THE AMERICANIST: US Politics and German Angst

Nov 01 2024 28 ep. 36 mins 939
THE AMERICANIST: US Politics and German Angst Podcast artwork

Two friends reach out across the Atlantic to discuss the state of America. From Germany to California and back: Mike is a professor at Stanford, Johannes is a journalist from Berlin. Can American Democracy be saved? Where are the United States coming from, and where is it all headed? Politics & History in the Age of Donald Trump: Welcome to The Americanist Podcast! Email us at [email protected] (Cover Art: Flickr / Nicolas Raymond / flickr.com/82955120@N05/ CC BY 2.0)

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Kamala Harris Might Really Win! (Why Trump is Losing in Polls)

Nov 01 2024 32 mins  
Right before the 2024 US Elections, Mike has some good news for all Kamala Harris Democratic supporters: Some last-minute polling (source: "the internet") indicates that the Trump camp might be in trouble. Really? Can Harris really reverse her negative October trend? And can Joe Biden please not say anything anymore, at least publicly? This and more German-American banter and garba

Raining Cats and Dogs on Trump's Parade: Kamala Harris Wins Debate

Sep 11 2024 36 mins  
On the day after the Harris-Trump debate, Mike and Johannes talk about how Kamala Harris set up a trap for the Republican candidate Donald Trump - and how he happily stepped into it. Will Harris' resounding victory in their possibly only presidential debate translate into November's election? The podcast's statistical powerhouse Mike disects the latest polling numbers as well as Ka

Walz #2 - Does Coach Tim Walz Strike the Right Chord for Democrats?

Aug 23 2024 34 mins  
Kamala Harris' running mate Tim "Coach" Walz has introduced himself to the Democratic party at their Chicago convention. But can he energize them enough so they can beat Trump and the Republicans in November? Mike shares his thoughts on the importance of having a good coach in American life, high school and beyond - and Johannes remembers his time on a Californian shooting range. A

Can Kamala Harris Beat Donald Trump?

Jul 24 2024 36 mins  
After a two-year hiatus, The Americanist crew is back. Just in time so that Johannes and Mike can discuss Kamala Harris' nomination as a presidential candidate 2024 and Joe Biden's resignation from the campaign. Too little too late? Or can the Democratic party save its chances and prevent another Trump term? And what ever happened to JD Vance? While Mike is still reluctant to stare

Why are Urban and Rural America so Divided? (#23)

Feb 10 2022 37 mins  
Since the United States were founded, its urban population has risen from 5 % to over 80 %. Yet its political institutions remain the same. Mike and Johannes discuss this issue, the American obsession with suburbia, and how to possibly move forward. Also, what would actually happen if you took 5 % of Californians and move them to Wyoming? Rate and subscribe wherever you listen! Ema

How I Met Muhammad Ali (#22)

Jan 13 2022 38 mins  
Muhammad Ali would have turned 80 this week. What does he mean for us today? Mike talks about how Ali came up several times in his American history class, how impressed he is by his reinvention of identity, while struggling with his narcissistic side. Johannes shares the story how he met Ali in person, when he came to Germany to pull off his famous magic yet again... Rate and subsc

#21 Hopes & Highlights - End of Year Pod 2021

Dec 20 2021 33 mins  
Mike and Johannes look back on their highlights from 2021 and share their thoughts and outlook on what they are planning for and hoping to achieve in 2022. Thanks for listening to THE AMERICANIST in the past twelve months. Happy holidays everyone! Email us at [email protected] and rate and subscribe on Apple iTunes, Spotify, and wherever you listen to us.

#20 The Good News Special

Oct 31 2021 33 mins  
As we've talked plenty EU/US crisis in past episodes, the October episode of THE AMERICANIST PODCAST is all about good news! From COVID-19 booster vaccination shots to more regional supply chains and the upcoming German coalition government. Subscribe and rate us - and email with any feedback to [email protected] Further Reads: mRNA technology being used in other applicat

#19 9/11 - Where We Were, Where We Are

Sep 09 2021 37 mins  
20 years after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001, Mike and Johannes remember their personal 9/11 stories, where they were and how this day has changed life in the United States and in Europe. Please subscribe and leave a rating on iTunes, Spotify or anywhere you listen - and email us with feedback to [email protected] !

#18 Joe Biden’s First 130+ Days in Office

Jun 01 2021 35 mins  
In the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST Podcast, Mike updates Johannes on the first 130+ days (yeah, we missed the other one) of Joe Biden's presidency: What has been achieved, what is missing, and can America possibly heal and how? All on how Number 46 is doing ... and the usual nonsense in between ... in episode #18. Please subscribe and leave a rating on iTunes, Spotify or anyw