Episodes

  • In our latest US presidential election deep dive, we discuss the recent Trump assassination attempt. What do we know so far and how it will impact the election? As the Republicans look to pin the incident on Harris and Biden, we ask whether that will work – and just how cynical a ploy it is. Nikki McCann Ramírez of Rolling Stone magazine, Jacob Jarvis, and Chris Jones discuss the fallout in this latest bonus edition. 
    We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod 
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production.

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  • In this week's US presidential election deep dive, we analyse Donald’s Trump pledge of revenge against election workers – and discuss why we should take it seriously. Plus, Brandon Tensley of Capital B joins to discuss the issues that matter to Black voters in this election. Aaand, of course, we talk about Taylor Swift – and the right-wing creeps making themselves look really weird talking about her. 
    Nikki McCann Ramírez of Rolling Stone magazine, Jacob Jarvis, and Chris Jones discuss the biggest issues in American politics.

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production.
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  • Join us for an in-depth analysis of the latest US presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. In this bonus episode, we dissect the highlights and lowlights of the TV showdown, including Trump’s bizarre and false comments about migrants eating pets. Nikki, Chris and Jacob give their hot takes and analyse the reaction. Who won the debate? Does any of it matter? All that and more in a special extra episode – don’t worry, we’re back on Friday with the main US election deep dive too!

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • In this week's deep dive into the US presidential election, we examine why Donald Trump’s cognitive abilities and decline are receiving less scrutiny than Joe Biden’s did – and whether people are finally recognizing the former president’s deteriorating communication skills.
    Join us as Erin Griffith from The New York Times sheds light on Elon Musk's influence on politics and the increasing involvement of Silicon Valley billionaires in political affairs. We also cover the latest polling updates and explore serious allegations of Russian interference through the alleged funding of right-wing commentators.

    Nikki McCann Ramírez of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis, and Chris Jones discuss the most pressing issues in American politics, and dabble in a minor cognitive test of their own – and even recite some Trump speeches…

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • This week: Trump went on a tirade on Truth Social sharing misogynistic posts and QAnon conspiracy theories after the latest indictment against him. We discuss why he’s descending into the conspiracy wormhole. Plus, Harris gave her first interview as a presidential candidate – what did we learn and how did she do? And, Ronald J. Hansen of the Arizona Republic joins us to discuss why Arizona is such a key state in the election. 

    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • This week: The DNC has been a lot. We give our instant reaction to Kamala Harris’ speech, then discuss wider themes and keynotes from Tim Walz, to Barack and Michelle Obama, through Oprah. Plus, we look at what policy was spoken about – and what was absent. Then, we pick apart Trump’s meltdown as he fails to handle people being mean, nasty, bullies about him. And, if that weren’t enough, Zoe Clark of Michigan Public joins us to discuss how the state will be key in November’s vote.  
     
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics. 
     
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk  
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump is desperate for relevance so he’s tried chatting to Musk and pushing AI theories about crowds at Harris rallies. Plus, Project 2025 is pushing more crazy policies for the next conservative US president. Andy Kroll, from ProPublica, obtained 14 hours of videos from the group – he explains what they mean and the ties to Trump they reveal.  
     
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.  
     
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk  
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate – and everyone’s gone crazy about him. The Dems are crazy in love, the Republicans, just straight up crazy. Is he so great – is there a bad thing we can say about him? Plus, Project 2025 has been a buzzword in attacks on Trump – how linked to him is it, how scary are its proposals, and should we take it seriously? Philip Bump, author of The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America and a columnist for the Washington Post joins us to discuss. 

    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones chat about the latest issues in US politics – and reveal a band they all like too. 

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump and JD Vance have been really angry at being called weird – which is a totally not weird reaction. We discuss Kamala Harris’s latest tactic. Plus, we discuss more Trump drama after that disastrous interview, where he questioned Harris’s race. And, in a deep dive explainer, we discuss not only how but where the election will be won. 

    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics – joined this week by special guest Kat Abughazaleh, of Mother Jones. 

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Kamala Harris is all set to replace Biden in 2024 – how’re things going so far? We unpack the ‘Brat’ meme tidal wave, her fundraising triumphs and everything else you need to know. Very, very special guest Molly Jong-Fast, Vanity Fair correspondent and host of Fast Politics, joins us to give her take on Biden dropping out and what will come next. 

    Then Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the rest, including some very unfortunate sofa rumours. 

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • No Campaign For Old Men: Joe Biden rocks the 2024 Presidential race by pulling out and endorsing Kamala Harris. Is he bowing to the inevitable, taking one for Team Democracy, or taking a terrifying gamble? Can a new candidate stop the rot in the Dems’ polling? Will the Democrats go with Harris and if so, who will run with her? On an unprecedented weekend, Nikki, Chris and Jarv look at an utterly changed electoral reality – Harris’s special strengths – and how this seasoned prosecutor would fare up against Trump.
    Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis, Nikki McCann Rámirez and Chris Jones. Produced by Simon Williams. Group editor Andrew Harrison. American Friction is a Podmasters production.
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump returns to the limelight at the RNC. Is the GOP totally his now? And who the f*ck is JD Vance and what is his problem? We discuss the VP pick. Plus, Gary Gerstle, Paul Mellon Professor of American history at the University of Cambridge, joins us to discuss shifts in American politics, MAGAnomics and more. 

    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump has left America shaken, more fractured than it already was, and confused. In the aftermath of the shooting of the former president, at a rally in Pennsylvania, the world’s focus has been dragged to the USA. We discuss what we know, what we don’t, how to talk about something this momentous, and where we go from here. 
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis, from Paper Cuts and Oh God, What Now?, and Chris Jones, The Bunker, talk through the initial fallout in this extra episode, which doubled as a group therapy session. 
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    • The Pension Confident Podcast from PensionBee aims to improve listeners’ understanding of personal finance – whether that’s helping you to navigate the cost of living crisis, exploring the impact of your relationship status on your finances or discussing how to teach kids about money. Listen to the latest episode here: https://link.chtbl.com/FSF2Yu6y

    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • George Clooney (aka the worst Batman) wants President Biden out. This week: The pressure for Biden to step down from running for office intensifies within his own party and donors. Who’s got his back and who simply wants to see the back of him? Plus, can the Supreme Court be fixed? Chris and Nikki speak to Michigan University law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, Leah Litman. 

    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.

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    Written and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: The US Supreme Court has voted to give the president partial immunity from criminal prosecution. That is music to Donald Trump’s ears who’s facing more charges in the coming months. What does this change, and does it mean a president can now assassinate an opponent and get away with it? Plus, former advisor and speech writer for George W. Bush, Peter Wehner, joins the panel to discuss why he could never vote for the GOP whilst Trump is at the helm.
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • Did you see that ludicrous display last night? This week: President Biden came out bruised after a brutal debate with Trump. How badly will his performance damage his election hopes? Plus, Nikki and Chris are joined by Politico’s senior foreign affairs correspondent, Nahal Toosi, to find out how the War in Gaza, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the threat from China is impacting how people might choose to vote come November.
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.
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    We are streaming LIVE on election night! Come and join your favourite panellists from Oh God, What Now?, The Bunker and Paper Cuts on YouTube from 10pm on Thursday 4th July as we react to the results live - you won't want to miss it. Visit https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow and subscribe now.

    Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 


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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump is taking aim at Biden’s cognitive abilities – while showing his own shortcomings in the process. Who’s winning the battle of the brains? Plus, as weird clips of each candidate spread across the internet, media reporter Justin Baragona joins us to discuss the ‘cheap fake’ trend. 
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been found guilty on felony charges – how will the GOP weaponise this? And will it work? Plus, we discuss Trump vs. sharks and electricity and other assorted weirdness. Then Jeff Jarvis, author of The Gutenberg Parenthesis and voice behind the BuzzMachine blog joins to discuss the state of the US media landscape and how this will shape voters’ decisions. 
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest from the campaign trail. 
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election. This week: Trump’s guilty verdict sends his supporters totally off the deep end as they call for violence. We discuss the craziness and how more ordinary Americans have reacted too. And, the Freedom Caucus is full of drama – we explain the right-wing Mean Girls. Plus, election denial and why covid conspiracies still matter. 
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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  • The new series counting down to the US Presidential Election – and explaining the nightmare to a British audience. This time: Trump becomes a convicted felon – guilty on all 34 charges. What a time to be alive. So, what does it mean for the election? Plus, Laura Kusisto of the Wall Street Journal joins us to talk about how abortion is the biggest issue for voters in 2024.
    Nikki McCann Ramírez, of Rolling Stone, Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones discuss the latest issues in US politics.
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    Written and presented by Chris Jones, Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramírez. Audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk 
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