Activist, organizer, and “Chop Wood, Carry Water” founder Jess Craven joins Sane(ish) for a conversation about reclaiming hope and power in the face of political chaos. Jess shares real stories of living through—and organizing against—the latest Republican shutdown, exposing how government dysfunction, healthcare sabotage, and billionaire tax cuts threaten the well-being of millions.

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As the 2025 government shutdown approaches, Sane(ish) gets real about who’s hurting, who’s winning, and why the chaos was baked in from the start. This week, Jo Carducci and political commentator Pete Dominick break down what makes this shutdown uniquely Republican: deliberate mass layoffs, Medicaid cuts that will literally endanger families, and a MAGA playbook that prizes power over people. Expect sharp debate on gaslighting, manufactured crises, and an epidemic of political dishonesty; from the refusal to accept election results to systematic censorship and the whitewashing of American history. Pete and Jo tackle what it’s like trying to stay sane(ish) when lawmakers openly admit people will die, the courts and Congress cede all control to the executive, and communities are left building support systems from scratch.

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As news breaks of the expedited indictment of James Comey and the potential dominoes set to fall on Adam Schiff and Letitia James, Jo and Miles cut through the chaos to explore how the MAGA playbook weaponizes prosecution, shatters constitutional guardrails, and tries to silence both critics and communities. It’s an unfiltered, urgent conversation about what happens when speaking truth to power makes you a political target—and when presidential revenge goes from dystopian rhetoric to daily reality.

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Buckle up for a ride through the world of political comedy under siege. This week, Jo and Tara Setmayer break down Jimmy Kimmel’s wild return from suspension, Disney and ABC’s backstage power plays, and the chilling push from FCC threats and Trump-backer media moguls. It’s full balls-to-the-wall, South Park energy as they dissect how corporate interests, right-wing media, and grassroots outrage collided to save late-night comedy…at least for now. Jo gets personal about Disney nostalgia, dog show circuits, and why laughter is medicinal when democracy’s on the ropes, while Tara explains the real cost of speaking out when everyone’s watching and waiting to cancel. Listen as these tough Jersey girls call out censorship tactics, hypocrisy in “hate speech,” and remind us why courage and humor are non-negotiable if America’s gonna weather this storm. Link to Video from Interview: https://youtu.be/6oVcnGg1w2Y

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Jo welcomes former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn—a frontline defender on January 6th and now a relentless advocate for democracy.Jojo and Harry dig into the personal cost of defending the Capitol, the ongoing fight against gaslighting and political revisionism, and why real accountability matters more than ever. From firsthand stories of courage to frank talk about who’s behind today’s threats to democracy you don’t want to miss this episode. 

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Jo welcomes activist and Siren Network co-founder Sam Schwartz for a conversation about what real political influence looks like in the new media landscape. They dig into how creators are moving audiences from passive news consumption to active organizing, why legacy outlets have lost their edge, and what it takes to build an independent platform that actually shapes discourse. Alongside the challenges of building new media power, Sam shares hard-won insight from years of fighting for common-sense gun reform—explaining why political will, not public consensus, is the biggest roadblock to change.

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On this candid episode of Sane(ish), Jo sits down with Senator Alex Padilla for a real-time reckoning with democracy’s fragile state. Recorded as breaking news unfolded about the death of Charlie Kirk, the conversation does not shy away from the day’s pain and makes clear: political violence has no place in America, no matter our differences. Jojo and Senator Padilla dig into the Supreme Court’s most recent ruling allowing immigration raids and profiling in Los Angeles, examining its consequences for basic rights, the economy, and the social fabric of entire communities. Senator Padilla offers clarity on immigrant contributions, the trauma playing out in neighborhoods and workplaces, and why the fight for constitutional protections isn’t over…even in the face of setback.This episode is a call for decency, honest oversight, and fierce hope in the ongoing battle for justice and democracy, while honoring the belief that disagreement is not an excuse for hate.

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This week Jo sits down with the sharp-tongued, chaos-loving hosts of the Find Out podcast—Tim, Chris, and Luke—for a rapid-fire breakdown of what happens when democracy’s on the line and the only rule is: “mess around, and you’re gonna find out.” From Nazi-hunting and meme warfare to the FAFO50 campaign (hello, California!), everyone’s airing their hottest takes on why fighting back—with humor, mockery, and unapologetic truth—is the only way forward. Forget strongly worded memos and polite floor speeches; this is all about calling out the pearl-clutchers, deflating the drama kings, and giving authoritarians a taste of their own medicine.Plus the “Are You Fucking Kidding Me” moment of the week ripped from the pages of Epstein’s birthday book with a side of Trump lies. 

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Jo connects with Olivia Julianna to spill what the mainstream won’t: survivors coming for Trump, DC’s useless grandstanders, and the dirty tricks Texas keeps beta-testing for the rest of America. From Republican stunts that cost real lives to why “as goes Texas, so goes the nation” isn’t just a cliché, this episode calls out the powerful by name, laughs through the pain, and unpacks what we actually do about it (hint: staying pissed, loud, and registered). Yes, there’s swearing. Yes, you’ll hear real talk on surviving red state cruelty, hopelessness, and how fantasy football is somehow less rigged than American politics. Come for behind-the-scenes stories, leave with your outrage validated and your resolve supercharged.

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Every time the news cycle spins a little crazier, Michael Steele manages to cut through the crap. Today, Michael & Jo get real about why “off-ramps” are a joke, how the cult of Trump owns the GOP, and why politicians hiding behind closed-door complaints are wasting everyone’s time. They talk about MAGA distractions, media circus nonsense, gerrymandering, the actual threats to voting rights, and why pretending it’s ‘business as usual’ is the fastest way to lose the country.

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