This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.com

Eric Swalwell did not have a good week. Actually, last week was very bad, when articles hit CNN and The San Francisco Chronicle within hours of each other, a one-two punch alleging a series of unsavory acts, including sexual assault. Then earlier this week, another woman accused him of drugging, choking, and raping her. She’s filed a criminal complaint.

Swalwell has ended his run for governor, resigned from Congress and possibly public life. But what went on back there? The downfall was so fast, it’s worth slowing down the tape, especially if (like Sarah) last week happens to be when you learned a person named Eric Swalwell existed.

Nancy and Sarah’s conversation includes a discussion of drinking and consent, what we know (and don’t know) about roofies, and the strange impulse to return to a bad sexual situation and try to wrest back control.

Also discussed:

* Ft. Worth is the Brooklyn of Dallas

* Nancy confuses what she heard on The Fifth Column with real life

* If Katie Porter is the best California can do …

* PSA: Don’t fuck the interns

* “sexual revictimization cycle”

* Nancy offers a translation: If he has not seen you in five years and says he cannot stop thinking about you, he wants in your pants

* “Will you help me out?” 🤮

* A NYT story on fertility and aging … leaves out some details

* Why are younger women dating older men?

* Nobody likes the acronym MILK

Plus, 38-year-olds should not be on Snapchat, Michael Tracey has a point, a rare sports Hot Box, and much more!

Get the full story. Become a paid subscriber.

Swalwell’s downfall makes way for…