Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had signed a trade deal with China. Did it though? On this episode of After America , Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Trump administration’s confused approach to China and how Australia is navigating these complex relationships. This discussion was recorded on Friday 13 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our pet...
Jun 30, 2025•36 min
It’s never about regime change (until it is). On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites, the comparisons with America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, and what this decision could mean for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Monday 23 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Join Dr Emma ...
Jun 23, 2025•34 min
Australia traded sovereignty for security with the AUKUS submarine deal, but it might end up with neither. On this episode of After America , Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s AUKUS review, Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Trump, and why Australia doesn’t share values with the US administration. This discussion was recorded on Monday 16 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition calling on the Australi...
Jun 16, 2025•35 min
Musk may be out, but the influence of the tech bros has never been greater. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s dystopian presidency, the administration’s renewed pressure on the Australian government to increase defence spending, and the end of the Trump-Musk bromance. This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating...
Jun 09, 2025•25 min
Trump promised a golden age for the US economy – and now a golden dome to protect the continent. On this episode of After America , Matt Duss joins Emma Shortis to sort the signal from the noise in the Trump administration’s foreign policy. They discuss Trump’s approach to the Middle East, its negotiations with Iran, and the continued influence of China hawks in his Cabinet. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 28 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order After America: Au...
Jun 02, 2025•31 min
Trump’s confrontation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was about trying to show who’s in charge. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s false claims about ‘white genocide’, the administration’s war on Harvard University, Kamala Harris on the Goldie, and whether Anthony Albanese’s talk about “progressive patriotism” will be backed up with real action. This discussion was recorded on Monday 26 May 2025 and things may have changed since recor...
May 26, 2025•31 min
Donald Trump isn’t an aberration – he’s as much a product of American history as JFK or Barack Obama. On the 50th episode of After America , Nick Bryant joins Dr Emma Shortis to reflect on the second Trump presidency, why division is the default in American political history, and what the United States might look like after Trump. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 15 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order After America: Australia and the new world order or become a fo...
May 19, 2025•45 min
With Americans facing shortages and price hikes, the Trump administration is orchestrating a colossal transfer of wealth and power to the very rich . On this episode of After America , Elizabeth Pancotti, economic policy specialist and former advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss what the second Trump administration is doing to the American economy. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 8 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order ‘After America:...
May 12, 2025•37 min
How big a role did Trump play in Australia’s remarkable federal election result? On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss whether Anthony Albanese’s massive election victory is part of a global “repudiation” of Trumpism and what new Australia Institute polling reveals about Australians’ views on Trump and the alliance. This discussion was recorded on Monday 5 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order ‘After America: Australia and the ne...
May 05, 2025•32 min
The white men in the White House are trying to radically reshape modern America . On this episode of After America , Dr Prudence Flowers joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Trump administration’s attempts to ‘re-masculinise’ the American economy through tariffs, its efforts to undermine trans and reproductive rights, and how culture wars are playing out in Australian politics. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 180...
Apr 28, 2025•36 min
The United States is disappearing down an authoritarian rabbit hole and Australian leaders are struggling to respond . On this crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money , Ebony Bennett and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US administration’s mass deportations, the scandals surrounding the Departments of Defense and State, and why Australian democratic institutions are worth defending. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 22 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Orde...
Apr 22, 2025•35 min
However well the 47th president hit ‘em in Florida, he cannot find a green with his tariffs. On this episode of After America , Daniel James, award-winning journalist and host of the 7am podcast, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the potential blowback against Trump’s tariffs at the midterms and whether the next federal government might introduce a little more transparency into Australia’s foreign and defence policy-making processes. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 9 April 2025 and thin...
Apr 14, 2025•28 min
The Australian defence and foreign policy establishment is trying to continue with alliance-as-usual with America, but Trump will always put Australia’s interests second. On this episode of After America , Dr Richard Denniss joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs, why Australia has never really had a ‘free’ trade agreement with America, and whether the Australian defence and foreign policy establishment can break free of its old assumptions about how the world wo...
Apr 07, 2025•34 min
The Trump administration’s approach to the world can be summed up in three emojis: fist, American flag, fire. The president, meanwhile, is busy “not joking” about staying in office for an unconstitutional third term. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the ongoing fallout from the Signal chat debacle, the dire situation facing Ukraine, and Australia’s failure to adapt to a radically changed world. This discussion was recorded on Friday 28 March 2025 and...
Mar 31, 2025•36 min
Trump has signed an Executive Order the seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education – but can he actually do it? On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump administration group chats, Big Pharma’s big whinge, and the history of conservative efforts to dismantle the federal Education department. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 25 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Read more from Emma in the latest edition of Australi...
Mar 26, 2025•32 min
The will-he-or-won't-he game over Trump’s steel and alumnium tariffs is over. Turns out he will – despite the apparent offerings of the Australian Government. On this episode of After America , Dr Ruth Mitchell joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss how Canada and Australia have responded to tariffs, what America’s decision to sell out Ukraine means for efforts to abolish nuclear weapons, and RFK Jr’s performance as Secretary of Health and Human Services. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 13 Ma...
Mar 19, 2025•35 min
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia joins us to discuss why defending Ukraine’s sovereignty is critical for Australia, America and other democracies around the world. On this episode of After America , His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the importance of upholding the international rule of law, the deterioration of relations between Ukraine and the Trump administration, and why Ukrainian security is important for the entire world. This discussion was recorded on F...
Mar 10, 2025•43 min
After a week when America’s reliability as an ally was called into question, new research shows that more Australians think Donald Trump is the greatest threat to world peace than either Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the shocking public disintegration of relations between the United States and Ukraine, why many Australians are feeling less secure with Trump in office, and what that means for the future of the Australia...
Mar 03, 2025•31 min
Trump appears to want a quick and dirty end to Russia’s invasion, but at what cost to Ukraine and to America’s reputation? On this episode of After America , Dr Gorana Grgić joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s plans for Ukraine, the MAGA movement’s support for Europe’s resurgent far-right parties, and the new Cabinet’s approach to ‘prioritising’ China. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 20 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ide...
Feb 24, 2025•34 min
The Trump administration is chatting with Putin and telling European leaders that they’re the problem. So what does this mean for Australia? On this episode of After America , Senator David Shoebridge, the Australian Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Veterans Affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss cultural cringe, the Australian Government’s response to Trump’s tariffs and why the AUKUS submarine deal makes Australia less safe. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 11 February 2025 and th...
Feb 17, 2025•28 min
Trump’s proposal for the US to “own” Gaza and force out the Palestinian population would make it American policy to support “a crime against humanity”, says US foreign policy expert, Matt Duss. On this episode of After America , Matt Duss, Executive Vice-President at the Washington DC-based Center for International Policy, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s Gaza announcement, the freeze on US development funding, and the new Cabinet’s approach to China. This discussion was recorded on Frid...
Feb 10, 2025•34 min
We discuss US tariffs against its three largest trading partners, the political battle over who gets to be American, and Trump’s imperial ambitions. On this episode of After America , Associate Professor Clare Corbould joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the relentlessness of the new Trump administration and the media coverage of his first two weeks in office. This discussion was recorded on Friday 31 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas ...
Feb 03, 2025•37 min
President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process. On this special crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money , Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the role of Elon Musk, Trump’s pause on all US foreign aid, his ability to ‘flood the zone’, and just how much better he is at it this time around. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and things may have chang...
Jan 28, 2025•33 min
The second Trump era has begun. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss Trump’s inauguration, his radical agenda to reshape American life and the United States’ role in the world, and how Australia can respond. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 21 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit 2025 now. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via ...
Jan 21, 2025•32 min
From threatening to annex Greenland to blaming California Democrats for the state’s deadly wildfires, the Trump circus is back in town – and he’s not even president yet. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Alice Grundy discuss Trump’s empire pantomime, the devastating California fires and the death of Jimmy Carter. This discussion was recorded on Monday 13 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity...
Jan 14, 2025•35 min
Don Watson joins us to discuss Trump’s beyond-bizarre cabinet selections, Joe Biden’s tainted legacy, and what this might all mean for Australia on the final episode of After America for 2024. Author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins Dr Emma Shortis on After America to discuss what Trump’s re-emergence reveals about the United States and how Australia might respond differently to a second Trump administration. This discussion was recorded on Monday 9 December 2024 and things may have chan...
Dec 10, 2024•53 min
Zoe Daniel MP joins us to discuss the MAGA loyalists Trump is tapping for senior roles and how Australia can deal with the President-elect. On this episode of After America , Zoe Daniel MP, Independent Member for Goldstein and former foreign correspondent, joins Dr Emma Shortis to talk about the incoming Trump administration, Australia’s relationships with the United States and China, and the role of independent politicians in Australian defence and foreign policy-making. This discussion was rec...
Dec 02, 2024•25 min
We discuss brainworms, Elon’s new gig, and why it’s a really bad idea to micro-dose E. coli. Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and founding member of the Australian Nobel Prize-winning group, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the global consequences of Trump’s cabinet picks and what his election means for efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 November and things may have changed since recording. Pre-or...
Nov 25, 2024•27 min
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins the show to discuss how Australia should approach the second Trump presidency. Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss why sucking up to Trump will get Australian leaders nowhere and how the AUKUS “shocker” is making Australia more dependent on the United States, right at the time America is becoming less dependable. This discussion was recorded on Friday 8 November 2024 US time and things may have changed s...
Nov 12, 2024•39 min
With this presidential race now over, Emma reflects on an extraordinary campaign and the challenges that may lie ahead for Australia. In the last of our daily election episodes of After America , Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the glass ceiling in American politics, the Democrats’ failure to address their own shortcomings over the last three decades, and why the Australian Government doesn’t need to just cop whatever challenges the next US administration throws at it. This discussion was recorded o...
Nov 08, 2024•18 min
