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. In the Making: The Louisiana Shooting and America’s Gun Problem

    6H AGO

    In the Making: The Louisiana Shooting and America’s Gun Problem

    This week, we focus on the recent shootings in Shreveport Louisiana, and what this could mean for gun law reform in the USA. We speak to Chris Marvin at Everytown for Gun Safety about the escalating number of gun violence deaths, and the 'thoughts and prayers' response from the speaker and state governor. Plus, we discuss Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO and the possible political implications. We take a look at The Onion's renewed quest to buy InfoWars. And Maryland are the first state to introduce laws against dynamic pricing, so are eggs finally going to get cheaper?! The guest today is Emma Long, an Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia. . Stories Mentioned: Louisiana shooting: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/mass-shooting-eight-children-dead-louisiana-b2960649.html  More than one mass shooting a day: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/19/us/shreveport-louisiana-shooting  Gun violence data: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/05/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/  Tim Cook steps down: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/20/tim-cook-stepping-down-as-apple-ceo-john-ternus-taking-over/  The Onion still wants to buy Infowars: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgr7dw55lwo  Maryland ban surveillance pricing: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/maryland-to-become-first-us-state-to-ban-surveillance-pricing/ . 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

    1h 2m
  2. Is American Sport Ruined by Politics?

    2D AGO

    Is American Sport Ruined by Politics?

    Sport is often described as the great American escape; a place where the rules are clear, the stakes are simple, and the drama unfolds on the field rather than in the halls of power. But in reality, American sport has always been political. From Cold War Olympic boycotts to anthem protests, from global tournaments shaped by diplomacy to domestic leagues shaped by culture wars, sport is one of the most visible stages for national identity and political conflict. And today, with controversies surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and even a UFC event planned for the White House lawn, that relationship feels more charged than ever. So in this episode, I’m asking… is American sport ruined by politics? . Special Guest: Adam Burns, the Head of Politics at Brighton College, and the author and editor of Sports and the American Presidency: From Theodore Roosevelt to Donald Trump. . Highlights: 02:43 - Has American Sport Always Been Political? 06:53 - Presidents and Sport 10:10 - Global Sport and Diplomacy 17:47 - 2026 World Cup 23:26 - Geopolitics on the Sports Field 29:26 - UFC Freedom and Presidential Endorsements 37:34 - Athletes as Politicians 42:38 - Player vs Club vs Country 50:34 - Does Politics Ruin Sport? . 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

    1h 5m
  3. In the Making: Orban Out, Conversion Therapy In

    6D AGO

    In the Making: Orban Out, Conversion Therapy In

    This week, we discuss the recent election in Hungary, which saw incumbent Prime Minister lose in a historic landslide to his former ally, ousting him after 16 years in power. The War in Iran continues to escalate, with the US now blockading Iranian ports and the potential involvement of China not being ruled out. Plus, SCOTUS have overturned a Colorado state ban on conversion therapy, and I speak to Reverend Caleb Lines, who is critical of the decision. The guest today is Jacob Jarvis, host of American Friction. . Stories Mentioned: Viktor Orban loses election: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2d8zw2d3rkt  Donald Trump’s far-right plans in Europe: https://theconversation.com/hungarian-election-exposes-tensions-at-the-heart-of-donald-trumps-plans-to-boost-the-far-right-in-europe-280065  US blockade Iranian ports: https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-war-lebanon-israel-talks-hormuz-15-april-2026-f1b02d16f81d6fdcf68c0ed16d7a719d  Colorado’s 2019 conversion therapy ban: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/05/31/conversion-therapy-ban-lgbt-colorado/  SCOTUS overturn conversion therapy ban:https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-conversion-therapy-colorado-92b34295f9ef497a4a1cbeb56c9b74c6  Submit your 28th Amendment: https://forms.gle/rXtxVtpkPfVVtNUn8 . 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

    1h 20m
  4. Why Don't Americans Get Sarcasm?

    APR 14

    Why Don't Americans Get Sarcasm?

    Sarcasm is often treated as a cultural fault line - the old joke goes that Americans don’t get it, or don’t use it, or somehow take everything just a little too literally. But behind that joke is a much bigger story about how humor works in America: what Americans find funny, how comedy has evolved across the last century, and how jokes reveal deeper truths about national identity, power, and social norms. We’re going to look closer at the history of comedy in America - how it evolved, how it compares to the rest of the world, and what makes American comedy American. So in this episode, I’m asking… why don't Americans get sarcasm? . Special Guest: Beck Krefting a Professor of American Studies and Director of the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning at Skidmore College. She is a leading scholar in feminist comedy studies, performance, and the cultural history of stand-up. Her acclaimed book, All Joking Aside: American Humor and Its Discontents, explores how comedians use “charged humor” to challenge social norms and push for justice. . Highlights: 02:00 - Comedic Styles and Politics 06:54 - Vaudeville and Blackface 11:35 - The History of Jewish Comedy 20:21 - The Emergence of Radio and TV 25:03 - Standup and Late Night TV 29:49 - The American Sense of Humour 33:56 - Is Hollywood Owned by the Left? 40:31 - The N Word 45:30 - Comedy Comes Full Circle . 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

    56 min
  5. In the Making: The Day A Whole Civilization Nearly Died

    APR 9

    In the Making: The Day A Whole Civilization Nearly Died

    This week, we discuss one of the wildest couple of day in modern politics, atter Trump's threat to wipe out a whole civilization sparked global panic, and an 11th hour ceasefire deal was announced with Iran. But who wins from this? Has Trump's reputation been damaged beyond repair? And is it time to start worrying about a nuclear war? Plus, reaction to Pam Bondi's firing, and the latest from NASA's record breaking mission to the moon. The guest today is Dr. Tim Galsworthy, lecturer in History and Military History at Lincoln Bishop University. . Stories Mentioned: Pam Bondi fired: https://news.sky.com/story/trump-latest-us-president-fires-attorney-general-pam-bondi-13526493  Artemis II breaks records: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-eclipses-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight/  Trump agrees Iran ceasefire: https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-04-07-2026  Trump’s Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump . 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
  6. What is Unit 731... and Why Did the USA Cover It Up?

    APR 7

    What is Unit 731... and Why Did the USA Cover It Up?

    Unit 731 was a secret biological warfare and human‑experimentation program run by the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II. Its experiments - vivisection, deliberate infection with plague, anthrax and other pathogens, frostbite and pressure tests, and field releases of disease - killed thousands, and left a legacy of trauma across East Asia. After the war, many perpetrators avoided prosecution when U.S. authorities granted immunity in exchange for research data, a decision that raises urgent questions about ethics, power, and how states value scientific knowledge over justice. So in this episode, I’m asking… what is Unit 731, and why did the US cover it up? . Special Guest: Jenny Chan, the founder of Pacific Atrocities Education - https://pacificatrocities.org - an organization dedicated to documenting and teaching about wartime atrocities in the Asia‑Pacific, including Unit 731. She curates resources, produces educational materials, and works with survivors’ families and scholars to keep this history visible. . Highlights: 02:44 - The Origins of Unit 731 07:23 - The Experiments 10:49 - The Victims 17:12 - The Discovery of Unit 731 24:00 - Why Cover It Up? 28:28 - The Test is Classified 34:47 - The Ethics of Covering Up 40:42 - Institutional Trust . 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

    48 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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