American Fever Dream

1,845
Politics #118

From under the desk to in your ears, V. Spehar joins Betches Media in a new podcast dedicated to curing the collective malaise brought on by our chaotic political environment. Every week, Spehar and co-host Sami Sage will tenderly guide you through the biggest moments in politics and pop culture with a healing dose of perspective and humor. Rather than spiral over the latest unprecedented event, the hosts dig for the 2024 political tea you *really* want to hear while offering all the information you need to be an empowered citizen, without the side of despair to keep you up at night.For constant news updates, sign up for the Sup email newsletter at betches.com/newsletters and follow us on Instagram at @betches_news. And follow V on TikTok and Instagram @underthedesknews.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • Andrea Dunlop
    Love V & Sami
    These two keep me sane. This is legitimately reported news in a relatable, digestible format. Dustbunnies and betches unite!
  • jwoods930
    Great, but frustrating
    I like this podcast and have listened to sup and throughout the American Fever Dream rendition. I feel that lately V has so much information but keeps saying very out of touch things. It feels like opinions are so based on social media rather than reality.
  • TransformerMe
    Thoughtful AI talk
    I really appreciated the thoughtful convo Sami had w the Reid on today’s (2/6) ep. The questions were legit and I noticed how to the point and short the interview was and loved that
  • Bizcochito73
    Frustrating and exhausting
    On today’s episode (1/20) you showed how you’re not for the truth but just care about your reach and platform on TikTok. You spent an obscene amount of time dunking, again, on Biden about his weakness and deliberately chose to make no mention, whatsoever, of TikTok capitulating to Tr*** propaganda and explicitly thanking him and mentioning his name on the shutdown that was clearly a stunt. You even try to defend TT because “Biden didn’t say 3 words” Really?? Such shameful cowardice !! You won’t call out TT because you’ll rather keep your paycheck from there and look away as they become a propaganda arm of the new regime. I’ve tolerated Sami’s nasal “valley girl” accent and her hatred for Biden and V’s constant interruptions overtaking and monopolizing the conversations because I thought you at least had integrity but you clearly don’t. Unfollowed.
  • I'm from Pennsylvania
    1/7 episode (longtime listener)
    I’m a longtime listener and used to love this podcast- and still love it most of the time, especially Sami’s deep knowledge… but— I was genuinely APPALLED at V’s just absolutely ridiculous comments about people from the UK. Am I listening to a right wing podcast?! Is it okay to make hateful, nationalist comments about folks in the UK? This was the most bizarre take yet. I am honestly shocked they even left that in as I melted from secondhand embarrassment. Ugh. I’m a democrat but this is exactly the kind of hypocrisy that turns people off from the left. You go so far left that you’re actualky completely illiberal. Anyways, as the kids say… do better. Thank you Sami for your maturity and calm, tactful response to what was just gross behavior.
  • Eleventotwelve
    Realistic and practical conversations that make you laugh and think hard about your beliefs
    As a listener of other betches pods, I’ve been a consistent listener of AFD since its inception. It’s become an informative and at times comforting presence as I navigate through the current political and social climate. Although I generally share similar beliefs, I don’t agree with every take or position on the show. However, I truly appreciate the insight that this pod brings into other subcultures and opinions. It’s challenged me to think beyond certain viewpoints while feeling incredibly accessible and realistic - like I’m listening into a personal convo between my two good friends who I respect.
  • ashlizzle4321
    Great Show with Real Takes
    Looooove this, especially the combo of Sami and V! The banter is top tier & they make an overwhelming and scary politic climate easier to navigate. Plus they’re hilarious!! Big fan of the pod- please keep up the good work!
  • aesthetictiger
    OOOOF hard pass
    I am really bummed. I like V and Under the Desk, but this podcast is not it. I’ve listened to a few episodes and there were definitely some orange flags, but the most recent ep about Luigi… I turned it off and unfollowed within 10 minutes. You can’t understand why the public is siding with him, ARE YOU JOKING? Do you not see what is happening in our society?? Elitism and self-righteous blindness, no thank you please.
  • Erfette
    Bad take on Luigi
    I really wish V had been on the Luigi manhunt episode. I had to turn it off, because the take of the guest was so off and frankly annoying. A touch bootlickery, and just very out of touch. It was surprising, to be honest. The people cheering on Luigi are not nearly the idiots you cast us to be, and no we aren’t about to go shoot the live nation CEO. Comparing anger over ticket prices to anger over death and suffering due to billionaires stealing our money via insurance is just…insulting. There were so many bad faith takes here, that indicated you aren’t taking “the people” seriously. Or the deaths of UHC insured people seriously. This was a bad take. Disappointing.
  • Ughhhhhh-HH
    Luigi Mangione
    You’ve GOT to be kidding me with this last episode. I’ve been an AVID listener since V started this podcast, yet now I can see the class divide. I wouldn’t recommend this show to anyone within my tax bracket. Thanks for showing your true colors.
  • Gabbehgabbeh
    Boohoo poor ceo
    Most of us have been irreparably harmed by health insurance companies. We are angry. This is class consciousness.
  • JennG8853
    Not what I expected.
    I follow one of the hosts on instagram for under the desk news and I thought this would be good as a podcast but this first episode I listened to was a bit too self serving. Lots of name dropping? Going to Kamala’s house, knowing lady Gaga way back when. I like those two people but this is cringe.
  • kales1991
    Bad takes
    Wow they went in hard on PSA - it was really bizarre
  • Slpme12345
    So much worse now
    This show was significantly better with Amanda Millie and Elise. Now it is just V whining about the fact that people don’t invite her places and saying she’s much better and everything than everybody. This is the second time I’m turning off your show.
  • GwynJ10
    Clear the Rosters but Keep Sami & V 🤝
    I have been an American Fever Dream listener since June 2024. Post election, I have had to cut down on the media I consume and the voices I listen to. What I found after the election is that most men (and male pundits especially), absolutely cannot articulate what we are feeling as women and are uncomfortable to try OR invite female voices on. So my two main podcasts remaining in the weekly rotation are American Fever Dream and Hysteria. Plus I’ve Had It for some extra giggles. V and Sami give you information you can easily understand while also spilling the tea and making jokes. Information is power and I’m so grateful to have this podcast to take in the news while keeping my sanity. The roster has been cleared… but I would never ghost these two !!! 👑 👑
  • disheartened listener
    Not good on antisemitism or Israel or Jewish culture
    When this was betches sup: was very disheartened listening to episode 409 when Bryan didn’t even know what camp auschwitz meant when it was discussed that someone in the mob that broke into the capitol on Jan 6 was wearing a camp auschwitz sweatshirt. If he was as woke as he claims to be, he would know that auschwitz was a concentration camp during the Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews. Bryan, antisemitism is rapidly rising in this country and it’s very alarming, so please educate yourself on this issue like you do on others. Now, Sami has to constantly educate V on Jewish norms and she knows nothing about the Israeli- Hama conflict.
  • sydwms
    Jarod freid ep | Early voting episode
    You have the perfect opportunity to find and lift up women podcasters who are going to be erased from this ecosystem as all this unfolds. Please do that, we need it. | Please please do not underestimate the bizarre devotion donolds minions have for him: i have spent several weeks with one 70 year old couple and one 80 year old couple both white, in Florida and the women of these couples shock me with the repetition of the absolute ludicrous things that donold says is true but are clearly lies. Freaking broke my heart
  • Tired_resident12
    THE BEST EVER
    I have been listening to this show since the beginning, but I have really started relying on this podcast as my primary source of political information and SANITY! I love the dynamic between the cohosts and they help me make sense of the chaos. PLEASE NEVER STOP!!!
  • SamHunt97
    😂😂😂😂
    🇺🇸
  • gradschoolbetch
    Ty ty Ty
    Ty for this. It made me feel sane post election to have two women just as outraged about blaming of the Democratic Party but also giving a balanced review of how we can do better next time (although really how can a woman do better?) I hope one day it changes.
  • Mimrossar
    2024 Election
    Trump voters get completely different news than we do-so there is no reaching them with facts. You seem to think this was a failing on our part. We were never going to win anyone over by addressing immigration the “right way”. We had to out vote them like we did in 2020- and we didn’t. We lost 14 million Biden voters and either 14 million disaffected pro Palestine voters sat it out lor Russian Bots hacked our election. No Dem sat it out cause of Beyoncé-we knew we were voting against Trump. Any Dem who say this out was a complete idiot-so trying to reframe our messsage is not the win.
  • mmmmeganray
    Amazing
    This podcast makes me feel less alone especially after the 11/5 results. Only request is the Thur episode just be another ep of Sami/V and if either conduct interviews release as bonus episodes… podcast is at its best when Sami and V talk and have convos about current topics
  • AllisonKT
    Digestible News Coverage for the Girlies
    I am soooo happy I came across this podcast! As someone who is genuinely interested in politics, it’s hard to find credible sources that explain things in a way that’s easy to understand as well as interesting! They bring on the best guests and I love the interviewing and editing style. Amazing 10/10
  • clairemf13
    Zionist propaganda podcast
    This used to be an informative, news-centric podcast with nuanced takes on current events. Since Sami has joined, it’s turned into an arena for her to spread Islamophobic and, frankly, antisemitic rhetoric. There are also frequent typos in the episode titles - learn how to use apostrophes!
  • Mhenry08
    Makes news not only digestible, but enjoyable
    I rely on this podcast for my weekly dose of information including top level announcements and deep dives! I love the lighthearted takes and charismatic explanations. This is a great way to supplement the dispassionate MSM news with a better, more whole understanding of what’s going on with understandable breakdowns and laughs along the way. Civic lessons are a HUGE bonus in these discussions!
  • kianja1
    First time listener
    Great episode!!! Will continue to listen.
  • g4t&y283838
    Meh
    I miss the old podcast so much, was my intro into engaging with politics. Just isn’t the same!
  • estrellasylaluna
    Fast unfollow when I saw your interview with Noah Tishby
    Noah Tishby is the worst of the worst when it comes to Zionist/anti-Palestinian rhetoric. I only followed your podcast for about 1-2 months but quickly unfollowed once I saw that you gave her a platform. No thank you!
  • Loggerseth
    Great podcast
    Love the podcast, my brain can’t handle the weird bracelet or pencil sounds on the How did trump get this way(paraphrase) the background sound is making me nuts
  • iwhb61637!
    Used to love
    I was such a huge Sup fan and it was one of my favorite podcasts. Since the change, I just am not connecting in the same way with it. I miss the lighter side of sup and the comedy, it was much more enjoyable to cover serious topics but also have a light side. I also feel like this is just propaganda for the Democratic Party. Don’t get me wrong, I always vote democrat and will continue to do so. I’m very progressive and I feel like there used to be nuanced discussion about issues whereas now it’s like they’re scared to say anything bad or negative about anyone in the party. We can support and promote people while also acknowledging the things they’re doing wrong.
  • Liz E in Oregon
    My favorite!
    This podcast is so easy to listen to while also being exceptionally informative. Both hosts are clear and concise and bring great perspective to the news they report. Keep it up! Love it!!
  • justplanegood
    Great content but with a side of frys
    Love the content! Love the topics! I find it hard to get past the vocal fry. Maybe a cough drop will help or perhaps check to see if there are polyps? My brain just begins to wonder if there are long jeweled nails and Valley Girl hair flips behind the fry and it makes it difficult to take the information seriously. Like seriously, M’Gud. But great content.
  • Billybill1984
    Jody Foster
    Jodie Foster was 18, not 12, when Reagan was shot. Get it together.
  • fweasleyluv
    mind-numbingly moderate
    since replacing Amanda with Sami (which I totally support Amanda’s choice to step down, protect your mental health queen), the takes have become so weak. they come across like they’re afraid to criticize the establishment because they’re scared that Dems will stop coming on their show. the most recent episode basically argued that the place for diversity is in the cabinet and not on the presidential ballot. as an elder Gen Z who grew up with Betches, I am really disappointed to see that the opinions are not reflective of Gen Z at all and they’re going to lose their audience if they don’t get with the times.
  • Wooooha808
    Not as worthwhile as Sup
    As an OG Sup listener, I never missed an episode. Sadly, Fever Dream doesn’t hit the same way and I often go weeks without tuning in. It’s sad, because Alise, Amanda, and Bryan became a really important part of my week, and I feel like I lost good friends when they stopped recording. I don’t connect with V or Sami, even though I have alot of respect for them.
  • Rally_C
    The best!
    One of the best podcasts. Informative. Kind. Hopeful.
  • Amanda 💙🇹🇼
    So smart
    Idk how they do it…today’s news delivered in a way that feels like a warm cuddle, which is wild. They are so smart, analytical, and critical-thinking.
  • MLMC85
    Had to unfollow
    I like the hosts a lot. They’re got great energy and a lot of fun. However, they are just wrong so much of the time. The basis facts they report might be right, but the analysis and explanation is way off. For example, Sami’s explanation as to why Macron called snap elections - its not because Macron recognizes a loss of support, it’s to shore up his majority in the French parliament which has a different electoral system than the EU system. That said, the worst is their coverage of legal matters. I had hoped that this would bridge the gap between episodes of strict scrutiny and pod save america, but no such luck.
  • bapestababe
    Embarrassing
    Black Americans created Hip-Hop (as a culmination of inspiration from rhythm and blues, funk, jazz, and rock and roll which are historically Black genres as well) not “Black and brown people” Black Americans laid the groundwork so other groups ended up being able participate. If you’re going to use your platform to spread a message, please let it be accurate.
  • Pamies
    Where’s the Palestine coverage?
    Long time betches fan, I’m very disappointed in the lacking coverage of Palestine and the campus protests. What is discussed on the pod is blatantly pro-Israel with an agenda. So frustrating and disheartening :(
  • StillWAITING!!!!!
    Not SUP
    I miss hearing information and research from Amanda. Also the fact that you’re a news podcast pretending that Gaza isn’t happening is a joke. What’s going on w betches these days?
  • estark9876
    I miss betches sup
    Appreciate this podcast but just doesn’t hit the same as betches sup ❤️
  • Miracle123456789123456789
    Thank you!
    I love this podcast. Thank you for adding timestamps!!
  • livelovelaugh143
    I’m so tired of hearing about Taylor Swift
    I’ve largely been liking American Fever Dream after being a long-time Sup listener, but for the love of god, I do not want to keep hearing about Taylor Swift! I appreciate that they started putting time stamps in the show notes so you can skip ahead to the parts you actually care about…but the time stamps were completely wrong. For example, the most recent episode had them discussing Taylor Swift at the jump and according to the show notes time stamps, the main news started at 10:00 - except the main news didn’t start until 23:36 and they literally talked only about TS up until that point. Please, make a separate podcast if you want to talk about her.
  • Thank_u_5
    Commuter’s Delight.
    Sami and V you make my Thursday commute bearable. Serious issues explained, plus good news that won’t leave you obsessing over the potentially impending apocalypse. I would love to see you tackle Project 2025 in a future pod.
  • Mrs. Tom Brady
    PSA: Drop what you’re doing and listen to the Cowboy Carter episode
    This show is a refreshing take on the chaos that is American politics. Sami and V’s conversations are fluid and funny and fact-packed. The segments (and musical intros) are unique and thought provoking. This episode (4/2/24) in particular might be one of my favorites of all time. I learned SO much beyond what I did from googling C.C. references, thanks to V’s personal accounts in the country music experience. This show had everything: music history, Black history, culture, Dolly P, Easter 101, BEYONCÉ. I hope there is a sequel because I need more analysis!!
  • Josie Lou
    Love this podcast!
    I have followed V News for a while now and started listening when they started hosting. I highly recommend the show as a source of news but without the doom and gloom of traditional coverage. I love their “down ballot” era segment and the hosts passion for local level politics and policies making the biggest impact on the most people.
  • Elsa Mednick Marie
    23?
    23? 23? 23?
  • Crzyboutpets
    Not news
    Hot takes, vibes and feelings do not news make. It’s so difficult to listen to all the ums and “you knows”. No we don’t know, we’re here to learn something and all we can take away is your ignorance of what you’re speaking about. I really enjoyed the first few episodes but the last one has me questioning how seriously I should take information coming from this pod.
  • AngRomano2
    Miss the old betches sup
    Millie, Elise and Amanda had such a good vibe and I loved listening every week. I started to give the new format a chance, but now Amanda is leaving too? Hmm. She was a great host and now the vibe just ain’t there with what’s left. Sadly I’m going to have to bow out.
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