With Friends Like These

In the wake of the blockbuster Cohen testimony, there’s a lot to be unpacked about how the Trump family handles relationships, and in particular how Trump has spent his entire life commodifying and branding women. Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) is joined this week by Nina Burleigh (@ninaburleigh) who is Newsweek’s national politics editor. She wrote the book “Golden Handcuffs: The Secret History of Trump's Women” which picks apart systematic and generational issues within America’s Worst Family. Who is complicit and who is a casualty and who is a criminal and who is capitalism made manifest? Spoiler: it’s less of a straight answer than a Venn diagram. Thanks to our sponsors! Gobble is the meal prep delivery service designed for real life.  Gobble is an easy – and delicious – way to create a healthy meal routine for your busy family. They’re offering my listeners this fantastic, limited time deal:  6 Meals for Just $36, plus Free Shipping! Get this special offer now - go to: Gobble.com/FRIENDS Fully’s standin

Jussie Smollett. Yeah. That whole thing. Ugh. Ughhhh. This week, Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) interviewed Rolling Stone journalist Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) about how to untangle this mess. There’s a rising trend in hate crime and organized hate groups across the country, and as a society we lack the tools to parse solutions to these developments. Jamil discusses the implications of this trending disaster, and how our Commander-in-chief is leading the charge towards a dangerous and divided America. And what 2020 candidates should be learning from this. Thank to our sponsors! People brush too hard and some electric toothbrushes are too abrasive. Quip’s built-in two minute timer pulses every 30 seconds to remind you when to switch sides and help you to clean your whole mouth evenly. Quip starts at just $25 and if you go to GETQUIP.com/FRIENDS right now, you can get your first refill pack for FREE. Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit

Whether you’re going out to dinner, or sitting at home with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, Valentine’s Day offers unique problems for everyone. This week, Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) interviewed Blythe Roberson (@blythelikehappy) to talk about the modern pitfalls of dating men, when sometimes you can’t stand them. In her new book, How to Date Men When You Hate Men, Blythe Roberson covers the sexism that gets excused in the dating world, and why women often feel the need to be desirable in the eyes of the patriarchy. Afterwards, Ana interviewed Amy Chozick (@amychozick) to talk about the Lorena Bobbitt story, the way we often devalue the stories of women, and how to change her legacy to one of a tabloid feature to one of a survivor. Thank to our sponsors! Whether it’s a truck to help on moving day, a swishy sports car for a luxurious weekend away, or a vintage van for a picture-perfect road trip, Turo lets you find the perfect vehicle for your next adventure. Listeners will get $25 off their first trip when th

Tune in this week for a double interview feature! First, Dr. Tressie Cottom joined Ana Marie Cox for “the hot take superbowl.” They began by recapping the Northam debacle in Virginia and where it fits into our historical moment. They continued with a discussion of Dr. Cottom’s new book THICK: And Other Essays. From Betsy Devos to our society’s flawed concept of beauty, Dr. Cottom wrote about her personal experiences with all of it. Ana then interviewed Erika Christensen about her experience with later abortion. They discussed what it meant to take such a private moment and make it public, as well as the real life implications of policy decisions surrounding a women’s right to choose. Follow the links to hear more about Erika’s Story. Thanks to our sponsors! Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. Blinkist is made of busy people like you, who want to

This week proud Kansas native Sarah Smarsh (@Sarah_Smarsh) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss her new book Heartland: A Memoir of Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth. From not knowing you’re poor, to feeling shame about your social class, Sarah Smarsh covers what growing up white and working class is like. Next, they discussed the intersection of public policy and private life, and why accurate media portrayal of poverty matters. Sarah ended by adding onto the call for representation amongst journalists and other media figures: “If we don’t know who we are, and we’re just going by these reductive and simplistic narratives, then how can we ever solve the problem?” Thanks to our sponsors! ZipRecruiter finds qualified candidates FOR you. Its powerful matching technology scans thousands of resumes to identify people with the right skills, education, and experience — and actively invites them to apply to your job. So, you get qualified candidates fast. Try ZipRecruiter FOR FREE at this exclus

This week Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about the government shutdown, and the newest implications of the Trump presidency. They covered how Trump’s decisions have affected everyone from Congress to the average American citizen. Afterwards, they talked about coping; teaching that taking care of yourself can be macro and take the form of activism, or micro and just involve sitting on the couch with a loved one, or a loved pet. Tune in for your weekly reminder that none of this is normal! Thanks to our sponsors! People brush too hard and some electric toothbrushes are too abrasive.  Quip’s built-in two minute timer pulses every 30 seconds to remind you when to switch sides and help you to clean your whole mouth evenly. Quip starts at just $25 and if you go to GETQUIP.com/FRIENDS right now, you can get your first refill pack for FREE. Robinhood is an investing app that lets you buy and sell stocks, ETF’s, options, and cryptos- all commission-free.  It’s a non-intimi

Have you ever cancelled a celebrity? Do you believe you can separate the art from the artist? Do Twitter arguments and trending hashtags matter in the real world? This week Dianna Anderson (@diannaeanderson) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to answer all these questions and more. In her new book, Problematic: How Toxic Callout Culture is Destroying Feminism, Dianna Anderson ponders the strive towards perfectionism in the feminist movement and the positive and negative implications of that struggle, as it seeps into mainstream culture. Together, Ana and Dianna talk about what it means to be called out, what it’s like to experience it, and where to go from there. Thanks to our sponsors! Ritual’s Essentials have the nutrients most of us don’t get enough of from our diets—all in their purest, cleanest forms. No shady additives or ingredients that actually do more harm to your body than good. Better health doesn’t happen overnight. Start your year with Essential for Women—a small step that helps create a healt

This week Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about her own experiences as a writer and an academic and pass out some advice along the way. They began by talking about the changes in comedy in the age of widespread “wokeness.” They covered broader social issues, and eventually got on a more personal level: the pressure to become a mother and what it means to reject it. Ashley offered a potential solution to the jealousy and resentment women sometimes feel when they’re pitted against each other. Finally, Ashley had a suggestion for white people who think they need to have some black friends. ThirdLove knows there’s a perfect bra for everyone, so right now they are offering 15% off your first order! Go to THIRDLOVE.com/FRIENDS now to find your perfect-fitting bra. Robinhood is an investing app that lets you buy and sell stocks, ETFS, options, and cryptos- all commission-free. Other brokerages charge up to $10 for every trade, but Robinhood doesn’t charge commission

The typical American family holiday can be characterized by the three F’s: food, family, and football. This week Ana Marie Cox (@amc) and Mina Kimes (@minakimes) talked about the intersections of sports and politics, and why football isn’t the safest dinner table topic anymore. They began with the importance of football both personally and politically, and continued by talking what it’s like to be a woman covering a traditionally masculine subject. Finally, they covered the NFL’s non reaction to domestic violence, and the activism done by female athletes before and during the #MeToo movement. Thanks to our sponsors!  Calm, the #1 app to help you meditate, sleep and relax. If you head to CALM.COM/FRIENDS, you’ll get 25% off a Calm Premium subscription, which includes hundreds of hours of programs including guided meditations on issues like anxiety, stress, and focus, including a brand new meditation each day called the Daily Calm. Article is an online-only furniture copy. By eliminating the layers of tradit

Nearly 30% of registered voters are Republican, but almost half of them don’t support Trump as of 2018. What happens to the other half? This week Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about being in the other half, and the split in the Republican party. They began with a conversation on being conservative and the state of the GOP. They focused in on being a woman in a party that supported an overtly sexist president. Afterwards they debated the rise of Trump and the role of the Tea Party. Finally they talked about what gaslighting means and why it’s important in our current political context. Thanks to our sponsors! At Dropbox we’re building a home for all of your team’s work and the conversation around it, with a suite of tools that maximizes inspiration and minimizes distraction. Because when teams are in flow, everything just clicks. Visit Dropbox.com/flow ThirdLove designs its bras with breast size and shape in mind, using thousands of real women’s measurements

This week Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox ) to talk about being a meteorologist in a time where climate change has reached both a critical point scientifically and politically. From making small personal decisions, to fighting for large scale societal changes, Eric and Ana cover the activism being done and why we can’t give up yet. Tune in to see how you can fight your existential dread concerning global warming and come up with your own solutions. Thanks to our sponsors! The Talkspace platform has over 2,000 licensed therapists who are experienced in addressing life challenges we all face. To match with a perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go toTalkspace.com/WFLT, and use the code WFLT to get $45 off your first month and show your support for this show. Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit your body, budget, and lifestyle. Get started NOW at StitchFix.com/FRIENDS a

This week With Friends Like These is coming to you live from the 6th Annual Women Rule Summit in D.C. In this episode Anna Palmer (@apalmerdc) and Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) talked to Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) about going from actress to activist. Piper shared her journey from simply wanting to help, to being willing to get arrested for what she believed in. They talked about what it means to really be an ally, and how to listen and help those who are marginalized without taking over their causes. They reflected on the privilege of having such a large platform, and how to use it for good. They ended by talking about what’s next and how we can keep the momentum of political involvement going. Thanks to our sponsors! Ritual Essential for Women is...the multivitamin, reimagined. Whether you’re living life—or creating it—why not add some good looking science into your daily routine? Visit ritual.com/FRIENDS to start your ritual today. Squarespace provides beautiful templates created by world-class designe

CW: Gore, Violence This week Dr. Carol Anderson (@ProfCAnderson) joined host Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about current events in the context of her new book, One Person, No Vote. They covered an intensive history of voting rights and the violence in those battles. Dr. Carol Anderson clarified the lie that is the American dream, and talked with Ana about the work that needs to be done by White people to stop the onslaught of violence that People of Color face day in and day out. They ended with a discussion of where our battles are today, and what we need to do truly create change in a country that was built on White Supremacy. Want to read more about the data and stories talked about in this episode? Click these links to read about why Obamacare enrollees voted for Trump, the murder of Mary Turner, why Democrats shouldn’t reach out to Trump voters, the reality of the Trump demographic, and the reality of the working class demographic. Thanks to our sponsors! Fully’s careful selection of active si

CW: Addiction, Eating Disorders, and Suicide. If you are struggling with any of these issues, please click the link in the content warning. You are loved and there is help available. This week Kiese Laymon (@KieseLaymon) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox ) to have a meaningful and intimate conversation about his new book, Heavy: An American Memoir. They talked about what it’s like deal with other people’s difficult stories, as well as how they cope with their own. Afterwards, they connected the concept of the body to struggles that we face internally with our own issues and externally with political and social issues. They ended with the idea, that despite the heavy things we face, we have the ability to learn to love ourselves and others. Thanks the our sponsors! Ritual Essential for Women fills the gaps in a woman’s diet, all with a fresh minty flavor, and no fishy aftertaste. Whether you’re living life—or creating it—why not add some good looking science into your daily routine? Visit ritual.com/FRIEN

CW: Sexual Assault. If you are struggling with sexual assault, there is help available. Please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 This week Diana Butler Bass (@dianabutlerbass) joined host Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about gratefulness, and the contradictions that ensue. They asked what it means to celebrate Thanksgiving, when you’re on stolen land. Afterwards, they talked about being grateful when there appears to be nothing to be grateful for, especially in the face of injustice. Finally, they made a distinction between optimism and hopefulness, attempting to change the paradigm on what effective gratitude looks like. Thanks to our sponsors! To match with a perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace.com/WFLT, and use the code WFLT to get $45 off your first month and show your support for this show. Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that finds and delivers clothes, shoes, and accessories to fit your body, budget

This week Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) sat down with Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) to talk about the 2018 Midterms. They began with a broader analysis of the Blue Wave that narrowed down into a discussion about Florida, Georgia, and voter suppression. They moved onto what they struggled with in the election, and what will happen next in terms of the White House, investigations, and potential policy.  Thanks to our sponsors! To listen on Spotify, just open the app, tap search, type in your favorite show name, and get streaming. Download the free app today and start listening to podcasts on Spotify. With Squarespace, the power is in your hands to really make your website your own. You can customize the look and feel, settings, products, and more with just a few clicks. Head to Squarespace.com/FRIENDS for a free trial and when you’re ready to launch, use the offer code FRIENDS to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. With Stamps.com you can access all the amazing services of the Post Office

This week Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) joined host Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to recap the 2018 midterm elections, and the work that led up to them. They began with a conversation on the demographic of White women and their voting patterns. They went into the history of why White women continually vote conservative, and the changes that were made this election to reach out to other marginalized and often disenfranchised communities. Finally, they talked about the work of intersectional feminist coalitions that were often devalued, and the importance of the diverse candidates who won. Thank you to our sponsors! ThirdLove designs its bras with breast size and shape in mind, using thousands of real women’s measurements, so that they fit perfectly and feel even better. Go to thirdlove.com/FRIENDS now to find your perfect-fitting bra… and get 15% off your first purchase! With just a few taps on your phone, Framebridge lets you create a one-of-a-kind gift that will win Christmas and make someone happy for ye

This week Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) talked with journalist Eli Saslow (@elisaslow) and Derek Black (@RDerekBlack) about Derek Black’s transformation from a white nationalist to an antiracist activist. They began with current news and what Trump means for the rise of white nationalism into everyday life. Derek then talked about his background growing up as a white nationalist, and what it took for him to change his ideology. They continued with mistakes made by the media and within American culture that contributed to the normalization of white supremacy. They ended with a discussion of what it takes to change someone’s mind, and a sense of hope that it is possible. Thanks to our sponsors! This episode of With Friends Like These is brought to you by Ritual. Whether you’re living life—or creating it—why not add some good looking science into your daily routine? Visit ritual.com/ FRIENDS to start your ritual today With Stamps.com you can access all the amazing services of the Post Office, right from your d

On this week’s two part episode, Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) interviews Karamo Brown (@KaramoBrown) and Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy).  Karamo and Ana talked about his work on Queer Eye, mental health, and what it means to be different in today’s society.  Parker and Ana began with a conversation on the recent memo about legal status of Trans people released by the Trump administration. They moved onto what identity means to them, and what the term identity politics has come to mean. They closed by talking about the future of rights for the Trans population worldwide.  Content Warning: Suicide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, please contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline either online or at 1-800-273-8255, or The Trevor Project online or at 1-866-488-7386. It’s never too late to reach out for help.  Thanks to our sponsors! TripActions takes the pain out of corporate travel management with a complete solution that helps businesses SAVE and keeps employees happy. Go to Tri

This week Heather Havrilesky (@hhavrilesky) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox ) to talk about her new book, her career, and politics. They began by discussing what 2016 meant personally and politically, and transitioned into a conversation about how feminism has changed in the era of Trump and the MeToo Movement. They ended by talking about their hopes for the 2018 midterm elections. Thanks to our sponsors! Listening to audiobooks inspires us, motivates us, even brings us closer. And there’s no better place to listen, than Audible. Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks on the planet. Try it free for 30 days by visiting audible.com/friends or by texting FRIENDS to 500500. Third Love designs its bras with breast size and shape in mind, using thousands of real women’s measurements, so that they fit perfectly and feel even better. With cup sizes ranging from A through H and bands up to 48, Third Love has the most sizes of any brand. Get 15% off your first purchase by going to thirdlove.com/friends.