Why I launched a podcast to decode the U.S.A. for the world (and maybe a few Americans too.)
In my search for the real America - that elusive soul of the U.S.A. - I’ve come to realize, via miles traveled and steps walked, that the sheer size of this country makes it almost impossible to pin down a single description of America or its inhabitants. The landmass is so huge and geographically and culturally diverse that I’ve barely visited a fraction of the places I want to see in the decade I’ve called Atlanta, Georgia my home.
With the Presidential election looming, I’ve been struck by how many Americans feel unrepresented by the politicians and two political parties that dominate this gargantuan landscape. The words ‘politically homeless’ are thrown about a lot to describe a large chunk of the electorate.
Here in the South, and across the country, there are millions of good Americans who want the best for this country, who are dismayed by the loud extremism from the right and the left and who want to mend fences with fellow Americans after years of division.
I know a lot of good Americans - soldiers, teachers, politicians, writers, comedians, chefs, journalists, singers - and the conversations we have on this podcast will hopefully help to decode the choices Americans are making.
I travelled the world as an anchor and foreign correspondent for decades. I look at America through the lens of outsider and outlier, even though I live here. The only way to make sense of troubling times is to listen to everyone and, hopefully, laugh along the way.
Thanks for joining me,
Robyn
Good Americans
Lt. Gen Mark Hertling and Jason Kander
Lt. General Mark Hertling is a soldier, a thinker and a man who admits he cries at the ‘opening of a supermarket’ even though he won a Purple Heart for bravery.
When I was a CNN anchor, Mark and I spoke many times on air during battles, wars and terror attacks. I often wanted to chat to Mark after my show was over and listen to his stories.
Jason Kander 'sorta ran for President' in 2020 before checking himself into a military psychiatric ward for PTSD (he served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan.) Jason knows Kamala Harris and is still dialed into Washington politics from his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri where he runs a charity for homeless veterans.
Searching for America gives me the opportunity - and indulgence - to go back to some of the most interesting people I’ve interviewed and ask them the questions I didn’t get time to ask during breaking news.
What does it feel like knowing you’re willing to die for America? Why are military veterans treated with such reverence at baseball games and airports? Why do so many civilians dress in camouflage gear and carry weapons of war? Who is Kamala Harris? Who votes for Donald Trump?
I deliberately spoke to two army veterans over the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. 9/11 changed their lives and they can articulate what it means to be American right now with a unique perspective.
