Calling History: Listen In on Conversations with History’s Most Influential People.

In Part 2 of the 1776 conversation with John Hancock, he will clear up a few things: Why he would not be a good choice to lead. What his most important role of the revolution was. And finally, the mistakes the crown made that pushed him into the revolution.  John Hancock was the best kind of rich businessman. He invested in people and relationships that built his business while benefiting everyone...

It’s July 4, 1776. John Hancock was sitting in a pub with friends after signing the Declaration of Independence, when he received a call from the future … John Hancock didn’t want war, but he also didn’t want the British to create unfair laws and taxes that would decimate his thriving business.  As an active member of his community, he also didn’t want to see his friends and business associate suf...

On November 2, 1959, Louise Thaden was reminiscing about her 30 years of setting records when she received a call from the future. In her twenties, Louise Thaden promised her boss that if he taught her to fly, she would set records. He loved the idea because if a woman could fly on the ragged edge and survive, that would prove that the aviation industry was safe. If it was safe for women, it was s...

In Part 2 of the 1775 conversation with Joseph Warren he will share with us: Why he would risk his life on the battlefield when he has so much to offer as a doctor and a leader. What he hopes the British will do before things get out of hand. And, what makes fighting against the Crown so difficult. Had Joseph Warren survived at Bunker Hill his face would probably be on our money. There would have...

It’s early in the morning on June 17, 1775. Dr. Joseph Warren is taking a break after a long night and a rough month. The American Revolution is about to reach it’s tipping point at the battle of Bunker Hill. Dr. Warren has no idea that he will die in a few hours at that battle, when suddenly he receives a call from the future … Joseph Warren was the whole package. He was a soldier, a powerful spe...

In Part 2 of the 1877 call with Ulysses S. Grant, you’ll hear him talk about: Why as quarter master he would run towards the sound of the guns. What turned the civil war into a holy war for the north. And finally why grant attempted to move the mighty Mississippi River to a new location, even though he thought the idea given to him by his superiors was absurd. After that, Grant will tell a story t...

On March 5, 1877, Ulysses S. Grant was enjoying his first day as a private citizen after eight years as the 18th president, when he received a phone call from the future. In this episode, we are going to clear up the rumors and misconceptions you might have about the man on your $50 bill. Some saw Grant as a butcher who would push men into battle without any concern for their wellbeing or survival...

In Part 2 of the 1830’s phone conversation with Aaron Burr he will share with us: Why he didn’t get along with George Washington and many of the other founding fathers. How he saved Alexander Hamilton’s life, before taking it. And finally, how he frequently visited ladies of the night.  Aaron Burr lost everyone who loved him at a young age. Had he spent more time with his parents before they passe...

In the 1830’s, near the end of his life, Aaron Burr was living in a boarding house after losing everything, when he received a call from the future … Aaron Burr rose to Vice President, but by the time he was old and near death, he had lost everything. His wife divorced him, his friends abandoned him, and he was living in a boarding house. That is the time this conversation takes place. In this epi...

In Part 2 of the 1858 phone conversation with Henry David Thoreau he answers a few questions for us, like: What did he mean when he said, “Long ago I lost a hound, a bay horse, and a turtle-dove, and am still on their trail.” How he feels about women and their right to vote. And finally, what happened when he had a disagreement with a woodchuck.  Many people want to live a simple life, and everyon...

On July 4, 1858, Henry David Thoreau was at his family home in Concord, when he received a call from the future … Exactly thirteen years prior to this conversation, Henry David Thoreau began his journey of living 2 years, 2 months, and 2 days at Waldon Pond. Thoreau craved simplicity and attempted unsuccessfully to live in peace at the home he had built with his own hands. In this episode, you’ll...

What do you really know about George Washington? We all know that he was the first president of the United States and the General of the Continental Army that defeated the strongest military on earth. But in this podcast, you’re going to hear about the extraordinary obstacles he overcame to become that leader. How did young Washington escape an assassin’s bullet at near point-blank range? As a boy...

What do you really know about George Washington? We all know that he was the first president of the United States and the General of the Continental Army that defeated the strongest military on earth. But in this podcast, you’re going to hear about the extraordinary obstacles he overcame to become that leader. How did young Washington escape an assassin’s bullet at near point-blank range? As a boy...

In Part 2 of the 1800 phone conversation with Benedict Arnold he will share with us: What he told General Washington after the attack that destroyed his hometown. After the British left, what happened when Benedict Arnold offered to raise a huge loyalist army to take the colonies back. And finally, which founding Father Arnold was ordered to capture and murder.  Benedict Arnold was born to be a mi...

On August 12, 1800, Benedict Arnold was reflecting on a very complicated life when he received a call from the future … Benedict Arnold sold information to the British that could have harmed the American Revolution and possibly led to the capture of George Washington. Yet, when I asked if he was a traitor, he said, “No”.   In this episode, you’ll learn: His justification for not being a traitor. I...

In Part 2 of the 1910 conversation with Mark Twain he will clear up some details for us. After going bankrupt as an old man, why he went on a world tour and paid off his creditors anyhow. Why he was hesitant to talk about the Angel Fish club he formed. And finally, what happened after the people that kept him grounded had died.  Mark Twain’s light shined brighter than most. He was an adventurer, a...

In 1910, seven days before the end of his extraordinary life, Mark Twain received a call from the future … Mark Twain did it all. He wrote bestselling novels that changed the world, he was a failed gold miner, a world traveller, and quite possibly the first stand-up comedian.  In these episodes, you’ll learn: What made his novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, so different from anything else...

In Part 2 of the 1787 phone conversation with Benjamin Franklin we talk about so many things. He will share with us: Why does he ‘air bathe’ in the nude? His position on Native Americans. And finally, Why he had to leave England even though he enjoyed everything about it.  Start episode 2 and join the conversation.

In 1787, Benjamin Franklin was looking out the window at his garden, when he received a call from the future … The American Revolution ended four years ago. After a lifetime of service to his nation Franklin is now 81 years old.  In these episodes, you’ll hear about: Why Franklin wrote letters to his brother’s newspaper posing as an older woman. Why his brother treated him so poorly and was jailed...

In Part 2 of the 1801 phone conversation with John Adams he will share with us: The details of his complicated relationship with Benjamin Franklin. How he felt about his equally intellectual wife Abigail. And finally, his reaction to the death of his good friend, Dr. Joseph Warren.  John Adams was exactly what the country needed once Washington was ready to step down. These were difficult times wh...

In 1801, John Adams had just lost his reelection campaign to Thomas Jefferson when he received a call from the future … John Adams had the impossible job of being president following the beloved George Washington. In these episodes you’ll learn how he felt about this challenge. How and why, he was preparing for war and negotiating for peace simultaneously. And how one event would have changed the...