The New Abnormal

The Daily Beast

Blunt truth and dark humor for a world in chaos. A Daily Beast podcast hosted by Danielle Moodie & Andy Levy. Tune in every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Our Editor's Take

Listeners looking for a fresh, biting, and humorous take on current events and global politics will love The New Abnormal. Launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, co-hosts Molly Jong-Fast and Andy Levy jumped right into hot topics. They cover the most talked-about trends, from Donald Trump to civil unrest. Every episode follows a similar formula consisting of politics, pop culture, and the power that comes with both. No topic is off-limits for this feisty, forward-thinking podcast.

Jong-Fast is a published writer hailing from a New York-based family of literary giants. Her experience as a writer for The Atlantic and Vogue provides a unique point of view. In 2022, Jong-Fast was joined by American commentator Andrew Levy, replacing Rick Wilson as her co-host. Levy brings his signature straight-faced humor and left-leaning political views to the show. He embodies his catchphrase, “I apologize for nothing,” in each episode.

The New Abnormal features guest appearances by scientists, elected officials, and respected reporters, providing clarity and perspective on relevant news. Guests on the podcast have included Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tony Messenger, and the founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, Dr. Eric Topol.

Each new episode presents a thought-provoking and engaging dialogue on the news in the world. Not sure how to handle this new normal? Tune into The New Abnormal on Amazon Music.

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Mika Defends Mar-a-Lago Visit, Musk-Trump Road Trip

Mika Defends Mar-a-Lago Visit, Musk-Trump Road Trip

Bestselling author and “Morning Joe” anchor Mika Brzezinski shares “as much as [she] can” about her and co-host Joe Scarborough’s recent date with president-elect Donald Trump, and pushes back on the backlash to their get-together. Hear from The Daily Beast’s executive editor Hugh Dougherty, who returns to the pod to share more scheming and subterfuge among the Mar-a-Lago regulars also jockeying for Trump’s favor, and learn who caught RFK Jr. ordering more junk food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Pete Hegseth’s Drinking Could Cause a Rift With Teetotaler Trump

Pete Hegseth’s Drinking Could Cause a Rift With Teetotaler Trump

It may be last call for one of Donald Trump’s most controversial nominees—and not for the reasons you may think. Then, author Jared Yates Sexton joins the program to emphasize the fact that nobody is coming to save us from the chaos of a second Trump Administration. Plus! A conversation with founder and editor of the popular blog Techdirt, Mike Masnick, about one of Trump’s scariest nominees: Brendan Carr. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Republicans Launch Anti-Trans Assault as Democrats Flounder

Republicans Launch Anti-Trans Assault as Democrats Flounder

Two special guests join The New Abnormal co-hosts Danielle Moodie and Andy Levy to discuss a rise in anti-trans rhetoric and Black women historically preserving democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Left Will Never Have Its Own Version of Joe Rogan

The Left Will Never Have Its Own Version of Joe Rogan

Can the left replicate the success of Joe Rogan’s podcast with one of their own? The New Abnormal co-hosts discuss. Plus! Jeb Lund and David J. Roth, the co-hosts of the It's Christmastown podcast, battle it out once again to determine who is the most Thanksgiving American. Then, author and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins the show to discuss the shift in Trump’s regime and the narrative that is being presented from him and his followers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Curtis vs. Hugh Grant; Inside Menendez Bros

Richard Curtis vs. Hugh Grant; Inside Menendez Bros

For Thanksgiving, we have a MAGA-free episode full of holiday warmth, true crime, and absurdity. Iconic filmmaker Richard Curtis, the creative force behind Love Actually and Notting Hill, joins us to discuss his new Netflix movie, That Christmas, and Hugh Grant’s hilariously hostile tribute at Curtis’s honorary “Better Than Nothing” Oscar. Daily Beast CEO Ben Sherwood shares stories of growing up near the Menendez brothers and his decades-long fascination with their case, now making headlines with shocking new twists. Plus, a glimpse inside Gloria Steinem’s storied home, a laugh-out-loud tangent on mischievous Thanksgiving balloons, and Joanna Coles recounts a surreal dinner with O.J. Simpson during which he smashed a whiskey glass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s Election Win Proves There Are No Rules Anymore

Trump’s Election Win Proves There Are No Rules Anymore

America needs to go through significant change, but not without a price, according to the latest episode of The New Abnormal. Plus! MSNBC legal analyst Glenn Kirschner joins us to talk about Jack Smith’s decision to drop his case against Donald Trump. Then, Dartmouth professor and author Jeff Sharlet joins the show to discuss Christian nationalism and its effect on the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett Flames GOP for Crying DEI ‘Oppression’

Rep. Jasmine Crockett Flames GOP for Crying DEI ‘Oppression’

Following Election Day’s Republican sweep, The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie say it’s time for Democrats to ditch their “Republican-lite” strategy and let more rising party leaders like Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett “tell it like it is.” Plus! Renée DiResta, associate research professor at Georgetown University, delves into her new book, Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nancy Mace Is Rapidly Becoming One Of The Worst People in the Country

Nancy Mace Is Rapidly Becoming One Of The Worst People in the Country

In this episode of The New Abnormal, co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moody express concern over recent political developments, including Republican South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace and her tirade against the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. House. Then they delve into the intersection of sports and politics with journalist Jemele Hill, who discusses the activism of athletes, and the ongoing fight for equity in women's sports. They also explore the influence of Fox News on Donald Trump's administration with Matt Gertz from Media Matters for America, highlighting the alarming number of Fox personalities being nominated for key positions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mika Defends Mar-a-Lago Visit, Musk-Trump Road Trip

Mika Defends Mar-a-Lago Visit, Musk-Trump Road Trip

Bestselling author and “Morning Joe” anchor Mika Brzezinski shares “as much as [she] can” about her and co-host Joe Scarborough’s recent date with president-elect Donald Trump, and pushes back on the backlash to their get-together. Hear from The Daily Beast’s executive editor Hugh Dougherty, who returns to the pod to share more scheming and subterfuge among the Mar-a-Lago regulars also jockeying for Trump’s favor, and learn who caught RFK Jr. ordering more junk food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don’t Overlook How Bad This Lesser-Known Trump Nominee Is

Don’t Overlook How Bad This Lesser-Known Trump Nominee Is

A look at Brendan Carr, Trump’s pick for chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and the way he has incorrectly been pitched as a “free speech advocate.” Then, Lucy Dean Stockton, an editor and reporter at The Lever, joins the program to discuss the very specific way Trump could erase many of President Joe Biden’s recent regulatory wins. Plus! a conversation with Jared Holt, a senior research analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, about the growing threats of hate, extremism and misinformation online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Armed Forces Would Experience ‘Mass Exodus’ Under Hegseth

Armed Forces Would Experience ‘Mass Exodus’ Under Hegseth

President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth could provoke a purge of career military experts from the Pentagon—which appears to be exactly what he wants, explained The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie. Plus! Stephanie Mencimer, senior reporter at Mother Jones, delves deeper into the controversies and allegations surrounding Trump’s attorney general nominee, former congressman Matt Gaetz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All of Trump’s Cabinet Picks Have These Things in Common

All of Trump’s Cabinet Picks Have These Things in Common

As President-elect Trump continues to announce surprise pick after surprise pick for his Cabinet, The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie discover what they have in common. Plus! Melissa del Bosque, investigations editor at Lighthouse Reports, talks about the implications of Tom Homan’s appointment as “border czar.” Then we'll talk to journalist Noah Hurowitz about the legislation that would be able to declare nonprofits terrorist organizations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Grant Disses Musk and Mar-a-Lago Madness

Adam Grant Disses Musk and Mar-a-Lago Madness

Organizational psychologist and author Adam Grant joins this week’s podcast to help unpack America’s political baggage, sharing leadership advice and coping strategies for the current moment. The Daily Beast’s executive editor Hugh Dougherty offers insight into the “patio power games” playing out at Mar-a-Lago as president-elect Donald Trump assembles his new administration—which may be filled with outlandish, cable TV personalities, but is ruled behind the scenes by a 67-year-old grandmother in aviator shades. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump Isn’t Going to Help Make the Cost of Eggs Any Cheaper

Trump Isn’t Going to Help Make the Cost of Eggs Any Cheaper

A week after the U.S. presidential election, The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie reflect on what Kamala Harris could have changed in her campaign strategy. Plus! Dean Obeidallah, host of the The Dean Obeidallah Show on Sirius XM Radio is here to talk about his recent piece posted to their substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s Likely AG: ‘We’re Going to Put Kids in Cages’

Trump’s Likely AG: ‘We’re Going to Put Kids in Cages’

Mike Davis, the man who many expect to be Donald Trump’s Attorney General, has outlined who exactly is on the president-elect’s hit list. Plus! Davis told Johnson he has five lists ready to go but appeared to only name four. Plus! Former Los Angeles Times journalist and President of Media Guild West Matt Pearce joins the podcast to talk about the purpose of the press during the second Trump administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Bee on Biden's Big Fail, John Avlon on His Own

Sam Bee on Biden's Big Fail, John Avlon on His Own

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, co-host Samantha Bee has some tough talk for President Joe Biden and his team. Former Daily Beast editor-in-chief John Avlon joins the podcast to discuss the lessons learnt from his own run for Congress, and comedian Michael Ian Black has news for everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hard Truth About Why Harris Was the Wrong Choice for America

The Hard Truth About Why Harris Was the Wrong Choice for America

This week on The New Abnormal, co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie aren’t pinning a lot of the blame on Kamala Harris’ election loss on the vice president. Plus! Podcaster Jared Yate Sexton joins the show to discuss how Trump will affect the country years beyond his upcoming term. Then, Nicholas Grossman, an international relations professor at the University of Illinois and senior editor of Arc Digital, discusses his latest piece, “America Chose This.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People May Finally Be Getting Tired of Trump’s Shenanigans

People May Finally Be Getting Tired of Trump’s Shenanigans

An exploration of why people have started leaving the former president’s rallies early. Then, a conversation with Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires author Douglas Rushkoff about Elon Musk and the increasingly weird obsessions of the ultra wealthy. Plus! Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, joins the program to discuss the rise of the Christian right and its wholehearted embrace of Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Left-Wing Scared of Loomer Getting White House Job: Bannon

Left-Wing Scared of Loomer Getting White House Job: Bannon

Steve Bannon told Laura Loomer this week that the left is having a meltdown at the prospect of Donald Trump giving her a job in the White House if he wins next week’s election. Plus! W. Kamau Bell joins The New Abnormal to talk about his new viral video, Who’s Gonna Catch Your Kid? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump Could Be Elon Musk’s Ultimate Cash Cow

Donald Trump Could Be Elon Musk’s Ultimate Cash Cow

This week on The New Abnormal, writer and editor at The Lever, Lucy Dean Stockton, tells us all about her recent piece covering Trump’s promise to appoint Musk, which could allow for a special tax benefit available only to government officials. Then, Gabriel Snyder, the editor in chief of The Fine Print, is here to tell us about his seven steps to surviving election night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How The Trump-Musk Bromance Ends: Michael Wolff

How The Trump-Musk Bromance Ends: Michael Wolff

Journalist and author Michael Wolff joins Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee on this week’s episode to offer insight into the jockeying egos on Donald’s Trump “manic” campaign—and that MSG rally. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker calls in from the Harris trail, and Daily Beast Special Correspondent Harry Lambert recaps party animal Jeff Bezos’ social calendar amid much turmoil at his newspaper, The Washington Post.Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.