Strap in—this episode of Sane(ish) with Joel Rubin is one hell of a ride. We’re talking Putin’s shady-ass visit to Alaska, America’s democracy freezing its ass off, and all the bullshit power plays that make you wanna scream into a pillow. Joel’s got the no-BS rundown on what’s really behind the chaos and how the fight to save our elections and sanity is hotter than ever. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Get 60% off an annual plan at incogni.com/JOJO and use code JOJO at checkout.

Three Blondes Walk Into a Podcast… Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan—the uncensored, hilarious hosts of the hit chart-topping I’ve Had It Podcast join Sane(ish)! In this outrageously honest episode, three sharp-witted hot blondes dive into everything from fighting political insanity and calling out MAGA hypocrisy to surviving life’s messiest, most relatable moments. Jennifer and Angie are bringing all the in-your-face energy that made their show and their new book, Life Is a Lazy Susan of Sht Sandwiches a must-listen and must-read for anyone who’s “had it” with surface-level nonsense. Jo, Jennifer, and Angie break down why humor is a weapon against the noise, how progressive women are leading the real fight, and what it takes to survive (and laugh at) the outrageous world we live in. Plus: plenty of uncensored rants about Ted Cruz, Trump’s Liberace Oval Office, and the deeply “unf*ckable” political bench—all with a hope-filled message about empathy, resilience, and genuine community. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Get 60% off an annual plan at incogni.com/JOJO and use code JOJO at checkout. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Navy intelligence officer and bestselling author Malcolm Nance joins Jo for an unflinching deep dive into America’s most urgent crisis: the rise of authoritarianism and Trump’s not-so-hidden racism. In this explosive conversation, Nance dissects the playbook threatening our democracy, exposes the dangerous alliances fueling extremism, and offers a blueprint for how everyday Americans can push back. From the corridors of DC power to the streets where rights are won or lost, this episode reveals the uncomfortable truths the mainstream won’t say out loud — and why ignoring them could cost us our freedom. If you care about truth, justice, and preserving the soul of our nation, you can’t afford to miss this. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re not losing your mind a little, you’re probably not paying attention. This week on Sane(ish), Jo sits down with John Fugelsang to roast hypocrisy, unpack the ridiculousness and share some much-needed truths about faith, rage, and grit. Jo’s been writing about everything from South Park mercilessly dunking on Kristi Noem to why sometimes you just have to escape to the beach to keep your head above water in this crazy political circus. John’s new book, Separation of Church and Hate, drops soon—and it’s a no-holds-barred takedown of the toxic mix of religion and hate fueling so much of what’s wrong right now. John shares powerful insights from his upcoming book, Separation of Church and Hate, a no-holds-barred takedown of the dangerous mix of religion and hate that’s poisoning America’s soul. Together, they call out fake piety, hypocrisy, and the cynical hijacking of faith to justify cruelty and division, while reminding us what faith could and should be—a force for justice and mercy. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo sits down with Colorado’s own Congressman Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger and national security hawk. With D.C. gridlocked, Texas politics unraveling, and new headlines piling up about democracy under siege, Jason brings the heat on what real leadership and service look like in 2025. They dig into why chaos in Congress isn’t just noise it’s a real threat to national security and the rights Americans can’t afford to lose. From Crow’s high-profile lawsuit against the Trump administration to his frontline perspective from the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, nothing’s off the table: presidential power, accountability, military families under fire, and whether anyone in Washington still remembers what public service actually means. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo sits down with Ron Filipkowski, MeidasTouch’s editor-in-chief, ex-prosecutor, and the guy whose X feed you check before your first coffee. The two dive straight into the Texas caper: Democratic lawmakers making a midnight dash out of the state—more Springsteen than C-SPAN—to stop the GOP’s latest attempt to gerrymander themselves a permanent majority. With the chaos playing out under the relentless August sun, Jo and Ron unpack why power grabs, broken maps, and viral misinformation aren’t some Beltway sideshow, they’re the main event and the stakes are everybody’s future. Ron litigates the headlines, calls out the media hacks, and tears into the cynical math of a system built to silence voters.  Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Jo gets raw and real with Senator Ruben Gallego for a deep dive into what happens when Congress ghosts the hard truths and survivors are left carrying the weight in silence. Against the backdrop of another performative escape to summer recess, Jo shares the most personal Substack yet: a letter to survivors who watch their abusers rise to power while the world shrugs. Gallego joins to talk about what courage in service and policy actually looks like, calling out those who dodge the work—whether it’s justice for the abused, real border solutions, or protecting veterans from becoming bargaining chips. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman joins Jojo from Jerz in the July heat (cicadas and all) to break down a week when political theater has nothing on the real-world consequences of cowardice and cover-ups. From Trump’s “Ukraine Pivot” to the MAGA meltdown over the Epstein files, Vindman pulls zero punches. They unpack Tulsi Gabbard’s attempts to get back in the Trump camp, what’s really holding up peace in Ukraine (hint: it’s not Kyiv), and why Russia’s old playbook keeps working on both sides of the Atlantic. Jo digs deep for the “WTF” of it all, how far right narratives fuel chaos, and what’s at stake when America’s so-called leaders would rather distract, duck cameras, or chase conspiracies than actually govern. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the Epstein files scandal explodes and unfinished business piles up, Speaker Mike Johnson just sprinted for the exits—slamming the gavel on an early summer recess before anyone could say “roll call.” Congress didn’t just adjourn; it staged a getaway, ducking the cameras and dodging the receipts. Jojo from Jerz grabs the megaphone and sits down with Congressman Jim Himes to drag everything into the July sunlight: Who’s really winning when the People’s House turns into the People’s Airbnb? Why is “governance” optional when the headlines get too hot? And does Johnson seriously think democracy just pauses itself for a vacation? They torch the vanishing act that left critical crises in limbo, break down the art of hiding from hard votes, and lay out exactly why the rest of us should be demanding more than out-of-office messages and way fewer empty Chambers. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Jo in the middle of a week when American democracy feels like it’s on the clearance rack. From Congress giving away its power with the Recessions Act, to lawmakers cosplaying as fiscal hawks while slashing PBS and NPR before even considering a billionaire tax cut, Jo and Raskin unpack what’s happening beneath the circus. They go deep on the Epstein files detonating what’s left of MAGA credibility, and the staggering hypocrisy of Republicans demanding “transparency” until it lands at their own feet. Raskin connects the dots—from the House’s refusal to release the files, to the gutting of programs that fight sex trafficking, to a so-called “rescue” bill that throws millions off health care and SNAP, explodes the deficit, and hands China the keys to America’s clean energy future. With his signature clarity, Raskin exposes the schemes behind those “beautiful” bills, the real-world impact on his Maryland district’s federal workers, and why the Founders never meant for public service to be a playground for kings and cronies. If you’re exhausted by performative investigations, billionaire giveaways, anti-government crusades, or just want to know how to hold the damn line, this episode is your permission slip to get mad, get clear, and get in the fight. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congressman Jared Moskowitz joins Jo for a no-holds-barred breakdown of a week so stupid you can’t make it up: Congress duck-walks away from the Epstein files, Republicans lock arms to shield the secrets their own base is demanding, and suddenly the MAGA mob is eating itself while Trump twirls behind the curtain. Moskowitz drags the whole charade from Russian nesting dolls of lies, binder theatrics, Bondi’s “desk,” and a GOP so tangled they can’t remember which version they’re selling. But it’s not just the spectacle. Jo and Moskowitz dig into the GOP’s next-level sabotage on disaster response; how Kristi Noem gutted FEMA, why children in Texas paid the price, and why Republicans are poised to claim “government doesn’t work” after personally setting it on fire. You’ll hear why outrage matters annd exactly what Democrats must do: stay on offense, call out the lies, and never trust the old rulebook. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo sits down with Senator Angus King—Maine’s straight-shooting Independent and connoisseur of constitutional reality checks—for a conversation that blows the lid off Washington’s latest “power of the purse” giveaway. From Congress rolling over on the Rescissions Act (“one more building block in the edifice of authoritarianism”) to the boneheaded crusade against PBS, NPR, and USAID, Senator King calls out the dangerous shift: lawmakers too scared to do their jobs, too eager to hand the President a blank check. They break down why these budget “rescissions” aren’t about fraud or waste—they’re about ideology and giving the executive free rein to decide what gets funded, what gets axed, and whose voices and lives are on the chopping block. If you want a sanity check on what the Founders actually intended, and why the final line of defense is still us, this is the alarm bell you can’t afford to sleep through. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo sits down with Tom Malinowski—former Congressman, Assistant Secretary of State, and expert on foreign policy and democracy. From Trump’s super awkward NATO deals and unpredictable tariff threats to the devastating impact of the big bad “Billionaire Boner Bill,” they unpack the real consequences for working families, small businesses, and America’s global standing. Later, Tom shares insider insights on the complex dance between Trump and Putin, the challenges facing Ukraine’s defense, and the alarming cuts to the State Department that threaten U.S. soft power. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist, author, and “Just Ask the Question” podcast host Brian Karem joins Jo for a raw, unfiltered conversation about journalism in the age of chaos.  Brian shares what it’s like to be marginalized in the White House briefing room, the evolution of propaganda from the podium, and why the current administration’s contempt for truth is unlike anything he’s seen in four decades of reporting. Together, they dig into the real human cost of policy—families grieving lost children, communities left without leadership, and the looming threat of due process being stripped away for everyone, not just immigrants. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Pakman - host of The David Pakman Show- joins Jo for a raw, honest, and unexpectedly hopeful conversation about life in America after "The Billionaire Boner Bill." David and Jo revisit their first meeting at The White House- before "the shit show came in for season two" - and reflect on just how quickly things have unraveled. Together, they break down what the new bill really means for working class families, the dangers of finger-pointing on the Left, and the urgent need for more voices - big and small - telling the human storiesbehind the headlines. The conversation includes: Why the courts still matter (even now) The urgency of taking back the House in 2026 How to activate non-voters and micro-creators Why the Left must stop fighting itself How everyday people can—and must—speak up 📢 This isn’t just commentary—it’s a call to action. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo welcomes comedian, SiriusXM host, and author John Fugelsang for a brutally honest—and frequently hilarious—conversation about America’s relentless cruelty, the billionaire boner bill, and why the GOP’s Bible-thumping is pure performance. With his new book coming out August 19th (preorder it now), Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, Fugelsang digs into the white supremacy at the core of U.S. immigration policy, the hypocrisy of politicians who wrap themselves in Christianity while gutting healthcare and nutrition for millions, and why “the cruelty is the point.” Jo and John don’t hold back: they call out the media’s cowardice, the cult of personality around Trump, and the Democrats’ chronic inability to fight fire with fire. Fugelsang shares how his own upbringing—by ex-clergy parents—shaped his view of faith, and why nobody who actually reads the Bible could square it with today’s right-wing politics. There are dick jokes, there’s righteous anger, and there’s a guide for anyone who’s tired of watching religion used as a weapon against the most vulnerable. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This rapid-response episode of Sane(ish) couldn’t be more urgent. Jo is joined by Senator Tina Smith just as the Senate moves to vote on the “billionaire boner bill” which would gut health care, slash benefits for working families, and hand out tax breaks to billionaires. Senator Smith lays out what’s really at stake, why this fight matters for moms, kids, and everyday Americans, and exactly how you can help stop the bill before it’s too late. If you care about protecting Medicaid, SNAP, and basic decency, now’s the moment to act. Listen, share, and get loud—because it’s go time. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this urgent episode of Sane(ish), Jo is joined by sits Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut following a powerful Capitol Hill hearing on the Republican “Big Beautiful Betrayal” bill—or as Jo calls it, the “Billionaire Boner Bill.” Together, they break down the real-world consequences of this catastrophic legislation, which threatens to kick millions off Medicaid and slash SNAP benefits, all to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. Senator Murphy and Jojo share heartbreaking stories from the hearing, including a mother of an autistic child whose family’s survival depends on Medicaid, and a former public school educator who knows firsthand what it means to rely on food assistance. They discuss how the bill would devastate working families, children with disabilities, and the most vulnerable Americans—while padding the pockets of the ultra-wealthy. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jojo from Jerz brings together legal heavyweight George Conway and historian Heather Cox Richardson for a candid, unscripted conversation about the chaos of June 2025. With Trump launching strikes on Iran, Congress sidelined, and the world on edge, Jo, George, and Heather cut through the noise to ask: How did we get here—and what happens next? George & Heather swap stories from their Harvard days and dig into the psychology of Trump’s power: Why do smart people keep caving to him? Why does the GOP keep bending the knee? And what does history tell us about strongmen, performative politics, and the collapse—or survival—of democracy? From the performative presidency to the dangers of unchecked executive power, the trio breaks down the legal, historical, and human stakes of this moment. They talk about the Supreme Court, the role of institutions, and why—when the rule of law is on the ropes—the only thing left is for people to get out in the streets and fight for what matters Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the world on edge over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, Jo sits down with national security expert and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin for a deeply human conversation about what’s really happening behind the headlines. As Trump’s stance on U.S. involvement in the region shifts by the hour, swinging from “no new wars” to openly hinting at strikes alongside Israel, Joel explains the risks, the ripple effects, and the consequences for American families. Together, they unpack why Trump’s impulsive foreign policy is leaving allies, adversaries, and even his own party guessing; how the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal set the stage for today’s crisis; and what a potential U.S. strike could mean for global security, oil prices, and the safety of American service members. They also tackle the chaos in Washington, the influence of pro-Putin voices, and the anxiety so many Americans are feeling as talk of war and nuclear threats dominates the news. Subscribe and Follow Jo: https://linktr.ee/jojofromjerz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.