Blocked and Reported

Live with Katie Herzog & Jesse Singal

March 12, 2026

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  • The discussion heavily focused on author Lindy West, touching upon her relationship dynamics, a book pitched as self-help, and the controversial 'Shout Your Abortion' campaign which the hosts felt alienated potential allies. 
  • The hosts noted that finding entertaining topics for *Blocked and Reported* has become harder as the stakes of online discourse have risen, with right-wing online narratives now being institutionalized in government, making the content darker and less 'haha funny'. 
  • The hosts shared recommendations, including the world-traveling cyclist 'Ride with Ian' and the anti-recommendation of the celebrity-focused video podcast 'Friends Keep Secrets,' which they found boring and self-aggrandizing. 

Segments

Lindy West Book Analysis
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(00:00:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Lindy West’s new book was originally pitched in the self-help category, according to Publishers Marketplace announcements.
  • Summary: The hosts identified Lindy West as the subject of discussion, noting her enlightened views on relationships, including a situation where she was one of two women for a man who ended up gay. Information gleaned from Lee Stein’s appearance on another show revealed that West’s book lacked an advance money indicator on Publishers Marketplace. The book was initially pitched as self-help, a category the hosts found questionable for its subject matter.
Weight Loss Drugs Contradiction
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(00:02:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The speaker expressed intense frustration (‘brain rage’) over individuals in the Lindy West/Michael Hobbes orbit simultaneously advocating for caution regarding long-term effects of weight loss drugs on children while holding other positions.
  • Summary: The speaker finds it ‘insane’ that certain public figures can hold contradictory positions regarding the unknown long-term effects of weight loss drugs on children. This cognitive dissonance triggers a strong negative reaction in the speaker. The segment briefly transitions to discussing West’s ‘Shout Your Abortion’ campaign.
Shout Your Abortion Critique
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(00:02:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Shout Your Abortion’ campaign likely failed to change minds among abortion opponents because its loud, proud nature was perceived as psychopathic.
  • Summary: The hosts critiqued Lindy West’s ‘Shout Your Abortion’ campaign, suggesting that advertising the procedure was counterproductive for destigmatization among those opposed to abortion. They noted that abortion is common, but being loud about it may have convinced more people that pro-choicers were psychopaths. The segment concluded that framing abortion as ‘just like any other healthcare decision’ is flawed because people react differently to miscarriages.
Live Show Logistics and Apologies
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(00:04:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Jesse Singal apologized for appearing slightly intoxicated during a previous live event where he was drinking whiskey, which was partially mitigated by the presence of Megan McCartle.
  • Summary: A listener questioned Jesse Singal’s sobriety during a previous live event, prompting an apology for drinking whiskey and noting that having Megan McCartle present was intended to counteract the behavior. The conversation briefly touched upon Jesse’s driving after drinking, which he clarified was done after waiting a sufficient time.
Recommendations and Anti-Recommendations
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(00:06:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Ian, an ex-junkie cyclist documenting his global rides on Instagram/Substack as ‘Ride with Ian,’ is recommended for his storytelling, while the ‘Friends Keep Secrets’ podcast is strongly anti-recommended for being boring video content featuring self-convinced celebrities.
  • Summary: The recommendation ‘Ride with Ian’ features an ex-junkie cycling across continents, notably riding through China with an American flag, leading to police intervention. The anti-recommendation is ‘Friends Keep Secrets,’ a video podcast by Dave Bird and Benny Blanco, which is criticized for being dull reality TV featuring famous friends convinced of their own fascination.
Jesse’s Music and Old Comedy Picks
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(00:09:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Jesse Singal recommended the Canadian rock band Homefront and early internet comedy troupes like Derek Comedy (Donald Glover) and Good Neighbors (Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney).
  • Summary: Jesse recommended the band Homefront for their short, synth-infused rock songs found on albums like ‘Games of Power’ and ‘Watch It Die.’ He also suggested looking up old YouTube content from Donald Glover’s Derek Comedy and the Beck Bennett/Kyle Mooney troupe, Good Neighbors, for goofy comedy.
Jesse’s Location and Dave Bird’s Diet
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(00:10:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Jesse Singal was broadcasting from California in a location resembling a public bathroom due to stomach issues, which led to a tangent about Dave Bird’s severe Arfid-like eating issues.
  • Summary: Jesse explained his poor camera angle was due to being in California without a proper desk setup, broadcasting from what appeared to be a nice public bathroom due to stomach issues. This led to a detailed discussion of Dave Bird’s inability to chew food like a pickle on his podcast due to suspected Arfid, having reportedly not eaten fruit or vegetables until his 30s.
Aliyah and Moving to Israel
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(00:13:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Jesse Singal is strongly considering making Aliyah (emigrating to Israel) because the time zone difference would align better with his preferred podcast recording schedule.
  • Summary: A question about what would motivate Jesse to make Aliyah was interpreted as moving to Israel, which he stated he is strongly considering due to enjoying Middle Eastern food and having a ‘militaristic mindset.’ The time zone difference between Seattle and Israel (10 a.m. vs. 8 p.m.) was seen as perfect for their podcast recording schedule.
Difficulty Finding Light Topics
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(00:15:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The shift from ‘woke left’ controversies to institutionalized right-wing influence in government has made finding fun, lighthearted topics more difficult because the current political landscape is darker and more depressing.
  • Summary: The hosts agreed it is harder to find good topics because while online bullshit persists, the stakes are higher now that the right-wing online ethos is being institutionalized in the federal government. Stories involving figures like J.D. Vance or Clavicular, who promotes dark, online rhetoric, are covered by mainstream media, removing the advantage Blocked and Reported once had in covering ignored ‘woke lap’ stories.
Red Scare Dynamics and Celebrity
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(00:20:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The Red Scare hosts, Dasha and Anna, attract intense male attention, exemplified by men awkwardly trying to smoke their cigarettes to get near them at a recent event.
  • Summary: Jesse recounted observing men surrounding Dasha and Anna at a Free Press afterparty, awkwardly trying to borrow cigarettes just to be near them, which he noted is an ineffective technique for attracting women. He also shared an anecdote where Dasha abruptly asked a male journalist if he was gay, then walked away after he confirmed he was straight, labeling it ‘aloof’ Red Scare behavior.