America: The Story of the USA
This is a deep-dive guide to how the United States became what it is today - politically, culturally, and socially. It unpacks pivotal moments, defining conflicts, influential leaders, and overlooked voices that shaped the nation's identity. Designed for curious listeners, students, educators, and lifelong learners, the series blends accessible storytelling with historically grounded insight. Made in partnership with the British Association for American Studies.
Episodes
Study Notes: The Presidents - Andrew Jackson (1829 - 1837)
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today: the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson - his election, his presidency, his key achievements and controversies, and his lasting legacy.
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In the Making: A 2026 Midterms Preview Special
This week, as the UK's Prime Minister announces his resignation, we discuss what this means for the special relationship, and if Donald Trump will even care.
Plus. the current status of the peace deal in Iran, and AP News have reported extreme levels of fentanyl entering the US.
Joining me this week is Tim Galsworthy, lecturer in History and Military History at Lincoln Bishop University.
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Ame
Who is George Washington?
He is the most iconic figure in American history - the general who won the Revolution, the president who defined the office, and the man whose character became a national benchmark.
But behind the myth was a complex human being shaped by ambition, discipline, and the contradictions of his time.
He led America to its independence, defined the spirit and values of his new nation, and set precedent
Every US President Who Died in Office
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today: Every President Who Died in Office - the eight U.S. presidents who never finished their term, how they died, the controversies that followed, and what happened next.
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In the Making: Does Trump Want a New Prime Minister in the UK
This week, as the UK's Prime Minister announces his resignation, we discuss what this means for the special relationship, and if Donald Trump will even care.
Plus. the current status of the peace deal in Iran, and AP News have reported extreme levels of fentanyl entering the US.
Joining me this week is Gina London, an Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent and global expert on leadership communic
PastMaster Feed Drop: Make America Great – The "true" story of the founding of the USA, ft Liam Heffernan
As The United States of America celebrates 250 years, we've sent our operative undercover to meet the Founding Fathers and make a few key changes...
Philadelphia, October 1774. The First Continental Congress is wrapping up its final sessions inside the Pennsylvania State House, and 56 of the most influential men in the colonies are filing out into the street — tricorn hats, righteous indignation,
Study Notes: The 10 Tallest Buildings in the USA
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today, The 10 Tallest Buildings in the United States — where they are, how tall they stand, and the stories behind them.
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In the Making: Happy Birthday (War is Over)
A few hours before recording, the US and Iran have agreed a provisional peace deal, putting an end to the conflict in the Middle East. But what next? What does this mean for the US domestically? And do Iran now hold a trump card with the Strait of Hormuz?
Plus, as Trump turns 80 and watches a bunch of UFC fighters beat each other up at the White House, we discuss why there's no upper age limit o
What Was the AIDS Epidemic?
In the 1980s a new disease exploded into public view and reshaped American life.
What began as small clusters of rare infections quickly became a national catastrophe that exposed deep social fault lines - stigma, political neglect, and a fragmented public‑health system.
The epidemic’s devastation was not only biological but political: state variation in policy and resources produced wildly diff
Study Notes: The Presidents - John Quincy Adams (1825 - 1829)
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today: the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams - his election, his presidency, his key achievements and challenges, and his lasting legacy.
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In the Making: Why Does the White House Care So Much About UK Politics?
This week, as the death of Henry Nowak causes political chaos in the UK, Vice President JD Vance decides to weigh in, but why?
Plus, the Kennedy Center removes Trump's name from the building after months of protestation, and...
NASA are building a Moon Base. Would you live there?
Joining me this week is Kate Ballantyne, a Senior Lecturer in American History at Liverpool John Moores University.
What is the National Archive?
The memory of the United States is preserved through The National Archive - the institution responsible for protecting the documents that define the nation’s laws, identity, and democratic accountability.
From the Charters of Freedom to billions of federal records, it safeguards the evidence of government action and the stories of the American people.
But the Archives is more than a repository:
Study Notes: The History of Soccer in the US
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today, The History of Soccer in the United States - where it came from, why it struggled, why it’s booming now, and what the future looks like with the World Cup on the horizon.
If you're looking for the UFC White House card, this isn't the place for you!
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In the Making: How Much Power Does Trump Have Over the Courts?
This week, we discuss the ongoing war in the Middle East and Iran. Plus, three men in Spokane have been found guilty of conspiracy, after demonstrating against ICE in June last year.
Is this justice taking its court?
Or a dangerous indicator of just how much power Trump holds over the courts?
AND we were supposed to bring you an interview with Max Martin, CEO and Founder of the Enhanced Games.
How Did the Civil War End?
The American Civil War did not end in a single moment, but from a cumulative momentum of several singular events: the fall of Richmond and Petersburg, the grinding Appomattox campaign, and a cascade of surrenders that dissolved the Confederacy.
In April 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. The final
Study Notes: A History of White House Renovations
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today, The History of White House Renovations - how the president’s home was built, how it’s changed, and the controversies that came with every major makeover.
If you're looking for the UFC White House card, this isn't the place for you!
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Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.
In the Making: What’s the Fuss About the Enhanced Games?
This week, UEA's Emma Long and former leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Vince Cable join the show to discuss the controversial Enhanced Games, Pope Leo's apology for slavery, and the best graduation present ever... or not.
Our guest today is Emma Long, Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia.
We're also delighted to welcome to the show the UK’s fo
How Did the Civil War Change the Republican Party?
A nation can win a war and still spend generations arguing over what that victory meant. In the decades after Appomattox, the Republican Party - born in opposition to slavery and triumphant in preserving the Union - found itself wrestling with the very legacy it had created. Was the party the guardian of emancipation, the steward of Union memory, the engine of national reconciliation, or something
Study Notes: The Presidents - James Monroe (1817 - 1825)
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 latest in our Presidents series, is about the fifth President, James Monroe - his election, presidency, key achievements and legacy.
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In the Making: Is Trump Running out of Patience with Iran?
This week, US senators have voted unanimously to withhold their own pay during future shutdowns. We also look at the latest redistricting news, and what it could mean for future elections.
And, as the war in Iran continues, we take stock of what exactly is happening after Trump warned the clock is ticking on a peace deal. What does that even mean, and what does peace even look like?
My guest th
How Did Speeches Win the American Civil War?
Speeches in wartime do more than persuade. They inspire, they unify, and they define the terms of struggle. In the years around 1861, orators on both sides used rhetoric to justify secession, to call men to arms, to appeal for foreign sympathy, and to reframe the meaning of the Union. From abolitionist orations to Confederate defenses of slavery, public speech shaped recruitment, diplomacy, and me
Study Notes: Every Constitutional Amendment
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today every Constitutional Amendment — what they are, why they were passed, and the big debates surrounding them.
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In the Making: But Seriously... Is Donald Trump Ok?
This week, after an epic Truth Social session from the President, we revisit a question we asked several weeks ago... is Donald Trump really ok? Because things are getting out of hand now!
Also, Trump rehires a guy he fired a year ago into the same job.
And a diplomatic test of strength for the White House as Trump visits China, in what may just turn out to be a historic trip.
My guest this we
What Happened to Amelia Earhart?
Amelia Earhart’s disappearance in 1937 is one of the most enduring mysteries in modern history. Her final flight was meant to be the crowning achievement of a remarkable career - a round‑the‑world journey that would push the limits of aviation and cement her status as a global icon. Instead, it became the beginning of decades of speculation, investigation, and myth‑making.
Today, we’re looking at
Study Notes: What are the US Territories?
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today we’re looking at a question that confuses a lot of people: What exactly are the U.S. territories? Where are they, how did they come under American control, what political power do they have, and what does their future look like?
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In the Making: Trump Versus Education
This week, we take a closer look at the ongoing battle between President Trump and Universities, and what this tells us about education, the first amendment, free speech, and politics in America.
We also discuss the Supreme Court's decision to dismantle part of the Voting Rights Act, and essentially allow states to redraw voting districts to the detriment of black and minority representation.
Pl
Who is Amelia Earhart?
Before she became a mystery, Amelia Earhart was a phenomenon - a girl from Kansas who transformed herself into one of the most recognisable figures of the 20th century. She was a record‑breaker, a media icon, a political advocate, and a woman who refused to accept the limits placed on her.
Her life before the disappearance is a story of ambition, reinvention, and the birth of modern celebrity cul
Study Notes: The 20 Most Populous US Cities
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
Today: the 20 Most Populous Cities in the USA - a quickfire countdown of the biggest urban centres in the country, and what makes each one memorable.
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In the Making: The King is Back
My guest this week is Nish Kumar, a comedian and presenter, best known for co-hosting Pod Save the UK and he is just back from a tour of the US.
This week, we discuss the another assassination attempt on President Trump, this time in the form of a 31 year old Californian teacher who stormed security at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
And as always, conspiracy theorists are on the case, bu
What is the Harlem Renaissance?
The 1920s and 1930s in America were a time of seismic change. In the heart of New York City, the neighborhood of Harlem became the stage for a dazzling outpouring of creativity, intellect, and activism. Black writers, artists, musicians, and thinkers converged, forging a new vision of African American identity and culture.
Their work challenged old stereotypes, inspired new movements, and left a
Study Notes: The Presidents - James Madison (1809 - 1817)
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 latest in our Presidents series, is about the fourth President, James Madison - his election, presidency, key achievements and legacy.
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In the Making: The Louisiana Shooting and America’s Gun Problem
This week, we focus on the recent shootings in Shreveport Louisiana, and what this could mean for gun law reform in the USA. We speak to Chris Marvin at Everytown for Gun Safety about the escalating number of gun violence deaths, and the 'thoughts and prayers' response from the speaker and state governor.
Plus, we discuss Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO and the possible political implications
Is American Sport Ruined by Politics?
Sport is often described as the great American escape; a place where the rules are clear, the stakes are simple, and the drama unfolds on the field rather than in the halls of power. But in reality, American sport has always been political.
From Cold War Olympic boycotts to anthem protests, from global tournaments shaped by diplomacy to domestic leagues shaped by culture wars, sport is one of the
Study Notes: The Presidents - Thomas Jefferson (1801 - 1809)
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 third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson - his election, presidency, key achievements and legacy.
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In the Making: Orban Out, Conversion Therapy In
This week, we discuss the recent election in Hungary, which saw incumbent Prime Minister lose in a historic landslide to his former ally, ousting him after 16 years in power.
The War in Iran continues to escalate, with the US now blockading Iranian ports and the potential involvement of China not being ruled out.
Plus, SCOTUS have overturned a Colorado state ban on conversion therapy, and I spe
Why Don't Americans Get Sarcasm?
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 soci
Study Notes: The Presidents - John Adams (1797 - 1801)
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.
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In the Making: The Day A Whole Civilization Nearly Died
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 N
What is Unit 731... and Why Did the USA Cover It Up?
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 avoid
Study Notes: The Presidents - George Washington (1789 - 1797)
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.
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In the Making: Artemis II Launches as Trump's Ballroom Stalls
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 es
What is Mount Rushmore?
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, sculpte
Study Notes: All 50 US States, Abbreviations and Capital Cities
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!
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In the Making: Is Donald Trump Ok?
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.
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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-rcna2646
What is CrossFit?
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
Study Notes: Every War the USA Has Fought
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.
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In the Making: Trump vs NATO and the Rise of Markwayne Mullin
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
What Did Bernie Goetz Do?
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 nati
Study Notes: A Brief History of the Oscars
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.
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In the Making: Talarico's Rise, Trump's Legacy, and Girl Scouts Cashing in on Cannabis
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 Donal
Who Killed the Movie Star?
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 in
Study Notes: How Does the US Government Work?
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.
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In the Making: Donald Trump and the War in Iran
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 regiona
Who is Huey P. Newton?
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 confront
Study Notes: Every American National Holiday
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!
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In the Making: Supreme Court Stops Trump’s Tariffs — What Happens Now?
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 Ameri
What is the Black Panther Party?
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 B
Study Notes: The 10 Most Popular Tourist Destinations in the US
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.
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.
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In the Making: Has American Politics Lost its Moral Compass?
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
Who is Elizabeth Keckley?
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 piv
Study Notes: The Electoral College Explained
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.
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In the Making: Cree en Ti Mismo
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 Pol
Who is Paul Robeson?
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 c
Study Notes: The Rules of American Football
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!
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In the Making: The Return of the Epstein Files
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.
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Special Guests:
Clodagh Harrington
What is The Last of the Mohicans?
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
Study Notes: A Brief History of the 50 States
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 o
In the Making: Is America About to Strike Iran?
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 His
What Was the American Revolutionary War?
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 R
Study Notes: US Time Zones Explained
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.
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In the Making: The End of the Special Relationship
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.
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Special Guest:
This week, we are delig
Who is JFK?
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 obsta
America: The Story of the USA Returns Soon
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.
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Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam
Is Capitalism Killing Christmas?
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?
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Special gu
BONUS: Disney, Christmas, and 2026
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!
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And if you like this episode, you might also love:
Is Disneyland the Happies
Why is Santa So American?
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?
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Special guest for this episo
BONUS REPLAY: The Christmas Goose & Our Favourite On Screen Santa
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!
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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,
I Am... Jody Williams
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
BONUS: The Industry of Comic Book Collectibles
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...
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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 interes
Why Does America Love Comic Books?
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 reinventio
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