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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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.
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The AI election
Saturday, September 26, 2026 • Duration 29:18
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.
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Israel, Trump, and the media
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 35:34
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
Saturday, September 19, 2026 • Duration 32:57
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.
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Your midterms study guide
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Duration 32:21
With the 2026 midterms fast approaching, we’re asking a simple question: What actually matters to voters right now?
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.
A polling station at Colebrook Academy and Elementary School in Colebrook, New Hampshire, on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP 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
Florida’s progressive test
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 37:08
Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon overcame a 17-to-1 fundraising gap to win the state’s Democratic Senate primary. Can she score another upset in November?
This show was edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by David Tatasciore, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon greets people as she campaigns in Miami. (Photo by Joe Raedle/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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The politics of Gen Z
Saturday, August 29, 2026 • Duration 36:59
What’s up with the kids these days? We asked a Gen Z researcher to explain her generation’s politics.
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.
An attendee wears a Vote hair accessory during a debate watch party with the Miami-Dade Young Democrats . Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Read more about Gen Z:
The Up and Up: https://www.theupandup.us/
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.
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Is MAGA still electable?
Saturday, August 22, 2026 • Duration 28:17
Left-leaning Democratic candidates have faced a lot of scrutiny in the last year about whether they’re “electable” in a general election. Why aren’t people asking the same about Republican candidates?
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.
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs after speaking to the press in the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Finn Gomez/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.
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Hasan Piker’s challenge to the center
Saturday, August 15, 2026 • Duration 36:02
Democrats have been duking it out all summer. He’s at the center of it all.
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.
Hasan Piker at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, Canada in 2026. Photo By Florencia Tan Jun/Web Summit via Sportsfile 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.
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The Democratic divide
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 49:36
Progressives are racking up primary wins. Is the Democratic establishment getting the message?
This show was edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by David Tatasciore, video edited by Frank Posillico, 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.
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