American POTUS
115 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago -We are obsessed with the presidency at American POTUS. We believe that the 46 imperfect patriots who have held our nation’s highest office all have something to offer today’s electorate – a perspective that appropriately grounds today’s political conversations in truth and context. To help us reveal the many layers of each administration, we’ll be joined by the nation’s most influential historians, scholars and experts who have studied every facet of the presidents and the presidency. Not only will we cover the crucial decisions that changed the world but also the humor, hobbies and quirks that give us a captivating sense of each American POTUS.
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Episodes
Truman and the Atomic Bomb
March 28, 2024 12:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBNearly 80 years after Harry Truman dropped the atomic bomb, there are still countless questions surrounding this accidental president and his debatable decision to end the war with Japan in this explosive way. What were the political circumstances at the time, the estimates of casualties, the legacy it would leave with the rest of the world? And critically, after all was said and done, would dropping the bomb ironically end up saving lives, for both sides? Vice President turned President, H...
Jefferson's European Adventure
February 05, 2024 17:00 - 51 minutes - 36.2 MBIt was the 1780’s and this future POTUS was suffering through middle age, his wife had passed away after a long illness and he had sworn off politics after a rough stint as Virginia’s governor. He was in desperate need of a big change! So off he went to spend the next 5 years as America’s representative to France. How to make wine, grow rice, design landscapes and buildings were all at the top of his list. But it was his firsthand experience with the French monarchy that may have been th...
Long Shot POTUS Candidate Abraham Lincoln
January 09, 2024 14:00 - 48 minutes - 33.9 MBIt was a time when political conventions were far different than today. There might have been a favorite leading candidate going in, but the deal was not done until the back-room deals were made and the votes were cast. Enter unknown, long shot candidate Abraham Lincoln. An absolute dark horse whose strategy was to lay low, not offend anyone and wait to be seen as the guy who could best represent the new Republican party. The crazy story of how our 16th POTUS came very close to never being...
POTUS 1 and Westward Expansion
November 30, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBLong before he became our 1st POTUS, young George Washington was forging relationships, for better or for worse, with Native Americans on the western frontier. As life would have it, it’s these critical experiences that wound up serving him well over the next few decades, as General during the Revolutionary War and as President during his 8 years in office. How George Washington, Major-General-and President dealt with the delicate and difficult relationship involving the westward expansion, ...
The 1st Female Presidential Advisors
October 18, 2023 11:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBOvercoming the barriers to having their voices heard, female trailblazers in the late 40’s and 50’s opened the door to a new role in American politics. Their good reasoning and sound judgement were finally being paid attention to by presidential candidates from both parties, something our leaders still benefit from today. The first female presidential counselors and their stories of perseverance, intellect, and innovation that changed our national politics. It’s on this episode of American...
POTUS 26: TR and His Political Best Friend
September 14, 2023 12:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBWe all have friends, and politicians have A LOT of friends. But when it comes to political “Best Friends”, TR and his buddy Henry Cabot Lodge sets the bar. From a young age, the two men were taught to serve others and achieve tremendous success, which they did with the assistance of each other. But as close as they once were, political bickering tore them apart, only to be brought back together by life threatening challenges. The ups and down’s, high’s and lows of one of the most famous fri...
POTUS 20 - The Unfulfilled Presidency
August 21, 2023 14:00 - 55 minutes - 38.7 MBOn the national stage, humble politician James Garfield was a virtual unknown - thrust into a long-shot run for the ultimate office, the Presidency. He went on to win the White House in one of the closest elections up to that time. And unexperienced as he may have been, after just 6 months in office he was making a difference and citizens were beginning to take notice. But as soon as things appeared to be full speed ahead, he was shot in the back. The untimely death of what might have been ...
POTUS 3's BIG, BOLD Real Estate Deal
July 13, 2023 15:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBIt was Thomas Jefferson’s big bold real estate deal, the 15 Million Dollar Louisiana Purchase that was just too good to pass up. It doubled the size of the country, eliminated the threat of a foreign power, connected the western lands, and gave us a stronger hold on the incredibly valuable Ohio territory. So why was this deal that was as important as the revolution and the constitution so controversial at the time? Thomas Jefferson’s real estate deal that transformed our nation and the worl...
Honest Abe's Death-Defying Trip to D.C.
June 14, 2023 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBAbraham Lincoln’s election of 1860 saw an amazing 80% voter turnout due in part to extreme passions for who would be leading our divided nation, they had never and would never be as high. As a result, Honest Abe’s whisker-close win proved to be the final spark in the explosion of Civil War. So the stage was now set for him to take over, but first he had to travel through the South to get to D.C., facing a series of unprecedented violent threats. The death-defying trip that resulted in one of...
JFK - Debatable, Complex, Scandalous
May 15, 2023 11:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBJack Kennedy won the presidency as a fresh new face for a new generation. A young, renegade leader who pushed the standards of how the White House conducted its business. And to this, he was successful just as much as he was a failure. But when he was assassinated in Dallas, his very short 2 plus years in office suddenly became the Presidential standard that our politicians are still compared to, to this day. The debatable, complex, and scandalous legacy of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, on this...
The Accidental War-Time POTUS
April 17, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 30.5 MBHarry Truman was a smart, humble, confident midwestern Vice President, who woke up one day to find himself in the top job, running the country! And it was no time to sit back and let issues and policies just play out. It was one of the most tumultuous times in global history, wrapping up a world war and attempting to manage a new cold war! The surprising rise to power of POTUS 33, and how he managed to be so successful. Soldier, Husband, Senator, President, Harry Truman is on this episode...
Ronald Reagan's Starring Role
March 15, 2023 18:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBThe Soviets weren’t too thrilled when this actor turned President rolled into the White House. His Build-Up-To-Build-Down strategy was about to make life very, very difficult for them. But if one thing was certain, he wouldn’t be able to star in this production alone. So he put together a dynamic internal cast of characters and relied on supporting allies around the world. We're talking about the man who became both a director and an actor in this real-world drama and how he helped end the...
The New Cold War
February 22, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBWhen the Soviet Union fell apart, and China began its economic liberalization, it looked like those two old Cold War foes were becoming, if not friends, at least not enemies. But now we find ourselves in a new Cold War as both those nations aggressively confront America and our allies. On this special episode of American POTUS being hosted at the Howard Baker Center for Public Policy, we will explore why this has occurred, and the role of presidents in confronting these challenges, with fo...
Marine One - Lifting the POTUS
February 17, 2023 18:00 - 30 minutes - 21.7 MBMarine One is easily the most famous helicopter in the world, typically using the South lawn of the White House to pick up the most famous passenger in the world. So, it’s to no one’s real surprise, that flying, operating, and maintaining this important aircraft is a huge job, because there’s plainly zero room for failure! Flying the POTUS, from the White House, from Camp David, from all over the world, giving him a “lift” wherever and whenever he needs it! The Men and Women of Marine One a...
The POTUS So Nice We Elected Him Twice!
December 12, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBIt had been a long time since a Democrat was elected to the White House, until New Yorker Grover Cleveland grabbed the keys in a squeaker. Taking a tough stand on several domestic issues got him kicked out after just 4 years. But the poor performance from the guy that replaced him opened the door for an unprecedented return trip to Washington. We're uncovering Cleveland's relentless spirit, stubborn determination, solid character, even his own White House wedding! “Big Steve”, Grover Cleve...
The First 15: Setting Precedence for The POTUS
November 29, 2022 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBFrom Washington to Buchanan, the first group of guys to head up our new nation were not just dealing with an exciting new job, they were also figuring out what that new job should or shouldn’t be. As the growing pains of our fragile country developed deep divisions both domestically and internationally, each man’s hand was forced. They were required to do something, anything to try and achieve peace and progress. The revealing true tales of our first 15 President’s; their successes, and the...
The First 15: Setting Precedence for The POTUS
November 29, 2022 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBFrom Washington to Buchanan, the first group of guys to head up our new nation were not just dealing with an exciting new job, they were also figuring out what that new job should or shouldn’t be. As the growing pains of our fragile country developed deep divisions both domestically and internationally, each man’s hand was forced. They were required to do something, anything to try and achieve peace and progress. The revealing true tales of our first 15 President’s; their successes, and the...
The Break-In that Brought-Down a Presidency
October 10, 2022 14:00 - 46 minutes - 32.4 MBIn mid-June of 1972, Richard Nixon was riding high. After just 1-term, the country was getting along better with each other and with our global frien-enemies. His reelection was all but certain. But after a sloppy burglary of the Democratic headquarters in Watergate, and the chaotic cover-up that followed, our 37th POTUS’s 2nd term fell into a tailspin. We’re offering up a modern, objective look at Nixon’s Presidency and the notorious scandal that sent him packing, on this episode of Ameri...
POTUS 29 - A Return to Normalcy
September 26, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MBWorld War 1 had just wrapped up, and the nation was desperate for a “return to normalcy”. So who’s more normal than Warren Harding, a small town newspaperman from the Midwest? He was elected in a landslide and seemed to have a fairly successful presidency. But after he got sick and died in office, trouble started bubbling to the surface. It seems, while Harding may have been a good guy in office, his cabinet was anything but. Several scandals were revealed, ruining his reputation as a P...
Presidential Afterlives
September 13, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBWhile in office, we debate and critique just about everything a POTUS does. When they pass on, either in office or long after, the conversation about their policies might lighten up a bit, but the controversy rolls on. Washington’s last wishes, Adams and Jeffersons divine timing, Lincoln’s eventual resting place, Reagan’s final closing scene. They all reflect the impact these leaders had on us and how we remember them to this day. An intriguing and entertaining conversation about how we lo...
POTUS 39 - The Overachiever
September 05, 2022 14:00 - 51 minutes - 36.1 MBThis son-of-a-peanut-farmer could have easily laid down his roots on the land he grew up on. But great things were calling him far removed from the Georgia countryside. A graduate of the Naval Academy, a Governor, a President, the man just kept achieving amazing things no one thought possible! But a rough economy here at home and trouble abroad brought his unlikely presidential ascension to a close after just 1 term. And while he may have had to leave the White House to go back to Georgia...
POTUS 37: Making Sense of a Complicated President
August 22, 2022 14:00 - 37 minutes - 26.3 MBThe Watergate cover-up and the resignation. To this day, they are the first things we remember when it comes to our 37th POTUS. But take away the emotional pre-conceived notions, and what do we discover? A man with a modest background, a complicated personality and a drive-to-succeed that was off the charts. Leave what you thought about Richard Nixon aside, and consider our objective look at this president, all he accomplished while in office, and how he changed American politics forever, ...
The battle of the POTUS's over WW1
August 08, 2022 19:00 - 54 minutes - 38 MBWorld War 1 was building steam in Europe, with the British and the French desperately doing all they could to get the U.S. involved. But before America could take up arms on the European battlefield, 3 progressive political heavyweights were battling it out here at home, trying to win over public opinion. It's the fascinating story of 1 past POTUS, 1 current POTUS and 1 female activist. Their conflicting philosophies, and who would succeed when it was all over, is on this episode of Americ...
POTUS 43's Successful Strategy Shift
July 22, 2022 12:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBAbout 5 years into President George W. Bush's War on Terror, things were not going well. The war in Iraq was failing and The President was getting pressure from all sides, including his own, to pull out and call it quits. But instead, he doubled-down, increasing the number of troops and rethinking how those troops would be used. It ultimately turned things around and success was finally within reach. How our 43rd POTUS managed to shift his war strategy with the Iraqi government, our own mi...
American FLOTUS Preview - Mary Todd Lincoln
July 12, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBAmerican POTUS is proud to present a special preview episode of our brand new show, American FLOTUS! Just like our highly successful series on the history of the presidency, this podcast will include national experts, facts and important perspective to the amazing women who have served as First Lady. We have a lot of terrific guest experts lined up for future episodes, so be sure to subscribe to American FLOTUS today! On this episode: By all appearances, Mary Todd Lincoln and her famou...
The Supreme Court - An Inside Perspective
June 28, 2022 11:00 - 52 minutes - 36.9 MBAmerican POTUS is proud to present a special preview episode of American SCOTUS! Just like our highly successful series on the history of the presidency, this podcast will present national experts, facts and important perspective to the highest court in the land. We have a lot of terrific guest experts lined up for future episodes, so be sure to subscribe to American SCOTUS today! On this particular episode, we’re going behind closed doors to see what actually happens inside that big, b...
POTUS 22 & 24's Secret Surgery at Sea
June 22, 2022 14:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBGrover Cleveland is the only President to serve 1 term, leave the White House, then return for a 2nd term. His 2 presidency’s were politically rough; a depressed economy, overzealous corporations, and railroads steaming out of control. But there’s another challenge he dealt with, a more personal, health-related challenge. And somehow, someway, this President was able to virtually disappear and have it treated completely off the grid! Grover Cleveland and his secret cancer surgery at sea ...
The Power & Influence of Drinking with a POTUS
June 06, 2022 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBThe pressure of living and working in The White House can be immense, so pouring a glass of beer, wine or whiskey every now and then to relax and unwind, it’s understandable. But to each President, his own. Over time, some may have drunk too much, some not at all, and some cleverly using a well-crafted cocktail…or two… as yet another political tool to push their agenda. From the first POTUS to some of our most recent, we’re serving up the extraordinarily intoxicating history of Presidenti...
The Scheming POTUS from Kinderhook
May 23, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBMartin Van Buren just might be the most important President you don’t really know much about. Governor, Senator, Secretary of State, VicePOTUS, and POTUS – this man’s resume is long and impressive. After this lifetime of politics working toward The White House, he had the bad luck of dealing with a nasty financial crisis that ended his presidency nearly as soon as it started, getting kicked out after just 1 term. The man who created the modern day Democratic Party, The Little Magician! P...
The Evolution of a Young JFK
May 08, 2022 19:00 - 58 minutes - 40.9 MBOur young, vibrant 35th President’s career path was both fast and fascinating. He was born into a prominent Massachusetts family, served heroically in World War 2, beat the odds to become a 3 term U.S. Congressman and then served as a U.S. Senator. But his journey wasn’t all smiles and fairy tale stories. He faced an incredible amount of challenges; politically, emotionally and physically. What made the man who would become one of the nation’s most beloved Presidents? The evolution of a...
D.C. POTUS Site Tour
April 25, 2022 11:00 - 29 minutes - 20.8 MBMemorials, Statues, Office Buildings, even Houses – Washington D.C. is a living, breathing, constant reminder of the office of The Presidency. Everywhere you look, there’s something that honors the best and brightest of the past and all the moving parts of our present-day POTUS! We’re revealing the strange stories and outrageous details behind D.C.’s most significant Presidential sites. See how they all came about and what you can expect when you stop by for your own brush with presidenti...
POTUS Party Spot - Gadsby's Tavern
April 18, 2022 14:00 - 50 minutes - 35.1 MBA long line of our nation’s first President's all tipped a drink, gobbled up some food and danced the night away at the very historic Gadsby's Tavern in Old Town Alexandria Virginia. And while having a good time was important, it was also the place where some of our early nation’s most famous founding fathers got down to business. They met to hear the latest news of the day, and they schemed to make news of their own, coming up with the ideas for a new nation, that we still enjoy today! T...
Lincoln's Private Getaway
April 11, 2022 16:00 - 38 minutes - 27 MBThe pressures of the presidency can be overwhelming, especially when your own nation is entangled in a Civil War. To recharge himself, Abraham Lincoln and his family would often retreat to a secluded cottage, less than 4 miles from The White House. It doesn’t seem like a long way, but it was world’s away from the hustle and trouble of D.C. What he found here was physical and mental health, and what he did here resulted in some of the most significant moments of his presidency. We’re find...
The Ultimate Presidential Library
April 04, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBThe Library of Congress sits in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol itself, a prominent location that serves a distinct purpose, to remind us of the importance our forefathers put on having an educated nation. Walk in the doors, and it’s clear this library is unlike any other. A vast collection of over 170 million books, videos, maps, audio files, and anything else that might tell the story of our nation for future generations. We’re getting a rare look at The Library of Congress and all the p...
The National Mall - Honoring The POTUS!
March 28, 2022 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBThe National Mall has been called “America’s Front Yard”, an iconic place where our most notable Presidents are honored for their service. But to get a spot on the mall is a tough get – it’s one of the rarest and most valuable pieces of real estate in the world. To make it happen, it ironically comes down to fundraising and politics – something the people honored here, know all too well! We'll talk about how The National Mall celebrates our Presidents 24/7, and all the work that goes into...
Mount Vernon Part 3: Washington's Library
March 18, 2022 14:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBAs a youngster, he was never satisfied with his own formal education, so as a grown-up he never turned down the chance to feed his curiosity, gobbling up anything he could find on Soldiering, Farming or even Governing. And by examining his incredible personal collection of books and artifacts, you can easily see how this passion turned him into a strong confident leader, just when the country needed it most. A healthy helping of leadership inspiration from Washington himself, in part 3 of ...
Mount Vernon Part 2: Mansion Tour
March 09, 2022 20:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBIt was the center of George Washington's 8,000 acre farm, the iconic mansion that he and his family called home. Never fully satisfied with the place, the General was always tinkering with it, adding on, modifying, redecorating, making the place function for not just the first family but also the revolving door of visitors from around the world. We’re going inside the common areas and the private areas of one of the world’s most famous homes, recorded during our private behind-the-scenes v...
Mount Vernon Part 1: Washington's Legacy
March 09, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBEvery time his country called George Washington reluctantly said yes, packed his bags and hit the road. But through all the times he was away, his thoughts always returned to his pride and joy, Mount Vernon. The General’s intensity and focus to this special place was for good reason, it was much more than a home, it was his business – a 24/7/365 Virginia Tidewater farm! We're examining what the place meant to him and what it means to all of us today! This is part 1 of a 3-part series, r...
TR: The Rough Riding POTUS
February 28, 2022 12:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBTheodore Roosevelt is one of the most influential accidental presidents this nation has ever had. Domestically he pushed the Square Deal to help average citizens, and internationally it was all about The Panama Canal and brokering peace - but all of that was just a drop in the bucket! During his time in office, he accomplished a lot more than most, but most don’t come anywhere near having the boundless energy or ambition of TR! The man who never backed down from some of the world’s bigges...
The Personal & Presidential struggles of Andrew Johnson
February 21, 2022 15:00 - 44 minutes - 31.2 MBBreaking out of Abraham Lincoln’s shadow would’ve been tough for anybody, much less a Southern Democrat who struggled with his own sense of racism. Regardless, Andrew Jackson now had the job and had to deal with Civil War Reconstruction – no easy task. It didn’t take long for this stubborn accidental President to make a lot of political enemies, but one stands out above the rest – activist Frederick Douglass. And even though they only met once, their worlds would collide over and over wit...
POTUS 43: A Fresh Look at W
February 14, 2022 15:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBGeorge W Bush walked into the White House dialed in on domestic issues, but after 9/11, all attention turned to the chaotic war on terror. To begin with, the country was fully behind him, but the long drawn out fight eventually took its toll on the public’s patience. Mix in a financial collapse and a natural catastrophe, and his national support was in a free fall. But whether all of these issues make you think he was overrated or underrated, it’s fair to say he kept pushing forward, lead...
POTUS 3: The Founding Father who Founded a University
February 06, 2022 19:00 - 40 minutes - 28.5 MBThomas Jefferson was an overachiever who accomplished some pretty major things in his life, wrote the Declaration of Independence, Secretary of State, Governor, Vice President and President. But when your career maxes out, guys like Jefferson don’t just go home and retire quietly. To keep himself occupied, he turned his energy toward creating a University. An institute of higher learning that would in his mind, ensure that generations of citizens would be diligent, keeping our new nation ...
POTUS 14: Handsome & Heartbroken
January 31, 2022 12:00 - 50 minutes - 35.4 MBPOTUS Franklin Pierce may not be top-of-mind when you think about the Presidency, but just like the All Star’s of the White House, his decisions and plans were terribly consequential. At the top of the list, how he dealt with the raging debate over slavery. Both sides saw him as a compromiser, but were frustrated when his attempts to please everyone, never really settled anything. It wasn’t all bad for him though, he did have some Win’s, but nowhere near enough to get a 2nd chance to aver...
POTUS 14: Handsome & Heartbroken
January 31, 2022 12:00 - 50 minutes - 35.4 MBPOTUS Franklin Pierce may not be top-of-mind when you think about the Presidency, but just like the All Star’s of the White House, his decisions and plans were terribly consequential. At the top of the list, how he dealt with the raging debate over slavery. Both sides saw him as a compromiser, but were frustrated when his attempts to please everyone, never really settled anything. It wasn’t all bad for him though, he did have some Win’s, but nowhere near enough to get a 2nd chance to aver...
Ike: Substance over Style
January 24, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes - 32.7 MBSure, Dwight Eisenhower led the charge to end World War 2, but leading the nation from The White House was a whole new test for him. Like any good General, he did it by assessing each situation, coming up with a good plan, enabling qualified people to help him, and then sharing the success with all those involved – something not typically in the D.C. political playbook! We’re getting to know the cautious, deliberative, patriotic man who managed a growing nation in a progressively explosive...
POTUS 1: Saving the Nation by Hitting the Road
January 11, 2022 19:00 - 42 minutes - 29.6 MBAfter taking office, George Washington sensed a bit of trouble. Our recently unified country was on the brink of falling apart into 13 individual pieces. Something had to be done, and as usual, he stepped up. His strategy, giving the citizens a chance to see him, and giving him a chance to see the citizens. Months and miles went by, and like so many times before, the Great General ultimately found success, sparking a national unity that had seemed impossible. The nation-saving road trip...
Our Constitution: The POTUS Rule Book
January 04, 2022 16:00 - 54 minutes - 38.1 MBOur Constitution lays out 3 branches of government, with all of them holding power to check on each other just to make sure no one gets a little out of hand, including the President! Over time, some in the Executive Branch have pushed this rule book to the breaking point, but so far, it’s held strong. A credit to the framers who came up with it to begin with, and those who have modified it for an evolving nation. Our living & breathing constitution, and how certain Presidents have used…an...
POTUS 4: The First, First Couple of American Politics
December 28, 2021 21:00 - 54 minutes - 38 MBJames Madison may have been physically slight, but his influence as a founding father is off the charts! He took on the creation of our constitution and the Bill of Rights. And when he got the keys to the White House from his buddy Thomas Jefferson, he was faced with a whole new confrontation, going to war…again…with the British Army. But through all these challenges, he had his own diplomatic secret weapon, the very outspoken and supremely irresistible, Dolley Madison! The first First C...
POTUS 27 - Chief Executive & Chief Justice
December 22, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 48.3 MBWilliam Howard Taft was the hand-picked successor by Theodore Roosevelt himself. But after just a couple years in The White House, their tight relationship fell apart, and Taft’s run for a 2nd term became the target for TR’s political attacks. And what did all of this inner-party feuding do…it caused them both to lose! Taft was out, but his story was far from over. The man who loved the law, got his dream job when he became the first and only ex-POTUS to become Chief Justice of The SCOTU...
The Grandfather/Grandson POTUS Legacy
December 13, 2021 12:00 - 49 minutes - 34.4 MBBenjamin Harrison followed in the path of his POTUS Grandfather, calling Indiana home, serving in the military, the Senate and the White House. While he won the presidency in a squeaker, he was way more successful than Grandpa, modernizing the navy and pushing for African-American voting rights. But just when he got things going, this grandson POTUS who defeated Grover Cleveland, then lost to the same man just 4 years later! It’s a tale of family legacy, very close elections, and a politi...