A weekend bonus edition: Since 1935 the American Legion has organised summer camps for high school students to learn about US Government, by forming their own political parties and state legislatures. Filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine documented the programme in Austin, Texas, and the resulting film Boys State won a prize at the Sundance Film Festival. They told Dorian Lynskey what they learned about America’s next generation of leaders. Is this really a “conservative indoctrination camp”?

“The American Legion feels like it has one foot in the 1950s and one foot in the 21st century” – Jesse Moss
“We had an incredible window into boyhood and masculinity” – Amanda McBaine
“Some people see politics as a game, win at all costs” – Jesse Moss
“This polarisation we have is not going anywhere” – Amanda McBaine

Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers are Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Theme tune by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

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Bonus: America’s next leaders in BOYS STATE on Apple TV+