American power today echoes the kingdoms of Europe, the Mongol khans, and even the emperors of Rome.

In this episode, we tell the story of the US. Hear the sounds of the first humans to settle in the vast wilderness of North America. Discover the rise and fall of native civilisations, hear how the Vikings crossed the Atlantic, and learn why the first American powers fell to European expansion. Delve into America’s long history of democracy, of devastating wars, of nuclear weapons, of the long and unstoppable rise of its immense power. And look down the murky paths of the future: the path of a republic, and the path of a terrifying empire.

Why exactly is the US so powerful? What can the empires of the past tell us about how, one day, the US might fall?

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Music used in this episode:

• 'Filaments' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0 (scottbuckley.com.au)
• 'Shadows and Dust' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0 (scottbuckley.com.au)
• 'Borealis' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0 (scottbuckley.com.au)
• 'Bobbing Joe Medley' The Orchard Enterprises - Early American Roots
• 'Vantage' by Avery Alexander - youtube.com/@Avery_Alexander
• Washington's Grand March · Valentino Production Music
• News Tv Cinematic Intro by Infraction Audio
• Stars & Stripes Forever - The US Marine Band (2014)

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A History of the Future is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Yaffa Media (www.yaffa.com.au). If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Yaffa Digital via [email protected].

Written & Presented by Ewen Levick

Executive Producer: Steve Visscher

Associate Producer: Grant McHerron

Voiceover: Kevin Hillier

Post production by Southern Skies Media

© 2026 Yaffa Media Pty Ltd