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The UNTOLD Emotional Struggles of History’s Most Powerful Men | Ron Chernow (PT. 1)

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Jun 18, 2025

Guest

Ron Chernow

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow, known for his insightful works on iconic figures like Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, as he discusses the emotional struggles of history's most powerful men. The conversation reveals how personal challenges shaped their leadership and decision-making. Chernow emphasizes that true strength lies in understanding emotions, not repressing them, while sharing poignant stories of complex relationships and the interplay between public personas and personal vulnerabilities.

50:41

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INSIGHT

Washington's Achieved Stoicism

George Washington had a naturally high temper that he mastered through reflection and self-command.
His ability to control his passions made his stoicism impressive and earned over many years.

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INSIGHT

Philosophy Bridges Time

Philosophy connects us to past ages and enriches our present.
Reading allows us to converse with the dead and harvest wisdom across centuries.

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ANECDOTE

Difficult Parents Shape Leaders

Most people Ron Chernow wrote about had difficult or absent fathers shaping their emotional control.
They learned early to govern emotions dealing with challenging or distant parents.

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Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Lessons from History and Business

39:24 • 3min

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The Resolute Leadership of History

42:04 • 9min

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The Emotional Turmoil and Relationships of a Historical Genius

51:03 • 6min

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Brilliance without emotional control is often a recipe for destruction. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow, whose acclaimed biographies on Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, John D. Rockefeller, and most recently, Mark Twain have reshaped our understanding of American greatness. Ron and Ryan talk about how these men’s deepest personal struggles and their ability to manage emotion became the defining factor in their lives and legacies.

Ron Chernow is the prizewinning author of seven previous books and the recipient of the 2015 National Humanities Medal. His first book, The House of Morgan, won the National Book Award, Washington: A Life won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, and Alexander Hamilton—the inspiration for the Broadway musical—won the George Washington Book Prize. He has twice been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and is one of only three living biographers to have won the Gold Medal for Biography of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Ron’s latest book is on the fascinating and complex life of American writer Mark Twain.

Follow Ron on Instagram: @RonChernow

📚 Grab signed copies of Ron Chernow’s books about Mark Twain, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and John D. Rockefeller, at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/

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