Getting Hammered®
Laissez-Faire Media
Overcaffeinated and underprepared™
A sharp, funny politics podcast for people who want the news without the freakout.
Each week, Getting Hammered® takes a hammer to the headlines, breaking down politics, media spin, and cultural meltdowns with skepticism and fun. Overcaffeinated and underprepared™, moderately right and moderately reliable, we never take ourselves too seriously. But keep you informed on serious topics with no panic and no partisan loyalty tests. Just laughs, well-earned side-eye, and occasional libations.
A sharp, funny politics podcast for people who want the news without the freakout.
Each week, Getting Hammered® takes a hammer to the headlines, breaking down politics, media spin, and cultural meltdowns with skepticism and fun. Overcaffeinated and underprepared™, moderately right and moderately reliable, we never take ourselves too seriously. But keep you informed on serious topics with no panic and no partisan loyalty tests. Just laughs, well-earned side-eye, and occasional libations.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 17, 2026 • 7min
#Todayin1776: Congress Debates Trade With Other Countries
Notes from February 1776 capture a fierce debate about opening colonial ports to foreign trade during wartime. Speakers argue for limited trade, robust wartime commerce, or holding off until treaties. The conversation touches on privateering, building a fleet, and whether commerce forces a shift from subject to independent identity.
Feb 17, 2026 • 7min
#Todayin1776: Washington's War Council Makes a Fateful Decision
A tense council debate over a daring amphibious assault across frozen waterways. The discussion zeroes in on powder shortages and bombardment limits. Strategic estimates of British strength and timing dominate the conversation. A seemingly offhand plan to occupy Dorchester Heights emerges as the pivotal choice that reshapes the campaign.
Feb 13, 2026 • 6min
#Todayin1776: Gunpowder, Protecting NYC, and Punctuality at the Continental Congress
A dive into Continental Congress journals from Feb. 12, 1776 — New York’s military peril and calls for reinforcements from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Details on distribution of gunpowder, saltpeter, and blankets for battalions. A reminder about punctuality for a crucial vote and a brief diplomatic note about a Canadian visitor.
Feb 12, 2026 • 6min
#Todayin1776: John Adams Writes to Abigail on His Travels and Travails
A Revolutionary-era traveler recounts a brutal 300-mile winter journey and delays caused by weather and an injured horse. He describes urgent religious prayers warning of danger to Boston and New York. He reflects on an upcoming oration, widespread melancholy, and an ominous spring that may bring bloody struggle and future glory.
Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 6min
The Myth of the Moderate Dem & Super Bowl Gab
They debate a controversial Virginia education bill and grassroots reactions. They unpack claims about a supposedly moderate Democrat and redistricting fights. They lament journalism layoffs and shrinking local coverage. They recap Super Bowl action, Bad Bunny's halftime set, and favorite commercials. They end with Starbucks service plans and playful barista banter.
Feb 11, 2026 • 10min
America 250: Ben Franklin With a Report of the Committee of Secret Correspondence
A look at the Committee of Secret Correspondence and Ben Franklin's diplomatic work while Washington fought. A recounting of the failed 1775 Canada invasion and why it never rallied local support. An account of a Canadian envoy and a committee report on political obstacles, clerical influence, and logistical woes that doomed the campaign.
Feb 10, 2026 • 10min
America 250: Washington Tells Hancock Short Deployments Aren't Cutting It
A reading of George Washington's Feb 1776 letter pressing for longer enlistments and explaining how short service harmed campaigns. The recording covers operational chaos from constant troop turnover and discipline breakdowns. It highlights Washington’s proposed fixes, including bounties and longer terms, and the army’s later move to multi-year service.
Feb 9, 2026 • 8min
America 250: Washington's General Orders on Prayer and Ammo
A reading of Washington's 1776 orders about chaplain pay and ammo distribution. The story highlights Abiel Leonard's early volunteer service and Harvard background. It traces the origins of the Army Chaplain Corps and its role in troop morale. Instructions for issuing powder, ball, and cartridges are discussed.
Feb 7, 2026 • 8min
America 250 Bonus: George Washington's Letter to Phyllis Wheatley
A dive into a pair of 18th century letters between a formerly enslaved poet and a leading Revolutionary figure. Brief biography sketches trace the poet's journey from Africa to Boston and literary acclaim. Selections from a patriotic poem are read aloud. The correspondence highlights surprising crossings of race and class in early America.
Feb 4, 2026 • 1h 12min
2020 Vibes as Signaling is Up and Competence Down
They compare shifting car culture and first-car nostalgia, including Gen Z attitudes toward vehicles. They unpack Texas Democratic primary drama and how influencer signaling shapes campaigns. They critique political messaging at the Grammys and performative activism. They cover city dysfunction from school closures to trash problems and revisit Loudoun County school board controversy. They debate interest in the Winter Olympics.
