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
May 5, 2021 • 27min
Blocked
Facebook's Trump ban is upheld for six more months. Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the decision and what Nick Clegg has to do with it. And it's war for the Republicans as establishment figures face off against loyal Trump supporters in a battle for who controls the party - former Republican congressman Denver Riggleman joins us to discuss why Trump adversaries like him, Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney are being turned on by their own.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Caitlin Hanrahan and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 29, 2021 • 45min
Not Biden his time
What has President Biden achieved in 100 days?Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss President Biden’s first 100 days in office and historic first address in Congress. Jim Messina who was Deputy Chief of Staff to Obama joins the team to mull over what the President has achieved, whether he’s bitten off more than he can chew and whether the Biden he knows will be running for re-election.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 21, 2021 • 32min
Guilty
After just ten hours of deliberation, a jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd. Emily and Jon reflect on what this huge moment means. Correspondent Larry Madowo joins us from the crowded street where George Floyd was murdered and Ron Christie replaces his political hat with his legal hat to tackle your emergency Americanswers.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 14, 2021 • 38min
Anger and Protests in Minneapolis
As the Chauvin trial enters its third week in Minneapolis, the city’s streets saw the tragic death of Daunte Wright at the hands of the police. Jon speaks to BBC correspondent Larry Madowo for the latest from the city the world is watching. And we go into the Americast archives and take you back to the week which changed America - when George Floyd lost his life and protests broke out around the world. Studio Manager: Russell Newlove
Producer: Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Apr 7, 2021 • 46min
GaetzGate
Trump finally breaks his silence over the alleged sex crimes of Congressman Gaetz. Emily, Jon and Anthony get the inside track on Gaetz-Gate from one of the journalists who broke the story, New York Times correspondent Nicholas Fandos. Coca Cola and other companies have taken a stand against Georgia's new voting law and North America correspondent Larry Madowo explains how the so-called blue wall of silence is breaking at the George Floyd trial.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 31, 2021 • 41min
March Madness
Biden builds bridges and Trump crashes weddings.As the trial of Derek Chauvin is finally underway, Americast regular, Ron Christie, shares his thoughts on what the outcome could mean for the future of America. Congressman Garamendi joins us from his Californian ranch to explain why Biden’s big bill on infrastructure matters. America puts aside partisanship for March Madness - Englishman in New York Roger Bennett explains why the sporting tournament is like the World Cup meets Eurovision.And ever wondered what a Donald Trump wedding speech would sound like? Studio Manager: Emma Crowe
Producer: Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 26, 2021 • 49min
Bolder After Boulder?
Two familiar issues are already threatening to cause a major political headache for President Biden’s administration: gun laws and the southern border. We speak to gun control lobbyist Robyn Thomas from the Gifford Law Centre, and Florence Chamberlin, an El Paso based immigration attorney with the Kids in Need of Defense programme. And Joe Biden holds his first press conference as President, so how did he do? Jon, Emily and Anthony look at how the new President differed tonally from his predecessor, if not in content. AndStudio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Natalie Ktena, Frankie Tobi, Caitlin Hanrahan
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 17, 2021 • 52min
O’Mericast
Happy St Patrick’s Day! We Americanswer just how much of an influence the Irish have on American politics. And as Biden embarks on his stimulus victory tour, the team are joined by Obama’s National Economic Council director Larry Summers to discuss why the American Rescue Plan may have gone too far. Also, the Cuomo crisis continues and the Governor’s former employee Stephanie Stark shares her research on how voters respond to allegations of sexual assault at the polls. And why are Trump supporters sceptical about taking the vaccine?Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 11, 2021 • 41min
AmeriKerryAnswer
The U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, has landed in London – and makes a podcast pitstop to Americanswer your questions. And as the George Floyd murder trial begins, Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss America’s reckoning with race. Joined by Black Votes Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown and Editor-at-large of The 19th, Errin Haines, they discuss how the Meghan and Harry interview proves the monarchy is not immune from that reckoning and why the black vote is being targeted by a new bill in Georgia.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
Mar 1, 2021 • 43min
Star Mangled Banner
Trump’s back – but did his CPAC appearance hit the right notes? Emily, Jon and Anthony talk to Ron Christie about whether the former president’s speech shows he is on his way to 2024 candidacy. Also, we go inside the Orlando convention to hear from Trump’s most conservative supporters. And finally, has Biden been tough enough on Saudi Arabia for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?Studio Director: Michael Regaard
Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos
