America: The Story of the USA

Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast

This is your deep‑dive guide to how the United States became what it is today - politically, culturally, and socially. We unpack the pivotal moments, defining conflicts, influential leaders, and overlooked voices 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. . AD FREE & BONUS CONTENT: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa . GET THE NEWSLETTER: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.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. Who is Benjamin Franklin?

    3d ago

    Who is Benjamin Franklin?

    Benjamin Franklin is one of the most recognisable figures in the founding of America - a printer, scientist, diplomat, inventor, and political thinker whose life spanned continents and revolutions. But before he became a Founding Father, Franklin was a young runaway apprentice, a self‑made writer, and later a London resident who spent nearly two decades in the very house we’re recording this episode from. His story is one of ambition, curiosity, and transformation, and we are going to explore his life, career and influence in the years prior to the American Revolution. So in this episode, I’m asking… who is Benjamin Franklin? . Special Guest: Henry Wilkinson, the Head of Education at Benjamin Franklin House. He leads public programmes, historical interpretation, and research into Franklin’s London years, offering unique insight into how he lived, worked, and shaped ideas on both sides of the Atlantic. Visit Benjamin Franklin House: https://benjaminfranklinhouse.org/ . Highlights: 02:40 - Silence Dogood 10:18 - The Quakers and Poor Richard's Almanac 17:15 - Franklin Goes to London 25:29 - America's First Ambassador 28:08 - Franklin and Slavery 33:27 - Revolution is Coming 37:06 - Franklin's Legacy and Benjamin Franklin House 42:31 - WWBFD? . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com . Credits: Location Producer - Clara Burns Executive 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

    55 min
  2. Who is George Washington?

    Jun 30

    Who is George Washington?

    He is the most iconic figure in American history - the general who won the Revolution, the president who defined the office, and the man whose character became a national benchmark. But behind the myth was a complex human being shaped by ambition, discipline, and the contradictions of his time. He led America to its independence, defined the spirit and values of his new nation, and set precedents that have lasted to this day, some now codified in the constitution itself. But he was also not without his critics, and a man who participated in, and profited from, the institution of slavery. Today, we will explore his life from the early years in Virginia to the Revolution, the presidency, and his final years at Mount Vernon. So in this episode, I’m asking… who is George Washington? . Special Guest: Lindsay Chervinsky, Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, and author of The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution. Get the book: https://a.co/d/05PJXSlx . Highlights: 02:36 - The Third Child 06:10 - The Washingtons' Social Status 10:24 - He Was a Brit 16:01 - The Worst Thing About George 20:25 - From the Seven Years War to the Revolution 25:26 - The Turning Point 29:18 - Not the White House 34:37 - Presidents and Precedence 40:46 - A Life of Public Service 45:09 - Retirement and Legacy . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr
  3. In the Making: Does Trump Want a New Prime Minister in the UK

    Jun 25

    In the Making: Does Trump Want a New Prime Minister in the UK

    This week, as the UK's Prime Minister announces his resignation, we discuss what this means for the special relationship, and if Donald Trump will even care. Plus. the current status of the peace deal in Iran, and AP News have reported extreme levels of fentanyl entering the US. Joining me this week is Gina London, an Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent and global expert on leadership communications. . Stories: 05:26 - Fentanyl in the US 14:15 - Iran US Peace Talks 32:17 - Keir Starmer Resigns 48:18 - Unidentified Flying Potato . Sources: US and Iran peace talks: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/22/world/live-news/iran-war-trump-israel-lebanon-hnk Weapons of mass destruction: https://apnews.com/article/dea-fentanyl-unseized-drugs-new-mexico-8f5b546e668e5007c64078da74b90903 The next Prime Minister: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20y1zvg50lo Why did the UK PM resign: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qyllvpkw8o Potato shaped UFO sighting in Colorado: https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/16/giant-potato-shaped-ufo-sighting-revealed-new-batch-government-files-28796316/ . 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://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/americathestoryoftheusa Get in touch: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min

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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

This is your deep‑dive guide to how the United States became what it is today - politically, culturally, and socially. We unpack the pivotal moments, defining conflicts, influential leaders, and overlooked voices 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. . AD FREE & BONUS CONTENT: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa . GET THE NEWSLETTER: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.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

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