
Heather Cox Richardson's narrated newsletter about the history behind today's politics. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 840 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsHistoryPolitics | |||

July 30, 2026
Sixty years ago, Medicare and Medicaid went into effect, Congress had amended the Social Security Act of 1935 to establish the two national health insurance programs, for seniors and for people who qualified on the basis of income, In ... more
July 29, 2026
Trump’s approval ratings, on the economy, inflation, gas prices, and his priorities, are sinking to 30% and below. 72% disapprove of his handling of the situation in Iran, There are significant pockets of disapproval even among Trump’s... more
July 27, 2026
The administration is attempting to rewrite the history of the US, It argues that the US was founded as a white nation, an echo of 1930s German ideology, The White House issued a report saing that the National Museum of American Histor... more
July 26, 2026
Trump and his allies are acting as if the Constitution doesn’t exist, Their actions align with the strategy of Nazi political theorist Carl Schmitt, Schmitt’s philosophy centered around the idea that power belongs to the man who can ex... more
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My dad and I used to read and discuss the daily comic Calvin and Hobbes. Before he died, we would sometimes discuss HCR and he borrowed my copy of Democracy Awakening. Thank you Heather for your recounting of history, whether it’s from our country’s beginning or yesterday’s events, you are straight forward without drama.
Every voter —including DJ Trump —should review Heather’s clear definitions of communism, socialism and capitalism. I’m attracted to Democratic Socialism because I want national single-payer Medicare for All. Looking at our inhumane and broken system, one realizes Health care is something we can’t do for ourselves.
HCR has neither perspective or an historical education
Heather Cox Richardson is a National Treasure, a light in the wilderness!
Heather Cox sharpens the blurred images of today’s political landscape with Historical parallels and analysis that makes sense!
Thanks for your insight!
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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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Letters from an American launched 2 years ago and published 840 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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Recent guests on Letters from an American include:
1. Jon Ossoff
2. Jay Clayton
3. Doug Jones
4. Gavin Newsom
5. Liza Donnelly
6. Alex Padilla
7. J.B. Pritzker
8. Antony Blinken
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