
Americano
The next chapter in American politics has begun, but is it going to be any less crazy? The Spectator's Americano podcast delivers in-depth discussions with the best American pundits to keep you in the loop. Presented by Freddy Gray.
Latest episodes

Mar 11, 2025 • 26min
‘Gentle parenting’ & why therapy might be harming children
In this engaging discussion, Abigail Shrier, a Wall Street Journal columnist and author of "Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up," explores the pitfalls of over-diagnosing mental health issues in children. She critiques modern parenting strategies, emphasizing the dangers of outsourcing emotional support to therapy and technology. Shrier argues that smartphone use exacerbates isolation, while therapeutic models may hinder resilience. Parents are encouraged to foster independence and engage in meaningful conversations about mental health, challenging current approaches.

Mar 6, 2025 • 48min
Is China serious about 'war' with America?
Freddy Gray is joined with Michael Auslin who is an academic and historian at the Hoover Institute and author of the Substack 'THE PATOWMACK PACKET'. They discuss China's response to Trump's tariffs, whether China is serious about threats of war and how concerned Trump is about China's relationship with Russia.

Mar 4, 2025 • 31min
Does Zelensky have to go?
Donald Trump announced last night he is suspending military aid to Ukraine until Zelensky is ‘ready for peace’. Following this, the Vice President JD Vance sparked further international outrage in a Fox News interview referring to Britain as ‘some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years’. JD Vance has since come out saying that he was not referring to the UK or France in that interview - although critics can’t work out who else he could have been talking about.
Freddy Gray is joined by The Spectator’s Russia correspondent Owen Matthews to discuss whether the only way for there to be peace in Ukraine is for Zelensky to go, how far China and Russia’s relations have prospered since the war, and whether Trump will win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Feb 28, 2025 • 56min
The Donald Trump interview
Donald Trump, the 45th and 46th president of the United States, discusses a variety of topics with Ben Domenech. He shares insights into his second administration’s priorities, including budget balancing and the geopolitical implications of military aid in Ukraine. Trump contrasts today’s political challenges with historical figures like Nixon and tackles media scrutiny with personal anecdotes. Light-hearted moments emerge as they explore a recent cocaine incident at the White House and delve into the connections between politics and the NFL.

7 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 25min
How successful was Keir Starmer's visit to Washington?
Kate Andrews, Deputy US editor at The Spectator World, and Tim Stanley, Telegraph columnist, delve into Keir Starmer's visit to Washington. They discuss the positive reception of Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump, noting significant diplomatic victories, including discussions on Ukraine and trade. The playful analysis of Trump’s unexpected compliment about Starmer's accent reveals how voices influence perceptions. The conversation also highlights the complexities of British-American relations and the evolving geopolitical landscape surrounding Ukraine.

Feb 27, 2025 • 28min
The case for energy humanism
Robert Bryce, an energy expert and author of "The Question of Power," dives into the complexities of global energy and electric vehicles. He highlights Ford's staggering $17 billion losses due to its EV strategy and critiques government subsidies that drive automakers into unprofitable terrain. Discussing energy humanism, he shares a personal story that illustrates the importance of energy access. Additionally, Bryce explores China's and Russia's influence on climate policies and the radical shift in the environmentalist movement amid changing political landscapes.

4 snips
Feb 21, 2025 • 50min
Curtis Yarvin on Britain's demise, Putin's red line & Churchill-bashing
Curtis Yarvin, a political theorist and writer known for his critiques of liberal democracy, dives deep into the reasons behind Britain's decline. He discusses the European response to Putin's aggression and poses thought-provoking insights on Churchill, questioning if the critiques of him are warranted. Yarvin also highlights the inefficiencies of democratic governance and suggests alternatives like meritocracy. He wraps up with his top three book recommendations, focusing on unique perspectives of World War II, emphasizing the need to reevaluate historical narratives.

Feb 20, 2025 • 26min
Is Trump right about Ukraine?
Donald Trump attacked the Ukrainian President overnight, describing him as a 'dictator' and saying he's done a 'terrible job.' In return, Zelensky has accused Trump of 'living in a disinformation space.' The West has invested a huge amount of capital in the fight against Russia – and failed to secure peace. Is Trump using these offensive and odious methods in order to secure an end to the conflict? Is he the only person with the power to do so? Freddy Gray discusses with The Spectator's Russia correspondent Owen Matthews, and Sergey Radchenko, historian and author.

Feb 19, 2025 • 28min
Was 'free trade' really working?
Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of think-tank American Compass, sits down with Freddy Gray at the ARC conference in London. They react to the announcement by President Trump over the weekend of reciprocal tariffs: the decision by the US to match import duties levied by other countries.
What's the strategy behind Trump's decision? And what could the consequences be for American companies and for global trade? They also discuss the broad political consensus behind free trade in the US since the 1990s. Given the 'lived reality' that faced many American investors and companies - for example competing with Chinese Electric Vehicles - was the free trade really working anyway?
Produced by Natasha Feroze and Patrick Gibbons.

Feb 18, 2025 • 15min
Vance criticises Britain: is this a new era for free speech?
In this conversation, Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International, sheds light on the recent criticism of free speech in the UK sparked by J.D. Vance's remarks. They discuss the troubling case of Adam Smith-Connor, arrested for silently praying near an abortion clinic. Coleman raises alarms about new buffer zone laws that curtail peaceful expressions of belief. The discussion also tackles the widening censorship landscape in Europe and its implications for American values, signaling a potential shift in the free speech narrative.
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