America: The Story of the USA
America: The Story of the USA

America: The Story of the USA

Liam Heffernan | A Mercury Podcast

Overview
Episodes

Details

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: [email protected] . 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

Recent Episodes

In the Making: The Louisiana Shooting and America’s Gun Problem
APR 23, 2026
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: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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62 MIN
Is American Sport Ruined by Politics?
APR 21, 2026
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: [email protected] Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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65 MIN
In the Making: Orban Out, Conversion Therapy In
APR 16, 2026
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: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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79 MIN