web02.fireside.fm Mon, 06 Apr 2026 03:09:44 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The Snark Factor - Episodes Tagged with “Politics” https://thesnarkfactor.fireside.fm/tags/politics Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400 The Snark Factor is a weekly show that airs on WAAM Talk 1600AM, 92.7FM Ann Arbor. You'll hear unusual takes on the latest news and entertainment from host Fingers Malloy. Sarah Smith and The Snark Factor Players join in on this unique talk show. en episodic The Snark Factor is a weekly show that airs on WAAM Talk 1600AM, 92.7FM Ann Arbor. Fingers Malloy The Snark Factor is a weekly show that airs on WAAM Talk 1600AM, 92.7FM Ann Arbor. You'll hear unusual takes on the latest news and entertainment from host Fingers Malloy. Sarah Smith and The Snark Factor Players join in on this unique talk show. no Fingers Malloy fingerstmalloy@gmail.com Lizard Fingers https://thesnarkfactor.fireside.fm/lizard-fingers b88770c8-0cfa-494e-bb16-e4cc63bb2422 Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400 Fingers Malloy full Fingers Malloy This week on The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith take on the misuse of the word “courage,” immigration protests, Trump’s joke instincts, law enforcement beagles, Greenland paranoia, student-loan “lizard fingers,” the alarming death-rate trend for Gen X and elder millennials, miracle keto pills, AI-resurrected actors, and Tinder rummaging through your camera roll. Just a perfectly normal week in America. 49:41 no On this episode of The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith take on a familiar theme: common sense in full retreat. They kick things off with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award going to Jerome Powell and “the people of the Twin Cities,” which leads to a sharp conversation about immigration enforcement, media narratives, political branding, and how the word courage now gets stretched so far it could snap. From there, they get into Trump’s joke about Japan and Pearl Harbor, Congress debating a bill tied to harming law enforcement animals, Denmark allegedly preparing for a possible U.S. move on Greenland, and why the federal government needs to get its grubby lizard fingers out of the student loan business. Then the show takes a turn from political absurdity to modern-life dread. Fingers and Sarah dig into the alarming rise in death rates among Gen X and elder millennials, which spins into a conversation about colorectal cancer, colonoscopies, processed food, fast food, stress, and whether a generation raised on pizza rolls and “just keep moving” is finally paying the bill. After that, they tackle a new experimental keto pill that promises the effects of dieting without giving up carbs, an AI-generated Val Kilmer appearing posthumously in a new film, and Tinder wanting deeper access to users’ photo libraries to build more “authentic” matches. In other words: health anxiety, artificial people, privacy collapse, and the future getting dumber by the minute. If you miss the live show on WAAM Talk Radio, you can catch The Snark Factor on your favorite podcast platform. Snark Factor podcast, Fingers Malloy, Sarah Smith, WAAM Talk Radio, political commentary, conservative podcast, immigration enforcement, Jerome Powell, Donald Trump, student loans, Gen X health, keto pill, Val Kilmer AI, Tinder privacy, news commentary On this episode of The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith take on a familiar theme: common sense in full retreat.

They kick things off with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award going to Jerome Powell and “the people of the Twin Cities,” which leads to a sharp conversation about immigration enforcement, media narratives, political branding, and how the word courage now gets stretched so far it could snap. From there, they get into Trump’s joke about Japan and Pearl Harbor, Congress debating a bill tied to harming law enforcement animals, Denmark allegedly preparing for a possible U.S. move on Greenland, and why the federal government needs to get its grubby lizard fingers out of the student loan business.

Then the show takes a turn from political absurdity to modern-life dread. Fingers and Sarah dig into the alarming rise in death rates among Gen X and elder millennials, which spins into a conversation about colorectal cancer, colonoscopies, processed food, fast food, stress, and whether a generation raised on pizza rolls and “just keep moving” is finally paying the bill. After that, they tackle a new experimental keto pill that promises the effects of dieting without giving up carbs, an AI-generated Val Kilmer appearing posthumously in a new film, and Tinder wanting deeper access to users’ photo libraries to build more “authentic” matches. In other words: health anxiety, artificial people, privacy collapse, and the future getting dumber by the minute.

If you miss the live show on WAAM Talk Radio, you can catch The Snark Factor on your favorite podcast platform.

]]> On this episode of The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith take on a familiar theme: common sense in full retreat.

They kick things off with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award going to Jerome Powell and “the people of the Twin Cities,” which leads to a sharp conversation about immigration enforcement, media narratives, political branding, and how the word courage now gets stretched so far it could snap. From there, they get into Trump’s joke about Japan and Pearl Harbor, Congress debating a bill tied to harming law enforcement animals, Denmark allegedly preparing for a possible U.S. move on Greenland, and why the federal government needs to get its grubby lizard fingers out of the student loan business.

Then the show takes a turn from political absurdity to modern-life dread. Fingers and Sarah dig into the alarming rise in death rates among Gen X and elder millennials, which spins into a conversation about colorectal cancer, colonoscopies, processed food, fast food, stress, and whether a generation raised on pizza rolls and “just keep moving” is finally paying the bill. After that, they tackle a new experimental keto pill that promises the effects of dieting without giving up carbs, an AI-generated Val Kilmer appearing posthumously in a new film, and Tinder wanting deeper access to users’ photo libraries to build more “authentic” matches. In other words: health anxiety, artificial people, privacy collapse, and the future getting dumber by the minute.

If you miss the live show on WAAM Talk Radio, you can catch The Snark Factor on your favorite podcast platform.

]]> Soft Targets, TSA Chaos, and America’s Ranch Diplomacy https://thesnarkfactor.fireside.fm/soft-targets-tsa-chaos-and-americas-ranch-diplomacy f6aaddbc-cbc0-4108-8b3b-d50f9785e4b4 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Fingers Malloy full Fingers Malloy This week, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith tackle a targeted attack on a Michigan synagogue, the threat of soft targets in America, and the unsettling questions raised by a terror-linked shooter who should never have been back on the street. They also break down the government shutdown’s impact on TSA, United Airlines finally drawing a line on headphone-free passengers, and why flying now feels like punishment with snack service. Plus, Gen Z may be saving the mall, and Hidden Valley Ranch apparently wants to send Americans to Europe to commit condiment-based international incidents. 49:38 no Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith dig into a disturbing attack on a Michigan synagogue, the broader danger of soft targets, and the maddening reality that known terror threats still seem to slip through the cracks. They also break down the government shutdown’s impact on TSA, United Airlines cracking down on headphone-free passengers, and why modern air travel feels like public suffering with boarding groups. Plus, Gen Z may be dragging the mall back from the dead, and Hidden Valley Ranch apparently wants to send Americans to Europe to commit condiment-based foreign policy. Visit FingersMalloy.com (FingersMalloy.com) for every Snark Factor Podcast, and to subscribe to his Substack. Snark Factor podcast, Fingers Malloy podcast, Sarah Smith, Michigan synagogue, terror threat in America, sleeper cells, TSA shutdown, government shutdown travel delays, United Airlines headphones policy, Gen Z shopping malls, mall comeback, Hidden Valley Ranch Europe, political commentary podcast, cultural commentary podcast, conservative talk radio Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith dig into a disturbing attack on a Michigan synagogue, the broader danger of soft targets, and the maddening reality that known terror threats still seem to slip through the cracks. They also break down the government shutdown’s impact on TSA, United Airlines cracking down on headphone-free passengers, and why modern air travel feels like public suffering with boarding groups. Plus, Gen Z may be dragging the mall back from the dead, and Hidden Valley Ranch apparently wants to send Americans to Europe to commit condiment-based foreign policy.

Visit [FingersMalloy.com](FingersMalloy.com) for every Snark Factor Podcast, and to subscribe to his Substack.

]]> Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith dig into a disturbing attack on a Michigan synagogue, the broader danger of soft targets, and the maddening reality that known terror threats still seem to slip through the cracks. They also break down the government shutdown’s impact on TSA, United Airlines cracking down on headphone-free passengers, and why modern air travel feels like public suffering with boarding groups. Plus, Gen Z may be dragging the mall back from the dead, and Hidden Valley Ranch apparently wants to send Americans to Europe to commit condiment-based foreign policy.

Visit [FingersMalloy.com](FingersMalloy.com) for every Snark Factor Podcast, and to subscribe to his Substack.

]]> Drone Plot, Nuclear War Bets, and the Brady Bunch House https://thesnarkfactor.fireside.fm/drone-plot-nuclear-war-bets-and-the-brady-bunch-house 1f5108e6-75b4-4974-9d37-8aa201fff64f Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0400 Fingers Malloy full Fingers Malloy Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith look back at the challenge of doing a pre-recorded show when the news cycle moves faster than the broadcast, like last week, when war with Iran broke out after the show had already been taped. They cover the political fallout, a bizarre Polymarket betting market on nuclear war, and a shocking case involving a Wisconsin teenager accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump with a drone. Plus, a new grocery store parking lot scam, the Brady Bunch house getting historic status in Los Angeles, and the latest Britney Spears headlines. 49:46 no This week on The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith look back at the challenge of doing a pre-recorded show when the news cycle refuses to cooperate — like last week, when the U.S. went to war with Iran after the show had already been recorded. In this episode: • The fallout and meme war surrounding the U.S. strikes on Iran • A reshuffling at Homeland Security and the politics around it • Polymarket pulling a betting market on whether a nuclear weapon would be detonated this year • A disturbing case involving a Wisconsin teenager accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump with a drone • A grocery store parking lot scam that can drain your bank account in seconds • Los Angeles giving the Brady Bunch house historic landmark status • Britney Spears headlines and the strange world of celebrity news Politics, internet culture, scams, and a few unexpected detours — just another Sunday morning on The Snark Factor. Snark Factor podcast, Fingers Malloy, political commentary podcast, news commentary, Iran war, Donald Trump news, Homeland Security politics, nuclear war betting market, Polymarket, consumer scam warning, parking lot scam, Brady Bunch house, Britney Spears news, talk radio podcast, current events podcast This week on The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith look back at the challenge of doing a pre-recorded show when the news cycle refuses to cooperate — like last week, when the U.S. went to war with Iran after the show had already been recorded.

In this episode:

• The fallout and meme war surrounding the U.S. strikes on Iran
• A reshuffling at Homeland Security and the politics around it
• Polymarket pulling a betting market on whether a nuclear weapon would be detonated this year
• A disturbing case involving a Wisconsin teenager accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump with a drone
• A grocery store parking lot scam that can drain your bank account in seconds
• Los Angeles giving the Brady Bunch house historic landmark status
• Britney Spears headlines and the strange world of celebrity news

Politics, internet culture, scams, and a few unexpected detours — just another Sunday morning on The Snark Factor.

]]> This week on The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith look back at the challenge of doing a pre-recorded show when the news cycle refuses to cooperate — like last week, when the U.S. went to war with Iran after the show had already been recorded.

In this episode:

• The fallout and meme war surrounding the U.S. strikes on Iran
• A reshuffling at Homeland Security and the politics around it
• Polymarket pulling a betting market on whether a nuclear weapon would be detonated this year
• A disturbing case involving a Wisconsin teenager accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump with a drone
• A grocery store parking lot scam that can drain your bank account in seconds
• Los Angeles giving the Brady Bunch house historic landmark status
• Britney Spears headlines and the strange world of celebrity news

Politics, internet culture, scams, and a few unexpected detours — just another Sunday morning on The Snark Factor.

]]> Stop the Poop, Seize the Cash, Hate the Man https://thesnarkfactor.fireside.fm/stop-the-poop-seize-the-cash-hate-the-man 8e9352a6-99fe-4a3a-97c6-2c036bdf02bb Sun, 22 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500 Fingers Malloy full Fingers Malloy Fingers and Sarah dig into new polling showing many Democrats still aren’t enthusiastic about their own party, even with midterm optimism in the air. They debate whether anti-Trump energy can carry elections indefinitely without a stronger platform. The show then pivots to a class action lawsuit targeting TSA cash seizures and how civil asset forfeiture can strip travelers of money without charges. Finally, they break down the D.C. water crisis—raw sewage flowing into the Potomac for weeks—and the lack of accountability that lets officials fail upward, capped with a quick Menards parking lot story that somehow fits the moment perfectly. 49:37 no If you missed it live on WAAM (https://waamradio.com/), the podcast is right here. This week, Fingers and Sarah start with an awkward little truth for Democrats: even with the “midterms are ours” confidence floating around… their own voters don’t seem thrilled with the party. An AP-NORC poll shows Democratic favorability among Democrats sliding from the high 80s/low 90s range down to about 70%—and the conversation turns into a bigger question: How long can a political movement run on pure Trump hatred… without offering anything else? From there, the show pivots into two stories that feel like they should be jokes… but unfortunately are not. TSA and the “$100 or more” shake-down A class action lawsuit aims to stop TSA from seizing travelers’ cash—sometimes without charges ever being filed. The episode breaks down how civil asset forfeiture turns “suspicion” into a business model… and why the amounts are often sized perfectly to make fighting back not worth it. Washington, D.C.: raw sewage into the Potomac… for a month Then we hit the D.C. water disaster: hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage flowing into the Potomac from burst pipes, while officials argue and the media shrugs—until Trump mentions it, and suddenly people are mad at the guy talking about it. And the cherry on top: the D.C. Water CEO is David Gaddis—a name tied to Flint-era water controversy—because in government, failure doesn’t end careers. It upgrades them. Also included: a Menards parking lot encounter that ends with a guy trying to sell candy bars to fund a motel room… which is a sentence that really captures the era. Give it a listen. Share it with a friend who still thinks “the system” is running smoothly. Follow Sarah on X: @MamaSwati Follow Fingers on X: @FingersMolloy More shows and podcasts: FingersMalloy.com Snark Factor podcast, Fingers Malloy, political commentary, conservative talk radio, midterm elections, Democratic Party polling, Trump derangement syndrome, AP NORC poll, TSA cash seizure, civil asset forfeiture, government overreach, Washington DC infrastructure, Potomac River sewage, Flint water crisis, personal responsibility If you missed it live on WAAM, the podcast is right here.

This week, Fingers and Sarah start with an awkward little truth for Democrats:
even with the “midterms are ours” confidence floating around… their own voters don’t seem thrilled with the party.

An AP-NORC poll shows Democratic favorability among Democrats sliding from the high 80s/low 90s range down to about 70%—and the conversation turns into a bigger question:

How long can a political movement run on pure Trump hatred… without offering anything else?

From there, the show pivots into two stories that feel like they should be jokes… but unfortunately are not.

TSA and the “$100 or more” shake-down

A class action lawsuit aims to stop TSA from seizing travelers’ cash—sometimes without charges ever being filed. The episode breaks down how civil asset forfeiture turns “suspicion” into a business model… and why the amounts are often sized perfectly to make fighting back not worth it.

Washington, D.C.: raw sewage into the Potomac… for a month

Then we hit the D.C. water disaster: hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage flowing into the Potomac from burst pipes, while officials argue and the media shrugs—until Trump mentions it, and suddenly people are mad at the guy talking about it.

And the cherry on top: the D.C. Water CEO is David Gaddis—a name tied to Flint-era water controversy—because in government, failure doesn’t end careers. It upgrades them.

Also included: a Menards parking lot encounter that ends with a guy trying to sell candy bars to fund a motel room… which is a sentence that really captures the era.

Give it a listen. Share it with a friend who still thinks “the system” is running smoothly.

Follow Sarah on X: @MamaSwati
Follow Fingers on X: @FingersMolloy
More shows and podcasts: FingersMalloy.com

]]> If you missed it live on WAAM, the podcast is right here.

This week, Fingers and Sarah start with an awkward little truth for Democrats:
even with the “midterms are ours” confidence floating around… their own voters don’t seem thrilled with the party.

An AP-NORC poll shows Democratic favorability among Democrats sliding from the high 80s/low 90s range down to about 70%—and the conversation turns into a bigger question:

How long can a political movement run on pure Trump hatred… without offering anything else?

From there, the show pivots into two stories that feel like they should be jokes… but unfortunately are not.

TSA and the “$100 or more” shake-down

A class action lawsuit aims to stop TSA from seizing travelers’ cash—sometimes without charges ever being filed. The episode breaks down how civil asset forfeiture turns “suspicion” into a business model… and why the amounts are often sized perfectly to make fighting back not worth it.

Washington, D.C.: raw sewage into the Potomac… for a month

Then we hit the D.C. water disaster: hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage flowing into the Potomac from burst pipes, while officials argue and the media shrugs—until Trump mentions it, and suddenly people are mad at the guy talking about it.

And the cherry on top: the D.C. Water CEO is David Gaddis—a name tied to Flint-era water controversy—because in government, failure doesn’t end careers. It upgrades them.

Also included: a Menards parking lot encounter that ends with a guy trying to sell candy bars to fund a motel room… which is a sentence that really captures the era.

Give it a listen. Share it with a friend who still thinks “the system” is running smoothly.

Follow Sarah on X: @MamaSwati
Follow Fingers on X: @FingersMolloy
More shows and podcasts: FingersMalloy.com

]]> Minnesota Daycare Fraud, HUD Billions, and the Media Problem https://thesnarkfactor.fireside.fm/minnesota-daycare-fraud-hud-billions-and-the-media-problem dab0c9d9-3117-4155-99a1-a441203dc7cf Sun, 04 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500 Fingers Malloy full Fingers Malloy In this episode of The Snark Factor, Fingers Malloy and co-host Sarah Smith examine allegations of fraud tied to Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota and how legacy media responded as the story gained national attention. The discussion also covers a HUD internal review flagging billions of dollars in questionable rental assistance payments, including payments linked to deceased recipients. Additional topics include driver’s license fraud allegations in Kentucky, voter roll irregularities, and broader concerns about government oversight, media credibility, and systemic abuse. 49:31 no This episode of The Snark Factor takes a measured look at alleged fraud tied to Minnesota daycare centers, the media’s reaction once the story went viral, and what tends to happen when independent reporting forces coverage. Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith also break down a HUD review flagging billions in questionable rental assistance payments, along with other examples of large systems struggling with oversight. The Snark Factor airs Sunday mornings on WAAM in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is presented here in podcast form. Snark Factor, Minnesota daycare fraud, HUD rental assistance, government fraud, media bias, Kentucky driver’s license fraud, voter integrity This episode of The Snark Factor takes a measured look at alleged fraud tied to Minnesota daycare centers, the media’s reaction once the story went viral, and what tends to happen when independent reporting forces coverage. Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith also break down a HUD review flagging billions in questionable rental assistance payments, along with other examples of large systems struggling with oversight.

The Snark Factor airs Sunday mornings on WAAM in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is presented here in podcast form.

]]> This episode of The Snark Factor takes a measured look at alleged fraud tied to Minnesota daycare centers, the media’s reaction once the story went viral, and what tends to happen when independent reporting forces coverage. Fingers Malloy and Sarah Smith also break down a HUD review flagging billions in questionable rental assistance payments, along with other examples of large systems struggling with oversight.

The Snark Factor airs Sunday mornings on WAAM in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is presented here in podcast form.

]]>