America: The Story of the USA

Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast
  • 3.7 (7)
  • Historia
  • Cada día

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. hace 10 h

    Why is Psycho So Scary?

    Disclaimer: there may be short blips of incoherent sound in this episode. Please bear with us. . When Psycho premiered in 1960, audiences had never seen anything like it. Alfred Hitchcock - already one of the world’s most prolific directors - released a low‑budget, black‑and‑white thriller that shocked critics, electrified audiences, and permanently changed the rules of American cinema. The film’s infamous shower scene, its brutal narrative twists, and its psychological intensity helped redefine what horror could be. But Psycho wasn’t just scary because of what was on screen. It was scary because of how Hitchcock marketed it, how it tapped into real‑world anxieties, and how it drew inspiration from the crimes of a real life monster, still fresh in the public imagination. So today, on the anniversary of its theatrical release, we explore why Psycho gained immediate notoriety, how it executed and reinvented horror conventions, and why it remains one of the most frightening and influential films ever made, as I ask… why is Psycho so scary? . Special Guests: Stephen Rebello, whose book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho is the definitive account of how the film came to be. Buy the book now: https://a.co/d/09caklxY . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Reading List: Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello . Highlights: 02:29 - Throwing Out the Rulebook 09:04 - A Master of Suspense 14:03 - A Blueprint for Horror Marketing 21:55 - 3 Melons = Untimely Death 29:04 - Ed Gein 39:13 - Psycho's Legacy . 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

    Why is Psycho So Scary?

  2. hace 4 días

    Study Notes: The Presidents - John Tyler (1841 - 1845)

    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 tenth President of the United States, John Tyler - his unexpected rise to the presidency, his turbulent time in office, 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 - John Tyler (1841 - 1845)

  3. hace 5 días

    In the Making: Trump Taking Oil and People Giving Pizza

    This week, Donald Trump renames Lake Ontario to Lake America, and though nobody is going with it, Google and Apple have both updates their maps. Trump received good news from the Supreme Court, who have allowed construction of his $400m ballroom to continue. Meanwhile, the US are yoinking over 60 billion barrels of oil from Venezuela, and they should be gosh darn grateful about it. And Amazon face a lawsuit from 22 states over allegedly inflating their ad rates and raking in tens of billions of dollars more than they should. To discuss this, I am joined by Alyssa Royse, gym owner, writer, caller-outer of BS, common sense advocate, and all round lovely person. . JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 01:18 - Lake Ontario or Lake America? 05:57 - SCOTUS Give Thumbs Up to Ballroom 15:04 - Naughty Amazon 27:13 - Venezuelan Oil 41:17 - Pizza Philanthrophy . News Sources: Executive Order Renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/honoring-the-american-history-of-the-great-lakes-and-renaming-lake-ontario-as-lake-america-3a36/  Ballroom construction can continue: https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/08/supreme-court-allows-construction-on-white-house-ballroom-to-continue/  22 States Sue Amazon: https://themediaonline.co.za/2026/09/ftc-and-22-us-states-sue-amazon-over-alleged-secret-advertising-price-inflation/  Venezuelan Oil: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-venezuela-oil-us-president-b3041501.html  Pizza with a Purpose: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/florida-teens-design-charity-app-to-help-generous-locals-deliver-pizza-for-a-purpose/ . 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: Trump Taking Oil and People Giving Pizza

  4. 1 sep

    What is the UN?

    The United Nations was born out of catastrophe - a world shattered by war, genocide, and the collapse of international order, and it was on this very day in 1945, that the US senate ratified the UN Charter. This new institution, in the wake of the Second World War, that promised collective security, human rights, and global cooperation. For decades, the UN and the U.S. were intertwined: American leadership shaped peacekeeping, development, humanitarian action, and the rules of the post‑war world. But the relationship has never been simple. It has swung between idealism and frustration, partnership and tension, global ambition and domestic politics. Today, as the UN faces new crises and the U.S. reconsiders its role, we look back at how this relationship began, how it evolved, and why it matters. So in this episode, I’m asking… what is the United Nations? . Special Guests: Thomas G. Weiss, one of the world’s foremost experts on the United Nations, humanitarian intervention, and global governance. . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Reading List: What’s Wrong with the United Nations and How to Fix It by Thomas Weiss: https://a.co/d/023mkHow  Humanitarian Intervention (War and Conflict in the Modern World) by Thomas Weiss: https://a.co/d/0fXKXmKQ  The United Nations and Changing World Politics by Thomas Weiss: https://a.co/d/0eX10DWI  Would the World Be Better Without the UN? By Thomas Weiss: https://a.co/d/0heH7o4O UN Charter in the National Archives: https://www.archives.gov UN History Timeline: https://www.un.org/en/sections/history-united-nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations: https://usun.usmission.gov A World at Risk: The UN and Threats to Global Security, UN University Press The United Nations: A Very Short Introduction by Jussi Hanhimäki: https://a.co/d/06l19a3H  The Parliament of Man by Paul Kennedy: https://a.co/d/09z0jRiO U.S. Senate ratification records (October 24, 1945): https://www.senate.gov UN Security Council archives: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil . Highlights: 02:06 - The Birth of the UN 07:43 - The Core Values 10:18 - America's Role in the UN 16:19 - The Cold War 22:48 - Keeping the Peace 31:06 - How Much Money Does America Give the UN? 37:20 - What Does the US Get from the UN? 42:44 - Running Down the Clock . 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

    What is the UN?

  5. 28 ago

    Study Notes: Dolly Parton

    America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today: Dolly Parton - the life of a woman whose music, generosity, and spirit shaped American culture for more than half a century. Dolly passed away this week, and today we’re taking time to honour her story, her work, and the legacy she leaves behind. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community ⁠⁠⁠ Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Study Notes: Dolly Parton

  6. 27 ago

    In the Making: Natalie Harp, Canada, and Trump's War on Visas

    JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . This week, Donald Trump tries to revoke 200,000 Visa applications, targeting those seeking asylum in the US, and his trade war with Canada heats up after Prime Minister Mark Carney imposes retaliatory tariffs. Plus, I speak with Marcia Chatelain about her new book, looking at the women behind the historic March on Washington 63 years ago. Buy it here: https://a.co/d/0fC6zeGF Joining me this week is a virtual audience of SOTUS listeners as we record the podcast live. To hear about our next live recording before anyone else, join the SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . 01:53 - Who is Natalie Harp? 05:49 - The Midterms Explained 09:59 - The Largest Visa Revocation in History 16:45 - The US-Canada Trade War 21:31 - Marcia Chatelain and Her New Book 43:28 - Join the Next SOTUS Live Recording . News Sources: Mass visa revocation: https://apnews.com/article/trump-rubio-visas-revoke-e9c14fdfd0ada439d2b9d8694e678a46?  Trade War with Canada: https://apnews.com/article/trump-canada-tariffs-senate-2026-campaign-c3d2461184a2b8656abd01376452e0d5  How Bright the Path Grows: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the March on Washington by Marcia Chatelain: https://a.co/d/0fC6zeGF  Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America by Marcia Chatelain: https://a.co/d/00HXZIwX . 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: Natalie Harp, Canada, and Trump's War on Visas

  7. 25 ago

    What is the Supreme Court Term, and Why Does it Matter?

    The Supreme Court term is the annual rhythm of American constitutional life - nine justices, a docket of cases, and decisions that can reshape law, politics, and everyday life. This year’s term produced headline rulings and quieter doctrinal shifts: questions about presidential power, the reach of federal agencies, the rights of transgender people, and immigration enforcement. It also renewed debate about the Court’s “shadow docket” - emergency orders and summary decisions that shape policy without full briefing or oral argument. These developments matter not just in Washington: they reverberate across democracies, including here in the UK, where debates about judicial review, executive discretion, and rights are very much alive. So today we’ll explain what it is, unpack the big cases and themes, and ask what the Court’s choices mean for politics, law, and democracy, as I ask… what is the Supreme Court term, and why does it matter? . Special Guests: Emma Long, Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia, and an expert on the Supreme Court. . Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community . Reading List: Supreme Court of the United States - Official Opinions and Orders: https://www.supremecourt.gov SCOTUSblog - Term coverage and case pages: https://www.scotusblog.com “Shadow Docket” explainer - Brennan Center for Justice: https://www.brennancenter.org . Highlights: 02:29 - How the Supreme Court Works 06:09 - The Chosen Ones 09:56 - The Biggest Cases of Last Term 13:57 - The Shadow Docket 23:14 - Exercising Authority Over the President 28:11 - Gaming the System 32:36 - Roll Over 40:59 - Setting an Example for Other Countries 47:26 - Impartiality in the Supreme Court . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Team SOTUS: ⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠community Brands & advertisers: liam@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

    What is the Supreme Court Term, and Why Does it Matter?

  8. 21 ago

    Study Notes: What Qualifications Do You Need to Run for Office in the US?

    America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today: what qualifications do you need to run for office in the United States? From the President to local city councils, we’ll break down the eligibility rules, how they’ve changed over time, and which offices are the hardest - and easiest - to run for. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community ⁠⁠ Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Study Notes: What Qualifications Do You Need to Run for Office in the US?
Ver todo (281)

Tráilers

Calificaciones y reseñas

3.7
de 5
7 calificaciones

Acerca de

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

Información

  • Creador
    Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast
  • Años de actividad
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodios
    281
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Mercury Podcasts

También te podría interesar