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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
United States
Trump Administration
Civil Rights Movement
Disney
Santa Claus
Iran
Christmas
California
Civil War
Trump
Kamala Harris
Immigration Policy
American History
Immigration
Chinese Exclusion Act
Voting Rights Act
Disneyland
Media Representation
Pocahontas

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes263Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsHistoryPolitics

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Artwork for America: The Story of the USA

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Thomas Jefferson spent his life imagining the future of the American republic. Not just its politics, but its culture, its knowledge, and its citizens.

After leaving the ... more

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Recent Guests

Andrew O'Shaughnessy
Historian of the Thomas Jefferson and the early American Republic
author of The Illimitable Freedom of the Human Mind
Episode: Why Did Thomas Jefferson Build a University?
Bill Bradley
Former U.S. Senator from New Jersey, former NBA player
U.S. Senate, Knicks
Episode: I Am... Bill Bradley
Clodagh Harrington
Host of A Chicken in Every Pot
University College Cork
Episode: In the Making: Trump, The World Cup, and Graham Platner
Henry Wilkinson
Head of education, Benjamin Franklin House
Benjamin Franklin House
Episode: Who is Benjamin Franklin?
Lindsay Chervinsky
Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library and author
George Washington Presidential Library / Mount Vernon
Episode: Who is George Washington?
Gina London
Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent and global expert on leadership communications
Gina London/Leadership Communications
Episode: In the Making: Does Trump Want a New Prime Minister in the UK
Liam Heffernan
Host of America: The Story of the USA, a history podcast
Mercury Podcasts / America: The Story of the USA
Episode: PastMaster Feed Drop: Make America Great – The "true" story of the founding of the USA, ft Liam Heffernan
Stephen Colbrook
Author of Patchwork Pandemic, State Politics and the Fractured US Response to HIV AIDS
Author
Episode: What Was the AIDS Epidemic?
Kate Ballantyne
Senior Lecturer in American History at Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moores University
Episode: In the Making: Why Does the White House Care So Much About UK Politics?

Host

Liam Heffernan
Host of the show, presenting news and analysis on American history and politics

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 35 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.

Engaging host with thoughtful interviews and strong guest selection.
A Brit's informed take on American history and politics with high scholarly standards.
Insightful, well-researched analysis that helps non-experts understand US history.
Great for listeners seeking depth beyond surface-level history.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#118
Denmark/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who is Benjamin Franklin?
Q: What was Benjamin Franklin's biggest strength and biggest failing?
His greatest strength lay in his relentless curiosity and willingness to learn from others, using those insights to inform his own practices and advance social good, while his greatest failing was arguably his inability to prevent the union from fraying with Britain, a shortcoming tied to his personal life and commitments.
In the Making: War! What is it Good For?
Q: Why is the Middle East situation described as unstable and potentially escalating?
Because both Iran and the U.S. have shown willingness to escalate with strikes and threats, while domestic political pressures and international alliances complicate any path to de-escalation.
In the Making: War! What is it Good For?
Q: What is the immediate political consequence of Graham's death?
The hosts discuss the sudden vacancy in the Senate, the procedural questions about replacement, and the potential shifts in foreign policy balance depending on who wins the seat.
Why Did Thomas Jefferson Build a University?
Q: How did he manage funding and political support to get UVA built?
He used political acumen to persuade the legislature and stakeholders, including manipulating sequencing of costs and projects, and framing the university as essential to Virginia's greatness, even amidst backlash over expense.
Why Did Thomas Jefferson Build a University?
Q: What was Jefferson's core vision for the university and how did it differ from existing institutions?
He envisioned a secular, elective, village-campus that emphasized broad liberal learning, freedom of inquiry, and debate, with students choosing majors and a structure that encouraged intellectual discussion rather than clerical control.

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?

A historically focused series that unpacks pivotal moments, leaders, and enduring themes shaping the United States. Episodes blend accessible storytelling with scholarly context, covering politics, culture, and social change through deep dives, debates, and expert perspectives. Noteworthy elements include cross-Atlantic academic collaboration, in-depth examinations of constitutional and civil rights issues, and a history-forward lens on contemporary questions. The show is likely to appeal to curious listeners—students, educators, policymakers, and history enthusiasts—seeking rigorous analysis presented in an engaging narrative format.

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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. In Our Time
2. The News Agents
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. The Rest Is Politics: US
5. Empire: World History

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

America: The Story of the USA launched 3 years ago and published 263 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 O'Shaughnessy
2. Bill Bradley
3. Clodagh Harrington
4. Henry Wilkinson
5. Lindsay Chervinsky
6. Gina London
7. Liam Heffernan
8. Stephen Colbrook

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