How James Garfield Revolutionized Presidential Campaigning (Jennifer Bennie from Walk With History)

James A. Garfield is one of America’s most forgotten presidents. Yet behind his tragically brief presidency was one of the most brilliant and remarkable men ever to occupy the White House. Born into poverty, Garfield rose to become a scholar, Civil War general, congressman, and president. Along th…

The Presidentess: How Julia Tyler Wielded the Power of a First Lady

She survived a deadly explosion aboard a presidential warship, married the president of the United States, transformed herself into one of Washington’s most glamorous and politically savvy first ladies—and eventually sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War. In this episode, historian Chris…

Did Abraham Lincoln Have a Speechwriter? The Untold Story of John Hay

The Gettysburg Address may be the most famous speech in American history—but did Abraham Lincoln have a speechwriter? In this episode, Jan Cigliano Hartman discusses her new book, John Hay: The Voice Behind the Legendary Oratory of Abraham Lincoln, arguing that Lincoln's trusted private secretary,…

What It Was Like Working for Lyndon B. Johnson, with Tom Johnson

He has been called one of the most consequential presidents in American history—and one of the most complicated. He was described as crude and compassionate, domineering and deeply empathetic. A political force of nature, Lyndon B. Johnson possessed a legendary ability to persuade, cajole, and outm…

George Washington and the Road to One Nation, with Brady Crytzer

In the early years of the republic, the United States was a nation in name—but not always in practice. Vast distances and rugged mountains threatened to pull the young country apart. In this episode, historian Brady Crytzer discusses his new book, The National Road, and explains how George Washing…

Inside The Brink of War: Reagan, Gorbachev, and the Summit That Changed History

Two leaders. Thousands of nuclear weapons. One meeting that changed everything. In this episode, Michael Russell Gunn, director of Brink of War, explores the extraordinary Reykjavík Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev—a meeting many believe paved the way for the end of the Cold War.…

America at 250: Rediscovering the Revolution, with Eric Metaxas

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, #1 New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas—author of Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, and Amazing Grace—joins us to discuss his new book, Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World. Together, we revisit the famous—a…

America at 250: A Celebration of the American Story, with Jane Hampton Cook

As America approaches its 250th birthday, bestselling author and historian Jane Hampton Cook joins us for a conversation about the people, moments, and ideas that make the American story so remarkable. We discuss why America remains a nation worth celebrating, the most underrated Americans in our h…

George H.W. Bush in an Anti-Establishment Age, with Laurence Jurdem

We live in an era defined by distrust of institutions, political outsiders, and anti-establishment movements. What can the life of perhaps the ultimate establishment president tell us about America today? In this episode, I speak with historian Laurence Jurdem about his new book, 41: George H.W. B…

What Did Queen Elizabeth II Really Think of America’s Presidents? with Susan Page

Did you know that a young Princess Elizabeth once spent time with a twenty-something John F. Kennedy? Or that Richard Nixon hoped to marry one of his daughters into the British royal family? In this episode, I speak with bestselling author Susan Page about her new book, The Queen and Her President…