Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast America: The Story of the USA

Sarcasm is often treated as a cultural fault line - the old joke goes that Americans don’t get it, or don’t use it, or somehow take everything just a little too literally. But behind that joke is a much bigger story about how humor works in America: what Americans find funny, how comedy has evolved across the last century, and how jokes reveal deeper truths about national identity, power, and social norms. We’re going to look closer at the history of comedy in America - how it evolved, how it compares to the rest of the world, and what makes American comedy American. So in this episode, I’m asking… why don't Americans get sarcasm? . Special Guest: Beck Krefting a Professor of American Studies and Director of the Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning at Skidmore College. She is a leading scholar in feminist comedy studies, performance, and the cultural history of stand-up. Her acclaimed book, All Joking Aside: American Humor and Its Discontents, explores how comedians use “charged humor” to challenge social norms and push for justice. . Highlights: 02:00 - Comedic Styles and Politics 06:54 - Vaudeville and Blackface 11:35 - The History of Jewish Comedy 20:21 - The Emergence of Radio and TV 25:03 - Standup and Late Night TV 29:49 - The American Sense of Humour 33:56 - Is Hollywood Owned by the Left? 40:31 - The N Word 45:30 - Comedy Comes Full Circle . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today: and continuing our Presidents series, is the second President of the United States, John Adams - his election, presidency, key achievements and legacy. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we discuss one of the wildest couple of day in modern politics, atter Trump's threat to wipe out a whole civilization sparked global panic, and an 11th hour ceasefire deal was announced with Iran. But who wins from this? Has Trump's reputation been damaged beyond repair? And is it time to start worrying about a nuclear war? Plus, reaction to Pam Bondi's firing, and the latest from NASA's record breaking mission to the moon. The guest today is Dr. Tim Galsworthy, lecturer in History and Military History at Lincoln Bishop University. . Stories Mentioned: Pam Bondi fired: https://news.sky.com/story/trump-latest-us-president-fires-attorney-general-pam-bondi-13526493  Artemis II breaks records: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-eclipses-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight/  Trump agrees Iran ceasefire: https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-04-07-2026  Trump’s Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unit 731 was a secret biological warfare and human‑experimentation program run by the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II. Its experiments - vivisection, deliberate infection with plague, anthrax and other pathogens, frostbite and pressure tests, and field releases of disease - killed thousands, and left a legacy of trauma across East Asia. After the war, many perpetrators avoided prosecution when U.S. authorities granted immunity in exchange for research data, a decision that raises urgent questions about ethics, power, and how states value scientific knowledge over justice. So in this episode, I’m asking… what is Unit 731, and why did the US cover it up? . Special Guest: Jenny Chan, the founder of Pacific Atrocities Education - https://pacificatrocities.org - an organization dedicated to documenting and teaching about wartime atrocities in the Asia‑Pacific, including Unit 731. She curates resources, produces educational materials, and works with survivors’ families and scholars to keep this history visible. . Highlights: 02:44 - The Origins of Unit 731 07:23 - The Experiments 10:49 - The Victims 17:12 - The Discovery of Unit 731 24:00 - Why Cover It Up? 28:28 - The Test is Classified 34:47 - The Ethics of Covering Up 40:42 - Institutional Trust . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. Today: and the first of our Presidents series, is all about George Washington - his election, presidency, key achievements and legacy. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, UEA's Emma Long joins Liam to break down a packed slate of US political drama and historic scientific achievement. They explore Donald Trump’s controversial executive order to create a national voter list, the constitutional backlash from states, and the wider political strategy behind tightening mail‑in voting rules. They then unpack Trump’s underwhelming national address amid the escalating Iran conflict, rising global oil prices, and growing fears about America’s commitment to NATO. Plus, they turn to NASA’s Artemis II mission, which has just launched four astronauts on a historic journey around the moon. What will it mean, and what's the point? . Stories Mentioned: Trump’s national voter list: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-nationwide-voter-list-executive-order-legal-challenges-11765880  The latest in Iran: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c36r5p1l7w3t  NASA Artemis II website: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/  White House ballroom stalls: https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-ballroom-construction-halted-9cafc70569a3a05fcbaa6cafddbeace4 . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carved into the granite spine of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore is one of the most recognisable images in American culture - four presidential faces staring out across South Dakota, invoked endlessly as a symbol of patriotism, democracy and national pride. But behind the postcard image lies a far more tangled story: a monument born from economic desperation, shaped by political ambition, sculpted by a man with deep ties to the Ku Klux Klan, and built on land the United States illegally seized from the Lakota Sioux. In this episode, we trace the mountain’s transformation from a state tourism scheme into a federally funded memorial, explore the complicated legacy of its sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and examine how the monument’s meaning has shifted across a century of American history. From the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie to the rise of automobile tourism, from the politics of Calvin Coolidge to the unfinished Hall of Records, Mount Rushmore is a story of artistry, myth‑making, erasure and unresolved trauma. So in this episode, we're asking… what is Mount Rushmore? . Special Guest: Matthew Davis is an acclaimed author and journalist whose work explores the intersections of history, culture and contested landscapes. His latest book, A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore, offers the most comprehensive narrative history of the memorial to date. . Highlights: 02:13 - The Origin Story 06:58 - Politics and Money 14:33 - Gutzon Borglum 25:37 - Mount Rushmore's Construction 30:05 - How Many Deaths? 38:33 - Native Impact 46:56 - Preservation of the site . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, All 50 US States, including their abbreviations and capital cities. It’s the most boring party trick in the world, but super handy for revision! . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we discuss Christopher Columbus statues near the White House, another lawsuit for Bill Cosby, and with increasingly irrational behaviour, we genuinely want to know if the President is ok. . Stories Mentioned: A Christopher Columbus statue is erected next to the White House: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-places-statue-christopher-columbus-white-house-rcna264668 Bill Cosby liable for $59m in damages following civil trial: https://apnews.com/article/bill-cosby-verdict-sexual-assault-motsinger-83b384df93fd9bf862b553b19b5aa4f9 Donald Trump's diplomacy: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-s-iran-strategy-showcases-doctrine-of-unpredictability-amid-strike-threats-and-sudden-pause/ar-AA1ZhSzq?ocid=BingNewsSerp Hospital squatter: https://apnews.com/article/florida-tallahassee-healthcare-hospital-1722512e3e9b6dc2662bcb6c9097ca1d . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It began as "a choose your own adventure” that let wildly different gyms wear the same name, and it "grew into one of the most influential and controversial fitness movements in the world." CrossFit exploded from a scrappy California experiment into a global fitness phenomenon that rewired how people train, belong, and build identity, while also exposing fault lines around leadership, safety, and culture. In this episode we explore the movement’s internet‑era rise, the low‑barrier licensing model that let thousands of “boxes” proliferate, and the tension between CrossFit’s empowering grassroots community and the toxic, exclusionary practices that later fractured the brand. We trace how the CrossFit Games and a cult‑like group identity amplified both the movement’s best outcomes - community, strength, accessibility - and its worst: inconsistent standards, competitive excess, and leadership failures. So in this episode, we're asking… what is CrossFit? . Special Guest: Alyssa Royse, is a writer, gym owner, and longtime advocate for inclusive, science‑based fitness. She founded Rocket Community Fitness in Seattle as a CrossFit affiliate and later publicly disassociated from the brand over concerns about culture, leadership, and safety. Alyssa combines frontline experience running a neighborhood box with marketing expertise and a public record of critique and reform, making her a leading voice on what CrossFit got right, what it broke, and how fitness communities can do better. . Highlights: 02:09 - The Dot Com Boom 07:20 - What Does CrossFit Stand For? 11:45 - The National Identity of CrossFit 17:58 - The Multimillion Dollar Question 22:14 - Stop Being Assholes 27:38 - Toxic Masculinity and the Cult of CrossFit 34:17 - Materialism 42:41 - Post-Greg . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, Every War the USA Has Fought - a handy quickfire timeline of when and who. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, after another chaotic week in US politics and global affairs, we look at the latest developments in Donald Trump’s escalating war in Iran, his claim that the US “no longer needs NATO,” and the growing international backlash as the conflict spirals beyond Washington’s control. We discuss the political and economic consequences of Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the resignation of America’s counterterrorism chief, and the domestic fallout as fuel prices surge. Domestically, extreme weather sweeps across the US - heatwaves in the west and snowstorms in the east - and how climate change, government shutdowns, and TSA staffing crises have collided to create nationwide travel chaos. And today we expect the confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, so we explore what his appointment reveals about Trump’s governing style, loyalty politics, and the future of immigration enforcement. Plus, we speak with Tom Joseph, founder and treasurer of America's Main Street Party, that promises to reform the electoral process and take the money out of politics. . Stories Mentioned: Trump stands firm as Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx2lr40g17kt?page=8 Severe weather sweeps the US: https://apnews.com/article/travel-weather-storms-flights-airports-f485f93852f31ab2fbd0513a117c7e20 Markwayne Mullin confirmed as new DHS secretary: https://blog.ucs.org/shana-udvardy/if-confirmed-will-senator-markwayne-mullin-will-be-dhss-next-disaster/ America's Main Street Party: mainstreetparty.org . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York City, 1984: a subway car rattles beneath Manhattan, four teenagers joke and sway on the poles, and a quiet, bespectacled white man takes a seat directly across from them. What happens next becomes one of the most explosive and racially charged criminal cases in modern American history. Bernhard Goetz’s shooting of four Black teenagers - an act he claimed was self‑defence - ignited a national firestorm about crime, fear, vigilantism, and the deep racial fault lines shaping American life. But behind the headlines lies a far more complicated story: a city in crisis, a media machine eager for a narrative, a justice system bending under political pressure, and a man whose own confession revealed far more than the public was ever told. We will discuss the real events on that subway car, the distorted coverage that followed, and the long shadow the case cast over policing, gun culture, and racial justice in the United States. In this episode, we're asking… what did Bernie Goetz Do? . Special Guest: Heather Thompson, a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian, professor at the University of Michigan, and one of the leading scholars of mass incarceration, policing, and social movements in the United States. Her latest book, Fear and Fury: The 80s, the Getz Shootings and the Rebirth of America, offers the definitive re‑examination of the case, drawing on extensive archival research, interviews, and newly uncovered evidence to reveal how the Goetz shooting reshaped American attitudes toward crime, race, and justice. . Highlights: 03:21 - The chain of events 11:23 - Bernie's early life 18:22 - The pro-Goetz narrative 25:22 - Media and racism 33:27 - American history is episodic 41:14 - The cost of injustice 47:08 - A hinge moment in US justice . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠ Brands & advertises: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, A Brief History of the Oscars - when and why the Academy Awards started, how they evolved, why they matter, and a few fun facts to finish. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

It's been a pivotal week in US politics, beginning with the death of Alexander Butterfield, the Nixon aide whose quiet revelation of Oval Office recordings changed American history. There's also the meteoric rise of Texas Democrat James Talarico, whose record‑breaking primary turnout and cross‑party appeal have sparked talk of flipping Texas blue and even future presidential ambitions. And Donald Trump’s escalating war in Iran, the spiraling oil crisis, and the geopolitical fallout of a conflict the administration appears unable to control. Joining the show today is Andrew Moran, the Head of Criminology, Sociology, Politics and International Relations at London Met University . Stories Mentioned: The death of Alexander Butterfield (01:24) The rise of James Talarico (05:32) The legacy of Donald Trump (15:00) The downfall of Keir Starmer (40:47) The Girl Scouts' munchies cure (43:25) . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American cinema has always been a mirror, reflecting the nation’s ambitions, anxieties, and appetite for spectacle. In today's episode, we trace the evolution of movie‑going from the travelling roadshows of Gone with the Wind to the streaming‑dominated landscape of today, where Netflix is king. We unpack how Hollywood scaled up, how the blockbuster was born, why the multiplex became a cultural institution, and what ultimately destabilised the movie star system. So in this episode, I’m asking… who killed the movie star? . Special Guest: Van Connor, a film critic, writer, and broadcaster. He is the host of acclaimed movie podcast OffScreen and a regular on TV and radio, but if long film analysis isn’t quite your thing, check out Fifteen Second Cinema on his social channels. . Highlights: 02:25 - Gone with the Wind and the Roadshow Era 11:18 - The Netflix of the 1950s 18:53 - Counterculture 22:36 - Lucas, Spielberg and the Hollywood Blockbuster 32:34 - Cocaine 43:31 - Generation PG-13 53:44 - SFX vs Movie Stars 58:55 - The Netflix Era . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com 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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, How Does the US Government Work? I’m gonna explain the three branches. The different levels of government and how they all interrelate. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we're discussing the rapidly escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, including: Trump’s “large‑scale combat operation” and the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei Iran’s retaliation across the Middle East The failed Democratic attempt to restrict Trump’s war powers The absence of a clear US strategy, exit plan, or defined objectives The risk of regional destabilisation and global economic fallout Whether this could spiral into a wider conflict Joining the show today is Stefan Grobe, a former American history professor, now political editor and host at Euronews. . Stories Mentioned: The Clintons testify on Epstein: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/26/hillary-bill-clinton-testify-about-jeffrey-epstein-files-will-it-be-filmed/88883149007/ Georgia Man Convicted for Second Degree Murder: https://apnews.com/article/georgia-school-shooting-trial-colin-gray-e9afe6e8289f474aa474242ee4bdca67 The War in Iran: https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/timeline-us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-as-war-breaks-out-in-middle-east/ar-AA1XgxMq?ocid=BingNewsSerp . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we journey into the life and legacy of one of the most influential and controversial figures of the Black Power era. From the streets of Oakland to the halls of academia, he co-founded the Black Panther Party and became a symbol of resistance, community empowerment, and revolutionary thought. We’re going to explore his early influences, the rise and philosophy of the Panthers, his confrontations with law enforcement, his intellectual contributions, his decline and tragic death, and the enduring impact of his vision on both American political thought and today’s movements for racial justice. So in this episode, I’m asking… who is Huey P. Newton? . Special Guest: Joe Street, an Associate Professor of American History at Northumbria University. He specializes in twentieth-century American and African American history, with a particular focus on the intersections of race, politics, and popular culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the author of Black Revolutionaries: A History of the Black Panther Party, which was shortlisted for the 2025 British Association for American Studies book prize . Highlights: 03:52 - Early life and the angry black man 10:53 - Faith, family and the Black Panthers 20:40 - Panthers in the community 28:08 - Systemic inequality 42:35 - Huey's later tragic years 47:52 - Newton's legacy . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com 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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, Every American National Holiday - how they started, when they are, and what you should know before you go! . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we are joined by historian Tim Galsworthy for a packed episode covering one of the most chaotic stretches in US politics this year. We break down the Supreme Court’s landmark decision striking down Donald Trump’s global tariffs, the president’s furious response, and the emergency powers he’s now invoking to push through a 10% global tariff anyway. What does this mean for everyday Americans, and why are tariffs suddenly one of the most unpopular policies in the country? We also examine the latest security incident at Mar‑a‑Lago, where a 21‑year‑old armed man was shot and killed after entering the perimeter. With multiple attempts on Trump’s life in recent years, Tim explores why political violence is becoming disturbingly normalized in the US, and why assassination attempts rarely achieve what their perpetrators imagine. Across the Atlantic, the UK is reeling from the arrests of Prince Andrew and Lord Peter Mandelson on suspicion of misconduct in public office. With both cases linked to the fallout from the Epstein files, Liam and Tim discuss whether this mounting pressure could finally force US lawmakers to act, and why Trump’s own base is fracturing over his refusal to release the full documents. Finally, we speak with Corbin Trent, former Communications Director for AOC and senior figure on Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign, about authenticity in political messaging, the rise of left‑wing candidates like Zohran Mamdani, and whether the Democratic Party’s future is more socialist than its leadership wants to admit. . Stories Mentioned: America’s Undoing: https://www.americasundoing.com/ Supreme Court says no: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9 Trump’s 15% executive order: https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-trump-0485fcda30a7310501123e4931dba3f9 Section 122: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8r1e327z46o Andrew arrested: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/19/uk/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrest-what-we-know-intl Another Trump assassination attempt: https://news.sky.com/story/armed-man-shot-and-killed-after-entering-perimeter-of-mar-a-lago-13510785 . 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: america@podcastsbyliam.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode of America: A History, Liam sits down with acclaimed historian Robyn Spencer‑Antoine to unpack the real story of the Black Panther Party - far beyond the leather jackets, headlines, and Hollywood mythology. Drawing on decades of scholarship, Spencer‑Antoine traces the Panthers’ origins in Oakland’s local civil rights struggles, the socioeconomic inequalities that shaped Black life in the Bay Area, and the global revolutionary ideas that influenced the movement. As she explains, the Panthers emerged from “this confluence of political consciousness, this sense of possibility, and a desire for a different future, a remaking of America. . Special Guest: Robyn Spencer-Antoine, an acclaimed historian and Associate Professor at the CUNY Graduate Center. She specializes in African American social protest after World War II, urban and working-class radicalism, and gender. She is also the author of The Revolution Has Come: Black Power, Gender, and the Black Panther Party in Oakland, a landmark study that re-centers women’s roles and organizational evolution within the Party,. . Highlights: 02:17 - The origins of the Black Panthers 08:42 - A uniquely Western movement 11:23 - Huey Newton 15:04 - Provocative versus passive activism 21:23 - The 10 point program 26:39 - The political leanings of the Black Panther party 34:43 - Stigma and stereotypes 42:48 - What happened to the Black Panthers? . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com 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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, The Top 10 Tourist Attractions in the USA, in reverse order, based on annual visitor numbers, and correct at the time of writing in December 2025. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, on America: In the Making... An announcement on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (00:00) The death of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson (02:25) 11 more dead after US strikes on drug boats (07:19) Is morality in American politics dead? (21:51) And President Obama believes in aliens (40:22) Joining the show this week is Emma Long, Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia. And also Jacob Jarvis, the host of American Friction, and a regular on The Bunker, so he loves podcasting about America almost as much as we do. . News sources: American Friction [podcast]: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/american-friction/id1744345702  Jesse Jackson’s Death: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jesse-jackson-dies-age-84-civil-rights-leader/  11 dead after US strikes on alleged drug boats: https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-drug-trafficking-trump-5504d20ac43e0f4796084d0f1cefe5ec  Drug dealers Trump has pardoned: https://www.complex.com/life/a/backwoodsaltar/drug-dealers-donald-trump-pardoned  Pam Bondi testimonial: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/fiery-exchanges-dominate-bondi-appearance-before-congress-4-takeaways/ar-AA1Wa41i?ocid=BingNewsSerp  How many countries has Trump attacked? https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/president-of-peace-really-countries-trump-has-bombed-in-his-second-term-article-153402053  2025 Government shutdown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_federal_government_shutdown  Impact of ICE raids: https://truthout.org/articles/the-trauma-of-ice-raids-is-rippling-through-public-schools-across-the-us/  Affordability crisis continues: https://www.allianz.com/en/economic_research/insights/publications/specials_fmo/260211-US-affordability.html  Obama clarifies existence of aliens: https://www.nbcnews.com/video/barack-obama-clarifies-he-s-seen-no-evidence-of-aliens-257772101699 . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

This week, we discuss a woman whose journey from bondage to the heart of the Lincoln White House is a story of extraordinary perseverance and ingenuity. Her rise to prominence as a celebrated dressmaker and confidante to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, her authorship of the groundbreaking memoir Behind the Scenes, and her philanthropic leadership during and after the Civil War, all mark her as a pivotal figure in American history. Yet, for much of the twentieth century, her story was marginalized - her achievements overshadowed by the very social barriers she fought to break down. Today, historians, artists, and writers are reclaiming her legacy, recognizing her not only as “Mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker,” but as a businesswoman, author, activist, and Black female intellectual, whose life illuminates the intersections of race, gender, and power in nineteenth-century America. So in this episode, we explore her early years in slavery, her struggle for freedom, her career in Washington,, and the enduring impact she has had on American culture and scholarship, as I ask… who is Elizabeth Keckley? . Special Guest: Professor Rebecca Fraser, a leading scholar of American history and culture at the University of East Anglia, specializing in the intersections of gender, race, and intellectual life in nineteenth-century America. Her recent book, Black Female Intellectuals in Nineteenth Century America: Born to Bloom Unseen?, reconceptualizes the very notion of “intellectual” to include women whose voices and creative work have long been excluded from mainstream scholarship. . Highlights: 03:48 - Early life 08:16 - A day in the life of Elizabeth Keckley 13:51 - Robert and Anna 18:26 - Moving to St Louis 26:58 - Hustling to the White House 30:22 - Dressmaker to the First Lady 35:00 - Where did it all go wrong? 38:12 - Keckley the activist 42:56 - Keckley's legacy . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com 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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, The Electoral College Explained - why it was created, how it works, and how it impacts a Presidential election. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, on America: In the Making... the fallout from Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance (15:47), teacher strikes continue in San Francisco (01:39), that AI video with the Obamas (05:34), the NAACP take on Elon Musk (38:06), and a cat sanctuary puts some kindness back in the world (12:15) Joining the show this week is Ira Chaleff, author of To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers, which is available to buy now. He is co-author of the original handbook given to every newly elected member of the US Congress and is Chair Emeritus of the non-partisan Congressional Management Foundation. And Abre' Conner, Director of Environmental and Climate Justice at the NAACP . News sources: NAACP Taking Action: Tech companies ‘be on alert,’ NAACP says with new guiding principles for data centers | The Verge NAACP Playbook: https://naacp.org/articles/naacp-releases-playbook-frontline-communities-stop-dirty-data-centers  NYT Magazine Article: https://law.news.niu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/03/Pollution-Is-Killing-Black-Americans.-This-Community-Fought-Back.-.pdf  Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl: https://apnews.com/article/bad-bunny-kid-rock-super-bowl-halftime-698c46096a387cfec34e4cc2fba29d82  Turning Point’s halftime show: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/millions-of-super-bowl-fans-tune-into-turning-point-usas-halftime-show-instead-of-bad-bunny/ar-AA1VWOUB?ocid=BingNewsSerp  Megyn Kelly on Piers Morgan: https://youtu.be/UmoekomrMww  Spanish speaking Americans: https://factually.co/fact-checks/society/percentage-of-us-population-that-speaks-spanish-e6d3f7  Teacher strikes in San Francisco: https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-teachers-strike-ec574f8ac7ef0e0041e9f136e9f99140  Trump’s Obama video: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/06/donald-trump-racist-meme-obama-explained/88544923007/  Trump not apologising: https://time.com/7372734/trump-obama-monkey-video-republican-criticism-racist-trope/  Cat Sanctuary: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/pet-sanctuary-takes-in-overflow-from-homeless-shelter-amid-unprecedented-cold-snap/  Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary: https://safehavenpet.org/ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠ 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

This week, we are discussing a gifted performer, a scholar, athlete, and, above all, a tireless activist. Born to a lineage marked by slavery and resilience, he rose to become one of the twentieth century’s greatest Renaissance figures, fighting for civil rights, and championing peace and internationalism. His legacy is inseparable from the complex development of American national identity. His cosmopolitan vision, his refusal to be “just an entertainer” in a segregated nation, and his insistence that the artist must “take sides” brought him both global adulation and the crushing weight of McCarthyite repression. We’re going to revisit his early influences, his multifaceted career, the full arc of his activism, and his impact on ideas of citizenship, art, and what it means to stand for justice in America and the world. So in this episode, I’m asking… who is Paul Robeson? . Special Guest: Nicholas Grant, an Associate Professor of International History at the University of East Anglia. He is an expert on twentieth century United States, researching race, internationalism and transnational activism. . Highlights: 02:51 - A disdain for Uncle Tom 09:02 - Race and social mobility 17:50 - Black America and the Harlem renaissance 23:19 - Leaving the echo chamber 29:05 - Robeson and Wales 39:18 - McCarthyism 44:17 - HUAC . For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠ . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com 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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, The Rules of American Football - a brief history of the game, and everything you need to know, to understand what the heck is going on! . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we're talking about the DOJ's release of three million documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump's suggestion of nationalising elections. Plus Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE discusses growing tension in the middle east, as the US and Iran inch ever closer to conflict. All of this and more on another edition of America: A History in the Making. . Special Guests: Clodagh Harrington from University College Cork. She is also host of the wonderful podcast A Chicken in Every Pot alongside Alex Waddan Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE, founder of the International Civil Society Action Network, and host of the excellent podcast If You Were in Charge. . Mentioned in this Episode: A Chicken in Every Pot: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-chicken-in-every-pot/id1780348590 ICAN: https://icanpeacework.org/ If You Were in Charge :https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/if-you-were-in-charge/id1770618616 Clintons agree to testify: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/general/bill-and-hillary-clinton-agree-to-testify-in-house-about-jeffrey-epstein/ar-AA1VwJQU?ocid=BingNewsSerp DOJ releases epstein files: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files Met Police to investigate Peter Mandelson: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/clynp40ekrdt?page=4 Josh D’Amaro to Become Disney CEO: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-ceo-announcement/ Trump wants to nationalise elections: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mke841zj0o FBI raid Fulton Country election office: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/winners-losers-from-james-harden-trade-to-cleveland-cavaliers/ar-AA1VCscN?ocid=BingNewsSerp US shoot down Iranian drone: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-carrier-shoots-down-iranian-drone-as-tensions-escalate-and-diplomatic-talks-hit-a-snag/ar-AA1VABf1?ocid=BingNewsSerp . Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

Set in the forests of upstate New York during the French and Indian War, James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel has become one of the most enduring works of early American literature. It helped define the frontier myth, shaped American ideas about Native peoples, and influenced generations of writers, filmmakers, and cultural storytellers. Today, as we mark its 200th anniversary, we explore its themes, its historical context, and its complicated legacy. So in this episode, I’m asking… what is The Last of the Mohicans? ... Special guest for this episode: Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, a scholar of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia. His work spans the 19th century, with particular expertise in the intersections of literature, history, and national identity. He has written extensively on American storytelling traditions, frontier mythology, and the cultural imagination of the early United States. ... Highlights from this episode: 02:09 - Standing the test of time 06:21 - America's newfound sense of self 10:36 - The story of The Last of the Mohicans 15:40 - Romanticising colonisation 21:23 - What the frontier means for America 27:09 - White male heroes 31:29 - Native American representations 35:57 - National identity isn't just black and white 40:32 - A more colourful America 47:05 - I'm freakin' Hawkeye ... Additional Resources: The Last of the Mohicans — Free eBook https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/940 LitCharts: Themes and Analysis https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-last-of-the-mohicans (litcharts.com in Bing) SparkNotes: Summary and Themes https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mohicans/ Novelguide: Theme Analysis https://novelguide.com/the-last-of-the-mohicans/theme-analysis (novelguide.com in Bing) Montclair State University: Theme PDF https://cyber.montclair.edu/Resources/B2F9F/501012/ThemeOfLastOfTheMohicans.pdf (cyber.montclair.edu in Bing) Encyclopedia Britannica: Cooper Biography https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Fenimore-Cooper (britannica.com in Bing) Library of Congress: Cooper Collection https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-fenimore-cooper/about-this-collection/ (loc.gov in Bing) American Literature: Cooper Overview https://americanliterature.com/author/james-fenimore-cooper (americanliterature.com in Bing) The Cambridge History of American Literature — Cooper chapter https://www.cambridge.org Oxford Bibliographies: James Fenimore Cooper https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com The Cambridge Companion to James Fenimore Cooper https://www.cambridge.org Playing Indian by Philip Deloria (on Native representation) https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780300080674 (hup.harvard.edu in Bing) The Invention of the American West by Richard Slotkin https://www.amazon.com/Regeneration-Through-Violence-Mythology-1600-1860/dp/0806132290 (amazon.com in Bing) National Park Service: French and Indian War Overview https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/french-and-indian-war.htm (nps.gov in Bing) History.com: French and Indian War https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/french-and-indian-war (history.com in Bing) Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) https://naisa.org Smithsonian NMAI: Native Representation in Literature https://americanindian.si.edu (americanindian.si.edu in Bing) The White Man’s Indian by Robert Berkhofer https://www.amazon.com/White-Mans-Indian-Images-American/dp/0674957867 (amazon.com in Bing) Roger Ebert Review of the 1992 Film https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-last-of-the-mohicans-1992 (rogerebert.com in Bing) The New Yorker: Revisiting the Novel https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/revisiting-the-last-of-the-mohicans (newyorker.com in Bing) BFI: Michael Mann’s Adaptation https://www.bfi.org.uk ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: Who Are Native Americans? How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation? What is Thanksgiving? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, A Brief History of the 50 States. I’ll explain how the United States grew from the 13 original states into the 50 states we have today, explaining the legal process of admission, major land acquisitions, political forces that shaped statehood, and the final additions of Alaska and Hawaii. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we're talking about Trump showing signs of cooling on ICE in Minnesota, social media giants feel the pressure, plus Mr. Potato Head finds himself at the center of a legal dispute. Plus, the US are lining up for a possible strike on Iran, but when will they make their move, and what will this mean for Iran, America, and the world? All of this and more on another edition of America: A History in the Making. . Special Guest: This week, we are delighted to be joined by Theo Zenou, Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University. He earned his PhD in American history from Cambridge University and writes for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal UnHerd and others. . Links to Stories in this Episode: Donald Trump describes 'very good call' with Tim Walz Who Was Alex Pretti? Judge orders ICE chief to appear in court or risk contempt | AP News Greg Bovino, architect of Trump's immigration sweeps, departs Minneapolis | AP News Why Rhode Island might ditch its Mr. Potato Head license plates | AP News TikTok settles just before social media addiction trial to begin - BBC News Seahawks, Patriots set to meet in Super Bowl rematch - CBS News Composer Philip Glass drops Kennedy Center world premiere over Trump takeover | Reuters . Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, we explore what is arguably the most consequential event in the creation of the United States, reshaping the Western world by enshrining new concepts of liberty, equality, and self-governance. So I want to know what really caused it, why people risked their lives for it, and how are modern day debates about power, justice and identity still shaped by it, as I ask… what is the American Revolutionary War? ... Special guest for this episode: Liz Covart, the award-winning creator and host of Ben Franklin’s World. Her work, both academic and public, shines in exploring how early Americans navigated 18th-century complexity: loyalty and revolution, community and conflict, the realities of freedom and the challenges of pluralism. She is also the founder of Scholar.DIY, a public benefit company that empowers scholars to transform their expertise into compelling digital stories. ... Highlights from this episode: 02:56 - A world of empires 08:51 - Taxation without representation 17:21 - The revolution for social mobility 25:48 - Shaping American identity 29:27 - Key battles 34:12 - A mutual enemy 39:22 - The defining moments in America's victory 45:06 - Impact of independence on marginalised groups 49:29 - Liberty and equality for some ... Additional Resources: Encyclopedia Britannica: Timeline of the American Revolution — Detailed chronology and major themes American Battlefield Trust: Revolution Timeline — Comprehensive timeline, maps, major battles Library of Congress: Revolution Primary Sources — Original documents and teaching resources Have Fun With History: 10 Most Important People in the American Revolution — In-depth profiles and legacy discussions Mount Vernon: 10 Facts About the Revolutionary War — Focus on George Washington’s leadership and decision-making American Revolution.org: Best Primary Sources — Diaries, letters, maps, memoirs, political cartoons Khan Academy: Philosophical Foundations of the Revolution — Enlightenment, natural rights, social contract History Education Foundation: Key Ideas of the American Revolution — Summarizes liberty, equality, self-governance, republicanism Fiveable: Philosophical Foundations Study Guide — Detailed overview of major intellectual influences JSTOR: The American Revolution, A Philosophical Interpretation — Academic deep dive into the ideological legacy American Battlefield Trust: France in the American Revolution — Military alliance background, impact, and aftermath World History Encyclopedia: French Involvement — Social, financial, and diplomatic dimensions Smithsonian: The Impact of the Revolution Abroad — Influence in Europe, global response American Battlefield Trust: Battle Facts and Summaries — Maps, analyses, and narratives Ideological Origins of the American Revolution — Enlightenment and revolutionary ideology Patrick Henry — Iconic oratory and the Constitution Valley Forge — Hardship and transformation The Revolution's African American Soldiers — Untold stories of military service Women and the Constitutional Moment of 1787 — Gender, citizenship, and constitutional debates American Revolution.org Primary Sources — First-person narratives, letters, cartoons, and maps Schoolshistory.org.uk: American Revolution Primary Sources — British and colonial perspectives, visual collections 10 Best American Revolution Podcasts To Follow — Discover more expert interviews and stories Ben Franklin’s World: Official Podcast Homepage — Full episode archive, show notes, and guest bios ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: Why Did the USA Drop Atomic Bombs on Japan? Is America an Empire? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask. This week, US time zones: what they are, why they exist, and a few quick tips so you don’t miss a lecture (or a podcast recording) ever again. . Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week, on America: In the Making… Will Greenland be the death of the UK-US special relationship? AI-generated confusion after Monkeys escape a zoo in Missouri, and One small step for Congress, one giant leap for mankind. I speak to Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society, about Trump’s failed efforts to decimate the NASA budget. . Special Guest: This week, we are delighted to be joined by Emma Long, an Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia. . Useful Links: Trump has threatened Europe with higher tariffs. What happens now? | The Independent The exchange of messages between Norway's prime minister and President Trump | Reuters Keir Starmer about to hold emergency press conference Trump Shares Map of US Including Greenland, Canada, Venezuela - Newsweek Congress passes $24.4 billion NASA budget, rejecting Trump's deep cuts As Musk works to slash federal spending, his own firms have received billions in government contracts - ABC News The Planetary Society Army has put 1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment | AP News Multiple monkeys on the loose in St. Louis | AP News Supreme Court weighs Trump's firing of the Fed's Lisa Cook by social media | Reuters Fed Chair Jerome Powell stands up to Trump : NPR . Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

Today, we turn our focus to a figure who remains as enigmatic as he is iconic. Ascending to the presidency at one of the tensest moments in American and world history, he energized a nation with his call for a “New Frontier,” navigated the shoals of the Cold War, and inspired Americans with his vision for space and civil rights. Yet behind his polished image lay personal struggles, political obstacles, and a legacy marked as much by tragedy as by promise. So in this episode, on the anniversary of his inauguration, I’m asking… who is President John F. Kennedy? .. Special guest for this episode: Barbara Perry, a distinguished scholar from the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and one of the preeminent experts on the Kennedy family and presidency. She has authored and edited numerous books, including Jacqueline Kennedy: First Lady of the New Frontier and Rose Kennedy: The Life and Times of a Political Matriarch. ... Highlights from this episode: John F. Kennedy's presidency, despite its brevity, was marked by significant achievements in civil rights and the space race. Kennedy's early life and family background played a crucial role in shaping his political ambitions and character. The complexities of JFK's personal life, including his infidelities, contrast sharply with his public persona as a devoted leader. The impact of JFK's assassination continues to resonate in American culture and politics, symbolizing a profound national tragedy. ... Additional Resources: Jacqueline Kennedy: First Lady of the New Frontier by Barbara Perry Rose Kennedy: The Life and Times of a Political Matriarch by Barbara Perry Miller Center: JFK Life Before the Presidency Miller Center: Domestic Affairs Miller Center: Impact and Legacy JFK Library: Life of John F. Kennedy JFK Library: PT-109 JFK Library: The 1960 Election JFK Library: The New Frontier National Archives: JFK in Congress JFK Library: Civil Rights History.com: JFK and Marilyn Monroe History Hit: JFK’s Affairs History Hit: Camelot Encyclopedia Britannica: John F. Kennedy Britannica: New Frontier JFK Assassination and Conspiracy Theories National Archives: 1960 Election Results Miller Center: Barbara Perry University of Virginia: Barbara Perry CV and Bio Political Dictionary: Camelot JFK Library: The Space Program Rice University: JFK Moon Speech Miller Center: JFK and the Space Race ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Was the Constitutional Convention? Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms? Is the President Above the Law? How Are Presidents Elected? What is the US Constitution? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July 2023, I launched a bit of a passion project, with my old lecturers at the University of East Anglia. America: A History was born. But a lot has changed in two and half years. And we thought it was about time we did too... Introducing, America: The Story of the USA, in partnership with the British Association for American Studies. Returns 19th January. ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tree is up, the lights are on, and the presents are (probably) wrapped. Only two more sleeps until the day when sacred, family-oriented togetherness merges with ruthless consumer culture… or, as it’s more commonly known, Christmas. So in this episode we’re going to dive into the murky, tinsel-covered contradiction of the holiday season, as I ask… is Capitalism killing Christmas? ... Special guest for this episode: Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. His new book, Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories and Illustrations That Shaped an American Icon, is available to buy now. Brian Earl the creator and host of the excellent podcast Christmas Past… a very merry welcome back to Brian Earl… ... Highlights from this episode: Christmas has evolved significantly from its religious roots into a commercially driven holiday, with advertising and consumerism deeply intertwined. The Puritans' resistance to Christmas in early America reflects a long-standing conflict between celebration and moral values within American culture. Consumerism and Christmas are inextricably linked; it's hard to separate the two without losing the holiday's modern meaning. Historical variations in Christmas celebrations across America reveal regional differences in traditions, influenced by factors like local culture and economy. The rise of industrialism in the 19th century played a crucial role in shaping the consumer habits associated with the Christmas season. Charitable giving during Christmas often serves to highlight socioeconomic divides while simultaneously fostering a sense of community and shared goodwill. ... Additional Resources: Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories and Illustrations That Shaped an American Icon by Thomas Ruys Smith Christmas Past by Brian Earl The Modern Christmas in America: A Cultural History of Gift Giving by Williams Waits The Commercialization of the Calendar: American Holidays and the Culture of Consumption Christmas in America: A History by Penne L. Restad How the Puritans Banned Christmas. Yankee Magazine. Colonial Williamsburg ‘The Twelve Myths of Christmas’ and Early American Christmas traditions An Early American Christmas The Oxford Handbook of Christmas – “Commercialism and Consumerism.” John Schmalzbauer. [Oxford Academic, 2020]. Exploring capitalism, disenchantment, enchantment, and debates on secular/commercial Christmas. The Commercialization of the Calendar: American Holidays and the Culture of Consumption, 1870–1930 by Leigh Schmidt The Golden Age of Department Stores at Christmas by The Retro Network A Brief History of Commercializing Christmas by Tim Harford Brand Vision: Best 50 Christmas Marketing Campaigns of All Time 20 Holiday Advertising Campaigns That Revolutionized Marketing The Artist Behind the Coca-Cola Santa Claus Haddon Sundblom and the Coca-Cola Santas Christmas as Cyclical Repetition - Easy Sociology Capitalism and the Holidays: How Money Grows on Christmas Trees Christmas over-consumption: Why we shop the way we do (even climate activists!) A Conscious Christmas: Rethinking Consumerism and Supporting Social En The Christmas spirit: is it now about consumerism or caring? ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What is the War on Christmas? How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie What's the History of Christmas in America? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our last bonus episode of the year, I wanted to share some episodes that can get you through the holiday season, linked below, and give you a little tease of what's to come in 2026. Spoiler alert: we are going bigger, better and bolder than ever before, so follow the podcast right now and be part of something mega! ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: Is Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth? What is Disney's America? Why is Santa So American? I Am... Jody Williams ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, I asked ‘Who is Santa Claus?’ We discussed the origins and early incarnations of the figure we now understand to be Santa through a more global lens. So this year, I want to continue this conversation, but look specifically at how he became America’s poster boy for Christmas, and why this could be challenged in future, as I ask… why is Santa so American? ... Special guest for this episode: Thomas Ruys Smith, a Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of the New Area Studies Research Centre. In 2023, he published The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, and his new book, Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories and Illustrations That Shaped an American Icon, is available to buy now. Vaughn Joy, whose doctoral research, Selling Out Santa, focuses specifically on Hollywood Christmas Films in the age of McCarthy. ... Highlights from this episode: The discussion revolved around the transformation of Santa Claus into an American cultural icon over the years. We explored how Santa's early depictions varied regionally across America, reflecting different cultural influences and customs. The podcast highlighted the role of commercialism in shaping Santa’s image, especially during the rise of department stores in the late 19th century. Santa Claus has evolved through various literary and film interpretations, reflecting societal values and changes in American culture. The conversation touched on the implications of Santa's myth on children's expectations around Christmas and societal values of generosity and goodwill. We examined how modern iterations of Santa are influenced by current events and cultural shifts, showcasing his adaptability in American folklore. ... Additional Resources: Amazon.com: The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman edited by Thomas Ruys Smith Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories and Illustrations That Shaped an American Icon by Thomas Ruys Smith Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy by Vaughn Joy Old Santeclaus with Much Delight: The Children's Friend: A New-Year's Present, to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore A Mischievous St. Nick from the Smithsonian American Art Museum Santa Claus (1898) A Little Girl Who Did Not Believe in Santa Claus (1907) Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus (1897) Is There a Santa Claus? By Jacob Riis Miracle On 34th Street 1947/ 1994 Double Pack The Little Messenger Birds: Or, the Chimes of the Silver Bells by Caroline Butler Thomas Nast - Hello!, Santa Claus! (originally published in "Harper's Weekly," December 20, 1884) - The Metropolitan Museum of Art ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What is the War on Christmas? How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie What's the History of Christmas in America? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special festive bonus episode, Liam & guests discuss their own personal Christmas traditions, their favourite screen Santa Claus and what, if anything, we would change or add to the myth of Santa. Happy holidays everyone! ... Special guest for this episode: Thomas Ruys Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia, and author of The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. Brian Earl, creator and host of Christmas Past ... Highlights from this episode: The importance of traditions like Santa Claus in family celebrations. Brian explains the Christmas Goose. Tom reflects on the evolution of Santa Claus in modern holiday culture and media. How children's understanding of Santa changes as they grow older. The fleeting nature of childhood magic during Christmas celebrations. The portrayal of Mrs. Claus and her evolving role. ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What is the War on Christmas? How to Make a Hollywood Christmas Movie What's the History of Christmas in America? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This edition of the podcast is a very special one. Firstly, it’s our 100th main episode, which is astonishing, so I want to thank everyone who has played any part in making this podcast - from everyone at UEA and behind the scenes to every guest who has donated their time and expertise. This genuinely would not have been possible without all of you. On which note, today also marks the first of our ‘I Am…’ series, where we are joined by someone who has made an indelible mark on America, if not the world, to tell their story in their own words. ... Special guest for this episode: Jody Williams, a Nobel Peace Laureate, who changed international law by founding the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). She is now a founding member of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, and her tireless determination to make the world a better, safer, and more equitable place has had an unfathomable impact on millions. ... Additional Resources: My Name Is Jody Williams: A Vermont Girl's Winding Path to the Nobel Peace Prize by Jody Williams Jody Williams – Biographical - NobelPrize.org Jody Williams | Peace Jam Jody Williams: A realistic vision for world peace | TED Talk Homepage - ICBLCMC NobelPrize.org ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Was the Constitutional Convention? Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms? Is the President Above the Law? How Are Presidents Elected? What is the US Constitution? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode, comic book expert Julian Chambliss sticks around to discuss his own childhood comic book collection, and reveals the one rare comic book he wishes he could find... ... Special guest for this episode: Julian Chambliss, a Professor of English at Michigan State University, whose research focuses on race, culture, and power in real and imagined spaces, with a particular interest in comic book history/ ... Highlights from this episode: Comic books have played a significant role in fostering a love for reading among children. The accessibility of comic books in the United States was much greater during the speaker's childhood. Collecting comics can lead to acquiring valuable editions, but many childhood collections were discarded. The comic book market is complex and often confusing, especially regarding the value of certain issues. The speaker expresses a desire to own a rare comic called Lobo, known for its historical significance. Comic book conventions are places where collectors can search for rare finds and engage with others in the community. ... Additional Resources: Origins and History History of American comics - Wikipedia History Of American Comics: From Victorian Roots To The Modern Multimedia Era (Toons Mag) American comic book - Wikipedia Histoire de Mr. Vieux Bois – Wikipedia + Guinness World Records, Guinness World Records: First Comic A History of the Comic Book - Random History Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Modern Ages Comic Book Ages Explained - Biowars Silver Age Comics - Comic Buying Center The Flash: The Silver Age - Slings & Arrows Modern Age of Comic Books - Wikipedia 20 Major Comic Events That Shaped Us – GoCollect Fandom, Endurance, and Collecting Why Comic Books Remain Popular Among Collectors - Big News Network U.S. Comic Books Market Size, Share | Grand View Research Cross-Media Adaptations The Impact of Comic Books on Popular Culture - Comicbooklist.com From Pop Art Panels to Record Breaking Blockbusters - The Science Survey The Transformation of Comic Books Into Movies - WhatsAfterTheMovie.com A Brief History of Comic Book Movies - Springer Representation and Diversity Kamala Khan - Wikipedia (Ms. Marvel) Black Panther First Appearance - Comic Book Addicts Julian Chambliss and Comics Scholarship Julian C. Chambliss – Michigan State University Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men – Cambridge Scholars Publishing/Open Library, Open Library Comics Studies as an Academic Field The Oxford Handbook of Comic Book Studies - Oxford University Press, Amazon UK The Power of Comics: History, Form & Culture - Duncan & Smith Digital Transformation, Webcomics, and New Platforms The Rise of Digital Comics: Trends and Technologies - electricomics.net The Rise of Webcomics Explained - Toons Mag Evolution of Digital Comics and Graphic Novels - EMB Global Other Notable Reference Titles Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America – Bradford W. Wright Of Comics and Men: A Cultural History of American Comic Books – Jean-Paul Gabilliet Seal of Approval. The History of the Comics Code – Amy Kiste Nyberg Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre – Peter Coogan The Dark Age: Grim, Great & Gimmicky Post-Modern Comics – Mark Voger Baby Boomer Comics: The Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Comic Books of the 1960s! – Craig Shutt The Comic Book: The One Essential Guide for Comic Book Fans Everywhere – Paul Sassiene ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Makes Country Music so American? Are the Oscars Still Relevant? Why Does Everyone Love Disney? Could Friends BE Any Bigger? How Accurate is Forrest Gump? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comic books are woven into the fabric of American pop culture, evolving from humble newspaper strips to a multi billion dollar industry. Their stories have inspired hope during wars, reflected societal anxieties during culture shifts, and consistently adapted to embrace new technologies and audiences. Today, comic book heroes and genres remain vibrant symbols of American imagination and reinvention, their influence reaching well beyond the printed page to movies, fashion, digital art, and fandom communities nationwide. So in this episode, we will explore its origins, cultural impact, and enduring popularity, as I ask… why does America love comic books? ... Special guest for this episode: Julian Chambliss, a Professor of English at Michigan State University, whose research focuses on race, culture, and power in real and imagined spaces, with a particular interest in comic book history/ ... Highlights from this episode: Comic books have transformed from simple newspaper strips into a significant component of American pop culture, highlighting their incredible evolution and widespread appeal. The connection between comic book narratives and societal anxieties reflects the historical context of American culture during significant events, like wars and societal shifts. Comic book characters, especially superheroes, serve as symbols of American values, often embodying the ideals of hope, justice, and the fight against tyranny, as seen in figures like Captain America. The enduring popularity of comic books can be attributed to their diverse storytelling capabilities, allowing them to transcend genres and reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds. ... Additional Resources: Origins and History History of American comics - Wikipedia History Of American Comics: From Victorian Roots To The Modern Multimedia Era (Toons Mag) American comic book - Wikipedia Histoire de Mr. Vieux Bois – Wikipedia + Guinness World Records, Guinness World Records: First Comic A History of the Comic Book - Random History Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Modern Ages Comic Book Ages Explained - Biowars Silver Age Comics - Comic Buying Center The Flash: The Silver Age - Slings & Arrows Modern Age of Comic Books - Wikipedia 20 Major Comic Events That Shaped Us – GoCollect Fandom, Endurance, and Collecting Why Comic Books Remain Popular Among Collectors - Big News Network U.S. Comic Books Market Size, Share | Grand View Research Cross-Media Adaptations The Impact of Comic Books on Popular Culture - Comicbooklist.com From Pop Art Panels to Record Breaking Blockbusters - The Science Survey The Transformation of Comic Books Into Movies - WhatsAfterTheMovie.com A Brief History of Comic Book Movies - Springer Representation and Diversity Kamala Khan - Wikipedia (Ms. Marvel) Black Panther First Appearance - Comic Book Addicts Julian Chambliss and Comics Scholarship Julian C. Chambliss – Michigan State University Ages of Heroes, Eras of Men – Cambridge Scholars Publishing/Open Library, Open Library Comics Studies as an Academic Field The Oxford Handbook of Comic Book Studies - Oxford University Press, Amazon UK The Power of Comics: History, Form & Culture - Duncan & Smith Digital Transformation, Webcomics, and New Platforms The Rise of Digital Comics: Trends and Technologies - electricomics.net The Rise of Webcomics Explained - Toons Mag Evolution of Digital Comics and Graphic Novels - EMB Global Other Notable Reference Titles Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America – Bradford W. Wright Of Comics and Men: A Cultural History of American Comic Books – Jean-Paul Gabilliet Seal of Approval. The History of the Comics Code – Amy Kiste Nyberg Superhero: The Secret Origin of a Genre – Peter Coogan The Dark Age: Grim, Great & Gimmicky Post-Modern Comics – Mark Voger Baby Boomer Comics: The Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Comic Books of the 1960s! – Craig Shutt The Comic Book: The One Essential Guide for Comic Book Fans Everywhere – Paul Sassiene ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Makes Country Music so American? Are the Oscars Still Relevant? Why Does Everyone Love Disney? Could Friends BE Any Bigger? How Accurate is Forrest Gump? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode, we dive deeper into the intriguing question of whether a woman could ever become pope. Plus, we discuss the current hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church and the significant barriers women face in being ordained. We also come back to the goodness that Pope Leo XIV seems to embody, suggesting that regardless of religious titles, it's the inherent kindness that truly matters. ... Special guest for this episode: Kathleen Cummings, a professor of history and American studies at the University of Notre Dame, with a focus on the history of women, Catholicism and American religion. Her books include A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American. John Doughney, a childhood friend of Pope Leo. They attended Catholic school together in Chicago, and he now lives in Texas, running a beautiful stained glass business with his wife. ... Highlights from this episode: The Catholic Church's hierarchical structure makes it highly unlikely for women to become priests in the near future, let alone a pope. The slow pace of change within the Catholic Church means that any significant reforms will take generations to implement, if they happen at all. Pope Leo XIV's past education under female theologians suggests potential for progressive change, but resistance remains strong regarding women's ordination. The idea of faith as a justification for values is discussed, emphasizing that goodness is not inherently linked to religious beliefs. John's reflections on growing up in a blue-collar family highlight how community and tradition shape individual values and beliefs. The conversation touches on the intersection of faith, politics, and morality, urging listeners to reflect on the true essence of serving one's fellow man. ... Additional Resources: A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American by Kathleen Cummings 'We knew there was something special about him,' says childhood friend of Pope Leo How a humble Chicago schoolboy Robert Prevost with a veteran father rose to become America's first Pope  by the Daily Mail Pope Leo XIV: Robert Prévost arrived in Chulucanas, Peru in 1985 by the Peru News Agency Stained Glass by John & Nancy Doughney ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Was the Constitutional Convention? Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms? Is the President Above the Law? How Are Presidents Elected? What is the US Constitution? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the heart of Chicago’s South Side to the highest office in the Catholic Church, the journey of Robert Provost is as improbable as it is inspiring. So in today’s episode, we’re exploring the life, legacy, and cultural significance of the first American Pope. From his early years in Illinois, via his transformative missionary work in Peru, all the way to the papacy, this is a story that both reflects and reshapes the American Catholic experience. So… who is Pope Leo XIV? ... Special guest for this episode: Kathleen Cummings, a professor of history and American studies at the University of Notre Dame, with a focus on the history of women, Catholicism and American religion. Her books include A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American. John Doughney, a childhood friend of Pope Leo. They attended Catholic school together in Chicago, and he now lives in Texas, running a beautiful stained glass business with his wife. ... Highlights from this episode: Robert Provost's journey from Chicago's south side to the papacy is truly remarkable. This episode highlights the cultural significance of Pope Leo XIV as the first American Pope. We delve into how Pope Leo's early life influenced his commitment to servant leadership. Pope Leo XIV's missionary work in Peru profoundly shaped his understanding of social justice and community. The podcast explores the unique dynamics of being an American Pope in a diverse global church. We discuss how Pope Leo XIV's choice of name signifies hope and a commitment to social teaching. ... Additional Resources: A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American by Kathleen Cummings 'We knew there was something special about him,' says childhood friend of Pope Leo How a humble Chicago schoolboy Robert Prevost with a veteran father rose to become America's first Pope  by the Daily Mail Pope Leo XIV: Robert Prévost arrived in Chulucanas, Peru in 1985 by the Peru News Agency Stained Glass by John & Nancy Doughney ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Was the Constitutional Convention? Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms? Is the President Above the Law? How Are Presidents Elected? What is the US Constitution? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode, we learn about Fannie Lou Hamer, an activist and one of the lesser known heroes of the civil rights movement, who championed for voter equality in the US, and risked her own safety for justice. ... Special guest for this episode: Nicholas Grant, an Associate Professor of International History at the University of East Anglia. He is an expert on twentieth century United States, researching race, internationalism and transnational activism. ... Highlights from this episode: In this bonus episode, we further unpack the significance of the Voting Rights Act and its historical context, which is crucial for understanding today's political landscape. Fannie Lou Hamer emerged as a central figure in the civil rights movement, emphasizing the power of grassroots activism to effect real change in voting rights. We encourage listeners to explore Fannie Lou Hamer's life, as her story exemplifies the struggles faced by ordinary individuals fighting for their right to vote. The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was co-founded by Hamer in 1964, challenging the all-white Democratic Party and advocating for Black political participation. Hamer's famous quote, 'I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired,' reflects the frustration and resilience of those fighting against voter suppression. As we continue to discuss voting rights, we invite everyone to engage in informed discussions and explore the resources linked in our show notes. ... Additional Resources: National Archives Voting Rights Act (1965) Milestone Documents: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act Civil Rights History Project – Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/civil-rights-movement/ The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture – Fannie Lou Hamer and Voting Rights: https://womenshistory.si.edu/blog/fannie-lou-hamer-and-fight-voting-rights Primary Source Spotlight: Voting Rights Act of 1965: https://primarysourcenexus.org/2019/02/primary-source-spotlight-voting-rights-act-1965/ Supreme Court of the United States: Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021) – Full Opinions: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-1257_g204.pdf Shelby County v. Holder (2013) Decision – Wikipedia Guide and Analysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County_v._Holder Brennan Center for Justice – Effects of Shelby County v. Holder on the Voting Rights Act: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/effects-shelby-county-v-holder-voting-rights-act Smithsonian Magazine – Fannie Lou Hamer’s Dauntless Fight for Black Americans’ Right to Vote: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fannie-lou-hamers-dauntless-fight-for-black-americans-right-vote-180975610/ TIME Magazine – Rosa Parks and Voting Rights Activism: https://time.com/5933396/rosa-parks-voting-rights/ The National Constitution Center – History and Legacy of the Voting Rights Act: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-history-and-legacy-of-the-voting-rights-act Wikipedia: Timeline of Voting Rights in the United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_voting_rights_in_the_United_States Smith v. Allwright (1944) Decision – White Primaries: https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/vce/features/0404_01/smith.html SNCC Digital Gateway – People Who Led the Movement: Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, and Ella Baker: https://snccdigital.org/people/ PBS LearningMedia – The Black Codes, Reconstruction, and Voting: https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/f5b1df5d-399b-4895-b561-0d2fcd040c49/reconstruction-the-black-codes/ National Park Service – The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail: https://www.nps.gov/semo/index.htm Learning for Justice – Why the Voting Rights Act Matters: https://www.learningforjustice.org/why-the-1965-voting-rights-act-is-crucial-for-democracy American Civil Liberties Union – Voting Rights Act: Major Dates in History: https://www.aclu.org/news/topic/voting-rights-act-major-dates-history ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Do We Get Wrong About the Civil Rights Movement? What Challenge Does Black Lives Matter Present to America? What is the Civil Rights Act? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're talking about Jeffrey Epstein files, why both sides of the political aisle are uniting and, as the house is set to approve a bill forcing the release of the files in full, could this finally be the beginning of the end for President Trump and the MAGA era? All of this and more on another edition of America: A History in the Making. . Special Guest: This week, we are delighted to be joined by friend of the show Alyssa Royse, a business owner from Seattle, who talks to us about her own experience of sexual assault when she was a teenager (not related to Epstein). . Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month 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

This week I am discussing one of the most consequential pieces of legislation in US history. Signed during the fervor of the Civil Rights Movement, it stands as a monument to the unfinished struggle for democracy. So I want to go beyond the legal text, and peel back the layers of history, injustice, activism, and resilience that not just made it possible, but continue to define its relevance, as I ask… what is the Voting Rights Act? ... Special guest for this episode: Nicholas Grant, an Associate Professor of International History at the University of East Anglia. He is an expert on twentieth century United States, researching race, internationalism and transnational activism. ... Highlights from this episode: The Voting Rights Act emerged from a long struggle for democracy, deeply rooted in the Civil Rights Movement and its ongoing relevance today. Grassroots activism and mass protests were essential in the fight for voting rights, culminating in significant legislative changes like the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The historical context of Reconstruction highlights the ongoing fight against systemic racism and the need for continued vigilance in protecting voting rights. The preclearance provision in the Voting Rights Act effectively prevented thousands of discriminatory voting changes until it was weakened by the Supreme Court in 2013. ... Additional Resources: National Archives Voting Rights Act (1965) Milestone Documents: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act Civil Rights History Project – Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/civil-rights-movement/ The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture – Fannie Lou Hamer and Voting Rights: https://womenshistory.si.edu/blog/fannie-lou-hamer-and-fight-voting-rights Primary Source Spotlight: Voting Rights Act of 1965: https://primarysourcenexus.org/2019/02/primary-source-spotlight-voting-rights-act-1965/ Supreme Court of the United States: Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021) – Full Opinions: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-1257_g204.pdf Shelby County v. Holder (2013) Decision – Wikipedia Guide and Analysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County_v._Holder Brennan Center for Justice – Effects of Shelby County v. Holder on the Voting Rights Act: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/effects-shelby-county-v-holder-voting-rights-act Smithsonian Magazine – Fannie Lou Hamer’s Dauntless Fight for Black Americans’ Right to Vote: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fannie-lou-hamers-dauntless-fight-for-black-americans-right-vote-180975610/ TIME Magazine – Rosa Parks and Voting Rights Activism: https://time.com/5933396/rosa-parks-voting-rights/ The National Constitution Center – History and Legacy of the Voting Rights Act: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-history-and-legacy-of-the-voting-rights-act Wikipedia: Timeline of Voting Rights in the United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_voting_rights_in_the_United_States Smith v. Allwright (1944) Decision – White Primaries: https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/vce/features/0404_01/smith.html SNCC Digital Gateway – People Who Led the Movement: Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, and Ella Baker: https://snccdigital.org/people/ PBS LearningMedia – The Black Codes, Reconstruction, and Voting: https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/f5b1df5d-399b-4895-b561-0d2fcd040c49/reconstruction-the-black-codes/ National Park Service – The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail: https://www.nps.gov/semo/index.htm Learning for Justice – Why the Voting Rights Act Matters: https://www.learningforjustice.org/why-the-1965-voting-rights-act-is-crucial-for-democracy American Civil Liberties Union – Voting Rights Act: Major Dates in History: https://www.aclu.org/news/topic/voting-rights-act-major-dates-history ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: What Do We Get Wrong About the Civil Rights Movement? What Challenge Does Black Lives Matter Present to America? What is the Civil Rights Act? ... Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices