258 episodes
Americast BBC Podcasts
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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 night on BBC Radio 4 and every weekend on the BBC News Channel.
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.
See ya’ll later…
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Can You Buy The White Hou$e?
In the days after Kamala Harris announced her presidential bid, the Democrats raised more than $100 million. Now, Donald Trump's team have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, challenging whether she can take over Joe Biden's campaign funds.
Where does all this money come from? And what's it used for? This week we're joined by Sarah Bryner from OpenSecrets, an organisation dedicated to tracking the money in US politics to find out why presidential candidates are spending more than ever before on their campaigns, and what motivates people to donate to their cause.
HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
* Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
GUEST:
Sarah Bryner, Director of Research & Strategy at OpenSecrets
GET 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 #Americast
US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155
This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. -
Biden Says WHY He’s Out Of The Race!
In a rare televised address from the Oval Office, Biden makes his first public comments on why he dropped out of the presidential race. He said he would level with the American people, and tell the truth, but did he answer the big question?
Justin and Adam discuss what President Biden did, and didn’t say in his historic speech. They also discuss what this means for Biden’s future, and the speculation over whether he can continue as President.
HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Adam Fleming, presenter of Newscast
GET 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 #Americast
US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155
This episode was made by Purvee Pattni. The technical producer was Annie Smith. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. -
Americanswers! Why have the Democrats backed Kamala Harris?
Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support of a majority of Democratic delegates to become the party's nominee for president.
We answer your questions on how she’s gone from playing a backseat role, to the forefront of the party’s hopes in the election.
Plus - how will the Republican campaign respond? What’s George Clooney doing for the Democrats? And did the Secret Service director Kim Cheatle have to resign after the Trump shooting?
HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
GET 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 #Americast
US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155
This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. -
Welcome to the Kamala Harris presidential campaign
In one single day, since Joe Biden announced he was stepping down as the Democrat’s nominee, VP Kamala Harris has raised over $150 million for her presidential campaign. She has also gained the endorsements of a large number of Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and the Clintons.
But how realistic are her chances of winning against Donald Trump and how should the Democrats be shaping her campaign? Steve Israel, a former chair of the Democrat’s Congressional Campaign Committee - who has plenty of experience when it comes to big campaigns - joins Sarah, Anthony and Justin to discuss.
Also, why is Kamala Harris associated with coconut trees? Why does she get blamed for the border crisis by Republicans? We unpack the 5 most important things to know about Kamala, from coconut trees to her record on the border.
HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Marianna Spring, Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
GUEST:
Steve Israel, former Democrat congressman and former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
GET 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 #Americast
US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155
This episode was made by Purvee Pattni and Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. -
Biden Withdraws from the Presidential Race!
And says it's "in the best interest of my party and the country".
Americast and Newscast collaborate for another episode. Adam, Justin, Sarah and Marianna come together to talk about what's happened and what it could all mean for the US election.
HOSTS:
* Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
* Sarah Smith, North America Editor
* Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
* Adam Fleming, Newscast host
GET 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 #Americast
US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155
This episode was made by Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The Americast series producer is Purvee Pattni. The Newscast assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. -
Newscast x Americast Q & A
Today, Newscast and Americast join forces to answer your questions on the US election.
What brought Donald Trump and JD Vance together? If Kamala Harris does run to be President, who would be her VP? And, Is President Michelle Obama a possibility?
Adam is joined by Americast’s Justin Webb and Marianna Spring.
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.