America, Actually with Astead Herndon

The 2026 midterms are in the rearview mirror, but the electoral map tells only half the story.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo caption: President Donald Trump arrives at a midterm campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa. Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images

You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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Don’t call it a blue wave. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore outlines what a winning Democratic playbook actually looks like.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo credit: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in New York City. Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images.

You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now.

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Political strategist David Axelrod discusses how the new wave of congressional Democrats can deliver the affordability relief voters need while facing President Trump.

This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Special thanks to Kasia Broussalian.

You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now.

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Ahead of the midterm elections, we look at Republicans’ closing arguments and whether MAGA’s loyalty to President Trump will help the party win the most critical races.

This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian , fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.

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Nevada is in many ways “ground zero” for this year’s midterms. The state swung to the right in 2024 and voted for Donald Trump. Now, many voters there are grappling with buyer’s remorse.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo caption: Vox’s Astead Herndon joins volunteers from the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union canvassing before the midterm election. Photo by Pavel Gazdyuk.

You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.

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