x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

America: The Story of the USA

Your ultimate guide to America past, present, and future. Alongside the biggest guests and experts, from Nobel prize winners to legendary broadcasters, we discuss the biggest moments in history and the breaking news from the United States. . For ad-free and exclusive content, join our Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa . Sign up to our free newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ . America: A History is a part of the Mercury Podcast Network,

history politics

All Episodes

40:32

IN THE MAKING: Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump's UK Visit,...

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/18

This week, we're talking about:the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what this tells us about America's gun control problem,Donald Trump's state visit to the UK, plusHow the death of a celebrity can bring people together.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 Ira Chaleff, the Chair Emeritus of the non-partisan Congressional Management Foundation, and his newest book, To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of

en

41:10

What is the Mayflower?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/16

On this day in 1620, a boat carrying over pilgrims from Plymouth, England, set sail. It’s destination? The New World. The events that followed have been retold, mythicised, and immortalised as one of the defining moments in the colonisation of the United States of America.So in this episode I want to know more about the voyage, the people, and the reality of what really happened, as I ask… what is the Mayflower?...Special guest for this episode:Peter Mancall, a Professor of History, Anthropology,

en

14:33

BONUS: Should the US Treasury Be Independent from the...

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/13

In this bonus episode, we explore the intricate relationship between the U.S. Treasury and the broader financial system, the complexities of government finance, and its impact on our daily lives. We also discuss the separation of powers within the government, particularly how the Treasury's functions are influenced by the executive branch....Special guest for this episode:Sean Vanatta, a Senior Lecturer in Financial History and Policy at the University of Glasgow, with an interest in US history and

en

58:16

What is the History of California?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/09

On this day in 1850, the thirty-first state of the Union is admitted. So today, on its 175th birthday, I want to find out a little more about its history before statehood, the reasons why it became an important piece of land for the US, and how it grew to become not just one of the largest states, but one of the largest economies in the world, as I ask… what is the history of California?...Special guest for this episode:Patricia Nelson Limerick, a Professor of History of the American West at

en

09:03

BONUS: Houdini, London and the Unpickable Lock

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/06

This bonus episode delves deeper into the life and performances of the legendary magician Harry Houdini, with a focus on one of his most remarkable feats, at the London Hippodrome, where he was challenges to unpick the world's most unpickable lock.We explore the buildup to this defining moment, including the public's anticipation and the media's portrayal of Houdini as he faced this daunting challenge....Special guest for this episode:John Cox, a lifelong Houdini fan and founder of Wild About Harry,

en

18:06

IN THE MAKING: Is America Heading Towards a Trump...

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/04

In this special solo edition of In The Making, I explore the troubling signs that suggest America might be inching towards a dictatorship under Donald Trump, and lay out the evidence indicating how he’s strategically surrounding himself with loyalists, silencing critics, and altering voter laws to skew the electorate in his favor.It’s alarming how these actions, which might seem trivial at first glance, collectively paint a picture of a dangerous political landscape where dissent is stifled and

en

48:36

What is the US Treasury?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/09/02

This week, we're diving deep into the world of money and the pivotal role the U.S. Treasury plays in shaping the American economy.Behind every success and failure in American history lies a story deeply intertwined with greed, power, and the all-important question of how money is spent. We explore who really decides how America manages its finances and what that means for everyday Americans, as I ask... what is the US Treasury?...Special guest for this episode:Sean Vanatta, a Senior Lecturer in

en

11:24

BONUS: What Would You Do in a Gold Rush?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/30

In this bonus episode, we unravel the age-old question of who decided gold was worth something in the first place. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about its shiny allure; there’s a whole lot of history and economics at play.We also reflect on the risks and rewards of that era, pondering what we might have done if we were chasing gold back in 1848. From the fleeting nature of mining towns to the bizarre modern-day gold rushes, we discuss how the legacy of the Gold Rush still resonates in today's

en

45:29

Who is Harry Houdini?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/26

Would you throw yourself over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Well, this week, we’re talking about the man who, allegedly, did just that. His performances have become the stuff of legend, including the one he did on this very day in 1907, escaping from chains underwater in San Francisco. So I want to know more about the life, career, and legacy of one of the greatest showmen in American history, as I ask… who is Harry Houdini?...Special guest for this episode:John Cox, a lifelong Houdini fan and founder

en

08:48

BONUS: The Legacy of Emperor Norton

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/23

This bonus episode delves deeper into the intriguing subject of Emperor Norton, a figure who declared himself the Emperor of the United States, and the cultural implications of such a declaration.We touch on the unique nature of America’s relationship with monarchy and whether such a concept could ever take root in the country, and discuss how Emperor Norton's self-appointment was not one of narcissism but rather a call for unity and order during a time of tumult.We reflect on Norton’s legacy and

en

43:07

What Was the California Gold Rush?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/19

On this day in 1848, the New York Herald published an article that would change America forever.They reported on a man named James Marshall who, while building a saw mill in California, just outside what we now know as Sacramento, found gold flakes in the river. What followed was a stampede of opportunistic Americans moving west to chase their American dreams, in what became the largest gold rush in the country’s history.This week, I want to know why it was so significant, and how it changed the

en

10:50

BONUS: Why Didn't Nixon Destroy the Watergate Tapes?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/16

In this bonus episode, UCL's Professor Iwan Morgan, author of Nixon, discusses why the President refused to destroy the Oval Office tapes - the most incriminating piece of evidence that ultimately led to his resignation from the White House....Special guest for this episode:Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London, and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are Reagan: American Icon and FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing

en

45:32

Who is the Emperor of the United States of America?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/12

On this day in 1869, self-proclaimed Emperor Norton of the USA issued an order, abolishing the Democratic and Republican parties.Confused? I’m not surprised. So this week we’re going to unpack one of the more bizarre and lesser talked about individuals in America, and why he still, to this day, has left an indelible mark on the country’s history, as I ask… who was the Emperor of the United States?...Special guest for this episode:John Lumea, the founder of The Emperor Norton Trust, who describes

en

09:43

BONUS: Hoagies, Grammar Police, and Momphoria

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/09

In this bonus episode, linguistics professor Valerie Fridland discusses her favourite American accents, invents a new slang word, and chats with Liam about some of the everyday differences between American and English....Special guest for this episode:Valerie Fridland, a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is an expert on the relationship between language and society, and is co-author of the book Sociophonetics. Her latest book, Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good

en

10:29

IN THE MAKING: Can Donald Trump Run for President in...

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/07

The short answer is no (sorry MAGA), at least not without a change to the constitution. So in this episode of America: A History in the Making, I explore the main constitutional barriers to a Trump third term, and why changing this would be almost impossible in just three years.Let us know in the comments what you think:Do you want Trump to run again in 2028?Should he be allowed?Who do you think the Republican nominee contenders are?...Highlights from this episode:In this episode, we delve into the

en

44:54

Why Did President Richard Nixon Resign?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/05

This week marks the 51st anniversary of a truly unique event in American history. The one and only time a President left the White House by choice. Not due to death or the 22nd amendment, but resignation. Never before and not yet since has any other President done this, so this week, I want to know… why did Richard Nixon resign?...Special guest for this episode:Iwan Morgan, an emeritus professor of US Studies at University College London, and an expert on the US Presidency. His most recent books are

en

09:13

BONUS: Understanding the Impact of the Chinese...

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/08/02

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 stands as a pivotal moment in American immigration history, marking the first time in U.S. history that a law was enacted to prohibit immigration based on race or ethnicity.This episode delves into the origins and implications of the Act, which was initially intended as a temporary measure but ultimately became a permanent fixture of American law until its repeal in 1943. he discussion highlights the socioeconomic conditions leading to the Act's introduction,

en

11:07

IN THE MAKING: Comparing the Epstein Files to Nixon's...

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/07/31

Liam here, and in this impromptu edition of America: A History in the Making, I look into the parallels between the Nixon administration's Watergate scandal and the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein files, discussing how both situations highlight the complexities of political accountability and public transparency.Recently, there has been significant pressure on former President Trump to release the Epstein files, particularly as claims emerge regarding his connections to Epstein. We

en

46:52

Why Do Americans Speak Differently?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/07/29

This week we are talking about talking.The United States of America is a diverse country - geographically, demographically, and culturally, where every state has its own unique sense of identity. And a big part of that identity is language and dialect.So in this episode, I want to understand why and how American accents are so different, both from each other and from the British, as I ask… why do Americans speak differently?...Special guest for this episode:Valerie Fridland, a Professor of

en

09:53

BONUS: Why Isn't Frances Perkins a Household Name?

America: The Story of the USA ·

2025/07/26

Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member in U.S. history, was a powerhouse in American politics, yet her legacy often flies under the radar.In this bonus discussion, we get into why Perkins isn't as well-remembered as she should be, despite her monumental contributions like the Social Security Act and labor reforms.We chat with historian Rebecca Brenner Graham, who sheds light on Perkins' complicated relationship with the media and her strategic choice to remain out of the spotlight, which

en

191 results

Similar Podcasts

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

جنود خلدهم التاريخ

ALSUMOOD PODCAST

Film History - Daily

Inception Point Ai

Madonna - Biography Flash

Inception Point Ai