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

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 could identify with more than white French figures. 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 is far removed from that promise. Set during the early months of Donald Trump’s second term, the podcast captures a country marked by deep inequality. Migrants face criminalization and threats of deportation, exploitation remains widespread while student debt no longer guarantees a decent job. 

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, marked by exclusion and injustice, 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: Frictions – “What’s Left of the American Dream?”.