Skip to content
Artwork for Red State Reboot
NewsComedyExplicit

Red State Reboot

Fried Green Tomato Media

Red State Reboot is what happens when two friends read way too much news and realize that podcasts are way too easy to make. Every Monday, Ben & Abby take you on a guided tour through the headlines of the day. You’ll come for the digestible political analysis, stay for the cultural critique and unhinged group chat energy, and become a true Rebooty because of a shared empathy for real people trying to make sense of modern times. It’s political comedy for folks who are tired of feeling hopeless, are allergic to hypocrisy, and who still believe the group project known as “America” is worth saving.

RSSVERIFY

Play
  • 21 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 10 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S4 · E20
    Monday · 3 hr 2 min

    #116 THIS IS AN OFFICIAL RSR PROJECTION

    This might legit be our last pre-martial law episode YIKES! We’re getting into literally everything: all of the major races in 15 states, our hopes and dreams for the future, what H*ley St*vens has to say (yuck), and of course a check-in on SBA, and SO much more. Think of this as a time capsule for how RSR sees the election! Make sure to go to this website FGTM.substack.com/notes and add to your favorites now! This is where we’ll be live tweeting (RIParadise) the election starting at 5pm on Tuesday! — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: FOR ALL POLLING DATA THAT WE USED VISIT THIS WEBSITE! “Angie Nixon Discusses Her Senatorial Run.” 2026. CBS, November 1. Brooks, Brad. 2026. “Democrats Have Long Known Heartbreak in Texas. Could This Finally Be Their Year?” Reuters, October 30. Browning, Kellen. 2026. “Inside Democrats’ Secret Effort to Stack Alaska’s Midterm Ballot With Another Dan Sullivan.” The New York Times, October 28. Cappelletti, Joey, and Simran Parwani. 2026. “Early Voting Jumps as Millions More Americans Vote Ahead of Election Day | AP News.” AP News. October 30. Grove, Casey. 2026. “How The New York Times Broke the Story on Secret Candidate Recruiting in Alaska’s Senate Race.” Alaska Public Media, October 30. Jira, Violet, and Erin Cox. 2026. “Democrat Haley Stevens Endorses Michigan GOP Senate Candidate Mike Rogers.” The Washington Post, November 1.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E19
    October 28 · 47 min

    #115 State Senate Reboot w/ Andy Bowline

    We have a special Wednesday interview with THE Andy Bowline, the Democrat running for the NC State Senate in District 31! We’re talking gerrymandering, AI, data centers, and how to overhaul the NC Senate! Early voting ends this week - so get out there and vote for Andy if you’re in his district! Andy’s Insta: @andycantwin Andy’s Website: https://andycantwin.com/ — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E18
    October 26 · 36 min

    #114 Rebooting the State Senate w/ Raygan Angel

    We have Raygan Angel, an organizer, law student, and NC’s youngest candidate for State Senate on with us today!!!!! He’s running for District 37, and we’re talking with him about rigged maps, the importance of young people’s perspectives in politics, and pushing for accountability from our elected officials. Go vote in these last days of early voting!! And vote for Raygan if you’re in NC Senate District 37!! Raygan Angel’s Insta: @rayganfornc Raygan Angel’s Website: https://www.rayganfornc.com/ — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E17
    October 21 · 39 min

    #113 Logging Off w/ The Daily Scroll

    We break from our election content to give y’all a MUCH needed way to get off your phones, plus a discussion on technofeudalism from your favorite digital serfs. We’re here with the founder and editor of The Daily Scroll, and he’s giving you all the details about why he started this, and how to get the first issue! Order here (by Mon. Oct. 26!): https://thedailyscroll.io/ — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E16
    October 19 · 46 min

    #112 Nightmare NC Bl*nt Rotation w/ Andi Morrow

    ONSLOW COUNTYYYYY! Y’all have a GREAT opportunity this election to cast your vote for our guest ANDI MORROW. We’re talking cannabis (weed) (pot) (the devil’s lettuce), a child tax credit, gerrymandering, and democratizing knowledge - plus connecting all the dots in between. And, right at the buzzer, Ben ad libs a question that changes the trajectory of politics and media as we know it… what IS future North Carolina State Senator Andi Morrow’s nightmare NC political figure bl*nt rotation? Stream this ep to find out! Andi Morrow on Instagram: @andicantwin Donate to Andi’s campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/andimorrowfornc — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Doran, Will and Paul Specht. 2026. “Poll: NC Adults Want More Curbs on Data Centers, Fewer on Marijuana. Lawmakers Are Doing Otherwise.” WRAL, October 16.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E15
    October 16 · 40 min

    #111 Kelly Clarkson v Molly the Bird w/ Jessie Williams

    We brought in a small retail business QUEEN today to get her take on the Kelly Clarkson / Molly the Bird / Art of Play drama that has completely taken over our feeds. Jessie Williams from Edge of Urge joins us to talk about the impact of bad reviews on a small business, people using their power for good, and what to do when Michelle Pfeiffer comes into your store wearing a giant black hat. Edge of Urge on Insta: @edgeofurge Shop Online @ edgeofurge.com — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES:

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E14
    October 14 · 38 min

    #110 Flipping NC-07 w/ Dr. Kimberly Hardy

    We LOVED this interview. Dr. Kimberly Hardy is running for U.S. Congress in NC-07 (which includes Abby’s hometown!!). Let’s flip that sh*t! Early voting starts TOMORROW, 10/15. Dr. Kimberly Hardy’s Instagram: @kimberlyhardyforcongress Dr. Kimberly Hardy’s Website: https://www.kimberlyhardyforcongress.com/ — NC: Check all your voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ ANY STATE: Plan your ballot → https://branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E13
    October 12 · 1 hr 11 min

    #109 Deep State Hell & Susan Dell

    We reallllyy got back to our roots with this Classic™ RSR episode! We’re covering executions, Kash, Karoline, Katie, chatbots, Trump’s nearly $*** refund to seniors, navy warships, east wing expansions, and - of course - SUSAN (FLIPPIN CHIP N DALE) DELL!!! Come back Wednesday for our kick-a$$ episode with Dr. Kimberly Hardy (NC-07)!! https://www.branch.vote/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Aleaziz, Hamed, Tyler Pager, and Karoun Demirjian. 2026. “Katie Zacharia Picked as Trump’s New White House Press Secretary.” The New York Times, October 9. Assoc. Press. 2026. “Country Singer Alexis Wilkins Shows off Engagement Ring With FBI’s Kash Patel.” October 5. Assoc. Press. 2026. “Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Lands Her Next Gig as Fox News Contributor.” October 5. Assoc. Press. 2026. “Christa Pike Discharged From Hospital After Failed Execution.” October 10. Cavin Klain. 2026. Facebook Video, October 9, 7:30 pm. MS NOW. 2026. “Trump Donor Eric Deters on Guilfoyle Asking Him for $100K: ‘Absolutely Was a Quid Pro Quo’,” October 8. Simon, Scott. 2026. “Week in Politics: Hegseth’s Livestream Backlash; Greece Ambassador Guilfoyle Scandal.” NPR, October 10. “The White House Building.” 2026. The White House. September 17. USA Today. 2026. Facebook Video, October 3, 1:00 pm.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E12
    October 7 · 42 min

    #108 Flipping NC-10 w/ Ashley Bell

    We have NC-10’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress Ashley Bell on with us today!!! We talk with Ashley about data centers, healthcare policy, and congressional term limits. Ashley Bell’s website → AB4NC.COM Ashley Bell’s Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ashleybellforcongress Check all your NC voter info → https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/ — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E11
    October 5 · 1 hr 17 min

    #107 Congressional Catchup

    Isn’t it… INTERESTING??? That we’re back again here on RSR, and also still peddling our t-shirts (pls get one it would make us v happy!! www.fgtm.store). Today we’re talking Pete’s impeachment, Sen. Eric Schmitt’s flop, SBA’s comebacks, Sen. Tom Cotton’s doxxing by Trump, and Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s husband’s death on his birthday. Register to vote by Friday → https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump]. 2026. Truth Social, October 3, 10:32 am. Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump]. 2026. Truth Social, October 3, 1:46 pm. Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump]. 2026. Truth Social, October 3, 2:26 pm. Ferris, Sarah and Lauren Fox. 2026. “House to Adjourn Early, Stave off Hegseth Impeachment Vote.” ABC7 New York, September 16. NBC News. 2026. “‘A Total Dirtbag’: GOP Senator Mistakenly Accuses Smith of Perjury Over NBA Game.” Zengerle, Patricia. 2026. “US Republican Lawmaker Seeks Hegseth’s Impeachment Over Iran.” Reuters, September 15.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E10
    September 28 · 1 hr 7 min

    #106 Wheel of Intros

    We had a bunch of items that we’d usually only cover in an intro, but we put them all together in a wheel and… it turned out to basically just be a normal wheel. Whatever! Topics include: the viral Massachusetts lesbian bar story, another weird Republican music festival that got cancelled, SI (formerly known as AI), and the latest from grifters across the political spectrum. BTW! Last call for our fall SHIRTS!! (www.fgtm.store) — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Bhakta, Mira. 2026. “Hunter Biden’s Laptop-linked Meme Coin Soars, Then Falls After Market Debut.” The Hill, September 9. Dailey, Hannah. 2026. “MAGA Festival Featuring Kid Rock Canceled After Just 6 VIP Tickets Sold: ‘Rich People, as a Whole, Suck’” Billboard, September 22. Golding, Bruce. 2026. “Trump-ally Tuberville Isn’t Kidding When He Says US Pilots Are in a ‘Club’ of Furry Fetishists.” The Independent, September 25. Lavietes, Matt. 2026. “‘Looksmaxxing’ Influencer Clavicular Charged With Rape.” NBC News, September 21. Lee, Matthew. 2026. “US Diplomats Told to Say ‘Super Intelligence’ — Not ‘Artificial Intelligence’ — After Trump’s Call.” ABC News, September 24. Phillips, Aleks. 2026. “Tenth Woman’s Body Found in Ekurhuleni as South Africa Police Probe Killings.” BBC, September 26. Quinn, Annalisa. 2026. “Greenfield Lesbian Bar Last Ditch Faces Mask-rule Backlash.” Boston Globe, September 24. “Trump 2028 Shirt.” Trump Store.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E9
    September 23 · 36 min

    #105 Building Community Online & IRL w/ Meg Fee

    Meg Fee (@megfee / @democracyforLI) joins us today!! We talk about showing up for your community, and the importance of activism both online and in-person. Meg also gives us her takes on authenticity in branding, why AI is inherently incongruent with progressive values, and how creatives and activists are stronger together. WE LOVE MEG! Meg’s Insta: @megfee DFLI Insta: @democracyforLI — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — Other things Meg mentioned: Project Bullhorn NY Creator Corps Y’all Vote

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E8
    September 21 · 1 hr

    #104 Crypto Catchup & Sam Altman’s Gay!

    These f*scist gays! They’re trying to m*rder us! TLDR: Sam Altman is gay and we’re FURIOUS that NONE of y’all told us this. It’s so RSR-coded. We’re also getting into Ed (flop) Sheeran, Kash and b*stiality, AI Mitch’s peace signs, and a variety of sketchy prediction market updates, including Donald Trump Jr.’s investments in Polymarket. — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Allyn, Bobby. 2026. “Kalshi Bans Former Congressman George Santos for Life After State of the Union Trades.” NPR, August 31. CNN [@cnn]. 2026. Instagram, September 15. Fischer, Sara. 2026. “1789 Capital Fires Back at Congressional Inquiry.” Axios, September 9. Gillison, Douglas. 2026. “More Than 150 Polymarket Wallets May Have Traded on Military Secrets, Research Finds.” Reuters, August 20. McCarthy, Lauren. 2026. “White House Teleprompter Operator Bet on Trump Speeches, Kalshi Says.” The New York Times, July 16. Nelson, Steven, and Josh Christenson. 2026. “US Military Member Suspected of Winning $1M With Polymarket War Bets.” New York Post, August 28. Protess, Ben. 2026. “Trump Says He Dislikes Prediction Markets. His Family Invests in Them.” The New York Times, April 24. Ray, Siladitya. 2026. “Trump Jr.’s Venture Fund Will Invest $300 Million in Polymarket’s Latest Funding Round.” Forbes. September 1. Ulmer, Alexandra, and Joseph Tanfani. 2025. “Trump-linked Venture Fund 1789 Capital Tops $1 Billion in Assets.” Reuters, September 8. Weiser, Benjamin, and Jonah E. Bromwich. 2026. “Soldier Used Classified Information to Bet on Maduro’s Ouster, U.S. Says.” The New York Times, April 24.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E7
    September 16 · 56 min

    #103 Influence & Authenticity w/ Hannah Preston

    Hannah Preston (AKA @healthpolicyprincess) joins us today!!! We’re talking about being an entrepreneur and working towards what you believe in, plus staying authentic and having fun while working in politics! Hannah is the founder of Influence NC, a nonpartisan organization that’s using social media to change the political conversation in North Carolina to give young people a seat at the table. Learn more about Influence NC: https://www.influencenc.org/ Hannah’s Insta: @healthpolicyprincess Influence NC’s Insta: @influenceNC — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E6
    September 14 · 1 hr 34 min

    #102 Kirkiversary & Trumpapalooza

    There’s literally nothing to tell you that the title of this ep already doesn’t. We’re covering our tried and true cast of characters including Trump, Trump Jr., Jorkin, Charlie, EriKa, RFKJR (Jason Derulo), and KAROLINE (she’s the reason for the word…nevermind). It’s wild, it’s analytical, it’s a PALOOZA. Happy birthday to Abby (who is choosing to not identify as Charlie even though we’re all CK)!!! Tune in this Wednesday for another guest episode with Hannah Preston from InfluenceNC! Link to our store here! Go check out our new merch! — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Trump’s pledge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHBRMyx_xHs RNC Night 1 Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VMm9ZKYJ5E RNC Night 2 Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6uoGIPazqQ

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E5
    September 7 · 1 hr 25 min

    #101 Back to the Wheel!

    It’s a classic Wheel! Topics include… updates on Tyler Robinson & Luigi, the G20 in NC, virality from 2 legendary Virgos: Beyonce & Keke Palmer, the T.R.U.M.P. card game (not affiliated), and our academic analysis about how Trump’s ‘90s aesthetic is a key enabler of his regime. CHECK YOUR VOTING REGISTRATION STATUS RIGHT NOW @ VOTE.ORG — IG: @redstaterebootpod Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Buddy Keys [@buddykeysdetroit]. 2024. TikTok, May 11. Chris [@chrisiswhatyoucamefor]. 2026. TikTok, September 1. Craig, Susanne. 2025. “RFK Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain.” The New York Times, January 29. Del Ray, Michelle. 2026. “Trump’s hair appears fuller, social media erupts.” USA Today, August 7. Flynn, Sheila. 2026. “Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Pleads Not Guilty as Judge Clears Way for Death Penalty Trial.” BBC, September 2. Finley, Ben, and Aamer Madhani. 2026. “Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Is Stepping Down.” AP News, September 1. Gibson, Brittany. 2024. “RFK Jr. Claims a Doctor Told Him a Worm Ate Part of His Brain, Reports New York Times.” POLITICO, May 8. Ivanka Trump [@ivankatrump]. 2026. Instagram, August 6. Myre, Greg. 2026. “Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns After Clashes With Defense Secretary Hegseth.” NPR, September 1. Stiles, Matt, and Gillian Roberts. 2026. “Read Texts Police Say Kirk Shooting Suspect and Former Roommate Exchanged, Which Prosecutors Could Use as Key Evidence.” CNN, July 6. Tania Barguti [@taniabarguti]. 2026. TikTok, August 18. Quiroz-Gutierrez, Marco. 2026. “Tech CEOs Want the World to Embrace AI, but Protestors Outside Their G20 Gathering Show the Industry’s Growing Popularity Problem.” Fortune, September 5.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E4
    August 31 · 1 hr 44 min

    #100 The TruthTM, the Whole TruthTM, and Nothing but the TruthTM

    So help us GOD (she/they/her). For our 100th!! episode, we’re digging into a CRAZY ASS scandal surrounding Truth Social and TMTG Group. Let’s just say we’re merging AND we’re acquiring. We’re also giving RSR’s definitive list of the top 10 Truths (head to 1:06:10 if you want to skip the analysis and get straight to the bullshit). As we’ve been saying, A GREAT BRAND CAN NEVER TRULY BE DESTROYED. Unfortunately, we also have to eulogize a true dang legend: Miss Dolly Parton. REST IN PARADISE!!!!!! — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: RSR@friedgreentomatomedia.com — Full source list for this week's episode on our Substack here!

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E3
    August 24 · 1 hr 29 min

    #99 Cast Update

    Today, we have a Wheel with the latest updates on our recurring characters: Kash, Tulsi, El Tigre, Meloni, lil Marco, 3-flag Pete, AOC, Jorkin, Karoline, EriKa, Kai, Ash Trevino, and MORE. Plus, our official Hall of Shame inductions for Lindsey & AI Mitch, and a Rest in Paradise you won’t want to miss. — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: rsr@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: “Ash Trevino.” 2026. TMZ, March 6. Baker, Peter. 2026. “Insults, Expletives and Fat-Shaming: Vance Trolls Critics on the Right and Left.” The New York Times, August 9. Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump]. 2026. Truth Social, July 12. Gardner, David. 2026. “Natalie Harp’s Intimate Letters to Trump Revealed in Full.” The Daily Beast, August 21. Lynch, Sarah. 2026. “Justice Department to Send a Record 1,000 Monitors to Midterm Polling Places.” MSN, August 18. Marcus, Josh. 2026. “Trump Cabinet Member’s Video Reveals Her Office Is Festooned With Pictures of Herself.” The Independent, August 14. Pager, Tyler, and Anatoly Kurmanaev. 2026. “How Marco Rubio Is Running Venezuela From Afar.” The New York Times, July 13. Phillipp, Charlotte. 2026. “Disgraced Ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell Had Fling With Stephen Miller’s Wife, Katie, When She Was a 22-Year-Old Intern, Report Reveals.” People.Com, August 7. Ramaswamy, Swapna Venugopal. 2026. “Exclusive: RFK Jr. Hosting a New Cooking Show With Celebrity Chefs.” USA TODAY, August 5. Wulfsohn, Joseph. 2026. “Kash Patel’s Attorney Rejects the Atlantic’s Effort to Dismiss Defamation Lawsuit, Vows ‘accountability.’” Fox News, July 28.

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E2
    August 19 · 1 hr 2 min

    #98 Go Piss Girl! w/ The Pissmonger

    Of course the ep is full of constant bangers with class analysis. We’re talking organizing, community, and capitalism with THE PISSMONGER (@thepissmonger on Insta)!!!! Also in this ep: g*ns, fruit vapes, and Tucker (Cucker) Carlson’s merch store. Tysm to Ken! We had the best time! — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: rsr@friedgreentomatomedia.com — The Pissmonger’s Recs: Reform or Revolution, Rosa Luxembourg (1900) The Espresso Stalinist

    • Transcript
  • S4 · E1
    August 17 · 1 hr 29 min

    #97 S4 PREMIERE: 250, 360, 420

    WE’RE BACK! In our season 4 premiere, we’re catching up on everything “250” from the past 8 weeks, including the Great American State Flop and our visit to the Freedom Truck. Plus, our reflections on the pool, our reviews of all the new music from the pop girlies, and a policy update about hemp in NC. — IG: @redstaterebootpod Website: www.redstatereboot.com Contact: rsr@friedgreentomatomedia.com — SOURCES: Beggin, Riley, et al. “Freedom Fuel, Praised by Trump, Sells Cheap Gasoline. But How?” MSN, August 9. CBS News [@cbsnews]. 2026. Instagram, July 1. FactPost [@Factpostnews]. 2026. Instagram, June 25. Governor Josh Stein [@NC_Governor]. 2026. X (Formerly Twitter), August 4. Herrington, A.J. 2026. “North Carolina Governor Calls for Marijuana Legalization.” Yahoo News, August 5. Kai Trump [@Kaitrump]. 2026. Instagram, June 25. Kornfield, Meryl. 2026. “Trump Nominates Loyalist to Office That Would Oversee Reflecting Pool Review.” The Washington Post, August 10. Opeka, Theresa. 2026. “Stein Questions Hemp Bill’s Public Safety Claims.” Carolina Journal, August 4. Linda Panda [@Wanderwithpandalove]. 2026. Instagram. June 27.

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes