History That Doesn't Suck

173: From Hyde Park to the White House: The Early Life and Election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Feb 10, 2025

Explore the remarkable journey of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from his privileged upbringing to his political ambitions. Discover how personal challenges, including polio and a troubled marriage, shaped his resilience. Witness his evolution into a promising leader through his impactful speeches and strategic campaigning. The podcast highlights his efforts during the Great Depression and the emergence of his 'New Deal' agenda, emphasizing a powerful message of courage and unity in the face of adversity.

01:11:24

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Franklin D. Roosevelt's early challenges, including polio and personal crises, shaped his resilience and determination for political leadership.

Eleanor Roosevelt's unwavering support during Franklin's illness highlights her strength and personal evolution amidst their complicated marriage.

Roosevelt's presidential campaign promises a transformative 'New Deal', emphasizing government intervention to restore hope during the Great Depression.

Deep dives

Setting Goals and Planning for Success

Setting realistic goals is critical for personal and financial success. The podcast discusses how successful individuals often create specific plans to achieve their objectives, such as writing projects or investment goals. For instance, the host emphasizes the importance of having an editor to provide feedback and deadlines while working on a book. This approach helps maintain focus and accountability, illustrating that a structured plan is beneficial regardless of the context.

Intro

2min

A Life Altered: FDR's Health Crisis

8min

The Early Years of Franklin D. Roosevelt

7min

Roosevelts: Love and Ambition

14min

Resilience and Political Ascendance

29min

The Call for Courage and Unity in Crisis

5min

The Rise of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Early Life and Political Journey

2min

“First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-–nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

This is the story of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s journey to the White House.

Even as a young boy, Franklin admires his fifth cousin Theodore Roosevelt and wants to follow in his footsteps. He seems to have a knack for it too. He attends the same schools. He serves in many of the same political positions. Even his failures only seemed to build his prestige. Ever congenial and likable, Franklin appears to have the world on a string.

Then the challenges arrive. Franklin’s affair rocks his and Eleanor’s marriage. Polio robs him of his physical strength, vigor, and ability to walk. As an independently wealthy Roosevelt, he has every excuse to fade into the background.

But that isn’t who Franklin is. As Governor of New York, he’s as aggressive in fighting off the Great Depression as he is in fighting off the challenges of polio. Is he onto something? Is his “New Deal” what the nation needs? That’s a question for the American people to decide in 1932 as he runs for the White House.

Our gratitude to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum for its rich collection of speeches and other writings. Learn more at FDRlibrary.org.

____

Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and

go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations
join discussions in our Facebook community
get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette
come see a live show
get HTDS merch
or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.

HTDS is part of Audacy media network.

Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

History That Doesn't Suck

173: From Hyde Park to the White House: The Early Life and Election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Setting Goals and Planning for Success

The Life-Altering Diagnosis of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt's Support and Resilience

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Path to Political Comeback

The New Deal and Franklin's Vision for America

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts