US to resume nuclear testing

RFK Jr says eat more saturated fats

Epstein & misogyny

Trump’s statements about resuming American nuclear testing left administration officials scrambling.

On this episode of After America, Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize winner with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Trump’s nuclear testing claims, American healthcare under RFK Jr.’s leadership, and the misogyny at the heart of key US institutions.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off.

Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now.

Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell

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

Show notes:

Medicine price comparison between Australia and the United States by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

While the rest of the world rushes to hire US scientists that Trump has cut, Australia follows in his footsteps by Tegan George, The Point (November 2025)

Man collapses behind Donald Trump during White House announcement by Richard Wood, 9 News (November 2025)

As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ by Dhuruv T Patel and Cam N Srivastava, The Harvard Crimson (November 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.

Trump&rsquo;s statements about resuming American nuclear testing left administration officials scrambling.
On this episode of After America, Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize winner with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Trump&rsquo;s nuclear testing claims, American healthcare under RFK Jr.&rsquo;s leadership, and the misogyny at the heart of key US institutions.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.&nbsp;Call&nbsp;<a href="tel:1800737732">1800 737 732,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://1800respect.org.au/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling#faq-2707">text 0458 737 732</a>, chat online or video call via <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">their website</a>.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;SAVE5&rsquo; to get $5 off.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/aiming-higher-vantage-point-issue-3">Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia&rsquo;s future</a> by Professor George Williams is also available now.
Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/drruthmitchell.bsky.social">@drruthmitchell</a>
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/medicine-price-comparison-between-australia-and-the-united-states/">Medicine price comparison between Australia and the United States</a> by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/281125-while-the-rest-of-the-world-rushes-to-hire-us-scientists-that-trump-has-cut-australia-follows-in-his-footsteps">While the rest of the world rushes to hire US scientists that Trump has cut, Australia follows in his footsteps</a> by Tegan George, The Point (November 2025)
<a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/main-faints-next-to-donald-trump-in-white-house/2fa93cec-ef39-4cf2-951e-eafde0b7170c">Man collapses behind Donald Trump during White House announcement</a> by Richard Wood, 9 News (November 2025)
<a href="https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/11/17/summers-epstein-wing-man-woman-described-as-mentee/">As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His &lsquo;Wing Man&rsquo;</a> by Dhuruv T Patel and Cam N Srivastava, The Harvard Crimson (November 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="https://theausinstitute-my.sharepoint.com/qnap-nas-tai.tai.local/NAS_Media&amp;Marketing/Podcast/After%20America/Episode%20descriptions/podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.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, what’s happening in global politics, 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, what&rsquo;s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.&nbsp;
Presented by the Australia Institute.

After America

Trump’s statements about American nuclear testing left administration officials scrambling.