A new Vice Presidencies episode is now available!

Presidencies of the United States

This podcast is devoted to exploring presidential history from the founding of the office in 1789 on through the present day. I plan to take a systematic approach to both the people and the events that have shaped and reshaped each administration and the office in general.

Recent Episodes

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VPOTUS 005.5 - John Gaillard (President Pro Tempore)
March 23, 2025

VPOTUS 005.5 - John Gaillard (President Pro Tempore)

Tenure of Office: November 25, 1814 - March 3, 1817 With the death of VP Elbridge Gerry, the Senate had to choose someone from their ranks who could preside over them so that they could carry out business for the next two and a half years. Luckily, they knew a guy who was already familiar with t…
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Interview with Michael Vorenberg, Lincoln's Peace
March 16, 2025

Interview with Michael Vorenberg, Lincoln's Peace

Year(s) Discussed: 1861-1871 Most of us were taught that the Civil War ended with Lee's surrender at Appomattox. However, as my special guest, Michael Vorenberg, points out, pinpointing the end of the War is not quite as simple as standard history accounts would have us believe, and there is muc…
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4.39 - New Year, New Bank
March 9, 2025

4.39 - New Year, New Bank

Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1816 In the aftermath of the War of 1812, the Madison administration is faced with multiple lingering issues. Looming large is how to support the recovery of the national economy, and Treasury Secretary Alexander J Dallas's proposed solution of a new national bank meets w…
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Interview with Allen C Guelzo, Our Ancient Faith
March 2, 2025

Interview with Allen C Guelzo, Our Ancient Faith

Year(s) Discussed: 1809-1865 What seems at first glance to be a simple question - What is democracy? - is one that many have pondered over the ages. In my discussion with Allen C Guelzo on his new book, we explore how Abraham Lincoln approached that question, what influences led to the crafting …
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SATT 030.3 - William H Crawford Part Three
Feb. 23, 2025

SATT 030.3 - William H Crawford Part Three

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) With this episode, I and my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, finish our examination of William H Crawford's life and lengthy career of …
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Interview with John Robert Greene, Little Helpers
Feb. 16, 2025

Interview with John Robert Greene, Little Helpers

Year(s) Discussed: 1945-1953 Harry Truman is famous for asserting that "The Buck Stops Here," but as my special guest, John Robert "Bob" Greene, found in his research for his new book, this myth doesn't hold up to the reality of his administration's history. In our conversation, Bob and I discus…
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