Mary Katharine Ham makes cocktails for spirits expert Vic Matus. It's nerve-wracking. Did she succeed?! We mixed a LOT of liquors, with a garnish of news, plus favorite and hated Christmas carols and movies! On the drink menu: A Cranberry Snow Globe Spritzer, a Gingerbread Martini, a Cranberry Margarita, a Peppermint White Russian, and a Cider with Bourbon. We even had fresh-roasted chestnuts!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Getting Hammered, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus talk holiday preparations and Nashville hot chicken followed by more serious topics, addressing tragic news events in Bondi Beach and Brown University. The conversation shifts to political insights regarding the current administration feature in Vanity Fair, followed by a discussion on Rob Reiner's passing and Trump's controversial response. Ending on a lighter note with a discussion on font changes at the State Department and concludes with a highlight of "Trashed Panda"

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're excited to offer some interviews as bonus content on Getting Hammered with friends of the show on topics we care about. Today, Karen Vaites, an expert on literacy and curriculum, who really knows the nitty-gritty about how students learn, what works, and what we can replicate. We rant a bit about school closings and Randi Weingarten, then get on to the business of moving forward— the Mississippi Miracle, the Southern Surge, and whether skepticism is warranted. We are optimists. There is good news! We're trying to spread the word and help spread the strategy. That's where you come in.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Vic Matus discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal updates and holiday preparations to the competitive landscape of fried chicken chains. They delve into the political implications of Jasmine Crockett's Senate run, the Minnesota fraud case, and the cultural issues surrounding it. The conversation also touches on college football playoff controversies and reflections on the Kennedy Center Honors.

10:35 - Jasmine Crockett

22:40 - Minnesota Fraud

31:00 - Kennedy Center Honors

39:43 - College Football Playoffs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the inaugural independent episode of "Getting Hammered," Vic and MK decide to bring back the show at least once a week this holiday season, with thanks to all you listeners who have stuck around during hiatus season. In the near future, we'll concoct some ways for you to support the show as we head toward the new year, whether it's premium content, subscriptions, or contributing to our holiday cocktail fund. In the meantime, you can help by subscribing, listening, reviewing, and spreading the word. Today, Vic and MK do a review of Thanksgiving health damage, Christmas traffic, and MK's kids destroying decor before diving into U.S. military attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats near Venezuela, the law of the sea, Franklin memes, Aftyn Behn, midterm forecasts, special elections, and people who should not sing on stage, the Minnesota massive fraud story, and the drama, drama, drama of Lane Kiffin. 

10:10 Narco Terrorist

21:45 Minnesota

31:25 2026 Prospects

44:39 Lane Kiffin

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back again to discuss on the recent election outcomes in New Jersey and Virginia, Mamdani in NYC, and a few updates while we have been away. Tune in!

8:06 - Elections

27:19 - Mamdani

35:58 - Heritage Foundation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch this episode on Youtube!

We're back to discuss Charlie Kirk and the reaction to his assassination, Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, and a few other things we missed while we were away. Tune in!

timestamps:

14:49 - Charlie Kirk

44:07 Jimmy Kimmel

58:43 - Lightning Round

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch this episode on Youtube!

On this episode: We break down the many uses of the autopen, the backlash over the DOJ's handling of the Epstein list, and Chris Cuomo’s eyebrow-raising bid for NYC mayor. Plus: potential new cuts to the Department of Education, Trump’s NATO weapons deal, and the All-Star Game makes its return to Atlanta. Let’s get into it!

Time stamps:

13:59 - The Autopen

27:52 - Epstein

40:25 - Cuomo

46:00 - Department of Education

50:48 - NATO

59:35 - MLB All-Star Game

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch this episode on Youtube!

On this episode: Trump orders strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and what happens next. Plus, a look at New York’s Democratic mayoral race, and a celebratory toast as the government prepares to drop its two-drink-a-day buzzkill. Cheers to that!

Time stamps:

12:13 - Special Report / Iran

44:39 - NYC Mayoral Race

51:48 - 2-drink recs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch this episode on Youtube!

Remember us? (Of course you do.) We’re back—and we’re covering everything. Trump’s response to Iran, Tucker and Ted Cruz tag-teaming headlines, the Army's 250th birthday bash, and the "No Kings" protests. Oh, and yes, the Democrats are still in disarray. Plus: a major SCOTUS ruling on trans rights and Trump 100-foot pole. Buckle up.

Timestamps:

12:10 - Trump and Iran

38:15 - Carlson v Cruz

46:45 - The Army's 250th Celebration

50:24 - "No Kings" protests

55:35 - Dems in disarray

1:03:59 - SCOTUS / Skrmetti decision

1:09:38 - flag poles

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch this episode on Youtube!

On this episode: Trump’s tariffs get blocked, Elon exits the White House, and Harvard, NPR, and PBS scramble to keep their funding. Plus, the U.S. and Israel work to get aid into Gaza, and San Francisco unveils a radical new grading scale. Until we meet again!

time stamps:

13:28 - Trump's tariff's blocked

27:10 - Elon leaves the White House

37:10 - Harvard, PBS, NPR funding

48:25 - Aid into Gaza

53:13 - Grading for equity

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices