jackson for The Aftermath: For The Love of God, Make Your Own Website Elon Green for The Awl: Topless Geraldo Furry art by Biohazard Bluesky’s trans origins—some trans people are now leaving due to harassment Simon’s Rock closing Support Cancel Me, Daddy by supporting our Patreon and subscribing to our worker-owned feminist media collective, The Flytrap!Cancel Me, Daddy is a Flytrap Media production. Edited by Maria Paleologos. Graphics by Eden M-W, music by D Peterschmidt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.