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

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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: Why Does the White House Care So Much About UK Politics?
JUN 11, 2026
In the Making: Why Does the White House Care So Much About UK Politics?
This week, as the death of Henry Nowak causes political chaos in the UK, Vice President JD Vance decides to weigh in, but why? Plus, the Kennedy Center removes Trump's name from the building after months of protestation, and... NASA are building a Moon Base. Would you live there? Joining me this week is Kate Ballantyne, a Senior Lecturer in American History at Liverpool John Moores University. . Stories: 01:16 - The Kennedy Center Drops Trump 07:55 - More Deaths at Louisiana ICE Facility 16:45 - JD Vance and Henry Nowak 34:01 - NASA's Moon Base . Sources: The Kennedy Center drops Trump: https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2026-06-08/the-kennedy-center-drops-trump-branding-as-bill-mahers-twain-award-guests-are-revealed  Deaths at an ICE detention facility: https://apnews.com/article/ice-detainee-death-winn-a1ab66753aa4a1effdff0b7abef2240f  Inhumane conditions: https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-detention-medical-neglect-dhs-32c3fbeef0c44dfb02fcab890b2c9a96  Downing Street response to JD Vance comments: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crlplwn1jkro  What is the Henry Nowak case? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpvpv2xylgeo  Black arrests in the UK: https://irr.org.uk/research/statistics/criminal-justice/  JD Vance on X: https://x.com/JDVance/status/2062938286977421755 Moon Base: https://www.nasa.gov/moonbase/ . 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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42 MIN
What is the National Archive?
JUN 9, 2026
What is the National Archive?
The memory of the United States is preserved through The National Archive - the institution responsible for protecting the documents that define the nation’s laws, identity, and democratic accountability. From the Charters of Freedom to billions of federal records, it safeguards the evidence of government action and the stories of the American people. But the Archives is more than a repository: it’s a public trust, a cultural institution, and increasingly a political battleground So in this episode, I’m asking… what is the National Archive? . Special Guest: Colleen Shogan, the former Archivist of the United States, leading the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). She has overseen the preservation of federal records, the expansion of public access, and the stewardship of some of the nation’s most iconic documents. Her experience places her at the centre of debates about transparency, record‑keeping, and the political pressures facing cultural institutions today. . Highlights: 02:16 - Why was the archive created? 08:46 - Why did it take so long? 11:23 - What's in the archive? 15:50 - The selection process 21:13 - The social value of the National Archive 28:22 - A record of enslaved history 31:57 - The archive and politics 37:36 - A very presentist view of our lives 42:47 - A digital future . 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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54 MIN
In the Making: How Much Power Does Trump Have Over the Courts?
JUN 4, 2026
In the Making: How Much Power Does Trump Have Over the Courts?
This week, we discuss the ongoing war in the Middle East and Iran. Plus, three men in Spokane have been found guilty of conspiracy, after demonstrating against ICE in June last year. Is this justice taking its court? Or a dangerous indicator of just how much power Trump holds over the courts? AND we were supposed to bring you an interview with Max Martin, CEO and Founder of the Enhanced Games. Find out why it hasn't happened. Joining me this week is Ira Chaleff, friend of the show and author of To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers, which is available to buy now. Ira. . Stories: 02:16 - The War in Iran 16:02 - Trump's Unchecked Power Over the Courts 33:14 - Not an Interview with Max Martin from the Enhanced Games . Sources: ICE demonstrators convicted: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/us/ice-protesters-convicted-spokane.html  Conspiracy charges: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/20/us-army-veteran-ice-protest-trial  The War in Iran: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crlpy8n7pr6o  Netanyahu orders Beirut bombing: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/01/european-leaders-condemn-israel-incursion-into-lebanon . 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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43 MIN