57 episodes

The Washington Post's Presidential podcast explores how each former American president reached office, made decisions, handled crises and redefined the role of commander-in-chief. It was released leading up to up to Election Day 2016, starting with George Washington in week one and ending on week 44 with the president-elect. New special episodes in the countdown to the 2020 presidential election highlight other stories from U.S. presidential history that can help illuminate our current moment. Hosted by Lillian Cunningham, the series features Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers like David McCullough and Washington Post journalists like Bob Woodward. [When you're done, listen to Lillian's other historical podcasts: Constitutional and Moonrise]

Presidential The Washington Post

    • History
    • 4.4 • 3.6K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

The Washington Post's Presidential podcast explores how each former American president reached office, made decisions, handled crises and redefined the role of commander-in-chief. It was released leading up to up to Election Day 2016, starting with George Washington in week one and ending on week 44 with the president-elect. New special episodes in the countdown to the 2020 presidential election highlight other stories from U.S. presidential history that can help illuminate our current moment. Hosted by Lillian Cunningham, the series features Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers like David McCullough and Washington Post journalists like Bob Woodward. [When you're done, listen to Lillian's other historical podcasts: Constitutional and Moonrise]

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘Somebody knows’

    The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘Somebody knows’

    Forty years ago, the body of a prime minister went missing. The Post’s Martine Powers asks: Who’s responsible?

    • 51 min
    Introducing “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop”

    Introducing “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop”

    Grenada’s revolutionary leader was executed in a coup in 1983, with seven others. The whereabouts of their remains are unknown. Now, The Washington Post’s Martine Powers uncovers new answers about how the U.S. fits into this 40-year-old Caribbean mystery.

    • 3 min
    Listen to the first episode of “Field Trip”: Yosemite National Park

    Listen to the first episode of “Field Trip”: Yosemite National Park

    Lillian Cunningham begins her journey in the place that helped inspire the national parks. As wildfires threaten Yosemite’s giant sequoias, she asks how to ensure the survival of these ancient trees. Follow "Field Trip" to hear the whole series.

    • 55 min
    Introducing “Field Trip”

    Introducing “Field Trip”

    Journey through the messy past and uncertain future of America’s national parks. The Washington Post’s Lillian Cunningham ventures off the marked trail to better understand the most urgent stories playing out in five iconic landscapes today.

    • 3 min
    A sneak peek from Lillian

    A sneak peek from Lillian

    Exclusively for listeners of “Presidential,” Lillian Cunningham shares news about her new podcast. You don’t want to miss this.

    • 56 sec
    BONUS | Happy Presidents’ Day! Or … not?

    BONUS | Happy Presidents’ Day! Or … not?

    Students, teachers and historians reflect on what has changed — and should change — about the way we teach presidential history today. This special episode features presidential experts Barbara Perry and Julian Zelizer, “How the Word Is Passed” author Clint Smith, and the AP government and politics class of teacher Michael Martirone.

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
3.6K Ratings

3.6K Ratings

Dinee74801 ,

Good overview of them all.

I’m up to Harrison and enjoying so far. The content added by each expert is a good addition. I like the format with each prez getting the same amount of time whether they served one term or 4. Just enough to make a listener go find out more if there is one you’re really interested in….or want to go on a blind date with.

Jackrabbit49er ,

Solid content, OK production

Overall this is a very informative podcast. The only outlier is the Trump episode. It was published just 3 days after the 2016 election, so it can be forgiven for being so different. However, since the Biden episode follows the general format of the series, an updated Trump episode would be great.

Some of the interviews have audio so poor that you have to adjust the volume between interviewer and interviewee.

badyouthpastor ,

Lots to learn

I learned so much about some of the obscure presidents. I walked away with a greater respect and appreciation for the men who have held the office.

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