My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

4.6 (1.1K)
History
Updated Semimonthly

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates. "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

1d ago

REFUSING A CROWN? WASHINGTON AND HIS DECISION w/ RICHARD LIM OF THIS AMERICAN PRESIDENT

It's oft said that Washington refused a crown. With Richard Lim of This American President, we get real about this topic. His book Refusing a Crown is the first book to place Washington’s decisions within the sweeping Western shift from monarchy to republic, showing why that transition was anything but inevitable. Drawing on the Judeo-Christian moral tradition and the political inheritance from Great Britain, Refusing a Crown reveals how early Americans sought to build a republic strong enough to govern real people—not an idealized political fantasy. At a time when Americans once again argue about leadership, power, and the future of self-government, one figure continues to stand apart: George Washington. Across the political spectrum—from Donald Trump to Joe Biden—leaders still invoke him as the ultimate measure of political greatness. Refusing a Crown reveals why.Washington’s most extraordinary achievement was not winning the Revolutionary War or helping found a new nation. It was something far rarer: He gave up power—twice. First, when he resigned his command after victory. Then again, when he stepped down as president, establishing a precedent no law required and no force could compel. In an age dominated by kings and emperors, Washington chose restraint—and in doing so, he helped define the American experiment. Book (Preorder):https://www.amazon.com/Refusing-Crown-George-Washington-Changed/dp/1645721280 Website:https://www.richardmlim.com/ This American President:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisamericanpresidentX: https://x.com/ThisAmerPresFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisAmerPres/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisamericanpresident LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-l-4116094/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1d ago · Bonus

You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

Introducing 30 Years of Oprah’s Book Club: The Authors Behind the Stories We Love from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOKS! The Oprah Book Club storefront https://amzn.to/4j5y1xW To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Oprah’s Book Club - Oprah is joined by four multiple-award winning, best-selling authors including: Viola Davis, Barbara Kingsolver, Abraham Verghese and Ocean Vuong. In her backyard under the oak trees Oprah and these masterful storytellers have a thoughtful conversation about the craft of writing, their processes and the significance the reader brings to their work. Among their works they discuss these Oprah's Book club picks: Finding Me, Demon Copperhead, The Poisonwood Bible, The Emperor of Gladness and The Covenant of Water. 00:00:00 - Welcome authors Barbara Kingsolver, Abraham Verghese, Viola Davis and Ocean Vuong 00:04:30 - Finding characters 00:06:50 - Becoming a writer 00:09:00 - How Viola became a writer 00:12:48 - Viola reading her memoir 00:17:20 - What writers are noticing about right now 00:22:30 - What does being a bestseller mean 00:28:00 - Greatest compliments about their work 00:39:50 - The magic of writing 00:43:00 - When is a sentence done? 00:47:30 - Finding your title 00:52:00 - Is writing personal therapy? Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.
2d ago

"I WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE NEWS IS" OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, EIGHTH AND FINAL

In our final episode, we look at a few historic media that truly sought to tell readers not just the news, but what the news was. From Bennett to Drudge, we look at these innovators. And we talk about today's media innovation. All of us, and our politicians as media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4d ago

COXEY'S ARMY, MEDIA AND OTHER THINGS WITH JERRY SPENCER

A talk with Listener Jerry Spencer about Coxey's Army, which marched to DC during a depression in the 1890's. And also about how Hearst and Pulitzer's papers fueled the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5d ago

MIDTERMS DONT ALWAYS GO BADLY FOR PRESIDENTS: (But Mostly They Do)

In the past 100 years, over 80% of the first term midterms went badly for Presidents, and their party lost seats. But in a few cases they did not. And a few times when they did, the result was very little real change or even a kind of win. A look at first term midterms during the Presidencies of Chester Arthur, Harding, FDR, GW Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. A combo of new and previously recorded MHCBUYP episodes reveals that while many first term midterms have devastated the President's plans, Presidents don't always do badly, there are 'stave' elections where Presidents have lost so little it's almost a win. And sometimes, a defeat has positive effects. Music by Josh Woodward and Lee Rosevere in this episode. Find them on the Free Music Archive website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 22

BIAS: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART SEVEN

We've talked about who owns media, who writes it. Now will talk about the debates about what is in it? This episode is about bias in the news media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 17

ANDREW JACKSON'S MEDIA SPOILS: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART SIX

"To the victor goes the spoils" True of government jobs after a 19th century election. Also true of newspapers. Much of the spoils system perfected during Jackson's time helped newspaper publishers get ads, printing and postmaster jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 14

GIGGLE CLUB: FDR'S PRESS STRATEGY - OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART FIVE

First rule is: Nobody talks about Giggle Club. Second. When he says no pencils, it's no pencils. Third. Get a buddy. Fourth. Don't take it so seriously, my good man. FDR's Press relationship on this episode, and Wilson before him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.6

out of 5

1,137 Ratings

Deep dives of history!

Apr 6

Kimyung Kim -

I greatly appreciate the depth that Bruce goes into with his podcast. I use this podcast as one resource for my teaching, and it helps me to deliver great lessons to my students!
Savings and Loan crisis

10/20/2025

jen98a

So far have only listened to the savings and loan crisis from September 2022; seems we are repeating ourselves in October 2025. I appreciate all the back history that led to the crisis. Good, thoughtful analysis too. Do wish some of the pauses were edited out. Kept thinking the podcast stopped lol
Don’t waste time with this

07/06/2025

The reviewer

This is best to ignore and skip it’s the epitome of regrettable all.
a great part of your politics and history diet

03/18/2025

j gentes

Bruce does a great job of doing the important work of tying the past to the present as nonpolitically as possible, and digging out the nuggets that makes history so interesting. Go elsewhere if “facts” are not your thing.

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates. "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review