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American Friction

American Friction

By: Podmasters
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About this listen

 Does what’s going on in American politics scare and bemuse you? Want to know what Trump is up to, without pulling your hair out? Then you need American Friction, the UK podcast about US politics – from the makers of Oh God, What Now? and The Bunker. Every Friday and Monday, we unpack the big issues, speak to leading experts and talk with blockbuster commentators from the United States to explain the latest news and the big issues with hosts Jacob Jarvis (ex-Newsweek), Chris Jones (Podmasters) and Nikki McCann Ramirez (Politics Reporter at Rolling Stone). Support us on Patreon, to get ad free and bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/AmericanFriction© Podmasters 2024 Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • QAnon’s Epstein conundrum, Looksmaxxing and Mogging explained!

    QAnon’s Epstein conundrum, Looksmaxxing and Mogging explained!
    Mar 2 2026
    The weird world of right-wing conspiracy theories and subcultures is stranger than ever. Jarv is joined by Annie Kelly, host of Truly, Tradly Deeply and the UK correspondent for the QAA podcast to get into it all. Back us on Patreon⁠⁠ – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction⁠⁠ We’re now on Youtube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod⁠⁠ Follow us on social media: ⁠BlueSky⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Video and audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. ⁠⁠www.podmasters.co.uk⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Trump's violent, weird and lie-filled State of the Union

    Trump's violent, weird and lie-filled State of the Union
    Feb 27 2026
    Trump’s State of the Union was not normal. It was longer than ever, more weird and more hate-filled than any before it, and most reports aren’t nailing that. Nikki, Jarv and Chris discuss. Back us on Patreon⁠ – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction⁠ We’re now on Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod⁠ Follow us on social media: BlueSky ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ Written and presented by Chris Jones, Nikki McCann Ramirez and Jacob Jarvis. Video and audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. ⁠www.podmasters.co.uk⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • How the Mafia made America

    How the Mafia made America
    Feb 23 2026
    The Mafia’s place in American culture can be seen as a cultural phenomenon. But how did the real mob, who inspired The Sopranos and The Godfather, come to be? And what influence have they had in shaping the United States? Ryan Gingeras, author of The Mafia: A Global History, joins Chris and Jarv to discuss. Buy The Mafia: A Global History [https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781398531659] through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund [name of podcast] by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Back us on Patreon – we need your help to keep going. Get ad free episodes, extra bits and merch: https://www.patreon.com/c/americanfriction We’re now on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericanFrictionPod Follow us on social media: BlueSky Instagram TikTok Written and presented by Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Video and audio editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    37 mins
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