If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website, www.lifeline.org.au.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website, <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">www.lifeline.org.au</a>.

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, its impact at home and abroad, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better. 

Presented by the Australia Institute.

The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn&rsquo;t coming back.&nbsp;
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, its impact at home and abroad, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.&nbsp;
Presented by the Australia Institute.

After America

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Australia Matters

Our shared humanity

Europe reflections, challenges facing democrac

The midterms, explained

Notable primary races

The midterms won't be normal

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in a heat wave, delayed by storms, Donald Trump gave a very Donald Trump speech.

We expected that. But what can we expect next? On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the November midterm elections and what they might bring. After Emma’s trip to Brussels and Berlin, they also reflect the contrasts between European and Australian views of the United States.

This episode was recorded live on Monday 6 July.

Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

This World Cup shows who holds the cards in Trump’s economy, After America, the Australia Institute (June 2026)

From Europe’s strategic settings to China’s overcapacities – a view through an antipodean lens, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (June 2026)

The 2026 midterm elections, Brookings

‘God is non-binary’: Texas Dem nominee Talarico’s past remarks on abortion, race and gender draw scrutiny by Peter Pinedo & Paul Steinhauser, Fox News (March 2026)

STRICTLY BALLROOM! PEP with Chas & Dr Emma Shortis, PEP podcast (October 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in a heat wave, delayed by storms, Donald Trump gave a very Donald Trump speech.
We expected that. But what can we expect next? On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the November midterm elections and what they might bring. After Emma&rsquo;s trip to Brussels and Berlin, they also reflect the contrasts between European and Australian views of the United States.
This episode was recorded live on Monday 6 July.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/this-world-cup-shows-who-holds-the-cards-in-trumps-economy/">This World Cup shows who holds the cards in Trump&rsquo;s economy</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (June 2026)
<a href="https://australia.fes.de/news/from-europes-strategic-settings-to-chinas-overcapacities.html">From Europe&rsquo;s strategic settings to China&rsquo;s overcapacities &ndash; a view through an antipodean lens</a>, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (June 2026)
<a href="https://www.brookings.edu/collection/the-2026-midterm-elections/">The 2026 midterm elections</a>, Brookings
<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/god-non-binary-texas-dem-nominee-talaricos-past-remarks-abortion-race-gender-draw-scrutiny">&lsquo;God is non-binary&rsquo;: Texas Dem nominee Talarico&rsquo;s past remarks on abortion, race and gender draw scrutiny</a> by Peter Pinedo &amp; Paul Steinhauser, Fox News (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-sBeZHDgDc">STRICTLY BALLROOM! PEP with Chas &amp; Dr Emma Shortis</a>, PEP podcast (October 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to After America on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/after-america/id1751661496">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/788c8nelszhzvsxwTzQzGS?si=32cb1a5509704ebb">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/after-america/49b88b40-1809-013d-5deb-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in a heat wave, delayed by storms, Donald Trump gave a very Donald Trump speech.

After its big birthday, what comes next for America?

Trump's Iran "peace" "deal"

JD Vance leads negotiations, writes Communion

Lessons for the US & Iran

Sir Keir resigns, far-right challenges, Britis

European views of Trump's America

Trump’s “peace” “deal” with Iran is already falling apart.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Angus Blackman to discuss the negotiations between the United States and Iran, where it all went wrong for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and European views of Trump’s America.

This episode was recorded live on Friday 26 June.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

How will Australia pay for AUKUS? Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry by Rod Campbell, Richard Denniss and Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (June 2026)

The Iran Disaster Is an Opportunity to Turn Away From Hawkish Idiocy and Reset Our Relationship With the Region by Matt Duss, The Nation (June 2026)

Wong and Marles were left waiting in the wings in London – it’s further proof Aukus was never anything more than a political stunt by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;peace&rdquo; &ldquo;deal&rdquo; with Iran is already falling apart.
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Angus Blackman to discuss the negotiations between the United States and Iran, where it all went wrong for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and European views of Trump&rsquo;s America.
This episode was recorded live on Friday 26 June.
Support the research powerful interests fear. <a href="https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN">Make a tax-deductible donation</a> to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/how-will-australia-pay-for-aukus/">How will Australia pay for AUKUS? Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry</a> by Rod Campbell, Richard Denniss and Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (June 2026)
<a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/world/iran-war-trump-netanyahu-us-foreign-policy-middle-east-diplomacy/">The Iran Disaster Is an Opportunity to Turn Away From Hawkish Idiocy and Reset Our Relationship With the Region</a> by Matt Duss, The Nation (June 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/16/uk-defence-minister-john-healey-resignation-wong-marles-aukus-exposed-political-stunt">Wong and Marles were left waiting in the wings in London &ndash; it&rsquo;s further proof Aukus was never anything more than a political stunt</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2026)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to After America on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/after-america/id1751661496">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/788c8nelszhzvsxwTzQzGS?si=32cb1a5509704ebb">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/after-america/49b88b40-1809-013d-5deb-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Trump’s “peace” “deal” with Iran is already falling apart.

My Iran deal is better than yours [citation needed]

World Cup controversies

Price gouging & corporate power in America

Iran, the US economy & redirecting blame

America 250 celebrations

With the men’s football world cup underway and after a UFC event on the White House lawn, the relationship between sport and politics seems especially close in the United States right now.

On this episode of After America, Dr Lindsay Owens joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss World Cup ticket pricing, the consolidation of corporate power in Trump’s America, the impact of the war on Iran on the US economy, and fighting back against efforts to use misinformation about the economy to demonise migrants.

This episode was recorded live on Thursday 11 June.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Lindsay Owens, Executive Director, Groundwork Collaborative // @lindsayowens

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

Shorter America: America's best writers; Empire of white supremacy; Empire of toxic masculinity by Emma Shortis, The Point (June 2026)

Gouged: The End of a Fair Price – and What That Means for Your Wallet by Lindsay Owens, Penguin Random House (forthcoming)

As Summer Kicks Off, Memorial Day Staples Up 13% on Average and Travel Prices Soar, Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation (May 2026)

It’s not me, it’s you – Australians ready to break up with Trump’s America, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, the Australia Institute (October 2025)

Homeland Security deploys white nationalist, anti-immigrant graphics to recruit by Caleb Kieffer and RG Cravens, Southern Poverty Law Center (August 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

With the men&rsquo;s football world cup underway and after a UFC event on the White House lawn, the relationship between sport and politics seems especially close in the United States right now.
On this episode of After America, Dr Lindsay Owens joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss World Cup ticket pricing, the consolidation of corporate power in Trump&rsquo;s America, the impact of the war on Iran on the US economy, and fighting back against efforts to use misinformation about the economy to demonise migrants.
This episode was recorded live on Thursday 11 June.
Support the research powerful interests fear. <a href="https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN">Make a tax-deductible donation</a> to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Guest: Lindsay Owens, Executive Director, Groundwork Collaborative // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lindsayowens.bsky.social">@lindsayowens</a>
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/new/260619-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America: America's best writers; Empire of white supremacy; Empire of toxic masculinity</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (June 2026)
<a href="https://gougedbook.com/">Gouged: The End of a Fair Price &ndash; and What That Means for Your Wallet</a> by Lindsay Owens, Penguin Random House (forthcoming)
<a href="https://groundworkcollaborative.org/work/as-summer-kicks-off-memorial-day-staples-up-13-on-average-and-travel-prices-soar/">As Summer Kicks Off, Memorial Day Staples Up 13% on Average and Travel Prices Soar</a>, Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation (May 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/its-not-me-its-you-australians-ready-to-break-up-with-trumps-america/">It&rsquo;s not me, it&rsquo;s you &ndash; Australians ready to break up with Trump&rsquo;s America</a>, the Australia Institute (May 2026)
<a href="https://theconversation.com/trumps-tragedy-the-us-becomes-an-autocracy-and-the-presidency-a-dictatorship-266675">Trump&rsquo;s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship</a> by Emma Shortis, the Australia Institute (October 2025)
<a href="https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/dhs-white-nationalist-anti-immigrant-social-media/">Homeland Security deploys white nationalist, anti-immigrant graphics to recruit</a> by Caleb Kieffer and RG Cravens, Southern Poverty Law Center (August 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to After America on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/after-america/id1751661496">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/788c8nelszhzvsxwTzQzGS?si=32cb1a5509704ebb">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/after-america/49b88b40-1809-013d-5deb-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

With the men’s football world cup underway and after a UFC event on the White House lawn, the relationship between sport and politics seems especially close in the United States right now.

Our shared humanity

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