Angst & Daisies

"You're killing my chance to be the Richard Simmons of politics….."


Steve tries to get Caroline off the couch but the news is so fast and furious that Caroline cannot go out and resist until she gets some answers about the state of current affairs. So Steve agrees to catch her up on the events of the past week exacting a promise from her that she will rally for next week. Caroline shows she never saw Schoolhouse Rock so they talk about “how a bill becomes a law,” so “is it normal to lock yourself to in a room and only speak to the other people in that room?” and it goes all over the place from there. In the end all politics is local and Caroline’s promised to learn all her elected representatives by next week when they'll get off the couch and take a look at race in America, well in New Jersey anyway…..

Caroline gets the Full Emersion with Sister Susan Wilcox.

In this episode we record the show from Steve's childhood church at the National Shrine of St. Gerrard at St. Lucy's Church in Newark, NJ. Caroline was interested to see how faith inspires activism so Steve brought her to meet Sister Susan Wilcox, an activist Sister of St. Joseph. Sister Susan's faith puts her on the front line of social justice issues, and sometimes in jail!

Pop-Up Activists

In our first episode Steve gets Caroline off the couch to meet people who were activated by the election of Donald Trump. In this episode Caroline coins the phrase "Active Citizen," and you get to meet people who are organizing to shake up business as usual in politics.

“Crossover Crossfire”

Not content to simply tape extra episodes without Dave (frankly – Dave considers it a blessing to have missed that episode with Steve and the ‘Liberal Lady” discussing the future “leadership” of the DNC), Steve has crossed the rubicon into full scale podultery and has started a brand new podcast called “Angst & Daisies” with his pal Caroline Aaron. Fear not fans, Hocus POTUS is not going anywhere, but Dave can only surmise that Steve feels the need to express himself in a new forum unrestrained by Dave’s penchant for "rationality." For the record, however, Caroline is pretty danged rational (for a Democrat) and it’s clear who wears the tin foil hat in that relationship.

Die hard Hocus POTUS-ites will recall that Caroline was our guest on our very first episode so it is only fair, and symmetrical, that Dave should be the first guest on A&D in this joint episode that will be featured in both podcast’s streams. Steve and Caroline pepper Dave with questions as to the Republican experience and reaction to the first several months of the Trump administration and various aspects of the POTUS’ performance, the strategy and impact of the “Resistance” and, of course, Russia.

“Beware of the Ides of March”

It's only fitting that the fellas go Shakespearean on the grand play that is the 45th president see. Opinions may differ as to whether we are part of a drama, tragedy or comedy but oh the intrigue. Dave does his best to hang in while convalescing with a herniated disc. Steve of course shows no mercy in this dojo with is usual relentless rants and raves (which of course is met with the usual response of “Are you done yet?” from Dave). Of course we talk Russia and of course the attempts to overhaul the healthcare system, which apparently is pretty complicated, Who knew?

Shhhhhhh, Don't tell Dave we did a DNC Chair Election Special!

In this one-off special Steve brings Liberal Lady back so the liberals can discuss what happened at the recent DNC Chair election and what it means for the Democratic Party. Don't worry folks, Dave will be back on the next episode!

(Not My) Presidents Day Special

Steve makes no pretenses and starts the show wearing and actual tin foil hat (replete with Antennae) and Dave doubles down on his real estate smack dab in the center defending POTUS (sorta) and, in the fine tradition of New York area Italian Catholics, criticizing just about everyone. Steve pledges fealty to the Resistance and Dave is thoroughly exhausted by the oft hysterical and relentless criticism from the militant left, as well as the polyannish and oft undiscerning praise and acceptance from the equally militant Trumpsters. The fellas have plenty of back and forth in a lively and brisk discussion over 1:05 that seems no longer than 55 minutes.

"End of the Beginning/Beginning of the End"  

We're baaaack!! Due to overwhelming popular demand we have decided to bring Hocus Potus back to talk ongoing presidential politics. Yes we are easily overwhelmed but yes there is much to talk about. Steve has traded in his tin foil hat for a pussy hat but the conspiracy theories (some would call them facts, but Dave writes the blurbs) are in midseason form as the fellas cover the last 3 months talking Russia, pee parties, cabinet picks, the inauguration address and the Women's March. Dave, the rationalist, still has grave concerns over the narcissism and questionable judgment but doesn't understand what could be protested on day 2, while Steve was at the March and brought back some audio for the show! No alternative facts here. Well maybe a couple.

“un-e-lect-a-ble/Best show ever”

After an unprecedented presidential campaign, we now have a President-elect. The fellas come full circle, jumping in the way back machine to episode 1 where Dave dubbed HRC unelectable (which may be the only thing he got right in 27 episodes) and then proceeding into a lively dialogue breaking down what happened, why it happened and what happens next. Steve (with the Clash) foresees a bleak dystopian future while Dave explores the irony, and tedium, of people who spent 2 weeks complaining that Trump might not accept the election results now protesting and refusing to accept the election results. The guys talk about the whether the tenor of the campaign will translate into a “meaner, rougher” America and whether Trump the president will differ from Trump the candidate. Of course, Steve rails about Putin, and expresses fear about racism, bullying and persecution in Drumpf’s America. And what kind of a presidential podcast would we be without a rousing discussion of the Electoral College.

It has been an absolute pleasure to bring this podcast to you and we hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed pontificating. We had planned to wrap it up with the election but with all the intrigue in this year’s constitutional “peaceful transfer of power”, we may come out of mothballs for another episode or 2 so don’t unsubscribe just yet.

Peace. And we really, really mean that.

"End of Days"

Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning. Our humble little podcast comes full circle as the fellas welcome back original guest Caroline Aaron from episode 1. Dave laments the lost episode from last week where he did some of his best Hilary bashing but mostly laments the level of discourse and quality of both candidates. Steve continues to predict a new Drumpf media footprint and even dusts off the tin foil headware for a brief moment. The shows detours briefly into wonkville but closes strong as we try to predict the most volatile and unpredictable race of .. well... ever.

Is it over yet? (Please let it be over!)