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 . rex-verify-zkitiaihtdgv

  1. 1d ago

    Who Owns Democracy?

    Democracy is often described as a system in which power ultimately rests with the people. But history shows that democratic power is never guaranteed - it must be structured, protected, and constantly renewed. The relationship between citizens and government is shaped by laws, institutions, norms, and behaviours that can either sustain democracy or allow it to erode. Across the world, democracies have collapsed not only through coups or revolutions, but through gradual shifts: weakened checks and balances, concentrated executive power, politicised courts, and citizens who stop paying attention. Today, in the final part of our series on democracy, we explore how democratic systems distribute power, how governments earn and lose legitimacy, how authoritarianism emerges from within democratic structures, and what warning signs citizens should recognise. So in this episode, I’m asking… who owns democracy? . Special Guest: Ira Chaleff, author of To Stop a Tyrant and one of the leading thinkers on power, followership, and resisting authoritarian behaviour. His work examines how systems break down, how leaders accumulate dangerous levels of authority, and how citizens and institutions can prevent democratic backsliding. Buy Ira's book: https://a.co/d/0coCQuEs . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Highlights: 02:19 - Did the Framers Believe in Democracy? 07:13 - The Benevolent Dictator 15:34 - Too Much People Power? 18:59 - Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely 26:02 - Can't We All Get Along? 30:21 - The Danger of Complacency 39:34 - The Normalization of Deviance 44:25 - Protecting Today's Democracy 49:24 - A Blind Spot in the System . 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

    Who Owns Democracy?

  2. 5d ago

    Study Notes: The Presidents - Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)

    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 twelfth President of the United States, Zachary Taylor - his election, his presidency, his key achievements and challenges, 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 - Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)

  3. 6d ago

    In the Making: The Pope, Katie Zacharia, and America’s Silent Killer

    This week, we discuss a debut to forget for the White House's new press secretary, and the sad news that Pope Leo has lung cancer. Plus, the latest from Cornell University as they impose bans on frat parties and introduce new support for victims of sexual assault. To discuss this and the other big stories from the US this week, I'm joined by Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia. Plus, I speak to Daniel Cox, the director and founder of the Survey Center on American Life and a senior fellow in polling and public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute. His new book, Generation Uncoupled pulls together years of research and data to address these big questions facing America today. . JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 02:01 - Nobel Peace Prize 08:27 - Pope Leo 15:12 - Cornell University 24:49 - Daniel Cox 1:08:02 - Katie Zacharia . News Sources: Generation Uncouple by Daniel Cox: https://danielcoxbook.com/  American Storylines newsletter: https://www.americanstorylines.com/  2026 Nobel Peace Prize: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2026/press-release/  Pope Leo Diagnosed with Lung Cancer: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/10/13/pope-leo-diagnosed-with-lung-cancer-successful-surgery/92237630007/  Cornell University Suspends Frat Parties: https://metro.co.uk/2026/10/14/cornell-bans-frat-parties-rest-year-gang-rape-claims-29708717/  Reaction to New Press Secretary: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/13/katie-zacharia-trump-press-briefing  Highlights from Katie Zacharia’s Debut: https://youtu.be/bfvq1eta_aM?si=9ws_p4gmowXfXhXB . 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: The Pope, Katie Zacharia, and America’s Silent Killer

  4. Oct 13

    How Much Power Does the US Supreme Court Have?

    Americans elect their political leaders, but some of the most consequential decisions about their lives are made by judges they cannot vote out. The Supreme Court justices can overturn laws passed by their elected representatives, decide the boundaries of their rights, and determine how far a president’s authority extends. That independence can protect people from abuses of political power. It also raises a difficult democratic question: how do you hold powerful judges accountable when you cannot vote them out? Today, we’ll explore why America gave its Supreme Court this authority, what it has done with it, and what its future could mean for American democracy. So in this episode, I’m asking… how much power does the Supreme Court have? . Special Guest: Emma Long, Associate Professor in American History and Politics at UEA and an expert on the US Supreme Court. . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Highlights: 02:57 - . 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 Researcher - Michelle Poole In Partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How Much Power Does the US Supreme Court Have?

  5. Oct 9

    Study Notes: The History of Mormonism in the United States

    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 History of Mormonism in the United States - how the movement began, how it grew, the challenges it faced, and the place it occupies in American life today. . 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 History of Mormonism in the United States

  6. Oct 8

    In the Making: Has the US Dragged the UK into the Iran War?

    This week, following the attempted terrorist attack at RAF Fairford, can the UK keep up the pretence of neutrality in the Iran War anymore? Plus, the crisis at Cornell University deepens as students protest and faculty take a no confidence vote in the administration due to failings in the Cornell 7 case. And, Virginia is the latest state to adopt Clean Slate laws, giving minor convicts a chance to hide their criminal record and avoid discrimination. To discuss this and the other big stories from the US this week, I'm joined by Liz Covart, host of Ben Franklin's World. . JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 02:27 - Jim Bakker Dies 06:48 - Cornell University 16:23 - RAF Fairford and the War in Iran 46:35 - Virginia's Clean Slate Laws . News Sources: Jim Bakker dies: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/06/jim-bakker-us-televangelist-fraud-sex-scandal-dead-at-86  Cornell protests: https://apnews.com/article/cornell-university-rape-investigation-70d74249bc779480975f3b2a4166ee97  Cornell rape allegations to be investigated: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/06/us/cornell-no-confidence-vote-rape-case-hnk  What we know about RAF Fairford: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c85ydnwqpzyzo  Virginia’s Clean Slate Law: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/virginia-becomes-latest-state-to-enact-clean-slate-law-to-help-residents-move-on-from-minor-offenses/ . 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: Has the US Dragged the UK into the Iran War?

  7. Oct 6

    Democracy Part II - Does God Have the Right to Vote?

    Religion has shaped American democracy from the very beginning; the founders debated the role of faith in public life, citizens invoked scripture to justify revolution, and early political movements drew heavily on religious identity. Over the next 250 years, religion influenced abolition, suffrage, civil rights, foreign policy, and nearly every major election. Americans still wrestle with the same questions: what role should faith play in politics? How does religion shape our understanding of democracy? And what happens when religious conviction collides with democratic decision‑making? So today, we explore the long relationship between religion and American politics, the advantages and challenges of religious influence, and how faith continues to shape elections, administrations, and public policy, as I’m asking… does God have the right to vote? So in this episode, continuing our four part democracy special, I’m asking… does God have the right to vote? . Special Guests: Caleb Lines, a progressive Christian Leader from California who speaks openly about the intersection between religion, politics. He's amassed six figure followings on social media. . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Highlights: 02:57 - Religion's role in the founding of the US 11:05 - Slavery, religion and power 18:10 - Religious leaders and their political influence 22:11 - Religion as a force for good 29:23 - Religious freedom 35:41 - The President & God 41:57 - Faith and activism 44:24 - 9/11 and Islamophobia 53:25 - A generational change 57:09 - Free speech vs hate speech . 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 II - Does God Have the Right to Vote?

  8. Oct 2

    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
See All (299)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

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 . rex-verify-zkitiaihtdgv

Information

  • Creator
    Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    299
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mercury Podcasts

You Might Also Like