American Made

Matt Landis | Teacher | Historian | Kidlit Author

5.0 (3)
History
Updated Weekly

A podcast about the questions, stories, and struggles that built a nation. authorlandis.substack.com

May 27

Crimes of the King: The Final Five (#23-27)

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 📜 Primary source and research links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

13 min
Apr 29

Crimes of the King: Fake Laws (#13-22)

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🎮Interactive app for students that explore Episode 8 * 📜 Primary source and research links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

11 min
Mar 8

Crimes of the King: Redcoat Thugs (#11-12)

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🎮Interactive app for students that explore the episode * 📜 Primary source and citation links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes * 🤓Dig Deeper: The untold story of the Boston Massacre Trials! 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

11 min
Feb 22

1776: A War for Freedom?

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? But in today’s bonus BLACK HISTORY MONTH episode, we’re asking this question: Did England or America offer enslaved Black colonists more freedom? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🎮Interactive App that quizzes students on the best path to freedom! * 📜 Source and citation links: * Boston King | Memoir * Peter Salem * Elizabeth Freeman * 🤓Dig Deeper: African Americans in the Revolutionary War 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

13 min
Feb 10

Crimes of the King: Presidents Day!

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? But in today’s bonus PRESIDENTS DAY episode, we’re asking this question: Did GW repeat King George’s crimes when he became prez? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🗂️ Google Docs folder with activity handouts (graphic novel handout of the Whiskey Rebellion for students) * 🎮Blooket! Whole-class game (teachers copy to your account) or 🎮 Individual Game! * 📜 Primary source and citation links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes * The Constitution! * 🤓Dig Deeper: The History of President’s Day! 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

12 min
Feb 1

Crimes of the King: No Justice (#7-10)

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🗂️ Google Docs folder with activity handouts (crimes 7-10 in plain-English, word search, crossword puzzle) * 🎮Blooket! Whole-class game (teachers copy to your account) or 🎮 Individual Game! * 📜 Primary source and citation links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes * The Constitution’s Center annotated copy of the Declaration * 🤓Dig Deeper: The Tarring and Feathering of John Malcom 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

12 min
Jan 18

Crimes of the King: Muzzling the People (#3-6)

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🗂️ Google Docs folder with activity handouts (crimes 3-6 in plain-English, word search, crossword puzzle) * 🎮Blooket! Whole-class game (teachers copy to your account) or 🎮 Individual Game! * 📜 Primary source links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes * The Constitution’s Center annotated copy of the Declaration * 🤓Dig Deeper: Women’s Rights and the Declaration of Independence 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

13 min
Jan 4

Crimes of the King: Thumbs Down (#1-2)

Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s history podcast for grades 3-8. In this current series, Crimes of the King, 1776, we tackle the most important question in American history: Why did the American colonies actually break up with King George? Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the Declaration of Independence as America sets to celebrate the 250th Anniversary. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Episode resources for teachers, students, and parents * 🗂️ Google Docs folder with activity handouts (crimes 1-2 in plain-English, word search, crossword puzzle) * 🎮Blooket! Whole-class game (teachers copy to your account) or 🎮 Individual Game! * 📜 Primary source links: * Ghilder Lehrman’s annotated copy of the king’s crimes * The Constitution’s Center annotated copy of the Declaration * 🤓Dig Deeper: Black Americans and the Declaration of Independence 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

13 min
12/14/2025

Christmas, 1776

Merry Christmas! Enjoy this SPECIAL Christmas narrative about the greatest AMERICAN MADE miracle to ever happen in these United States! 🎧Teachers, Students, Parents! * 🗂️ Google Doc folder with COLORING PAGES and the complete story. * 🎮 Blooket! Whole-class game (teachers copy to your account) or Individual Game! * 📜 Nerdy further reading on the crossing 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

17 min
12/09/2025

American Santa!!

Happy (belated) Saint Nicholas Day! 🎅🏻THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SANTA SPOILERS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS🎅🏻 Welcome to AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s student-centered history podcast that proves the past doesn’t have to be boring — especially for middle-grade listeners (8-12 yrs old). Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the people, moments, and big ideas that shaped our country. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Teachers, Students, Parents! Everything from today’s episode: * 🗂️ Google Docs folder with source handouts * 🎮 Blooket! Whole-class game or individual challenge! * 📜 Primary source links: * Irving’s A History of New York (1809) * Moore’s Twas the Night Before Christmas (1823) * Nast’s first Santa cartoon (1863) * Nast’s most famous Santa cartoon (1881) * Bonus: sources on Saint Nicholas of Myra 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

14 min
11/20/2025

The First Thanksgiving?

Welcome to the launch of AMERICAN MADE, Matt’s student-centered history podcast that proves the past doesn’t have to be boring — especially for middle-grade listeners (8-12 yrs old). Each episode gives you a story-driven dive into the people, moments, and big ideas that shaped our country. With parents, teachers, and homeschoolers in mind, this content is perfect for car rides, classrooms, and co-ops. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show! 🎧Teachers, Students, Parents! Everything from today’s episode is right here: * 🗂️ Google Docs folder with source handouts * Blooket! Whole-class game (teachers copy to your account) or 🎮 Individual Game! * 📜 Primary source links: * Edward Winslow’s account in Mourt’s Relations (1622) * Rev. Alexander Young’s The Chronicles of our Pilgrim Fathers (1841) * Sarah Hale’s Northwood: A Tale of New England (1827, subtitle “Life in North and South” in the UK print) * Hale’s relentless editorial letters in Godey’s Lady’s Magazine * Hale’s Letter to Lincoln (1863) 🇺🇸Have fun digging in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorlandis.substack.com

17 min

11 Episodes

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

A podcast about the questions, stories, and struggles that built a nation. authorlandis.substack.com

Creator

Matt Landis | Teacher | Historian | Kidlit Author
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Matt Landis
Show Website

American Made