A new Madison presidency 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

04 - James Madison

4.18 - Put Your Best Plot Forward

March 12, 2023

Year(s) Discussed: 1811-1812 In 1811, President Madison brought in a new US Minister who he felt might actually be able to navigate the complicated diplomatic intrigues of the Napoleonic French government to bring about a…

04 - James Madison

4.17 - Unsettled Ground

Feb. 26, 2023

Year(s) Discussed: 1807-1812 With changes happening in the nation's capital and abroad, the Madison administration worked as 1811 gave way to 1812 to navigate through new circumstances. In the House of Representatives, ne…

Seat At The Table

SATT 018 - John Breckinridge

Feb. 19, 2023

Tenure of Office: August 7, 1805 - December 14, 1806 After a few initial fits and starts, John Breckinridge propelled himself to become a prominent leader in the state of Kentucky before moving on to the national scene an…

Guest: Nick Emel
04 - James Madison

4.16 - We're Not Going to Take It Anymore

Feb. 5, 2023

Year(s) Discussed: 1810-1811 As a new British Minister made his way to the US, a naval engagement off the Eastern Seaboard further complicated relations between the United States and United Kingdom. In Washington, Preside…

Seat At The Table

SATT 017 - Robert Smith

Jan. 22, 2023

Tenure of Office: July 27, 1801-March 4, 1809 (as Secretary of the Navy); March 6, 1809-April 1, 1811 (as Secretary of State) Propelled to national office by circumstance, Robert Smith's time in the Cabinet would be a tal…

04 - James Madison

4.15 - Affairs of State

Jan. 15, 2023

Year(s) Discussed: 1810-1811 As President Madison struggled to fill various vacant positions in both the executive and judicial branches, the administration's enemies in Congress gathered their forces to take on an instit…