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Artwork for Letters from an American

Letters from an American

Heather Cox Richardson
Donald J. Trump
Donald Trump
Iran
Trump Administration
United States
Republican Party
Abraham Lincoln
ICE
Department Of Homeland Security
Russia
Department Of Justice
NATO
Jeffrey Epstein
Civil War
Congress
Venezuela
Santa Claus
Trump
Wounded Knee Massacre
Ukraine

Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

PublishesDailyEpisodes800Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsHistory

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Artwork for Letters from an American

Latest Episodes

June 17, 2026

The details of the 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran are revealed, It has a lot of firm language, most of it seemingly granting Iran everything it wanted, The MOU commits the US and its “allies” to stop military operations... more

June 16, 2026

Only 16% of Americans think the UFC Fight at the White House was appropriate, Kash Patel announces that the FBI had foiled a plot to attack the UFC fight, seemingly rushing to announce information that the Secret Service did not plan t... more

Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

June 14, 2026

On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army, The Battles of Lexington and Concord had made it clear that the British government endangered American liberties, Congress then named Virginia planter ... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Politics Chat
Politics ChatHeather Cox Richardson
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Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
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The Rachel Maddow ShowRachel Maddow, MS NOW

Recent Guests

Doug Jones
Former US Senator from Alabama.
Episode: December 12, 2025
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
State of California
Episode: Live with Heather Cox Richardson
Liza Donnelly
Writer and cartoonist, known for her work in humor and political commentary.
Cartoonist for The New Yorker
Episode: Chatting with Liza Donnelly
Alex Padilla
Senator from California and highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety.
U.S. Senate
Episode: June 12, 2025
J.B. Pritzker
Governor of Illinois and Democratic leader
Illinois State Government
Episode: April 28, 2025
Antony Blinken
Former Secretary of State
Episode: March 1, 2025
Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine, known for his leadership during the ongoing conflict with Russia
Ukrainian Government
Episode: February 28, 2025
JD Vance
Vice President of the United States, involved in controversial discussions regarding Ukraine
United States Government
Episode: February 28, 2025
Tim Walz
Governor of Minnesota
State of Minnesota
Episode: September 4, 2024

Host

Heather Cox Richardson
Host and narrator; historian and author frequently presenting long-form, historical analyses tied to current events; creator of the series and writer-reader for many segments.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 7.9k ratings
  • Love the banjo music

    I learn something new from Heathers letters and YouTube every time I listen.

    There is no doubt she is a very wise soul. I’m grateful for all you do! Keep the banjo music please!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Truthseeker6677
    United States25 days ago
  • Amazing

    I love this show so much, and I would love to see it continue

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mitsurigooner
    United Statesa month ago
  • Banjo music is no good

    For the love of God, get rid of the banjo music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United Statesa month ago
  • Required listening for Lincoln Republicans and everyone else

    Thought provoking and well researched daily commentary on the state of American democracy through a historical lens.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FanciMabes
    United Statesa month ago
  • A must listen

    Don’t miss this amazing podcast. A must listen everyday.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emilyblue
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many value the calm, informative approach that ties headlines to history.
Listeners consistently praise the host's factual, historically grounded context and clear delivery.
Some comments note the impact of audio quality, but still praise the content's rigor and usefulness for understanding current events.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#159
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#27
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#21
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#68
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#82
United Kingdom/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

October 31, 2025
Q: If we come to November 1st, and these contingency funds haven't been released, will you call on your Democratic colleagues to reopen the government?
Ngoos stated that this is a fair characterization of the situation and highlighted the lawlessness of the Trump administration regarding the release of SNAP funds for families.
Live with Heather Cox Richardson
Q: What should the American people be doing to support the Democratic Project right now?
The antidote to cynicism and fear is active participation and expression of individual agency.
March 1, 2025
Q: Was the idea of spreading democracy without colonialism a deliberate strategy of the Biden administration?
Yes, the administration aimed to promote self-determination while working with various countries, not strictly democracies.
March 1, 2025
Q: What did the Biden administration and the State Department under the Biden administration change in our foreign policy and why does it matter?
Blinken outlines significant shifts towards rebuilding alliances and promoting democratic values globally.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Letters from an American

What is Letters from an American about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Sharp, historically grounded commentary that connects past events to today's political climate. Episodes frequently examine power dynamics, democratic norms, and accountability through a historical lens, weaving archival context with current events and legal/policy developments. Noteworthy for a calm, lecture-style narration that consistently ties contemporary headlines to foundational American history, offering listeners a rigorous, context-rich perspective often missing from daily news. The show is especially helpful for listeners who want a deeper understanding of how history informs present-day politics and governance, with a distinctive emphasis on civic literacy and democratic ideals.

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Which podcasts are similar to Letters from an American?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Letters from an American:

1. Politics Chat
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Pod Save America
4. The Bulwark Podcast
5. The Rachel Maddow Show

How many episodes of Letters from an American are there?

Letters from an American launched 2 years ago and published 800 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 Letters from an American?

Recent guests on Letters from an American include:

1. Doug Jones
2. Gavin Newsom
3. Liza Donnelly
4. Alex Padilla
5. J.B. Pritzker
6. Antony Blinken
7. Volodymyr Zelensky
8. JD Vance

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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