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American Friction

Podmasters
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Elon Musk
Trump
American Politics
Joe Biden
Congress
Tariffs
Immigration
US Politics
Iran
Jeffrey Epstein
Political Violence
Russia
Ukraine
Venezuela
Qanon

Does what’s going on in American politics scare and bemuse you? Want to know what Trump is up to, without pulling your hair out? Then you need American Friction, the UK podcast about US politics – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? and The Bunker. Every Friday and Monday, we unpack the big issues, speak to leading experts and talk with blockbuster commentators from the United States to explain t... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes203Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for American Friction

Latest Episodes

The host of Fast Politics Molly Jong-Fast joins Jarv for a discussion on why celebrities need to speak out more politically. Plus, they discuss some of the broader issues for America, and what matters to voters in the US right now.

Back us on Patreo... more

ICE has carried out yet more public killings in America. Donald Trump, true to form, has stood by his not so secret police force. When will enough be enough and is the Democratic Party doing enough to bring about change? Nikki joins Chris to get into... more

The Republicans and the Democrats are both in a weird place right now. How did they get to where they are? What were they like when they first started? And did they really “switch”? Paul Heideman, the author of Rogue Elephant: How Republicans Went fr... more

Trump’s been at NATO losing his head and lashing out at Iran in a spectacle which was mostly shocking because of how unsurprising it was. Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss another bumpy week.

Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad ... more

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Recent Guests

Paul Heideman
Author of Rogue Elephant, How Republicans Went from the Party of Business to the Party of Chaos
Author, Rogue Elephant
Episode: How the GOP and the Dems got so weird
Robert Parkinson
Professor of History at Binghamton University, author of Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence
Binghamton University
Episode: America 250: What would the Founding Fathers make of Trump?
Jack Crosbie
Rolling Stone senior writer who covered the UFC event in question
Rolling Stone
Episode: How Dana White became Trump’s best friend
Adam Serwer
award-winning journalist who writes for The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Trumpy no mates – The destruction of America’s reputation
Eric Garcia
Washington bureau chief at The Independent
The Independent
Episode: What's the deal with Kash Patel?!
Peter Wehner
Contributing writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Trinity Forum
The Atlantic; Trinity Forum
Episode: Trump vs. God! – Who's going to win that argument?!
Casey Burgat
Friend of the podcast, political analyst
Episode: Is Trump finally facing oblivion?
Kate Knibbs
Senior writer at Wired, specializing in prediction markets, media, and AI
Wired
Episode: Trump's secret scandal? – Insider trading explained with Kate Knibbs from Wired
Mike Duncan
Host of Revolutions podcast; author
Revolutions podcast, author of The Storm Before the Storm
Episode: ‘Trump is the most stupid leader in history’ – with Revolutions host Mike Duncan

Hosts

Jacob Jarvis
Host of American Friction; introduces topics and guides discussion; has been described as the show's host with strong analytic framing; occasionally cited as ex-Newsweek.
Chris Jones
Co-host; provides analysis and asks questions; part of presenting hosts with dynamic banter.
Nikki McCann Ramirez
Co-host; politics reporter at Rolling Stone; key contributor to analysis and guest conversations.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 837 ratings
  • Advert

    Not even listened, but I find their adverts so intensely grating. The forced laugh at the end, the idea that anyone’s confused by the idiocy in the US, frankly the idea that any foreigner gives enough of a f about the US for a dedicated podcast? Dear lord…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ryan Brodie
    New Zealand24 days ago
  • No longer following

    Has been fun and informative, but the episode on March 30th 2026 contained statements which I profoundly disagreed with, which were accepted without challenge.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    markmash
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Friction hits the spot.

    A funny, irreverent but informative look at the disaster that is the Trump Presidency and that of his corrupt administration.

    It’s laugh out loud funny with informed and intelligent discussion. The chemistry of the three main presenters and Simon makes the show.

    Worth a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Fat Fryer
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • One sided? Which is probably fine.

    From the episodes I’ve listened to, this is a one sided, Trump hating campaign but I guess that’s fine. I mean it’s not the bbc so it doesn’t have to be impartial.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    HazzaHbomb
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Best news podcast

    Podcast Addict
    5
    huggermugger
    5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the mix of serious analysis and engaging banter that keeps episodes accessible.
Critiques often target perceived bias or pacing in intro segments, but praise the host chemistry and guests.
Fans highlight the cross-Atlantic lens as a useful frame for understanding US politics.
Some feedback notes the banter can feel excessive, but the quality depth remains a core strength.
Audience appreciates the sharp, informed discourse and strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#134
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#222
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#91
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#144
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#153
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#155
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How the GOP and the Dems got so weird
Q: Did the parties actually flip ideologies or did something else happen?
It's more accurate to say parties moved from non-polarized or multipolar coalitions to polarized ones, with realignment around civil rights and economic issues, rather than a simple left-right switch.
How the GOP and the Dems got so weird
Q: How did the two major parties form and what were they initially about?
They formed in the 1820s-1830s as mass parties with an emphasis on broad coalitions; the Democrats emerged from Andrew Jackson's faction, while the Republicans grew from opposition to the slaveholding power and the Whig legacy, with both parties lacking a strict, unified ideological platform for much of their early history.
American Nightmare – How chaos and division took over Trump's United States
Q: What gives you hope that things can get better in the U.S., given the current divisions?
Glawe emphasizes the pendulum metaphor, the enduring presence of decent, good people, and the belief that systemic, ethical governance can prevail over authoritarian impulses.
American Nightmare – How chaos and division took over Trump's United States
Q: How often do conspiracy theories come up as protesters' motivations for being there, and how do you handle that as a reporter?
Glawe says conspiracy theories are constant in protests, with a significant portion of individuals sharing information that later proves false; he stresses the importance of fact-checking and listening to a wide range of voices.
American Nightmare – How chaos and division took over Trump's United States
Q: Can you describe for us and for the listeners who aren't, particularly familiar with Ferguson, what that story was about and the chaos you witnessed there?
Glawe explains Ferguson as a pivotal event that sparked ongoing discourse about culture war and systemic failures, highlighting the visceral impact of police violence and how it shaped his understanding of the U.S. political landscape.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About American Friction

What is American Friction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, witty take on US politics from a UK perspective, this show blends brisk analysis with candid banter. Episodes frequently tackle Trump-era dynamics, foreign policy, media bias, and the implications of policy decisions, often featuring expert guests who illuminate complex topics for a broad audience. The chemistry among the three regular hosts—combining skepticism, humor, and accessible explanations—helps make dense political topics approachable, with a steady stream of notable guests from journalism, academia, and think tanks. This mix of incisive analysis and lively discourse is a standout, and the show often bridges cross-Atlantic perspectives to explain why American politics matters globally.

Noteworthy is the willingness to tac... more

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Which podcasts are similar to American Friction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with American Friction:

1. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
2. Oh God, What Now?
3. This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
4. Quiet Riot
5. Origin Story

How many episodes of American Friction are there?

American Friction launched 2 years ago and published 203 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 American Friction?

Recent guests on American Friction include:

1. Paul Heideman
2. Robert Parkinson
3. Jack Crosbie
4. Adam Serwer
5. Eric Garcia
6. Peter Wehner
7. Casey Burgat
8. Kate Knibbs

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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