Class of 2026

The Mamdani Effect

Zohran Mamdani has put democratic socialism in the spotlight and in action. Already, it’s yielding results, making both Republicans and establishment Democrats freaking out. This week, the gang and former SOTW co-host Geoff Gerling unpack the "Mamdani effect," the left's civil war, and whether America's next political movement will come with better public transit or revert to the status quo. (0:00:00) Intro (0:03:30) Celebrity Death Pool update (0:04:30) Catching up with Geoff Gerling (0:08:10) Meredith’s leather bag addiction update (0:13:28) Sounds of the Week: J.D. Vance on Watergate (0:23:55) Sounds of the Week: MAGA weighs in on rising prices (0:35:47)  The Mamdani Effect Songs: “Walkin’ on the Sun” by Smash Mouth “Hot Hot Hot” by Buster Poindexter “Heat Wave” by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Two Americas, One World Cup

It’s the United States’ 250th birthday, and people from around the world get to celebrate as they visit U.S. cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Already, the reviews are coming in: World Cup tourists love America! But are they experiencing the same country Americans live in every day? This week, the gang debates tourism, patriotism, and why the U.S. can feel like two very different places depending on who you are.  (0:00:00) Intro (0:02:41) Jay’s work conferences are insufferable (0:09:03) Meredith’s bag addiction is snowballing (0:15:15) Ty’s turn for major car problems (0:21:31) Sounds of the Week: James Carville is scared of Zohran Mamdani (0:37:38) Sounds of the Week: Trump’s out-of-touch take on housing (0:48:02) FIFA World Cup and America 250 Songs: “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” by John Mellencamp “I’m Afraid of Americans” by Davie Bowie Notes: * Somali soccer referee denied entry to US for World Cup is welcomed home as a hero [https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-referee-somalia-fifa-trump-visa-a73dfeb3a960a3ffa858a419bdb8a8f1] (0:56:56) * Side Quest Dad on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@sidequestdad] (0:58:01) * How Americans are feeling about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to new polls [https://apnews.com/article/poll-america-250-fourth-of-july-trump-dc30264ee64ce1cfdfb756c729165d9b] (1:06:47) * At 250 Years, 77% Say U.S. Founders Would Be Disappointed [https://news.gallup.com/poll/711842/250-years-say-founders-disappointed.aspx] (1:07:28)

SOTW Travel Guide

Utah is weird. New Orleans is haunted. St. Louis still sucks. This week, the gang ranks the best and worst destinations they've encountered, from cult compounds and liquor laws to ghost tours and big-city energy. Plus, a White House economist explains why your maxed-out credit card is actually good news, and Republicans discover a new strategy: middle school insults. (0:00:00) Intro (0:03:19) 2026 Bingo Card and Celebrity Death Pool update (0:10:30) Meredith’s leather bag addiction update (0:14:00) Jay might be dying (0:24:00) White House chief economic adviser doesn’t know anything about economics (0:33:45) Republicans roast James Talarico (0:51:00) SOTW travel guide Songs: “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop “Roam” by The B-52s “Road Trippin’” by Red Hot Chili Peppers Notes: * GLP-1 cancer study [https://www.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/260931] (0:04:48) * A Whistleblower Claims the CIA Is Searching DNA Sites for Alien-Human Hybrids [https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-whistleblower-claims-the-cia-is-searching-dna-sites-for-alien-human-hybrids/] (0:07:25) * United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Ebola virus disease update [https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/ebola-virus-disease-evd-preparedness-snapshot-flash-update-1-25-may-2026] (0:08:39) * The Effects of a “Low-Fire, Low-Hire” Economy on Workers [https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy/2026/mar/effects-low-fire-low-hire-economy-workers] (0:30:10) * The “No-Hire, No-Fire” Economy: What the Latest Data Really Shows [https://news.iu.edu/southeast/live/news/48103-the-no-hire-no-fire-economy-what-the-latest-data] (0:30:10) * Job openings jump, but labor market stuck in 'low-hire, low-fire pattern' [https://fox17.com/news/nation-world/job-openings-jump-but-labor-market-stuck-in-low-hire-low-fire-pattern-april-2026-jolts-report-bls-job-market-employment-economy] (0:30:10) * Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Facebook depicting James Talarico as a woman [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1557477045739839&set=pb.100044326754863.-2207520000] (0:37:32) * Republicans cannot stop generating images of James Talarico as a woman [https://www.advocate.com/politics/james-talarico-depicted-as-woman] (0:41:40) * Oklahoma City is the 4th largest city in the contiguous states by land area, preceded by Jacksonville, Fla.; Anaconda, Mont.; and Butte, Mont. (1:05:10)

Class of 2026

Congratulations, Class of 2026! You're entering adulthood just in time for economic instability, AI disruption, housing unaffordability, the collapse of democracy and whatever fresh hell comes next. This week, the gang skips the motivational BS and shares the advice they wish someone had given them at 18, including do weird things while you're young, don't rush into marriage or kids, learn a trade, demand more money, and remember who's really responsible for the mess you're inheriting.  Also, Jeff Bezos discovers nurses pay taxes and CBS finds new ways to embarrass itself. (0:00:00) Intro (0:03:07) Meredith’s leather bag obsession got worse  (0:05:47) Jay can’t find anything to do in Denver (0:15:19) Sounds of the Week: The Boss sends off Stephen Colbert (0:20:10) Sounds of the Week: Young journalist takes down (0:27:13) Sounds of the Week: Jeff Bezos on wealth, taxes, and income inequality (0:44:45) Advice to the Class of 2026 Songs: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day “Here’s to the Night” by Eve 6 “100 Years” by Five for Fighting Notes: * “Only in Monroe” with Stephen Colbert - May 22, 2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJTXB5uT_C4] (0:19:05) * After "The Late Show" Series Finale, Will All Of Late Night Television Be Destroyed? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BDnuDDa9e4] (0:19:48) * Former “60 Minutes” correspondent Cecilia Vega’s Instagram post [https://www.instagram.com/p/DY5kqjqu8JR/] about CBS shakeup (0:22:27) * Just How Progressive Is the U.S. Tax Code? [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/just-how-progressive-is-the-u-s-tax-code/] (0:36:00) * One of Ashley St. Clair’s social media rants [https://www.instagram.com/p/DXAPOWTAddr/] (0:38:41)

God-Sized Hole

It started with one leather bag. Three weeks later, Meredith is trapped in a full-blown leather-fueled obsession spiral. This week, the gang dives into obsessions: the things people collect, consume and build their personalities around, from Halloween decor to workaholism to shopping addictions and Swiftie-level fandoms. What do they latch onto, and is being obsessed healthy or is it a cry for help? (0:00:00) Intro (0:03:01) Ty doubled down on his promotion request (0:06:06) Meredith’s car making things worse (0:08:16) Owning a new car is out of reach  (0:20:04) Commencement speech heard around the world (0:30:05) Republican mental gymnastics with gas prices (0:40:00) Obsessions Songs: “Hell Bent for Leather” by Judas Priest “Money” by The Flying Lizards “Every Day is Halloween” by Ministry