

Hysteria
Hysteria
Political commentator and comedy writer Erin Ryan and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco are joined by a bicoastal squad of funny, opinionated women to talk through everything from reproductive rights to romcoms. They break down the political news of the week, plus the topics, trends, and cultural stories that affect women’s lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 1h 43min
Showgirls & Mormon Wives w. Mayci Neeley
Mayci Neeley, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and author, shares insights about her new memoir. She discusses her journey to feminism and the behind-the-scenes realities of #MomTok. The hosts also dive into political topics, including Trump's response to Ghislaine Maxwell's appeal and the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They also touch on Taylor Swift's latest album and critique the absurdity of viral recipes. Expect laughter, insights, and a sprinkling of cultural commentary!

13 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 31min
Shutdown for What
The government has shut down, with Republicans spreading misinformation while worrying about healthcare and federal workers. Erin and Alyssa tackle Ezra Klein’s controversial comments and discuss polls on abortion and gender roles. They also delve into RFK Jr.'s FDA review of abortion medication and highlight key races in Virginia. Epstein files reveal connections to high-profile figures, while discussions around wealthy men and their abuses of power take center stage. Finally, excitement builds for Aaron Sorkin's latest film and a playful roast of Ivanka Trump's Instagram.

28 snips
Sep 28, 2025 • 55min
This F*cking Guy: Ghislaine Maxwell
The hosts delve into the disturbing life of Ghislaine Maxwell, exploring her connections to Jeffrey Epstein and her role in high-society scandal. They unravel her shadowy upbringing under her father, Robert Maxwell, whose suspicious death left a web of deceit. The discussion highlights Maxwell's social ascent and the grim details of how they allegedly groomed and recruited victims. The podcast also examines the controversial plea deal Epstein received, the continuing fallout from their actions, and the complexities of power, abuse, and conspiracy surrounding this infamous duo.

10 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 33min
Candace Owens is Not Your Friend
The hosts tackle Candace Owens' rise and her controversial background, shedding light on her use of conspiracies. They critique Trump's alarming claims linking Tylenol and vaccines to autism, revealing the chaotic consequences of Kentucky's 50/50 custody law on families. Discussion also covers ICE raids enabling civilian assaults against immigrant women, and they share insights on Evie Magazine's subtle influence towards conservative ideologies. Light-hearted segments on tech fails and viral pranks round out the conversation, blending serious topics with humor.

8 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 27min
The War on They
The hosts dive into the chaotic media and political fallout following Charlie Kirk's death, dissecting misleading narratives and Kash Patel's handling of the investigation. They grapple with the implications of newly uncovered Epstein files and celebrate New Mexico's pioneering initiative for universal free childcare. The conversation also turns to the complexities of commercial surrogacy and a controversial memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert. Finally, there's a sweet nod to the passionate fanbase celebrating the finale of "The Summer I Turned Pretty."

Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 17min
Zero F*cks Harris w. Errin Haines
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)

Sep 4, 2025 • 43min
This F*cking Guy: Nancy Mace
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?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. Episode sources

13 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 37min
Wifely Submission (Taylor’s Version) w. Megan Gailey & Evan Kleiman
Megan Gailey, a comedian and host of Sports Bitches, teams up with chef and author Evan Kleiman for a lively chat. They delve into Taylor Swift's surprise engagement, reflecting on public reactions and societal norms. The duo explores the complexity of child-free spaces, laughing about parenting expectations in public. Evan shares insights on the challenges facing local media and tips for summer recipes. Finally, they tackle the upcoming football season and the K-Pop phenomenon, blending humor with thoughtful commentary.

13 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 25min
Trolls, Lies, & Hunting Wives w. Katie Lowes
Katie Lowes, known for her role in Scandal, shares juicy insights about her character Jilly Bean in Netflix's The Hunting Wives. She recounts her hilarious journey learning to shoot a gun on set and the camaraderie fostered among cast members. The conversation also dives into political satire, with discussions on Melania Trump’s clumsy diplomacy and Gavin Newsom's social media antics. Additionally, the hosts tackle the troubling trend of women leaving the workforce and critique the culture war surrounding male NFL cheerleaders.

15 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 37min
Ifs, Ands, and Butts w. Samantha Irby
Samantha Irby, a New York Times bestselling author and comedian known for her work on "And Just Like That," joins the conversation to unpack the final season's challenges and the internet's reaction, particularly her thoughts on Aidan. The hosts also dive into serious issues like school choice's impact in Arizona and Trump’s controversial federalization of D.C. police. They wrap up with a humorous critique of a cringe-worthy conservative mom podcast, blending sharp insights with Irby's signature humor throughout.


