The End of the Beginning

ICS on location at Chartwell Booksellers with owner and author Barry Singer.

Hosted by the International Churchill Society and the Truman Library Institute at George Washington University’s National Churchill Leadership Center, this panel marked the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s landmark “Iron Curtain” speech. Historians Gregory Daddis, Jason Parker, Arie Dubnov, and Adam Howard explored the origins of the Cold War, the global impact of Churchill’s 1946 address,...

The National Churchill Leadership Center the annual GW History Department 2026 lecture, "The Three Declarations" Michael Auslin.

Discussion about George Washington and leadership with Professor Denver Brunsman, Chair of the Department of History at George Washington University.

Richard Vinen joins the International Churchill Society podcast to discuss  The Last Titans: How Churchill and de Gaulle Saved Their Nations and Transformed the World , a new dual biography that reexamines two of the defining leaders of the twentieth century. The book explores not only their wartime roles, but also the tension, mutual respect, and lasting impact that shaped Britain, France, and th...

International Churchill Society Executive Director Adam Howard sits down with Vice Admiral Michael Franken (Ret.) to explore the lessons in leadership he drew from a distinguished career in the United States Navy. Reflecting on decades of service at the highest levels of command, Franken discusses decision-making under pressure, the cultivation of resilient teams, and the enduring relevance of pri...

Retired four-star U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal brings his unparalleled leadership experience to this compelling conversation with ICS Executive Director Dr. Adam Howard. Drawing on decades commanding elite forces and advising leaders across sectors, McChrystal digs into the core ideas from his latest book— On Character: Choices That Define a Life.

We are pleased to welcome James Goldgeier on The End of the Beginning, the International Churchill Society podcast. A leading scholar of international relations and global order, Goldgeier brings deep insight into the forces shaping today’s geopolitical landscape, from alliance politics and democratic resilience to the long-term consequences of strategic decisions made under pressure. In this conv...

Francis J. Gavin is an American historian currently serving as the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and inaugural Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.

In this episode of  The End of the Beginning , we welcome former U.S. Representative, Army veteran, and historian Chris Gibson to discuss his book  The Spirit of Philadelphia  and the enduring principles that shaped the American republic. Our conversation explores civic responsibility, leadership in divided times, and how historical understanding can inform contemporary governance. Gibson reflects...

In this episode of The End of the Beginning, we sit down with renowned historian and bestselling author James Holland to explore Winston Churchill’s leadership in war, the realities behind the myths, and why history still matters in moments of global uncertainty. From the strategy rooms of the Second World War to the long shadow of Churchill’s decisions today, Holland brings clarity, context, and...