With Friends Like These

We’re doing a re-run this week, from one of our favorite WFLT episodes of 2019. Back in April, journalist Eli Saslow (@elisaslow) joined Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss to radicalization of older people, and how to deal with that one uncle at family gatherings who constantly brings up birtherism of whatever. One of our listeners is a NASA rocket scientist who reached out because she lost a parent to Russian troll-farm memes. There are plenty of success stories for those willing to fight back, and that there is hope yet.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Chrissy Stroop (@C_Stroop) and Lauren O’Neal (@laureneoneal) join Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about their childhood fears of hellfire and their new book, Empty the Pews: Stories of Leaving the Church. They discuss how they left their churches, why they did it, and the need for ex-believers to have a seat at the table. Afterwards, they talk about the implications of evangelical Christianity in the public sphere (and how our policies have terrifyingly reflected that). Join us this week for a conversation on what is feels like to have some crazy religious cognitive dissonance. Thanks to our sponsors! Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that delivers your favorite clothing, shoes, and accessories, directly to you. With no subscription required, pick between automatic shipments or only getting new pieces on demand. Shipping, exchanges, and returns are always free, and Plus, the $20 styling fee is automatically applied towards anything you keep from your box. Get started today at S

This week Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about how we’ve got political nuclear winter, just in time for Christmas. The Impeachment process has not gone… the best. That we can all agree on. Rick and Ana dive into why, and why you should perhaps not cut deals with a racist crook. Mr. Wilson delivers a heartfelt appeal for voter outreach. It’s not as bleak as it could have been. Thanks to our sponsor: Ritual’s Essentials have the nutrients most of us don’t get enough of from food—all in their clean, absorbable forms. No shady additives or ingredients that can do more harm to your body than good. Two easy-to-take capsules provide nine nutrients you need to support a strong foundation for your health. Better health doesn’t happen overnight, and right now Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first three months! Visit ritual.com/FRIENDS to start your ritual today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Esme Wang (@esmewang) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about living with a brain you don’t always feel like you can trust. Esme Wang is the author of the New York Times-bestselling essay collection, The Collected Schizophrenias. She writes frequently about her experiences with both mental and physical chronic illnesses and advocates for eliminating stigmas surrounding them. They talk about the difficulty of “the diagnosis,” why high-functioning is a loaded term, and what it means find faith (or even spiritual guidance in your dog).  Thanks to our sponsors! When it comes to shopping for clothes most of us are amateurs. So why not let the professionals handle it? With Stitch Fix, a stylist will do all the work for you! With no subscription required, pick between automatic shipments or only getting new pieces on demand. Shipping, exchanges, and returns are always free, and Plus, the $20 styling fee is automatically applied towards anything you keep from your box. Get started today at Stitch

This week, host of the You’re Wrong About podcast, Sarah Marshall (@Remember_Sarah) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about the only American holiday spookier than Halloween, Black Friday. Ana and Sarah discuss misconceptions about the history of the holiday, and how it turned into the capitalist dystopian hell we all know and love. Afterwards, they talked about the intersection of class and the division that the holiday creates. Finally, they talked about the science of crowd control, and why we need to pressure corporations to make ethical changes. Listen this week for some Black Friday tips on shopping and dealing with borderline angry mobs; Worst comes to worst, just start singing some Celine Dion and hopefully the crowd will calm down!  Interested in articles Sarah talked about? Click here for Jdimytai Damour’s story. Click here for a story on the power of crowds. Have any questions about family and politics you want answered on the show? Email withfriendslikepod@gmail.com!  Thanks to our sp

This week Ed Schupman (manager of the Native Knowledge 360° Initiative and a citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss Thanksgiving and the surrounding myths. Reflecting on the tragedy that underlies Thanksgiving isn’t easy or fun but Ed has made a career of using Thanksgiving as a way into a broader discussion of Native American History. To truly process the gritty, uncomfortable story of Thanksgiving will require reinventing the American educational system. Listen to Ed unpack a perspective on both the American experience and the practice of gratitude, as he argues that we should be thinking about indigeous history year-round, and practicing gratitude year-round as well.” Resources from the National Museum of the American Indian, and Ed’s curated experience, is available at https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/ Thanks to our sponsors! Policygenius is the easy way to shop for a life insurance plan that’s not tied to your job. In minutes, you can compare

What do Goop and Capitalism have in common? Both refuse to go away despite how much suffering they’ve caused! This week Amanda Mull (@amandamull) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss these topics and more. They begin by talking about fashion, ad-based media, and the ways that we exist within these constructs. Afterwards, they talk about identity and size, fat-phobia, and what we can do to make sure all bodies feel beautiful.  CW: Self-harm and intense discussion of body image. Interested in Material World? Click here for Amanda’s most recent article. Thanks to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Magic Spoon, a new cereal company that’s discovered a way to recreate your favorite childhood cereals with zero sugar, 12 grams of protein, and only 3 grams of net carbs in each serving. Magic Spoon spent over a year working with the best food scientists and chefs in the world to recreate the taste and texture of classic sugary cereal, but it tastes so incredible that you'd never guess it was healt

This week Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) sits down with Robert J. Lifton to remind you how bad things have gotten politically— but that remaining optimistic is not totally insane. They begin by drawing the parallels between Trump and other cult leaders/demagogues. Afterwards, they discuss the followers of Trump, why they remain followers, and how to get them to (hopefully) leave. Tune in for an unexpectedly hopeful episode about deathly cults!  Thanks to our sponsors!   Candid’s aligners can help straighten your teeth faster than traditional wire braces. Treatment takes just 6 months on average. Candid’s aligners are comfortable, removable, and completely invisible. Get your “Photo Ready” smile by the holidays! Go to Candidco.com/FRIENDS and use code FRIENDS to get seventy-five dollars off.      Rothy’s has quickly grown to a most-loved, gotta-have-them brand. It’s no surprise they have over 1,000 nearly perfect reviews. You’ll quickly discover why Buzzfeed called them their “forever shoes.” Check out all the

Fan favorite Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) returns to give Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) the Never Trumper view on culture wars, judicial festishization, and the all-important business of impeachment. Plus: a wacky game about pathological lying! Please consider checking out Rick’s new book Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump--and Democrats from Themselves; a title that we will almost certainly be fighting him about next time he joins the show. Thanks to our sponsors! Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of amazing classes covering dozens of creative and entrepreneurial skills. Join the millions of students already learning on Skillshare today with a special offer just for WFLT listeners: Get two months of Skillshare for free when you go to skillshare.com/FRIENDS.  Framebridge makes it super easy and affordable to frame your favorite things, from kids art and concert posters to the vacation photos sitting on your phone. Instead of the hundreds you’d pay at a frami

Are you looking for a book on the Midwest and Christianity that doesn’t excuse racism? Good news! This week Lyz Lenz (@lyzl) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about her book God Land: A Story of Faith, Loss, and Renewal in Middle America. They start by diving into the parallels between Lyz’s divorce and the 2016 election; America is a lot like your crappy college boyfriend whose red flags you ignored. Afterwards, they discuss what our silence means, especially as white liberals. Finally, they talk about atonement and what it means to better yourself when you have harmed others.  Find Lyz’s book here and her profile on Alan Dershowitz here. Thanks to our sponsors!  ThirdLove uses data points generated by millions of women who have taken their Fit Finder quiz, to design bras with breast size and shape in mind for a perfect fit and premium feel. Go to THIRDLOVE.com/FRIENDS now to find your perfect-fitting bra… and get 15% off your first purchase!  Grove Collaborative is the online marketplace that d

This week Jason Kander (@JasonKander) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to talk about his most recent work with veterans and what brought him there. They cover Jason’s political history, how he got help, and why no one should use running for president to avoid their problems. Afterwards, they discuss ways of finding hope and making change outside of the political sphere.  Later, n (@sheilaforva) joins the show to talk about her campaign for delegate in Virginia. They talk about Sheila’s motivation for running and what it would mean to flip the Virginia General Assembly (spoiler: it’s A LOT). Finally, Sheila reminds us that when we vote, we win. Learn more about the Veteran’s Community Project here and the Coleman campaign here. Thanks to our sponsors! FIGS creates the highest quality medical apparel so that medical professionals look their best, feel their best, and perform at their best every day. Every set of FIGS is antimicrobial – protects from germs and bacteria, ridiculously soft, moisture-wicking and

Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) live at the Texas Tribune Fest in Austin. The two non-millionaires discuss race, the gubernatorial race for Florida, HBCUs, the dream of living regular conflicts, and reserving curse words in Texas for use by Beto. Then, AMC chats with Shani Curry Mitchell (@Shanic4da) who is running for District Attorney in New York’s Monroe County. Mitchell spent thirteen years as a prosecutor and during that time lost her sister to a tragic event. She's pushing for more progressive sentencing. Bit of housekeeping: We at Crooked Media are teaming up with Stacey Abrams for Fair Fight 2020. We’re trying to donate at least a million dollars towards her five million dollar goal. Please donate here and encourage others to join in. Click here to learn more about Shani’s campaign. Thanks to our sponsors! Rothy’s has quickly grown to a most-loved, gotta-have-them brand. It’s no surprise they have over 1,000 nearly perfect reviews. They’re stylish, sustainable, comfor

Stephanie Wittels Wachs (@wittelstephanie) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss her new podcast Last Day on Lemonada Media. Stephanie’s brother, comedian Harris Wittels, died in an overdose, and now she’s exploring the opiate epidemic person by person. It’s a way of both normalizing and investigating what’s happening across America with our secret pandemic. Stephanie and Ana pick apart the systems that rewire the human brain via addiction, and the new-wiring it takes to correct for these changes. It’s a painfully personal journey and we appreciate you coming along for the ride. Stories can always go a different way, and every story is worth telling. Harris on You Made It Weird: https://archive.nerdist.com/you-made-it-weird-236-harris-wittels-returns/Training for NARCAN: https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/#homeNA: https://www.na.org/AA: https://www.aa.org/Al-anon: https://al-anon.org/Last Day: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-day/id1468896686 Bit of housekeeping: We at Crooked Media are teaming

Bassey Ikpi (@Basseyworld) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) at Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Minneapolis for a live interview regarding her new book I’m Telling The Truth, But I’m Lying. This overwhelmingly open discussion dives into issues around mental health, the truth about Bold Introverts, the racial disparities in emotional healthcare, ranking the cultural sexiness of various bipolar disorders, and how there’s rarely a storybook happy ending for people with Different Brains. TW: Suicidal Ideations, Depression Bit of housekeeping: We at Crooked Media are teaming up with Stacey Abrams for Fair Fight 2020. We’re trying to donate at least a million dollars towards her five million dollar goal. Please donate here and encourage others to join in. Thanks to our sponsors! Everyone wants their home to look and feel great. Luckily, Snowe makes it incredibly simple. They create trend-proof, beautiful, functional, luxurious pieces at an affordable price. Snowe is offering our listeners $30 off your first purcha

Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) at Cap Times Idea Fest in Wisconsin in front of a live studio audience. In this wide-ranging interview, they cover Blair’s memoir (Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube), all things mushing, how to dress for cold weather, climate change, and the surprising similarities between raising dogs and cultivating a compassionate online community. They also discuss some of the more sensitive topics in her memoir, including Blair’s interactions with toxic masculinity, and how her chronic illness altered her relationship with productivity and leisure. Come join for this in-depth cultural dissection with the ally who came in from the cold. There is brief discussion of sexual violence. If you or someone you know needs help with these issues, please contact RAINN at ‎1-800-656-HOPE. Bit of housekeeping: We at Crooked Media are teaming up with Stacey Abrams for Fair Fight 2020. We’re trying to donate at least a million dollars towards her five million dollar goa

This week Avery Trufelman (@trufelman) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss the possibility of a better tomorrow. Avery’s new show Nice Try! Is a podcast about various failed attempts at utopias across the ages, and what our (maybe) crumbling civilization can learn from those who came before us. Good intentions aren’t enough of a foundation for our future without, you know, literal foundations. Article referenced by Avery: How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation Thanks to our sponsors! With Stamps.com you can access all the amazing services of the Post Office, right from your desk, 24/7, when it’s convenient for you. Buy and print official U.S. postage for any letter, any package using your own computer & printer – and the mail carrier picks it up. To get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale, go to Stamps.com, click on the microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in FRIENDS. Rothy’s are the everyday flats for life on the go. They’re stylish and versatile, and they go with e

Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to discuss current events and politics at large. After a game to test Ricks’s knowledge of the Trump administrations many, many attempts at spin, the two dive into a discussion regarding the future of the Republican Party. With an insider’s unique perspective, Rick shares his fears for the future of the party (spoiler alert - it’s not looking too good), and sheds some light on the prevailing feelings of Republican politicians. Ana and Rick also touch on the primaries and 2020 elections, ending on a hopeful note about the power of the voter. Thanks to our sponsors! It’s time for spring cleaning. Quip’s got an easy way to start — with your brushing habits. Just two minutes, twice a day can help pave the way to a healthier mouth and mind. And now the whole family can get refreshed with quip. Quip starts at just $25 and if you go to getquip.com/friends right now, you can get your first refill pack for free. Everyone wants their home to look and feel

This week, Rachel Monroe (@rachmonroe) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to break down the lack of truth in true crime. Using Rachel’s book, Savage Appetites, Rachel and Ana explore stories of women totally consumed by true crime to draw larger conclusions about the cultural phenomenon. They also delve into the genre’s rise in times of uncertainty, and what its popularity reflects about the current political and social climate. Then, they touch on the dicey racial dynamics within true crime communities, which often prioritize white, female victims, even though most crimes in America don’t fit that narrative. Rounding out the discussion, they detail more harmful and toxic aspects of crime fandom, including the dangers of online vigilante detectives and obsessive online fan pages. Let’s all agree we want to see Despair: The Musical! CW: Mild descriptions of violent crime that may be disturbing to some listeners. Not by Rachel, but a marvelous companion essay about Ted Bundy by the incomparable Sarah Marshall,

This week, Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) sits down with human rights lawyer, activist, and author Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) to discuss the one year anniversary of his book, American Hate: Survivors Speak Out —as relevant as ever after the massacres in El Paso… and, in the short time since, the arrests of six white men on charges related to mass violence. Arjun and Ana also discuss their frustration with how hate crimes are typically depicted in the media, and how the average American can get involved in the fight against white supremacy. Then, Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) from The Atlantic discusses his bestelling new book, How to Be an Antiracist. In soft-spoken, gentle urgency, Ibram guides us through the idea “there is no neutrality” in the face of racism: there is only racism and anti-racism. Ibram and Ana then discuss his various encounters with cancer; exploring a profound extended metaphor between the disease and racism in America. You can find Arjun’s previous With Friends Like These episode here.The s

CW: Complex discussions of Christianity, Faith, and Catholicism’s scandals. Washington Post writer Elizabeth Bruenig (@ebruenig) joins Ana Marie Cox (@anamariecox) to explain the seemingly nonsensical evangelical support for Donald Trump. They delve into the suicide-pact between Trump and Jesus Country that seems rooted in apocalyptic nihilism, toxic absolutism, and a devastating cynicism about American politics. With a warmth and sympathy stemming from their own familial connections, Ana and Elizabeth explore this version of Christanity that seems disconnected from their own understanding. Elizabeth and Ana then share the ways they’ve learned to cope in the midst of these turbulent times, and ironically, how their faith helps them face the hopelessness of the headlines. Thanks to our sponsors!  ARC is a new way to achieve professional-level teeth whitening at home for just 30 minutes a day. To help our listeners get a whiter, brighter smile, ARC is offering $15 off your purchase of a Blue Light kit when you