Americast

Americast

Author: BBC News Language: English Episodes: 100
Trying to make sense of American politics can feel like navigating a maze. Americast, from BBC News, cuts through the noise with a perspective that’s both grounded and far-reaching. You’ll hear from seasoned correspondents like the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, and presenter Justin Webb, who bring decades of experience to the conversation. This isn’t just a recap of headlines; it’s about understanding the forces shaping the United States, from the granular details observed on the ground to the wider historical and social currents at play. The team delves into everything from election campaigns and policy debates to the complex role of disinformation and social media, offering clarity on the stories that define the nation week to week. Relying on the BBC’s global network of journalists, this podcast provides analysis that connects local events to their international significance. For anyone looking to move beyond the soundbites and gain a more nuanced view of American government and society, tuning into this weekly discussion offers a valuable and authoritative resource.
Episodes
Donald Trump gets on the phone... with Sarah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:45
What happened when Americast’s Sarah Smith cold called the US president? In this episode, Sarah and Anthony thoroughly unpack her phone call with Donald Trump, how she planned the interview…and also, she tells us what ha…
Democrats fight back against Trump in Virginia… and win [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
A small election in Virginia looks set to have a major impact on Donald Trump’s power, and the capacity to derail the rest of the president’s second term in office.Overnight, voters in Virginia approved a measure to redr…
Have the Democrats found a new strategy to scare Trump? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:13
Why has an oyster fisherman from Maine - criticised for having a Nazi tattoo - become a frontrunner for the Democrats, and one of their best hopes to help take back the US Senate in this year’s midterm elections? The nor…
Has Trump given up on the midterms? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
Donald Trump is losing public support over the war in Iran, but how much does the president care? He said in a recent interview with Fox News that gas prices may be “a little bit higher” but has downplayed fears that hig…
Americanswers... on 5 Live! Donald Trump vs Pope Leo on Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
President Trump has become entangled in a very public row with Pope Leo XIV, who has been critical of the US war with Iran. The US president has slammed the pope for being “weak” on crime and “terrible” at foreign policy…
Is Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth waging a holy war against Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
Why has Hegseth fired top generals from the military, and how does he use religion to justify America’s war aims? We look at the frontman for the US war in Iran, the former Fox News host, Pete Hegseth. A key feature of h…
Trump pulls back from the brink... but for how long? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
Donald Trump’s MAGA base - and the Republican party - are divided over his threats to wipe out an entire civilisation. In this episode, Justin, Anthony and Sarah unpack how we got from Trump’s annihilistic threats to the…
Americanswers! Can Zohran Mamdani keep his promises as New York mayor? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:45
Since it began last month, the Iran War has dominated global headlines and deflected attention away from other important stories happening across the U.S. In today’s Americanswers, the team join up to discuss stories pla…
Are the Democrats ready to win back Congress? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Excitement has been building among some Democrats after the party won a special election in Florida last week in a district that includes Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach. This win, along with several others…