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This American President

This American President

This American President 186 episodes Latest May 26, 2026

This American President explores the lives and legacies of U.S. presidents through long-form stories and interviews. Hosted by Richard Lim and produced by Michael Neal, the podcast challenges listeners to rethink American history. Each episode delves into presidential history with engaging narratives and expert insights.

Episodes

What Did Queen Elizabeth II Really Think of America’s Presidents? with Susan Page Jun 9, 2026 2009 Did you know that a young Princess Elizabeth once spent time with a twenty-something John F. Kennedy? Or that Richard Nixon hoped to marry one of his daughters into the British royal family? In this episode, I speak with bestselling author Susan Page about her new book, The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History. We explore Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable relationships
Young Washington: The Untold Story of America’s Founding Hero, with Benton Crane May 26, 2026 3483 Before he became the indispensable man of the American founding, George Washington was a young officer fighting for survival in the wilderness, battling the French, navigating deadly frontier politics, and learning the hard lessons that would forge his character. In this episode, I speak with Benton Crane, co-founder of Angel Studios, about Young Washington, a major new film focused on George Wash
At the Brink: Presidents, Nuclear Weapons, and the Fate of the World Part 2, with Dr. Anthony Eames May 12, 2026 2909 How should Americans evaluate presidential candidates when it comes to nuclear weapons? In this episode, Dr. Anthony Eames, Director of Scholarly Initiatives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, returns to the show to examine how presidents from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump have approached nuclear weapons, deterrence, and arms control. We discuss the end of the Cold War, th
The First Ladies: Hidden Power in the White House, with Anita McBride Apr 28, 2026 4635 What does the First Lady actually do—and how did the role become so influential? Our host Richard Lim sits down with Anita McBride—former Chief of Staff to Laura Bush, Executive-in-Residence at American University’s School of Public Affairs, and Director of the First Ladies Initiative—to break down the evolution of one of the most visible roles in American life. From Dolley
At the Brink: Presidents, Nuclear Weapons, and the Fate of the World Part 1, with Dr. Anthony Eames Apr 14, 2026 3904 How have American presidents managed the most destructive weapons ever created? In this episode, Dr. Anthony Eames, Director of Scholarly Initiatives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, joins me to examine the history of nuclear weapons through the decisions of U.S. presidents—from Truman and Eisenhower to Reagan and beyond. We discuss the logic of deterrence, the ris
In Pursuit: Rediscovering America Through Its Presidents, with Dr. Colleen J. Shogan Mar 31, 2026 2913 What if today’s leading voices took a fresh look at the lives of America’s presidents and first ladies—searching for lessons that still speak to the challenges we face now? That’s the idea behind In Pursuit, a new initiative to discover history’s greatest lessons by revisiting America’s first 250 years and distilling insights that can inspire and inform our futu
America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick, with Bob Crawford Mar 17, 2026 3159 What American president would take a demotion and become a congressman after leaving the White House? The answer is John Quincy Adams. In this episode, we interview Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers, about his new book on America's sixth president.  America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Founding-Son-President
Trump Bombs Iran: The Presidential Decisions That Led to This Moment, with Randall Fowler Feb 28, 2026 2938 President Trump has ordered strikes on Iran. In this episode, scholar Randall Fowler discusses how we got to this critical moment. He examines the history of U.S.–Iran relations — from the 1953 coup and the 1979 Islamic Revolution to sanctions, nuclear diplomacy, and today’s military action — with a focus on how each American president shaped the path to this moment. More T
The Capture of Maduro: a Venezuelan Refugee Speaks Out Feb 17, 2026 4051 On January 3, 2026, the United States captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, ending his corrupt reign over the South American country. What led President Donald Trump to order this dramatic intervention? Franklin Camargo is Venezuelan-American political commentator who fled his native country in 2019. In this episode, Camargo discusses his remarkable journey, the capture of Madur
The Truth About Franklin D. Roosevelt Feb 3, 2026 3175 FDR is often ranked by historians as one of the two or three greatest presidents. In recent years, he sometimes lands at the top spot. In this episode, Professor David T. Beito explores whether that ranking is deserved. FDR: A NEW POLITICAL LIFE https://www.amazon.com/FDR-Political-David-T-Beito/dp/1637700695 JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.
The Hair-Raising History of the American Presidency, with Theodore Pappas Jan 20, 2026 2539 If J.D. Vance gets elected to the White House in 2028, he will be the first president in over a century to have facial hair. In this episode, Theodore Pappas discusses the surprising history of hair and the American presidency.  COMBING THROUGH THE WHITE HOUSE: HAIR AND ITS SHOCKING IMPACT ON THE POLITICS, PRIVATE LIVES, AND LEGACIES OF THE PRESIDENTS https://www.amazon.com/Combing-Through-Wh
George Washington Book Update Jan 13, 2026 782 Richard shares an update on his book project. https://www.richardmlim.com JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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