Can a dystopian novel help us predict America’s future? And what can we learn from an Italian ere shaped by an attention-seeking populist? Clare and Zim sit down with Adriano Tedde, Lecturer in Strategic and American Studies at Deakin’s Centre for Future Defence and National Security, to explore how Italy’s past mirrors modern America and how popular culture may act as a crystal ball for what lies ahead.

Welcome to Season Two of Presidency Upending!
In this first episode, Clare and Zim dive into the complexities of U.S. politics with one of America’s leading experts on election law, Professor Edward B. Foley from Ohio State University.

Foley offers historical context and clarity on some of the most perplexing features of American politics, from the Electoral College and campaign finance to the intricacies of social choice theory and the growing challenge of political polarisation.

The answer to which, Foley believes, may lie in the work of Melbourne’s very own Edward Nanson, a 19th-century professor whose innovative electoral system inspired Foley’s visit to Australia.

Learn more about Professor Foley’s research here:
👉 ERRN Working Paper 2025-1: Foley, Nanson’s Method and American Democracy

In this episode, Clare and Zim go meta by interviewing a podcast expert on their podcast. Maria Rae, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Policy at Deakin University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences has published extensively on the cultural influence of this burgeoning medium. Join Clare and Zim as they explore the many ways podcasts are shaping political discourse and pepper Maria with such burning questions as, "How are podcasts swaying the political leanings of the masses?" and "What can we do to get more followers?”

In this episode, Clare and Zim, academics from Deakin University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, dive into the complexities of the American election results and ask what another Trump presidency will mean for America, Australia and the world. They are joined by guest speaker, populism expert and Deakin's Executive Dean of Arts and Educations Professor Simon Tormey who provides some intriguing thoughts on what the upcoming US inauguration will mean for us all.

In this episode, political scientist Dr Zim Nwokora sits down with Associate Professor David Hundt to explore how the US election is stirring attention far beyond American borders. From public opinion in South Korea to media coverage in China and Japan, they discuss which candidate is favoured internationally, and what a Trump or Harris victory could mean for US-Asia relations.

In this fifth, special crossover episode of Presidency Pending and After America, Clare and Zim, joined by Dr Emma Shortis, discuss the coalitions of voters the Democratic and Republican parties are trying to balance and to coax out to vote. Together, they discuss whether reproductive rights will mobilise enough voters for Kamala Harris in key states and the role of Biden in the campaign.

In this episode of Presidency Pending, hosts Dr Clare Corbould and Dr Zim Nwokora delve into the complex history of presidential scandals, from Jefferson to Trump. They explore the evolving definitions of scandal in American politics, discussing how historical context, media influence, and partisan perspectives shape public reaction to misconduct. With a focus on Trump’s numerous controversies, they examine why some scandals resonate more than others and reflect on how today's polarized media landscape impacts public perception. This episode gives listeners a deeper look into the forces that determine which political controversies make lasting marks on history.

In this episode of Presidency Pending, Clare and Zim delve into the coded language of political campaigns, focusing on "dog whistling" – the subtle yet powerful signals used to appeal to specific voter groups without alienating others. They explore the history of this tactic, its role in modern US elections, and how it shapes discussions on race and immigration. With examples from both US and Australian politics, this episode reveals how dog whistling influences campaigns and the broader political landscape.