The Legislative Branch and Civic Engagement

Our podcast on the legislative branch and civic engagement focuses on the interactions between politicians and their constituents.  Do you know who your congressman is? Do you know who your two state senators are? Do you know how to reach them? Well we will get into all of this and more! Jeananne is joined by Bradford Fitch, the former CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. He has spent 40 years in Washington as a journalist, congressional aide, consultant, college instructor, Internet entrepreneur, and writer/researcher. He is a leading trainer of citizen-advocates in the U.S., with more than 50,000 Americans participating in one of his programs. Take a listen as there is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean BradfordFitch.com Find Your Members in the U.S. Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

In this podcast we continue our coverage of the civil rights movement with a discussion on Brown vs. The Board of Education.  Most of us know Brown v. Board of Education as the Supreme Court decision that struck down racial segregation in public schools. But what’s often forgotten is that this landmark case has deep roots in a place that, nearly a century earlier, was a battleground over the issue of slavery. That place? Kansas. As students of history, you may have heard the phrase “Bleeding Kansas." This wasn’t just a metaphor. From 1854 to 1859, the Kansas Territory became a war zone as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers fought over whether the state would enter the Union as free or slave-holding state. In an earlier episode, we discussed John Brown and his infamous raid on Harpers Ferry. And here's a little-known fact: Kansas had four competing constitutions during its territorial years. Yes — four! Each one representing a different vision of the state’s future. The debate over slavery wasn’t just national — it was hyperlocal, fought at the ballot box, in homes, and with rifles. When Kansas finally entered the Union in 1861, it did so as a free state — just months before the Civil War began. And a century later, it would once again become a frontline in the battle for civil rights, this time in the classrooms of Topeka. On this episode, our resident history expert, Jeananne Xenakis is joined by Ms. Fatimah Purvis, who serves as the Education Specialist at Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park in Topeka,  Kansas.

We continue our conversation on The Civil Rights Movement and in this podcast we delve into the story of Emmett Till. Emmett Till was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. We delve into his story and how it was a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement here in The United States.  We are joined by Devery Anderson, author of Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement (Race, Rhetoric, and Media Series): Anderson, Devery S., Bond, Julian: 9781496814777: Amazon.com: Books There is always more to learn! Talk to you soon, Jimmy & Jean  

With this podcast we begin our coverage of the Civil Rights Movement here in the United States. There will be multiple podcasts, which Jeananne will introduce some topics later on in this one.  To understand the importance of The Civil Rights Movement and why it was such an uphill battle to get legislation passed to protect voting rights, to desegregate schools and public facilities and allow for equal protection under the law, we have to go back to the era of Reconstruction and look at the journey from slavery to segregation.  We reference content from earlier podcasts, so if you want to take a refresher, go back and listen to our podcasts on: The Civil War (Parts 1 & 2) Reconstruction / Presidency of Andrew Johnson Booker T. Washington Plessy v. Ferguson & The Emergence of Segregation in the US Take a listen, there is always more to learn! -Jimmy & Jean

Season 6 is here, and with it comes an exciting opportunity to dive deep into the past of one of America's most iconic landmarks. The White House may just seem like a building, but its rich and layered history reveals so much more—untold stories of decisions that shaped the world, whispered conversations, and personal moments of the nation's leaders. Stewart McLaurin, White House Historical Association President, joins us for an incredible discussion on the history of The White House as we gear up to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of The United States of America. Imagine the secrets held within its walls—the lives of those who constructed it, the leaders who governed from its rooms, and the historic choices that forever altered the course of the country. Too often, these pivotal moments go unnoticed, lost to time. But there's a solution: Tune in to our newest discussion, led by our resident history expert, Jeananne Xenakis and Stewart McLaurin, White House Historical Association President. Together, they'll unpack "The History Of The White House," and explore the legacy of The White House.  If you're visiting Washington, D.C., make time for a visit to The White House Historical Association’s new immersive exhibit. Help preserve history and ensure future generations can experience its grandeur—visit their website to support their vital mission.  The People's House: A White House Experience: https://thepeopleshouse.org/  The White House Historical Association: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/

Well we all know the TV today, and there are a few hundred channels that we all gave access to today. We dive into the invention, the adoption by the population, the programming explosion, and some popular shows that became staples of the 1950s.    Shows like I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, The Honeymooners and more entertained the masses at the end of their work days.  The televsion became a must have in every home.  With the popularity of the programming came the inevitable insurgence of advertisers. It was a whole new media to use to get in front of the consumers. As you listen to this podcast, think how similar a time we live in today with the advent of social media, digital ads, and inflencer marketing!   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!   Jimmy & Jean

This podcast covers the polio outbreak in the 1950s, along with the subsequent vaccine invented by Jonas Salk.  We delve into the spread, the treatments, as well as the eventual vaccine created by Mr. Jonas Salk.  There is always more to learn, talk to you soon!   Jimmy & Jean

With this podcast, we complete our coverage of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  This is episode is the final of three parts. This episode delves into the foreign and domestic agendas of the Eisenhower presidency. We get into U2 spy planes, Russia and the Cold War, happenings in the Middle East with Iran and Egypt, along with issues with the Suez Canal. So many things to discuss in this IKE finale! We are joined by Dr Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum & Library. If you would like to take a look at their website and take a visit, here is the link! Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

We continue our coverage of General & eventually President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  This is episode is the second of three parts. This episode begins with the story of the election of 1952, how he came to be the nominee, and the 8 years of his presidency, along with the impact that President Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. Take a look at the fudge recipe we promised from Mamie! Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge Recipe We are joined by Dr Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Museum & Library. If you would like to take a look at their website and take a visit, here is the link! Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean

We begin our coverage of General & eventually President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  We will be braking these up into three parts. This first part will cover Eisenhower's earlier years at West Point, his military appointments, and all the way up to, but not including the election of 1952.   We are joined by Dr Todd Arrington, Director of the Dwight D Eisenhower Museum & Library. If you would like to take a look at their website and take a visit, here is the link! Home | Eisenhower Presidential Library   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! Jimmy & Jean