THE AMERICANIST

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 garbage - including swastikas - in the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST PODCAST. The Americanist is a podcast about US politics and history in the Trump era. American democracy is under attack. A German historian/journalist and an American scholar try to make sense of it all. A transatlantic therapy session of sorts. Rate and subscribe to our show wherever you listen and email us at theamericanistpod@gmail.com! Mentioned in the show: Kamala Harris sees surge with Black male voters (Yahoo News) Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden in 1939 Walt Whitman: A Song.

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 Kamala Harris' upside with Democratic voters. Also, there are way too many cats references, but, ah well, meow. Mentioned in the show: https://www.nytimes.com/news-event/times-siena-poll-coverage  

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. Anything but a peaceful retreat: this week's episode of The Americanist Podcast. Email us with feedback to theamericanistpod@gmail.com Like and subscribe wherever you listen!

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 down his demons, Johannes has watched some FOX & Friends to gently slap his liberal friend awake. Mentioned in the show - German judo coach slaps athlete: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C13gm-hhCZA - Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 43 https://poets.org/poem/song-myself-43 Please rate and subscribe to the show on our platform. Email us with feedback and questions at theamericanistpod@gmail.com

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! Email us to theamericanistpod@gmail.com Mentioned in the show: Urban vs rural populations (1790-2010) William Penn and Philadelphia's City Grid "Saints & Strangers" (Netflix)

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 subscribe wherever you listen to us and email us to theamericanistpod@gmail.com! Mentioned in the show: „I am Ali“ Documentary https://www.amazon.de/I-Am-Ali-Muhammad/dp/B00O9HY402 Billy Crystal Eulogy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XB3sD9QJCI „Facing Ali“ Documentary https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Ali-George-Chuvalo/dp/B002Z8CW60 „Ein Held, wie aus der Tragödie“ (German interview) https://www.arte-magazin.de/ein-held-wie-aus-der-tragoedie/

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 theamericanistpod@gmail.com and rate and subscribe on Apple iTunes, Spotify, and wherever you listen to us.

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 theamericanistpod@gmail.com Further Reads: mRNA technology being used in other applications: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd4278   Better supply networks: https://hbr.org/2020/09/global-supply-chains-in-a-post-pandemic-world   The change in worker relations to jobs https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/business/economy/economy-workers-labor-force.html

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 theamericanistpod@gmail.com !

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 anywhere you listen - and email us with feedback to theamericanistpod@gmail.com !  

Why are healthcare costs in the United States twice as high compared to similarly developed countries? And why has Obamacare not been able to level out systemic inequalities? This and more in the latest episode of our German-American therapy session. Johannes has dug up some history on the German public health insurance system, while Mike shares the story of when he went toe-to-toe with a major insurer in the States. Tune in to see who won! Leave a rating and email us with feedback to theamericanistpod@gmail.com Mentioned in this show: Ronald Gerste: Die Heilung der Welt The Social Transformation of American Medicine Relative healthcare costs US / world US Health Care and Race Relations  

Just how bad is our daily sugar intake - and what happens if you try to cut sweets and chocolate out? Johannes has been trying it lately - with crazy consequences. High time THE AMERICANIST talked about just how unhealthy the sweet stuff in our life can be. Mike shares some perspective on the healthcare implications as well as the political side of the issue in the United States that has also been greatly influencing lifestyle throughout global societies. Email us at theamericanistpod@gmail.com and leave a rating anywhere you listen! Mentioned in the show: 45 American Stats on Americans‘ Sugar Consumption https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/45-alarming-statistics-on-americans-sugar-consumption-and-the-effects-of-sugar-on-americans-health/  Subway Bread Ruled Not Bread https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/irish-court-rules-subway-bread-is-not-bread 

Big news for The Americanist crew (well, for one half of it): Mike got vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine in California. Time to celebrate this milestone with a Japanese whiskey, while Mike shares his take on the much-talked about AstraZeneca vaccine that German authorities seem to struggle so mightily with. What does any of that have to do with singer-songwriter J. J. Cale? All of that and more in the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST. Email us to theamericanistpod@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Mentioned in the show: AstraZeneca: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/03/astrazeneca-vaccine-blood-clot-issue-wont-go-away/618451/ Bradford Hill: https://obsstudies.org/reprint-of-hills-the-enviroment-and-disease-association-or-causation-and-comments/ Book about vaccine rumors and hesitancy: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/stuck-9780190077242?cc=us⟨=en& J.J. Cale - Cocaine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWmD_HcOcfU

One year after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States as well as Germany and Europe, Mike talks about his mental health struggles last year and what helped him get through this tough time. If you liked the show or have suggestions, you can email us at theamericanistpod@gmail.com ! Sources Quoted: Emergency Department Visits https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2775991?guestAccessKey=38d6409f-0b67-4608-9b7f-ba796a6263b1 Pandemic's Impact on Friends https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/01/pandemic-goodbye-casual-friends/617839/   How to Shoot an Anvil into the Air https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHuQy0mqW5I

In a historic week when THE AMERICANIST is ranked the #1 Politics Podcast in Kosovo, Johannes and Mike talk about the impatient wait for the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. While Germany has been starting slow, President Biden wants to have 100 million Americans vaccinated within his first 100 days in office. A realistic scenario? And what about all these vaccines, then? Will they get the job done and help us return to a more normal life? Mentioned in the show: NY Times: A Wall of Grief Book: "Stuck - How Vaccine Rumors Start, and Why They Don't Go Away" Lancet Study Israel Vaccination Russian Trolls and the Vaccine Debate | Pro-Kremlin Corona Disinformation

Is Super Bowl Sunday the last big thing the entire country can agree on? The quarterback mythology for the duel between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes is running wild. Mike might be American, but he could actually care less about American Football. Turns out he needs help from a German guy to even know how many players are on each team... More importantly, Mike and Johannes discuss NFL politics and put the GOAT discussion into historical perspective in the latest episode of 'THE AMERICANIST'. Email us to theamericanistpod@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Why did it take an old white man to replace the other in the White House again? In the first episode of 2021, Johannes and Mike catch up on recent events in Washington. The deadly riots fanned by Ex-President Trump were followed, at long last, by the official inauguration of Joseph R. Biden as the 46th US President. Is all now going to be good with the first Philadelphia Eagles fan in the Oval Office? This and more in the latest AMERICANIST pod. Send an email to theamericanistpod@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

In the last AMERICANIST episode of the year, Mike gets all excited talking about the COVID-19 vaccines currently under development. Johannes shares what his small kids taught him during this crisis year. So what to expect from 2021? All in our latest pod. Subscribe and rate and send us an email to theamericanistpod@gmail.com ! Happy holidays and talk to you in 2021!

Thanksgiving is all about the Pilgrims and the Native Americans? Johannes shares a different historical truth behind America's most popular national holiday. It connects a belief in divine intervention with the American wars since 1776. As the two friends interpret the documents from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln, Mike shares his vision of an All-American Thanksgiving going forward. Email us to theamericanistpod@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter! Resources mentioned in the show: Congress 1777: https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.04001400/ Washington 1789: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091 Lincoln 1863: http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm Native American Thanksgiving: https://time.com/5457183/thanksgiving-native-american-holiday/ 

Two weeks after the election, Donald Trump has yet to concede his loss. Meanwhile, the Democratic party is debating the way forward: Should moderates or progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lead the way? Mike has traveled to his home state Maine to finally answer the question: Is he a liberal or a progressive? And Johannes remembers the German chancellor pulling a Trump on Election Night some years ago. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @AmericanistPod and email us to theamericanistpod@gmail.com !