America: The Story of the USA

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:

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 co...

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.

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Contact us: ame...

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.

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Special Guest:

Thi...

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?

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Special guest f...

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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Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.com

Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month

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This week, on America: In the Making…

1. Will Greenland be the death of the UK-US special relationship?
2. AI-generated confusion after Monkeys escape a zoo in Missouri, and
3. One small step for Congress, one giant leap ...

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 b...

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.com

Join the community: https://www.patreo...

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 guest for this episode:

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 Happiest Place on Earth?

What is Disney's Ameri...

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 episode:

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, and author of The Last Gift: Th...

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...

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 interest in comic book history/

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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 bey...

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.

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Special guest for this epi...

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 Cat...

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.

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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, inter...