America’s got a long and shameful history with eugenics, and, while history doesn’t repeat itself, it rhymes. As white supremacist ideology permeates everything from Silicon Valley startups to domestic policy in 2025, is it really that far-fetched to notice it in that American Eagle “good jeans” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney? This week, Akilah Hughes joins Erin to break it all down. They also discuss Candace Owens’ low-key hilarious legal battle with the Macrons, MAGA politicians getting their karma, and The Nelk Boys' Netanyahu interview– the children that were left behind are now 30-year-old male podcasters. They wrap up with a petty rant about modern attention spans and how South Park is maybe the only TV show doing it right.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com

Listen to Akilah’s New podcast, How Is This Better?

Netanyahu’s appearance on popular Nelk Boys podcast draws criticism from right and left online (NBC NEWS 7/22)

The Macrons v Candace Owens: lawsuit marks new phase in battle against conspiracy theories (The Guardian 7/26)

Oklahoma’s Trump-Loving, Bible-Thumping Superintendent Faces Porn Probe (Rolling Stone 7/26)

Texas GOP Rep. Giovanni Capriglione admits affair, denies abortion allegations (Texas Tribune 7/25)

Project 2025’s Paul Dans will challenge Lindsey Graham in South Carolina Republican primary (The Guardian 7/28)

American Eagle sparks backlash for touting Sydney Sweeney's 'great jeans' (NBC News 6/28)

JD Vance meets with Rupert Murdoch shortly before the bombshell Wall Street Journal piece on Trump’s letter to Epstein, Trump’s swollen ankles raise new questions about his health, Andrew Tate is accused, yet again, of assault, and Coldplay concerts are ground zero for cheating. Then Erin and Alyssa find some sanity in Indigo Girls concerts and podcasts about the history of Mongols. Plus, author Bridget Read stops by to discuss her new book Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Trump Was Diagnosed With Chronic Venous Insufficiency. What Is It? (NYT 7/17)

White House Tries to Shake Off Trump’s Bizarre Hand Make-Up (Daily Beast 7/16)

JD Vance Visited the Murdochs Right Before the WSJ Dropped Trump’s Letter to Epstein (Esquire 7/21)

Trump and Epstein Photo Is Placed Near U.S. Embassy in London as Protesters Rally Against President’s U.K. Visits (Time 7/21)

JD Vance to spend summer vacation in UK countryside spot beloved by A-listers after Disney disaster: report (The Independent 7/21)

Lauren Southern, Former Right-Wing Commentator, Says Andrew Tate Assaulted Her (NYT 7/17)

Unpacking the Fallout From Coldplay Exposing Astronomer CEO's Alleged Affair (E! News 7/21)

E. Jean Carroll joins to dish on beating Trump in court, what it was like to go camping with Fran Lebowitz, and how to give the best advice. Erin and Alyssa also round up the latest Epstein files insanity, Elon Musk and Greg Abbott's “intimate” emails, and the future of student loans. Then they take a trip to the sanity corner to discuss Lena Dunham’s new show Too Much, and children’s TV theme music that goes too hard.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Read Not My Type: One Woman Vs. a President

Sign up to run for office: votesaveamerica.com/run

Texas camp leader waited over an hour after flood warning to evacuate (The Guardian 7/14)

What the Republicans’ New Policy Bill Means for Higher Education (NYT 7/3)

Why Gov. Greg Abbott Won’t Release His Emails With Elon Musk (ProPublica 7/14)

Wife of Texas AG Ken Paxton files for divorce ‘on biblical grounds’ (CNN 7/10)

VP Vance visits Disneyland as protesters gather nearby (OC Register 7/12)

Trump comes to Pam Bondi’s defense on Epstein: ‘She’s really done a very good job’ (Politico 7/15)

After the devastating floods in central Texas, Erin and Alyssa reflect on the tragic loss of life, what went wrong, and what it means to “politicize a tragedy.” Then, journalist T.J. Raphael joins for a discussion about her new podcast Liberty Lost, a heart-wrenching investigation into the dystopian birthing home run out of Liberty University. They wrap up in the Sanity Corner to rave about Summer produce and Love Island USA.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Listen to Liberty Lost: https://wondery.com/shows/liberty-lost/

How state lawmakers should respond to Central Texas floods (Dallas Morning News 7/8)

What to know about the flash floods in Texas that killed over 100 people (AP News 7/7)

National Weather Service defends its flood warnings amid fresh scrutiny of Trump staff cuts (NBC News 7/6)

Chelsea Clinton joins Hysteria to discuss health advocacy in the MAHA era and the state of reproductive healthcare under Trump 2.0. Erin and Alyssa also get into the latest on Charlie Kirk’s misogynistic agenda, the tacky Bezos/Sanchez Venetian wedding, and whether doomsday preppers are onto something.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Jeff Bezos alters Venice wedding plans after threat of inflatable crocodiles (The Guardian 6/24)

‘More Babies and Beef Tallow, Less Blue Hair and Birth Control’ Seventy-two hours with America’s most ambitious young conservative women. (The Cut 6/17)

Republican representative’s ectopic pregnancy clashes with Florida abortion law (The Guardian 6/22)

Cassidy, in Break With Kennedy, Calls for Vaccine Meeting Delay (NYT 6/24)

They’re not your typical ‘preppers,’ but thousands look to them for survival tips (The 19th 6/10)

Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Peggy Flanagan joins Hysteria to share about the tragic shootings in her state and honor the legacy of her friend and colleague, State Representative Melissa Hortman. Erin and Alyssa also discuss the latest on RFK Jr.'s vaccine quakery, new (bad) discrimination rules in VA hospitals, and their skepticism of Amy Coney Barrett’s drift to the left. They wrap up with a petty conversation about shopping cart etiquette and the atrocious styling in Ryan Murphy’s latest adaptation. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Southern Baptists move to end same-sex marriage in the US (BBC 6/11)

‘Extremely disturbing and unethical’: new rules allow VA doctors to refuse to treat Democrats, unmarried veterans (The Guardian 6/16)

!RFK Jr. replaced everyone on the CDC's vaccine panel. Here's why that matters (NPR 6/13)

Baby of Georgia woman who was kept on life support has been delivered: Report (USA Today (USA Today 6/17)

A ‘formidable public servant.’ Who was Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota state representative assassinated in her home? (CNN 6/14)

The suspect in the shooting of 2 Minnesota lawmakers had a 'hit list' of 45 officials (NPR 6/16)

How Amy Coney Barrett Is Confounding the Right and the Left (NYT 6/15)

Supreme Court upholds Tennessee’s youth transgender care ban (The Hill 6/18)

Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis joins Hysteria to talk about ICE, protests, and where California stands amidst threats from Trump. Erin, Alyssa, and Comedian and friend of Hysteria Kara Klenk also discuss Trump’s Super Sweet Seventy-Ninth birthday parade, the No Kings protests, and Evie Magazine’s Father’s Day gift guide. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Go to votesaveamerica.com/nokings to sign up for a No Kings event near you

Troops deployed to LA will cost $134M, Pentagon predicts (Politico 6/10)

Lack of coordination over military deployment poses ‘significant’ challenge as immigration protests continue (LA Times 6/10)

Everything we know about the LA protests (BBC 6/9)

Los Angeles formally adopts sanctuary city law. Here's what that means (LAist 1/4/2024)

Army says Trump's military parade could cause $16 million in damage to Washington streets (NBC 5/31)

5 things $45 million could pay for instead of a massive military parade (SPLC 6/6)

Erin and Alyssa break down the Big Beautiful Bill, how a new change to EMTALA will threaten the lives of pregnant people, and Trump supporters' complaints about getting what they voted for. Then a conversation about how some people would like to see “modesty” come back in style– for better or worse. Then they wrap up in the Sanity Corner with their initial thoughts on And Just Like That and Love Island USA.

Listen to Inside 2025 now and get access to even more exclusive content, including Erin on Terminally Online this Saturday—just subscribe at crooked.com/friends.

Trump rescinds guidance protecting women in need of emergency abortions (The Guardian 6/3)

How Trump’s ‘one, big, beautiful’ tax bill could impact programs for women and children (The 19th News 5/22)

A Missouri Town Was Solidly Behind Trump. Then Carol Was Detained. (NYT 5/28)

2024 was the year of Mormon women (Washington Post 12/16)

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The Hysteria team is off this week. But we’re excited to bring you a recent episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams.

In the first 100 days of the Trump Administration, we’ve watched Republicans erode American democracy with alarming speed. While this political moment may feel unprecedented, it isn’t new. America has dealt its share of far-right movements, fascist provocateurs, and anti-democratic threats. But time and again, heroes have risen to meet those moments. In this episode, Stacey unpacks how we’ve fought fascism before – and won. She’s joined by the host of MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.

Subscribe to Assembly Required wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

Be Curious: History can be an extremely useful tool to help us navigate the present. Pick up Rachel Maddow’s book Prequel — now available in paperback anywhere books are sold. Also pick up the Assembly Required Recommended Read: The Dictator’s Learning Curve by William Dobson.

Solve problems: The best thing we can do right now is show up and use our voices. There are two key ways to do this. First: call your representatives! Democrat, Republican, Independent — it doesn’t matter. Tell them where you stand and why it matters. Second: get involved locally. Join a protest, volunteer to support a community that is particularly vulnerable right now, donate to a grassroots group in your area. Change starts with showing up, so let’s get to work.

Do Good: Not only has Trump waged a war on books, he’s waged a war on independent businesses. So if you’re interested in reading any of the books I mentioned today, or want to pick up our weekly recommended reading, purchase them at a local bookstore. If there isn’t a local option near you, or you just prefer the convenience of online shopping, check out small businesses that operate online — like Octavia’s Bookshelf.

Erin and Alyssa discuss the latest on the fertility clinic bombing in Palm Springs, the horrific consequences of Georgia’s strict 6-week abortion ban, and the Liver King. Then The Atlantic’s Sophie Gilbert joins to chat about her new book Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves, they talk about everything from the impact of Spice-Girls-feminism to the rise of the #girlboss. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves by Sophie Gilbert

Georgia mother says she is being forced to keep brain-dead pregnant daughter alive under abortion ban law (NBC News 5/15)

25-year-old suspect in fertility clinic bombing left behind ‘anti-pro-life’ writings, officials say (AP 5/18)

Trump tells Walmart to ‘eat the tariffs’ as retailer expects prices to increase (CNN 5/17)

Walmart Selling Solid Gold Bars Is the Recession Indicator We Didn’t See Coming (Rolling Stone 5/16)

Judge overturns Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period before an abortion (CNN/AP 5/13)

The Tech Guys Are Fighting. Literally. (NYT 5/16)

The ‘Manosphere’? It’s Planet Earth. (NYT 2/1)

The Liver King story chillingly shows how bad role models are manufactured (The Independent 5/13)