Episodes

Year(s) Discussed: 1817-1836 If James Madison hoped for a retirement from public life in the final years of his life, he would find it to be anything but. From helping found and lead the University of Virginia to serving in a state constitutional convention to writing articles and coordinating with presidents to defeat the menace of nullification, Madison remained a national figure after returning to Montpelier after his second term. When not serving others, the former President worked to get h...

Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1817 As Madison prepared to hand off the presidency to James Monroe, numerous matters - both foreign and domestic - came to his desk. From revolutions in South America to internal improvement bills, the President continued to chart a course for his administration, even issuing a veto on his last full day in office, while other political leaders positioned themselves for a post-Madison political environment. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1817 As Madison prepared to hand off the presidency to James Monroe, numerous matters - both foreign and domestic - came to his desk. From revolutions in South America to internal improvement bills, the President continued to chart a course for his administration, even issuing a veto on his last full day in office, while other political leaders positioned themselves for a post-Madison political environment. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presid...

Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1816 While Madison's administration in its latter days worked to secure peace with Native peoples in the Gulf South, General Andrew Jackson decided to act unilaterally in Florida against a fortified settlement of people seeking their freedom from enslavement. Meanwhile, a volcanic eruption in southeast Asia had climatic impacts on the eastern seaboard of the US while the nation prepared for its 8th presidential election. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1816 While Madison's administration in its latter days worked to secure peace with Native peoples in the Gulf South, General Andrew Jackson decided to act unilaterally in Florida against a fortified settlement of people seeking their freedom from enslavement. Meanwhile, a volcanic eruption in southeast Asia had climatic impacts on the eastern seaboard of the US while the nation prepared for its 8th presidential election. Sources used for this episode can be found at http...

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 the view from the rostrum. Join us to learn more about John Gaillard of South Carolina's rise in politics and what he got up to in his lengthy tenure as President Pro Tem. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

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 the view from the rostrum. Join us to learn more about John Gaillard of South Carolina's rise in politics and what he got up to in his lengthy tenure as President Pro Tem. Sources used for this episode ca...

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 much more insight and knowledge to be gained by exploring an expanded timeline and scope of the Civil War. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

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 much more insight and knowledge to be gained by exploring an expanded timeline and scope of the Civil War. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad cho...

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 with determined opposition in Congress. Meanwhile, as the administration works to restore relations with Spain, the plans of American filibusters and the Mexican independence movement threaten those diplomatic efforts. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

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 with determined opposition in Congress. Meanwhile, as the administration works to restore relations with Spain, the plans of American filibusters and the Mexican independence movement threaten those diplo...

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 of the concept of the "Lincolnian democracy," and what we can learn from this to carry forward into the present day. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

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 of the concept of the "Lincolnian democracy," and what we can learn from this to carry forward into the present day. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more abou...

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 public service with his role in the Election of 1824 and his involvement in politics after leaving the Cabinet. Will Crawford earn a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars? Listen to find out! Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

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 public service with his role in the Election of 1824 and his involvement in politics after leaving the Cabinet. Will Crawford earn a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars? Listen to find out! Source...

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 discuss some of the unsavory characters working in the Truman White House, their connections to the mob, and the wheeling and dealing that led to a congressional investigation. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

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 discuss some of the unsavory characters working in the Truman White House, their connections to the mob, and the wheeling and dealing that led to a congressional investigation. More information can be found at...

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) Joined by my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, we continue our journey through the life of William H Crawford, exploring his tenure as first head of the War Department then his longer tenure as Treasury Secretary. In addition to carrying out his official duties, we examine Crawford's involvement with larger political debates of the time and his two candidacies for the presidency. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) Joined by my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, we continue our journey through the life of William H Crawford, exploring his tenure as first head of the War Department then his longer tenure as Treasury Secretary. In addition to carrying out his official duties, we examine Crawford's involvement with larger political debates of the time ...

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) William H Crawford may be one of the most famous figures in US presidential history that folks only know one thing about - his role in the Election of 1824. However, with my special guest, Dr. Max from the Poor Historians Podcast, we learn that there is much more to his life and legacy than meets the eye. In this first episode, we follow Crawford as his family settled in Georgia where he rose through the political ranks to serve in the state legislature before his election to the US Senate and appointment as US Minister to France. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) William H Crawford may be one of the most famous figures in US presidential history that folks only know one thing about - his role in the Election of 1824. However, with my special guest, Dr. Max from the Poor Historians Podcast, we learn that there is much more to his life and legacy than meets the eye. In this first episode, we follow Crawford as his fami...

Year(s) Discussed: 1814-1815 As the British and Americans handed back over land captured during the recent War, the US government was finally able to turn its attention to the situation with Algiers and the American sailors that had been held captive by them for years. Meanwhile, in Europe, Napoleon set into motion his triumphal return to power. Little did he know, however, just how quickly a new Allied Coalition would come together to thwart his plans and what ramifications this would have for the geopolitical stage of the 19th century. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.

Year(s) Discussed: 1814-1815 As the British and Americans handed back over land captured during the recent War, the US government was finally able to turn its attention to the situation with Algiers and the American sailors that had been held captive by them for years. Meanwhile, in Europe, Napoleon set into motion his triumphal return to power. Little did he know, however, just how quickly a new Allied Coalition would come together to thwart his plans and what ramifications this would have for...

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-1963 In this episode, I am joined by Nathan Raab, the nation’s leading dealer in important historical documents, and we discuss his work and how he developed the skills necessary to assess the value and the authenticity of documents and other historical artifacts. He also shares with us some of his stories from his search for the physical artifacts of American and world history as well as how he came around to writing a book about his work. More information can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com.