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Artwork for Letters from an American

Letters from an American

Heather Cox Richardson
Donald Trump
Donald J. Trump
Trump Administration
Iran
Republican Party
Jeffrey Epstein
Congress
Abraham Lincoln
ICE
United States
Department Of Homeland Security
Russia
NATO
Venezuela
Affordable Care Act
Democratic Party
Department Of Justice
Civil War
Government Shutdown
Ukraine

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes762Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsHistoryPolitics

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Artwork for Letters from an American

Latest Episodes

The original Mothers’ Day originated with Julia Ward Howe reacting in the 1870’s to the horror of modern war. Women needed to seize political power from the men who allowed this scale of carnage. Throughout the Civil War, women had played a significa... more

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Trump & UFO stories. Meanwhile: Transportation Secretary misses months recording TV show, no bid contract for reflecting pool, real cost of war huge, FEMA only pays Republican states and ignores Democrat states, Trump ends air pollution restrictions,... more

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Tennessee divides its majority-Black 9th Congressional District into three districts that extend into white suburbs, turning all its districts into Republican seats. The NAACP has sued Tennessee to block the redistricting. Other Republican dominated ... more

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Government restricts satellite imagery from the press, to hide the extent of damage Iran did to our bases in war. More insider trading surrounds latest Trump announcement re war. Patel drinking and giving Ka$h Patel labeled bourbon bottles as swag.

more

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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

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
Kamala Harris
Vice President of the United States
U.S. Government
Episode: September 4, 2024

Host

Heather Cox Richardson
Host and Narrator; writes Letters from an American on Substack and leads the newsletter-backed podcast.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 7.8k ratings
  • HCR is one for the ages

    Basically working/living for the day when peace is restored; when people are no longer disappeared from our streets; when we can build sustaining equity for all. And when Heather Cox Richardson gets the Medal of Freedom.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Your Aunt Su-Su
    United States25 days ago
  • This is fabulous but…

    The exceedingly long sentences can be difficult to comprehend. One sentence will often contain many contexts, examples, timeframes.

    Makes me think of the saying ‘sorry for my long letter, I didn’t have time to write a short one’

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Boisin Berry
    Australiaa month ago
  • JCPOA

    Thank you President Obama

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Che Block
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great podcast

    This podcast has a lot of good information about the United States of America (or USA), as well as it’s allies like the United Kingdom (or UK). It is my hope that people listen to this podcast as soon as possible (or ASAP).

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Billybill1984
    United Statesa month ago
  • Super Important!Clean Straightforward Facts…

    … with minimal commentary. This is a great way to know what’s going on quickly, without all the bluster and spin. Excellent information. Concise, just the facts delivery.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    To T or not to Tee
    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 daily letters that weave history into current affairs, providing perspective beyond breaking news.
Audiences view it as a trusted, evidence-based source for US history and politics during turbulent times.
Listeners describe the show as highly informed and calmly delivered, with clear historical context that illuminates today's events.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#124
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#5
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#18
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#57
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#76
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?

Historically grounded analysis of current events, with a focus on how past political patterns shape today's headlines. Narrated with clear context and careful sourcing, episodes trace war powers, governance, and democracy in crisis, often weaving in constitutional debates, economic policy, and media dynamics. Noteworthy is the daily letter-style format that blends history with contemporary analysis, producing a steady, thoughtful perspective that appeals to listeners who want deeper context behind breaking news. The show stands out for its rigorous, evidence-based storytelling and its ability to connect long-running historical narratives to present-day decisions and consequences.

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How many listeners does Letters from an American get?

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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 Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
3. The Rachel Maddow Show
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 762 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

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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