Who is the most successful president in American history? George Washington secured American independence. Abraham Lincoln preserved the union and ended slavery. Franklin D. Roosevelt ended the Depression, remade government, and won World War II. But if we define "success" as the ability to articulate your goals and achieve every single one of them, perhaps ... Show More
Sep 1
AI Slop Is Breaking the Internet. Can We Save It?
So many people seem to hate AI, and it’s not just because it might displace millions of jobs, destroy the world, or deepen distrust in big corporations and government. The reason might actually be simpler than we think: People don't like AI because it is so often used to make thi ... Show More
56m 8s
Aug 25
Why Everything Is Going to Keep Getting More Expensive
For much of the 21st century, the U.S. economy was built around cheap money. Today, though, interest rates are rising, and borrowing is getting much more expensive. At the same time, the federal government is running huge deficits while governments and companies around the world ... Show More
41m 54s
Aug 18
Higher Education’s Age of ‘Insufferable Hypocrisy’
It would be an understatement to say that higher education is in crisis, as it faces attacks from both the current presidential administration as well as issues of its own making, like diversity politics. Today, Derek talks with Tyler Austin Harper, author of the viral essay “Con ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2024
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
<p>"Speak softly and carry a big stick."</p><br><p>The youngest President ever, Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment, uncle to Eleanor Roosevelt, fifth cousin to FDR, and a keen huntsman; Theodore Roosevelt is consistently remembered as one of the United States' top 5 P ... Show More
45m 34s
Oct 2024
Elections Explained: How FDR Won Four Times
<p>4,322 days. That's how long Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in office. Whilst no other US president has served more than two terms, FDR was elected four times!</p><br><p>Was this because of his charisma, his opposition, the challenges of the Great Depression and the Second World ... Show More
38m 13s
May 2019
President Ulysses S Grant
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the impact of Grant's presidency on Americans in the years after the Civil War in which he, with Lincoln, had led the Union Army to victory. His predecessor, Andrew Johnson, was prepared to let the Southern States decide for themselves which rights ... Show More
55m 12s
Nov 2023
President Martin Van Buren
<p>The 'Little Magician', the 'Sly Fox' or - to our expert guest - a 6.5/10 president. We're onto President number 8, Martin Van Buren.</p><br><p>Don is joined by Edward Widmer - historian, writer, librarian, and musician who served as a speechwriter in the Clinton White Hou ... Show More
39m 9s