Ever wondered how U.S. presidents—and the teams around them—have shaped the nation’s history and influenced the world we live in today? The Presidencies of the United States dives deep into American presidential history from 1789 to the present, exploring the people, decisions, and pivotal moments that defined each administration. Through a systematic, story-driven approach, I uncover the lesser-known narratives, overlooked figures, and surprising connections that rarely appear in textbooks. If you’re curious about how the presidency evolved—and what those changes mean for our current political landscape—this is the place for you.
Latest episodes
-
59 min
George Washington’s Greatest Act of Leadership with Richard Lim
Year(s) Discussed: 1732-1799 How did George Washington help shape the American presidency without becoming a king? Historian Richard Lim joins us to explore Washington’s evolving l…
-
35 min
Plausible Deniability: Monroe, Jackson, and the First Seminole War
Year(s) Discussed: 1817-1818 Explore a critical juncture in American political history as President James Monroe navigates escalating border violence and foreign filibustering oper…
-
1 h 02
Julia Gardiner Tyler and the Power of a First Lady’s Public Image with Christopher and Sharon Leahy
Year(s) Discussed: 1820-1889 Before and after entering the White House, Julia Gardiner Tyler learned how public opinion could shape a person’s reputation—and how to push back when…
-
47 min
Generals, Rivals, and Revolutions: Monroe’s Fractured Frontiers
Year(s) Discussed: 1817 As James Monroe returned to a still-under-construction Executive Mansion in late 1817, he faced major tests of executive leadership across foreign and domes…
-
56 min
From Rebellion to Rule: How Puerto Rico Was Absorbed Into the American Empire
Year(s) Discussed: 1898-1918 In the second half of the conversation, with my special guest, Joe Pascone of the Turning Tides Podcast, we move from Puerto Rico’s 19th-century strugg…
-
1 h 03
Puerto Rico in the Age of Empire: Pirates, Revolts, and the Fight for Autonomy
Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1898 In the first part of this conversation, I am joined by Joe Pascone of the Turning Tides Podcast to trace Puerto Rico’s history from the post-Napoleonic…
-
1 h 10
Leadership, Fear, and the Politics of Power with James D Boys
Year(s) Discussed: 1945-2026 This episode explores how leadership can be shaped by fear, strategy, and the deliberate projection of strength. It traces the ideas behind the Madman…
-
1 h 03
The Lasting Debate Over the Declaration: How Changing Interpretations Shaped American Identity with Tony Willi…
Year(s) Discussed: 1776-2026 In this episode, we explore how the US Declaration of Independence has been interpreted and reinterpreted by presidents, reformers, and political movem…
-
50 min
Privateers, Revolutionaries, and Filibusters: The Hidden History of American Expansionism
Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1817 Most of what you think you know about early 19th-century American expansion is incomplete. A renegade naval captain, a privateer turned rogue, and a se…
-
1 h 01
When History Goes Lyrical: Writing William Henry Harrison the Musical with Callie Perrone
Year(s) Discussed: 1773-1841 In this episode, Callie Perrone shares how a playful idea about William Henry Harrison grew into a full musical that blends comedy, research, and polit…
-
39 min
The Traveling Patriot: James Monroe’s 1817 Tour and the Quest for National Unity
Year(s) Discussed: 1817 At the start of his presidency, James Monroe embarked on a nearly 3,000-mile journey which transformed from a planned strategic military inspection of natio…
-
1 h 19
The Hidden Power of Personal Diplomacy in Shaping Presidential Legacy with Laurence Jurdem
Year(s) Discussed: 1924-2018 Uncover the profound leadership qualities of George H. W. Bush that still resonate today—trust, humility, and an unwavering respect for institutions. M…
-
1 h 01
The Queen, the Firebrand, and the Bride: The Triple Legacy of the Monroe Women (Monroe First Ladies Part 2)
Year(s) Discussed: 1817 - 2025 This episode examines the complex leadership dynamics of the Monroe family as Elizabeth Monroe and her daughter Eliza Monroe Hay navigated the high e…
-
1 h 09
La Belle Americaine: Elizabeth Monroe and the Architecture of Soft Power (Monroe First Ladies Part 1)
Year(s) Discussed: 1768-1817 Join me and my special guest, Ann Foster of the Vulgar History podcast, as we dive into the life of Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, a woman whose leadershi…
-
58 min
A Figure of Weight: Samuel Southard and the Politics of the Early Republic Part Two
Dive into the second act of Samuel L. Southard’s career as he navigated the fractious politics of the Adams administration and a high-stakes personal vendetta with Andrew Jackson.…
-
1 h 21
Diligent and Durable: Samuel Southard and the Politics of the Early Republic Part One
Tenure of Office: September 16, 1823 - March 4, 1829 Rising from his beginnings as a young New Jersey jurist to become Secretary of the Navy under James Monroe, Samuel L. Southard…
-
56 min
How Civil War Memory Became a Hidden Weapon in American Politics with Tim Galsworthy
Year(s) Discussed: 1960-1975 In a landscape where Confederate flags, Lincoln quotes, and Civil War symbols are woven into modern politics, how did history become a tool for politic…
-
1 h 01
The Maverick of Knoxville: Hugh Lawson White’s Defiance of Old Hickory
Tenure of Office: December 28, 1832 - March 4, 1833 How did a man praised for his "patience, industry and excellent judgment" find himself at the center of a national power struggl…
-
42 min
The Monster of Party Spirit: James Monroe and the Fragile Era of Good Feelings
Year(s) Discussed: 1816-1817 Explore the dawn of the Monroe administration, a pivotal moment in American political history often branded as the "Era of Good Feelings" though the re…
-
40 min
The Poet Behind the President: John Hay's Inspirational Legacy with Jan Cigliano Hartman
Year(s) Discussed: 1838-1905 Uncover the hidden depths of Abraham Lincoln's speechwriter, John Hay, and how his poetic touch shaped American history in this captivating episode fea…