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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
Department Of Homeland Security
ICE
Abraham Lincoln
Republican Party
Department Of Justice
Civil War
Strait Of Hormuz
NATO
World War II
Democratic Party
Gerrymandering
Trump
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Jeffrey Epstein
Russia

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes858Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsHistoryNews

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Artwork for Letters from an American

Latest Episodes

August 18, 2026

On August 18, 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, It gave the right to vote to women, The push for rights for women had taken root during the Civil War, But the Fourteenth Amendment tied the right to vote... more

August 17, 2026

Trump is flooding social media with his fantasies about his prowess, Trump claimed credit for falling pharmaceutical prices that are largely the result of the Inflation Reduction Act voted in under the Biden administration, He claims... more

YouTube

August 16, 2026

130 years ago, on August 16, 1896, gold was found in the remote Yukon Territory of Canada, The creek where it was found would come to be known as Bonanza Creek, Tens of thousands of men rushed to the Yukon to seek their fortunes, Man... more

YouTube

August 15, 2026

Todd Blanche took the oath of office as attorney general on August 10, He immediately issued a memo dramatically expanding executive privilege, This expansion will hinder efforts to investigate Trump’s corruption, Independent journal... 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.

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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 8.2k 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 States2 months 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 States2 months 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
#146
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#25
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#74
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#77
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 Rachel Maddow Show
3. The Best People with Nicolle Wallace
4. The Bulwark Daily
5. The MeidasTouch Podcast

How many episodes of Letters from an American are there?

Letters from an American launched 3 years ago and published 858 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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