Podcast
What's Up With America?
Hosted by David Traynor · EN
Confused by what’s happening in the United States? You’re not alone. What’s Up With America? is your weekly explainer of the latest news, political shake-ups, cultural flashpoints, and social undercurrents shaping the current American zeitgeist. Each week, we break down what Americans are talking about, why it matters, and how it affects the wider world.
New episodes every Wednesday. Because America never takes a break from being America.
10episodes
Episodes
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Chuck Park's Fight To Take Back Congress
Feb 2100:50:29Tap to summarizeMost Americans feel the system is rigged against them. Chuck Park is running for Congess to fight that, challenging a long-standing Democratic incumbent in Queens, NYC in the upcoming June primary. As a former US diplomat who resigned in protest of Trump’s foreign policy, Chuck is on a mission to reclaim American democracy from what he perceives as the grip of big money and corporate interests.In this episode, we delve into the critical issues threatening the democratic foundations of America: the overpowering influence of corporate donors, systemic corruption, and the urgent battles for healthcare, child care, and immigrant rights. As the son of Korean immigrants, Chuck proclaims an unrelenting belief in the American Dream and is determined to revive it by disrupting the status quo he believes is dominated by billionaires and special interests.
Transcribe →Undocumented Irish Migrants in Trump's America
Dec 600:34:28Tap to summarizeThis week, I speak with Dan Dennehy, Immigration Chairman for New York State's Ancient Order of Hibernians, as we delve into the complexities of immigration in Trump's America, focusing on the Irish-American experience and how that fits into the mosaic of US immigration in general.
Transcribe →The MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Movement
Nov 1500:49:05Tap to summarizeThis week, I am joined by Diane Pagen, a friend of mine from my days in the Universal Basic Income (UBI) movement and Aimee from First Hand Media. Diane is a social worker who worked for the New York City Department of Education but who ultimately lost her job because she refused to take the covid vaccine. Aimee is a freelance journalist who has reported extensively on the MAHA movement. We discuss the highs and lows of the movement, how it is interacting with the broader political climate at present and where this period of political turmoil and polarization is leading us.
Transcribe →Live NYC Mayoral Election Reactions
Nov 500:18:57Tap to summarizeI report on the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York's 111th mayor, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo by nearly nine percentage points. The episode captures the reactions of residents of people in Jackson Heights, Queens at a neighborhood bar. Locals reflect on the implications of electing a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist mayor and looks ahead at the hopes for New York under Mamdani's leadership as well as the challenges posed by the Trump administraiton and the broader political landscape in the United States.
Transcribe →Zohran Mamdani -V- Andrew Cuomo: NYC Elects a New Mayor This Week
Nov 300:44:56Tap to summarizeNew York City goes to the polls this week to elect a new Mayor. This week, David delves into the landscape of New York City politics with good friend, Jason Clinkscales, a freelance sports writer and lifelong New Yorker. Together, they chart the meteoric rise of Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist vying to become NYC's next Mayor who is pitted against former New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo. David and Jason explore the implications of this pivotal election, the city's affordability crisis, and the broader effects this election will have on the Trump administration and the direction of the Democrats nationally.
Transcribe →Charlie Kirk, Guns in America and the Future of DEI
Oct 2900:49:48Tap to summarizeThis week, I speak with Chivona Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Greater New York and an activist for Black empowerment. We discuss the implications of Charlie Kirk's assassination, her views on gun rights, and the politically polarized climate we find ourselves in this current moment. Chivona discusses the importance of youth empowerment and the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion in society, sharing her personal experiences and the challenges she faced during her 2020 congrressional election campaign, highlighting the importance of self-defense and empowerment for marginalized communities.
Transcribe →Live Reactions to Election Results
Nov 6, 202400:16:18Tap to summarizeDavid reacts to the results coming in live at a Queens bar with his sister-in-law, Kat, visiting from Australia. While there, they bump into the victory party of local NY State Assembleyman for the 30th District, Steven Raga.
Transcribe →Election Day
Nov 5, 202400:29:21Tap to summarizeElection Day is finally upon us. Kim and David discuss the state of play going into it.
Transcribe →Trump Rally at Madison Square Garden
Nov 2, 202400:23:22Tap to summarizeDavid turns up at Madison Square Garden to get vox pops of the people who turned up to hang around outside the Trump rally.
Transcribe →VP Debate, Trump Revisits Assassination Site and NYC Mayor Woes
Oct 12, 202400:33:43Tap to summarizeKim and David discuss the impact of the vice presidential debate, the latest polling in swing states as we are going into the last 30 days of the race. They also delve into the woes of New York City's Mayor Eric Adams who has been embroiled in a corruption scandal and is facing possible impeachment and jail time.As always, if you have any questions or comments, please contact us on Instagram @theweekpodcast or by e-mail on theweek onthetrail@gmail.com. We hope you enjoy.
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