What’s Left of the American Dream? A podcast by Walid Hajar Rachedi 

In a podcast series released at the end of April, Walid Hajar Rachedi examines the promises, contradictions, and realities of the American Dream in contemporary United States. Produced during his residency in Atlanta in spring 2025, the series features artists, activists, scholars, and residents reflecting on identity, race, migration, belonging, and inequality. 

Created during Rachedi’s residency with Villa Albertine from February to April 2025, the podcast combines personal storytelling with social observation, asking: who was the American Dream built for, and what remains of it today? 

During Rachedi’s childhood, America was an ideal, a symbol of hope. As the child of Algerian parents, figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Jordan, and the culture of hip-hop represented role models he admired. America seemed like a place where coming from elsewhere could be a strength, where ambition, courage and education were rewarded, and where diversity could be a source of pride. 

Yet the reality he encountered in 2025 was more complex. In this series of podcasts, Rachedi shares the microphone with Americans whose experiences are often overlooked. Their stories, combined with Rachedi’s personal reflections, offer a sharp portrait of contemporary American society, still marked by exclusion and inequality, while some peoples still try to make it a welcoming place for all  – ultimately raising the question: What remains of the American Dream?   

The podcast is presented by Friction, the bilingual digital media platform co-founded by Rachedi. The podcast is also available on Ausha and on every streaming platform.