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Salon.com's Amanda Marcotte brings her sharp perspective on politics and culture by calling out political BS and cultural hypocrisy. From the MAGA movement's latest power grabs to the online trends that shape our political reality, Amanda examines these moments with a critical eye and just enough dark humor to keep you from completely losing hope. Each episode includes Amanda's unique take, a guest segment in the corner booth with political experts and journalists, and an on-topic music recommendation from Amanda, whose weekend gig is DJing.
If you've ever found yourself yelling at the TV during political analysis or rolling your eyes at "both sides" journalism, "Standing Room Only" is for you! New podcast episodes drop on Fridays. Join us on YouTube @SalonTV to get "Standing Room Only" live on Thursdays at 5 p.m. Eastern. http://www.youtube.com/SalonTV
Subscribe for a dose of clear-eyed commentary that doesn't insult your intelligence.
If you've ever found yourself yelling at the TV during political analysis or rolling your eyes at "both sides" journalism, "Standing Room Only" is for you! New podcast episodes drop on Fridays. Join us on YouTube @SalonTV to get "Standing Room Only" live on Thursdays at 5 p.m. Eastern. http://www.youtube.com/SalonTV
Subscribe for a dose of clear-eyed commentary that doesn't insult your intelligence.
27 Episodes
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Fox News is once again trying to make its annual war on Christmas happen. Surprising? Of course not. Hilarious? Always. In this episode, Amanda and Melanie McFarland, award-winning senior culture critic at Salon, break down some of their most painfully corny holiday segments—packed with forced cheer, smarmy Christian proselytizing and a sudden pivot into full-blown rage bait. Follow Melanie on Bluesky: @McTelevision Learn more about Scott Shoemaker's War on Christmas: https://theatreoffjackson.org
JD and Usha Vance can't escape the divorce rumors and JD certainly isn't helping. Amanda unpacks the couple's catastrophic public relations strategy, JD's latest "jokes" that land as demeaning moments for his wife, and what all of it reveals about gender dynamics in conservative movements, MAGA gender politics and the role political spouses are expected to play within Christian, right-wing family values narratives. Moira Donegan, Guardian US columnist and co-host of the podcast In Bed with the Right, is the guest.
Allie Beth Stuckey, the far-right commentator and host of Relatable, is weaponizing her gender to sell the twisted idea that we need less empathy in the world—not more. In this video, Amanda explains why her philosophy is actually about power and control. The guest this episode is Tim Whitaker, founder of The New Evangelicals media, who recently debated Allie Beth on Jubilee about the Bible.
The Whatever Podcast—also known as "Dating Talk"—isn't just edgy entertainment for young men. It's a pipeline into misogyny. In this episode, we examine how host Brian Atlas stages confrontational "debates" with women to push anti-feminist narratives disguised as discussion. Progressive streamer Erin (Straighterade) joins to share what really happens on set, how conflict gets manufactured and what went down when she debated Charlie Kirk on the show. Together, we break down how red-pill media turns gender resentment into profit and why young men and parents should pay attention. Full story at Salon.com.
An on-stage hug between the vice president and Charlie Kirk's widow sparked wild rumors about their relationship. But the real story isn't an affair, instead it's an image problem for the GOP. JD Vance's marriage to Usha Vance increasingly clashes with the ideals he's selling, built on white supremacy and rigid gender roles. In this episode, Amanda explains why that's becoming a serious liability for the Republican Party and what it reveals about the hypocrisy of MAGA politics and toxic masculinity. The guest this episode is Soraya Chemaly, author of "All We Want Is Everything: How We Dismantle Male Supremacy Hardcover." She warns that Vance's embrace of male supremacy has reached a troubling level.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani beat incredible odds to win in New York City. His campaign rejected old guard, establishment Democrats and leaned heavily into volunteers and a clear vision. In this episode, Amanda talks about why it worked and show how Mamdani is one of many young people helping usher in a new generation of courageous Democratic leadership. The guest is Amanda Litman, president and co-founder of Run for Something, an organization that recruits and supports young leaders to run for office around the United States.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is going to great lengths to exploit the government shutdown in order to hide the Jeffrey Epstein files. Amanda explains why this move is all about silencing victims, defending alleged abusers, and worse of all, protecting President Donald Trump. Trump was already found to have sexually abused journalist E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room by a civil jury in New York. Carroll joins the show to talk about the aftermath of beating Trump in court, Epstein's victims and her book "Not My Type." A documentary film about Carroll, "Ask E. Jean" is currently playing around the country at film festivals: https://askejeanfilm.com/all-events
Pam Bondi's Senate Judiciary Committee appearance revealed just how far the attorney general will go to protect Donald Trump. Channeling the manipulative energy of Mean Girls movie villain Regina George, Bondi has turned cruelty, nasty insults and tantrums into a political strategy. Amanda explains why Trump can't quit this sneering mean girl, no matter how much other Republicans want her gone. This week's guest is Angie "Pumps" Sullivan from the I've Had It podcast. She shares why Bondi's incompetent cover-ups for Trump can only last so long.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has set herself apart from the GOP as an anti-Republican Republican, but her rebellion might finally be catching up to her. As she distances herself from Trump and GOP leadership, Amanda digs into the one big reason why her outsider strategy will actually get her nowhere in Washington. Laura Bassett, journalist and writer of Nightcap on Substack and former editor in chief of Jezebel, joins the show to talk about what Greene's political isolation says about women in right-wing politics and why her brand of anti-establishment will implode sooner than later.
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, is now the CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). But can she ever replace the role Charlie played in his "debates" with college students? In this video, Amanda digs into the myth of those debates and why Erika's record exposes a deep hypocrisy. Drew McCoy of Genetically Modified Skeptic joins the conversation to explain why Charlie Kirk's debate performances were mere theater and why actual human-to-human discourse is more meaningful than these political stunts.
Karoline Leavitt is known for wearing her bold, oversized cross necklaces to the White House press briefings, but what do they really say about faith in politics? Author and SiriusXM radio host John Fugelsang joins Amanda to talk about the hypocrisy behind Karoline Leavitt's statement jewelry. John's new book, "Separation of Church and Hate," is available now.
Some right-wing commentators are saying Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce means she's turning into a tradwife... wrong! Amanda breaks down why Taylor's love life isn't a conservative turn at all, why her relationship represents a fantasy for single women and how pundits are twisting this to support their anti-feminist talking points. Author Lyz Lenz also joins the conversation.
Katie Miller launched The Katie Miller Podcast to bring honest conversations to conservative moms. Turns out, it's all fluff talk with guests like Mike Tyson and JD Vance. Katie's husband Stephen Miller built his political career by throwing tantrums on cable news and her ex-bosses have included Elon Musk, Mike Pence and Donald Trump. This show may seem like a cute distraction, but the point of it is far deeper. Journalist Tess Owen joins the conversation this episode.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health and human services secretary, has twisted, harmful ideas about health. From restricting access to vaccines to restoring the often-humiliating presidential fitness test for kids, Amanda explains what's really driving RFK Jr. and the MAHA moms who support his every move. This week's guest is "How To Be Well" author and journalist Amy Larocca, who explains how the multibillion-dollar wellness industry has shaped thinking about health and bolstered the type of pseudoscience that MAHA moms and RFK Jr. cling to.
Donald Trump supporters won't stop calling the president "Daddy." In this episode, Amanda explains what's behind the obsession and where Melania comes in as "Mommy." Guest Lux Alptraum, author of "Faking It," helps unpack this strange fixation.
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha seem very unhappy together in their public appearances. Usha looks miserable and talks about wanting to return to her career and home, while JD runs her down, uses her as a prop, and discusses marriage and parenthood like they're requirements that must be endured. Joining me this week to discuss the politics of divorce, the second family's interracial marriage and what Usha should do next is Scaachi Koul, a senior writer for Slate and author of "Sucker Punch."
Right-wing media personality Charlie Kirk is turning to religion to level up his racism. The Turning Point USA founder used to call himself "secular," but now he's a radical right-wing Christian arguing against the First Amendment and trying to reach young adults. Amanda's guest this week is Randall Balmer, Dartmouth historian and author of "America's Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State." He explains what Kirk gets wrong about America and religion.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is a proven political brawler, willing to go toe-to-toe with President Trump, VP JD Vance and even the creepiest figures of the MAGA movement. His social media strategy and theatrics on camera are undeniably effective and Democrats should take notes. Amanda discusses with her guest this week, Salon senior writer Sophia Tesfaye.
Conservative pundits are mad about the new"Superman" movie. They've called the blockbuster "Superwoke" for emphasizing Superman's immigrant roots and complained about Gunn's directorial message of kindness and morality. Amanda explains what their anger really reveals about their deep anxieties around masculinity and race. Also, they completely miss the point of what Superman has stood for forever! This week's guest is Salon senior culture writer Coleman Spilde.
In celebration of Standing Room Only's 10th Episode, Amanda gives her take on your best comments, including your reactions to the Mar-A-Lago Face episode.
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