Standing Room Only

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.

Pumped up lips, spray tans, hollowed out cheeks and false lashes are just some of the characteristics of the Mar-a-Lago face that Donald Trump adores in his women. In this episode of Standing Room Only, Amanda talks about why the look is so popular, what it stands for and how it relates to an emerging social media trend called feminine energy. Journalist Laura Bassett joins the booth to talk about some of the notable Mar-a-Lago faces, including Kristi Noem, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Lara Trump and more.

At the right-wing media company The Daily Wire, the ladies' auxiliary keeps outdoing the dudes. Brett Cooper, the 23-year-old host of "The Brett Cooper Show" who says it's cool to be Republican, broke away from the network and made her own show geared at Gen Z and became a Fox News contributor. In this episode, Amanda explains why Brett is an example of how Ben Shapiro, the Daily Wire's founding editor-in-chief, never really believed the "go woke, go broke" nonsense he shamelessly promotes. Turns out hiring women is popular and profitable... until they want control. Journalist Kat Tenbarge from SpitfireNews.com contributes to this episode with her experiences attending Brett's live stand-up show.

Will Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez run for president in 2028? She has not even hinted at that, but from listening to Donald Trump and his MAGA friends talk about her non-stop, they are certainly scared of facing her. In this episode, Amanda talks about what precisely bothers Republicans about AOC and what they actually like about her. She also explains why Trump cannot separate AOC from Zohran Mamdani, who recently defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic primary. Standing Room Only's guest this week is New York Times contributing opinion writer Elizabeth Spiers.