Listening to America

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 .

Prompted by a listener letter, Clay answers the question, "If Thomas Jefferson appeared before you today, what would you want to show him from our time?" 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 .

"Nobody ever used the English language to greater effect than William Shakespeare." — Clay Clay discusses his new show, "Clay Jenkinson's Shakespeare the Magic of the Word" — which held its world premiere in Norfolk, VA in September — and shares Jefferson's thoughts and regard for the work of William Shakespeare. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support the show by...

"Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science by rendering them my supreme delight." — Thomas Jefferson We return to the Jefferson 101 biographical series and explore Jefferson's second term as President. We discuss the many difficulties he had, including the Burr conspiracy and the Embargo Act of 1807 to 1809. This is Jefferson 121. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  o...

"I am more candid in your era than I ever would have been in mine." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson This week, we speak with President Jefferson about his hospitality and good manners. In her book, The First Forty Years of Washington Society Margaret Bayard Smith quotes federalist Supreme Court Justice William Paterson's opinion of Thomas Jefferson. Of Jefferson he said,  "No...

"If the three federal branches can't stop themselves from doing appalling things, a fourth entity exists, and that's the states." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson We discuss the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, states' rights, and the need for checks and balances within the federal government. Clay Jenkinson's "Shakespeare the Magic of the Word" will premiere in Norfolk, VA, Frid...

"How can you call yourself a Jeffersonian if you don't go see [the eclipse]?" — Clay Clay takes us on a road trip to Wyoming to witness the eclipse. Later in the episode, David Nicandri phones in to report on his experience. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by  Clay S. Jenkinson .

Responding to a flood of emails from listeners, this week an out-of-character program discussing the recent events at Charlottesville. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by  Clay S. Jenkinson .

"I'm trying to explain to you and to your listeners what makes for a happy life." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson President Thomas Jefferson speaks about Monticello, his private and daily habits, his compulsiveness and how his Virginian hospitality cost him a personal fortune. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by...

"Of all of the people of this era, there is one and only one huge paradox, and it's Thomas Jefferson." — Clay S. Jenkinson Clay shares his first impressions of John B. Boles' new book, Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty . Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by  Clay S. Jenkinson .

"The bureaucracy can actually serve a really valuable purpose." — Beau Wright, Director of Operations at United to Protect Democracy In an out-of-character program, Clay reports on this year's Lewis & Clark cultural tour. Later, we're joined by Beau Wright who reports on his recent visits to Jefferson's Poplar Forest home and the Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Find this episode, al...

"This thing of darkness, I acknowledge mine." — Prospero, The Tempest This week Clay Jenkinson speaks about Thomas Jefferson and slavery. Find this episode, along with further recommended reading,  on the blog . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by  Clay S. Jenkinson .

"The Founding Fathers intended a free nation in which you could choose your religion." — Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson After a short discussion about weather, President Jefferson addresses a question about his ownership of a copy of the Quran. Jefferson goes on to explain his views on the importance of religious freedom. In the out-of-character portion of the show, Clay and D...

"Really? You don't think Jefferson has a geopolitical plan here?" — Clay S. Jenkinson This week, we return to the Jefferson 101 series and discuss Jefferson's first term as President. In particular, we discuss the Barbary pirates, the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark expedition. Find this episode, along with further recommended reading,  on the blog . Thomas Jefferson is interpreted by  Cl...

"You can object to anybody's politics, but I firmly believe that you can't object to President Obama's character." — Beau Wright President Thomas Jefferson speaks about the White House — during his time and ours — with this week's special guest, Beau Wright. Wright spent over five years serving in the White House, nearly two years of that time as Senior Deputy Director of White House Operations an...