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When four musicians from Liverpool, England arrived in the United States in 1964, they didn’t just launch a tour. They triggered a cultural earthquake. Their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show drew an audience of unprecedented size, their records dominated the charts, and their presence reshaped American youth culture almost overnight.

But their conquest of America wasn’t inevitable. It was the product of timing, technology, post‑war optimism, and a nation searching for new forms of expression after the trauma of the Kennedy assassination. They transformed American music, fashion, media, and identity, and their influence still echoes across the cultural landscape today.

So in this episode, I’m asking… how did The Beatles conquer America?

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Special Guest:

Brian Ward, one of the UK’s leading historians of American culture. His work explores the intersections of music, politics, media, and identity in the United States.

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Reading List:

• Just My Soul Responding: Rhythm and Blues, Black Consciousness, and Race Relations by Brian Ward: https://a.co/d/0c8G4EzO 

• The Beatles and America (selected essays and lectures)

• The Beatles: The Biography by Bob Spitz: https://a.co/d/05vISlWp 

• The Beatles Are Coming! by Bruce Spizer: https://a.co/d/04g78dMb 

• The Sixties: Cultural Revolution in Britain, France, Italy, and the United States by Arthur Marwick: https://a.co/d/0dOtymvX 

• America in the Sixties by John Morton Blum

• Beatlemania: Technology, Fans, and the Making of a Cultural Phenomenon by André Millard: https://amzn.eu/d/0ieN280V 

• The British Invasion, American History Magazine archives

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Highlights:

02:21 - Blowing away the cobwebs

07:27 - Ed Sullivan

15:32 - The secret to the Beatles' success

21:03 - The black American influence

27:20 - A voice for American youth

33:33 - For the people

41:10 - Do the Beatles still matter?

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Contact us: [email protected]

Team SOTUS: ⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠community

Brands & advertisers: [email protected]

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Credits:

Producer - Liam Heffernan

Host - Liam Heffernan

Editor - Liam Heffernan

In Partnership with the ⁠⁠British Association for American Studies

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

JOIN TEAM SOTUS: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community

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America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.

Today: the eighth President of the United States, Martin Van Buren - his election, his presidency, his key achievements and controversies, and his lasting legacy.

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America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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This week, as Andrew and Tristan Tate face extradition to the UK, we discuss their ties to the Trump family, and the political headache this might cause the President.

Plus, JD Vance has a baby, the price of gas soars, and new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is winning points with the President.

Joining me this week is Dr. Emma Long, an Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia, though currently reporting from Heidelberg, Germany.

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02:01 - The Price of Oil

11:04 - Andy Burnham

18:56 - Andrew & Tristan Tate

41:36 - Baby Vance

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News Sources:

• US gas prices back up: https://apnews.com/article/gas-prices-iran-war-4-gallon-4b82825734ec3ded192351e53a4be69e 

• Trump approves of new UK PM North Sea drilling plans: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/20/uk-prime-minister-burnham-trump-poverty-stricken-disaster.html 

• Vance become first Veep in 150 years to have a new child while in office: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj63kngxpxpo 

• Vance won’t take paternity leave: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-vice-president-jd-vance-paternity-leave-decision-1809573 

• The Tate Brothers arrested: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/20/us/tate-brothers-extradition-wwk 

• Trump’s connection to the Tate Brothers: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2026/07/19/tate-brothers-arrested-in-florida-what-we-know-about-their-trump-ties/

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America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/

Join the community: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community

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Join our new 24/7 SOTUS community now: https://sotus.beehiiv.com/community

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Thomas Jefferson spent his life imagining the future of the American republic. Not just its politics, but its culture, its knowledge, and its citizens.

After leaving the presidency, he turned to a new project: founding a university that would embody his Enlightenment ideals and prepare future generations for self‑government. A far cry from the acrimony between higher education and the White House we’re seeing today.

The University of Virginia was Thomas Jefferson’s final great experiment, so today we explore why Jefferson built it, what he hoped it would achieve, and how it has evolved since.

So in this episode, I’m asking… why did Jefferson start a university?

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Special Guest:

Andrew O’Shaughnessy, one of the leading historians of Thomas Jefferson and the early American republic. His book The Illimitable Freedom of the Human Mind is the definitive study of Jefferson’s educational vision and the founding of the University of Virginia.

Buy Andrews' Book: https://a.co/d/0j9Tz5An

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Highlights:

02:21 - From politics to education

06:26 - Essential to the American Experiment

10:23 - Jefferson's vision

17:52 - Take God out of the classroom

23:09 - Jefferson and slavery

30:02 - Was UVA a success?

35:00 - The top of the pyramid

39:11 - The civil war

42:27 - Upholding Jeffersonian principles

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For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠

.

Contact us: [email protected]

Team SOTUS: ⁠⁠⁠https://sotus.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠community

Brands & advertises: [email protected]

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Credits:

Producer - Liam Heffernan

Host - Liam Heffernan

Editor - Liam Heffernan

In Partnership with the ⁠British Association for American Studies

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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.

Today: How U.S. election campaigns work - where they came from, how they evolved, what the rules are today, and the best and worst campaigns in American history.

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Contact us: [email protected]

Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Brand & advertising enquiries: [email protected]

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This week, Senator Lindsey Graham has died, the War in Iran rages on, and more fatalies at the hands of ICE agents force the White House's hand.

Joining me this week is Dr. Tim Galsworthy, lecturer in History and Military History at Lincoln Bishop University.

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02:02 - Lindsey Graham

09:55 - ICE shootings

22:012 - The War in Iran

36:57 - Paramount-Warner

49:05 - World Cup Predictions

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News Sources:

• Lindsey Graham Dies: https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-graham-dies-south-carolina-bfa556e170f2df22ce9ffc7165da3dfa 

• Lindsey Graham’s Sister Sworn In: https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-graham-death-sister-darline-senate-87bce5649c07e03129cf535feb97873a 

• Why are 12 states fighting the Paramount-Warner Merger: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-warner-bros-rob-bonta-state-ags-sue-blockbusters-1236810931/ 

• Trump U-Turns on Hormuz Tariff Threat: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0608wy8pro 

• Another death at the hands of ICE: https://apnews.com/article/ice-shooting-maine-immigration-dhs-f26f8c2256aa6f0748582ea4adbb515c

.

America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/

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Get in touch: [email protected]

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

What is the American Dream? Is it being an all-star athlete? Maybe even an Olympic champion? Is it dedicating yourself to service in the military or in politics? Is it not just dreaming of becoming President, but having the resilience and the confidence to actually run?

My guest today can say yes to all of the above.

Born in Crystal City during the Second World War, he was a basketball prodigy who became an NBA champion and New York Knicks legend; a Princeton and Oxford Scholar who became a senator for New Jersey,, and a public servant who ran for president on a message of honesty and reform.

Few Americans have lived a life that spans sport, politics and public service the way he has. His story is one of discipline, reinvention, and a lifelong quest to make himself and the world a little bit better every day. And today, we hear that story in his own words.

So in this episode, this is... Bill Bradley.

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Special Guest:

Bill Bradley, NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate: https://www.billbradley.com/

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Highlights:

02:10 - Crystal City, Missouri

08:13 - The School Politician

13:26 - The Road to Princeton

20:46 - Euro Trip

26:30 - I'll Take Two Championships

32:09 - Leaving the NBA

38:55 - The Good and the Meaningful

43:47 - A Presidential Candidate

48:48 - Lasting Legacy

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For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠

.

Contact us: [email protected]

Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠

Brands & advertises: [email protected]

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In Partnership with the ⁠British Association for American Studies

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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.

Today: The History of the NBA - how the league began, how it grew, the key moments that shaped it, and how it became one of the most influential sports organisations in the world.

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Contact us: [email protected]

Join the community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

This week, the fallout from Trump's involvement in the USA men's soccer team at the World Cup is getting out of hand.

The UK's Nigel Farage is taking a page out of the MAGA playbook... and it might just backfire.

And the Democrats face a midterm scandal, as historic rape allegations come back to haunt Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.

BREAKING: in the hours following recording this episode, Platner has officially suspended his campaign.

Joining me this week is Clodagh Harrington from University College Cork. She is also host of the wonderful podcast A Chicken in Every Pot.

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01:40 - Happy Birthday America

06:58 - Nigel Farage

14:39 - The USA World Cup Scandal

29:14 - Graham Platner

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America: The Story of the USA is a Podcasts by Liam production for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mercury⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, in partnership with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Association for American Studies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/

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Get in touch: [email protected]

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Benjamin Franklin is one of the most recognisable figures in the founding of America - a printer, scientist, diplomat, inventor, and political thinker whose life spanned continents and revolutions.

But before he became a Founding Father, Franklin was a young runaway apprentice, a self‑made writer, and later a London resident who spent nearly two decades in the very house we’re recording this episode from.

His story is one of ambition, curiosity, and transformation, and we are going to explore his life, career and influence in the years prior to the American Revolution.

So in this episode, I’m asking… who is Benjamin Franklin?

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Special Guest:

Henry Wilkinson, the Head of Education at Benjamin Franklin House. He leads public programmes, historical interpretation, and research into Franklin’s London years, offering unique insight into how he lived, worked, and shaped ideas on both sides of the Atlantic.

Visit Benjamin Franklin House: https://benjaminfranklinhouse.org/

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Highlights:

02:40 - Silence Dogood

10:18 - The Quakers and Poor Richard's Almanac

17:15 - Franklin Goes to London

25:29 - America's First Ambassador

28:08 - Franklin and Slavery

33:27 - Revolution is Coming

37:06 - Franklin's Legacy and Benjamin Franklin House

42:31 - WWBFD?

.

For an extended reading list and to learn more, join our Patreon community now: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa⁠

.

Contact us: [email protected]

Get the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/⁠⁠⁠

Brands & advertises: [email protected]

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Credits:

Location Producer - Clara Burns

Executive Producer - Liam Heffernan

Host - Liam Heffernan

Editor - Liam Heffernan

In Partnership with the British Association for American Studies

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

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.

Today: the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson - his election, his presidency, his key achievements and controversies, and his lasting legacy.

.

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