Marissa talks with Norman Eisen about the pro-democracy independent media outlet he recently launched with former Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, how to manage the Trump years with “litigation, laughter and liquor,” and why only dogs (and not broligarchs) should be skilled in anticipatory obedience. Plus: Why cookies and bourbon may be the answer.

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On today’s special holiday episode, Marissa explores the epicurean delights of Buddy the Elf, with the author of the Unofficial “Elf” Cookbook. Yes, there will be spaghetti with candy and maple syrup, plus recipes for cotton balls, VHS sugar cookies and other delights from the Christmas classic. We’ll also explore the crazy-creative process of writing a cookbook based on a well-known TK, as guest Jackie Alpers is also the mastermind behind other cookbooks, including one based on the series “Yellowstone.”

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Marissa’s guest today is the Baroness of Baking, the Doyenne of Dough, the Queen of the Reverse Creaming Method, Rose Levy Beranbaum. Author of 12 classic cookbooks, Rose's latest is the 35th anniversary edition of her classic award-winning cookbook, The Cake Bible, with completely revised and updated recipes.

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Marissa’s guest is Marc Polymeropoulos, the highly decorated former intelligence service operative and host of the podcast “Above Average Intelligence.” Marc offers some frightening (and some reassuring) insights into what a Trump versus a Harris win could mean for the world, and the real dangers of Elon Musk and Republicans pandering to Putin. In an attempt to chill out, they also discuss the merits of Greek pastitsio, which you’d better not call Greek lasagna. 

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Marissa talks with Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, founder of Politifact and author of Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy, about the serious implications misinformation and lies spread by politicians can have on our democracy. Marissa and Bill then take a somewhat soothing digression into the subject of IPAs.

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Marissa talks to none other than Joyce Vance, former federal prosecutor, professor of law, co-host of Sisters in Law podcast and legal analyst of NBC and MSNBC and friend to chickens and knitters alike. And, we suspect, if chickens could knit, she’d be friends with them too.  Joyce and Marissa discuss a topic that has them both concerned about the election: How to make sure everyone knows their vote counts…and what you can say to people who don’t believe it matters if they don’t vote.

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Mollie Katzen, of Moosewood fame, is this week’s guest. Marissa and Mollie discuss the political situation and future of democracy in the U.S., but, as you might expect, the conversation turns to the power of food, more specifically how to make ourselves feel better these days. If you’ve found yourself struggling with the news, this episode is a must-listen. Bread and butter, anyone?

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WWWWD? What would Wonder Woman do? Susan Eisenberg, the woman who has voiced and, heck, embodied, DC Comic’s Wonder Woman joins Marissa. Together they ponder what Wonder Woman would do if she arrived in the United States today. Hint: She’s a believer in justice. Also, if you play Wonder Woman, what happens when you see injustice being done in your regular life? What if we all had golden lassos? What would YOU do?

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Jess McHugh joins Marissa to share the compelling true life story of two people who fell in love--one Jewish and one German-- and made it their life’s work to bring Nazis to justice.

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