Presidencies of the United States

Tenure of Office: March 4, 1817 - March 4, 1825 The only 19th century Vice President to serve two full terms (spoiler alert), in this episode, we cover Daniel D Tompkins's political rise in New York and transformation from the Clinton political machine's "Farmer's Boy" to a wartime governor who acted in his own right to ensure his state's defense admirably enough to be pushed forward to the second...

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-2025 The president is responsible for administering the federal budget, but how have our chief executives handled their personal finances? My guest for this episode researched each and every one to find out. Listen to my conversation with Megan Gorman, author of All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money, to learn what diving deep into...

Tenure of Office: November 13, 1817 - March 4, 1829 In this third and final part, we examine Wirt's life after leaving the Cabinet which included a presidential campaign, arguing two monumental cases before the Supreme Court, and his bid to become the first Florida snowbird in history. At the end, I and my special guest, Howard from Plodding Through the Presidents, evaluate Wirt's career and Cabin...

Tenure of Office: November 13, 1817 - March 4, 1829 After making a name for himself in some high profile cases as well as his literary endeavors, William Wirt became the 9th US Attorney General and would ultimately prove to be the longest-serving person in that post to date. What did he contribute to the two administrations that he served and how did he transform the office of Attorney General? Jo...

Year(s) Discussed: 1750 - 1801 To kick off our minisodes series looking at some of the lesser-known figures in our presidential narrative, we begin with the life and career of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first Speaker of the House and first Dean of the House. Sources used for this episode can be found at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Tenure of Office: November 13, 1817 - March 4, 1829 After a childhood marred by tragedy and drunken nights of Shakespearean recitations in a state of undress as a young adult, William Wirt went on to become one of the most well respected lawyers of the Early Republic, serving as legal counsel in some of the highest-profile cases of the time including the trial of George Wythe's alleged murderer an...

Year(s) Discussed: 1817 - 1963 With two presidents who made it their home, one who passed away there, and many others who have visited over the years, Buffalo has a special role in presidential history. In this episode, I am joined by John Fagant of the Buffalo Presidential Center to discuss some of the presidents with Buffalo connections as well as the Center's work in sharing the presidential an...

You asked and I answered! As we close the book on the Madison presidency series, listeners sent in questions about topics ranging from the War of 1812 to Madison's views on the judiciary to differences between his two vice presidents. Listen in to learn a little more about the Father of the Constitution and his tenure as president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1935-2025 Like all of us, presidents need a place where they can relax and unwind. Having served as its commanding officer under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush, Michael Giorgione shares with us some of the history of the presidential retreat, Camp David, and what it takes behind the scenes to have it ready for the president, the first family, and their guests at a mom...

Tenure of Office: September 22, 1817 - March 3, 1825 Though his tenure as President was not as long as he would have liked, John Quincy Adams went on to have an impactful career after leaving the Cabinet (and the Presidency) by serving in the US House of Representatives. Will this earn him a seat at the table of Cabinet All-Stars? Listen to this final episode in the series to learn what I and my s...

Tenure of Office: September 22, 1817 - March 3, 1825 Not long after his arrival in Russia, tensions between the US and Britain resulted in war, and John Quincy Adams was called on to help negotiate the peace. Following eight years in Europe, Adams got his chance to shape American foreign policy with his appointment to Secretary of State. Join me and my special guests, Åsa and Chris of A Flatpack H...

Tenure of Office: September 22, 1817 - March 3, 1825 Few figures from the post-Revolutionary generation of American politicians loom as large as John Quincy Adams, but how did he become Old Man Eloquent? Joined by my special guests, Åsa and Chris of A Flatpack History of Sweden and Kingdöm, we explore Adams's early life including his early travels to Europe, his early diplomatic career, and his te...

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-2025 In this episode, I talk with Dan Scudder about his magazine, Presidents for Kids, and his work in educating the next generation about US presidential history. More information can be found on the website at https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Year(s) Discussed: 1817-1836 If James Madison hoped for a retirement from public life in the final years of his life, he would find it to be anything but. From helping found and lead the University of Virginia to serving in a state constitutional convention to writing articles and coordinating with presidents to defeat the menace of nullification, Madison remained a national figure after returning...

Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1817 As Madison prepared to hand off the presidency to James Monroe, numerous matters - both foreign and domestic - came to his desk. From revolutions in South America to internal improvement bills, the President continued to chart a course for his administration, even issuing a veto on his last full day in office, while other political leaders positioned themselves for a p...

Year(s) Discussed: 1815-1816 While Madison's administration in its latter days worked to secure peace with Native peoples in the Gulf South, General Andrew Jackson decided to act unilaterally in Florida against a fortified settlement of people seeking their freedom from enslavement. Meanwhile, a volcanic eruption in southeast Asia had climatic impacts on the eastern seaboard of the US while the na...

Tenure of Office: November 25, 1814 - March 3, 1817 With the death of VP Elbridge Gerry, the Senate had to choose someone from their ranks who could preside over them so that they could carry out business for the next two and a half years. Luckily, they knew a guy who was already familiar with the view from the rostrum. Join us to learn more about John Gaillard of South Carolina's rise in politics...

Year(s) Discussed: 1861-1871 Most of us were taught that the Civil War ended with Lee's surrender at Appomattox. However, as my special guest, Michael Vorenberg, points out, pinpointing the end of the War is not quite as simple as standard history accounts would have us believe, and there is much more insight and knowledge to be gained by exploring an expanded timeline and scope of the Civil War....

Year(s) Discussed: 1813-1816 In the aftermath of the War of 1812, the Madison administration is faced with multiple lingering issues. Looming large is how to support the recovery of the national economy, and Treasury Secretary Alexander J Dallas's proposed solution of a new national bank meets with determined opposition in Congress. Meanwhile, as the administration works to restore relations with...

Year(s) Discussed: 1809-1865 What seems at first glance to be a simple question - What is democracy? - is one that many have pondered over the ages. In my discussion with Allen C Guelzo on his new book, we explore how Abraham Lincoln approached that question, what influences led to the crafting of the concept of the "Lincolnian democracy," and what we can learn from this to carry forward into the...

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) With this episode, I and my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, finish our examination of William H Crawford's life and lengthy career of public service with his role in the Election of 1824 and his involvement in politics after leaving the C...

Year(s) Discussed: 1945-1953 Harry Truman is famous for asserting that "The Buck Stops Here," but as my special guest, John Robert "Bob" Greene, found in his research for his new book, this myth doesn't hold up to the reality of his administration's history. In our conversation, Bob and I discuss some of the unsavory characters working in the Truman White House, their connections to the mob, and t...

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) Joined by my special guest, Dr. Max of the Poor Historians Podcast, we continue our journey through the life of William H Crawford, exploring his tenure as first head of the War Department then his longer tenure as Treasury Secretary. In addition to carrying ou...

Tenure of Office: August 1, 1815 - October 22, 1816 (as Secretary of War); October 22, 1816 - March 6, 1825 (as Secretary of the Treasury) William H Crawford may be one of the most famous figures in US presidential history that folks only know one thing about - his role in the Election of 1824. However, with my special guest, Dr. Max from the Poor Historians Podcast, we learn that there is much mo...

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, Napoleon set into motion his triumphal return to power. Little did he know, however, just how quickly a new...