Americast
BBC News
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 3, 2021 • 40min
Americast Reunited
As Virginia elects a new governor, Emily, Jon and Anthony get back together to ask why things went so wrong for the Democrats and so right for the Republicans.They’re joined by J. Miles Coleman of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, and former Republican congresswoman for Virginia, Barbara Comstock. There are anecdotes from President Biden’s European trip and candy from Air Force One too. Today’s Americast was made by Estelle Doyle and Phil Marzouk. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Alison Gee and the editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.
Aug 17, 2021 • 42min
The Fall of Kabul
Maitlis and Sopes return for an emergency episode to mark the end of America's decades long 'forever war'. We talk to US Airforce veteran Veronica Hoyer to ask if it was all for nothing? And the former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, P. Michael McKinley tells us he is being contacted by former friends and colleagues appealing for rescue as Taliban forces enter Kabul.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham
Editor: Dino Sofos
Jul 2, 2021 • 52min
It's been a blast, Americast!
We're signing off for a while, Americasters. Thanks for your company and your support. We'll be back next year to bring you all the build up to the midterm elections.So here's our last episode for now. As someone once said, "Have a good life. We will see you soon". While you're here, please could you vote for Americast at the British Podcast Awards! www.britishpodcastawards.com/voteThis episode was made by our wonderful producers, Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena. It was mixed beautifully by Emma Crowe. The Editor is Dino Sofos.
Jun 23, 2021 • 46min
Aliens Ate My Podcast
The truth is out there... or at least it's about to be.
Former Blink 182 frontman and UFO hunter Tom DeLonge speaks to Emily, Jon and Anthony ahead of the highly anticipated unclassified Pentagon report on UFOs.
And with the Democrats' Voting Rights bill blocked, we discuss how the fight is far from over for Biden.
Also, Slate Editor and Americast favourite Dahlia Lithwick tells us everything we need to know about Supreme Court Season and that conservative supermajority. Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Jun 16, 2021 • 39min
Putin His Foot Down
We're behind the scenes at the Swiss Chateau where Biden and Putin meet for their first talks – but did they see eye to eye? Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss if the US-Russia relationship can go from rock bottom to recovery. Also, following a testing week for Vice President Harris, we ask her former Communications Director Gil Duran whether we're witnessing a President in the making. And he doesn’t want to go on about it but Sopes had to give up his seat at the pub for a VERY special guest...Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Jun 9, 2021 • 44min
Summit Going On
As Joe Biden touches down in the UK for his first foreign trip, the G7 summit of world leaders in Carbis Bay, Jon speaks exclusively to the president’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, about how the US will protect the Good Friday agreement and its interests around the world, as well as its rivalry with China and Russia.Back in Washington DC, we hear how one Democratic senator from West Virginia, Joe Manchin, is causing a political impasse that’s paralysing his own party.Studio Director: Nick Jones
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan, Daniel Wittenberg and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Jun 2, 2021 • 43min
Guess Who's Back?
Ben Rhodes, the ex-White House deputy national security adviser and confidante to President Obama, comes on to talk about the global rise of authoritarianism and how American foreign policy helped shape what he calls the “the 9/11 generation.” And there’s a sensational comeback for one of the most influential men in Washington. Not Jon Sopel, another beauty (he’s still in London.) But Donald Trump, is preparing to hold the first post-presidential rally. We hear from POLITICO’s White House insider Anita Kumar about how Trump plans to stay relevant and why he’s always the elephant in the room for Joe Biden.
May 25, 2021 • 42min
George Floyd: One Year On
It’s been a year since the world watched as the life of a black man was extinguished under the knee of a white police officer, sparking months of protests nationally and internationally. It was a moment that demanded change. So has law enforcement learned any lessons?Nick Bryant rejoins Emily and Anthony from Minneapolis as we ask former White House special advisor and Americast regular, Ron Christie, whether issues of race are uniting or dividing the United States. And we talk through the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act with Lynda Williams, the country’s most senior black police executive.
May 19, 2021 • 43min
BudPfizer
The BBC’s legendary New York correspondent Nick Bryant swaps in for Sopes. He comes carrying a cocktail of stories, including how some states are using boozy incentives to boost their vaccination campaign. And as the President hardens his position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, we ask veteran pollster John Zogby why it puts Biden in a bind with his party. And hold on to your sequins! The Eurovision Song Contest is coming to the United States… and it’s going to get Political. We talk to one of its producers and America’s most fanatical Eurovision lover.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Daniel Wittenburg
Editor: Dino Sofos
May 13, 2021 • 45min
Cheney Reaction
Following a long and bitter public spat, House Republicans have voted to remove their number three, Liz Cheney, from leadership - Emily, Jon and Anthony reflect on the massive moment. We go inside the room where it happened with Congressman Chris Stewart who explains why he decided to vote to remove Cheney. And, while the GOP is taking aim at itself, President Biden met with leaders of the House and Senate to discuss his trillion dollar legislative agenda.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
