Creating America

Episode 22: The Seneca Falls Convention | Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Declaration of Sentiments

William Sarris — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, we read two foundational items (a speech and a document) that stand at the origins of the American women's rights movement. both from the historic 1848 Seneca Falls Convention.

First, hear Elizabeth Cady Stanton's powerful keynote address calling for equal rights, political representation, and women's suffrage. Then, listen to the full text of the Declaration of Sentiments, the groundbreaking manifesto modeled after the Declaration of Independence that proclaimed that "all men and women are created equal."

The Seneca Falls Convention marked a turning point in American history, launching a movement that would eventually secure women's voting rights and reshape the nation's understanding of liberty, equality, and citizenship.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
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Episode 21: Slavery, Secession, and the Union | Calhoun, Webster, and the Compromise of 1850

William Sarris — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, we explore one of the most consequential political debates in American history: the struggle over slavery, secession, and the future of the Union that led to the Compromise of 1850.

As new territories acquired after the Mexican-American War prepared to enter the United States, fierce disagreements erupted over whether slavery would be allowed to expand westward. The resulting crisis brought two of America's most influential statesmen into direct conflict: John C. Calhoun, the leading defender of Southern slaveholding interests, and Daniel Webster, who argued that compromise was necessary to preserve the Union.

This episode features excerpts from Calhoun's final Senate address and Webster's famous "Seventh of March" speech. Calhoun warned that the South might choose secession while Webster insisted that "peaceable secession" was impossible and would inevitably lead to war.

The Compromise of 1850 temporarily delayed national conflict, but its most controversial provision—the Fugitive Slave Act—deepened sectional tensions, energized the abolitionist movement, inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, accelerated the Underground Railroad, and helped pave the way for the rise of the Republican Party and the election of Abraham Lincoln.

Creating America is a history podcast dedicated to reading the speeches, documents, and writings that shaped the United States, allowing listeners to hear the words of historical figures in their original context.

Episode 20: Andrew Jackson, Indian Removal & the Trail of Tears | The Dark Side of Manifest Destiny

William Sarris — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The United States often celebrates its founding ideals of liberty and freedom, but this episode of the Creating America Podcast explores a far darker chapter in the nation’s history. Through the speeches and documents of President Andrew Jackson and the text of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, host Will Sarris examines how the U.S. government justified the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the name of expansion, “civilization,” and Manifest Destiny.

This episode traces the origins of the Trail of Tears and the federal policy of Indian removal that displaced tens of thousands of Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and other Native peoples west of the Mississippi River. Hear Jackson’s own words defending removal, and the devastating human consequences that followed.

By exploring these historical documents in context, this episode reveals how westward expansion and the growth of the United States were deeply tied to broken treaties, cultural destruction, forced assimilation, and the displacement of indigenous nations. A sobering look at one of the most consequential and tragic policies in American history.

Episode 19: Religious Freedom | Thomas Jefferson & the “Wall of Separation”

William Sarris — Thu, 21 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, host Will Sarris explores the origins of religious freedom in the United States through the First Amendment, Thomas Jefferson’s famous 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, and Jefferson’s writings on religion in Notes on the State of Virginia.

You’ll hear:

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The 1801 letter from the Danbury Baptist Association
Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 reply introducing the phrase “wall of separation between Church and State”
Jefferson’s writings on religious liberty from Notes on the State of Virginia

Creating America is a history podcast dedicated to reading the speeches, letters, and documents that shaped the United States.

#FirstAmendment #ThomasJefferson #ReligiousFreedom #ChurchAndState #AmericanHistory #Constitution #BillOfRights #DanburyBaptists #HistoryPodcast #CreatingAmerica

Episode 18: Teaching Them How to Say Goodbye | George Washington's Farewell Address

William Sarris — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Creating America Podcast, host Will Sarris explores one of the most influential speeches in American history: George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796).

At the height of his power and popularity, Washington made a decision almost unheard of in world history — he voluntarily stepped away from leadership. By refusing a third term, he established the precedent of the peaceful transfer of power and helped define the American presidency for generations.

In his Farewell Address Washington:

Talks of the growing political divisions of the 1790s
Gives his thoughts on America’s debate over the French Revolution
Gives warnings about political parties and sectional division
Address his concerns about foreign influence and permanent alliances

Washington's farewell address was crafted with assistance from Alexander Hamilton and delivered at a pivotal moment in early American history.

If you enjoy American history, founding documents, presidential speeches, Revolutionary War history, or political philosophy, this episode is for you.

Creating America is a history podcast dedicated to reading and bringing to life the speeches, letters, and documents that shaped the United States.

Subscribe, rate, and share the show to support independent history storytelling.

Episode 17: The Man Who Willingly Gave Up Power | Washington's 1783 Resignation & First Inaugural Address

William Sarris — Thu, 07 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In Episode 17 of the Creating America Podcast, we explore two extraordinary moments in the life of George Washingtonthat helped define the American experiment in self-government.

First, we hear Washington’s 1783 resignation speech—when he voluntarily gave up power as Commander-in-Chief after the Revolutionary War. At a time when military leaders often became rulers, Washington chose a different path, drawing comparisons to Cincinnatus and setting a precedent for civilian leadership that still shapes democracies today.

Then, we turn to April 30, 1789, as Washington delivers his First Inaugural Address in New York City, stepping into the role of the first President of the United States under the newly ratified Constitution. In this speech, you’ll hear his humility, uncertainty, and deep sense of responsibility as he takes on an entirely new kind of leadership.

Through immersive narration, this episode brings these foundational texts to life and highlights:

The unprecedented act of relinquishing power
The creation of the American presidency
The character and restraint that shaped early U.S. leadership

If you’ve ever wondered what it sounded like at the very beginning of the United States, this episode offers a rare chance to hear those words as they were meant to be experienced.

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Episode 16: Brutus, The Anti-Federalist | The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

William Sarris — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

ive into the origins of the United States Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10) in this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, hosted by Will Sarris.

Before the Bill of Rights became law, fierce debate surrounded the ratification of the Constitution. In this episode, we explore the powerful Anti-Federalist argument against the Constitution’s lack of explicit protections—through the words of “Brutus” (Robert Yates), whose 1787 essay helped spark the creation of the Federalist Papers.

You’ll hear:

The full reading of “On the Lack of a Bill of Rights” by Brutus
Historical context behind the demand for constitutional protections
The transition from Anti-Federalist criticism to the drafting of the Bill of Rights
A complete reading of all 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Understand how concerns over government power, individual liberty, and natural rights led to one of the most important additions to American law. From freedom of speech and religion to due process and the right to bear arms, this episode brings these foundational texts to life through immersive narration.

Perfect for students, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the founding principles of the United States, this episode continues our chronological journey through the documents that shaped a nation.

📜 Featured Texts:

Brutus Essay (1787) – Anti-Federalist critique
The U.S. Bill of Rights (Ratified 1791)

🎙️ About the Podcast:
Creating America presents the original speeches and documents that defined U.S. history—performed and narrated to capture how they were meant to be heard.

Subscribe, rate, and share to support the show!

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
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Episode 15: The Federalist Papers, Part 4: Thoughts on Bills of Rights & Concluding Remarks (Nos. 84 & 85)

William Sarris — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, host and narrator Will Sarris presents dramatic readings of Federalist Papers No. 84 and No. 85, written by Alexander Hamilton during the debate over ratifying the United States Constitution.

These concluding essays tackle some of the most enduring questions in American history:

Does the Constitution need a Bill of Rights?
Can liberty be preserved without explicitly listing freedoms?
Why was ratification urgent for the survival of the Union?

In Federalist No. 84, Hamilton argues that a Bill of Rights may be unnecessary—and even dangerous—within a government derived from the people. In No. 85, he delivers a powerful final appeal for ratification, addressing concerns about imperfection in the Constitution while emphasizing unity, stability, and the possibility of future amendments.

Through immersive narration and minimal commentary, this episode allows you to experience these foundational texts as they were meant to be heard—bringing clarity and emotional weight to one of the most important political debates in American history.

Perfect for students, educators, and anyone interested in the origins of the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the ideas that shaped the United States.

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Episode 14 - The Federalist Papers, Part 3: Supremacy, Checks & Balances, and Executive Power (Nos. 33, 51, & 70)

William Sarris — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Dive into the foundations of American government in this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States. Host Will Sarris brings to life three of the most influential essays from the The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

This episode features:

Federalist No. 33 – The Necessary and Proper Clause & Supremacy Clause explained
Federalist No. 51 – Checks and balances, separation of powers, and protecting liberty
Federalist No. 70 – Why a single, energetic executive is essential to good government

Originally written to support ratification of the United States Constitution, these essays remain essential for understanding federalism, taxation powers, executive authority, and the structure of American democracy.

Perfect for students, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in U.S. civics, this episode presents these historic texts as they were meant to be heard—bringing clarity, context, and powerful storytelling to the words that shaped a nation.

🎙️ Listen and discover:

The meaning of federal supremacy vs. state power
How checks and balances prevent tyranny
Why the Founders argued for a strong executive branch
The historical context behind the Constitution’s ratification

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Episode 13 - The Federalist Papers, Part 2: Why the Articles of Confederation Failed (Nos. 15 & 21)

William Sarris — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail—and how did that lead to the U.S. Constitution?

In this episode of Creating America, we continue our exploration of the Federalist Papers with Federalist No. 15 and No. 21, written by Alexander Hamilton. These powerful essays explain why America’s first system of government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to survive—and why a stronger federal government was necessary.

Hamilton lays out the dangers facing the young nation: lack of enforcement power, economic instability, interstate conflict, and the inability to govern effectively. He argues that a government without the power to enforce laws is no government at all.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the Articles of Confederation failed
The core weaknesses of early American government
Hamilton’s argument for federal power and national unity
How these ideas shaped the U.S. Constitution

This episode continues the chronological journey through the founding documents that shaped the United States, bringing these texts to life through narration and historical context.

🎧 Perfect for students, history lovers, and anyone curious about how American government was built.

Episode 12 - The Federalist Papers, Part 1: Union, Liberty, and the Problem of Faction (Nos. 1 & 10)

William Sarris — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, host Will Sarris introduces one of the most influential collections of political writing in United States history: The Federalist Papers. Written under the pseudonym “Publius” by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, these essays were crafted to defend the newly proposed Constitution and persuade the people of New York to support its ratification.

After exploring the divide between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, we dive into two foundational essays. In Federalist No. 1, Hamilton lays out the stakes of the constitutional debate, arguing that the future of the Union—and the possibility of self-government itself—hangs in the balance. Then, in Federalist No. 10, Madison examines one of the most enduring challenges of democracy: faction. He explains why divisions are inevitable in a free society and how a large republic can help control their dangers.

These writings not only shaped the ratification debate in 1787–1788 but continue to influence how the Constitution is understood today.

Join us as we hear these historic texts brought to life and consider what they reveal about the founding of the United States—and its future.

Episode 11: Anti-Federalism in Action | Patrick Henry’s Warning: “I Tremble for My Country” (June 7, 1788)

William Sarris — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, we travel to the Virginia Ratifying Convention of 1788 to hear one of the most powerful Anti-Federalist voices of the founding era: Patrick Henry.

Best remembered for his fiery declaration, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”, Henry returned to the public stage to oppose ratification of the newly drafted United States Constitution. Speaking on June 7, 1788, he warned that the proposed frame of government endangered liberty, threatened the sovereignty of the states, and lacked explicit protections for individual rights.

At the time, the Constitution contained no Bill of Rights—a glaring omission for many Americans who had just fought a revolution against centralized power. In this speech, Henry challenges Federalist arguments and questions the necessity of consolidation. His fears of corruption, taxation without adequate safeguards, and the erosion of jury trials and press freedom echo through American history.

Whether you agree with him or not, Henry’s words reveal the deep anxieties that surrounded the birth of the American republic—and help explain why the first ten amendments were soon added. He was but one voice of many who show us that the history of our founding is complex.

For more context and an analysis of this speech, visit https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/analysis-patrick-henry-speech-ratification-constitution.

Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States.

It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
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Episode 10: We the People | The Constitution of the United States

William Sarris — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

his episode of Creating America is devoted to a full reading of the Constitution of the United States, the foundational document that established the framework of the American government. The episode opens with brief historical context explaining why the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate and why delegates gathered in 1787 to design a stronger national system. Influential figures such as James Madison and Alexander Hamilton pushed for an entirely new form of government, with the convention presided over by George Washington.

The core of the episode is a complete reading of the Constitution as originally ratified, beginning with the Preamble’s declaration, “We the People.” The text outlines the structure of a federal government divided into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—and defines the powers and limitations of each. Article I details the composition, responsibilities, and authority of Congress, including lawmaking powers, taxation, regulation of commerce, and the impeachment process. Article II establishes the presidency, describing the election process, qualifications for office, executive powers, and duties. Article III creates the federal judiciary, defining the role of the Supreme Court and the scope of judicial authority. The episode also covers Articles IV through VII, which address the relationship between the states, the admission of new states, guarantees of a republican form of government, the amendment process, the supremacy of federal law, and the requirements for ratification. Together, these sections reveal how the Constitution sought to balance national authority with state sovereignty while protecting liberty and establishing a durable system of governance.

By presenting the Constitution in its entirety and in its original language, this episode allows listeners to engage directly with the document that continues to shape the structure, powers, and principles of the United States.

Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States.

It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
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📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
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Episode 9: Voices of Freedom | Enslaved Petitions & Early Abolition in Revolutionary America

William Sarris — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Creating America, host Will Sarris reads powerful but often overlooked voices from the Revolutionary era—documents written by enslaved people demanding the same freedom the colonies claimed for themselves.

You’ll hear the 1773 petition of enslaved men in Massachusetts asking for their liberty and the right to return to Africa, the 1779 New Hampshire petition signed by Prince Whipple and other enslaved men asserting that freedom is a natural human right, and excerpts from the 1780 Pennsylvania Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery—the first legislative step toward ending slavery in the United States.

These documents reveal that the contradiction between liberty and slavery was not only recognized by later historians—it was being challenged in real time by those living under bondage.

By listening to these original texts as they were meant to be heard, we gain a deeper understanding of the debates, moral struggles, and voices that shaped the early American republic.

Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States.

It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
Follow us on social media!
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📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
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Episode 8: The American Crisis, No. 1: | "These Are the Times That Try Men’s Souls” (1776)

William Sarris — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This episode features a dramatic reading of the first pamphlet from The American Crisis by Thomas Paine, published in December 1776 during the darkest days of the American Revolution. Written in plain language for ordinary colonists, Paine’s words were meant to strengthen resolve, condemn tyranny, and rally support for independence. The opening line—“These are the times that try men’s souls”—became one of the most enduring calls to courage in American history.

The episode provides brief historical context, including the tradition that George Washington found the pamphlet so inspiring that it was read aloud to Continental Army troops before the crossing of the Delaware River. The bulk of the episode is devoted to Paine’s uncompromising argument against British rule, his condemnation of loyalists, and his insistence that liberty, though costly, is worth every sacrifice.

Creating America emphasizes listening over interpretation, allowing the power of the original language to stand on its own. Through this reading, listeners gain a deeper appreciation of the fear, resolve, and moral conviction that defined the Revolutionary era.

Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States.

It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
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Episode 7: The Articles of Confederation | America’s First Government

William Sarris — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we read one of the most misunderstood yet crucial documents in American history: The Articles of Confederation.

After declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776, the Continental Congress faced an urgent question: What comes next? Were the former colonies independent states loosely allied together—or a single united nation? How would they fund the Revolutionary War, manage commerce, resolve disputes, and govern collectively?

Drafted by John Dickinson of Delaware and ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation created a “league of friendship” among the states, intentionally limiting the power of a central government. Each state retained its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, while Congress lacked the authority to tax, regulate commerce, or effectively enforce its decisions.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The full text of the Articles of Confederation, read aloud
The fears of centralized power that shaped America’s first government
Why the Articles ultimately proved too weak to govern a growing nation
How economic crisis and interstate conflict led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787

Because many Americans in the 18th century were illiterate, these documents were often experienced orally in taverns, meeting halls, and public gatherings. As a professional voice actor, Will Sarris brings these foundational texts to life, preserving both their meaning and their intended impact.

Creating America presents history without heavy editorializing—offering context where needed, but allowing listeners to engage directly with the words that shaped the United States.

It is our hope that by listening to these documents and speeches, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what America was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
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Episode 6: John Quincy Adams on the Declaration of Independence | America’s Moral and Political Origins

William Sarris — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, host and narrator Will Sarris presents a powerful historical reading of a landmark speech delivered by John Quincy Adams on the 45th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Delivered in 1821, Adams’s address is both a sweeping interpretation of the causes, meaning, and legacy of the Declaration and a profound meditation on the origins of legitimate government. In this speech, Adams argues that the United States was the first nation founded on universal principles of natural rights, rather than conquest, inheritance, or divine monarchy—an idea that would later be called American exceptionalism.

Adams traces the intellectual roots of the Declaration to the Protestant Reformation, contending that the restoration of reason in religion made its application to politics inevitable. He connects the ideas of individual conscience, human equality, social compact, and popular sovereignty to the founding of the American republic, while also revealing how these beliefs shaped 19th-century American political culture.

This episode features:

John Quincy Adams’s explanation of the moral foundation of the Declaration of Independence
A critique of governments founded on conquest and hereditary power
Reflections on natural rights, civil society, and popular sovereignty
Insight into how Americans have interpreted the Declaration across generations

Presented as a dramatic narrated reading, this episode allows listeners to experience the speech as it was meant to be heard—spoken aloud, rich in rhetoric, and alive with ideas that continue to shape debates about what the United States is and what it ought to be.

🎧 Related episode: Hear the Declaration of Independence itself, read aloud, in the previous episode of Creating America.

About the Podcast
Creating America is an American history podcast dedicated to reading and preserving the documents and speeches that shaped the United States, from iconic texts to lesser-known works that influenced the nation’s development.

Host & Narrator: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

Episode 5: Common Sense by Thomas Paine (Part 3) | Of the Present Ability of America: with Some Miscellaneous Reflections

William Sarris — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, host and narrator Will Sarris continues the dramatic reading of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, one of the most influential pamphlets in American history.

We hear Part IV: “Of the Present Ability of America; with Some Miscellaneous Reflections,” along with the Appendix to Common Sense, in which Paine delivers a forceful, wide-ranging argument for American independence. From military readiness and naval power to economics, governance, religion, representation, and national character, Paine lays out why the moment for independence is not coming—it is already here.

Written to be heard rather than read, Common Sense was originally consumed aloud by a largely illiterate population. In keeping with that tradition, this podcast presents Paine’s words as a living performance, allowing modern listeners to experience the urgency, logic, and passion that helped ignite the American Revolution.

This episode follows the previous readings of:

“Of the Present Ability of America: with Some Miscellaneous Reflections"
"Appendix to Common Sense"

Whether inspirational, provocative, or unsettling, these founding-era texts reveal not only what America was—but what it aspired to become.

About the Podcast
Creating America is a narrated American history podcast dedicated to reading and preserving the documents and speeches that shaped the United States, from famous texts to nearly forgotten works.

Host: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net
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Episode 4: Common Sense by Thomas Paine (Part 2) | Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs

William Sarris — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This episode continues our chronological journey through Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, one of the most influential political pamphlets in American history and a powerful argument for American independence.

In this installment, we explore Section 3: “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs,” in which Paine dismantles the case for reconciliation with Great Britain and makes a passionate, reasoned appeal for independence. Written in 1776 and read aloud here as it was originally intended, Paine’s words confront monarchy, inherited power, and political fear—urging Americans to think beyond the present moment and consider the fate of future generations.

With minimal commentary and careful historical context, Creating America allows these foundational texts to speak for themselves. Through professional narration and performance, the podcast brings clarity, urgency, and emotional weight to the ideas that helped ignite the American Revolution.

Whether you are a student of history, a lifelong learner, or hearing these words in full for the first time, this episode offers a deeper understanding of what America was, what it became, and what it aspired to be.

🎙️ Next episode: We conclude Common Sense with Sections 4 and 5.
Host: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net
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Episode 3: Common Sense by Thomas Paine (Part 1) | The Pamphlet That Ignited American Independence

William Sarris — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, host and narrator Will Sarris presents a dramatic reading of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense—the most influential political pamphlet of the American Revolution.

Written in January 1776, Common Sense made the bold, radical case for full independence from Great Britain at a time when many American colonists still hoped for reconciliation with the Crown. Paine’s plain language and powerful arguments against monarchy, hereditary succession, and the English constitution helped transform public opinion and paved the way for the Declaration of Independence.

In Part 1, we explore Paine’s opening sections on:

The origin and purpose of government
The difference between society and government
Why monarchy is inherently flawed
The dangers of hereditary rule
Early arguments for republican government and liberty

Because Common Sense was meant to be heard rather than read, this podcast presents the text as it would have been experienced in taverns, meeting halls, and public gatherings throughout colonial America—brought to life through professional voice performance.

This episode includes historical context but allows the primary source to speak for itself, inviting listeners to engage directly with the ideas that shaped the founding of the United States.

🎧 Next episode: We continue with the next section of Common Sense, “The Present State of American Affairs.”

Host: Will Sarris
📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris
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Episode 2: Give me Liberty! and The Declaration of Independence

William Sarris — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Creating America Podcast, the documents and speeches that shaped the United States

I’m Will Sarris. I’m an actor and media professional and I’ve always loved the study of history. I was thinking about the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States recently, and I realized that often I know ABOUT various speeches and documents that shaped the history of the US, but I’ve often never actually read them. And I thought that likely many of you were in the same place.

In addition, many of these texts were meant to be heard more than read (especially in the case of speeches), since many people were illiterate. And I’m a voice actor, so I hope I can not only bring you the text of the document or speech, but make it come alive.

So what I want to do is simply read to you these speeches and documents. Many of them are well known, others only known by name, and others almost entirely forgotten in the public consciousness. Some are inspirational, others will probably shock you.

A few quick things before we get going. I’m interested in and have studied history over my lifetime, but I am not a historian. So while I will provide some context for each speech or document, I will offer little commentary other than to point you to respected historians who can give some insight every once in a while.

Many of these documents and speeches were written by white men, but I want to try to bring in other diverse voices as we go. The country has always benefited from a diversity of opinions, and that should be reflected here.

So, I’ve tried to somewhat organize this chronologically, however I’m sure I will miss things that many of you think are relevant or that I simply don’t know exist. That’s ok! Contact me and I’ll try to bring in those texts as well as we go . The email address is CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com.

It is my hope that as you listen to these documents and speeches you will gain an appreciation of what our country was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

One of the most well known phrases to come from the pre-revolutionary war period of American history is “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” and I bet most of you know that it was uttered by Patrick Henry.
What you may not know is exactly WHO Patrick Henry was and WHY he said that phrase, or indeed what the context was in which he said it.

Also...

In the Continental Congress, as the weeks turned into months and the situation in Boston and indeed the rest of the colonies grew more untenable, the delegates began to warm to the idea of independence, an idea that Patrick Henry, Samuel and John Adams of Massachusetts and Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, and a few others, had already realized was the inevitable path forward by this point.

If you'd like to support this podcast, head to Patreon.com/williamsarris

You can find us on social media by searching Creating America Podcast.
You can find Will by searching William Sarris.

#GiveMeLiberty
#PatrickHenry
#DeclarationOfIndependence
#AmericanHistory
#FoundingFathers

Episode 1: The Mayflower Compact & John Hancock on The Boston Massacre

William Sarris — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Creating America Podcast, the documents and speeches that shaped the United States

It is my hope that as you listen to these documents and speeches you will gain an appreciation of what our country was, what it is, and what it hopes to be.

In this first episode I want to start in Massachusetts with two texts. The first is sort of a founding document, and the second is a speech. Both are from the colonial era.

First is the Mayflower Compact. The second is a speech by John Hancock on the anniversary of the Boston Massacre.

If you'd like to support his podcast, please head to Patreon.com/williamsarris

You can find us on social media! Search Creating America Podcast.
You can find Will by searching William Sarris.

#MayflowerCompact
#AmericanHistory
#BostonMassacre
#FoundingFathers
#HistoryPodcast