The Daily Beans

Phil Williams, investigative reporter who covers white supremacy and domestic extremism, joins to discuss his Substack Hate Comes to Main Street. He traces local neo-Nazi incidents to national movements. They examine how white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and QAnon overlap. He previews weekly reporting and how recruitment and economic pressures fuel radicalization.

Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State and 2026 gubernatorial candidate, talks about running government efficiently and expanding voter access. She discusses cutting DMV wait times, affordability and labor support. Benson also covers election security planning, confronting threats from 2020, and protecting Great Lakes and state-level climate action.

Reporting on federal secrecy and withheld evidence in a Minnesota killing. A judge orders the return of slavery exhibits in Philadelphia. Sick detainees describe dire medical care at private immigration facilities. Nevada brothel workers push to unionize and demand better pay and protections. A map of proposed ICE warehouses sparks local resistance and organizing.

They debate Ring and Flock Safety’s role in normalizing domestic surveillance and how footage and license-plate data reach law enforcement. They explore safer alternatives for finding lost pets without handing over privacy. They cover DHS and ICE data demands for social media accounts and worries about warrantless searches. They call out political double standards on surveillance and voting access.

Heather Cox Richardson, historian and author of Letters from an American, joins to put recent DOJ and DHS moves in historical context. They discuss a “script flip” where authorities cast protesters as threats. Conversations cover the origins of DOJ, weaponizing civil‑rights laws, grassroots civic guardrails, jury accountability, and practical tactics to limit abusive power.

Katie Phang, independent journalist and former prosecutor known for sharp political commentary, joins to unpack DOJ oversight and the Epstein files. They dig into Pam Bondi’s Judiciary performance and what rising grand jury no-bills reveal. Conversation covers search-term tracking in the Epstein files and how prosecutorial staffing choices shape legal and political battles.

Barb McQuade, former U.S. Attorney and law professor who studies national security and disinformation, joins to discuss how misinformation shifted from foreign actors to domestic operatives. She talks about social media algorithms that amplify outrage. She explains reflexive control tactics and why pausing before reacting matters. Practical steps to reclaim civic discourse are also highlighted.

Laurie Kilmartin, a stand-up comedian and writer with a new special, talks about dark humor and turning grief into comedy. She discusses doxing and online backlash, losing her mother to COVID and how it shaped her material. Laurie explains the origins of her special’s provocative title and reflects on being a woman in the male-dominated comedy world.

Friday, February 13th, 2026Today, Judge Leon blocks Pete Hegseth’s effort to punish Senator Mark Kelly for his illegal orders video; the House Republicans pass the SAVE act with one Democratic vote to help them; Senate Democrats block DHS funding which will likely result in a shutdown of the agency; Trump lifts greenhouse policy underpinning key climate rules; the feds are still refusing to cooperate with Minnesota investigations into the murders of Alex Pretti and Renée Good; Judge Boasberg orders the return of Venezuelans illegally removed to CECOT prison last march; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, SmallsFor a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/DAILYBEANS.Thank You, BrodoHead to Brodo.com/DAILYBEANS for 20% off your first subscription order and use code DAILYBEANS for an additional $10 off. Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything|John Fugelsang, The John Fugelsang Podcast, John Fugelsang|Substack, @johnfugelsang|Bluesky, @JohnFugelsang|TwitterSeparation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang - OUT NOW!The LatestDems Are Playing Hardball Against a Desperate Trump Regime | muellershewrote.comStoriesFederal court blocks Hegseth effort to punish Democratic senator | POLITICOHouse GOP passes sweeping anti-voting bill that could disenfranchise millions, sends measure to Senate | Democracy DocketMinnesota AG: Feds still not cooperating on Pretti and Good investigations | POLITICOTrump Repeals Key Greenhouse Gas Finding, Erasing EPA’s Power to Fight Climate Change | The New York TimesJudge orders return of Venezuelans formerly detained in El Salvador if they choose to come back | NBC NewsThe Pride flag at Stonewall is back up!https://www.instagram.com/p/DUrItlDiZpP/Good TroublePluto TV - the free streaming platform -  is currently running ads promoting ICE and "Trump Accounts". Not political commentary. Not news coverage. Direct promotional advertising, i.e., propaganda.Contact Pluto TV SupportContact Us | Paramount→How to Film ICE | WIRED→Standwithminnesota.com→Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible→Defund ICE (UPDATED 1/21) - HOUSE VOTE THURSDAY→Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU→ICE List  →iceout.org →Demand the Resignation of Stephen Miller | 5 Calls→2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the MorningGood NewsRichmond County residents speak out against data center project in Hayne's Station | Community & Eventshttps://decantnapa.com/, https://www.instagram.com/decantnapavalleyhttps://www.instagram.com/joelle.wine/See Dana on Tour - Dana Goldberg@dgcomedy - IG→Go To Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans to Share YoursSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTubeOur Donation LinksPathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison’s Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate 💰, secure.actblue.com/donate/msw-bwc, WhistleblowerAid.org/beansDr. Allison Gill - The Breakdown | Allison Gill, Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com - Bluesky, MSW & The Daily Beans Podcast @muellershewrote - Instagram, MSW Media - YouTube→Federal workers - email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you’re going to do, or just vent. I’m always here to listen. Dana Goldberg - @dgcomedy.bsky.social - Bluesky, @dgcomedy - IG, Dana Goldberg - Facebook, Dana Goldberg.comMore from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | Allison Gill Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That’s just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:https://apple.co/3XNx7ckWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?https://patreon.com/thedailybeanshttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/https://apple.co/3UKzKt0 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thursday, February 12th, 2026Today, a federal grand jury refused to indict the six members of Congress for their video telling members of the military not to follow illegal orders; a Trump appointed judge has rejected DOJ’s push for Michigan's voter rolls; House Republicans revolt against Trump’s bid to take control of tariffs; the Pentagon shut down airspace over El Paso after shooting down a party balloon; Trump has removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Monument; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, WildgrainGet $30 off your first box + free Croissants in every box. Go to Wildgrain.com/DAILYBEANS to start your subscription. The LatestTulsi Gabbard is Covering Up a Call About Someone Close to the White House | muellershewrote.comStoriesBlack Trans Trailblazers That You May Not Learn About in History Class | Erin In The MorningGrand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress | NYTPirro Taps Dance Photographer-Lawyer in Lawmaker Video Case | BloombergHouse Republicans revolt over GOP’s attempt to hand Trump Congress’ tariff authority | MS NOWAirspace closure followed spat over drone-related tests and party balloon shoot-down, sources say | CBS NewsJudge dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking Michigan's voter roll data | NBC NewsTrump’s ‘Stop the Steal’ lawyer probing 2020 election fraud has access to sensitive US intel | POLITICOPride Flag Is Removed From Stonewall Monument After Trump Directive | NYTGood TroubleResist and UnsubscribeResist and Unsubscribe: The Economic Strike Against ICE | YouTube Explainer→How to Film ICE | WIRED→Standwithminnesota.com→Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible→Defund ICE (UPDATED 1/21) - HOUSE VOTE THURSDAY→Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU→ICE List  →iceout.org →Demand the Resignation of Stephen Miller | 5 Calls→2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the MorningGood NewsVoteRidersSpread The VoteMerrimack Valley Food Banksleepycatknits.myshopify.comRubber City ResistanceTransform CincySee Dana on Tour - Dana Goldberg@dgcomedy - IG→Go To Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans to Share YoursSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTubeOur Donation LinksPathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison’s Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate 💰, secure.actblue.com/donate/msw-bwc, WhistleblowerAid.org/beansDr. Allison Gill - The Breakdown | Allison Gill, Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com - Bluesky, MSW & The Daily Beans Podcast @muellershewrote - Instagram, MSW Media - YouTube→Federal workers - email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you’re going to do, or just vent. I’m always here to listen. Dana Goldberg - @dgcomedy.bsky.social - Bluesky, @dgcomedy - IG, Dana Goldberg - Facebook, DANA GOLDBERG.comMore from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | Allison Gill Reminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That’s just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:https://apple.co/3XNx7ckWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?https://patreon.com/thedailybeanshttps://dailybeans.supercast.com/https://apple.co/3UKzKt0 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.