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America, Actually with Astead Herndon
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America, Actually with Astead Herndon

Hosted by Vox Media

Donald Trump has defined American political discourse for more than a decade. In 2028, Americans will have a different choice. On America, Actually, host Astead Herndon is joined by people in politics, people in the news, and voters to chart the journey toward the next presidential election. Every week, they dig into the most pressing questions people across the country are asking: How will AI change the way we work? What does affordability mean for different communities? And what is America’s place in the world?  America, Actually is your weekly deep dive into the people and ideas that will shape what the future looks like — beyond Trump. New episodes drop every Saturday. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. 

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Latest Episodes

25 Episodes
Sep 1, 2026 37:08

Florida’s progressive test

Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon overcame a 17-to-1 fundraising gap to win the state’s Democratic Senate primary. Can she score another upset in November?  This show was edited…

Aug 29, 2026 36:59

The politics of Gen Z

What’s up with the kids these days? We asked a Gen Z researcher to explain her generation’s politics.  This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by…

Aug 22, 2026 28:17

Is MAGA still electable?

Left-leaning Democratic candidates have faced a lot of scrutiny in the last year about whether they’re “electable” in a general election. Why aren’t people asking the same about…

Aug 15, 2026 36:02

Hasan Piker’s challenge to the center

Democrats have been duking it out all summer. He’s at the center of it all. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed…

Aug 11, 2026 49:36

The Democratic divide

Progressives are racking up primary wins. Is the Democratic establishment getting the message? This show was edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by David…

Aug 8, 2026 27:52

The gas price vote

Will high gas prices actually change how people vote? We went to Pennsylvania to find out.  This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim,…

Aug 1, 2026 43:13

Fantasy draft: 2028 presidential race

Journalists Astead Herndon, Don Lemon, and Kara Swisher hold a fantasy draft to find out who has the best shot at becoming president in 2028.  This show was…

Jul 25, 2026 36:18

The Boomer politicians who won't retire

Democratic Congressman James Clyburn turned 86 years old this week. He has no plans to retire. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim,…

Jul 18, 2026 31:54

Progressives take on the Rust Belt

First there was New York, then Colorado. But can a progressive candidate win in the Rust Belt? This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther…

Jul 11, 2026 28:36

Kamala, 2028

The former vice president’s loyal base seems ready for another go, but Democratic donors are wary.  This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe,…

Jul 8, 2026 24:08

The lessons from Graham Platner’s implosion

What should the progressive left take away from the collapse of Graham Platner’s campaign?  This show was edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe, video edited…

Jul 4, 2026 25:22

America’s 250-year checkup

Can the country’s founding ideals still unite a divided nation? This episode is presented by the Rockefeller Foundation.   This show was produced by Dustin DeSoto, fact checked by…

Jun 27, 2026 29:34

How Trump lost the bro vote

The group of men that famously helped propel Trump to the White House in 2024 is having second thoughts. Here’s what that means for Republicans in the future.…

Jun 20, 2026 33:43

The young candidates shaking up the Dem Party

AI, policing and generational change are among the issues influencing two primary races in New York that reflect the broader 2026 midterms. This show was edited by Kasia…

Jun 13, 2026 35:12

Hasan Piker vs. The Establishment

Hasan Piker has become one of the most prominent leftist voices in the US. But his rapid rise has sparked a furious backlash from establishment Democrats -- specifically…

Jun 6, 2026 27:58

Can corruption drive voter turnout?

We went to Virginia to report on redistricting. What we found was a potential new message for Democrats to win over voters.  This show was edited by Kasia…

May 30, 2026 27:51

You voted. Does it matter?

Democrats talk a lot about protecting democracy, but for most Americans, the system was written to exclude them a long time ago. This show was edited by Kasia…

May 23, 2026 24:45

Working in the age of AI

What skills will matter most in the AI era, and how can workers avoid being left behind? We look at one big bet aimed at supporting the US…

May 16, 2026 24:24

The data center war

There’s a growing disconnect between a local community that says it’s being treated as the "guinea pigs" in a new industrial revolution, and Washington politicians. This show was…

May 9, 2026 24:53

"Affordability" is the new progressive

What do buzzwords like “progressive” and “affordability” mean to voters? We went to one of the most Democratic congressional districts to find out. This show was edited by…

May 2, 2026 26:57

Grading America's first 250 years

America at 250 years old may need a new founding document. Historian Heather Cox Richardson drafts a new social contract. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact…

Apr 25, 2026 29:45

This Senator has an Eric Swalwell problem

We were set to talk to Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego about solving our immigration crisis. Then Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian,…

Apr 18, 2026 30:25

Why both sides fail on immigration

Immigration might be President Donald Trump’s signature issue, but what do Americans actually think about border security and enforcement? This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked…

Apr 11, 2026 34:16

America Post-Trump

What does US politics look like when Donald Trump is no longer at the center of it? In 2028, voters will get to decide. But for now, we…