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.You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026
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.You can register for Castfest tickets here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/castfest-2026
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 21, 2023 • 37min
Let Bidens Be Bidens
Hunter Biden will plead guilty to tax and gun offences to avoid prison. The Americast team looks at whether the sins of his son could knock Joe Biden’s re-election hopes.Talking of being in trouble with the law, has Donald Trump implicated himself in a recent interview with Fox News?And it’s a tale of two Anthonys, as our very own host travels with the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on a historic trip to China and then the UK, and reports back on how he was received by President Xi.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles, Rufus Gray and Natasha Fernandes. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
Jun 14, 2023 • 36min
Trump: For He’s A Jolly Good Felon?
On the eve of his 77th birthday, Donald Trump has appeared in court to face charges of mishandling classified documents. He even found time to stop by a bakery – though not for a cake to celebrate.Sarah has made it through the media scrum in a humid Miami and the Americast team has assembled early this week to talk through another day of firsts in US political history.We also hear from Miles Taylor, former chief of staff of the United States Department of Homeland Security under President Trump, about why he believes that the man he once served now poses a threat to the nation’s safety.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGUEST:
• Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland SecurityGET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award-winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Rufus Gray, Alix Pickles and Stephanie Mitcalf. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
Jun 8, 2023 • 42min
Who’s Taking On Trump?
The Republican race for the White House is getting crowded. With eight candidates all gathering in Iowa to campaign, eat roast pork and ride motorbikes, the Americast team looks at who came out on top and whether any of them could beat Donald Trump, who is facing fresh criminal charges over his handling of classified documents.Harvard professor Steven Pinker, who sees himself as a liberal, tells us why he thinks academic freedom is under threat on US college campuses.And first, Sarah wanders through the White House with the BBC’s political editor, Chris Mason, who has flown with the prime minister to Washington.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGUEST:
• Steven Pinker, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University GET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg, with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Alex Collins. The technical producer was Gareth Jones and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
6 snips
Jun 1, 2023 • 39min
Conspiracies: Inside the Rabbit Hole
Journalists and podcast hosts Jon Ronson and Gabriel Gatehouse join Marianna for a special episode of Americast delving deep down the rabbit hole of conspiracies.The trio talk about why America is a breeding ground for conspiracies, how to spot them, and what happens if they’re true.We also look at whether conspiracies and misinformation might affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and what role artificial intelligence could play in their spread.HOST:
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondentGUESTS:
• Jon Ronson, host of 'Things Fell Apart'
• Gabriel Gatehouse, host of 'The Coming Storm'GET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Alex Collins. The technical producer was Ben Andrews and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
May 25, 2023 • 36min
Ron and Elon: A Failed Launch?
It’s Elon Musk’s latest launch… not a rocket this time, but Ron DeSantis’ campaign for president, live on Twitter! But after some technical hiccups, is it a failed lift-off? The Americast team reviews how it went and tries to answer whether Florida's governor can win the White House.And after dining with Sarah and Anthony in DC, J Smith-Cameron, who plays Gerri in Succession, meets Marianna in London ahead of the show’s finale, and turns the tables by asking her what reporters can learn from how the show portrays the media.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGUEST:
• J. Smith-Cameron, ‘Succession’ actressGET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Ivana Davidovic, Alix Pickles and Natasha Fernandes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
May 18, 2023 • 41min
America’s Murder Capital
Crime is a growing worry in many American cities and has divided Democrats. New Orleans had the unenviable title of the US murder capital in 2022 – what went wrong in a city better known for its smooth music than the sound of gunfire?The Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, tells us what she's doing to address the poverty and lack of opportunity which have plagued her city, and why she thinks she's being unfairly targeted over her track record.And after Prince Harry and Meghan's "near catastrophic" New York car chase, the Americast team asks how that could really happen in midtown Manhattan.HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Katty Kay, US special correspondent
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGUESTS:
• LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans
• Anna Adams, BBC reporter in New OrleansGET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Natasha Fernandes, Alix Pickles and Ivana Davidovic. The studio manager was Emma Crowe and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
May 10, 2023 • 41min
Trump, Texas and Title 42
Has Donald Trump’s sexual assault verdict damaged his reputation? The Americast team explains why a top Texas Republican thinks he’s toast, even though Trump is fighting the ruling.Sarah is on the US border with Mexico in El Paso, where a controversial Trump immigration policy known as Title 42 is about to expire and a state of emergency has been declared. A Texas Congressman and Democrat, Joaquin Castro, tells us why he blames President Biden as well as Trump.And Santos Watch is back after the under-fire congressman George Santos was charged with fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGUEST:
• Joaquin Castro, Texas congressman (Democrat)GET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastCLIP CREDITS:
• ABC ‘Good Morning America’Find out more about our award winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Ivana Davidovic and Natasha Fernandes. The studio manager was Dafydd Evans and the sound designer was David Crackles. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.
May 4, 2023 • 35min
DeSantis vs Disney
Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his feud with Disney, launching a lawsuit against one of the country’s biggest companies. The Americast team updates us with the latest details from the battle and how it might impact his presidential campaign.
And Americast's own reporting royalty/fairy queen, Katty Kay, rejoins the team from outside Westminster Abbey, where the finishing touches are being made ahead of King Charles' coronation. She analyses America's obsession with the British monarchy and whether recent events have changed anything. HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
GUEST:
• Katty Kay, US special correspondent
GET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #Americast
Find out more about our award-winning “Undercover Voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.
This episode was made by Ivana Davidovic, Natasha Fernandes and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Apr 25, 2023 • 43min
Biden's Final Campaign
Joe Biden is officially running again! The 80-year-old president has posted a video promising “freedom” for Americans and to “finish the job”.Jim Messina, who masterminded Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, tells the Americast team that Democrats should be praying every night for Donald Trump to be their opponent, why he thinks it makes sense for Kamala Harris to stay on as vice president, and how Biden’s team can make sure his age isn’t the elephant in the room.Sarah visits a college baseball park in North Carolina to see which way voters are swinging. And Marianna checks in with our Undercover Voters, but some of them are actually distracted by the shock exit of influential anchor Tucker Carlson from Fox News.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondentGUEST:
• Jim Messina, Barack Obama’s re-election campaign managerGET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Natasha Fernandes and Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Apr 20, 2023 • 44min
The Americast News Feed
Scrolling through the biggest stories in America right now. With Fox News forced to defend its editorial standards, Donald Trump attacking “pudding fingers” Ron DeSantis and a conservative beer boycott spilling over, the Americast team take a few of this week’s most talked about topics and explain the context behind the clickbait.What’s been happening? Why does it matter? And why are we seeing so much of it all on social media?We also talk about the spate of shootings of people for tragically turning up in the wrong place and the effect of “stand your ground” laws on how gun owners view self-defence.HOSTS:
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America editor
• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent
• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondentGET IN TOUCH:
• Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480
• Email Americast@bbc.co.uk
• Or use #AmericastFind out more about our award winning "undercover voters" here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.This episode was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Alix Pickles, Ivana Davidovic and Isobel Gough. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
