After America // Democracy & Accountability
The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn’t coming back.
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, what’s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.
Presented by the Australia Institute.
February 2025
Manifest destiny
We discuss US tariffs against its three largest trading partners, the political battle over who gets to be American, and Trump’s imperial ambitions.
January 2025
Flooding the zone | After America x Follow the Money
President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process.
Victim-in-chief
The second Trump era has begun.
December 2024
Kissing the ring
Don Watson joins us to discuss Trump’s beyond-bizarre cabinet selections, Joe Biden’s tainted legacy, and what this might all mean for Australia on the final episode of After America for 2024.
Return to Trumpland with Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel MP joins us to discuss the MAGA loyalists Trump is tapping for senior roles and how Australia can deal with the President-elect.
November 2024
The worm kingdom
We discuss brainworms, Elon’s new gig, and why it’s a really bad idea to micro-dose E. coli.
Standing up to Trump with Malcolm Turnbull
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins the show to discuss how Australia should approach the second Trump presidency.
Fill the sky
With this presidential race now over, Emma Shortis reflects on an extraordinary campaign and the challenges that may lie ahead for Australia.
Four more years
Donald Trump will return to the White House – how should Australia prepare?
See you on the other side
Will Trump declare victory on election night, regardless of the result?
Will women win Kamala Harris the election?
Emma is on the road at a Harris rally in North Carolina and Bruce Thompson, former advisor to the Obama and Clinton campaigns in the state, joins us to preview the election.
American non-democracy with Yanis Varoufakis
Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis joins us to talk about the presidential election, Joe Biden’s foreign policy legacy and the future of America’s role in the world.
October 2024
In the shade
The Democrats have been largely overshadowed by the Trump spectacle in the final weeks of the campaign. Will it hurt Harris’ chances of winning the presidency?
Who’ll run the world
Chas Licciardello joins us to discuss Beyonce’s Texas appearance, Trump’s hate-filled Madison Square Garden dude-fest, and how the campaigns are spending their money.
Is Australia ready for Trump 2.0?
We discuss the race in the key swing state of Michigan and whether Australia is really prepared for a second Trump administration.
Campaigning in the manosphere
We discuss the impact of Trump’s extreme immigration rhetoric and how the candidates are courting the male vote.
The enemy within
We discuss hurricane conspiracies, Harris’ “decency coalition” and the threat of post-election violence.
Caught in the headlights
We discuss America’s apparent crisis of confidence, the conflict in the Middle East, and the Vice-Presidential debate.
September 2024
The church of Trump with Don Watson
Author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins us to discuss political violence, America’s deep divisions and whether Kamala Harris can turn the country around.
Ready or not: will Americans elect their country’s first Black woman president?
We discuss race in the presidential campaign and the fallout from the debate with Terri Givens, Professor of Race, Ethnicity and Politics at the University of British Columbia.
Trump’s debate dog whistle and Swift endorsement | DEBATE SPECIAL
Nick Bryant and Emma Shortis discuss the presidential debate and the state of the race on this bonus episode.
Jobs for the boys
We discuss Trump’s pinky promise to Elon and RFK Jr and Albo’s ‘hot mic moment’ in Tonga.
Middle, middle, middle class: Harris’ pitch to the heartland
Greg Jericho, Australia Institute Chief Economist, joins us to examine the Harris-Walz economic agenda.
August 2024
Sweet home, Chicago
The Democratic National Convention has landed in Chicago, Illinois. Will Kamala Harris be able to build on her campaign’s momentum or will the Republican ticket be able to stem the tide?
The enragement machine with Joseph Stiglitz and Malcolm Turnbull
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz join us to discuss the presidential election, the AUKUS deal and the right-wing media machine.
July 2024
Biden is out, Harris is in – what happens now?
On this special crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money, we discuss Biden’s decision to drop out of the campaign and why Democrats have rallied around Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee.
Trump defiant after assassination attempt
Former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr joins us to discuss the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the new Republican Vice-Presidential nominee, and the future of America’s place in the world.
General Enquiries
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mail@australiainstitute.org.au
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Glenn Connley Senior Media Advisor