Shows
America: A HistoryIN THE MAKING: Is America Heading Towards a Trump Dictatorship?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 loyalty is enforced. I discuss how these tactics echo historical precedents of authoritarian regimes and why it’s crit...
2025-09-0419 min
America: A HistoryBONUS: Hoagies, Grammar Police, and MomphoriaIn 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 in Bad English is available to buy now....Highlights from this episode:...
2025-08-0910 min
America: A HistoryIN THE MAKING: Comparing the Epstein Files to Nixon's Watergate TapesLiam 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 explore the implications of Trump's reluctance to disclose this information and how it could reflect on his standing within his own party.Additionally, I...
2025-07-3112 min
America: A HistoryIN THE MAKING: Why We Must Protect Universities from Government InterferenceIn this special solo episode, I explore the challenges facing universities in the United States, particularly as they navigate the intersection of politics and education, addressing a significant legal settlement involving Columbia University and Donald Trump, which has broader implications for how educational institutions are perceived and treated by political powers.Universities must maintain freedom and autonomy to fulfill their roles as centers of learning and critical inquiry. When government entities begin to dictate what can be taught and discussed, it fundamentally undermines the purpose of higher education. It is critically important to protect academic freedom, and...
2025-07-2412 min
America: A HistoryBONUS: Is Abraham Lincoln the Great Emancipator or Just Another Racist?In this special bonus episode, following our previous episode What is Emancipation?, we discuss the often overlooked issue of Abraham Lincoln's own prejudice, and how this changed over the course of the civil war.Plus, our guest discusses his own research on Sherman's March, and his upcoming biography on General Sherman himself....Special guest for this episode:Bennett Parten, an Assistant Professor of History at Georgia Southern University, and the author of ‘Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation’...Highlights from this episode:Em...
2025-03-2914 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: The Abortion Paradox in AmericaIn this special bonus episode, Professor Rebecca Fraser and Rev. Caleb Lines stick around for a chat following the main episode, Why is Abortion So Controversial in America, which you can listen to in full right now.They discuss the interesting contradiction in states largely voting for reproductive rights on the same day they re-elect Trump to the White House.Plus, Caleb discusses how he balances his life as a clergyman with his newfound fame as a social media influencer....Special guest for this episode:Rebecca Fraser, a professor of...
2025-03-2212 min
America: A HistoryWhat is Emancipation?This week, we're diving into one of the biggest game-changers in American history: the Emancipation Proclamation.On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared all enslaved people in rebellious states to be free, and while it sounds like a happy ending, the reality is a whole lot more complicated. After all, emancipation and freedom are two very different things.So what does it actually mean? What were the implications? And what really changed? In this episode, I’m going to find out… what is emancipation?...Special guest for this episode:Bennett Parten, an A...
2025-03-1833 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Is Calvin Coolidge America's Quietest Overachiever?Today, we're discussing President Calvin Coolidge a little more and why his general mid-table ranking among Presidents might be a harsh reflection of his success as America's 30th President....Special guest for this episode:Amity Shlaes, the author of four New York Times bestsellers, including Coolidge, a full-length biography of the thirtieth president. She now chairs the board of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, a national foundation based at the birthplace of President Coolidge....Highlights from this episode:Calvin Coolidge, often overlooked in history classes, was a surprisingly impactful...
2025-03-1509 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Drill, Baby, Drill! The Impact of Trump's Agenda on Native LandsIn this week's bonus episode, we’re diving into the impact of American Indian Boarding Schools and the ongoing challenges faced by Native communities in light of recent political shifts.It’s a real gut-wrencher, but we’re here with Jacqueline Fierce Siegel about the fallout from these schools and the alarming direction some policies are taking under the current administration. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of concern in Indian country about how these changes might affect sovereignty and rights....Special guest for this episode:Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous...
2025-03-0809 min
America: A HistoryWho is Calvin Coolidge?On this day 100 years ago, a Presidential inauguration was broadcast on national radio for the first time. Having inherited the White House from Warren G. Harding three years into his Vice Presidential career, the thirtieth President of the United States arrived amidst scandal and left behind a Great Depression. But was he popular? Was he successful? And why didn’t he run for a second full term? In this episode, I’m asking… who is President Calvin Coolidge?...Special guest for this episode:Amity Shlaes, the author of four New York Times bestsellers, including Coolid...
2025-03-0454 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Talk Until You Drop - The Wild World of FilibustersIn this bonus episode following the main recording of What is a Filibuster? Liam and special guest Gregory Koger continue their discussion on the history of filibuster's, including its British origins and the role they played in the Civil Rights Act....Special guest for this episode:Gregory Koger, a professor of political science at the University of Miami, who specializes in legislative politics and political parties and author of the book Filibustering: A Political History of Obstruction in the House and Senate...Highlights from this episode:Filibusters can be...
2025-03-0109 min
America: A HistoryWhat Were Native American Boarding Schools?This week, we’re diving deep into what President Joe Biden called “one of the worst chapters in American history” — the Native American boarding schools.These institutions, which operated for over a century, were designed with the aim of systematically stripping away the cultures and identities of Native American children, often through brutal means.Trust me, it's not going to be a light chat; we’re tackling some heavy topics that might leave you feeling a bit uneasy. However, it’s super important to understand the history behind these schools and the devastating impact they had on entir...
2025-02-2536 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Lights, Cameras, Incarceration - Are We Simplifying Prison Life?In this bonus episode, Liam and guests continue their discussion on the US prison system, in particular how it is represented and simplified in popular media, and the impact this can have on wider public perceptions of incarceration. Plus, they explore the potential impact of a Trump administration on prisons, and why other countries like the UK may not be as different as they like to appear....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...
2025-02-2211 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Rosa Parks is More Than Just the Lady on the BusIn this special bonus chat, following the release of 'Who is Rosa Parks?' Liam and guests discuss how the civil rights movement, and figures like Parks, are taught and remembered, particularly in an age where disinformation and division is rife....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...
2025-02-1511 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: How American Media Distorts Perceptions of the Middle EastIn 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, pa...
2025-02-0811 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: 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...
2025-02-0115 min
America: A History[EMERGENCY EPISODE] ITM: The Washington D.C. Plane CrashOn 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...
2025-01-3012 min
America: A HistoryWhat 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...
2025-01-2839 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: 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 CowburnWATCH: All Politics Is Tribal | Lee Drutman + Andrew Yang | ForwardREAD: How Democracies Die by S...
2025-01-2514 min
America: A HistoryWho 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 vi...
2025-01-2140 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: 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...
2025-01-1812 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: The Three-Fifths Compromise & Other Myths About the Constitutional ConventionIn this special bonus episode, Emma Long and Frank Cogliano delve into the historical context that shaped the Constitution, recorded straight after our earlier episode of the podcast, What Was the Constitutional Convention?The discussion centers around misconceptions about the U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Convention, particularly focusing on the complexities of the three-fifths compromise and the perceived unchangeability of the Constitution....Special guest for this episode:Dr. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American History and Politics and Head of the Department of American Studies at the University of East Anglia...
2025-01-1115 min
America: A HistoryIN THE MAKING: New Term, Same Old Donald TrumpIn the latest episode of America: A History in the Making, Liam is joined by UEA's Emma Long to discuss the implications of Trump's comments about Canada and Greenland potentially becoming U.S. states, highlighting how the media tends to amplify his outlandish remarks.They also reflect on the smooth certification process of January 6th, contrasting the Democrats' acceptance of election results with the MAGA Republicans' historical resistance to unfavorable outcomes.They also explore the alarming influence of figures like Elon Musk in global politics, with a looming presence in the UK, and the potential...
2025-01-0944 min
America: A HistoryWhat Does the Vice President Actually Do?This week, as JD Vance prepares to follow Donald Trump into the White House for the next four years, I want to shine a light on the most high profile understudy in the world. The Vice Presidency is often criticised and ridiculed by many, including those who have held the office, but how much power do they really wield? In this episode, I ask… what does the Vice President actually do?...Special guest for this episode:Clodagh Harrington, a US politics lecturer from University College Cork, and host of the excellent podcast A Chicken in...
2025-01-0545 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Is the Star-Spangled Banner Actually British?The War of 1812 is often overshadowed by the grand narratives of larger conflicts, yet it birthed significant cultural artifacts, including the U.S. national anthem.In this bonus episode, Professor Andrew Lambert sheds light on the fascinating interplay between the war and the creation of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. The origins of the anthem trace back to a dramatic event at Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, witnessed the bombardment of the fort by the British navy....Special guest for this episode:Professor Andrew Lambert, a Laughton Professor of Naval History...
2025-01-0415 min
America: A HistoryWhat is the War of 1812?The War of 1812 was a significant yet often misunderstood conflict between the United States and Britain, driven by a mix of economic interests and territorial ambitions.This war was not just about impressment of American sailors or maritime rights; it was a bold land grab aimed at expanding the United States into British North America, now known as Canada, and the American desire for economic gain through neutrality, which ultimately backfired.So in this episode, on the 210th anniversary of the Treaty of Ghent, which brought an end to the war, I’m going to fi...
2024-12-2232 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: The Christmas Goose & Our Favourite On-Screen SantaIn 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!...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: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman.Brian Earl, creator and host of Christmas Past...Highlights from this episode:
2024-12-1710 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: The Best Christmas Films of All TimeIn this special festive bonus episode, we jump in our Christmas movie time machine and chat about everything from It's a Wonderful Life to Klaus with a stop at 34th Street and more, and discuss our personal holiday favourites....Special guest for this episode:Dr. Vaughn Joy, an academic who recently completed her PhD at UCL on mid-century Hollywood politics through a case study on Christmas films...Highlights from this episode: The significance of Christmas films in American culture. The artistic merits and cultural implications of Klaus. Different versions...
2024-12-1012 min
America: A HistoryWhat Do Christmas Films Tell Us About America?With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to dust off those old DVDs, whip up some egg nogg, and cosy up on the sofa with a festive film.From It's a White Christmas to Miracle on 34th Street, there's nothing quite like losing ourselves in a holiday favourite, but why do Christmas films resonate so much? Is the genre more important than we like to think? And ultimately… what can Christmas films really tell us about America?...Special guest for this episode:Vaughn Joy, an academic who recently completed her PhD...
2024-12-0838 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: Faith, Feminism, and the American SouthIn this bonus episode, we take a deeper look at the complex relationship between religion and American identity, particularly in the context of the Bible Belt, with help from Dr. Megan Hunt.We discuss the stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood, including the portrayal of the religious middle-class housewife, and how these depictions reflect broader societal issues in the South PLUS the controversial narrative presented in J.D. Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy," examining the implications of his portrayal of his background as he transitions into a political figure....Special guest for this episode:Dr. Megan...
2024-12-0313 min
America: A HistoryWhat is the Bible Belt?America's Bible Belt, a term coined nearly a century ago, remains a significant cultural and political phenomenon, representing regions in the South and parts of the Midwest known for their strong evangelical Christian traditions.In this episode, we dive into the origins and implications of this term, exploring how it encapsulates not just a geographical area but also a complex interplay of religion, politics, and societal stereotypes.From its roots in H.L. Mencken's critical portrayal of the South during the 1920s, to how this perception continues to shape contemporary political rhetoric and cultural narratives...
2024-12-0144 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: How Growing Up in the Projects Shaped My Views on PovertyHomelessness is a complex issue, and approaches to tackling it vary significantly across political lines, as our guest Dr. Becky Avila-Knox explains in this bonus episode, recorded immediately after our episode What Are the Projects?Becky highlights the importance of recognizing external factors that contribute to homelessness, such as systemic discrimination and economic challenges, rather than attributing it solely to individual choices. The conversation also delves into personal experiences, illustrating how growing up in the projects has shaped her perspective on poverty and resilience. Listeners will gain insight into the societal stigmas surrounding homelessness and the necessity...
2024-11-3014 minAmerica: A HistoryBONUS: The Legacy of Sand Creek: Racism, War, and Cultural ExterminationIn this special bonus episode, we continue our conversation from the recent episode What Was the Sand Creek Massacre? and dive deeper into its broader implications for Native American history and relations with the U.S. government.We discuss recent developments, including President Biden's historic apology for the government's role in cultural genocide through boarding schools, raising questions about the sincerity of recognition and the tangible actions needed to improve the situation for Native peoples today....Special guest for this episode:Jacqueline Fear-Segal, Professor of American and Indigenous Histories at the University...
2024-11-2614 min
America: A HistoryWhat Was the Sand Creek Massacre?The Sand Creek Massacre stands as one of the most horrific events in American military history, where hundreds of U.S. army volunteers attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village, resulting in the deaths of approximately 150 to 200 individuals, primarily women, children, and the elderly.This brutal act highlights the broader context of settler colonialism and the U.S. government's broken treaties with Native American tribes during a time of rapid westward expansion driven by the discovery of gold. Colonel John Chivington, who led the attack, justified this atrocity through a deep-seated hatred for Native peoples, viewing them...
2024-11-2437 min