Pod Save America Heather Cox Richardson on Donald Trump, MAGA and How We Fight Back
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Sep 7, 2025 
Heather Cox Richardson, a renowned historian and author of the popular Substack newsletter, lends her insights on America's political landscape. She draws parallels between the current MAGA movement and historical challenges to democracy. Richardson discusses the ideological shifts within the Republican Party and how they echo past political movements. With a focus on resilience, she encourages embracing historical perspectives to navigate today's complexities and highlights the importance of civic engagement in safeguarding democracy.
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From Facebook Post To Substack Phenomenon
- Heather Cox Richardson started writing on Facebook and grew from 22,000 followers to over a million after one viral essay in 2019.
- Substack approached her and she joined early, later monetizing when the workload required assistance.
Yellow Jacket Sparked A Viral Post
- Richardson recounts being stung by a yellow jacket and using recovery time to write a post that set her viral growth in motion.
- That single post triggered massive engagement and institutional interest from Substack.
Mission-Driven Media Model
- Richardson frames her Substack as a 19th-century mission-driven model focused on education and community rather than clicks and corporate profit.
- She argues this independent-media ecosystem mirrors past reformist media that reshaped American politics.