The podcast to understand the United States
An international perspective on American politics, foreign policy and culture
Join our podcast community
Why listen?
Understand the developments shaping American politics, foreign policy and culture – presented especially for an international audience.
Listen to the voices and perspectives which are shaping debates inside and outside the United States about America and its place in the world.
Get the story behind the story – we’re topical but always focused on the big picture.
Listen now
Latest Episodes
- Where’s the beef? It’s with Uncle SamThe coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and animal cruelty in industrial agriculture – all are contributing to a growing awareness that something is amiss in our relationship with animals. Meat alternatives have never been more popular. But at the same time,Continue reading “Where’s the beef? It’s with Uncle Sam”
- Plague, disaster, and scandalIt often seemed over the last four years that with so much media attention focused on Donald Trump’s daily outrages, there was little oxygen left for more normal types of political scandal. But the coronavirus and the monster winter stormContinue reading “Plague, disaster, and scandal”
- American exceptionalismAmericans have always liked to believe that their country is special – or, as the phrase goes, exceptional. And as a consequence of believing that their country is exceptional, many Americans have also believed that it has a uniquely uplifting andContinue reading “American exceptionalism”
Meet your host
America Explained is hosted by Andy Gawthorpe, a historian and political commentator. British by birth, Dutch by residence, and American-in-waiting by marriage, Andy teaches and researches the United States at Leiden University. He also writes frequently about American politics, foreign policy & culture for U.S. and international media, particularly Guardian U.S. In the past, he’s been a research fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, a civil servant in the Cabinet Office, and an instructor at a British military academy.
“Great content”
Great for non-Americans who want to understand the United States.
Lisa
“Thanks!”
Fantastic if you are studying the United States at school or college.
Listener from USA
“Really nice snapshot!”
A really nice snapshot of politics in the United States.
Chris
Join our community
Our Community in Numbers
1500+
unique listeners
30+
countries
5-star
rating on average
100%
Informed listeners
