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Artwork for Letters from an American

Letters from an American

Heather Cox Richardson
Donald Trump
Roe V. Wade
Joe Biden
Congress
Abortion Rights
Arizona Supreme Court
2024 Election
Constitutional Amendment
Civil War
Legislation
1864 Arizona Law
Political Sentiment In Arizona
Abortion
Voting Rights
Judge Reggie Walton
Judge Juan Merchant
Ukraine
United States
Russia
Charlottesville

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes704Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsHistory

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Letters from an American

Latest Episodes

March 10, 2026

Administration gives a classified briefing to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senators express frustration with the insistence that information is not being made available to the American people, Senators protest decisions to wag... more

March 9, 2026

Trump had no plan for what would happen in Iran, Initial strikes killed the people the administration thought could take over in Iran, Stopping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has set off an energy crisis so severe it is threateni... more

March 8, 2026

Trump wears baseball cap to ceremony returning remains of soldiers killed in Iran, Fox News displays the wrong footage of ceremony, White House portrays events in Iran as entertainment, Administration embraces myth of cowboy individual... more

YouTube

March 7, 2026

Trump switches to a demand for unconditional surrender by Iran, Americans continue to be stranded in the Middle East as war spreads through the region, Violence appears to be the point in Iran war, Hegseth warns representatives from La... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
State of California
Episode: Live with Heather Cox Richardson
Doug Jones
Former U.S. Senator from Alabama
United States Senate
Episode: September 14, 2025
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
Writer and historical commentator, known for her insights into U.S. politics and history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 7.3k ratings
  • TY

    I enjoy Heather Cox Richardson, or HCR, when she gives her commentary of the day, or COD. lol.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United States12 days ago
  • Just the facts.

    In a world of alternative facts, Heather pitches in with historic background to document the proceeding of today’s events. Her record will serve as a blow-by-blow accounting of how we got here, and perhaps where we’re going. My only complaint is the episodes land on my feed a day or two after an event she’s recording, which in today’s news cycle feels like old news, but the perspective is still relevant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrumboyJim
    United States13 days ago
  • Stellar historical information

    Very much appreciated information

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Swrunningmom
    United States13 days ago
  • Even better in her own voice

    Can’t imagine surviving this moment in history without our National Treasure, Historian and Professor HCR! A true gift for all democracy loving Americans.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AClovesmusic
    United States17 days ago
  • History made relevant to today’s headlines

    Thank you for being a source of information in a time of turmoil. It’s so helpful to see today in the context of our history.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BBarbara!
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the clear and concise reporting, stating it provides vital context for understanding contemporary political issues.
Listeners highly praise the insightful and thought-provoking content, often noting the host's ability to connect history with current events.
Some comments suggest that while the perspectives offered are valuable, there are claims of bias, with certain listeners perceiving it as overly left-leaning.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#139
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#27
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#22
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#70
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#79
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?

This podcast offers a narrative format centered on the historical context of contemporary politics, primarily focusing on U.S. political events and figures. The host, known for her insightful commentary, connects recent developments to historical precedents, providing listeners with a broader understanding of the political landscape. Episodes cover a range of significant topics, including military actions, political campaigns, civil rights, and the implications of political rhetoric, often highlighting the actions and policies of former President Donald Trump. Unique in its approach, the series often intertwines historical lessons with current events, encouraging listeners to reflect on the lessons of the past as they pertain to today's pol... more

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1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The Rachel Maddow Show
3. The Bulwark Podcast
4. The MeidasTouch Podcast
5. The Best People with Nicolle Wallace

How many episodes of Letters from an American are there?

Letters from an American launched 2 years ago and published 704 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. Gavin Newsom
2. Doug Jones
3. Liza Donnelly
4. Alex Padilla
5. J.B. Pritzker
6. Antony Blinken
7. Volodymyr Zelensky
8. JD Vance

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