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Artwork for America: The Story of the USA

America: The Story of the USA

Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast
Donald Trump
Civil Rights Movement
United States
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Trump
Disney
American Civil War
Santa Claus
Chinese Exclusion Act
Civil War
Christmas
California
American History
Racism
Iran
Immigration Policy
American Politics
American Culture
Electoral College

This is your deep‑dive guide to how the United States became what it is today - politically, culturally, and socially. We unpack the pivotal moments, defining conflicts, influential leaders, and overlooked voices that shaped, and continue to shape, the nation’s identity. Designed for curious listeners, students, educators, and lifelong learners, this series blends accessible storytelling with hist... more

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HistoryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for America: The Story of the USA

Latest Episodes

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Recent Guests

Andrew Gawthorpe
From Leiden University, focuses on foreign policy and politics of the US; hosts the excellent newsletter America Explained
Leiden University
Episode: In the Making: Is Trump Running out of Patience with Iran?
Tom Wright
Professor of history at the University of Sussex, specializes in 19th century American political culture and rhetoric
University of Sussex
Episode: How Did Speeches Win the American Civil War?
John Meagher
Ireland's answer to Joe Rogan, UK stand-up comedian and martial artist, guest commentator
Independent comedian/ commentator
Episode: In the Making: But Seriously... Is Donald Trump Ok?
Rachel Hartigan
Journalist, author, National Geographic contributor
National Geographic
Episode: What Happened to Amelia Earhart?
Kate Ballantyne
Senior Lecturer in American History
Liverpool John Moores University
Episode: In the Making: Trump Versus Education
Sian Round
Leverholm Early Career Fellow in English Literature at Swansea University
Swansea University
Episode: What is the Harlem Renaissance?
Chris Marvin
Gun suicide prevention expert and veteran lead at Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown for Gun Safety
Episode: In the Making: The Louisiana Shooting and America’s Gun Problem
Adam Burns
Head of politics at Brighton College and author/editor of Sports and the American Presidency
Brighton College; Sports and the American Presidency
Episode: Is American Sport Ruined by Politics?
Beck Krefting
Professor of American Studies and director of the Center for Leadership, Teaching and Learning at Skidmore College
Skidmore College
Episode: Why Don't Americans Get Sarcasm?

Host

Liam Heffernan
Host of the series and show, US political and history expert.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 33 ratings
  • Informative

    Great informative, interesting episode explaining US projects

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lesinbrenrford
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Excellent

    Engaging and informative. Good for people with not much knowledge of US history and politics, but also plenty of interesting material/discussions for those with more knowledge of these topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NGG1986!
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Brilliant informative podcast

    This is a great show. A Brit’s informed look at our American cousins’ way of life and history. Well researched and a really interesting listen!

    Loads about slavery in the first show that I had no idea about such as the myth of the North/ South divide

    Highly recommend 👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fatarchie
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Would recommend

    I’ve found the first two episodes really interesting. The experts have been engaging with the host asking pertinent questions. Looking forward to listening and learning more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LeedsTerrier
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Very Insightful

    An excellent new podcast for anyone interested in American history. An immediate follow from me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    maetheforcebewithyou
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners note high production quality and thoughtful guest selections.
Audience appreciates guests who provide scholarly context to current issues.
Many comments highlight well-researched episodes and clear explanations of complex topics.
Fans value the balance of history with contemporary politics in discussions.
Listeners praise the accessible yet rigorous historical analysis.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Happened to Amelia Earhart?
Q: What was the official conclusion about Earhart's disappearance?
The official stance was that she likely crashed into the ocean, with the government unable to determine the exact cause or location of the crash, but no definitive evidence has been found.
Who is Amelia Earhart?
Q: How did Earhart transition from a local pilot to a global icon?
Her ascent was fueled by a combination of unprecedented flying feats, strategic media engagement, and active advocacy for women's education, which transformed a specialty achievement into a broad cultural moment.
Is American Sport Ruined by Politics?
Q: Does politics ruin sport?
No, because the intertwinement of sport and politics has been a constant since sport's mass rise in the 20th century; controversy can drive viewership and revenue, while the underlying ties between nation, identity, and competition remain.
Why Don't Americans Get Sarcasm?
Q: What role does modern social media play in the evolution of humor and audience engagement?
Krefting argues that platforms like TikTok proliferate a wide range of styles and reduce the time needed to convey a joke, while algorithms drive ideological fragmentation; still, humor continues to reflect and shape cultural sensibilities in real time.
Why Don't Americans Get Sarcasm?
Q: How did new mass media transform comedy, and what stays constant across these shifts?
The guest notes that radio, film, and television amplified the reach of vaudeville and minstrelsy, creating a mediated, global audience for humor; yet across these shifts, humor remains a vehicle for identity formation, social critique, and negotiating power within American society.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About America: The Story of the USA

What is America: The Story of the USA about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show blends US history with contemporary politics and current events, offering historically grounded context for major moments in American life. Episodes feature expert historians, political analysts, and scholars who dissect topics from policing, civil rights, and imperial policy to media narratives and cultural shifts. A notable strength is the steady integration of academic perspectives with accessible storytelling, helping listeners connect past patterns to present-day debates. The format often centers on deep-dive case studies, supplemented by guest scholars who illuminate complex issues and invite broader reflection on how history informs policy and public discourse.

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Which podcasts are similar to America: The Story of the USA?

These podcasts share a similar audience with America: The Story of the USA:

1. Americast
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How many episodes of America: The Story of the USA are there?

America: The Story of the USA launched 3 years ago and published 236 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on America: The Story of the USA?

Recent guests on America: The Story of the USA include:

1. Andrew Gawthorpe
2. Tom Wright
3. John Meagher
4. Rachel Hartigan
5. Kate Ballantyne
6. Sian Round
7. Chris Marvin
8. Adam Burns

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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