American Experience Presents
GBH
"American Experience Presents" brings a fresh take on the iconic stories told on TV's most-watched history series. This 10-episode anthology launches with three powerful narratives: Joseph McCarthy, whose anti-communist crusade terrorized 1950s America; media titan William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper mogul whose empire shaped public opinion for decades; and Sgt. Isaac Woodard, the decorated World War II veteran whose brutal assault by police sparked a civil rights awakening. This new GBH podcast examines how these three transformative figures shaped pivotal moments in 20th century America, bringing their stories to life for a new generation of listeners.
Connect with American Experience on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.
-----------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriters: Galen Beebe and Andrew Newman
Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrators: James Edwards and Cameo George
Executive Producer: Cameo George
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 American Experience Presents Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best American Experience Presents episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to American Experience Presents for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite American Experience Presents episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Welcome to American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories
American Experience Presents
05/14/25 • 2 min
In war and in peace, what veterans have done in America’s name is woven into the fabric of the American story. The PBS series, American Veteran, illuminates their service with a stunning range of veterans’ voices, presented in a 8-part podcast.
Each episode revolves around the direct testimony of a single veteran - from a Coast Guard gunner’s mate who manned a landing craft at Omaha Beach on D-Day, to an Army cook in Iraq who became the first Black American woman held as a POW; to an Army nurse in Vietnam who struggled to do her part. This collection of riveting first-person stories provides a compelling portrait of the veteran experience over multiple generations.
The series is hosted by Phil Klay, a Marine Corps veteran featured in the “American Veteran” television series and author of the National Book Award-winning collection of short stories, “Redeployment.”
Learn more about American Experience
The Perfect Crime
American Experience Presents
05/02/16 • 52 min
The shocking story of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy college students who murdered a 14-year-old boy in 1924 to prove they were smart enough to get away with it. Their trial, with famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow and Cook County Prosecutor Robert Crowe debating the death penalty and scores of commentators weighing in from the sidelines, set off a national debate about morality and capital punishment.
For more about The Perfect Crime, visit the website on American Experience.
Bonnie & Clyde
American Experience Presents
05/02/16 • 52 min
Though their exploits were romanticized, the Barrow gang was believed responsible for at least 13 murders, including nine law enforcement officers, as well as numerous robberies and kidnappings. Discover the true story of the most famous outlaw couple in U.S. history -- Bonnie and Clyde. Premiered on American Experience PBS on January 19, 2016.
For more about Bonnie & Clyde, visit the website on American Experience.
The Mine Wars
American Experience Presents
04/11/16 • 111 min
Go inside the coal miners' bitter battle for dignity at the dawn of the 20th century with The Mine Wars. The struggle over the material that fueled America led to the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War and turned parts of West Virginia into a bloody war zone. Premiered on American Experience January 26, 2016.
For more about The Mine Wars, visit the website on American Experience.
Part 2: Hearst vs. Pulitzer
American Experience Presents
11/13/24 • 33 min
William Randolph Hearst has one goal: to dethrone Joseph Pulitzer as the king of newspapers. What follows is a circulation war like no other, where no tactic is off-limits. Hearst slashes prices to a penny, poaches top talent, and even lures away Pulitzer's pressroom cat. But it's his sensational coverage that truly captivates readers. From exposing corrupt ice trusts to smuggling Cuban revolutionaries, Hearst's 'new journalism' knows no bounds. He assembles his own 'murder squad,' races through city streets to catch killers, and brazenly claims credit for starting the Spanish-American War.
As Hearst's influence grows, so do concerns about his unchecked power. When newsboys go on strike against his unfair practices, the self-proclaimed champion of the working class shows his true colors.
Learn more about American Experience
Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads
------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe
Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrator: James Edwards
Executive Producer: Cameo George
Part 3: Hearst Conquers Hollywood and Builds a Castle
American Experience Presents
11/20/24 • 28 min
By 1919, William Randolph Hearst had conquered the world of print media, but the ambitious mogul isn't satisfied. As America roars into the 1920s, Hearst sets his sights on a dazzling new frontier—the silver screen. From pioneering newsreels to lavish Hollywood productions, Hearst aims to dominate this revolutionary medium just as he has with newspapers.
Meanwhile, atop an isolated California hilltop, Hearst begins construction on a monumental castle to house his insatiable appetite for art and antiques. As his empire and real estate holdings expand, complications arise in his personal life as well. Don't miss the next chapter in the saga of America's first media tycoon.
Learn more about American Experience
Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads
------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe
Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrator: James Edwards
Executive Producer: Cameo George
Introducing: William Randolph Hearst
American Experience Presents
10/30/24 • 2 min
American newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst's immense wealth and power transformed the media's role in politics and society. In this 4-part series, we delve into Hearst's early life and his rise as a media titan, revealing how his prodigious appetites and control over vast media holdings allowed him to shape public opinion and influence major events.
Hearst's innovative and often controversial approach to journalism, known as "yellow journalism," redefined the boundaries of news reporting and had a profound impact on American culture. Discover how his publishing empire not only sensationalized stories but also played a critical role in political campaigns and public perception during pivotal moments in history.
Join host James Edwards for a richly detailed account of William Randolph Hearst, where expert interviews, rare archival audio, and compelling storytelling illuminate the legacy of this pioneering media titan whose impact continues to resonate today.
Learn more about American Experience
Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads
------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe
Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrator: James Edwards
Executive Producer: Cameo George
Part 4: Hearst's Hollywood Dreams Meet the Great Depression
American Experience Presents
11/27/24 • 30 min
From Hollywood glamor to financial ruin, William Randolph Hearst's empire crumbles as the Roaring Twenties crash into the Great Depression. Facing economic collapse, a fractured relationship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and whispers of communism, Hearst navigates a treacherous landscape. His unexpected encounter with Hitler, passionate proposal to longtime love Marion Davies, and eventual inspiration for the film "Citizen Kane" reveal a man wrestling with power, love, and legacy. This is the final chapter of an American titan's extraordinary journey.
Learn more about American Experience
Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads
------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe
Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrator: James Edwards
Executive Producer: Cameo George
Introducing: Isaac Woodard
American Experience Presents
12/04/24 • 2 min
In 1946, decorated World War II veteran Isaac Woodard is brutally beaten and blinded by police just hours after his honorable discharge – a shocking act of racial violence that ignites a firestorm of change. Join host Cameo George as she unravels this powerful, forgotten story that reveals how one soldier's unimaginable tragedy inspired President Harry Truman, challenged the brutal system of segregation, and became the unexpected spark that would ultimately transform the course of American civil rights history.
Learn more about American Experience
Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads
------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriter: Andrew Newman
Story Editor: Galen Bebee
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrator and Executive Producer: Cameo George
Introducing: Joseph McCarthy
American Experience Presents
10/02/24 • 2 min
In 1950, an obscure senator from Wisconsin stood before a small crowd in Wheeling, West Virginia, and ignited a firestorm that would change American politics forever. With a single speech, Joseph McCarthy thrust himself into the national spotlight, brandishing accusations of Communist infiltration at the highest levels of government. But was there any truth to his claims?
Discover the origins of McCarthyism in this three-part podcast series. From McCarthy's humble beginnings on a Wisconsin farm to his meteoric rise in Washington, follow the journey of a man whose name would become synonymous with political fearmongering.
Through rare archival audio, expert insights, and compelling storytelling, join host James Edwards as we uncover the story of a man who wielded power through fear and suspicion—a story whose legacy still echoes in today's political landscape.
Learn more about American Experience
Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads
-------------------------------------
Credits:
Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins
Associate Producer: Meiqian He
Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe
Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins
Editorial Advisor: John Bredar
Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant
Narrator: James Edwards
Executive Producer: Cameo George
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does American Experience Presents have?
American Experience Presents currently has 17 episodes available.
What topics does American Experience Presents cover?
The podcast is about History and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on American Experience Presents?
The episode title 'The Perfect Crime' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on American Experience Presents?
The average episode length on American Experience Presents is 31 minutes.
How often are episodes of American Experience Presents released?
Episodes of American Experience Presents are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of American Experience Presents?
The first episode of American Experience Presents was released on Apr 11, 2016.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ