America, Actually with Astead Herndon

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.

Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

19 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes19

Newest first

Yesterday · 43 min
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.
July 25 · 36 min
The Boomer politicians who won't retire
Democratic Congressman James Clyburn turned 86 years old this week. He has no plans to retire.
July 18 · 31 min
Progressives take on the Rust Belt
First there was New York, then Colorado. But can a progressive candidate win in the Rust Belt?
July 11 · 28 min
Kamala, 2028
The former vice president’s loyal base seems ready for another go, but Democratic donors are wary.
July 8 · 24 min
The lessons from Graham Platner’s implosion
What should the progressive left take away from the collapse of Graham Platner’s campaign?
July 4 · 25 min
America’s 250-year checkup
Can the country’s founding ideals still unite a divided nation? This episode is presented by the Rockefeller Foundation.
June 27 · 29 min
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.
June 20 · 33 min
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.
June 13 · 35 min
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 the Third Way think tank.
June 6 · 27 min
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 Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Voters attending a candidate forum hosted by RVA indivisible at the Libby Mill Library in Richmond, VA. Photo credit Alex Peterson. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 30 · 27 min
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.
May 23 · 24 min
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 workforce. This episode is presented by The Rockefeller Foundation.
May 16 · 24 min
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.
May 9 · 24 min
"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.
May 2 · 26 min
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.
April 25 · 29 min
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.
April 18 · 30 min
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?
April 11 · 34 min
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 explore.
April 5 · 1 min
Introducing: America, Actually with Astead Herndon
America, Actually is a new podcast from Vox where host Astead Herndon explores what US politics looks like without Donald Trump at the center. It’s been a one-man show for more than a decade, but now, the US is heading towards the first open presidential election since 2016. It will play out in a country that feels inherently different. Every Saturday, America, Actually will be in your feed with interesting interviews on politics, culture, and the economy. Watch at Youtube.com/Vox or listen in your favorite podcast app for new episodes starting April 11. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America, Actually with Astead Herndon

Fantasy draft: 2028 presidential race

The Boomer politicians who won't retire

Progressives take on the Rust Belt

Kamala, 2028

The lessons from Graham Platner’s implosion

America’s 250-year checkup

How Trump lost the bro vote

The young candidates shaking up the Dem Party

Hasan Piker vs. The Establishment

Can corruption drive voter turnout?

You voted. Does it matter?

Working in the age of AI

The data center war

"Affordability" is the new progressive

Grading America's first 250 years

This Senator has an Eric Swalwell problem

Why both sides fail on immigration

America Post-Trump

Introducing: America, Actually with Astead Herndon