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American Friction

Podmasters

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 the latest news and the big issues with hosts Jacob Jarvis (ex-Newsweek), Chris Jones (Podmasters) and Nikki McCann Ramirez (Politics Reporter at Rolling Stone).

Support us on Patreon, to get ad free and bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction

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S1 · E232
Monday · 40 min
Witches, Jesus and Epstein – How Kansas politics got nasty
The midterm races have been a horrorshow across the board and Kansas has been no exception. Clay Wirestone of the Kansas Reflector joins Chris and Jarv to discuss the weird politics of the state and how things might go there. Buy Clay’s book Opinionated Kansas Journalists Who Proved Why Commentary Matters—Then and Now through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Back us on Patreon! Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E231
Friday · 49 min
Donald Trump: “I like big butts and I can’t not lie!”
Trump won’t stop talking about butts despite the GOP’s struggles in the run up to the midterms. Has he doomed his party to a wipeout? Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss. Back us on Patreon! Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E230
October 26 · 36 min
What’s angering American voters most? - With Molly Jong-Fast
American voters are mad, there’s no denying the anger being directed towards this Trump administration. But’s angering them the most? Molly Jong-Fast has her finger on the pulse ahead of the midterms and joins Chris Jones in our latest episode to explain it all. Listen to Molly’s podcast, Fast Politics, here: https://fastpoliticspod.com/ Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E229
October 23 · 1 hr 2 min
Trump - America’s most unwanted
Donald Trump’s getting more unpopular by the day. How is that impacting the GOP’s chances in the midterms? Plus, Nikki and Chris discuss Vivek Ramaswamy’s shocking attack ad against his opponent for the governorship in Ohio. Support American Friction on Patreon and get early, ad-free episodes, extra editions, merchandise and more. Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramirez . Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E228
October 21 · 26 min
Why Trump wants to suppress voters abroad
Millions of US citizens abroad could vote in the midterm elections, yet turnout among this group is consistently low. Why, and why is Donald Trump trying to make it harder for them in the first place? Elizabeth Kelly is the co-chair of the Get Out The Vote campaign from Democrats Abroad. She joins Chris to discuss in an extra, unscheduled episode. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio/ video editors: Simon Williams and Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E227
October 18 · 40 min
Talarico, Paxton and Trump – Why the GOP can’t afford to lose Texas
James Talarico is in strong form in Texas and it’s all to play for in his Senate race versus Ken Paxton. Just how disastrous would defeat across the Lone Star state be for the GOP? Chris and Jarv ask Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E226
October 16 · 52 min
Trump world’s latest bonkers conspiracy theory
The MAGA brainrot community has a new conspiracy theory… Nikki, Chris and Jarv unpick why when times get desperate, this is all the Trump faithful really have. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Music recommendation links: Warmth - Home Green-House - Hinterlands Lonely The Brave - The Day’s War Light Years - Resuscitate Zimmer90 - Interior Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E225
October 11 · 36 min
Christa Pike, Trump and America's death penalty crisis
Content warning: This episode contains discussions related to executions some might find upsetting. Also, this was recorded before Pete Hegseth said Nidal Hasan’s execution will be live streamed. The death penalty is in sharp focus in America right now. Christa Pike’s botched execution has horrified the world, and at the same time Trump is ordering people be killed by firing squad. What the hell is going on? How are things going so wrong? And what, if anything, can be done about it? Robin M. Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, joins Chris and Jarv to discuss. [NOT FOR PATREON] Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E224
October 9 · 1 hr
Donald Trump latest: The explosive toddler strikes again!
Donald Trump is talking about US cities being blown up as if it’s not that big a deal. Well, why not? According to him he can do anything he wants… Nikki, Chris and Jarv breakdown the latest breakdown from the president. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Nikki McCann Ramirez, Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E223
October 4 · 34 min
Trump thinks all news should be propaganda
Trump has cranked his media attacks up to eleven as he accuses journalists of committing treason for saying mean things about him. How worrying is this? And does he even know what he’s saying? Matt Gertz, senior fellow at Media Matters, joins Jarv to discuss. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E222
October 2 · 54 min
Trump and the GOP are getting desperate
Trump and his cronies know they’re facing trouble in the midterms. Their plan? Replay the 2018 tactics and hope for the best… Nikki, Jarv and Chris discuss. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis, Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramirez. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E221
September 28 · 43 min
Trump doesn’t understand A.I. or anything else
Donald Trump does not know what’s going on with artificial intelligence but he does know it might make him money. Jeff Jarvis, author of Hot Type and mega media expert, joins Jarv to discuss the White House’s wild approach to A.I. and what it means for the rest of us. Buy Hot Type through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented byJacob Jarvis. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E220
September 25 · 55 min
Donald Trump hates free speech!
Trump used to bang on about free speech but clearly he doesn’t give a sh*t about it. Just how draconian has the president become? Jarv and Nikki discuss. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramirez. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E219
September 20 · 43 min
Trump vs. Carney – Lessons from Canada's MAGA battle
Canada’s Mark Carney is sticking it to Trump, what can we learn from him? Chris and Jarv ask Drew Fagan, professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Chris Jones. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E218
September 18 · 47 min
Trump gets told no and throws a massive tantrum!
Trump has been told no he can’t attack mail-in voting how he wants and he is predictably angry. Nikki, Chris and Jarv discuss. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis, Chris Jones and Nikki McCann Ramirez. Audio/ video editor: Chris Jones. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E217
September 14 · 41 min
Trump’s enablers – Who else is to blame for this mess?!
Trump’s power didn’t come automatically, a lot of people had to roll over to let him have the control of America he has. Jacob Weisberg joins Jarv and Chris to discuss the pushovers who enabled the president, as outlined in his new book Profiles in Cowardice: Buy Profiles in Cowardice through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented byJacob Jarvis and Chris Jones. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E216
September 11 · 1 hr
Trump vs. Geography
Donald Trump’s threatening everyone’s sovereignty by changing every map ever. Dr Casey Burgat joins Chris to discuss Trump’s strategy here (spoiler, there isn’t one) and loads more. Plus, Nikki joins Chris from the Republican National Convention where she’s still recovering from the revelation that Trump plans to bribe the electorate in the midterm elections. Listen to The Bunker’s mini-series, TERROR CENTURY, reflecting on the devastation and aftermath of the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago Dr Casey Burgat’s Substack CrashCourse Back us on Patreon! Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Chris Jones. Audio/ Video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E215
September 7 · 38 min
Trump and the neo-Nazis – How the president revived a crisis
Hate crimes carried out by Neo-Nazi Americans are on the rise. Why? And do white supremacist groups feel like they now have an ally in the White House? Eric Lichtblau is aPulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of the book American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate. He joins Chris and Jarv to discuss his extensive research on Neo-Nazi America. Buy Eric Lichtblau’s book American Reich here Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented byJacob Jarvis and Chris Jones. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E214
September 4 · 49 min
Trump and the MAGA gang get racist!
Trump and his cronies are trying to target their opponents in the best way they know how – racism! Nikki and Jarv discuss the fallout around Abdul El-Sayed and how weird the right are being. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis and Nikki McCann Ramirez. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E213
September 1 · 36 min
America is lurching right. Is this man to blame?
America’s Supreme Court has been taken over by conservatives, and Samuel Alito is one of the most powerful of all. As a member of The Federalist Society, how did he rise to this position and how did this group seize such a vice grip of America’s legal system? Peter Canellos, author of Revenge for the Sixties Sam Alito and the Triumph of the Conservative Legal Movement, joins Jarv to discuss. Buy Revenge for the Sixties through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Back us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction Follow us on social media: Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric Written and presented byJacob Jarvis and Chris Jones. Audio/ video 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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