NewsNews CommentaryPoliticsSociety & Culture

Getting Hammered®

Laissez-Faire Media

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.

Play

Open in

20 episodes
weekly
Avg 53 min
English

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Wednesday · 1 hr 12 min
The Street Preachers of the AI Apocalypse
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk about the very coordinated, sudden turn of Very Serious concern about AI progress, cover Sen. Ossoff's dumb ideas for dealing with it. They explain regulatory capture, talk about Donald Trump's $5K check idea, and discuss whether the RNC's midterm convention did anything to change the election season. Also, is brunch dead?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 9 · 1 hr 6 min
Socialists Say the Darnedest Things
Mary Katharine Ham and Victorino Matus talk about the socialist gathering over the weekend and all the loony things they said while wearing their masks, and whether the loony things matter. They also do a long commemoration of 9/11, the inspiring stories of heroism, personal stories, and what the attack and response would look like if it happened today. Also, what the heck is happening in Seattle, and how should one react when his wife gets her hair cut? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 2 · 1 hr 12 min
El-Sayed Steps on Rakes and Michelle O Has Hot Takes
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk about Vic's college drop-off adventure with his oldest, Abdul El-Sayed's many foibles as a symbol for the fight inside the Democratic Party (content warning for Hasan Piker quotes, sorry!), the stupidity of the Lake Ontario dust-up and Canada trade stand-off, though hat's off to Sec. Bessent for his trolling elevated to art, the threatened strike and crazy salaries of the Seattle Teachers' Union. And MK explains how the southern schools saved football from the bad decisions of the Northeast and Midwest and simultaneously saved themselves from enrollment issues other schools are facing. Plus, a little Dolly news, and Michelle O's weird parenting takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 26 · 56 min
Saying Goodbye and Thank You To Dolly
Jenna Lee of SmartHERNews joins Mary Katharine Ham this week and the two talk about Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Fresh out of a slightly unhinged, emotional carline kid pick-up in her Dolly shirt, MK pays tribute to the icon, legend, and downright funny lady who moved us in so many ways. Jenna talks about the make-up advice she got from the lady herself (!) while MK reminisces on a tip she got from another country music star. They talk about their favorite Dolly songs, especially the ones that got them through tough times. Also, huge shoutout to Dollywood. You should all visit! What a lady. What a life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 19 · 1 hr 16 min
The Fancy Dorm Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk college drop-off as Vic's is impending, the ludicrously designed dorm rooms they are seeing, and a recap of MK's 1,000-mile roadtrip. They talk Woke 1.0, primary updates, news from long-deployed Navy ships, some good news on violence and prescription drug prices, the death of Jason Arday, and a lifeguard comes to the White House! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 12 · 1 hr 14 min
Get In, Loser, We're Freezing Eggs and Taxing Millionaires
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss new revelations about Dr. Anthony Fauci's concerns about the COVID vaccine causing miscarriages in the first trimester, as MKH reminisces about the immense social pressure and shaming pregnant women faced for declining the shot, as she did in early 2021. They also talk about AOC's egg-freezing journey (recorded before news broke that she broke up with her fiance), and how it's a soft presidential announcement, then we join her as she laughs off "Woke 1" without taking any accountability. They discuss Megan Romer's DSA disarray, and the excuses being made for Jason Arday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 5 · 1 hr 25 min
The Proximity To Whiteness
Vic Matus and Mary Katharine Ham discuss Mamdani's groceries, the non-prosecution of the non-vandalism of the Reflecting Pool, the Iran war or lack thereof, Michigan and Wisconsin socialism, Texas looking iffy, whether we should cancel Thanksgiving with Francesca Hong, and a rant about the Gen-Zers after we heard about their parents calling their bosses again. We have to stop this. Also, MK and Vic confess the life skills they didn't have when they left home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 29 · 1 hr 8 min
I Am Annoyed Anew: The Fauci Diaries
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss Dr. Anthony Fauci's journal and what it reveals, the White House Correspondents Dinner and why it's destined to always be awkward, Mamdani and his big aspirations to arrest foreign leaders and start state grocery stores, and updates from Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 22 · 1 hr 19 min
A News Odyssey
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss the lay of the land for 2026 elections, give updates on Senate primaries in Maine, South Carolina, and Michigan, try to figure out Trump's recent speech, keep tabs on the bad lettuce, and offer thoughts on the Odyssey controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 15 · 1 hr 20 min
A Bison Attacks and a Farewell to Sen. Lindsey Graham
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk about the untimely passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham, the viral bison attack at Yellowstone and the cool grandpa at the center of it, and Senate race updates in Michigan, Maine, and South Carolina. They also pick favorite Sam Neill movies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 8 · 1 hr 18 min
Graham Platner's Rape Allegations, Dem Reax, and Socialists Rise!
Vic and Mary Katharine talk about Graham Platner's latest scandal (content warning), who wants him gone and who wants him to stay, along with the rise of socialists throughout the nation in deep-blue House Districts. They also cover America 250, Mamdani's and Trump's opposing views of America, and the FIFA controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 1 · 5 min
#Todayin1776 and Today: We're Celebrating the Improbable Birth of America!
This week's episode of Getting Hammered comes in the form of a bunch of readings from our Founders throughout June of 1776. Check the feed through June as we learn about George Washington's travails, watch the Lee Resolution pass the Continental Congress, see delegations argue with their hometown politicians over how they should vote, and hear why Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration! I'll add the the feed as we get closer to July 4th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 24 · 1 hr 12 min
Which Is Shallower: Socialists or the Reflecting Pool?
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss the ongoing-ish deal with Iran, and what all the actors are up to, the controversy at the Reflecting Pool, which is important to new one-issue fountain voters, Ro Khanna's wealth confiscation fantasies, the rise of the socialists in New York City, and the McD's apple pie, back on the menu! A sad goodbye to Georgia politico, tough lady, and damn good Dawg, radio host Martha Zoller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 17 · 1 hr 5 min
And Iran, Iran So Far Away, From This Deal?
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss the Iran deal, what might be in it and what's not, and whether we are better off than before the war started. They talk UFC night at the White House, the charming Euros of the World Cup, Wemby, Brunson, and a touching tribute to Gene Shalit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 12 · 8 min
#Todayin1776: John Adams Explains Why Jefferson Was Chosen To Write the Declaration
This is from John Adams' later autobiography, but is based on contemporaneous notes, so we'll count it. It gives a great, and frank, assessment of his and Jefferson's strengths and weaknesses, plus a digression on the power of oratory and the power of shutting up, which many public figures could learn from today. The gist is "talk less, write more," if I may borrow from "Hamilton." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 10 · 5 min
#Todayin1776: Maryland Delegates Write Home For Opinions on Independence
This bit of the journals of the Continental Congress from June 10, 1776 illustrates how some delegations were confused as to how to proceed on behalf of their colonies on the question of independence. They're trying to collect advice in time for the June 28 postponed decision on the Lee Resolution after the Declaration has been written. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 10 · 1 hr 13 min
MK's Friend Had a Terrible Ex Named Graham and Scott Pelley Has No Perspective
Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk about accusations against Graham Platner, whose name it turns out MK has known for a long time before he ran for Senate. Updates on the L.A. Mayor's race , disappointment for Spencer Pratt, and the wacky ways they count votes, plus good news for Steve Hilton in California governor race. U.S. pilots are rescued by a U.S. drone after being shot down by a Iranian drone. Scott Pelley's pathos is too much for us, but the Euros discovering American small-town and Southern charm while in the States for the World Cup is everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 8 · 7 min
#Todayin1776: George Washington Would Like to Get His Troops Paid, Please
Today in 1776, Gen. George Washington writes to John Hancock about perennial concerns— lack of pay, too-short enlistments of troops, and the lack of reliable battlefield information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 7 · 5 min
#Todayin1776: The Lee Resolution for "Free and Independent States"
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia offers the resolution that eventually leads to the Declaration of Independence. Congress adopts the resolution with a plan to form committees to a) make foreign alliances as needed b) draft a declaration and c) wait three weeks to affirm the independence part of the resolution. The resolution, written in Lee's hand is short: Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 5 · 7 min
#Todayin1776: "Necessity Calls for Independence"
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia writes from the Continental Congress to his friend, Landon Carter, a letter previewing the resolution he will eventually bring in Congress on June 7, which will then lead to the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes