Herbert Hoover was a revolutionary figure in American politics -- for many, he represented a new era, in which experts and engineers would dominate the highest levels of government. Upon Hoover's election to the presidency in 1928, millions of Americans were thrilled at the prospect of the "Great Engineer" engineering solutions to the nation's problems. Those hopes, however, would be dashed by the Great Depression. In this episode, we cover how Hoover sought to rescue his country from the worst ...
Jul 06, 2025•58 min
April 2025 will be remembered as the month when President Donald Trump declared war against the entire world -- a trade war to be exact. Whatever one thinks about his decision, it was a bold move that few chief executives would be willing to do. But he's far from the only president to take such drastic action. In this episode, attorney Jonathan Stokes and I discuss five other presidents who, similarly, had the audacity to take on the world. For more information on attorney Jonathan Stokes: https...
May 13, 2025•45 min
Few presidents entered office more distrusted than America's 21st chief executive, Chester A. Arthur. But one American, Julia Sand, believed that he could rise to the occasion. What ensued was one of the most surprising and unlikely episodes in presidential history -- one that is the basis of a new documentary from the Competitive Enterprise Institute, titled Dear Mr. President: The Letters of Julia Sand. In this episode, I interview the producer of the documentary, Destry Edwards. Dear Mr. Pres...
May 06, 2025•38 min
A president in cognitive decline. A beleaguered Vice President. A party in shambles. An ex-president on the verge of the greatest political comeback in American history. And a lot of cat and dog memes. The 2024 presidential election featured all this, and more. In this episode, Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes take us behind the scenes in some of the biggest moments of America's craziest election. FIGHT: INSIDE THE WILDEST BATTLE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Inside-Wildest-Batt...
Apr 29, 2025•40 min
Herbert Hoover emerged from World War I with a reputation as the greatest living humanitarian. He would spend the 1920s applying his brilliance and organizational abilities to transforming the American economy. In this episode, we cover Hoover's superhuman efforts during the Roaring Twenties. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident Facebook: facebook.com/ThisAmerPres Instagram: instagram.com/thisamericanpresident Twitte...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Few people are more powerful than the president of the United States and the CEOs of America's biggest companies. In this episode, presidential historian Tevi Troy explains what happens when they go head-to-head. THE POWER AND THE MONEY: THE EPIC CLASHES BETWEEN COMMANDERS IN CHIEF AND TITANS OF INDUSTRY https://www.amazon.com/Power-Money-Clashes-Commanders-Industry/dp/1684515408/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/t...
Mar 18, 2025•46 min
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 discusses what he uncovered when investigating this forgotten moment in American history. THE JFK CONSPIRACY: THE SECRET PLOT TO KILL KENNEDY―AND WHY IT FAILED https://www.amazon.com/JFK-Conspiracy-Secret-Kennedy_and-Failed/dp/1250790573 JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month...
Feb 25, 2025•39 min
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 statesman. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident Facebook: facebook.com/ThisAmerPres Instagram: instagram.com/thisamericanpresident Twitter: twitter.com/ThisAmerPres CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Produc...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min
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 Presidential Leadership That Transformed America https://www.amazon.com/Meeting-Moment-Presidential-Transformed-Contemporary/dp/B0D34DMRSR/ JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard L...
Jan 07, 2025•36 min
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 giants. Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents https://www.amazon.com/dp/031656463X?ref_=ast_author_ofdp_rw 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...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min
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: The Light Withdrawn https://www.amazon.com/Woodrow-Wilson-Withdrawn-Christopher-Cox/dp/166801078X?ref_=ast_author_dp 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: Mic...
Dec 10, 2024•58 min
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. LITTLE HELPERS: HARRY VAUGHAN, HIS CRONIES, AND CORRUPTION IN THE TRUMAN ADMINISTRATION https://www.amazon.com/Little-Helpers-Vaughan-Corruption-Administration/dp/0826223168 JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamer...
Dec 03, 2024•46 min
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 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....
Nov 22, 2024•46 min
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 this episode, we chat with Reed about his amazing life and his love of presidential history. 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 Roger...
Oct 29, 2024•29 min
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 Instagram: instagram.com/thisamericanpresident Twitter: twitter.com/ThisAmerPres CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Artist: Nip Rogers, www...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 25 min
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 PRESIDENTS: NO SPIN ASSESSMENTS FROM WASHINGTON TO BIDEN https://www.amazon.com/dp/125034641X?ref_=ast_author_ofdp JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/mo...
Oct 01, 2024•21 min
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 CIVILIZATION https://www.amazon.com/Taking-London-Winston-Churchill-Civilization/dp/0593473213 JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bi...
Sep 17, 2024•43 min
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 Calvin Coolidge unlikely rise as the 30th president of the United States. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW U...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident Facebook: facebook.com/ThisAmerPres Instagram: instagram.com/thisame...
Aug 14, 2024•24 min
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.apple.com/us/podcast/my-history-can-beat-up-your-politics/id169078375 JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US...
Aug 06, 2024•45 min
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 countless ways that the Association serves the American people. https://www.whitehousehistory.org JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly...
Jul 23, 2024•44 min
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 JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Produc...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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.
Jul 15, 2024•41 min
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 Soviets, eliminating an entire class of nuclear weapons. In this episode, we cover how Reagan did just that and how his policies led to the end of the Cold ...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min
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. This movie is so bad... it's BAD. Filmmaker William Nunez has just written, directed, and produced a documentary on this monstrosity of a film, titl...
Jun 25, 2024•42 min
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 an audacious plan to work with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and abolish nuclear weapons from the face of the earth. In this episode, we discuss Re...
Jun 18, 2024•53 min
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 the free world was an absurd idea. Few, however, would predict that this unlikeliest of presidents would alter the course of American history. In this e...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 20 min
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 doesn't give the vice president much to do. So why does America even have a vice president? The truth might surprise you. In this episode, legal schol...
May 28, 2024•55 min
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 INSPIRED THE LIVES OF THE FOUNDERS AND DEFINED AMERICA https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Happiness-Classical-Inspired-Founders/dp/1668002477 JOIN PREMIUM ...
May 21, 2024•39 min
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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2024•25 min
