BUGS!!!!!! with Akilah Hughes

BUGS!!!!!! with Akilah Hughes

From American Hysteria by chelsey weber-smith

March 2, 2026 · 1h 3m

About this episode

The episode discusses American fears surrounding sensationalized bugs and the implications of these panics on politics and society.

We have had many media panics about swarms and hordes, about infestations and plagues of dangerous insects and arachnids that promise to rain destruction down on the defenseless American public. My guest today is comedian Akilah Hughes, host of the podcast How Is This Better? We are talking about our American fear around sensationalized bugs, from killer bees to infected mosquitos to floating spiders to the kissing bug. We’ll discuss what these panics can tell us about the language of our politics and the way mass hysteria can create monstrous problems from perceived threats, no matter how tiny. Get more of Akilah's work: Website / How Is This Better? / YouTube / Instagram Become a Patron⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support our show and get early ad-free episodes and bonus content Or subscribe to American Hysteria on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get some of our new merch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠americanhysteria.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, all profits go to The Sameer Project, a Palestinian-led mutual aid group who are on the ground in Gaza delivering food and supplies to displaced families. Leave us a message on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Urban Legends Hotline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank You To Our…

People in this episode

Host: Chelsey Weber-Smith

Guest: Akilah Hughes

Topics covered

  • media panics
  • insects
  • mass hysteria
  • American culture
  • politics

Keywords

  • bugs
  • mass hysteria
  • insects
  • American fear
  • media panics
  • politics
  • Akilah Hughes

Sponsors

Surfshark

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: How Is This Better?, The Sameer Project

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