This American President

Over the past week, the world has seen and heard about horrible things coming out of Afghanistan. Decisions that were made in the White House over the past few administrations are now being scrutinized in light of these events, and as a podcast on presidents we wanted to provide some of that perspective given the news. To help to sift through all of this is Christopher Paul Meyer, a former Army intelligence soldier, recipient of a Bronze Star in Afghanistan, Artistic Director of Veterans Repertory Theater, and President of the Griesa Center for Veterans in the Arts.CHRISTOPHER PAUL MEYERwww.theweeklyhavok.podbean.com/www.vetrep.org/WAYS TO SUPPORTwww.operationrecovery.org/www.saveourallies.org/www.nooneleft.org/JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Ronald Reagan, the actor?!” exclaimed Doc Brown in the film Back to the Future when he learned that Ronald Reagan was President of the United States in 1985. Indeed, to many, the idea of the former B-movie actor as leader of the free world was an absurd idea. Few, however, would predict that this unlikeliest of presidents would alter the course of American history. In this episode, we cover Ronald Reagan’s rise to power and how he sought to do the unthinkable: win the Cold War and destroy Soviet communism forever.JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealScript Editor: Jennifer MazzellaProduction Intern: Kolyo VanchevContent Intern: Melina SpatharisArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every four years, someone loses the election for president of the United States. What is it like to suffer such an epic defeat? What do you do with yourself after suffering heartbreak on the world stage? In this episode, we interview Peter Shea and Tom Maday on their new book, In the Arena: A History of American Presidential Hopefuls, to find answers to these questions. Along the way, we learn about the fascinating figures who sought the nation's highest office and, fairly or unfairly, are forever remembered for coming up short.IN THE ARENAEnter the code PRES20 and receive 20% off your copy of In the Arena at www.trope.com/products/in-the-arenaJOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 8, 1974, President Nixon addressed the country to announce his resignation as President of the United States. In his address he concludes that it is evident he no longer has a strong enough political base in Congress to justify continuing his efforts to carry out his term. He acknowledges that the interests of the nation should come before personal considerations. He concedes that America needs a full-time President and full-time Congress and that it would be a distraction for him to continue as President. He ends by advocating for future peace among nations abroad and prosperity, justice, and opportunity for all at home. This is a part of a series of bonus episodes featuring full length presidential speeches.JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealProduction Intern: Kolyo VanchevContent Intern: Melina SpatharisArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1972, Richard Nixon was reelected as the 37th president in one of the greatest landslides in American history. Nixon had reached the pinnacle of his career yet this record breaking campaign had also planted the seeds of his spectacular downfall. That June, a group of operatives were arrested after a burglary into the Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. In time, it was revealed that these operatives were connected to Nixon's reelection campaign and that Nixon had personally conspired to cover up the entire affair. The Watergate scandal would consume Nixon's second term, and in the end he would resign in disgrace. In this episode, we interview Michael Dobbs, author of the new book King Richard: Nixon and Watergate--An American Tragedy.MICHAEL DOBBSwww.michaeldobbsbooks.com/JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealProduction Intern: Kolyo VanchevContent Intern: Melina SpatharisArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On February 28, 1972, President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon were welcomed home by Vice President Spiro Agnew after landing at Andrews Air Force Base following the return of their historic trip to the People's Republic of China. China had been closed off for over two decades from the rest of the world and many saw them as espousing a radical version of communism, one that was even more dangerous than that espoused by the Soviet Union. Richard Nixon had risen to the presidency with the reputation as a stern anti-communist, and yet he became the first American president to visit the People's Republic of China. The former anti-communist firebrand now saw himself as a statesman who would usher in a new era of peace. He had said in his first inaugural address, that "the greatest honor history can bestow is that of peacemaker", and when Richard Nixon returned from China, he believed he had attained that very title. This is a part of a series of bonus episodes featuring full length presidential speeches.JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealProduction Intern: Kolyo VanchevContent Intern: Melina SpatharisArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Richard Nixon took office in 1969, he sought nothing less than to remake American foreign policy. He sought to forge a new balance of power and earn a place among history’s greatest peacemakers. He would go on to monumental achievements, opening relations with China and signing treaties with the Soviet Union, but he would also suffer one of the greatest downfalls in modern history. In this episode, we cover his greatest triumphs and tragic end in the Watergate scandal.JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealScript Editor: Jennifer MazzellaProduction Intern: Kolyo VanchevContent Intern: Melina SpatharisArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Photography plays an indelible role in how we remember and define American presidents. Throughout history, presidents have actively participated in all aspects of photography, not only by sitting for photos but by taking and consuming them. In this episode, we interview Cara A. Finnegan on her newly released book Photographic Presidents: Making History from Daguerreotype to Digital. We discuss many iconic photos and the stories behind them, including the earliest photo of Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon's tense relationship with his photographer, and a curious story about photography's connection to George Washington.CARA A. FINNEGANwww.carafinnegan.comJOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On November 3, 1969, Richard Nixon delivered this address to the nation on the war in Vietnam. In this speech he assures the American people that he is taking all necessary measures to push towards peace and end the Vietnam War. He does not advocate withdrawing troops, but instead negotiating peace. President Nixon remains sympathetic to the American call for peace but pushes forward with steadfast intention to end the war and ensure stability in South Vietnam, seeking the support of the great silent majority. This is a part of a series of bonus episodes featuring full length presidential speeches.JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Nixon entered office during one of the most tumultuous times in American history. And he had a bold agenda to remake his country’s foreign policy. For the first time, a new form of realism would dictate America’s Cold War strategy. The first test of this new worldview would occur in the jungles of Vietnam.JOIN PREMIUMListen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremiumFOLLOW USwww.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresidentCREDITSHost: Richard LimProducer: Michael NealScript Editor: Jennifer MazzellaArtist: Nip Rogers, www.NipRogers.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.