America: The Story of the USA

By Liam Heffernan | A Mercury PodcastSociety & Culture News Politics History

America: The Story of the USA episodes

October 04, 2025BONUS: Writing the Life of Dr. Drew
Dr. Charles Drew, a groundbreaking figure in the field of blood transfusion and a pioneer in medical history, deserves far more recognition than he typically receives.
In this bonus episode, we dive deeper into his incredible life and legacy with Dr. Craig Miller, who recently authored a book on Dr. Drew, collaborating closely with his daughter Charlene.
We explore how Drew's impact reverberated through the African American community and discuss the surprising lack of extensive literature about his contributions. Craig shares fascinating insights from his research journey, including some enlightening moments with Charlene as they navigated the delicate balance of memory and history.
We uncover the profound influence Drew had on medicine and society, and why his story is one that should be told and celebrated.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Dr. Craig Miller, an attending vascular surgeon with the United States Veterans Administration, based in Dublin, Ohio. He is also the author of Genius Unbroken: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew.
...
Highlights from this episode:
Dr. Charles Drew was a pioneering figure in blood transfusion and storage, significantly impacting medical practices today.
Craig Miller's collaboration with Dr. Drew's daughter, Charlene, was crucial for the accuracy and depth of the biography.
The podcast episode highlights the surprising lack of resources available about Dr. Drew, despite his monumental contributions to medicine.
The discussion speculates on the historical influence Dr. Drew could have had if he had lived past 1950, intertwining with major civil rights movements.
Charlene Drew Jarvis's career as a neuroscientist and political figure shows the lasting legacy of her father's impact on her life.
The episode underscores the importance of remembering lesser-known historical figures like Dr. Drew, who greatly shaped modern medical practices.

...
Additional Resources:
Genius Unbroken: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew by Craig A. Miller
Craig A. Miller, M.D. | Author & Medical Historian
The life and legacy of Charles Drew, the African American doctor who pioneered blood banks
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
Was the Moon Landing a Hoax?
Why Do Americans Love Aliens?
...
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

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10 min
October 02, 2025 IN THE MAKING: Do the Right Thing and End the US Government Shutdown
This week, I'm going solo for an ad hoc episode discussing the US government shutdown, as the federal budget stalls in congress.
Non-essential services are now frozen, as many Americans find themselves out of work until this situation is resolved.
So what is it, why does it keep happening, and why is it continuing?
All of this and more on another edition of America: A History in the Making.
.
Useful Links:
Four ways the US government shutdown could end - BBC News
US government shutdown: What does it mean and who will it impact? | US News | Sky News
.
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.
Contact us: [email protected]
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/
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14 min
September 30, 2025Who is Dr. Charles Drew?
This week, we are shining a light on someone who is often overlooked, and yet his contributions to medical science revolutionised patient care, not just in America but around the world.
Yet, his life also highlights issues of race, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence amidst major systemic barriers. So on this episode, I want to know.. who is Dr. Charles Drew?
...
Special guest for this episode:
Dr. Craig Miller, an attending vascular surgeon with the United States Veterans Administration, based in Dublin, Ohio. He is also the author of Genius Unbroken: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew.
...
Highlights from this episode:
Dr. Charles Drew's life exemplifies the intersection of race, resilience, and excellence in medicine.
His pioneering work in blood banking revolutionized medical practice and saved countless lives during wartime.
Despite his monumental contributions, Drew remains an overlooked figure in American medical history.
Drew's early life in an integrated neighborhood shaped his ambition and work ethic in medicine.
The challenges Drew faced in academia highlight the systemic barriers for black Americans in education.
His legacy continues to inspire and educate future generations of physicians and surgeons.

...
Additional Resources:
Genius Unbroken: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew by Craig A. Miller
Craig A. Miller, M.D. | Author & Medical Historian
The life and legacy of Charles Drew, the African American doctor who pioneered blood banks
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
Was the Moon Landing a Hoax?
Why Do Americans Love Aliens?
...
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
52 min
September 27, 2025BONUS: The Underwhelming Reality of Plymouth Rock
In this bonus episode, we dive deeper into the aftermath of the Mayflower's journey and the complex relationships that unfolded upon its arrival. Joining me is Peter Mancall, who sheds light on the often-overlooked impact of the English colonists on Native American communities.
We explore how the devastation from diseases brought by Europeans led to significant displacement of indigenous peoples, setting the stage for the tumultuous history that followed. Peter offers a stark reminder of how history can sometimes be simplified, as we discuss the significance of Plymouth Rock—more of a metaphorical landmark than a grand historical monument.
We also touch on the broader narrative of colonial voyages and what they reveal about our collective memory of American history.
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Special guest for this episode:
Peter Mancall, a Professor of History, Anthropology, and Economics at the University of Southern California. His research interests include Colonial North America and Native American history, and he has published numerous influential articles on the pilgrim’s voyage to Plymouth.
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Highlights from this episode:
The devastating epidemic from 1616 to 1619 wiped out a significant portion of Native American populations, which had profound implications for early colonial encounters.
Initially, the settlement at Plymouth involved minimal violence, but the relationship deteriorated significantly leading to events like the Pequot War, showcasing the shift in dynamics.
Plymouth Rock, while symbolically important, is actually quite underwhelming in reality, serving as a metaphor more than a historic landmark.
The focus on the Mayflower overshadows many other significant voyages and events in early American history that deserve equal attention and recognition.
The Mayflower's fame has led to a cultural fixation that often clouds our understanding of the broader historical narrative and other critical figures in colonial history.
Understanding that while the Mayflower tells a compelling human story, it is just one small piece of the much larger and complex tapestry of American history.

...
Additional Resources:
The complicated legacy of the Pilgrims is finally coming to light 400 years after they landed in Plymouth by Peter Mancall
The Evolving American Meaning of the Pilgrims and Plymouth | TIME by Peter Mancall
General Society of Mayflower Descendants
Mayflower 400: were the Pilgrims asylum seekers or subversives? by Polly Ha
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
Is America an Empire?
...
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11 min
September 25, 2025 IN THE MAKING: The Death of America's Late Night TV
On this week's edition of In the Making:
● Is the Supreme Court set to overturn a 90 year old precedent?
● The Jimmy Kimmell saga divides America,
● Trump’s unhinged speech… even by his standards, and
● Hide your acorns, because San Francisco is under attack!
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 show regular and our resident politics expert, from the University of East Anglia, Dr. Emma Long
.
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]

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50 min
September 23, 2025What Would You Put in a US Time Capsule?
On this day in 1938, the World’s Fair came to Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. It is here that the Westinghouse Time Capsules were buried underground, to be opened in 5,000 years time. Its contents include a copy of Life magazine, a pack of Camel cigarettes, a dictionary, and a variety of seeds.
So this week, we are going to curate our own time capsule, to reflect the 21st century United States as accurately as possible, for anybody finding this podcast in 5,000 years.
What would you put in a US capsule?
Email us your suggestions at [email protected] OR
Send us a voicenote here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AmericaAHistory
...
Special guest for this episode:
Dr Emma Long
Professor Rebecca Fraser
Dr Nicholas Grant
...
Highlights from this episode:
We need to consider what a time capsule would look like today, especially with the political climate and significant events like January 6th, 2021.
The Handmaid's Tale serves as a chilling reminder of the risks associated with the rise of authoritarianism and the importance of women's voices in society.
Taylor Swift's career exemplifies the struggle for control and representation in a male-dominated music industry, making her an essential figure for our time capsule.
Our time capsule must reflect not only the current state of America but also the fears and hopes for the future, considering how history may view our actions today.
The inclusion of pop culture artifacts, such as The Office, helps illustrate the everyday American experience and provides insight into social dynamics during the 21st century.
We have to acknowledge that the rapid changes brought on by social media and political events will shape how future generations understand our society.

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Additional Resources:
The Westinghouse Time Capsule - Heinz History Center
Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr
The history of the Twitter logo (and the X logo) | Creative Bloq
The Official Website of Taylor Swift
Amazon.com: The Office: The Complete Series [DVD]
Michelle Obama: 'When they go low, we go high'
Select January 6th Committee Final Report and Supporting Materials Collection | GovInfo
...
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr
September 20, 2025 BONUS: Why You Should Watch Netflix's Katrina Docuseries
Katrina: Hell and High Water is the new three part docuseries, available to stream now on Netflix. In this special bonus episode, I explain why this series is really worth your time, and I hope you take a few hours to watch it this weekend.
Racial tension and social division is not American history. It's a present issue that needs our attention, because if we continue to ignore it, especially under the current administration, the consequences could be exceptionally tragic.
...
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 min
September 18, 2025IN THE MAKING: Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump's UK Visit, Robert Redford, and the TikTok Deal
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, plus
How 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 Political Followers, has won several awards and received high praise from both sides of the political spectrum.
By the book: https://a.co/d/9XOxBFt
.
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
September 16, 2025What is the Mayflower?
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, and Economics at the University of Southern California. His research interests include Colonial North America and Native American history, and he has published numerous influential articles on the pilgrim’s voyage to Plymouth.
...
Highlights from this episode:
The Mayflower's voyage in 1620 marked a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the Pilgrims' search for religious freedom and a new life.
While the Pilgrims are often romanticized, their actual journey was fraught with challenges and hardships that are frequently overlooked in popular narratives.
The Mayflower Compact established a foundational principle of self-governance among the early settlers, showcasing their commitment to communal responsibility.
Despite being seen as pioneers, the Pilgrims arrived in a land already inhabited by diverse Native American tribes, complicating the narrative of discovery.
The harsh realities faced by the Pilgrims upon arrival contributed to their mythologized status in American folklore, especially during Thanksgiving celebrations.
Historians argue that the lasting legacy of the Pilgrims is intertwined with broader themes of religious freedom and community resilience in early American society.

...
Additional Resources:
The complicated legacy of the Pilgrims is finally coming to light 400 years after they landed in Plymouth by Peter Mancall
The Evolving American Meaning of the Pilgrims and Plymouth | TIME by Peter Mancall
General Society of Mayflower Descendants
Mayflower 400: were the Pilgrims asylum seekers or subversives? by Polly Ha
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
When Did the 50 States Become the 50 States
Is America an Empire?
...
Contact us: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
42 min
September 13, 2025BONUS: Should the US Treasury Be Independent from the President?
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 the political economy of finance. His books include Plastic Capitalism: Banks, Credit Cards, and the End of Financial Control and Private Finance, Public Power: A History of Bank Supervision in America
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Highlights from this episode:
The U.S. Treasury plays a crucial role in the daily workings of the American economy, influencing everything from taxes to spending decisions.
Understanding the relationship between the Treasury, the White House, and Congress is essential for grasping U.S. financial governance.
The ongoing debate about the independence of the Treasury from political influence highlights the complexities of U.S. governance and financial policy.
The historical significance of figures like Alexander Hamilton is debated, yet his impact on the financial system is undeniable and multifaceted.

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Additional Resources:
Plastic Capitalism by Sean Vanatta
Private Finance, Public Power by Sean Vanatta
Consumer borrowing was heavily restricted in 1940s to curb inflation – it’s time we did it again by Sean Vanatta
The First Bank of the United States | Federal Reserve History
The Independent Treasury: Origins, Rationale, and Record, 1846-1861
...
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?
Email [email protected] and let's talk.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 min

About America: The Story of the USA

From the publisher's feed

SOTUS is your deep‑dive guide to how the United States became what it is today. From George Washington to Donald Trump, we unpack the people, places and events that shaped, and continue to shape, the nation’s identity.

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America: The Story of the USA

America: The Story of the USA episodes

About America: The Story of the USA