Mary Beth Barone and Benito Skinner, hosts of the 'Ride' podcast launched on Dear Media in 2023, attempted to exit their contract over disagreements with CEO Michael Bosstick's political stances. Barone, who identifies as a progressive and Democratic Socialists of America member, expressed concern that Bosstick's public support for figures like RFK Jr. and anti-vaccine claims conflicted with her consistent advocacy for scientific consensus and leftist politics on the show.

Unnable to break their contractual obligations, the pair chose to continue after talks with Dear Media leadership confirmed they would retain editorial freedom. Barone reflected on the ideological tension philosophically, contending that ethical consistency is impossible under capitalism and that working with companies holding misaligned values is an inescapable feature of modern employment, whilst emphasising that the network has never censored their content.