Listening to America

"That is one of the most fun things that I try to do, reacquaint people with the joyous flavor of the tomato that they crave." — Craig LeHoullier Inspired by a letter from Alison Hagan, we talk with three tomato experts: Craig LeHoullier, author of Epic Tomatoes; Harry J. Klee, Ph. D. from the University of Florida; and Pat Brodowski, Head Gardener at Monticello. They speak about the best-tasting...

"Every letter has a basis and a purpose … I spent an enormous amount of time thinking about the recipient." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson We speak this week with President Jefferson about the art of letter writing. Prompted by a letter from a listener, Jefferson shares his insights on the process. The exact number of letters Jefferson wrote is not known, but it is safe to s...

"I believe that we have the right to revolution." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson President Jefferson answers listener questions about his relationship with John Adams, replacing the Constitution once every generation, bees at Monticello, and the Second Amendment. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and...

"You could redistrict so that you could maximize competitiveness. That would be my suggestion: maximize competitiveness." — Clay S. Jenkinson On this week's Thomas Jefferson Hour, we discuss gerrymandering, its origin, how it works in American politics today, and the potential effects it has on our democracy. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upco...

"I feel an Awe upon my Mind, which is not easily described." — John Adams Clay and David discuss the book Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence , referred to as "a distinctive portrait of the crescendo moment in American history from the Pulitzer-winning American historian, Joseph Ellis." The book chronicles the events of the summer of 1776 as America's war for independence bega...

"There's a perfect alignment between Jefferson's own contradictions and the rest of American history." — Joseph J. Ellis Clay speaks with Dr. Joseph J. Ellis, author of more than ten books, including American Sphinx , Passionate Sage , and Revolutionary Summer . His forthcoming book is American Dialogue: The Founders and Us . Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn...

"You cannot understand the founding of this country without understanding the Founding Fathers' obsession with classical languages and literature." — Clay S. Jenkinson Guest host Catherine Jenkinson has an extended conversation with President Jefferson about the classics, and Jefferson's understanding and support of the classics. Find this episode  on the blog , along with 15 Greek and Latin Class...

"I'm just thrilled to see that people can still have intelligent and thoughtful conversations and walk away still feeling friends." — Rick Kennerly We speak with three friends of the Jefferson Hour this week: Rick Kennerly, who talks tomatoes and why they don't taste as good as they used to, Pat Brodowski, Head Gardener at Monticello who speaks about the gardens and upcoming events at Monticello,...

Catherine Jenkinson returns as host this week for an extended conversation with President Jefferson about Sir Walter Raleigh. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting  Odyssey Tours . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club  or by  donating  to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. Thomas Jefferson...

We speak with President Jefferson about current events including the government shutdown, philanthropy, and water shortages in Cape Town. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting  Odyssey Tours . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club  or by  donating  to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. Thom...

"It really upsets me that Jefferson should be anti-canine, but there you are." — Clay S. Jenkinson This week, we answer listener questions about Jefferson's personality traits, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the State of Jefferson, the Hamilton Soundtrack, fashion during Jefferson's time, touring Monticello, and Jefferson's distaste for dogs. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog ....

Margaret Bayard Smith was a friend of Thomas Jefferson. Her writings provided the content for the book The First Forty Years of Washington Society which includes first hand accounts of her interactions with Jefferson. This week we speak with Mister Jefferson about Mrs. Smith. He shares his recollections of their relationship. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn...

"Most revolutions end with the establishment of a dictatorship." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson We speak with President Jefferson this week about America's tradition of the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visi...

"I had a canine appetite for reading." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson This week, President Jefferson shares his views on reading fiction versus non-fiction and recommends works of fiction from his time. On this episode, Jefferson recommends five books: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne, Robinson Cruso...

This week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour, we look back at the conversations we had with President Jefferson and the many subjects we discussed during 2017. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting  Odyssey Tours . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club  or by  donating  to the Thomas Jefferson...

Special guest host Catherine Jenkinson speaks with President Jefferson about Christmas during Jefferson's time. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting  Odyssey Tours . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club  or by  donating  to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. Thomas Jefferson is interprete...

"It's so hard for me to think that one citizen, for whatever reason, would commit such mayhem." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson President Jefferson answers listener questions this week. He is asked about District of Columbia citizens being deprived of the right to vote, the future of the American experiment of self rule, and the Second Amendment. Find this episode, along with...

"I saw the future of the American experiment in the West." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson Catherine Jenkinson returns to host a conversation with President Jefferson about his travels in France, Europe and the United States. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting  Odysse...

"Two seraphs await me long shrouded in death; I will bear them your love on my last parting breath." — Thomas Jefferson, July 1826 We conclude our Jefferson 101 biographical series by discussing his final days at Monticello, his legacy, and the deaths of both Jefferson and John Adams on July 4th, 1826 — the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Find this episode, along with recommen...

"Literally everyone in Washington, D.C. wanted invitations to my White House dinners." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson Catherine Jenkinson returns as guest host this week to speak with President Jefferson about all things food and to wish all our listeners a happy Thanksgiving. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultu...

"at best it is but the life of a mill-horse, who sees no end to his circle but in death. to such a life that of a cabbage is paradise." — Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1822 This week, we return with part two of the last three shows of the Jefferson 101 biography series, and continue our discussion of Jefferson's final years in retirement at Monticello. Find this episode, along with recommended reading...

"The last years of his life were increasingly characterized by debt and disillusionment." — Clay We return to Jefferson 101 with part one of the final three shows of the Jefferson biography series to discuss Jefferson's years in retirement at Monticello. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting ...

Anything that is non-violent is an acceptable form of protest in a Republic." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson President Jefferson shares his view on what he calls an essential need for citizens to speak out about issues they disagree with and he explains why dissent is necessary for the health of American democracy. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the b...

"Jefferson was a gentleman. Mountains weren't climbed in his time." — Clay This week, we speak with Clay about his recent mountain climbing experience and answer listener questions. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Learn about Clay's upcoming cultural tours and humanities retreats by visiting Odyssey Tours . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club . Thomas Jeffe...

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." — Samuel Johnson We speak with President Thomas Jefferson about patriotism and Jefferson's concept of what it is to be truly free. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by  Clay S. Jenkinson .