The soft power superpower, with Roman Mars
99% Invisible's Roman Mars on the surprising ways the US shaped the world in its image
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, all this week The Global Story is exploring the surprising and often hidden ways the US has shaped the modern world.
Today, we are joined by Roman Mars – the host of 99% Invisible and the new BBC series A History of the United States in 100 Objects – who sets out his theory of how the US used design to shape the world in its image.
Producer: Sam Chantarasak
Executive producer: James Shield
Sound engineer: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
(Image: An illustration of a US city rising high above the world’s surface)
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- Mon 29 Jun 2026 10:32GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 29 Jun 2026 18:32GMTBBC World Service News Internet & Online only
- Tue 30 Jun 2026 00:32GMTBBC World Service & Live News
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