The Prayer I Say Over My Daughter Every Night

Every night as Ryan rocks his six-month-old daughter to sleep, he says a prayer that he hopes will shape their relationship for years to come: “Dear God, help me remember who she is.” It’s easy to see the innocence and wonder in a newborn, but what happens as the years pass, disagreements arise, an…

Founding Son: Episode 6 - The Last of Earth

John Quincy Adams finally defeats the Gag rule, but his feud with Andrew Jackson lasts until the bitter end.  And Congressman Abraham Lincoln witnesses from the House floor the dramatic final hours of Adams' life. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and Sch…

Founding Son: Episode 5 - Amistad

When the fates of the enslaved captives of the Amistad are put into the hands of the Supreme Court, John Quincy Adams feels it's his duty to represent them. Adams’ son and wife would have preferred he stayed away from the case altogether.  Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production…

Founding Son: Episode 4 - Don't Mess With Texas

John Quincy Adams unleashes on the House floor over two pivotal issues of the 1830s: The annexation of Texas, and prohibiting the discussion of slavery in the U.S. House, known as the Gag rule. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. 

Founding Son: Episode 3 - Our Federal Union: It Must Be Preserved

Warning: This episode contains a brief description of violence.  Andrew Jackson ascends to the presidency after defeating John Quincy Adams in an 1828 rematch. But Jackson is tested by another rival: his own vice president.  Meanwhile, Adams arrives in Congress and finds himself in the middle of t…

Founding Son: Episode 2 - Andrew Jackson Strikes Back

After a difficult term in office, President John Quincy Adams loses re-election to Andrew Jackson in 1828, one of the most malicious presidential campaigns in American history. But a post-presidential run for Congress gives Adams another chance at political greatness.  Founding Son is a Curiosity …

Founding Son: Episode 1 - The Corrupt Bargain

A contentious 1824 presidential election and accusations of a “corrupt bargain” by rival Andrew Jackson raise the stakes for John Quincy Adams as he prepares to take the office his father held just two decades earlier. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts a…

Founding Son: John Quincy's America

The Biden Presidency

President Joe Biden is halfway through his first term and will likely run for re-election. How will historians view his presidency so far?  Southern Methodist University Professor Jeffrey Engel discusses Biden’s accomplishments and missteps with host Steven Schragis. One Day University is a co-pro…

The History of Fame

The 95th Academy Awards were held last weekend, with Everything Everywhere All At Once winning Best Picture. The Oscars are just the latest example of society’s fascination with the rich and famous, but there’s a complex history behind fame.  University of Michigan Professor Susan Douglas joins One…