Episodes - Page 2 | Presidencies of the United States

Jan. 19, 2025

4.38 - Shortest. War. Ever.

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, Napo…

Jan. 12, 2025

Interview with Nathan Raab, The Hunt for History

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-1963 In this episode, I am joined by Nathan Raab, the nation’s leading dealer in important historical documents, and we discuss his work and how he developed the skills necessary to assess the value and the authenticity of documents and other historical artifacts.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…

Guest: Nathan Raab

Dec. 31, 2024

39.015 - A Startling Education in Politics: A Tribute to Jimmy Carter

Year(s) Discussed: 1962-1963 In memory of the late Jimmy Carter, this episode examines his first foray into the political realm with his 1962 run for the Georgia State Senate. In a time of political and social change, Carter took the opportunity to serve the public, but he would face many challe…

Dec. 9, 2024

4.37 - What Now? The Aftermath of War

Year(s) Discussed: 1814-1815 In the latter days of the War of 1812, President Madison had to rebuild a shattered administration and a decimated capital city while still working to bring the military conflict to a resolution. Meanwhile, in New England, the British took control of a large portion …

Dec. 1, 2024

VPOTUS 005.2 - Elbridge Gerry Part Two

Tenure of Office: March 4, 1813 - November 23, 1814 Despite being elected to the First Congress under the Constitution, Elbridge Gerry would hit some rocky patches in his career of public service after 1789. Still, the twists and turns that led him on a diplomatic mission to France, a couple of …

Guest: Alex

Nov. 23, 2024

VPOTUS 005.1 - Elbridge Gerry Part One

Tenure of Office: March 4, 1813 - November 23, 1814 Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts quickly rose to become one of the key leaders in Congress during the American Revolution and the war's aftermath. However, as Alex and …

Guest: Alex

Nov. 18, 2024

Friendsgiving 3.0: The Good, the Bad, and the Murder Mystery

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, I pick up my annual tradition of gathering with fellow podcasters Alycia from Civics & Coffee, Kenny Ryan from [Abridged] Presidential Histories, and Howard Dorre from Plodding Through the Presidents to talk about history, podcasting, what we're th…

Guests: Kenny Ryan , Alycia , Howard Dorre

Nov. 10, 2024

Interview with Jordan Cash, Adding the Lone Star

Year(s) Discussed: 1790-1863 In this episode, I am joined by historian Jordan Cash to discuss two pivotal figures in the push for Texas annexation: Sam Houston and John Tyler. Each dealt with unique challenges in their respective roles as president to get the Americans and Texians to agree to th…

Guest: Jordan Cash

Nov. 3, 2024

From Me to All of You: 2024 Election Edition

As election day draws closer in the United States, I wanted to share a few thoughts in light of what's been an interesting campaign season to say the least and reflections on the future. For our American listeners, if you haven't already, please go vote!

Oct. 27, 2024

Interview with Kurt Deion, Congressional Cemetery

Year(s) Discussed: 1807-present In this episode, I am joined by the Presidential Grave Hunter himself, Kurt Deion of the Congressional Cemetery to learn more about the history behind the site known as DC's greatest undertaking. Kurt shares stories about some of the famous (and infamous) permanen…

Guest: Kurt Deion

Oct. 21, 2024

4.36 - One More Battle

Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1815 After failing to take Baltimore, the British turn their attention to the Gulf South in an attempt to land another blow to the Americans before the work of the peace commissioners brought the war to an end. However, they would find General Andrew Jackson ready to defe…

Oct. 6, 2024

SATT 029 - Benjamin W Crowninshield

Tenure of Office: January 16, 1815 - September 30, 1818 A merchant from Massachusetts, Benjamin Crowninshield assumed office as Secretary of the Navy in the latter days of the War of 1812. Join me and my special guest, April from the Door Key Podcast, as we explore the life and career of this me…

Guest: April Nordyke

Sept. 29, 2024

4.35 - A Christmas Miracle

Year(s) Discussed: 1814 In the aftermath of the burning of Washington, DC, the Madison administration hardly had time to pick up the pieces before they had to turn their attention to a new British invasion of Baltimore. Meanwhile, the American negotiators in Europe worked to find a path to peace…

Sept. 25, 2024

FEED DROP - History Shorts Podcast, Interview with Dan Carlin

As an extra bonus to our special episode discussing the post-presidencies of the Early Republic, check out an episode of guest Peter Zablocki's podcast, History Shorts, where he interviews the podcasting legend himself, Dan Carlin. Peter and Dan discuss the inspiration behind their appreciation for…

Guest: Peter Zablocki

Sept. 22, 2024

Interview with Peter Zablocki, History Shorts

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1836 When he left office after his second term, George Washington had one more precedent to set: namely, what exactly did a president do once they were no longer president? In this episode, I am joined by Peter Zablocki, host of the History Shorts podcast, to discuss the …

Guest: Peter Zablocki

Sept. 15, 2024

VPOTUS 004.5 - William H Crawford (President Pro Tempore)

Tenure of Office: April 24, 1812 - March 3, 1813 What happens when a Vice President dies? Prior to the 25th Amendment, that meant that a President Pro Tempore (or "for the time being") was chosen to preside over the Senate until the next election. After the death of George Clinton in 1812, the p…

Guest: Alex

Sept. 8, 2024

SATT 028.2 - Alexander J Dallas Part Two

Tenure of Office: October 6, 1814 - October 21, 1816 When Alexander J Dallas assumed office as Secretary of the Treasury, the federal government was nearly bankrupt. With my special guests, Cody and Stephen of the Imperfect Men podcast, we explore Dallas's tenure at Treasury and his efforts to i…

Guest: Cody and Stephen

Sept. 1, 2024

SATT 028.1 - Alexander J Dallas Part One

Tenure of Office: October 6, 1814 - October 21, 1816 In this episode, I am joined by Cody and Stephen of the Imperfect Men podcast to discuss a lesser known yet quite influential Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander J Dallas of Pennsylvania. Join us as we discuss his early life and career which …

Guest: Cody and Stephen

Aug. 18, 2024

Interview with Stan Haynes, Roosevelt to Roosevelt

Year(s) Discussed: 1904-1944 They happen every four years, but how much do you know about the history of presidential nominating conventions in the US? In this episode, I am joined by Stan Haynes to discuss his research into the history of nominating conventions in the first few decades of the 2…

Guest: Stan Haynes

Aug. 11, 2024

Interview with Lindsay Chervinsky, Making the Presidency

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1801 The presidency of John Adams often gets overshadowed by those of his predecessor and successor, but as highlighted in Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky's latest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, the four years that Adams was in…

Guest: Lindsay Chervinsky

July 31, 2024

4.34 - The Storm That Saved Washington

Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1814 President Madison and his administration learned that the British were sending seasoned veterans of the Napoleonic Wars to fight American forces in the north as the new commander of the British North American fleet issued orders designed to attack the United States e…

July 17, 2024

S012 - There and Back Again: 1912

Year(s) Discussed: 1908-1921 Four candidates. Forty-eight states. Only one can come out on top with at least 266 electoral votes needed to win. To discuss the knock down, drag out brawl that was 1912, I am joined by Joseph Pascone of the Turning Tides Podcast to go through the ins and outs of th…

Guest: Joseph Pascone

July 14, 2024

A Response to Recent Events

While I typically try to avoid talk of current events on the podcast, the events of July 13th, 2024 did necessitate a delay in the release of the next episode, and I wanted to offer support and thoughts in the face of this latest example of violence in American politics along with some historical c…

July 7, 2024

4.33 - Stalemate

Year(s) Discussed: 1812-1815 As the second year of the war against Britain wrapped up, the Madison administration found that little progress had been made. The invasion of Canada had stalled, and merchants in New England were undermining the war effort by continuing to trade with the British. Me…