Celebrating America 250: Thomas Jefferson, Life, Influences, & Monticello

In honor of Women's History Month, we wanted to do a little something with our First Ladies, the wives of our Presidents. In part one, we will cover: Martha Washington Abigail Adams Dolly Madison Luisa Adams Abagail Fillmore Mary Todd Lincoln Frances Cleveland We are joined by Andrew Och, known as The First Ladies Man for a special two-part series on The First Ladies. Andrew Och was a producer of First Ladies: Influence and Image on C-SPAN. He has traveled the country researching the lives and legacies of these extraordinary women - from Martha Washington to Melania Trump. He is the author of two books on The First Ladies. Unusual for Their Time: On the Road With America's First Ladies Volumes 1 and 2. On this episode, Andrew shares the stories, leadership and lasting impact of the women who have served as First Lady of The United States of America. His books are available for purchase through his website and on Amazon.  The First Ladies Man There is always more to learn! Jimmy & Jean  

This podcast is part of our America 250 highlights and takea a deeper dive into Thomas Jefferson.  While we did do a podcast on his presidency, this episode focuses on his life, influences, the Declaration of Indelendence, and his Monticello estate.  We are joined by Steve Light, the Vice President for Education and guest experience at Monticello.   There are some links below to take a look at after the podcast if you wish to learn more about Monticello. There is always more to learn! Talk to you soon, Jimmy & Jean Monticello.org offers an incredible variety of resources for students, educators, and lifelong learners. From virtual programming and book discussions to classroom materials and immersive field trip opportunities, their work brings Jefferson’s world and the broader story of early America to life in meaningful ways. We highly recommend exploring the links below and taking time to dive into all they offer. And if you ever have the opportunity to visit Monticello in person, it is truly a must-see. I recently had the opportunity to visit Monticello. Walking the grounds, taking in the breathtaking views, and hearing the powerful, moving stories of all who lived and labored there creates a profound experience. There is something deeply intimate about stepping inside someone’s home — you leave with a richer, more nuanced understanding of who Jefferson was and the complex legacy he left behind. If you value thoughtful, honest history and educational outreach, please consider making a donation to support Monticello’s ongoing mission.   Monticello | Thomas Jefferson's Home Monticello | Declaration Book Club Monticello | School Field Trips 

In this episode of US History Repeated, we continue our discussion with Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Garrow and just what Dr King's rise to national prominence cost him—and what his unfinished work still asks of us. In Part Two, of our discussion, we explore how the public perception of King changed as his message grew more challenging, why his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War cost him political allies, and how his vision expanded to include economic justice through the Poor People’s Campaign. We’ll also confront the final days of his life and his assassination. Our thanks to historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Garrow for helping us bring depth, nuance, and historical clarity to this conversation.  David J. Garrow is a distinguished historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author best known for Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a landmark biography that remains one of the most authoritative studies of Dr. King and the modern Civil Rights Movement.   To see all of his published works please visit his website   David J Garrow | Professor, Author   There is always more to learn! Jimmy & Jean

In this episode of US History Repeated, we’ve traced the early life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—from the influences that shaped him, to the emergence of his leadership, and through the pivotal campaigns that helped bring about the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. These victories are often remembered as moments of triumph, but they were also the beginning of a far more complicated chapter in King’s life and in the nation’s story. There was a lot to cover and we decided to break this one into two parts. In Part Two, we’ll step into that complexity. We’ll explore how the public perception of King changed as his message grew more challenging, why his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War cost him political allies, and how his vision expanded to include economic justice through the Poor People’s Campaign. We’ll also confront the final days of his life and his assassination. Our thanks to historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Garrow for helping us bring depth, nuance, and historical clarity to this conversation. If today’s episode showed how Dr. King rose to national prominence, the next will ask what it cost him—and what his unfinished work still asks of us. David J. Garrow is a distinguished historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author best known for Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a landmark biography that remains one of the most authoritative studies of Dr. King and the modern Civil Rights Movement.   To see all of his published works please visit his website   David J Garrow | Professor, Author   There is always more to learn! Jimmy & Jean

Tghis episode is about the history of the US Capitol Building, and is part of our #US250 podcast specials.  Jeananne interviews Steve Livengood, Chief Guide & Historian at the US Capitol Historical Society.  We provide great detail on the design, building, rebuilding, and how it operates from its beginnings to this very day. The US Capitol Building is the home of the legislative branch, was once the home of The US Supreme Court and has been the backdrop of some of the most important discussions and debates over issues that have shaped our nation.    As promised, here are some of the links we mention in this podcast: Links Become a Member Individual Membership / Support USCHS | U.S. Capitol Historical Society   Donate to The USCHS DonorPerfect Form   Educational Videos We The People Constitution Program: Video | USCHS   Teacher Resources We The People Constitution Program   Webinars Lectures + Webinars / United States Capitol History | USCHS   There is always more to learn! -JImmy & Jean  

This podcast is on the life and work of Thurgood Marshall. Most of us know Thurgood Marshall as the first black justice of the US Supreme Court, but we do not know is the road he took to get into that role.  We discuss how he bacame a lawyer, the many influences in his life, his time at the NAACP, and how he came to be a Supreme Court Justice. Take a listen, there is always more to learn, Jimmy & Jean

We pivot back to our coverage of the civil rights movement and in this episode we focus our attention to the Montgomery Bus Boycott & Rosa Parks. We are joined by Donna Beisel who is the Director of Museum Operations at The Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. This episode discusses themes related to racial violence, discrimination, and sexual assault, including references to cases Rosa Parks worked on during her time with the NAACP. These topics may be sensitive for some listeners. Please take care while listening and feel free to pause or step away if needed. For your reference this is discussed from the 15 min - 17 minute mark.   There is always more to lear - talk to you soon,  Jimmy & Jean

We have been going mainly chronologically thus far, and with 2026 being the 250th anniversary of our country, we decided to mix in some different types of episodes to recognize where we have been, along with reminders of how we got there, and what we need to do to keep it going!   Today's podcast title, It Starts with Us: Keeping Democracy Alive for the Next 250 Years, delves into the responsibilities we have as citizens to stay educated and remember that the power is in the hands of the people. We assign that power to our elected officials in order for them to represent US! Today, Jeananne is joined by Ira Chaleff   Ira and Jeananne discuss open dialogue with people who have differing views, not being closed off to other opinions, and more importantly, educating yourself with the viewpoints from the political left, center, and right.   There is always more to learn, talk to you soon! -Jimmy & Jean

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. His most recent book was just published, Citizen's Handbook for Influencing Elected Officials: Engaging with Congress and State Capitols and can be found on Amazon with the link above.    Take a listen as there is always more to learn!   -Jimmy & Jean Additional Guest information: 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.