So, the US election is this week and you want to sound like you know what you’re talking about? It’s T minus one day until the big night and, mercifully, a host of big names in podcasting are gearing up to help you get ahead.
HuffPost has launched a new series specifically for Brits looking to make sense of all the Trump-Biden drama, Jon Sopel is going behind-the-scenes of his America campaign trail in the BBC’s new twice-weekly Americast episodes, and Apple Podcasts is brimming with audio gold-dust straight out of Washington: every big name from CNN to US pollster FiveThirtyEight has its own hot-take.
From three female White House veterans discussing the key talking points for women to Pod Save America’s star interviews with Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, this is your election-cast directory.
Nerdcast: for Trump geeks
Every Friday, Politico’s top reporters dive into the American political landscape, the latest poll numbers, and detail what's really happening behind closed doors. Hosted by the site’s Washington campaign editor Scott Bland.
Weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Pod Is A Woman: for feminists
Three female veterans of the Obama White House - Alejandra Campoverdi, Darienne Page and Johanna Maska – discuss the issues that matter to women most in the US election. Interviewees include former Second Lady Jill Biden and Sarah Lenti, executive director of the Lincoln Project.
Weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Americast: for Brexitcast fans looking for an American download
BBC big dogs and old friends Jon (“Sopes”) Sopel and Emily Maitlis bring all the latest gossip and on-the-ground details from the American 2020 campaign trail. Episodes were traditionally weekly but now drop every few days as election day inches closer.
Twice weekly, Apple Podcasts, BBC Sounds
Can He Do That?: for anyone confused by the boundaries of Trump’s power
The Washington Post breaks down current events in the US to understand the powers of the president. Each week, host Allison Michaels asks a new question, from why we don’t know more about Trump’s Covid diagnosis to ‘can he tweet that?’.
Weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Running Mate: for Brits looking to make sense of the US election
HuffPost’s new election podcast started in August, with eight weekly episodes so far. Topics range from everything you need to know about Joe Biden to the sexism at the heart of US politics. Last month, host Graeme Demianyk heard from Sky News’ US correspondent Cordelia Lynch and Vice News senior reporter Tess Owen about what it's like living in and reporting on America.
Weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Pod Save America: for anyone who misses the days of the Obama White House
Another one from ex Obama staffers – this time the fab four hosting team of Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor. Since topping the charts during the 2016 election and securing Obama’s final interview of his presidency, Pod Save America has become a legend on the political airwaves, known for bagging interviews with all the big names in the Democratic Party every Monday and Thursday. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden himself are among the most notable guests.
Twice weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
In The Thick: for a more diverse perspective
A roundtable politics podcast from journalists of colour, hosted by award-winning journalists Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela. Episodes range from 17 to 47 minutes and guest panellists have included Jacob Soboroff, a correspondent for NBC News, and Jamaal Bowman, 2020 Democratic nominee for Congress in New York’s 16th District.
Three times weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
CNN Political Briefing: for people in a rush
A daily download of the US election news, in 10 minutes or less. CNN Political Director David Chalian summarises the day’s events, from the VP debate to Biden and Trump’s campaign schedules. If you prefer your American updates less regularly, download its weekly sister podcast, CNN Politically Sound – also a maximum of 10 minutes.
Daily, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
FiveThirtyEight Politics: for numbers nerds
Analysis of the polls from ABC news and data site fivethirtyeight.com. Each week, host and founder Nate Silver is joined by a team of political journalists for an insight into voters’ thinking and the current state of the political horse race.
Weekly, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Brown Girls Guide to Politics: for listeners interested in women of colour running for office
20-minute conversations with women of colour killing it in the world of American politics. Now onto season five, host A’shanti Gholar interviews women from representative Barbara Lee of California to Jenny Kaplan, host of Women belong in the House podcast, on Kamala Harris making history as he first Black woman and South Asian woman on a major party presidential ticket.
Monthly, Apple Podcasts
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