America: The Story of the USA

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

America: The Story of the USA episodes

February 11, 2025Why Does America Have So Many Prisons?
This week, as Trump promises to make America great again.. again, I want to find out more about the prison system. In some states, up to 10% of budgets are allocated to correctional facilities, and yet incarceration rates and the costs continue to rise, while issues around systemic racism and politics continue to plague its reputation and put question marks over its effectiveness. So in this episode, I want to know… why does America have so many prisons?
...
Special guest for this episode:
Nicholas Grant, a historian of the twentieth century United States at the University of East Anglia, researching race, internationalism and transnational activism.
Heather Ann Thompson, a historian at the University of Michigan, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy. She was also the historical consultant for the Oscar-nominated documentary ATTICA.
...
Highlights from this episode:
The American prison system has a staggering rate of incarceration, with more people locked up per capita than any other country, indicating a severe failure in addressing social issues.
Historically, prisons in the United States have disproportionately housed poor individuals and people of color, revealing deep-seated racial disparities in the justice system.
Despite some reforms, the prison system in America has not shifted towards rehabilitation; rather, it continues to operate as a mechanism for social control and economic profit.
The narrative surrounding crime and punishment in the U.S. has often been driven by racial politics, with a history of policies targeting marginalized communities under the guise of public safety.
The prison population remains predominantly non-white, reflecting systemic inequalities, as African Americans and Latinos make up a significant portion of incarcerated individuals.
Public perception and political rhetoric often frame incarceration as a solution to crime, but the reality is that it perpetuates cycles of poverty and violence in communities.

...
Additional Resources:
Dr. Heather Ann Thompson - Pulitzer Prize Winner | Author | Speaker | Consultant
Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy by Heather Ann Thompson
U.S. prisons - number of prisoners 2022 | Statista
Incarceration Rates by Country 2024
Global Prison Trends Report
How Much Does A Prisoner Cost Per Year USA? - Prison Inside
50 years after the US declared war on drugs, AP examines racial disparities | The Associated Press
...
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: [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
48 min
February 08, 2025BONUS: How American Media Distorts Perceptions of the Middle East
In this bonus episode, Liam and special guest Melani McAlister dive into the complex perceptions Americans have about the Middle East, particularly in light of popular culture and media representation.
They discuss how ignorance about the region persists despite educational efforts, leading to a skewed view of Middle Eastern people as either potential terrorists or helpless victims in need of salvation. And they explore the pervasive narratives in American films and television, which often frame the U.S. as the heroic savior while portraying Muslims in a negative light, the troubling stereotypes that arise from these portrayals, particularly about Muslim women, and how these narratives fail to acknowledge the voices and agency of those within the region.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Melani McAlister, a Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University, whose interests include the rhetoric of foreign policy. Her new book Promises, released in 2024, explores the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US role in it.
...
Highlights from this episode:
The American public's perception of the Middle East
Popular culture's frequent portrayal of Muslims and Arabs as dangerous, reinforcing negative stereotypes.
The harmful narrative of American exceptionalism
Media representations of Americans as saviors of oppressed populations.
The problematic concept of the 'good Muslim' character.
The portrayal of Muslim women needing saving can diminish their agency and voices in society.

...
Additional Resources:
Promises, Then the Storm: Notes on Memory, Protest, and the Israel–Gaza War by Melani McAlister
Melani McAlister – Writing, Teaching, & Other Stuff
U.S. Policy in the Middle East: A Brief History
Our American Israel: The Story of an Entangled Alliance by Amy Kaplan
...
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
12 min
February 04, 2025Who is Rosa Parks?
This week, to celebrate Black History Month in the US, we are shining a light on one of the most influential figures in American history. Her relentless efforts for social justice and equality made her a powerful voice of the civil rights movement, and her work and legacy still endures today, alongside figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. So today we remember the life, the work, and the legacy of this great individual as I ask… who is Rosa Parks.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States and author of 'Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960.' His research focuses on race, internationalism and transnational activism.
Dr. Jeanne Theoharis, a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College of City University of New York. She is the author of numerous books and articles on the civil rights and Black Power movements and the politics of race and education in the US, including The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.
...
Highlights from this episode:
Rosa Parks' childhood experiences with racial violence shaped her beliefs about self-defense and activism.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was not just a single event but a culmination of ongoing resistance.
Rosa Parks' activism extended beyond the bus boycott, influencing civil rights and black power movements.
Many women, like Claudette Colvin, played crucial roles in the bus resistance before Parks' arrest.
Parks' legacy is often simplified, overshadowing her lifelong commitment to social justice and equality.
The importance of community organizing and collective action was vital for the boycott's success.

...
Additional Resources:
READ: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis
READ: King of the North: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life of Struggle Outside the South by Jeanne Theoharis
READ: Rosa Parks' Legacy Stained By Court Feud, Accusations Of Corruption
READ: Biography: Rosa Parks
READ: Who was Rosa Parks, and what did she do in the fight for racial equality?
WATCH: Watch Freedom Riders | American Experience | Official Site | PBS
WATCH: The Case of the Scottsboro Boys
...
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: [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
54 min
February 01, 2025BONUS: Will Bryan Cranston be the Next Freddy Krueger?
In this special bonus episode, following the recording of 'Who is Freddy Krueger?', Liam and special guest Noel Mellor discuss their favourite horror films, the future of Freddy, and our ideal castings - Jack Black, anyone?
...
Special guest for this episode:
Noel Mellor, a former marketing professional, now Programme Leader on the BA Digital Video Production and Marketing at University of Salford. As a writer and podcaster, he's extensively covered 1980s film and popular culture for over a decade across podcast and book projects like Adventures in VHS and Beyond the Neon - and he is now researching movie marketing past, present and future. His papers for the Montréal Monstrum Society Journal and University of Nottingham's A Nightmare on Elm Street @ 40 conference this year, explored Freddy Krueger's role as the leader of a new pack of 80s slashers - or 'Brand Boogeymen' - and their impact on popular culture.
...
Highlights from this episode:
Noel Mellor reflects on his early horror experiences and how he first watched Freddy Krueger.
The conversation highlights the evolution of Freddy Krueger from horror icon to pop culture figure.
Dream Warriors is celebrated as a beloved sequel due to its fun and imaginative approach.
The meta-narrative in Wes Craven's New Nightmare is discussed as a pioneering horror concept.
Both hosts agree that horror movies can deeply affect viewers through discomfort and unsettling themes.
The possibility of Freddy's return in a new adaptation raises questions about casting and character development.

...
Additional Resources:
The souls of the children… Give me strength”: 1980s Horror Movie Marketing and the Life and Death of the Brand Boogeymen by Noel Mellor
The Cultural Influence of Nightmare On Elm Street | Horror Cult Films
The Sociology of Freddy | Retro Junk
Wes Craven: the scream of our times
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
Who is Ed Gein?
Why Do Americans Love Halloween?
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
17 min
January 30, 2025 [EMERGENCY EPISODE] ITM: The Washington D.C. Plane Crash
On the evening of Jan 29th 2025, an American Airlines flight carrying 60 people has collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C.
In this emergency episode of America: A History in the Making, Liam dives into the complexities surrounding this incident, emphasizing the risk of politicizing such a heartbreaking event. He reflects on Donald Trump's recent response, which raises questions about aviation safety and oversight, especially given his administration's recent moves to limit advisory committees.
While acknowledging the potential conspiracy theories that could arise, Liam urges listeners to focus on the human tragedy at hand rather than getting caught up in political debates.
As the recovery efforts continue, he and everyone involved in this podcast ask for a moment of respect and reflection on the loss of life before diving into the inevitable discussions about responsibility and accountability in the days to come.
...
Additional Resources:
Truth Details | Truth Social
Trump Guts Key Aviation Safety Committee, Fires Heads Of TSA, Coast Guard | HuffPost Latest News
Washington DC plane crash live updates: Nineteen bodies recovered after passenger jet collides with helicopter - BBC News
...
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
13 min
January 28, 2025What is America's Relationship to the Middle East?
Every American generation has a unique memory tied to the nation's involvement in the Middle East, from the Gulf War to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
America has often inserted itself into the politics and the conflicts within the region, but why? In this episode we find out why it cares, and what it has to gain, and… what exactly is America’s relationship to the Middle East?
Special guest Melani McAlister, a professor at George Washington University, delves into the historical context of U.S. involvement, highlighting the shift in focus towards the Middle East post-World War II, primarily due to the discovery of vast oil resources and strategic geopolitical interests. Plus, the political aspects of these alliances, but also the emotional and cultural investments that shape public opinion on Israel and Palestine.
And we reflect on the future of U.S. engagement in the Middle East, questioning whether a more diplomatic approach could replace the long-standing pattern of military intervention.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Melani McAlister, a Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University, whose interests include the rhetoric of foreign policy. Her new book Promises, released in 2024, explores the long history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US role in it.
...
Highlights from this episode:
The United States' long and complicated history of involvement in the Middle East, rooted in strategic interests and resource extraction.
U.S. policymakers cultivating Israel as a key ally
The current conflict in Gaza, America's support for Israel and its implications for U.S. foreign policy.
Many Americans' opposition to military funding for Israel
The rise of anti-Palestinian sentiment in the U.S. and public discourse around the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Religious groups in the U.S. and their influence on American foreign policy towards Israel.

...
Additional Resources:
Promises, Then the Storm: Notes on Memory, Protest, and the Israel–Gaza War by Melani McAlister
Melani McAlister – Writing, Teaching, & Other Stuff
U.S. Policy in the Middle East: A Brief History
Our American Israel: The Story of an Entangled Alliance by Amy Kaplan
...
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
41 min
January 25, 2025BONUS: What Does MAGA Mean for the GOP?
In this special bonus chat, Liam and special guest Mike Cowburn discuss the two party system in America, and how Trump and the MAGA are challenging the status quo.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Dr. Mike Cowburn, a Postdoctoral Researcher for Digital Democracy at European University Viadrina. His new book Party Transformation in Congressional Primaries is out now
...
Additional Resources:
READ: Party Transformation in Congressional Primaries by Mike Cowburn
WATCH: All Politics Is Tribal | Lee Drutman + Andrew Yang | Forward
READ: How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
READ: The Party Decides: Presidential Nominations Before and After Reform
...
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
16 min
January 21, 2025Who is Freddy Krueger?
The conversation around Freddy Krueger is not just about horror; it’s a reflection of societal fears and cultural shifts that have persisted since the 1980s.
When Wes Craven introduced Freddy in A Nightmare on Elm Street, he tapped into a universal anxiety — the fear of sleep and the vulnerability that comes with it.
In this episode, Liam and special guest Noel Mellor discuss how this fear transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, allowing audiences worldwide to connect with Freddy's terrifying premise, and create an American pop culture phenom in the process.
What makes a villain like Freddy Krueger so likeable?
Is Robert Englund the real brand?
And what does Freddy tell us about America?
...
Special guest for this episode:
Noel Mellor, a former marketing professional, now Programme Leader on the BA Digital Video Production and Marketing at University of Salford. As a writer and podcaster, he's extensively covered 1980s film and popular culture for over a decade across podcast and book projects like Adventures in VHS and Beyond the Neon - and he is now researching movie marketing past, present and future. His papers for the Montréal Monstrum Society Journal and University of Nottingham's A Nightmare on Elm Street @ 40 conference this year, explored Freddy Krueger's role as the leader of a new pack of 80s slashers - or 'Brand Boogeymen' - and their impact on popular culture.
...
Highlights from this episode:
Wes Craven's creation of Freddy Krueger in 1984 revitalized the slasher genre, combining nightmare elements with iconic horror.
The successful marketing strategy for A Nightmare on Elm Street capitalized on its universal themes of fear in dreams.
Freddy Krueger's character depth and charm, portrayed by Robert Englund, set him apart from typical horror villains.
The cultural impact of Freddy Krueger extended beyond films into merchandise and TV appearances, creating a household name.
The original Nightmare on Elm Street's unique premise of a killer in dreams fascinated audiences and influenced horror films.
Freddy's transformation into an anti-hero in sequels reflects audience desires for charismatic villains in horror.

...
Additional Resources:
The souls of the children… Give me strength”: 1980s Horror Movie Marketing and the Life and Death of the Brand Boogeymen by Noel Mellor
The Cultural Influence of Nightmare On Elm Street | Horror Cult Films
The Sociology of Freddy | Retro Junk
Wes Craven: the scream of our times
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
Who is Ed Gein?
Why Do Americans Love Halloween?
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
42 min
January 18, 2025BONUS: What Does it Mean to be Vice President?
What does it mean to be a Vice President in the modern political landscape? This bonus episode dives into the complex role of the Vice President with UCC's Clodagh Harrington.
We touch on the often-overlooked influence of Vice Presidents throughout history, contrasting this with the satirical portrayal seen in the popular TV show Veep, and how it encapsulates the cynical and opportunistic nature of the role.
Plus. Clodagh shares her best and worst Vice Presidential picks in US history.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Clodagh Harrington, a US politics lecturer from University College Cork, and host of the excellent podcast A Chicken in Every Pot. Her monograph, co-authored with Alex Waddan, entitled ‘Obama V Trump: the Politics of Presidential Legacy and Rollback is available now, and the follow-up, Trump V Biden is due for publication next year.
...
Highlights from this episode:
The Vice Presidency can be interpreted in vastly different ways
Fictional Veeps, from Selina Meyer to Christian Bale's Cheney
Historical context is crucial to understanding the evolving role of the Vice President
Cheney's role as Vice President brought unprecedented influence and power, unlike many predecessors.
Walter Mondale is praised for bringing seriousness to the Vice Presidency during his term.
The unpredictable nature of political power dynamics in the White House.

...
Additional Resources:
READ: Obama v. Trump: The Politics of Rollback by Clodagh Harrington
READ: The vice presidency: From 'insignificant office' to political powerhouse : NPR
READ: US Vice Presidents Who Went on to Become President | HISTORY
LISTEN: A Chicken in Every Pot
...
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
13 min
January 12, 2025Why Is American Politics So Divided?
As Donald Trump prepares to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, our latest episode dives into the complexities of the American political landscape, focusing on the deepening divide within the two-party system.
How has the MAGA movement come to dominate republican politics?
What are the mechanisms driving the two-party system?
And ultimately… why is American politics so divided?
Special guest Mike Cowburn, a political scholar whose recent book sheds light on the transformation of party dynamics in the U.S., gives a historical overview of how the Republican and Democratic parties evolved through the mid-20th century, highlighting the ideological shifts that catalyzed the current polarization, and explores the implications of this shift, including how institutional factors like gerrymandering and the Electoral College have reinforced Republican advantages in elections.
We also discuss Mike's new book, which takes a closer look at the primary election system, and how it has fundamentally changed since the early 2000s, becoming more factionalized and ideological.
Finally, this episode contemplates the future of American politics, and whether the entrenched two-party system can adapt to the evolving political landscape, or if it will continue to push voters towards extremes.
...
Special guest for this episode:
Dr. Mike Cowburn, a Postdoctoral Researcher for Digital Democracy at European University Viadrina. His new book Party Transformation in Congressional Primaries is out now
...
Highlights from this episode:
The American political divide is deeply rooted in historical party transformations and societal changes.
Trump's ability to navigate between establishment politics and populist sentiments illustrates a unique political strategy.
The primary system in the U.S. significantly influences party polarization and candidate positioning.
Many Americans are disengaged from politics, viewing it through a non-political lens despite strong values.
The ideological differences between parties today stem from a historical shift towards extremism.
Institutional factors and electoral mechanics play a crucial role in maintaining the two-party system.

...
Additional Resources:
READ: Party Transformation in Congressional Primaries by Mike Cowburn
WATCH: All Politics Is Tribal | Lee Drutman + Andrew Yang | Forward
READ: How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
READ: The Party Decides: Presidential Nominations Before and After Reform
...
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
47 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.

Share America: The Story of the USA

Sign up to save your podcasts

America: The Story of the USA

America: The Story of the USA episodes

About America: The Story of the USA