What impact did presidents Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge have on the United States? In this episode, we will explore how these two unsung figures changed the course of American history. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident Facebook: facebook.com/ThisAmerPres Ins…

Bill O'Reilly knows several presidents personally and has spent years researching their lives and legacies. He and his co-author, Martin Dugard, have just published a book assessing every president from George Washington to Joe Biden. In this episode, we discuss his new book and his insights about America's chief executives. CONFRONTING THE PRESIDE…

We are constantly told that we face "existential threats." Well, there once was a time when that was literally true -- and the man who stopped it was Winston Churchill. In this episode Martin Dugard, co-author of the mega-million selling Killing series, discusses how Churchill saved the world. TAKING LONDON: WINSTON CHURCHILL AND THE FIGHT TO SAVE …

Legend has it that Calvin Coolidge slept 11 hours a day during his presidency. Scholars today often mock Coolidge for being a passive, ineffective leader. Yet, the fact remains that this reticent man from New England rose to become one of America's most popular presidents during one of the nation's most dynamic eras. In this episode, we examine Cal…

Our host Richard Lim has a special announcement about a new project he's been working on. Here's a hint: it's about George Washington. Listen to learn the details and about how you can get involved. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/georgewashingtonbook/refusing-a-crown-how-george-washington-changed-everything JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for onl…

Grover Cleveland is the only president (thus far) to have lost his re-election bid but subsequently win back the White House. Donald Trump is now trying to pull off this rare feat. In this episode, fellow podcaster Bruce Carlson discusses Cleveland's remarkable story. MY HISTORY CAN BEAT UP YOUR POLITICS PODCAST WITH BRUCE CARLSON https://podcasts.…

The White House is the most famous home in the world, and the White House Historical Association (WHHA) is tasked with preserving its history for the benefit of all Americans. The men and women of the WHHA ensure that the White House and its history are accessible to the public. In this episode, WHHA President Stewart D. McLaurin shares the countle…

Joe Biden's debate performance on June 27, 2024 has left many Americans concerned about his advanced age and his ability to perform his duties as president. What does the Constitution say about this issue? In this episode, legal scholar Roy Brownell discusses the 25th amendment and the history of presidential incapacitation. https://roybrownell.com…

My thoughts on the stunning attempted assassination of former President Trump. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Artist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, we are rebroadcasting our series on President Ronald Reagan ________ After entering office in 1981, Ronald Reagan insisted he wanted to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. His critics scoffed at him, not believing he was sincere. In 1987, he stunned them by signing the INF Treaty with the Soviet…

In 1956, a movie about the life of Genghis Khan was released. The actor who played Genghis Khan? Wait for it.... John Wayne! And the result was... well... even worse than anyone could have imagined. The Conqueror is widely considered one of the worst films ever made and the decision to cast virtually all white actors and actresses has not aged well…

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, we are rebroadcasting our series on President Ronald Reagan________ When Ronald Reagan was elected president, his critics worried he would escalate the Cold War--maybe even provoke World War III. Reagan, however, was planning the exact opposite: yes, he wanted to defeat the Soviet Union but he had…

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, we are rebroadcasting our series on President Ronald Reagan _________ “Ronald Reagan, the actor?!” exclaimed Doc Brown in the film Back to the Future when he learned that Ronald Reagan was President of the United States in 1985. Indeed, to many, the idea of the former B-movie actor as leader of th…

The vice presidency of the United States is not an easy job. As its first occupant, John Adams reportedly said, "I am nothing, but I may be everything." Another vice president, John Nance Garner, was even more blunt, saying the office was "not worth a bucket of warm spit" (and that's the clean version of what he said). Even worse, the Constitution …

Americans often revere the Founding Fathers as heroes, but who were the Founding Fathers' heroes? In this episode, we interview Jeffrey Rosen about how men like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson studied, imitated, and took inspiration from the figures of antiquity. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: HOW CLASSICAL WRITERS ON VIRTUE I…

War, Conflict, Victory & Defeat. These are all aspects of life that some may have to face. This was true for the various groups of the Sioux Tribes. On today's bonus episode from "Key Battles of American History" join host James Early as he discusses the multiple wars that took place between 1862-1890, collectively known as "The Sioux Wars" See omn…

There is no greater test of leadership in the world today than the presidency of the United States. In this episode, we interview Talmage Boston about leadership lessons we can learn from America's greatest chief executives. HOW THE BEST DID IT: LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM OUR TOP PRESIDENTS https://www.amazon.com/How-Best-Did-Leadership-Presidents/dp/…

Abraham Lincoln once described democracy as "government of the people, by the people, for the people," but what exactly did that mean? In this episode, renowned Lincoln scholar Allen Guelzo explains our 16th president's vision for America. OUR ANCIENT FAITH: LINCOLN, DEMOCRACY, AND THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT https://www.amazon.com/Our-Ancient-Faith-De…

Few presidents have been as mocked and vilified as Warren G. Harding, but few have examined the difficult circumstances he faced upon entering office -- an economic depression, social unrest, and violent extremism. During the 1920 election, Harding had pledged to address these problems and lead America into an era of "normalcy." In this episode, we…

Franklin Roosevelt, the only president to serve more than two terms, is one of the most popular and beloved leaders in American history. At the same time, he is also one of the most hated. Critics often point to what they consider to be his many violations of Americans' civil liberties. In this episode, we interview David Beito about some of FDR's …

There are few things more nostalgic than a train. Politicians know this all too well, so it's no surprise that trains have played a prominent role in American political campaigns. In this episode, Edward Segal explains how presidents have used trains to connect with the American people. WHISTLE-STOP POLITICS: CAMPAIGN TRAINS AND THE REPORTERS WHO C…

America has an unmatched record when it comes to the peaceful transfer of power. According to legal scholar Roy E. Brownell II, however, our country is not that far off from a presidential succession crisis. In this episode, Mr. Brownell covers the history of presidential succession and the flaws in the current system. HOW TO AVOID A PRESIDENTIAL S…

To his critics, he was a drunkard and a butcher who failed his way upward in life. To his admirers, he was nothing less than the savior of the nation. Few presidents have had their reputation fluctuate so dramatically as Ulysses S. Grant. In this episode, we interview author John Reeves to find out who the real Ulysses Grant was. SOLDIER OF DESTINY…

In 1920, Warren G. Harding was elected president in one of the greatest landslides in American history. His margin of victory* over his opponent James Cox exceeded those of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama. In this episode, we explore how this former newspaperman rose to become a popular …

Theodore Roosevelt is often described as America's first modern president, setting a standard by which future presidents would be judged. In this episode, we interview historian Michael Patrick Cullinane about how Roosevelt transformed both the nation and its highest office. REMEMBERING THEODORE ROOSEVELT: REMINISCENCES OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES https:…