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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
Civil Rights Movement
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Trump
Disney
Santa Claus
Chinese Exclusion Act
Christmas
California
Iran
Civil War
Immigration Policy
American History
American Civil War
Racism
Electoral College
American Politics
Immigration

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes254Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsHistory

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Artwork for America: The Story of the USA

Latest Episodes

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Recent Guests

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?
Colleen Shogan
Former Archivist of the United States
National Archives and Records Administration
Episode: What is the National Archive?
Gary Gallagher
Leading historian of the Civil War era, professor at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Episode: How Did the Civil War End?
Sir Vince Cable
Former business secretary, former leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, knight of the realm
Liberal Democrats (UK)
Episode: In the Making: What’s the Fuss About the Enhanced Games?
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?

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
#224
Poland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Was the AIDS Epidemic?
Q: How did federalism shape the public health response to AIDS in the 1980s?
The guest explains that state and local governments often led the response, with varying levels of resources and different policies, creating geographic inequities; the federal government's role grew later, particularly with legislation like the Ryan White Act to supplement funding and delivery through non-profits.
How Did the Civil War End?
Q: what do you think was the single defining moment or factor that actually won the Civil War?
Appomattox is the moment that many historians point to as the end of the war, because with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia out of the fight, the Confederacy lost its central military capability, making a negotiated reunification the only viable path forward.
How Did the Civil War End?
Q: could you start by talking us through what the decisive military events were that made defeat inevitable for the Confederacy?
The decisive events included the end of the Siege of Petersburg, the fall of Richmond, and particularly the Battle of Five Forks, which forced Lee to abandon Petersburg and Petersburg's defense, leading to his attempted retreat and eventual surrender at Appomattox.
What is the National Archive?
Q: Colleen, you've given us a very comprehensive explanation as to how the archives works and selects material. But in terms of its broader social value, how does the archive contribute to society?
The Archives act as a cultural institution and a democratic public trust, ensuring transparency and accountability by making records accessible to researchers, journalists, and the public, which in turn informs future elections and helps people understand government actions and historical context.
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.

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

America: The Story of the USA launched 3 years ago and published 254 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. Liam Heffernan
2. Stephen Colbrook
3. Kate Ballantyne
4. Colleen Shogan
5. Gary Gallagher
6. Sir Vince Cable
7. Andrew Gawthorpe
8. Tom Wright

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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