The Republican-run government has shut down, Trump is using misinformation to blame Democrats, and Erin and Alyssa explain what’s at stake. Then they dive into Ezra Klein’s recent bad takeapalooza, on everything from Charlie Kirk’s legacy to pro-life Democrats. And, of course, there’s the latest Epstein files news, some races to watch in Virginia, and a big week for creeps, overall. They wrap up in the Sanity Corner with a discussion about their excitement for Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning and a petty roast of Ivanka Trump’s Instagram.

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.

Explaining the G.O.P.’s Misleading Talking Point on the Looming Shutdown (NYT 9/29)

Ta-Nehisi Coates on Bridging Gaps vs. Drawing Lines (NYT 9/28)

RFK Jr. launches FDA review of abortion pill (ABC News 9/24)

Musk, Thiel and Bannon named in Epstein docs released by Dems (Axios 9/26)

Elon Musk’s Father Accused of Child Sexual Abuse (NYT 9/25)

Money manager Howard Rubin detained in sex trafficking case after feds cite hitman threat (CNBC 9/26)

Ryan Walters steps down as Oklahoma schools chief to lead anti-teachers union group (The 19th News 9/26)

The State of Our Nation: Gauging Americans’ political opinions in 2025 (The 19th* 9/25)

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Erin and Alyssa dive into the past of Epstein’s right hand woman: Ghislaine Maxwell. From her father Robert Maxwell’s shady business endeavors and questionable death, to schmoozing her way to the upper echelons of Manhattan’s elite social scene, to trafficking minors for the most famously despicable sex pest of all time, this may be our most depraved, power-hungry pervert yet.

Episode sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59733623

https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1992/3/the-sinking-of-captain-bob

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59733623

https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1992/3/the-sinking-of-captain-bob

https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1992/3/the-sinking-of-captain-bob

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jun/28/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-sentencing-abuse

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59733623

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/10/jeffrey-epstein-life-profile

https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/08/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-birthday-gift

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article220097825.html

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/10/jeffrey-epstein-dead-prison-report-latest

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/12/labor-secretary-alex-acosta-is-resigning-as-pressure-mounts-from-jeffrey-epstein-case.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/business/david-boies-pottinger-jeffrey-epstein-videos.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59733623

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59736227

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59527051

https://abcnews.go.com/US/dramatic-testimony-alleged-epstein-victim-carolyn-recounts-maxwells/story?id=81612421

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/10/17/jeffrey-epstein-survivor-death-overdose-florida-carolyn-andriano/71221137007/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvn7ee3539o

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd3pe6189go

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/justice-department-releases-transcripts-of-its-interviews-with-ghislaine-maxwell

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd049y2qymo

https://www.justice.gov/storage/audio-files/Interview%20Transcript/Interview%20Transcript%20-%20Maxwell%202025.07.24-cft%20(Redacted).pdf

https://www.justice.gov/storage/audio-files/Interview%20Transcript/Interview%20Transcript%20-%20Maxwell%202025.07.25-cft%20(Redacted).pdf

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Candace Owens and her conspiracy theories are propelling her to the top of the podcast charts, and Erin and Alyssa are here to remind you of her ultra-conservative, racist, and wildly problematic past. They also dive into Trump’s dangerous “Autism Announcement,” how Kentucky’s 50/50 custody law is harming women and children, and the Department of Education’s plans for the Semiquincentennial. Then a discussion of MAGA Cosmo-wannabe Evie Magazine’s pop culture to conservative BS pipeline.

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.

How ICE Raids Are Making It Easier for Civilian Men to Assault Immigrant Women (Teen Vogue 9/22)

Divorce Plunged in Kentucky. Equal Custody for Fathers Is a Big Reason Why. (WSJ 9/6)

Education Dept. partners with conservative groups for civics programming (WaPo 9/17)

A Fact-Check on Trump’s Claims About Tylenol, Vaccines and Autism (NYT 9/22)

Trump blames Tylenol for autism. Science doesn't back him up (NPR 9/22)

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One week after the death of Charlie Kirk, Erin and Alyssa discuss how the media, elected officials, and FBI Director Kash Patel have (mis)handled the ongoing investigation. They also catch up on the latest Epstein files news, Proposition 50 in California, and New Mexico’s unprecedented new childcare initiative. Then they discuss the thorny taboos and ethics surrounding commercial surrogacy. The episode wraps up in the sanity corner with a chat about The Summer I Turned Pretty finale and some gossip about Elizabeth Gilbert’s controversial new memoir.

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.

Groypers, Helldivers 2, Furries: What Do the Messages Left by Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Killer Actually Mean? (Vanity Fair 9/12)

Exclusive: Leaked Messages from Charlie Kirk Assassin (Ken Klippenstein 9/16)

3 takeaways from Kash Patel’s tense oversight hearing (PBS 9/16)

FBI Director Kash Patel's social media messaging draws critics during Kirk investigation (CBS 9/15)

Here’s how Newsom’s maps are already changing California’s congressional races (Cal Matters 9/16)

Belgian Authorities Say $10 Million Supply of Birth Control Has Not Yet Been Destroyed (NY Times 9/12)

Senate GOP defeats Schumer’s Epstein gambit (Politico 9/10)

New Mexico is the first state to promise free child care for all families (AP News 9/11)

The Baby Died. Whose Fault Is It? (Wired 9/3)

Commercial Surrogacy: An Overview (PMC 12/29/22)

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Editor at large of The 19th* News, Errin Haines, joins to discuss the unexpected candor of Kamala Harris’ upcoming book, the latest consequences of RFK Jr.'s quackery, and the upcoming WNBA playoffs. They wrap up in the Sanity corner with a celebration of pumpkin spice latte season, the Stud Budz, and E. Jean Carroll’s latest win in court. 

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.

Note: This episode was recorded before Charlie Kirk was shot.

Meme coins and misogyny: What the dildo-throwing trend at WNBA games can teach us (The 19th* 8/18)

Sky's Angel Reese trade rumors gain steam with stunning quote from WNBA exec (Sporting News 9/9)

HHS responds to report about autism and acetaminophen (NPR 9/6)

The new COVID vaccine rules leave parents with more questions than answers (The 19th* 9/2)

Kamala Harris opens up on the 'recklessness' of Biden's re-election bid (NBC 9/10)

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Introducing our hit YouTube series This F*cking Guy to our podcast feed!  Each episode, Erin and Alyssa pick one of America's worst people and catch you up to speed on the messes they've made, dig into their horrible pasts and expose what losers and clowns they really are. Think of it as half history, less than half roast, with a hearty sprinkling of 'why are you like this' on top.

This week's episode dives into the past of the chaos muppet herself, US Congresswoman Nancy Mace. From her freaky obsession with trans people to her desperate attempts to kiss Trump's a**, is Nancy our most attention-seeking guy yet?

Episode sources

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Taylor Swift is engaged, Trump is tormenting the Federal Reserve, Texas Republicans are trying to mandate Christian teachings in public schools, and Erin Ryan and guest-host Megan Gailey are here to talk about it. Then they unpack how the debate of what spaces should be child-free might just be anti-women. Next, KCRW’s Evan Kleiman joins to discuss the state of public media, the impact of ICE raids on restaurants in LA, and her favorite summer recipes. They wrap up with a discussion in the Sanity Corner about the return of the football season, the fabulous Katseye Gap ad, and the KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon.

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.

Cook to sue Trump over order to fire her from Federal Reserve (BBC 8/26)

Ken Paxton wants zero exceptions to Ten Commandments law in Texas schools (Chron 8/25)

A.I.-Driven Education: Founded in Texas and Coming to a School Near You (NYT 7/27)

Trump orders colleges to prove they don’t consider race in admissions (AP 8/7)

Tennis Player Emma Raducanu Asked For A Crying Child To Be Removed From The Audience, And The Comments Are HEATED (Buzzfeed 8/12)

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The Hunting Wives star Katie Lowes joins to give the scoop on Netflix’s latest soapy sapphic mystery, her friendship with Shonda Rhimes, and learning to shoot a gun on set. Erin and Alyssa also discuss Melania’s pathetic attempt at diplomacy, Gavin Newsom’s Trump-trolling social media blitz, and why women are leaving the workplace. They also sound off on the male NFL cheerleader culture war and the Oval Office’s new MAGA merch closet.

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.

Melania Trump Appeals to Putin to Protect Children (NYT 8/18)

5 things to know about Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s election maps (Cal Matters 8/18)

Why So Many Women Are Quitting the Workforce (Time 8/4)

Study finds giving pregnant women cash transfers cuts infant mortality in half (Oxford 8/18)

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And Just Like That writer and producer Samantha Irby joins to discuss the final season, the internet backlash, and what she really thinks about Aidan. Erin and Alyssa also dish on Pete Hegseth's praises for his bigoted pastor, Donald Trump’s messy takeover of DC’s police, and how school choice is ruining education funding in Arizona. They wrap with a scathing roast of Katie Miller’s ridiculous new podcast for conservative moms. 

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.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposts video of pastors saying women shouldn't vote (NPR 8/9)

U.S. Air Force to deny early retirement benefits to some transgender service members (NPR 8/8)

Restoring Confederate memorial to cost $10M: Army official (The Hill 8/7)

Trump federalizes DC police, deploys National Guard (NBC Washington 8/11)

Nudity on Oklahoma superintendent’s office TV was just a mishap, state House speaker suggests (The 19th 8/7)

LA County CEO paints bleak financial picture; public hospital closure a possibility (LAist 8/5)

Public schools are closing as Arizona’s school voucher program soars (Washington Post 8/5)

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This week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stood with the Texas Democrats in their fight against corrupt Republican gerrymandering. Today, she joins Hysteria to talk about fighting fire with fire, her own redistricting plans for New York, and how her state is handling Trump 2.0. Erin and Alyssa also discuss Trump’s atrocious plans to build a White House ballroom, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace’s latest pick-me BS, and a roundup of new reproductive rights threats around the country. 

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.

Experts Raise Concerns Over Trump’s White House Ballroom Renovation Plans (NY Times 8/3)

Nancy Mace Announces Run for Governor of South Carolina (NY Time 8/4)

Miss United States Files Restraining Order Against GOP Rep. Cory Mills (Drop Site 8/5)

Marjorie Taylor Greene says Republican party has lost touch with its base (The Guardian 8/4)

Arkansas AG Threatens to Sue Sites for Providing Info About Abortion Pills (Autonomy News 11/2)

Idaho’s OBGYNs Are Jumping Ship (Jezebel 8/1)

Trump moves to bar nearly all abortions at Veterans Affairs hospitals (WaPo 8/4)

OB-GYN group won't take federal funds over Trump policies (Axios 8/1)

Trump’s cynical bait-and-switch on IVF (CNN 8/4)

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