

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

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

Feb 24, 2021 • 39min
Status Cuomo
Political big beast Andrew Cuomo has landed himself in hot water with a nursing home scandal. As the NY Governor faces calls for his impeachment, Emily, Jon and Anthony speak to New York Assemblyman Ron Kim who alleges Cuomo threatened him for publicly criticising him. And as the US reaches a sobering pandemic milestone, how is President Biden faring in his aim to become the healer-in-chief? And remember former President Trump? He is finally ordered to hand over those long-awaited tax returns...Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena
Editor: Dino Sofos

Feb 19, 2021 • 40min
Caribbean Cruz
While Texas battles devastating winter weather, Ted Cruz’s badly timed trip to Mexico leaves him at the centre of a political storm – Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the power blackouts and the political fallout. Also, Americast’s favourite Texan Ryan returns to tell us how the sub-freezing temperatures have affected locals like him. And State House Representative Tony Tinderholt on what needs to be done to safeguard Texas in future.Studio Director: Michael Regaard
Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Feb 14, 2021 • 31min
Mitch Ado About Nothing
The Senate acquits Trump... again.Emily, Jon and Anthony love nothing more than spending a cold Saturday night recording an Emergency Americast about the end of the Donald Trump impeachment trial. The 57-43 tally falls short of the two-thirds vote needed to convict the former President on a charge of inciting the Capitol riot. But will this be the last time Trump is put on trial? Studio Director: Holly Palmer
Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham
Editor: Dino Sofos

Feb 12, 2021 • 42min
Fight Like Hell!
The impeachment trial heats up.The Democrats have finished laying out their arguments against Donald Trump in the impeachment trial by looking at the insurrectionists themselves. So did Trump’s language incite them to violence? We speak to the man who warned against the former President’s use of threats following the election: Gabriel Sterling. The Georgia elections official speaks to Emily and Jon about his now viral intervention. And while the TV cameras have focused on the impeachment trial, President Biden has been addressing the pandemic, working up the country’s vaccination programme.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Frankie Tobi and Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Feb 11, 2021 • 34min
Americat
From the viral court-zoom cat, to day two of Trump’s impeachment trial – it’s been a day of high legal drama in the USA.Emily, Jon and Anthony talk us through the biggest moments in the Senate so far – including never-before-seen footage of the Capitol riots. Why is Donald Trump angry at his own legal team? And can Republicans be convinced to convict the former president?Producers: Frankie Tobi, Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham
Editor: Dino Sofos

Feb 5, 2021 • 53min
Trump’s Bit Parts
Trump may have quit the Screen Actors Guild, but his presence in the GOP looms large as ally Marjorie Taylor Greene gets party support. Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss the Congresswoman, conspiracy theories and what we can make of her apology to Congress. Also, Republican Representative Robert Aderholt explains why he voted not to certify President Biden’s victory. And we bring you the Americast half-time show, a performance to rival this weekend’s Super Bowl!Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producers: Natalie Ktena, Frankie Tobi
Editor: Dino Sofos

Jan 29, 2021 • 38min
We Need to Talk about Kevin
Is the House GOP leader back to backing Trump? Emily, Jon and Anthony discuss why Kevin McCarthy took a trip to Mar-a-Lago to visit the former president. Meanwhile, the Republican party divide deepens as Congressman Matt Gaetz rallies against his GOP colleague in Wyoming. And we bring you a bumper Americanswer with an A-Level politics class takeover.Studio Director: Emma Crowe
Producer: Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos

Jan 26, 2021 • 43min
Who Let The Dogs Out?
President Biden says Donald Trump's impeachment trial "has to happen". House impeachment managers deliver the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate, formally triggering a trial. Meanwhile, President Biden continues to reverse many of the executive orders from the Trump era while emphasising his message of unity. Oh, and Rudy Giuliani is being sued by the Dominion voting machine firm for $1.3bn (£950m).Emily, Jon and Anthony are joined by Slate's Dahlia Lithwick.Producer: Natalie Ktena
Assistant Editor: Emma Close
Editor: Dino Sofos


