

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

Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 8min
Ice, ICE, and Saying It To Your Face
In this episode of Getting Hammered, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss the recent winter weather affecting much of the country, snow days and the challenges of parenting during storms. They share travel experiences, with a special confrontation for MK on the West Coast. In the news, the Minnesota fallout surrounding immigration enforcement , the dynamics of the Trump administration, and the implications of Gavin Newsom's policies, which some are now admitting are bad. They also get into gym accolades and the current crisis in the spirits industry, which they mean to solve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 3min
Don Lemon, Mamdani, and Virginia's New Gov Point the Way to Florida
In this episode of "Getting Hammered," hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus dive into a variety of topics. Vic shares his observations from a journalism conference in Palm Beach, highlighting the peculiarities of the local dog-walking culture and the challenges of parenting teenagers left home alone. The conversation then shifts to current events, including the implications of recent ICE-related incidents and public reactions to immigration enforcement. They discuss the political landscape in Virginia, particularly the recent election outcomes and the new policies being introduced by the Democratic leadership, which they argue are detrimental to law-abiding citizens. The episode wraps up with a light-hearted discussion about college football. Plus, the potential for U.S. territorial expansion, specifically regarding Greenland, and whether the madman theory of Donald Trump is more mad than theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 5min
Keep Calm and Eat Protein: Jenna Lee Joins to Help Us
In this episode of Getting Hammered, Mary Katharine Ham and Jenna Lee make plans for their husband's birthdays next year before diving into the Supreme Court case regarding transgender athletes in women's sports, the investigation into Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve, the recent ICE shooting incident in Minneapolis, and how it's hard to take a few moments in the New Media to evaluate news stories, but that's what's really needed. They also touch on the redesign of the food pyramid and the inspiring story of resilience from a young athlete who lost his parents in a tragic accident. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding complex issues, the role of media in shaping public opinion, and the need for patience in forming opinions on controversial topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 9, 2026 • 26min
Bonus: Venezuela Native Daniel Di Martino on His Childhood, Socialism, and Hope for the Future
Mary Katharine Ham interviews Daniel Di Martino, a Venezuelan-born economist and Manhattan Institute fellow, about the recent political changes in Venezuela and the implications of socialism versus capitalism. DiMartino shares his personal experiences growing up in Venezuela, the impact of the regime on the economy, and the importance of educating young people about the dangers of socialism. He emphasizes the need for charismatic leaders in politics and discusses the future of Venezuela and the hope for a free society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 9min
Fraudsters, OnlyFans, and Venezuelan Dictators, Oh My!
In this episode of "Getting Hammered," hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, the political landscape in Minnesota with Tim Walz's withdrawal from the governor's race, and the implications of OnlyFans models receiving work visas in the U.S. Plus, robot surgery, January birthdays, and disco! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 19min
Last Call For 2025
In this episode of Getting Hammered, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss their Christmas experiences and last minute Mrs Claus magic. The conversation transitions to more serious topics such as U.S. military action against ISIS in Nigeria, ongoing Ukraine-Russia negotiations, and the implications of fraud in Minnesota's childcare programs. They also touch on the renaming of the Kennedy Center, Pop Tart Bowl and the controversy surrounding a throuple featured in the Wall Street Journal.
00:00 Welcome and Holiday Recap
15:04 US Military Actions on Christmas
30:06 Minnesota Fraud Scandal
43:30 Kennedy Center
54:03 Pop-Tart Bowl and College Football
01:00:36 Throuple Housing Dilemma
01:04:24 White House Christmas Ornaments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 8min
A Conservative Crash Out For Christmas
Kelly Maher, a sharp political analyst and writer, teams up with Mary Katharine Ham to dive into the tumultuous week of political news within the conservative movement. They tackle contentious topics such as Ben Shapiro's push for truth in commentary and Tucker Carlson's reaction to the current dynamics. The duo discusses the split within the right at AmFest and JD Vance's call for inclusivity in the America First coalition. They also scrutinize Candace Owens' controversial claims and the ongoing crisis at the Heritage Foundation, all while sharing light-hearted holiday anecdotes.

Dec 19, 2025 • 1h 8min
Bonus Getting Hammered Gets a Lil Hammered: Christmas Cocktails!
Mary Katharine Ham makes cocktails for spirits expert Vic Matus. It's nerve-wracking. Did she succeed?! We mixed a LOT of liquors, with a
garnish of news, plus favorite and hated Christmas carols and movies! On the drink menu: A Cranberry Snow Globe Spritzer, a Gingerbread Martini, a Cranberry Margarita, a Peppermint White Russian, and a Cider with Bourbon. We even had fresh-roasted chestnuts!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 8min
A Few Good Podcast Hosts
In this episode of Getting Hammered, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk holiday preparations and Nashville hot chicken followed by more serious topics, addressing tragic news events in Bondi Beach and Brown University. The conversation shifts to political insights regarding the current administration feature in Vanity Fair, followed by a discussion on Rob Reiner's passing and Trump's controversial response. Ending on a lighter note with a discussion on font changes at the State Department and concludes with a highlight of "Trashed Panda" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 2025 • 36min
Bonus: Karen Vaites and MKH on School Closings, Literacy, and Why Them Kids Ain't Learnin' Good
We're excited to offer some interviews as bonus content on Getting Hammered with friends of the show on topics we care about. Today, Karen Vaites, an expert on literacy and curriculum, who really knows the nitty-gritty about how students learn, what works, and what we can replicate. We rant a bit about school closings and Randi Weingarten, then get on to the business of moving forward— the Mississippi Miracle, the Southern Surge, and whether skepticism is warranted. We are optimists. There is good news! We're trying to spread the word and help spread the strategy. That's where you come in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


