In Pursuit with Colleen Shogan

PRX
  • 4.6 (126)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

We call it the American experiment, and over the last 250 years, we've learned a lot about what's worked.....and what hasn't. So what can we learn from Americans' quest to form a more perfect union? Join Colleen Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States, along with some of our nation's most prominent historians, journalists, and public servants as we go in pursuit of lessons from America's past to write the history of America's future.

  1. 6d ago

    Millard Fillmore Kicks the Can Down the Road

    Vice President Millard Fillmore never expected to be president, but Zachary Taylor's death in 1850 thrust him into the White House and the national spotlight. So how did the "man of hesitation and double opinions" confront the growing crisis over slavery? Colleen Shogan talks with former congressman Steve Israel about Fillmore's surprising rise, his contradictory opinions, and the compromises that hastened the coming of the civil war. Steve Israel served as a congressman from New York from 2001 to 2017. He is the owner of Theodore’s Books in Oyster Bay and author of the novel, The Einstein Conspiracy (2025). Read Israel's essay on Millard Fillmore at www.Inpursuit.org INFO:Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join.Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show.Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA.Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect.SOCIAL:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA 2682fa9b0fda4806f152e2fc382a943f5da5bd0f

  2. Jul 28

    James K. Polk Manifests A Destiny

    By some measure, James K. Polk is among the most successful presidents in American history. But what were the costs of his many achievements? Colleen Shogan talks with Matthew Costello about the nation’s first dark horse presidential candidate, his ambitions for western expansion, and the triumphs that set the United States on a path toward civil war.  Featuring Matthew Costello, Ph.D., is Chief Education Officer, the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation Chair in White House History and director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at the White House Historical Association. Read Costello's essay on William Henry Harrison at www.Inpursuit.org INFO:Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join.Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show.Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA.Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect.SOCIAL:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA

  3. Jul 21 ·  Bonus

    In Pursuit Recommends: History Daily: The Death of Alexander Hamilton

    As a special treat for In Pursuit listeners, we're thrilled to bring you an episode of History Daily from our friends at Noiser and Air Ship. Hosted by public historian Lindsay Graham, the series tells fascinating stories about what happened “on this day” in history.  Today, we're going back to July 12, 1804, when American founding father, Alexander Hamilton, died from a fatal wound he suffered during a duel with his longtime adversary, Aaron Burr. History Daily releases new episodes every weekday.  You'll get a broad mix of history, from famous battles to fashion firsts. There’s medicine, science, technology, religion, politics, and sports – everything that made us who we are today.  Most episodes are under 20 minutes long, and you’ll discover amazing facts you’ve never learned before about history. And even if you think you know a certain day’s events, you might be surprised.  Check out History Daily on your favorite podcast app.

  4. Jul 14

    William Henry Harrison Delivers a Warning

    Why did William Henry Harrison fear for the nation's future? Colleen Shogan talks with Sharon McMahon about Old Tippecanoe's life as a soldier and politician, the ominous message of the longest inaugural address in American history, and the choices that cut short Harrison's time as president. Featuring Sharon McMahon, Civic Educator and authorRead McMahon's essay on William Henry Harrison at Inpursuit.org INFO:Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join.Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show.Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA.Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect.SOCIAL:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA

  5. Jul 2

    In Pursuit Live: America at 250 Town Hall at the National Constitution Center

    What are the principles at the heart of the American experiment? How have those ideals guided us in the past? And how do they speak to us now as we commemorate 250 years of American independence? On this special live episode of In Pursuit recorded at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Colleen joined Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, Harvard University Professor Danielle Allen, and moderator Robert Costa of CBS News in a wide ranging conversation about how we can connect new generations to the enduring ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  Special thanks to Julie Silverbrook, Kevin Altman, and Bill Pollock of the National Constitution Center.  This special live episode was edited and mixed by Bill Pollock. Theme music for this episode provided by Artist.io.  In Pursuit with Colleen Shogan is a podcast by More Perfect. The series is written and produced by Jim Ambuske. Production Services by Stand Together  INFO: Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join. Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show. Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA. SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa  BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social  X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA

  6. Jun 30

    Louisa Catherine Adams Finds Her Voice

    Why did Louisa Catherine Adams feel like a bird trapped in a cage during her time in the White House? Colleen Shogan talks with Louisa Thomas about Adams's dangerous journey from Russia to Paris during the Napoleonic Wars, her complicated marriage to John Quincy, and the freedom she found in writing. Featuring Louisa Thomas, Staff Writer, New Yorker. Read Thomas's essay on Louisa Catherine Adams at Inpursuit.org INFO:Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join.Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show.Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA.Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect.SOCIAL:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA

  7. Jun 16

    John Quincy Adams Avoids The Monsters Abroad

    What role did John Quincy Adams believe the United States should play on the world stage? Colleen Shogan talks with Lindsay Chervinsky about Adams the master diplomat, his life in Congress after his term as president, and a career that spanned from the Battle of Bunker Hill to the rise of Abraham Lincoln.  Featuring Lindsay Chervinsky, Ph.D., Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.  Read Chervinsky's essay on John Quincy Adams at Inpursuit.org  INFO: Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join. Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show. Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA. Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect. SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa  BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social  X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA

  8. Jun 2

    Dolley Madison Takes Command

    How did Dolley Madison create bipartisan possibilities under the glow of candle light? Colleen Shogan talks with Catherine Allgor about Mrs. Madison’s famous “Wednesday nights,” the turbulent politics of the early American republic, and the burning of the White House during the War of 1812.  Featuring Catherine Allgor, Ph.D., President Emerita, The Massachusetts Historical Society.  Read Catherine Allgor’s essay on Dolley Madison at Inpursuit.org  INFO: Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join. Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show. Watch all episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InPursuitUSA. Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect. SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/In-Pursuit-USA-61580409336588/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inpursuitusa/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inpursuitusa  BlueSkye: https://bsky.app/profile/inpursuitusa.bsky.social  X: https://x.com/InPursuitUSA

See All (13)

Trailer

4.6
out of 5
126 Ratings

About

We call it the American experiment, and over the last 250 years, we've learned a lot about what's worked.....and what hasn't. So what can we learn from Americans' quest to form a more perfect union? Join Colleen Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States, along with some of our nation's most prominent historians, journalists, and public servants as we go in pursuit of lessons from America's past to write the history of America's future.

Information

You Might Also Like