The Bitchuation Room

Democrats concede nothing without a demand. Political strategist Alicia Garza joins Francesca to discuss how social movements need to rethink their relationship to the Democratic Party. Plus one year after the Capitol riots, what’s been done to root out white supremacist extremism? Can it actually be done by the likes of the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security? And comedian and labor organizer Nato Green on how soothing it is to imagine Trump no longer alive, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot making teachers unions the enemy. Plus, the podcast’s first edition of The Cringey Awards. This week’s nominees: Nancy Pelosi for asking the cast of Hamilton to perform in honor of January 6th, Candace Owens calling herself an elite who can skirt vaccine requirements, and Ted Cruz for handing his nuts gift wrapped to Tucker Carlson. Finally a *BONUS BISH* for Patrons of the podcast all about Liz and Dick Cheney, who're trying to save the GOP from Trump. Is their cause valiant or should the war crimes boss family sit down and be humble? Listen and watch back by becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.   Featuring: Alicia Garza, Black Futures Lab and author of "The Purpose of Power": https://twitter.com/aliciagarza Nato Green, Comedian, writer, and union organizer: https://twitter.com/natogreen   Join the Franifa and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Paige Oamek, Maximillien Inhoff, Alexandra Ornes  Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/

How did QAnon get laundered into the wellness world? Julian Walker (Conspirituality podcast) and Francesca discuss "Pastel QAnon" and the difference between conspiracies and conspiracy theories. Plus, how you pull someone back from the brink of cults and anti-vax rabbit holes? Julian explains to he did it. Become a patron for a special RSS feed to listen and watch back or live: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.

How did the MAGA and the wellness worlds begin to collide? The pandemic and Trumpism have a lot to do with it. Co-hosts of the podcast Conspirituality Derek Beres and Julian Walker join Francesca to explain the similarities between fascism and some new age spiritual and health communities. They're obsessed with individuality, freedom, gender norms, and willing yourself to believe pretty much anything so long as it goes against the establishment. From anti-vax misinformation spreaders, to anti-science healers, "insurrectionist influencers" who cheered on the capitol riots, and of course Joe Rogan you’re about to meet some unsavory characters. Plus a *BONUS BISH* for patrons about how QAnon infiltrated wellness spaces and how to extract a friend from the anti-vax worm hole. Get access to an extra 20 minutes by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.   Featuring: Derek Beres, former fitness and yoga instructor, author, Senior Editor at Eco & co-host of the Conspirituality podcast. https://twitter.com/derekberes   Julian Walker, yoga teacher, writer and co-host of the Conspirituality Podcast https://twitter.com/embodiedsacred     oin the Franifa and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Ornes, Paige Oamek   Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/

Trump's latest comments about American Jews being disloyal to Israel REEKS of real anti-semitism. He also claims that Israel used to own Congress and, thanks to Obama, no longer does. What? Matt Lieb and Arun Gupta try to make sense of Trump's unique brand of anti-Semitic hate while still claiming Israel is the best country. SUPPORT THE SHOW, BECOME A PATRON AND LISTEN TO 15 MINUTES OF EXTRA CONTENT: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.

2021 is ending nearly as bizarre as it began. This time it’s the Covid denialist Donald Trump embracing the vaccine and speaking… science? Journalist Arun Gupta and comedian Matt Lieb join Francesca to discuss this heel turn. Plus, the anti-apartheid legacy of Desmond Tutu and Christmas Eve got saucy between President Biden and one Oregonian father. Although it seemed to only dawn on one of the parties. Finally the year’s highs and lows— from Rumsfeld croaking to the Delta Variant to Afghanistan withdrawal, we look back at it all. Finally, *BONUS BISH* for patrons on Trump’s latest anti-semitic pro-Israel remarks reveal that it is possible to be zionist and actually not like Jews. To get access become a patron and support the show: www.patron.com/bitchuationroom.   Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Ornes Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/

Another variant sweeping the nation is somehow still not as upsetting as Democrats letting Senator Joe Manchin tank Build Back Better Bill. Writer Molly Jong-Fast joins Francesca to discuss Democrats squandering any leverage they once had over the Maserati coal baron, and what it will take for them to actually LEAD damnit. Plus comedian Anthony Atamanuik on Fox News hosts' secret frantic text messages to Trump’s Chief of Staff on January 6th. Looks like they *do* have a heart buried under all that Murdoch money. And in the spirit of Christmas, what three spirits would you wish upon which powerful figure? PLUS a *BONUS BISH* all about the sexual assault allegations against Sex and the City star Christopher Noth, and comedian Louis CK self-releases a new special. Become a patron and listen or watch back: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.   Featuring:  Molly Jong-Fast, Writer, The New Abnormal Podcast: https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast Anthony Atamanuik: Comedian: https://twitter.com/TonyAtamanuik   Join the Franifa and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Orness Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/

Santas are in short supply and high demand. After all why would an elderly overweight man allow small un-vaccinated children on his lap for minimum wage? Gareth and Francesca hear from Santas about their plight, and Gareth recalls when he used to dress up as good ole Saint Nick. To listen to the full bonus bish and every bonus bish, become a patron at www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.  

Turns out Nancy Reagan sucked a lot more than we all imagined. Or never wanted to imagine. Comedian Gareth Reynolds joins Francesca to discuss the right's slut shaming gone wrong and Amazon corporation's crass reaction to their own workers killed by a tornado while on the job. Plus, progressive candidates for LA city council Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez discuss taking on status quo council-members to enact their vision for Los Angeles: housing for all and money for supportive services instead of carceral non-solutions. Finally, what super dumb conspiracy theory would you start a-la “Birds Aren’t Real.” AND in a special *BONUS BISH* Gareth and Francesca talk about the real reason for the labor shortage of Santas and Gareth remembers what it was like to be one. Get access by becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom.   Join the Franifa and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Orness Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/

Ten months after the vaccine rollout and just 11 percent of Africans are fully vaccinated as compared with 72% of North Americans. Why? Big Pharma’s intellectual property rights (ie) money is running the show. And no wealthy nation, certainly none in the EU nor the one led by Joe Biden, is willing to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry’s power. Journalist Sarah Lazare joins to discuss the need for real internationalism. Plus, did Trump try and kill Biden at a presidential debate? He tested positive for Covid three days before! And, Rep. lhan Omar has the last word on Rep. Boebert's Islamophobia and Rep. McCarthy’s cowardice. Finally, if America had a Spotify account, what would our “Spotify Wrapped” statistics be like? 525,600 minutes listening to Rogan? BONUS BISH: A mass shooter’s parents are implicated in their son’s murder so they flee. Become a patron to get access: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom   Featuring: Mateen Stewart, Comedian: https://twitter.com/MateenStewart Sarah Lazare, Reporter, In These Times Magazine: https://twitter.com/sarahlazare   Join the Franifa and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Orness Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/

Trump proved presidents have way too much power. It's easy to flaunt anti-corruption laws in the highest office because, well, they hardly exist. We mostly have cute little "norms" and guidelines. So when should those "norms" be made into laws, and how can we stop the ever-expanding power of the executive branch? Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics, had a front row seat to the worst impulses of one of the most corrupt administrations... ever. Where it was Donald Trump's refusal to divest from his organization or Kellyanne Conway hawking Ivanka jewelry on television. Shaub's job was to try and hold Trump minimally accountable which, as you can imagine, became impossible. Shaub resigned in July of 2017, citing the administration's disregard for basic government oversight and the stonewalling of his office. Now Shaub continues the work advocating for reform of the executive branch outside of government. He spoke with Francesca about his time in OGE under Trump, the importance of voting rights, and assesses whether Biden is doing what he can to prevent a future Trump. Short answer: No.    Featuring:  Walter Shaub, Senior Ethics Fellow, Project on Government Oversight https://twitter.com/waltshaub   Join the Franifa and become a Patron today: www.patreon.com/bitchuationroom Follow The Bitchuation Room on Twitter @BitchuationPod Get your TBR merch: www.bitchuationroom.com Thanks to Rebecca Rufer, Maximillien Inhoff, Ellie Hoffman, Alexandra Orness Music Credits: The Cannery by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4485-the-cannery License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Support The Bitchuation Room on: Venmo: @TBR-LIVE Cash-App: @TBRLIVE    Check Out The Bitchuation Room Podcast  iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesbitchuation Spotify: http://bit.ly/spotifybitchuation  Stitcher: http://bit.ly/stitcherbitchuation   Find Francesca On:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/franifio  YouTube: The Bitchuation Room’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/franifio  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/franifio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Franifio Insta: https://www.instagram.com/franifio/