Episodes

  • The city of Baltimore has woken up in shock this morning after a major bridge in the US city of Baltimore snapped and plunged into the Patapsco River.

    The city’s mayor has called the event an “unspeakable tragedy” and confirmed that construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed.

    A state of emergency has been declared in Maryland while a huge search operation is under way for at least seven people.

    HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

    GUESTS: • Dr Stergios Aristoteles, Head of Structures at the University of Birmingham• Justin Fenton, an investigative reporter at The Baltimore Banner• Tom Bateman, BBC State Department 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast

    This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • Americast is now publishing two episodes a week!

    We’re joined once again by special guest hosts Miles Taylor, Trump staffer turned whistleblower, and Katie Hill, former Democratic Congresswoman.

    They sit down with Sarah and Marianna to go through some of the most commonly asked questions we get on Americast.

    This episode contains a reference to drug overdose which some listeners may find upsetting.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

    GUESTS: • Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security• Katie Hill, former Democratic congresswoman

    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 [email protected]• 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 Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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  • In an interview that ranged from content moderation on X to its chairman’s use of ketamine, Don Lemon sat down for an hour-long interview with one of the world’s most prominent entrepreneurs.

    The interview was meant to be the first in a series in collaboration with the platform, but the company posted that “after careful consideration, X decided not to enter into a commercial partnership with the show.”

    Justin and Marianna spoke with Don to get his thoughts on why the Tesla boss cut ties with him and the grapple for power between traditional and new media.

    HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

    GUEST: Don Lemon, Host of the Don Lemon Show

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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 Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • Americast is now publishing two episodes a week!

    We’re joined once again by Special Guest Hosts Miles Taylor, Trump staffer turned whistleblower, and Katie Hill, former Democratic Congresswoman.

    They sit down with Sarah and Anthony to go through some of the most commonly asked questions we get on Americast.

    This episode contains a reference to suicide which some listeners may find upsetting.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUESTS: • Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security• Katie Hill, former Democratic congresswoman

    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 [email protected]• 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 Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • Fentanyl is a pharmaceutical drug that can be prescribed by a doctor to treat severe pain. But like its predecessors, that drug has been illegally manufactured and sold by criminal gangs.

    The president has called the crisis an “American tragedy” but many angles to the epidemic lie elsewhere in China and Mexico.

    Ben Westhoff was the first journalist to enter a Chinese fentanyl lab posing as a buyer. He spoke with us about the origins of the epidemic, the scale of the problem for US towns and cities and the hope that exists for solutions to the crisis.

    If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help. You can find it here: www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUESTS: • Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc.

    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 [email protected]• 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 Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • We answer the biggest questions in the race for the White House...

    Americast is now publishing two episodes a week!

    In the first Monday edition of Americast, we’re joined by Special Guest Hosts Miles Taylor, Trump staffer turned whistleblower, and Katie Hill, former Democratic Congresswoman.

    They sit down with Sarah and Justin to go through some of the most commonly asked questions we get on Americast.

    HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America editor

    GUEST HOSTS: • Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at Department for Homeland Security in Trump administration• Katie Hill, former Democratic congresswoman

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter all about the US election: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Claire Betzer and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • Under the close gaze of his critics - and millions of American voters - Joe Biden delivered arguably the most significant State of the Union address in recent times.

    The president chose to focus on his economic record, his plans to to fix America's immigration system and repeatedly took aim against Donald Trump.

    The Americast team chew over the president's speech with the help of Joe Biden's former speechwriter, Jeff Nussbaum, who told us what it's like to work with him and how you judge the success of a speech like the one Biden just delivered.

    HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Sarah Smith, North America editor

    GUEST: Jeff Nussbaum, former speechwriter for Joe Biden

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • Fifteen states voted on super Tuesday to decide who the nominees for the Democratic and Republican parties will be. Donald Trump didn’t quite get the clean sweep he hoped for, but will Nikki Haley’s Vermont win be enough to keep her in the race?

    The Americast team discuss the issues that mattered most to voters on Tuesday, namely immigration and the economy, and how the race has become a battle of the incumbents.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • 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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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, Catherine Fusillo and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • This afternoon the Supreme Court overturned a Colorado ruling that declared Donald Trump ineligible to run for President in the state.

    Justin and Marianna have been in the US to look at how despite legal, financial and polling challenges, he's on course for an epic election rematch with Joe Biden in November. Marianna’s also uncovered evidence of Trump supporters using AI to attract votes from African Americans.

    You can watch Panorama, Trump: The Sequel? here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001x0yl

    HOSTS:• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media 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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • US Supreme Court justices are considering two cases from Florida and Texas which could fundamentally alter the future of online free speech.

    Meanwhile, in Alabama, the state’s top court ruling on IVF has cast doubt on the future of the treatment, as the debate over reproductive rights enters new territory.

    We unpack what’s going on, how the cases could affect the lives of Americans, and how they could influence the upcoming election.

    HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUEST: Mary Zeigler, legal historian, professor of law, and expert on the history, and politics of reproduction.

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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, Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

  • Back on earth, Donald Trump’s legal troubles are mounting and the Republican presidential hopeful now faces debts of over half a billion dollars.

    We assess how the former president will try to pay off these debts and what effect it might have on his run for the White House.

    And on the evening that the US returned to the moon, Neil deGrasse Tyson - one of America’s most famous astrophysicists - talks to us about why commercial space ventures are in fashion and why people are struggling to know where to get their facts.

    HOSTS:

    • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • 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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

  • Love is in the air…or is it? Vladimir Putin expressed his preference for the next American president on Valentine’s Day - but critics suspect there might be more to his endorsement than meets the eye. His comments come in the wake of Donald Trump’s disparaging declaration against NATO and that Russia should “do whatever the hell they want” to countries that don't pay up.

    And after our emergency episode on Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents, we respond to your questions about how, if at all, President Biden could be removed from office.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • 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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    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, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

  • Our colleagues on The Global Story made this episode on a subject we know is close to many Americaster's hearts. So we thought we'd put it in your feeds.

    It's presented by Europe editor Katya Adler. To look at Taylor Swift's potential political sway, she's joined by North America business correspondent Erin Delmore.

    Subscribe to The Global Story by searching for The Global Story on BBC Sounds.

    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 [email protected]• 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 podcast was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Richard Moran and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

  • A bombshell report from Special Counsel Robert Hur has raised serious questions about President Joe Biden's memory, which the White House has been quick to rebuff.

    The report criticised the president for retaining classified information but rejected prosecution, arguing that Biden would likely present himself at trial as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory".

    Americast dissects the details of this breaking story with Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting and a former US correspondent.

    And as Tucker Carlson becomes the first Western journalist to sit down one-on-one with Vladimir Putin since the invasion of Ukraine, Justin and Anthony give their instant reaction to the interview as it drops.

    HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUEST: • Sarah Baxter, Director of Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting in New York

    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 [email protected]• 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, Rufus Gray, Catherine Fusillo, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

  • The Americast team pore over the New Hampshire results after an evening in which Donald Trump looks to have the Republican nomination all but sewn up. Nikki Haley says she's a fighter and that the race "is far from over" but is there really a route back from here?

    Earlier in the evening, Sarah caught up with former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who told us why he thought Trump’s various indictments have helped him in the polls so far.

    And, Ron DeSantis officially suspended his campaign before the New Hampshire primary. What next for him? We answer your questions about the Florida governor.

    HOSTS:• Sarah Smith, North America editor• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUEST:• Sean Spicer, Former White House Press Secretary under Donald Trump

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast. Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Madeleine Drury and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • The world waits to see how the United States will retaliate to a drone strike that killed three American troops in Jordan, after an Iran-backed militia group claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Christiane Amanpour, the Iranian-British Chief International Anchor for CNN, is our star guest this week. We hear why Joe Biden now walks a tightrope between avoiding escalation in the Middle East, and projecting strength at home - all while Donald Trump looks on from the campaign trail.

    Also on the podcast, Marianna tells us about her new BBC Radio 4 podcast series called 'Why Do You Hate Me?'

    She’s been speaking to a survivor of the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in American history, who ended up believing online conspiracy theories that the entire event was a government plot.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUEST: Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Anchor for CNN

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s new BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155

    Listen to 'Why Do You Hate Me?' on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0h46gmn

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray, and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

  • Hot on the heels of the Iowa caucus, Republican candidates Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis prepare for the next primary showdown in New Hampshire.

    Sarah and Justin unpack if it could prove to be a tougher test for Trump and a way back into the race for the other candidates.

    And, why are the Democrats infighting after Biden’s idea to bump the state from its prized primary calendar slot?

    HOSTS:Sarah Smith, North America editorJustin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

    GET IN TOUCH:Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRBSend us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480Email [email protected] use #Americast. Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Madeleine Drury, Maia Davies and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • The 2024 presidential election is officially underway.

    Americast hits the road for a record breaking caucus. Destination? Des Moines, Iowa.

    It’s not only the coldest caucus ever seen in Iowa, but it’s also the biggest landslide for a Republican nominee. The question is whether it’s enough to bury his main rivals Ron Desantis and Nikki Haley for good, or whether the runners up are still even in the running at all.

    The gang chew through the numbers with the famed pollster Frank Luntz, and Sarah gets a peek into the Trump family business by speaking to the former President’s son, Eric.

    HOSTS:• Sarah Smith, North America editor• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent• Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUEST:

    • Eric Trump, Son of President Donald Trump• Frank Luntz, Political strategist and pollster

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Catherine Fusillo. The technical producer was Darren Wardrobe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • With the Iowa caucus just days away, Chris Christie drops out of the 2024 presidential race. Can anyone stop Donald Trump? The team takes a look at why Iowa dominates the political conversation every four years.

    Anthony Blinken is once again in the Middle East to broker peace in the region amid a barrage of attacks by Houthi rebels against Red Sea shipping.

    And on Saturday Taiwan heads to the polls for its presidential elections in a vote that could shape the future of relations between the US and China.

    With the help of Ivo Daalder, former US Ambassador to NATO, the team takes you inside the Americast Situation Room to monitor the biggest challenges the US faces around the world.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter• Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent

    GUEST: • Ivo Daalder, Former United States Permanent Representative to NATO

    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 [email protected] • Or use #Americast Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

  • High-profile associates of Jeffrey Epstein named in US court papers.

    Former presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are among the people named in US court papers detailing connections of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    The team assesses what we know so far, what’s to come, and how the story has played out on social media.

    And after weeks of controversy, Claudine Gay has stepped down as president of Harvard University following her comments on anti-Semitism.

    We speak to the reporter who got the scoop on the plagiarism story about why he thinks she had no choice but to step down.

    HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America editor • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Marianna Spring, disinformation and social media correspondent • Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent

    GUEST: • Aaron Sibarium, Reporter at The Washington Free Beacon

    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 [email protected]• Or use #Americast

    Find out more about our award-winning “undercover voters” here: bbc.in/3lFddSF.

    This episode was made by George Dabby with Catherine Fusillo, Rufus Gray, Claire Betzer. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.