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Artwork for America, Actually

America, Actually with Astead Herndon

Vox Media
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Artificial Intelligence
Immigration
Affordability
AI Regulation
Michigan
Gas Prices
Data Center
Gerrymandering
2028 United States Presidential Election
Kamala Harris
Generational Change In Politics
Gen Z
Latino Voters
Media Credibility
United States Politics
Corruption
Economy
Israel

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 cha... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes30Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for America, Actually

Latest Episodes

What do Democrats misunderstand about voters, and why isn’t opposing Trump enough to win them over?

This show was produced by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, video edited by Christophe... more

Polling says less than 1 percent of voters consider AI a top concern this election cycle. Michigan congressional candidate Will Lawrence sees things differently.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon... more

Mehdi Hasan, journalist and founder of Zeteo, explains how coverage of Israel and President Trump has fueled the media’s credibility crisis.

This show was produced by Frank Posillico, edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by... more

Latino voters swung hard to the right in 2024. Now, they’re giving Dems another look.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Will Lawrence
Democratic candidate for Michigan's Battleground 7 Congressional District; activist-turned-politician
Campaign/Political Activism in Michigan
Episode: The AI election
Mehdi Hasan
Journalist and co-founder of Zeteo News
Zeteo News
Episode: Israel, Trump, and the media
Stephanie Valencia
Co-founder and president of Equis
Equis
Episode: Latino voters swing back
Manny Rutino
Congressional candidate in Colorado's battleground district
Manny Rutino Campaign
Episode: Latino voters swing back
Benji Sarlin
Vox political editor who joined the host to discuss election integrity, redistricting, and legal dynamics around the midterms
Vox
Episode: Your midterms study guide
Angie Nixon
Florida State Representative, progressive Democrat
Florida State Legislature
Episode: Florida’s progressive test
Rachel Janfaza
Gen Z researcher and founder of The Up and Up
The Up and Up
Episode: The politics of Gen Z
CJ Pearson
Young conservative influencer and political commentator described as a prominent MAGA voice
Republican political figure; social media creator
Episode: Is MAGA still electable?
Hasan Piker
Unofficial mouthpiece of the left and controversial lightning rod for the center
Hasan Piker (streamer/ commentator)
Episode: Hasan Piker’s challenge to the center

Host

Astead Herndon
Host of the show

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 181 ratings
  • My favorite journalist

    Been listening to Astead since he was at [previous news organization] and his style of getting on the ground and actually talking to regular people is my favorite thing he does. I also like that he can be contentious with any of his known guests but can still push for more in a friendly way from regular people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Malik Scott
    United States2 months ago
  • A true range of opinions

    I consistently find the episodes to be insightful and interesting. I love Astead Herndon, he’s a great interviewer is too, politely pushes back on centrists and usually catches them tongue tied. The only podcast who invites Hasan Piker on and treats him with respect. You have a fan in me for life. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CLS8201
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Interviewer

    Astead is a great interviewer, and seems a genuinely nice human being. I would play this to my kids as an example of how to ask tough questions without being rude.

    Five stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    SeanpMurray
    United States2 months ago
  • Astonishing

    Although I feel he was trying to kind, Astead Herndon’s questions let Jim Clyburn show how out of touch he is. Listening to Clyburn try to justify himself was embarrassing and his ignorance was astounding. In 2026, he just heard of ChatGPT last week? Clyburn is a historical relic and a cranky old man who should not be in charge of anything more important than a pickleball team.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CompassDiamondBee
    United States2 months ago
  • Insightful Interviews

    Astead is a very good interviewer—persistent and always pushing the interviewees. Very much appreciated.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Devon, KingdomAnimaliaPodcasts
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel the show lacks novelty and wants more on-the-ground perspectives over familiar punditry.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful, grounded questions and real-world reporting.
Fans praise the reporting depth and the host's ability to navigate complex policy discussions with nuance.
A minority find the tone overly high-energy or polarizing in certain episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#22
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#24
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#41
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The AI election
Q: Were you surprised Trump won the state in 2024?
No, it unfolded in a way that made that outcome understandable, given the broader political dynamics and the coalition dynamics in the state, and the perception of how well the Biden-Harris agenda had carried through; the war context and other issues also played a role.
Israel, Trump, and the media
Q: What is your view on media credibility and the Trump administration's stance on the press?
He argues that the media bears responsibility for credibility issues, but Trump's actions—such as banning outlets—also highlight systemic problems and the need for consistency and solidarity among journalists.
Israel, Trump, and the media
Q: Why did you launch Zeteo and what is your approach to freedom and journalistic space?
Hasan discusses creating a space where journalists can push boundaries and say difficult terms like 'genocide,' arguing for independent, ethics-driven reporting rather than partisan advocacy.
Israel, Trump, and the media
Q: How long has Mehdi Hasan been away from MSNBC?
He left MSNBC two and a half years ago, explaining his shows were canceled in 2023 and he left in 2024 to launch Zeteo.
Latino voters swing back
Q: How do subgroups within Latino voters influence political strategy?
Different subgroups (e.g., Cuban-Americans, Mexican-Americans) have lived experiences and policy priorities, but the economy remains a unifying issue; campaigns should tailor messages to local realities while recognizing shared concerns about costs and opportunity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About America, Actually

What is America, Actually about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hosted panel-style show analyzes current American politics through a lens of on-the-ground reporting, insider perspectives, and big-picture policy debates. Episodes frequently explore the 2028 presidential landscape, electability, internal party dynamics, and the intersection of technology, policy, and media in shaping public discourse. Guests range from political reporters and strategists to donors, academics, and activists, creating a mix of insider insight, ground-level storytelling, and provocative takes. The format often blends data-driven analysis with real-world narratives—from polling and donor dynamics to local organizing and regulatory debates around AI and affordability—delivering a thoughtful, civically engaged take on the nea... more

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1. On with Kara Swisher
2. Pivot
3. Today, Explained
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

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America, Actually launched 6 months ago and published 30 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on America, Actually?

Recent guests on America, Actually include:

1. Will Lawrence
2. Mehdi Hasan
3. Stephanie Valencia
4. Manny Rutino
5. Benji Sarlin
6. Angie Nixon
7. Rachel Janfaza
8. CJ Pearson

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