We've Got Issues

Emily has three theories on why Trump has put alleged sex trafficker Matt Gaetz forward for the post of Attorney General and we are getting into them all. What are the implications of the nomination and potential impacts on the government? What will Trump's favorite lap dog do in the role and why is it more important than ever not to check out of the news. To help we're revealing our own news diets that protect us from outrage burnout. 

It's morning in America friends and we're all feeling pretty crappy. Or at least half the country is.  What we know so far is that Donald Trump will be the 47th president, Republicans will take the Senate and the House is still up for grabs.  What does this mean? How do we move forward? How do we keep hope alive?

Let's talk about how to take care of yourself first and foremost and then let's get on our big girl panties and fight another damn day.

We are hopeful. We are optimistic. Yes, this might be the longest day of the past four years, but we will all get through it together. On this election day Emily and Jo are choosing to look forward with a smile, with some laughter and with an entire sheet cake in their bellies.

We've seen an explosion of ads and memes this week trying to empower conservative women to vote in secret and differently than their husbands. It's both effective and also a sad commentary on the world we have to live in right now. Today we're joined by Tia Levings, author of A Well-trained Wife: My Escape From Christian Patriarchy. While she was still living within the Christian patriarchy Tia was one of those women who did have to vote the same way as her husband or not vote at all. She has received a ton of messages this week from women who have told her they will be voting against their husband's views for the very first time. 

To say that this is an election season all about gender would be an understatement. But why? And what does it actually mean? Both men and women are shifting their political loyalties at record-breaking rates. Emily and Jo are diving deep into the man-o-sphere and the world of bro-casters to try to understand it all.

The right has done a bang-up job of courting the "wellness vote," in the past year by using that contingent's desire for lax vaccine mandates as their Trojan horse. But those folks are being bamboozled. The majority of the Project 2025 documents promote things that the wellness crew is staunchly against. We're going to read exactly what they plan to do to add more toxins to our food and drinking water...pretty much the opposite of "make America healthier again." Also the latest on the RFK Jr., Olivia Nuzzi scandal. 

The pipeline from wellness curious to rightwing mouthpiece is very real and very dangerous. Vulnerable people, especially women, are being drawn into right-wing ideologies through wellness messaging. Today’s political propaganda is very regularly disguising itself as wellness advice and all of this misinformation will have serious consequences for women's health. The political indoctrination gets slipped right in there with other “prescriptions.”

Because Emily and Jo were among the small cohort of people tuning into the vice presidential debate they felt like they had to do a podcast about it. So who won the battle between America's favorite uncle and our country's creepiest cousin? We're still not sure, but we do know that every woman in this country should be armed with their very own man-mute button.

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The Internet is rife with misinformation and despair. One of the bright shining beacons of hope online is Sharon McMahon and her @SharonSaysSo Instagram account that offers fact-based information from the former history and government teacher. And now Sharon has a new book, The Small and the Mighty, which celebrates some of the unsung heroes of American history. Sharon brings us happiness and hope and facts every single day. She's a national treasure and today we are going to talk about how to try to change people's minds with respect and empathy.

Order Sharon's book The Small and the Mighty here.

The RFK Jr. affair scandal is not just gossip; it has serious implications for journalism. It's also so juicy and just plain WEIRD. In this episode, hosts Emily Amick and Jo Piazza delve into the RFK Jr. affair, exploring its implications on journalism, media ethics, and gender dynamics. They discuss the salacious details of the affair, the role of media in shaping narratives, and the impact on journalist Olivia Nuzzi's career. The conversation also touches on RFK Jr.'s political aspirations and the broader implications for journalism in today's digital age.

Some key takeaways:

• Media ethics are increasingly blurred in the digital age.
• Gender dynamics play a significant role in how media covers scandals.
• RFK Jr.'s behavior raises questions about his suitability for political office.
• The media often vilifies women while excusing men's behavior.
• The curiosity gap drives public interest in political scandals.
• Digital journalism prioritizes speed over accuracy, leading to misinformation.
• The conversation around this affair reflects broader societal issues regarding power and consent.

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