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PODCAST

America, Actually with Astead Herndon

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

government news commentary

All Episodes

38:43

Sports in midterm America

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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32:10

Can Trump steal the midterms?

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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50:01

Who gets to lead Democrats next?

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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35:41

Can you buy the midterms?

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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34:07

Can Dems flip state legislatures?

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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41:09

Democrats’ abortion blind spot

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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22:03

The GOP strategy: Ignore Trump

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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42:41

What Democrats don’t get

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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29:18

The AI election

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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35:34

Israel, Trump, and the media

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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

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32:57

Latino voters swing back

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

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,

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32:21

Your midterms study guide

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/09/12

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

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37:08

Florida’s progressive test

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/09/01

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

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36:59

The politics of Gen Z

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/08/29

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:

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28:17

Is MAGA still electable?

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/08/22

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

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36:02

Hasan Piker’s challenge to the center

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/08/15

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:

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49:36

The Democratic divide

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/08/11

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. Learn more about

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27:52

The gas price vote

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/08/08

Will high gas prices actually change how people vote? We went to Pennsylvania 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. A customer refuels his van at a gas station in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania in July. Photo by Matthew Hatcher / AFP via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member:

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43:13

Fantasy draft: 2028 presidential race

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/08/01

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.This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Flags are displayed on the lawn of the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox

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36:18

The Boomer politicians who won't retire

America, Actually with Astead Herndon ·

2026/07/25

Democratic Congressman James Clyburn turned 86 years old this week. He has no plans to retire.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. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) announcing he is running for a 18th term. Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on ⁠youtube.com/vox⁠. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox

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