Fake the Nation
Headgum & Negin Farsad
<p>Hosted by Negin Farsad, everyone's favorite Iranian American Muslim Comedian Podcast Host with Black Hair and Red Glasses, <em>Fake the Nation</em> is a comedy show that isn't afraid to talk about news, culture, and humanity’s weirdness. Every week Negin is joined by her funniest, smartest, and most politically astute friends. People like Samantha Bee, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Paula Poundstone, Margaret Cho, Larry Wilmore and others. They’ll make you laugh, think, and deliver a gut punch to the country we all love, America. It's like a really fun dinner party where nothing is off limits but you don’t have to pretend to like salad. </p>
- 55 minutes 14 seconds512. Watching the MJ Biopic with Mom (w/Shane O'Neill and Matt Koff)
This week, comedian and Fake the Nation host Negin Farsad is joined by Washington Post Style Writer Shane O’Neill and comedian/Daily Show writer Matt Koff. Together, they discuss the re-emergence of Michael Jackson and the cultural power of cougars! They dip into war talk and Kash Patel talk. Plus, they look at new data that shows more and more Americans are getting their news from comedians and influencers instead of actual news. And finally, why are some Gen Z men attracted to Catholicism? Shane wrote an article on the very subject!
Follow Everyone!
Shane O’Neill @ShaneIsland – his newsletter is Seriously Pop Culture
Matt Koff @MattKoff – his new special drops on May 15 on YouTube!
Negin Farsad @NeginFarsad – her dates are all at neginfarsad.com
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
22 April 2026, 7:00 am - 23 minutes 5 seconds511. Always a Human (w/Justin Krebs and Jordan Carlos + John Hodgman and Emily Flake)
This week, comedian and host Negin Farsad brings you two conversations from the vault. Jordan Carlos and Justin Krebs join to discuss why people would wait in the longer self-checkout line instead of using the SHORTER line with a human cashier. It's happening and we need to understand why!? John Hodgman and Emily Flake also join to discuss how to make long lasting friends. Together they have all the answers...or none of them, you decide!
Follow Everyone!
@NeginFarsad - read her latest screed in Progressive Magazine about popping out babies.
@johnhodgman - check out his pod Judge John Hodgman
@jordancarlosofficial - buy his book Choreplay
@eflakeagogo - Emily's work in The New Yorker
Justin Krebs - one of his best books 538 Ways to Live Like a Liberal
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
16 April 2026, 7:00 am - 1 hour 1 minute510. Hegseth's Wet Hair (w/Jeremy Pinsly and Mary Houlihan)
This week, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and host of the podcast The Mary Houlihan Show, Mary Houlihan! She’s also joined by comedian and founder of the brand new club, The Greenpoint Comedy Club in Brooklyn! Together, they ask, would you pay money to go on a reading retreat where a bunch of strangers read one book out loud? And, would you pay money for the “Relax Row” – and if you don’t know what that is, press play! They also get into the politics of war, the politics of space and the politics of the Florida special elections. Finally, new research indicates that the most popular degrees don’t actually pay the bills. What gives?
Follow Everyone!
NeginFarsad – check her out in San Francisco at The Lost Church on April 29
MaryHoulihan - @MaryHoulie & The Mary Houlihan Show
Jeremy Pinsley - @JeremyPinsley & The Greenpoint Comedy Club of NYC!
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
9 April 2026, 7:00 am - 54 minutes 45 seconds509. Small Shoe Psychological Warfare (w/Jody Avirgan and Caleb Zeringue)
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian Caleb Zeringue (Luigi: The Musical) and podcast host Jody Avirgan (This Day Pod) to discuss why men wear shoes that are bigger than their actual feet... but also, why Sora shut down. This podcast is a bird of many feathers because that's not all! They also talk about Democrats' Special Election wins, the No Kings rallies, and Trump's signature on bills. They also weigh in on YouTube and Meta's losses in court - the social media chickens have maybe come home to roost? So much to think about, enjoy!
Follow Everyone!
Caleb Zeringue - on Instagram (The Drillmaster May 3rd in LA, Luigi: The Musical in NYC in June!)
Jody Avirgan - This Day Podcast
Negin Farsad - See in her San Francisco for The Muslims Are Coming! with Equally Threatening Friends show
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
31 March 2026, 2:30 pm - 57 minutes 9 seconds508. Hurting People and Doing Ballrooms Since 2025 (w/Helen Hong and Meagan Hatcher Mays)
Today on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by fellow Wait Wait Don't Tell Me comedian Helen Hong and co-host of the podcast Text Me Back, Meagan Hatcher Mays. Together they talk about data that shows difficult people AGE you faster! Obviously! But also it's fun that there's now data to prove it. In politics, they take a more macro view of the right by asking whether we have reached end stage polarization AND whether MAGA has entered its cringe era? (And maybe those are one in the same question??) And finally, they talk about a study that reveals the secret to having a lot of friends in adulthood... Enjoy!
Follow Everyone!
Negin Farsad - see her in San Francisco on April 29 in The Muslims Are Coming!...with Equally Threatening Friends at The Lost Church - a night of standup with great comedians
Helen Hong - Listen to her pod Go Fact Yourself!
Meagan Hatcher Mays - Listen to her pod Text Me Back
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26 March 2026, 7:00 am - 52 minutes 56 seconds507. Just Don't Take It To The Bathroom (w/DD Guttenplan and Katie Compa)
This week on Fake the Nation, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian Katie Compa, and journalist/special correspondent to The Nation DD Guttenplan. They discuss a possible antidote to our shot attention spans and the terribly titled, Friction Maxxing! They also talk about war, war coverage and the perils of having an FCC license. Plus! They grade Mamdani's first few months as Mayor of NYC. And, finally, what's the difference between limerence and love and does it matter?
Follow Everyone!
Katie Compa - @KatieCompa - her new album drops April 30
DD Guttenplan - Read The Mamdani Beat! + ddguttenplan.com/
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
19 March 2026, 7:00 am - 1 hour 1 minute506. Wishing For More STDs In Silicon Valley (w/Milly Tamarez and Traci Thomas)
Today, comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and host of the podcast Go Touch Grass, Milly Tamarez. She is also joined by your book-lover BFF and host of The Stacks Podcast, Traci Thomas. Together, they talk about Oscar campaign kerfuffles - some of them involve opera and yet others involve cats! They also talk about the ongoing war with Iran - or as some call it, the "excursion" with Iran. And finally, there’s a term for every time you fix something on your parents phone and it's called, "technology caregiving" - the panel gets into it!
Follow everyone:
@NeginFarsad & www.neginfarsad.com for upcoming shows
@Milly_Tamarez & Go Touch Grass Podcast
@thestackspod & The Stacks Podcast
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12 March 2026, 7:00 am - 54 minutes 10 seconds505. Looksmaxxing Smut in the Hardware Aisle (w/PepperMint and Rachel Sklar)
This week, comedian and host of Fake the Nation, Negin Farsad, is joined by actor/performer, PepperMint and by writer/podcaster, Rachel Sklar. Together, they reluctantly talk about this confusing war with Iran. They also discuss the phenomenon that is “looksmaxxing.” And finally, they address the burning question, is smut having a renaissance?
Follow everyone!
Rachel Sklar - @RacheSklar - www.smartfriendsnetwork.com + Breadwinners Podcast
Peppermint - @PepperMint247 – Survival of the Thickest + her new tea with Moody!
Negin Farsad - @NeginFarsad – upcoming dates www.NeginFarsad.com
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
5 March 2026, 8:00 am - 59 minutes 28 seconds504. The Battle for Supermarket Supremacy (w/Menelek Lumumba and Chenjerai Kumanyika)
On this week’s episode, comedian and host, Negin Farsad suffered through the State of the Union address so you don’t have to! She is joined by filmmaker and cohost of The A Building Podcast, Menelek Lumumba and NYU professor and host of the podcast Unruly Subjects, Chenjerai Kumanyika. Together they go deep on America, why IPods are having a resurgence and the most controversial topic of them all, what is the best supermarket?
Follow Everyone!
Menelek Lumumba - @Mumba50 – The A Building Podcast
Chenjerai Kumanyika - @Chenjerai – Unruly Subjects Podcast
Negin Farsad - @NeginFarsad everywhere & be on the lookout for upcoming shows in Chicago & San Francisco
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26 February 2026, 8:00 am - 25 minutes 8 seconds503. Dividing Up the Chores Bonus (w/Jordan Carlos)
Comedian and host Negin Farsad is joined by Fake the Nation-regular, comedian Jordan Carlos, to talk about his new book, Choreplay: The Marriage-Saving Magic of Getting Your Head Out of Your Ass. It’s a must read, especially for dudes who have their heads in their own butts. You know the type.
Today’s Sponsor is Qualia Life!
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Follow everyone!
@JordanCarlosofficial + buy his book Choreplay
@NeginFarsad
Check out Negin's latest in Progressive Magazine on how to celebrate America's 250th!
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
23 February 2026, 8:00 am - 58 minutes 23 seconds503. The Germans Have a Word For That (w/Jena Friedman and Star Stone)
This week, comedian and Guru of Gab Negin Farsad is joined by comedian and host of the new podcast Epstein Files Book Club, Jena Friedman. She also welcomes to the panel, actor and solo show creator, Star Stone. Together, they tackle AI pets, they’re all the rage in China! They also discuss the boom in bathhouses and the German tradition of house burping. And finally, they check in on the Esptein Files and they try to explain our moment in history with the concept of the 4 Turnings. And don’t worry, Negin’s got you with a Good News segment too!
Follow everyone!
@JenaFriedman + check out her new podcast The Epstein Files Book Club
@StarStoneSpeaks + check out her new solo show!
@NeginFarsad + check out her latest column for the Progressive Magazine
Special thanks to today’s sponsors!
Laundry Sauce – level up your laundry, folks!
Qualia Stem Cell – help your body’s own stem cells work better!
Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review!
Host - Negin Farsad
Producer - Rob Heath
Theme Music - Gaby Alter
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
19 February 2026, 8:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App