Presidencies of the United States
Ever wondered how U.S. presidents—and the teams around them—have shaped the nation’s history and influenced the world we live in today? The Presidencies of the United States dives deep into American presidential history from 1789 to the present, exploring the people, decisions, and pivotal moments that defined each administration. Through a systematic, story-driven approach, I uncover the lesser-known narratives, overlooked figures, and surprising connections that rarely appear in textbooks. If you’re curious about how the presidency evolved—and what those changes mean for our current political landscape—this is the place for you.
Episodes
June 14, 2026 • 79 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1924-2018
Uncover the profound leadership qualities of George H. W. Bush that still resonate today—trust, humility, and an unwavering respect for institutions. My discussion with historian Laurence Jurdem about his new biography of Bush dives deep into the life and legacy of a man often underrated in our modern political landscape, revealing how his personal diplomacy and commitment to service forged extra...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1817 - 2025
This episode examines the complex leadership dynamics of the Monroe family as Elizabeth Monroe and her daughter Eliza Monroe Hay navigated the high expectations of U.S. First Ladies in the wake of Dolley Madison's time as hostess of the President's Mansion. Joined by my special guest, Ann Foster of the Vulgar History podcast, we explore the contrasting roles and reputations of the Monroe daughters: E...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1768-1817
Join me and my special guest, Ann Foster of the Vulgar History podcast, as we dive into the life of Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, a woman whose leadership was defined by elegance, resilience, and strategic diplomacy during a formative era of American political history. As we explore the evolution of U.S. First Ladies, you will see how Elizabeth and her daughters, Eliza and Maria, navigated the high-stake...
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May 17, 2026 • 58 mins
Dive into the second act of Samuel L. Southard’s career as he navigated the fractious politics of the Adams administration and a high-stakes personal vendetta with Andrew Jackson. This episode highlights his leadership in pushing for ambitious naval innovations and his pivotal role in American political history, eventually serving as President pro tempore and standing next in line for the presidency. With my special guests, J...
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May 11, 2026 • 81 mins
Tenure of Office: September 16, 1823 - March 4, 1829
Rising from his beginnings as a young New Jersey jurist to become Secretary of the Navy under James Monroe, Samuel L. Southard emerged as a "diligent and durable" figure in American political history. With my special guests, Rob and Jamie of Totalus Rankium, we explore how Southard utilized family connections to end up involved in high-stakes political maneuvering that turned th...
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April 26, 2026 • 56 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1960-1975
In a landscape where Confederate flags, Lincoln quotes, and Civil War symbols are woven into modern politics, how did history become a tool for political identity and culture wars? Historian Tim Galsworthy uncovers for us the surprising ways Civil War memory has shaped the Republican Party and American politics from 1960 through the first half of the 1970s - from Eisenhower’s cautious leadershi...
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April 19, 2026 • 61 mins
Tenure of Office: December 28, 1832 - March 4, 1833
How did a man praised for his "patience, industry and excellent judgment" find himself at the center of a national power struggle? Known for being at his desk by dawn, Hugh Lawson White built a reputation in his career of public service and business leadership which positioned him to take up the role of President pro tem when the Senate rostrum was vacant. However, his sense of d...
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April 12, 2026 • 42 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1816-1817
Explore the dawn of the Monroe administration, a pivotal moment in American political history often branded as the "Era of Good Feelings" though the reality on the ground was far more fractious. This episode examines the leadership of the incoming president, James Monroe, as he attempted to act as a head of the nation rather than a faction in an era defined by underlying contention and "imminent dang...
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April 10, 2026 • 82 mins
Tenure of Office: December 8, 1817 - March 4, 1825 (as Secretary of War); March 4, 1825 - December 28, 1832 (as Vice President); April 1, 1844 - March 10, 1845 (as Secretary of State)
In the contested presidential election of 1824, Calhoun was without question elected as Vice President. In this episode, I am joined by Alycia of Civics and Coffee and Alex of the Vice Presidencies series to explore his tenure during his nearly (but ...
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March 29, 2026 • 39 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1838-1905
Uncover the hidden depths of Abraham Lincoln's speechwriter, John Hay, and how his poetic touch shaped American history in this captivating episode featuring Jan Cigliano Hartman, author of Lincoln's Speechwriter: John Hay and the Friendship That Inspired American Eloquence. This episode reveals why Hay’s ability to translate Lincoln’s vision into poetic, relatable language was crucial for ...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1789-current
Most of us are unaware that the fight over healthcare in America is a century-long battle filled with surprising twists, political cycles, and personal stories that have shaped policy — and presidents — throughout history. In my discussion with David Blumenthal and Jim Morone about their new book, Whiplash: From the Battle for Obamacare to the War on Science, they reveal how healthcare...
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March 14, 2026 • 50 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1787-1819
This episode tracks James Monroe’s "fits and starts" through early American political history, from his courageous dissent at the Virginia Ratification Convention to his pivotal role as a leadership figure in the burgeoning Democratic-Republican faction.
We delve into the immense personal and financial costs of his public service, including his challenging diplomatic missions to Europe, his ten...
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Year(s) Discussed: 1731-1821
Join me and my special guest, Richard Vague, as we delve into the life of Thomas Willing, a pivotal yet often overlooked leader in America's financial revolution. Discover how his strategic foresight and adaptability in leadership helped shape the nation's early economic landscape, navigating complex political tides and forging influential relationships. This episode discussing Richard's book, The Bank...
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February 15, 2026 • 66 mins
Tenure of Office: January 1, 1819 - August 31, 1823
Explore the life of Smith Thompson, a transitional figure in American political history who served as Secretary of the Navy under U.S. President James Monroe before ascending to the Supreme Court. This episode analyzes his leadership style, contrasting his role as a trusted lieutenant focused on political patronage with his independence as a jurist who often challenged Chief Just...
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February 4, 2026 • 53 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1866-2026
Delve into the art of crisis management with insights from an expert PR consultant and journalist, Edward Segal. This episode uncovers the leadership strategies of US presidents, including insights on the importance of communication and information gathering for successful crisis managers like Franklin D Roosevelt and John F Kennedy.
Our conversation also reveals how historical figures like Andrew Jo...
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January 20, 2026 • 45 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1758-1787
What does it take to rise from being a 16-year-old orphan to a central figure in the American founding? This episode explores the early leadership journey of James Monroe, a man driven by a profound aversion to "insignificance".
We trace Monroe’s evolution from a courageous young lieutenant who nearly bled to death at the Battle of Trenton to a strategic thinker under the mentorship of Thomas Je...
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January 11, 2026 • 79 mins
Year(s) Discussed: 1913-1945
One of the most pivotal figures in 20th century history, as my guest David T Beito shares with us, Franklin D Roosevelt was also a complex figure who leaves a complicated legacy. Learn more about his rise to political prominence, the policies he pursued while in office, and the central role that politics played in his life. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.
Learn mor...
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December 28, 2025 • 95 mins
Tenure of Office: December 8, 1817 - March 4, 1825 (as Secretary of War); March 4, 1825 - December 28, 1832 (as Vice President); April 1, 1844 - March 10, 1845 (as Secretary of State)
Though we come to the end of Calhoun's life and career in this episode, as I and my special guests, Alycia of Civics and Coffee and Alex of the Vice Presidencies series, learn, Calhoun was on the go to the very end with a stint as Secretary of State ...
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December 7, 2025 • 71 mins
Tenure of Office: December 8, 1817 - March 4, 1825 (as Secretary of War); March 4, 1825 - December 28, 1832 (as Vice President); April 1, 1844 - March 10, 1845 (as Secretary of State)
Few figures loom as large in the annals of American history or have left such a challenging legacy with which to grapple than John Caldwell Calhoun of South Carolina. In this episode, I am joined by Alycia of Civics and Coffee and Alex of the Vice Pr...
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December 6, 2025 • 3 mins
Your friendly neighborhood podcaster will be speaking at the virtual Intelligent Speech Conference on February 28th, 2026, and I'd love to see you there! Tickets are currently on sale at intelligentspeechonline.com, and you can use the special promo code "USA" to get 10% off. Be sure to get your ticket today!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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