America: The Story of the USA Podcast Rebrands, Partners with British Association for American Studies
The history podcast America: A History has officially entered a new chapter, rebranding today as America: The Story of the USA and announcing a major academic partnership with the British Association for American Studies (BAAS).
The move signals a bold evolution from a successful podcast into a multi-platform educational brand aimed at deepening global understanding of the United States—its past, present, and unfolding future.
With a growing international listenership and increasing relevance amid shifting political and cultural realities, the rebrand reflects an ambition that goes far beyond audio storytelling.
The transition from America: A History to America: The Story of the USA is not merely cosmetic. It marks a strategic shift in scope, purpose, and audience reach.
The project is positioning itself as a comprehensive learning ecosystem, designed for:
University and school students
Educators and researchers
Journalists and policy observers
Lifelong learners interested in American history and society
By broadening its identity, the brand aims to capture not just what happened in America’s past—but how those moments continue to shape global politics, culture, and power today.
A Two-Year Academic Partnership with BAAS
At the heart of this transformation is a minimum two-year partnership with the British Association for American Studies, one of the UK’s most respected academic organisations dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of the United States.
What the Partnership Brings
The collaboration is designed to:
Strengthen academic rigor and scholarly input
Expand public-facing educational outreach
Create bridges between academia and popular media
Encourage informed debate around US history and current affairs
This partnership represents a rare alignment between academic scholarship and mainstream podcast media, offering listeners authoritative insight without sacrificing accessibility.
BAAS: Bringing Scholarly Insight to the Public
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Michael Collins, Chair of BAAS, highlighted the importance of informed, nuanced discussion of the United States at a time of global uncertainty.
According to Collins, the collaboration will help:
Counter oversimplified narratives about American history
Provide historical context for modern political developments
Reach new audiences beyond traditional academic circles
The partnership underscores a growing recognition that podcasts and digital media now play a central role in public education.
Hosted by Liam Heffernan: A Scholar’s Passion Project
The podcast is hosted by Liam Heffernan, whose background in American Studies laid the foundation for the show.
What began as a personal passion project has grown into one of the UK’s most respected American history podcasts, praised for its:
Intellectual depth
Clear storytelling
Strong links between past events and contemporary America
Heffernan’s approach combines academic curiosity with journalistic clarity—making complex historical debates accessible to a broad audience.
Produced by the Mercury Podcast Network
America: The Story of the USA is produced by the Mercury Podcast Network, known for developing content-driven, research-heavy audio projects.
The network’s support has enabled the show to:
Maintain high production standards
Secure leading guests and contributors
Scale across platforms without compromising quality
A Distinctive Format: One Question at a Time
A defining feature of the podcast has always been its question-led format.
Rather than offering sweeping narratives, each episode explores one central question drawn from American history, such as:
Why did certain political movements succeed—or fail?
How did race, class, and power intersect at key moments?
What myths still shape America’s self-image today?
This structure encourages deeper engagement and critical thinking rather than passive consumption.
World-Leading Voices and Guest Experts
Over time, the podcast has welcomed a roster of renowned academics, journalists, and historians, including:
John Sopel – veteran broadcaster and former BBC North America Editor
Gary Younge – journalist and author
Heather Thompson – historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning scholar
These voices bring credibility and diversity of perspective, helping the show stand out in an increasingly crowded podcast landscape.
Expanding into a Multi-Platform Educational Brand
As part of its next phase, America: The Story of the USA is no longer confined to audio alone.
New Content Streams Include:
A weekly newsletter, published every Thursday
Exclusive Patreon content, including previews and reflections
Short-form explainers designed for quick learning
The goal is to meet audiences where they already are—across inboxes, streaming platforms, and learning environments.
Weekly Newsletter: Context Beyond the Episode
The newly launched newsletter will feature:
Episode highlights and extended analysis
Original essays from the host and contributors
Curated reading lists and resources
Designed for educators and engaged listeners alike, the newsletter adds depth and continuity to the listening experience.
Patreon: Supporting Deeper Engagement
A new Patreon membership model offers subscribers:
Early access to episodes
Bonus discussions and behind-the-scenes insights
Reflective essays on current American issues
This model allows the project to remain independent while fostering a closer relationship with its most committed audience.
A Structured Weekly Release Schedule
From today, the podcast adopts a clearly defined weekly publishing rhythm, enhancing discoverability and consistency.
Weekly Schedule Breakdown:
Tuesday – America: The Story of the USA (flagship episode)
Thursday – America: In the Making (current affairs and analysis)
Friday – America: Study Notes (five-minute explainer episodes)
This structure caters to different listening habits—from deep dives to quick learning sessions.
America: In the Making – Weekly Current Affairs
The new Thursday show, America: In the Making, connects historical themes to unfolding political and social developments.
It focuses on:
US elections and governance
Social movements and cultural shifts
America’s role on the global stage
The format allows for timely analysis grounded in historical perspective.
America: Study Notes – History in Five Minutes
Released every Friday, America: Study Notes offers:
Concise explanations of key concepts
Useful revision tools for students
Accessible entry points for new listeners
The short-form format reflects changing media consumption habits while preserving academic substance.
Why This Expansion Matters Now
Speaking about the rebrand, Liam Heffernan noted that the rapidly changing political and cultural landscape made expansion not just desirable—but necessary.
In an era marked by:
Polarised political debate
Misinformation and historical distortion
Global interest in US power and influence
There is growing demand for credible, well-researched storytelling that helps audiences make sense of America’s complexity.
Bridging Academia and Public Discourse
One of the project’s defining ambitions is to bridge the gap between:
Academic research
Journalism
Public understanding
By working with BAAS and leading scholars, the platform aims to make cutting-edge research accessible without diluting its meaning.
A Global Audience for American History
Although rooted in UK academia, America: The Story of the USA reaches listeners worldwide.
Its international appeal lies in:
America’s global cultural influence
The relevance of US politics beyond its borders
Comparative perspectives on democracy, race, and power
The rebrand reflects an understanding that American history is no longer a national story alone—it is a global one.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next
With a clear editorial vision, academic backing, and multi-platform strategy, America: The Story of the USA is positioning itself as a long-term educational institution in digital form.
Future developments are expected to include:
Classroom-focused resources
Live events and public discussions
Deeper collaboration with universities and researchers
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for History Podcasting
The rebrand of America: A History into America: The Story of the USA, combined with its partnership with the British Association for American Studies, marks a significant moment in the evolution of history media.
It reflects a broader shift toward:
Educational credibility
Platform diversification
Thoughtful engagement with the past
At a time when understanding America has never been more important, the project’s expansion feels both timely and necessary.
