Whether you stumbled upon it through a cryptic tweet or heard whispers about it in the shadowy corners of the internet, Red Scare has become one of the most polarizing and talked-about podcasts of the past few years. Hosted by Dasha Nekrasova and Anna Katchyan, this cultural commentary show blends art criticism, political provocation, and unfiltered conversation in a way that manages to alienate and captivate listeners in equal measure.
The podcast’s willingness to venture into territory most hosts avoid, combined with its hosts’ sharp wit and genuine intellectual curiosity, has produced hundreds of episodes ranging from brilliantly insightful to gleefully chaotic. For newcomers trying to understand what all the fuss is about, or longtime listeners looking to revisit the show’s highlights, I’ve gone ahead and pulled together a list of Red Scare’s top episodes that best capture what makes this podcast such a compelling, if occasionally maddening, listen.
Groom Cave
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The women cover topics like the annexation of Greenland, congestion pricing, and grooming gangs. Additionally, Dasha provides a summary of her recent visit to Trinidad.
Themi Lovato
Listen on: Libsyn
The women talk about Demi Lovato announcing a nonbinary identity, the feud between Chrissy Teigen and Courtney Stodden, the renewed buzz around UFOs, and the so‑called “micro‑generation” often referred to as “geriatric millennials.”
Only Haters w/ Sky Bri
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Adult content creator Sky Bri joins the podcast to share insights about her personal journey, career, the evolving landscape of the adult entertainment industry, her experiences with dating while working in the field, and other related topics.
Yemeni Such Cases
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The women talk about the recent surge in polyamory coverage in the media and books, referencing the latest wave of polyamory press. They also rank various men including a Houthi pirate, Sol Brah, Timothee Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and others.
Shibuya Scramble
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In this episode, the hosts discuss various topics including cultural critiques, references to Neon Genesis Evangelion, and experiences with Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. The episode features a guest known as Delicious Tacos, who contributes to these discussions.
Taliban Mindset
Listen on: Libsyn
A discussion about the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the widespread health concerns surrounding seed oils, and they discuss Cornel West’s perspective on why the political left needs a connection to Jesus.
Megaflopolis
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The hosts discuss the indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, covering the federal charges which include conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery, and soliciting illegal campaign contributions. They also talk about the debate over the vice-presidential picks by Vance and Walz, and share their thoughts on the film Megalopolis.
Cat Food People
Listen on: Libsyn
The women explore the true story behind Kristen Roupenian’s viral short story “Cat Person,” revealing how it draws from real-life experiences yet remains primarily fictional. They also delve into the trend of canned fish being celebrated as trendy “hot girl food,” as well as how TikTok has become a prominent platform for the dissociative identity disorder community.
Crazy Autistic Asians w/ Tao Lin
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The women engage in a conversation with novelist Tao Lin about autism, his connection to the alt-lit movement, and related topics. They explore Tao Lin’s personal experiences with autism, his writing journey transitioning from themes of loneliness and depression to hope and optimism, and his unique blend of empirical research with emotional insight.
Dwork More Correct
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The ladies review Andrea Dworkin’s book “Right-Wing Women” on the occasion of its reprint. They explore Dworkin’s radical feminist analysis of why conservative women support right-wing movements, despite these movements limiting women’s freedoms. The discussion highlights her argument that right-wing women often accept male authority for protection and a sense of power, viewing the system of male dominance as fixed.
Abundant Death
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A conversation about Luigi Mangione’s dropped terrorism charges but ongoing murder case, recent school shooter Samantha Rupnow, and Lily Jay’s essay on coping with her divorce from the man who left her for Ariana Grande.
Read our review of Red Scare