The midterm primaries

Jon Ossoff getting to Trump

Democratic presidential hopefuls

Midterms: NOT NORMAL?

What might the midterms mean for an historically unpopular president?

On this episode of After America, Chas Licciardello joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the latest from the midterm primaries, the “civil war” between democratic socialist and establishment Democrats, and why Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has MAGA rattled.

This episode was recorded Thursday 20 August.

Get your tickets for the Melbourne launch of More Fool Me: how the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss at Cinema Nova in Melbourne on Tuesday 25 August.

Guest: Chas Licciardello, co-host of PEP with Chas and Dr Dave & the ABC’s Planet America

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

Show notes:

New Game, New Rules by Allan Behm, Australia Institute Press (August 2026)

Shorter America: They're running?; Oh my god these men (cont.); The weight of America by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Australia’s Gaza hypocrisy, After America, the Australia Institute on YouTube (August 2026)

Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm & Bob Bowker, the Australia Institute (February 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.

What might the midterms mean for an historically unpopular president?
On this episode of After America, Chas Licciardello joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the latest from the midterm primaries, the &ldquo;civil war&rdquo; between democratic socialist and establishment Democrats, and why Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has MAGA rattled.
This episode was recorded Thursday 20 August.
Get your tickets for <a href="https://www.readings.com.au/events/more-fool-me-by-richard-denniss">the Melbourne launch of More Fool Me: how the gas industry tricked Australia&nbsp;by&nbsp;Richard Denniss</a> at Cinema Nova in Melbourne on Tuesday 25 August.
Guest: Chas Licciardello, co-host of PEP with Chas and Dr Dave &amp; the ABC&rsquo;s Planet America
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/store/new-game-new-rules">New Game, New Rules</a> by Allan Behm, Australia Institute Press (August 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/new/260821-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America: They're running?; Oh my god these men (cont.); The weight of America</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)
<a href="https://youtu.be/azmE3B5xae4">Australia&rsquo;s Gaza hypocrisy</a>, After America, the Australia Institute on YouTube (August 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/beyond-the-two-state-solution/">Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel</a> by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm &amp; Bob Bowker, the Australia Institute (February 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.

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

What might the midterms mean for an historically unpopular president?