Joe Sudbay guest hosts again. He runs down the election tallies as the results come rolling in. Democrats scored victories in the four major races of the night: the New York City mayoral race, the governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Prop 50, California's redistricting ballot measure. Exit polling showed voters went to the polls with worries about the economy on their minds, coupled with broader discontent with the state of the country right now. He is joined by Dean Obeidallah, Michelangelo Signorile, and Comedy Daddy Keith Price to discuss the live election results as they happen with check-ins from across the electoral map from good friends and expert guests.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Sudbay guests hosts while John is on his California cruise trip. Joe discusses Trump's Halloween glitzy Great Gatsby party - flouting lavishness while millions panic over SNAP benefits being constrained. He also talks about the major elections happening in New Jersey, Virginia, California, and New York. Then, he speaks with Jessica Mackler who is the president of EMILYs list. EMILYs List is backing both Democratic governor candidates (Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia), as well as women candidates in every top red-to-blue flip opportunity in Virginia’s House of Delegates races. In the last Southern state without an abortion ban, this year, Virginia’s House will determine if voters can protect reproductive freedom through a constitutional amendment. And then finally, Joe interviews Alejandro Varela. His debut novel, The Town of Babylon was a finalist for the National Book Award. His latest novel, Middle Spoon, was published by Viking on September 9, 2025. His novels and stories take public health topics — from systemic racism to gentrification to sexuality — and make them accessible and memorable. Varela is an editor-at-large of Apogee Journal, and holds a masters degree in public health from the University of Washington.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about Trump's gaudy, pretentious ballroom - where he hopes to someday hold campaign rallies for his 3rd term. He also discusses the massive apathy from Republicans over the masses of people who are going hungry due to Trump withholding SNAP benefits. Then, political strategist Max Burns is back to talk about the upcoming elections, the destruction of the White House, and the non-functioning congress that refuses to even do their jobs. And winding it up, John welcomes back retail analyst Burt Flickinger to discuss how Trump's interruption of SNAP benefits will harm not just individuals - but also our economy in a spiderweb effect.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Simon Moya-Smith and Julie Francella joined John for a spooky-season conversation that blended truth, history, and humor. They talked about Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and how Indigenous traditions honor those who came before us.

They also tackled headlines that can’t be ignored:

Vice President J.D. Vance’s harmful claim that Indigenous peoples practiced “widespread child sacrifice”, and why that myth has deep colonial roots.

The Blackfeet Nation’s buffalo and elk harvests to feed families during the government shutdown: a powerful act of food sovereignty and self-reliance.

And the real “scary story” is how rhetoric from leaders continues to erase Indigenous truths while tribal nations keep showing what leadership looks like.

Listeners called in with great questions, including Kendall, who got into a heated debate about mascots! Spoiler alert: Viking mascots were mentioned and Simon dropped a few "cabron" and "pendejo" bombs!

It was an episode about myth-busting, survival, and remembering that even in spooky season, truth has power.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John discusses the strange meeting with Trump and Chinese Pres. Xi. They announced a compromise on foreign trade that will see lower tariff rates for China, a promise to fight fentanyl and a delay on rules barring Chinese companies from receiving US technology. Then, he speaks with Rev. Barry Lynn about the government shutdown. And finally, John interviews Jessica Denson and Cliff Cash about the big Remove the Regime March in Washington D.C. November 20th - 22nd. https://www.removetheregime.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John's monologue this time talks about the DOJ placing two federal prosecutors on leave after they wrote in a court filing that on Jan. 6, 2021, “thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol”. The 2 D.C. federal prosecutors, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were locked out of their devices and placed on leave just hours after filing a sentencing memo in the case against Taylor Taranto, a former Jan. 6 defendant who went to President Obama's house after Trump revealed Obama's home address on social media. Then, podcast star is back once again to speak with John about the excuses for the never ending government shutdown and Trump's completely routine MRI. Next, It's the God Squad with theologian Dillon Naber Cruz and Pastor Desimber Rose. John talks with them about the fake cease-fire in Gaza and the fake Christians in the MAGA movement. Then wrapping it up, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson joins the crew to chat with listeners about the many court rulings hampering Trump's malice.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about U.S District Judge Sarah Ellis ordering CBP honcho Greg Bovino to meet at her courthouse every day to report on immigration actions in greater Chicago. The ruling comes just a day after the Trump Administration quietly handed full control of immigration enforcement to CBP after ICE leadership fell short of deportation quotas. He also talks about the government shutdown. Dozens have states have sued the Trump Administration over the suspension of SNAP benefits which start on November 1st. Then, John speaks with Emmy winning journalist Dexter Thomas about his show - "Kill Switch" which is a tech podcast about living in the future today; a survival guide to modern culture; and a show that exposes the true systems listeners rely on daily - from AI and privacy, to the strange and absurd corners of the internet. Next, John interviews Renee Hopkins. She is CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives, developing a safer Washington state and supporting the legislation to make that happen. In her six years at the Alliance she has led the organization to become the leading state-based gun violence prevention organization in the country; passing three ballot initiatives, electing a gun violence prevention majority in the state legislature, working with systems partners to develop best practice models for implementing gun laws, and passing state laws that put Washington state at the forefront of suicide prevention and domestic violence laws as they relate to firearms. Renee has experienced the scourge of gun violence first-hand including the tragic loss of her brother Arnie in a school shooting in 1996. The rounding it out, Comedy Daddy - Keith Price is back once again joking with John and talking common sense to the Evil Army of the Night.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John talks about a mixed bag of Trump absurdities: congressional republicans are following his orders and ignoring the government shutdown, Trump boasting about his recent MRI and mental fitness, and Trump telegraphing his proposed military actions against Venezuela. Are narcoterrorists the new WMD's? Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider returns to discuss the legality of a president's emergency powers and the government's slow, steady dissection of America's basic civil liberties. Then winding it up, comedian Rhonda Hansome joins John to talk about current news and answer questions from listeners on how to cope in MAGAland.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.