Founding Son: John Quincy's America

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Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers explores the post-presidential legacy of America’s sixth president: John Quincy Adams. Though often only seen as a failed one-term president and the son of a Founding Father, Adams spent his final decades in Congress fighting the slavocracy and forming a bridge between the founding of America and the era of Lincoln. Founding Son features Patrick Warburton as the voice of John Quincy Adams, Nick Offerman as the voice of Andrew Jackson, and Grey DeLisle as the voice of Louisa Adams.

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Episodes

Peter Sagal: Is the Electoral College "America's Worst Idea"? [American History Hotline]

The U.S. Constitution has inspired countless countries to adopt democracy, but NONE have adopted the electoral college. What's up with that? Turns out, if American's National Parks are "the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst," as author Wallace Stegner wrote, then the electoral college might be America's worst idea. To figure out if the electoral college is trash, and to break down the origins, pros, cons and futur...

Aug 20, 2025•48 min

Why Haven't We Returned to the Moon in 50+ Years? [American History Hotline]

The Moon. We hit it and quit it. But after more than 50 years is it time to rekindle the relationship? We'll explore the reasons we stopped going to the moon and why NOW is the right time to go back (we see you, Artemis). Also, how does a return to the moon get us closer to landing humans on Mars? And how do we overcome some of the logistical and psychological challenges of traveling 35 million miles to our neighboring planet? GUEST: Andrew Chaikin, author of the book A Man on the Moon . Check o...

Aug 16, 2025•34 min

Introducing: American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

New show alert! Coming this summer! On American History Hotline, Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history — from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 28, 2025•1 min

Founding Son: Episode 6 - The Last of Earth

John Quincy Adams finally defeats the Gag rule, but his feud with Andrew Jackson lasts until the bitter end. And Congressman Abraham Lincoln witnesses from the House floor the dramatic final hours of Adams' life. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 11, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Founding Son: Episode 5 - Amistad

When the fates of the enslaved captives of the Amistad are put into the hands of the Supreme Court, John Quincy Adams feels it's his duty to represent them. Adams’ son and wife would have preferred he stayed away from the case altogether. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 04, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Founding Son: Episode 4 - Don't Mess With Texas

John Quincy Adams unleashes on the House floor over two pivotal issues of the 1830s: The annexation of Texas, and prohibiting the discussion of slavery in the U.S. House, known as the Gag rule. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 27, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Founding Son: Episode 3 - Our Federal Union: It Must Be Preserved

Warning: This episode contains a brief description of violence. Andrew Jackson ascends to the presidency after defeating John Quincy Adams in an 1828 rematch. But Jackson is tested by another rival: his own vice president. Meanwhile, Adams arrives in Congress and finds himself in the middle of the slavery debate. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 20, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Founding Son: Episode 2 - Andrew Jackson Strikes Back

After a difficult term in office, President John Quincy Adams loses re-election to Andrew Jackson in 1828, one of the most malicious presidential campaigns in American history. But a post-presidential run for Congress gives Adams another chance at political greatness. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Founding Son: Episode 1 - The Corrupt Bargain

A contentious 1824 presidential election and accusations of a “corrupt bargain” by rival Andrew Jackson raise the stakes for John Quincy Adams as he prepares to take the office his father held just two decades earlier. Founding Son is a Curiosity Podcast and is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 15, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Founding Son: John Quincy's America

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Apr 06, 2023•3 min

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