Americast

California faces destructive wildfires, prompting urgent reflection on home construction practices. President Trump enters the White House as the first convicted felon, raising questions about legal precedents for future politicians. The podcast also explores Biden's leadership challenges and election strategies amid a rapidly changing political landscape. Listeners recommended influential reads on American politics, while the discussion of wellness culture unveils troubling practices lurking behind spiritual movements.

The shift in Meta's content moderation raises questions about misinformation in the wake of Trump's planned return. California's wildfires spark a heated political debate, with personal stories revealing the broader narrative. A journalist shares insights from inside Jimmy Carter's funeral, capturing the emotional atmosphere among past and present leaders. Additionally, the motivations behind tech companies moving to Texas highlight the evolving landscape of the industry. The podcast delves into the complexities of managing harmful content on smaller platforms amidst these challenges.

It was a press conference intended to showcase investment from a Dubai-based firm in new US data centres, but its focus quickly switched to what the incoming president might do when it comes to America’s closest neighbours. Fielding questions from reporters, Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal. While he appeared to rule out the possibility when it came to Canada, Trump did say he would use “economic force” to annex Canada and described their shared border as “an artificially drawn line”.How seriously should the world take Trump’s threats, and what do they indicate about his strategy when he takes office in 12 days time?HOSTS:• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America CorrespondentGET IN TOUCH:* Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB * Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 * Email Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #AmericastThis episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer is Michael Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app.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.US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below.The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

The resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raises questions about his plummeting popularity and potential ties to Donald Trump's influence. With heightened security on Capitol Hill, insights on the upcoming presidential inauguration reveal contrasting political landscapes. The discussion also touches on free speech challenges in public discourse and explores the darker side of wellness culture, exposing serious concerns within a yoga school. Engaging banter among the hosts adds a lighthearted touch while addressing these complex issues.

A tragic New Year's Day attack in New Orleans claimed 15 young lives, sparking community reflection and mourning. The lively celebrations that usually characterize the city were overshadowed by this devastating incident. Deep dives into the attacker’s background reveal military service and unexpected radicalization, hinting at broader societal issues. Political reactions reveal a divide, with contrasting narratives on safety and immigration. Meanwhile, unsettling revelations about a disturbing shift in a yoga school bring to light hidden manipulations within the wellness industry.

As the year comes to a close, hosts make bold predictions for the 2024 election, including potential health scares for candidates and voter concerns like inflation. They reflect humorously on their past forecasts, assessing who hit the mark. The discussion then shifts to the rising influence of third-party candidates and how economic strains intertwine with cultural issues. With a mix of gratitude and future insights, they also hint at a new series about dark secrets in the wellness industry that promises to intrigue listeners.

Jonathan Alter, author of "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life," shares insights on the remarkable life of former President Jimmy Carter, who has recently passed away at 100. Alter discusses Carter's humble beginnings as a peanut farmer in Georgia and his rise to the presidency against a tumultuous political backdrop. Key moments include the Camp David Accords and Carter's unique approach to honesty in leadership. The conversation also delves into Carter's enduring humanitarian legacy and his commitment to democracy through the Carter Center.

The transformation of X under Elon Musk's ownership is examined, highlighting its shift from a digital town square to a platform favoring extreme political views. The rise of influential users like Inevitable West showcases new dynamics in media accountability. There's a deep dive into the challenges posed by misinformation and the role of algorithms in shaping discourse. The discussion also touches on Musk's potential strategies for 2025 and significant historical figures who embodied bravery, illustrating the ongoing relevance of courageous actions.

In a festive Q&A, the team tackles intriguing questions about political accountability in light of Watergate. They debate whether Supreme Court justices should be elected, highlighting the complexities of judicial power. The conversation shifts to the struggle of women in politics, using historical examples like Hillary Clinton. Listeners are treated to a humorous exploration of American and British accents, and the episode wraps up with playful predictions and a sneak peek into a dark new series about the wellness industry.

A looming government shutdown in the U.S. is stirring debate as Elon Musk influences key political discussions. The hosts analyze the internal rifts within the Republican Party and how social media figures impact political strategies. As the threat of a shutdown grows, they explore rising political figures, including Hakeem Jeffries, and the quirky nomination of Herschel Walker as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas. The hosts also inject humor while critiquing narratives around public figures and tease an intriguing wellness podcast series.