America: The Story of the USA

Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast
  • 3.7 (7)
  • History
  • Updated Daily

SOTUS is your deep‑dive guide to how the United States became what it is today. From George Washington to Donald Trump, we unpack the people, places and events that shaped, and continue to shape, the nation’s identity. Designed for curious listeners, students, educators, and lifelong learners, this series blends accessible storytelling with historically grounded insight to help you understand not just what happened in America’s past, but why it still matters now. If you want a clear, compelling, and richly narrated journey through U.S. history, this is the podcast that brings the American story to life. Made in partnership with the British Association for American Studies. . JOIN THE COMMUNITY: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community GET THE NEWSLETTER: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ BRANDS & ADVERTISING: liam@mercurypodcasts.com . America: A History is a part of the Mercury Podcast Network, hosted by your resident US expert Liam Heffernan, in partnership with The British Association for American Studies: baas.ac.uk

  1. 9h ago

    Study Notes: The Founding Fathers

    America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today, The Founding Fathers - who they were, how they came together, what they believed, and why they remain so consequential to the creation of the United States. . America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Study Notes: The Founding Fathers

  2. 1d ago

    In the Making: AI, Death Row, and College Football

    This week, tech bros unite to sign an accord that means they pinky promise to not destroy humanity with AI. The likes of OpenAI, Meta, Google and Elon Musk's xAI have agreed to create more robust internal checks on themselves, after OpenAI announced the postponement of their latest model due to safety failures. Meanwhile, Google are launching AI satellites into orbit, with Elon Musk's help, which is reassuring. Plus, the Senate pass new laws giving college athletes more earning potential, while on the same day Donald Trump and Linda McMahon reverse Biden-era definitions of sexual misconduct, essentially removing protections for women and the LGBTQ+ community. And, new DNA evidence has exonerated a man who was spent nearly 40 years on Death Row. To discuss this, I am joined by Jared Bahir Browsh, a cultural historian, commentator and author from the University of Colorado Boulder. He studies the relationship between culture, money, power, and identity in the United States, specifically focused on sport and pop culture. . JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 01:48 - Media Ban Update 06:16 - Protect College Sports Act 19:21 - Sexual Misconduct Laws 24:34 - AI Accord 46:43 - Death Row Inmate Freed . News Sources: Trump reinstates sexual misconduct rule: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/28/trump-administration-finalizes-repeal-of-biden-era-title-ix-rule-01094990  OpenAI halts release of new model: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/openai-halts-release-next-generation-223702291.html  SpaceX launch prototype Google AI satellite: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/spacex-launching-prototype-google-ai-satellite-next-week/ar-AA2cXFTd?ocid=BingNewsSerp  Tech firms sign AI governance accord: https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-anthropic-musk-595796511f110fc006cca0d01329733e  Utah man freed after nearly 40 years on death row: https://apnews.com/article/utah-death-row-douglas-carter-eva-olesen-10c0bf7603c87b214e0179ecf7a4be94  Senate overwhelmingly passes Protect College Sports Act: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/rep/release/senate-overwhelmingly-passes-protect-college-sports-act/  Trump reinstates sexual misconduct rules: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/28/trump-administration-finalizes-repeal-of-biden-era-title-ix-rule-01094990 . America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ Join the community: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In the Making: AI, Death Row, and College Football

  3. 3d ago

    Democracy Part I - What Does Democracy Mean?

    When Americans talk about democracy, they often invoke the Founding Fathers, the Revolution, and the Constitution. But the United States did not begin as a fully democratic nation, and the framers themselves disagreed profoundly about what democracy meant and how it should be structured. The Revolution was a fight against monarchy, but it was also a moment of contradiction: a struggle for liberty in a society that permitted slavery, limited political participation, and feared the dangers of popular rule. The framers built a republic that blended democratic principles with safeguards against what they saw as instability and faction. Today, we explore how the United States chose its form of government, what alternatives were possible, and how those early choices still shape American politics. So in this episode, in the first of a four part special, I’m asking… what does democracy mean? . Special Guests: Lindsay Chervinsky, one of the leading historians of the early American republic and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library. . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Highlights: 02:16 - What Did Democracy Mean to the Framers? 08:35 - Is the American Revolution Radical? 12:29 - The Articles of Confederation 16:16 - State vs Federal Governance 21:12 - Passions of the Mob 25:57 - Vice President vs Deputy Prime Minister 30:59 - Different Types of Democracy 37:02 - Gerry Mandering & King George 42:40 - What Does Democracy Mean to Americans Today? 46:19 - Trust in Democracy . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Team SOTUS: ⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠community Brands & advertisers: matt@mercurypodcasts.com . Credits: Producer - Liam Heffernan Host - Liam Heffernan Editor - Liam Heffernan In Partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Democracy Part I - What Does Democracy Mean?

  4. Sep 25

    Study Notes: The Presidents - James K. Polk (1845-1849)

    America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today, the eleventh President of the United States, James K. Polk - his election, his presidency, his key achievements and controversies, and his lasting legacy. . America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Study Notes: The Presidents - James K. Polk (1845-1849)

  5. Sep 24

    In the Making: Is Greenland One Step Closer to US Statehood?

    This week, as the US and Denmark agree a landmark deal to increase national security, NATO and the world are celebrating... but is this just the start for Donald Trump? Plus, Pete Hegseth's time as Secretary of Defense/War might be about to come to an end, so he'll never see the big Arc-du-Trump being built in Washington, now complete with drones and snipers. Plus, the banning of CNN, Politico and others from the White House is backfiring in spectacular fashion. To discuss this, I am joined by Ira Chaleff, author of To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers. . JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 02:01 - Countdown to the Midterms 08:19 - Arc-du-Trump avec Drones et Snipers 13:16 - The Greenland Deal 24:18 - Pete Hegseth 35:08 - White House News Ban . News Sources: To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers to Make or Brake a Toxic Leader by Ira Chaleff: https://a.co/d/0j2S9Aur  Midterm early voting officially kicks off: https://apnews.com/article/early-voting-midterms-congress-10a3e620ce194144ce1af5e9d4fb6786  Trump’s Washington Arc to Include Drones and Snipers: https://www.military.com/trump-plans-turn-washington-arch-into-military-complex-with-drones-snipers-ammunition  US and Denmark Agree Security Deal Over Greenland: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c63d7lexyym1o  Pete Hegseth in Crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/05/pete-hegseth-pentagon-military  Trump bans CNN and Politico from White House: https://time.com/article/2026/09/18/trump-bans-3-news-organizations-from-white-house/ . America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ Join the community: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In the Making: Is Greenland One Step Closer to US Statehood?

  6. Sep 22

    How did JFK and Eleanor Roosevelt Become Allies?

    When John F. Kennedy entered national politics, Eleanor Roosevelt was already one of the most influential women in American history - a former First Lady, diplomat, activist, and moral conscience of the Democratic Party. Their relationship began with skepticism, tension, and even open criticism. She questioned his commitment to civil rights, doubted his independence from his father, and worried he lacked the moral seriousness required of a president. Kennedy, in turn, saw her as a towering figure of the old Democratic coalition whose approval he needed but whose expectations were difficult to meet. And yet, over time, these two very different leaders - separated by generation, temperament, and political style - became allies. So in this episode, we explore how that transformation happened, what it meant for the Democratic Party, and why their partnership still matters, as I ask… how did JFK and Eleanor Roosevent become allies? . Special Guests: Barbara Perry, one of America’s leading scholars of the presidency and political leadership. She has written extensively on the Roosevelts, the Kennedys, and the evolution of Democratic politics. Her new book, Reconcilable Differences, offers the most detailed account yet of the unlikely alliance between Eleanor Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Highlights: 02:10 - Reconcilable Differences 05:50 - The Joe Kennedy Legacy 10:01 - Eleanor's Influence 16:50 - A Historic Meeting 26:26 - A Mutual Admiration 32:03 - Employing Eleanor Roosevelt 36:55 - JFK's Political Agenda 41:04 - Eleanor's Impact on Civil Rights Reform 45:02 - Shaping the Future of the Democratic Party 49:56 - Coalition Building in a Fractured Political Landscape . Reading List: Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt by Barbara Perry: https://a.co/d/02RBVZQ1 . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Team SOTUS: ⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠community Brands & advertisers: matt@mercurypodcasts.com . Credits: Producer - Liam Heffernan Host - Liam Heffernan Editor - Liam Heffernan In Partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How did JFK and Eleanor Roosevelt Become Allies?

  7. Sep 18

    Study Notes: 10 Great American Novels You Should Read

    America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today, 10 Great American Novels You Should Read, in no particular order. For each book, we’ll explore what it’s about, why it matters, and what makes it such a defining piece of American literature. . America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Study Notes: 10 Great American Novels You Should Read

  8. Sep 17

    In the Making: AI and the Threat of Human Extinction

    This week, as a senior staffer at Anthropic - the owner of Chat GPT - sparks fears that robots could wipe out the human race, we discuss the advancement of AI and why every country except the USA appears to want to do something about it. Plus, the Kennedy Centre shuts its doors for two years for renovation work, and the Supreme Court has rejected President Trump's proposed restrictions on mail-in ballots, including the creation of a national voter list. And, Mitch McConnell rises from the alleged dead and returns to the Senate after three months. To discuss this, I am joined by SCOTUS and US Constitution expert Emma Long from the University of East Anglia, and tech expert Will Guyatt. . JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 02:23 - SCOTUS strike down Trump's mail-in vote changes 12:39 - The Kennedy Centre closes 19:42 - Is AI about to take over the world? 42:04 - The AI and the US Constitution 59:18 - Mitch McConnell Rises! . News Sources: Kennedy Center board vote to close for renovations: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trumps-handpicked-kennedy-center-board-votes-close-venue-renovations-rcna597921  Trump attacks SCOTUS after they shoot down his mail-in vote restrictions: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yjpdy4gjlo  Mitch McConnell returns: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/14/mitch-mcconnell-return-senate  Russia and China AI misuse: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/anthropic-says-russian-and-chinese-threat-actors-used-claude-as-a-weapons-engineering-assistant-for-drone-swarming-and-more/ar-AA2c2cjA?ocid=BingNewsSerp . America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ Join the community: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    In the Making: AI and the Threat of Human Extinction
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3.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

SOTUS is your deep‑dive guide to how the United States became what it is today. From George Washington to Donald Trump, we unpack the people, places and events that shaped, and continue to shape, the nation’s identity. Designed for curious listeners, students, educators, and lifelong learners, this series blends accessible storytelling with historically grounded insight to help you understand not just what happened in America’s past, but why it still matters now. If you want a clear, compelling, and richly narrated journey through U.S. history, this is the podcast that brings the American story to life. Made in partnership with the British Association for American Studies. . JOIN THE COMMUNITY: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community GET THE NEWSLETTER: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/ BRANDS & ADVERTISING: liam@mercurypodcasts.com . America: A History is a part of the Mercury Podcast Network, hosted by your resident US expert Liam Heffernan, in partnership with The British Association for American Studies: baas.ac.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    292
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mercury Podcasts

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