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America, Actually with Astead Herndon

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Rating
★★★★★
4.5
from
155 reviews
This podcast has
41 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Vox Media
Explicit
No
Date created
2026/04/03
Latest episode
2026/11/07
Average duration
37 min.
Release period
4 days

Description

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. 

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Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from America, Actually with Astead Herndon podcast


A working-class midterm mandate
2026/11/07
Don’t call it a blue wave. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore outlines what a winning Democratic playbook actually looks like. 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. Photo credit: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in New York City. Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Will Democrats deliver?
2026/11/06
Political strategist David Axelrod discusses how the new wave of congressional Democrats can deliver the affordability relief voters need while facing President Trump.  This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Special thanks to Kasia Broussalian.   You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can Trump close the deal?
2026/11/02
Ahead of the midterm elections, we look at Republicans’ closing arguments and whether MAGA’s loyalty to President Trump will help the party win the most critical races.  This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian , fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, and hosted by Astead Herndon.  You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nevada's Trump slump
2026/10/31
Nevada is in many ways “ground zero” for this year’s midterms. The state swung to the right in 2024 and voted for Donald Trump. Now, many voters there are grappling with buyer’s remorse.  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. Photo caption: Vox’s Astead Herndon joins volunteers from the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union canvassing before the midterm election. Photo by Pavel Gazdyuk. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sports in midterm America
2026/10/27
Pablo Torre discusses what sports reveal about President Trump, billionaire power, and America’s mood ahead of the midterms.  This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, and hosted by Astead Herndon.  You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can Trump steal the midterms?
2026/10/24
Between the Trump administration’s executive orders, lawsuits, and relentless rhetoric, it feels like voting systems in America are under constant threat. Is it working?  Editor’s note: Earlier in this episode, Sweren-Becker said that 26 courts had decided that the DoJ is not entitled to voter records. Oklahoma settled its suit, and the state agreed to provide its voter data. 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. Photo caption: President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Who gets to lead Democrats next?
2026/10/20
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) makes the case for new leaders and a stronger strategy for standing up to Trump. This show was produced by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.  You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can you buy the midterms?
2026/10/17
Republicans are entering the midterm home stretch with a staggering $1 billion campaign war chest. Will it make a difference?  This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Vasilis Fotopoulos, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: President Donald Trump speaks during an election rally for local Republican candidates in Youngstown, Ohio. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Can Dems flip state legislatures?
2026/10/10
Most of the focus in this year’s midterms is naturally on Congress. But the battle to control state legislatures matters just as much, if not more. 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. Photo caption: Francesca Hong during a primary election night watch party in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Democrats’ abortion blind spot
2026/10/06
Why are Democrats playing it safe and missing an opportunity to make a stronger case for abortion rights? This show was produced by Frank Posillico, edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.  You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The GOP strategy: Ignore Trump
2026/10/03
Can a Republican candidate run for governor in a red state without bringing up Donald Trump a single time? We went to Ohio to find out.  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. Photo caption: Republican Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a town hall. Photo by Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What Democrats don’t get
2026/09/29
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 Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.  You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The AI election
2026/09/26
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 Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: Emily Taylor leads chants during a protest against data center development in Austin. Photo by Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Israel, Trump, and the media
2026/09/22
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 Matt Boynton, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Latino voters swing back
2026/09/19
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. Photo caption: A Sun Valley resident votes at the polling station located at Our Lady of The Holy Church on election day at the Sun Valley's Latino district, Los Angeles County. Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images. Editor's note: In her interview, Stephanie Valencia said that the zip code with the highest enrollment numbers for the ACA was in Miami. In fact, Miami is in the top five. South Florida overall, however, has led the nation with sign ups.  You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Podcast reviews

Read America, Actually with Astead Herndon podcast reviews


4.5 out of 5
155 reviews
★★★★★
Acee33 2026/11/03
So happy to have Astead back!
Astead Herndon is one of the best political reporters out there. He is not afraid of talking to the American public, asking the right questions, and g...
★★☆☆☆
jas_8998 2026/10/18
Different podcast, same episodes
All these episodes are just duplicates of the ones from the ‘Today Explained’ podcast. Why?
★★★★★
Willow Rho 2026/10/12
Appreciative
I so appreciate Astead’s interviewing skills. He asks great questions of both the left and right in a steady, incisive manner. He can get more info ou...
★★★☆☆
drdyan 2026/09/23
Eagerly look forward to episodes
I am surprised at how much I like this podcast. There are so many out there, but Aestead manages to distinguish himself among them.
★★★★★
Malik Scott 2026/08/15
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...
★★★★★
CLS8201 2026/08/15
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 cen...
★★★☆☆
SeanpMurray 2026/08/09
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 withou...
★★★★★
CompassDiamondBee 2026/07/26
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 him...
★★★★★
Devon, KingdomAnimaliaPodcasts 2026/07/18
Insightful Interviews
Astead is a very good interviewer—persistent and always pushing the interviewees. Very much appreciated.
★★★★★
JennaAnderson 2026/07/11
“All right, you're good at this.”
I completely agree with you John Morgan! Today’s episode had Astead in his bag: candid relaxed convos in the field with us everyday Americans! That la...
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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