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Americast

BBC Newswww.bbc.co.uk

Americast is the authoritative US news and politics podcast from the BBC. Each week we provide audiences with the best analysis from across the BBC, with on-the-ground observations and big picture insights about the stories which are defining America right now. The podcast is hosted by trusted BBC journalists including the BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, BBC Radio 4 presenter, Justin Webb, the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, and BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher. As well as political analysis, we also specialise in social media. Each week Marianna Spring brings listeners the latest updates from the BBC’s Undercover Voters, our award-winning investigation into the content that is recommended to US voters on social media. The team is also joined by special guests each week, like CNN anchor, Christiane Amanpour, Emmy Award-winning TV host, Rachel Maddow, and Succession actress, J Smith-Cameron. Podcasts are published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As well as being a podcast, we are also available every Friday on the World Service. Oh, and by the way, you can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say ‘”Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers. Every Monday we answer your questions on Americanswers, with some help from special guests, including Miles Taylor, who was chief of staff at the Department for Homeland Security during the Trump presidency before becoming a whistleblower. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with us on email at Americast@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

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Episodes

Voice Note from Sopes’ Apartment

Things are moving so quickly, but it looks like the presidency is slipping away from Donald Trump. We'll be recording a proper episode with the whole gang later. Until then, here's a quick update from Sopes. It's a bit like Letter from America, but recorded on an iPhone in his flat, after very little sleep. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos

Nov 06, 20207 min

Act II

As Donald Trump prematurely declares victory, Emily, Jon, Anthony and Ron Christie discuss which paths to the White House are still in play. Also, will the swing states be decided in the Supreme Court? And our Texan Trump supporter Ryan returns to the podcast. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Caitlin Hanrahan Editor: Dino Sofos

Nov 04, 202030 min

Hot Takes

What a night! Emily, Jon, Anthony and Nick Bryant get together to bring you the story of election night so far. We don’t have a winner, and it could be a long time until we do. We recorded this at midnight EST / 5am GMT. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Morgan Gisholt Minard, Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Nov 04, 202037 min

The Boss v The King of Europe

As the candidates roll out the red carpet, Emily, Jon and Anthony explain how Lil Wayne, Bruce Springsteen and Nigel Farage are attempting to bring out the votes. Campaign insiders Guy Cecil and Jenna Ellis make their final pitches for their candidate to be President. And the team bring you Americast’s ultimate guide to election night. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 30, 202032 min

Workin’ our asses off

With less than a week until election day, Jon, Emily and Anthony consider the candidates’ final pitches to the American people. BBC News at Ten's Clive Myrie joins us from Arizona where he’s been reporting on coronavirus and race. And remember Heather, our undecided voter who we heard from after the first debate? She’s back, and she’s no longer undecided… Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 28, 202040 min

Muted

With record early voter turnout, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss whether the candidates’ calm and focused performances will make a difference at the ballot. Also, one Texan tells us whether the night’s events have made him question his early vote. And how former President Barack Obama is trying to get inside Trump’s head. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 23, 202038 min

Hunter Biden's Laptop

Donald Trump thinks the media should be talking about the content of Joe Biden’s son Hunter’s old laptop; we explain why they’re not. Plus with polls favouring Joe Biden, Emily, Jon and Anthony look at how Trump could beat the odds to a second term in the White House. And as the Democrats try to flip the Senate, we find out how sexting and the price of soybeans could shape the race. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 21, 202043 min

Crazy Uncle and Sleepy Joe

As Donald Trump and Joe Biden field voter questions at the same time on different TV networks, Emily, Jon and Anthony compare their performances. And we "Americanswer" why swing states are so swingy. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalies Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 16, 202043 min

Macho Macho Man?

Just over a week after leaving hospital, President Trump returned to the campaign trail with a big rally in Florida. It's a crucial state, and in this episode we explain why it might decide the election, and hear from the voters who could swing it. Studio director: Wayne Moses Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 13, 202041 min

The Debate Buzz

Jon, Emily and Anthony talk us through the flies, the highs and lows of the VP debate in Utah. And two undecided voters tell us if the candidates' sparring on race helped them make their pick. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 08, 202035 min

Trump On Steroids

Emily, Jon and Anthony describe the scene as Donald Trump leaves hospital in a helicopter, takes off his mask and returns to the White House. Studio Director: Matt Howells Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 06, 202032 min

Blood and Oxygen

The president has been admitted to hospital. But how much confidence can we have in what we’re being told about his condition after evasive comments from President Trump's doctor? Studio Manager: Jack Graysmark Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 04, 202026 min

The president tests positive

The president and his wife have tested positive for Covid. What does this mean for the election? Emily, Jon and Anthony gather for an emergency Americast. Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Oct 02, 202027 min

“Will you shut up man?”

After a tempestuous night in Cleveland we talk through the biggest moments of the first presidential debate. And we hear from undecided voters about whether the fiery exchanges swayed them at all. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena and Morgan Gisholt Minard Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Sep 30, 202035 min

Supreme decisions

The death of the US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is still dominating the conversation in Washington. Jon and Emily look at who could replace her and when. Also on the podcast, Democratic rising star Jamaal Bowman explains how he’ll challenge the status quo in Washington. And Californian Republican candidate Erin Cruz discusses why she won’t dismiss the QAnon conspiracy theorists. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena and Harriet Noble Assistant Editor:...

Sep 23, 202034 min

RIP RBG

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, US Supreme Court Justice and icon of liberal America, has died at the age of 87. We sound the emergency klaxon and gather to discuss how she became a cult figure, and what her passing might mean for the election. Studio director: Michael Campbell Producers: Harriet Noble, Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham, Emma Close

Sep 19, 202038 min

America on fire

With wildfires devastating the West Coast, we look at whether environmental issues will sway voters’ minds. As polls in Florida tighten, we deep dive into the diverse Hispanic vote. And how could the election affect post-Brexit trade negotiations between the US and the UK? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close

Sep 16, 202032 min

Military Disservice

Following allegations that Trump made derogatory comments against the military, Jon, Emily and Anthony discuss what this could mean for the veteran vote. And the BBC’s New York Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury explains how the post-covid economy may affect the election. On AmericAnswer.... what exactly happens if one of the candidates dies? Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Sep 09, 202030 min

Sir Kim Darroch

In an exclusive interview for BBC Newsnight, Maitlis speaks with the former UK ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, about the cables that led to his resignation. The ambassador quit last year after it emerged he described the US President's government as "dysfunctional", "inept" and "divided" in the private letters. Producer: Natalie Ktena Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Sep 08, 202032 min

Make America Safe Again

Who do Americans trust to make them feel safer, and what difference could that make to November’s vote? With just over two months to go, Jon, Emily and Anthony discuss how much law and order will be an election issue. And why do so few Americans vote? Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Harriet Noble and Natalie Ktena Editor: Dino Sofos

Sep 02, 202033 min

Saving the American Dream?

The Republican National Convention this year was set against the backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic, and protests over the shooting of a black man by a police officer in Wisconsin. So how did Donald Trump make his case for another four more years in office? Emily and Jon are joined by Republican strategist Ron Christie to get stuck into the key moments from the week. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Frankie Tobi Assistant Editor: Emma Close

Aug 28, 202037 min

Run-DNC

Joe Biden closed the Democratic National Convention calling for unity, telling voters ‘character and decency’ would be on the ballot come November. Jon, Anthony and Producer Morgan talk us through the key moments from the Dems this week - from Kamala Harris’ historic nomination, to Barack Obama’s unprecedented attack on Donald Trump. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Aug 21, 202036 min

Unconventional Convention

Anthony and Jon discuss the unconventional Democratic National Convention with the Reverend Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNC in 2008 and 2016. And as the US Postal Service boss suspends new policies that were decried as an attempt to sabotage the election, we try to get to the bottom of what is actually going on. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

Aug 19, 202034 min

Kamala Harris makes history

After months of speculation, Joe Biden has chosen California Senator Kamala Harris as his pick for VP. The Americast team assembles for an emergency episode, and Mayor of San Francisco and friend of Harris, London Breed, tells us why she thinks Biden made the right pick. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Harriet Noble and Morgan Gisholt Minard Editor: Dino Sofos

Aug 12, 202024 min

You’ve Got Mail

With 90 days to go until the election, how will Americans cast their ballots in the middle of a pandemic? We hear from ProPublica’s Jessica Huseman on why postal-voting is proving to be a controversial topic. And Jon and Anthony speak to Cassie Smedile, Deputy Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, about what message Donald Trump does want to send. Studio Manager: Emma Crowe Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena, Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos

Aug 05, 202036 min

Demon Sperm

President Trump is again backing hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug with no proven effectiveness against Covid-19, but with the backing of a quack doctor who believes that women have sex with demons in their dreams. We also discuss why the Senate race is so fascinating this year, and how baseball is a microcosm of America. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos

Jul 29, 202033 min

Donald & Ghislaine

Why did the president "wish her well"? President Trump restarted his coronavirus briefings and almost stuck to the script, apart from a rather surprising comment about Ghislaine Maxwell. And why federal agents are on the streets of Portland, and could soon be in Chicago. Also, why does the health of Ruth Bader Ginsburg matter to the election? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos

Jul 22, 202034 min

Veepstakes

It’s Joe Biden’s most important decision of the campaign: who will he pick as his potential vice president? We know it’s going to be a woman, we know he’ll announce soon, and we know some of the names in the frame. Emily, Jon and Anthony assess the people who could soon be a heartbeat away from the vice presidency, and talk to former Health Secretary and VP contender Kathleen Sebelius about the arduous vetting process. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos...

Jul 15, 202036 min

How Trump can win

Trailing in the polls and with coronavirus cases topping three million, Donald Trump’s chances of re-election don’t look great at the moment. But with four months to go, we're joined by Steve Cortes from America First, a key figure in his re-election campaign. Plus could it be a case of “Yes We Kanye” in 2020? Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos

Jul 08, 202037 min

We're back!

Four months until the election and lots to discuss. Trump’s poll numbers are falling, and coronavirus cases are rising. Americast is back. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producer: Harriet Noble Editor: Dino Sofos

Jul 01, 202041 min
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