Episodes

Everyone who loves history knows that John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Few, however, know that he was almost assassinated three years earlier. In this episode, bestselling historian Brad Meltzer discusse...

His name is synonymous with failure and depression, and yet Herbert Hoover was one of the most brilliant and accomplished Americans of all time. In this episode, we cover Hoover's unlikely rise from orphan to international st...

The presidency is perhaps the greatest test of leadership in the world. In this episode, William Haldeman discusses what we can learn about leadership from America's most iconic presidents. Meeting the Moment: Inspiring Presi...

The Civil War has often been portrayed as a conflict between Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Nigel Hamilton offers a new perspective: Lincoln vs. Davis. In this episode, Nigel explains this epic clash between two American...

Woodrow Wilson might have been a progressive, but he was not happy about the progress women made in securing the right to vote. In this episode, former congressman and SEC Chairman Christopher Cox explains why. Woodrow Wilson...

What would you do if your best friend became president of the United States? That's exactly what happened to Harry H. Vaughan. In this episode, John Robert Greene talks about how Vaughan took advantage of that opportunity. LI...

Our host Richard Lim discusses the latest about the Kickstarter for his George Washington book project and reflects on Donald Trump's historic triumph in the 2024 presidential election. http://richardmlim.com JOIN PREMIUM Lis...

Reed Elliotte has survived cancer, befriended three former presidents, become a presidential historian, is a future presidential candidate, and has been a guest on Ellen and Dr. Phil. Oh, and he's also just 14 years old. In t...

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...

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 J...

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-mil...

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 ...

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.co...

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 Carl...

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 Whi...

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, le...

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...

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....

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 co...

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 ...

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 Ro...

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 t...

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 studi...

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 Ja...