Angst & Daisies

Rant on a Roll

This is a pure Rant Episode because sometimes you just get fed up! From the neverending presence of Donald Trump in our lives to the neverending support, the Republican Party has actions that are destroying our country nothing is off the table. Buckle up it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson.

EP 81 - "Thanks For Popping My Balloon!"

Steve and Caroline talk about the NYC mayoral race and ranked choice voting and Caroline takes the pulpit to rant about how misinformation has contributed to a lower vaccination rate. Finally, we chat with Nathan Schneider, a journalist, author and professor of media studies at University of Colorado - Boulder, where he focuses on building democratic ownership and governance over online platforms. An interesting discussion about the dangers of misinformation, building successful co-operative models, and how we can apply protocols from past/ancient systems of governance to build a better online community.

You can find Nathan's book, Everything for Everyone: The Radical Tradition That Is Shaping the Next Economy at bookshop.org - a terrific online bookseller that supports local bookstores.

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson.

The Absence of Shame

Special episode dropping this week - While Caroline wraps up shooting on Mrs. Maisel, Steve sat down with David Bender, Political Director for the Progressive Voices Network and one of the legendary people behind the late, great Air America Radio. David lends his insight into the existential threats facing the United States, the need to rebuild a common language between political parties, and why the federal government looks like nothing he's encountered in his 50+ years as a progressive activist and political journalist. Plus, he shares a story of covering the late 60's campaign trail as a high school reporter alongside Walter Cronkite!

Hosted by Steve Saporito and Caroline Aaron. Produced by Eric Anderson.

Vax in the Saddle Again

Caroline and Steve head outside for their first in-person interviews in 16 months! First up, a trip to the Bronx Music Heritage Center to talk with Co-Artistic Director Elena Martinez about the rich musical legacy of the Bronx, how the arts recover from COVID, and what their new facility brings to the community. Then, Caroline and Steve visit their good friend, Emmy-winner Margo Martindale for a late-night chatfest that covered everything from quarantine drinking to Zoom movies to alien abductions!

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson

Even Rand Paul's Neighbor Hates Him...

Caroline is off shooting this week, so Steve and Producer Eric got together for a mini-sode to talk about the Liz Cheney of it all, whether honest Republicans can actually still be a part of a GOP party that embraces "the Big Lie", and whether Gavin Newsom can fend off a recall now that California is nearing herd immunity for COVID.

We still have a fight on our hands for voter equality. Contact your representatives to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the end of the Senate Filibuster!

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson

The Consequence of the Circumstance

Special Sunday Pod - In a raw, unfiltered chat after watching the Derek Chauvin trial, Caroline and Steve explore what level of consequence is needed to force law enforcement to address the rampant racism, fear, harassment, and violence they are perpetuating in communities of color. It is incumbent on elected officials to take the bold action to repudiate the abuse of power normalized after four years of the former guy. Until then, join us in speaking out for those who no longer can: Tamir Rice, George Floyd, Adam Toledo, Elijah McClain, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor... Say their names. Know their stories. Demand more from your local officials.

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson.

Bipartisan Book Club

After technical snafus and scheduling delays, we're finally able to present the first Bipartisan Book Club - a series of episodes we'll present throughout the year, where we explore literature from both sides of the political spectrum and debate the issues with our resident Zoomer Sydney Foreman and our good friend Dave the Republican. For the inaugural episode, we read Ta-nehisi Coates "Between the World and Me", a powerful account of the Black experience, as told from a father to their son.

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson

"Casting a Benjamin Franklin Shadow..."

We're back, we're vaccinated and we had the wonderful opportunity to come together safely to record a mini-sode while Caroline is on break from shooting Mrs. Maisel. Steve and Caroline debate who is driving the latest "cancel culture" phenomenon, and the difference between willful ignorance and a need to learn/grow. Plus, Caroline stole Steve's nesting tables.

TW: Certain words of an offensive nature were used in the context of a personal experience shared by Caroline. The hosts do not condone the use of these words in daily conversation and stand against hate or bigotry exhibited towards any individual due to their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or religious preference.

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito
Produced by Eric Anderson
Find Us on Social: Twitter & Instagram: @AngstandDaisies Facebook: Angst and Daisies Podcast

Like most of us, Caroline is in need of some political therapy. Fresh off the set of Mrs. Maisel, she takes a seat on Steve's virtual couch to vent about the impeachment and why the mainstream media continues to give credibility to the GOP's lies and obstruction. How do we shape the narrative in a positive direction when the country is becoming more and more polarized? Steve guides Caroline back to her place of zen, as they talk about the opportunity Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Elizabeth Warren have to influence President Biden down the path of progress, and prescribes a reduced-corporate media diet with added viewing of Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now" to boost motivation and awareness.

Enjoy this mini-sode. Our dynamic duo will be back for another brief catch up next week, followed by the premiere of our Bipartisan Book Club discussion of Ta-henisi Coates' Between the World and Me.

Steve's recommended viewing: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Listen on NPR or at democracynow.org

Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito. Produced by Eric Anderson.

Truth or Consequences, Because Apparently You Can't Have Both

This week's episode is all about truth and consequences. First, Caroline speaks poignantly about the responsibility she has to continue practicing proper COVID safety as Mrs. Maisel returns to film their next season. Then, the truth finally sunk in that he was no longer Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell had to relinquish control of the Senate; while over in the house, the QAnon lady thumbed her nose at those holding her accountable for her lies. Next, we look at some of the more questionable Presidential pardons throughout history. And finally, Dominion and Smartmatic are gearing up for the lawsuit of the decade, as they take on Fox News, Sidney Powell, Rudy Guiliani and all the other Trump loyalists who damaged their brand beyond repair. All that, plus Producer Eric chimes in about Adam Schiff, Gavin Newsom and the latest in California politics.

Our Bipartisan Book Club begins in three weeks as we take a deep dive into Ta-henisi Coates' Between the World and Me. Want to participate? We'll be posting our discussion guide next week, and you can submit additional comments or questions about the book to [email protected] by February 20 to be read on air during this special episode!

Stay safe and take time to breathe.


Hosted by Caroline Aaron and Steve Saporito
Produced by Eric Anderson
Find Us on Social: Twitter & Instagram: @AngstandDaisies Facebook: Angst and Daisies Podcast