"Where were you when you heard the news?" Katty and Carlos kick off this week's episode examining the impact of President Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis and what it means for the presidential election in November. They move onto the death of George Floyd and the recent grand jury decision not to charge police officers with the killing of Breonna Taylor. With race relations in America back at boiling point, the country is being forced to confront a painful history which includes slavery and oppression. Joining Katty and Carlos are Christina Greer, professor of political science at Fordham University, and the award winning South African journalist Justice Malala.

Editor: Penny Murphy

Produced by Sandra Kanthal, Viv Jones and Maeve McGoran, with reporting from Suzanne Kianpour

Mixed by Nigel Appleton

Katty and Carlos open the series with a bold and difficult question: has America been humbled by the Covid-19 pandemic? The US has reached the grim milestone of 200,000 coronavirus deaths and more than 6.8 million people are known to have been infected, more than in any other country. Many Americans were blindsided by how badly the country has been hit. Has this created a dent in the idea of American exceptionalism? And if so, how can the nation recover its self-confidence?

Katty and Carlos are joined by former Republican Senator Jeff Flake and New York Times Pentagon correspondent Helene Cooper.

Produced by Sandie Kanthal, Viv Jones and Maeve McGoran, with reporting from Suzanne Kianpour.

Every debate begins with introductions. In this unprecedented US election year, Katty and Carlos explore fresh perspectives on America’s future.

In recent months, tens of thousands of Americans have lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic and thousands have taken to the streets demanding social justice. This race will determine the future of the country, and possibly the world, for much longer than four years.