Episode 1: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?

The podcast explores the anxieties underlying the 2016 election, focusing on the question of American identity and who is considered an American. It examines the motivations of voters, particularly white Americans, who supported Donald Trump. The episode introduces Patty Dwyer, a Long Island respiratory therapist and Trump supporter, and Leni, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic facing her husband's potential deportation. Patty's journey from Obama supporter to Trump advocate is explored through her personal experiences with rising property taxes, drug issues in her community, and her son's addiction. Leni's story highlights the aggressive deportation policies under the Obama administration, which have affected many immigrants with low-level offenses. The podcast sets up a contrast between two perspectives on the American Dream.