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Artwork for Letters from an American

Letters from an American

Heather Cox Richardson
Donald J. Trump
Donald Trump
Iran
United States
Trump Administration
ICE
Republican Party
Department Of Homeland Security
Abraham Lincoln
Department Of Justice
NATO
Democratic Party
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Strait Of Hormuz
Civil War
World War II
Jeffrey Epstein
Venezuela
Congress
Greenland

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes840Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsHistoryPolitics

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Letters from an American

Latest Episodes

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

Politics Chat
Politics ChatHeather Cox Richardson
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The Rachel Maddow ShowRachel Maddow, MS NOW

Recent Guests

Jon Ossoff
U.S. Senator (Democrat, Georgia)
United States Senate
Episode: Trump’s Lies
Jay Clayton
Trump's nominee to oversee the US intelligence community as Director of National Intelligence
U.S. government (nominee)
Episode: Trump’s Lies
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

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 8.1k ratings
  • My favorite source of information

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dlovestoread
    United Statesa month ago
  • Defining the “isms”

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hattieky
    United Statesa month ago
  • Obnoxious drivel

    HCR has neither perspective or an historical education

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Peter Douche
    United States2 months ago
  • The right of conscience

    Heather Cox Richardson is a National Treasure, a light in the wilderness!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pinky in St Louis
    United States2 months ago
  • Present vs Past

    Heather Cox sharpens the blurred images of today’s political landscape with Historical parallels and analysis that makes sense!

    Thanks for your insight!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Acer 007
    United States2 months 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
#165
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#30
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#23
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#72
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#87
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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Letters from an American:

1. Politics Chat
2. The Best People with Nicolle Wallace
3. The Rachel Maddow Show
4. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
5. The Bulwark Podcast

How many episodes of Letters from an American are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Letters from an American?

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

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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