
Presidential
The Washington Post's Presidential podcast explores how each former American president reached office, made decisions, handled crises and redefined the role of commander-in-chief. It was released leading up to up to Election Day 2016, starting with George Washington in week one and ending on week 44 with the president-elect. New special episodes in the countdown to the 2020 presidential election highlight other stories from U.S. presidential history that can help illuminate our current moment. Hosted by Lillian Cunningham, the series features Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers like David McCullough and Washington Post journalists like Bob Woodward. [When you're done, listen to Lillian's other historical podcasts: Constitutional and Moonrise]
Latest episodes

6 snips
Mar 6, 2016 • 31min
William Henry Harrison: Great song, horrible death
Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri, along with Barbara Bair and Dr. Philip Mackowiak, deconstruct Harrison's transformative presidential campaign and debunk the myth of what killed him after only 32 days in office.

11 snips
Feb 29, 2016 • 39min
Martin Van Buren: The story of our two-party system
Martin Van Buren did much to create the political party establishments we have today. Experts Barbara Bair and Mark Cheathem, along with Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza, examine his mark on modern politics.

12 snips
Feb 21, 2016 • 46min
Andrew Jackson: The violence, the fight
In this podcast, historian Barbara Bair, radio host Steve Inskeep, and historian Jon Meacham delve into the tragic and violent life of Andrew Jackson. They discuss his brutal battles, policies against Native Americans, and the complexities of his relationships. They explore Jackson's impact on America, his grassroots campaign for the presidency, and his belief in limited government. The podcast also examines Jackson's land policy, slavery, and the shifting views of his legacy over time.

16 snips
Feb 14, 2016 • 46min
John Quincy Adams: The trait that broke a presidency
Learn about John Quincy Adams' presidency, his challenges in working with Congress, and his legacy of anticipation and integrity. Discover why he is not considered one of the great presidents and explore the art of compromise in presidential leadership.

11 snips
Feb 7, 2016 • 41min
James Monroe: The Forrest Gump of presidents
Explore the fascinating life and legacy of James Monroe, from his involvement in the American Revolution to his presidency. Discover his tour across the country, bringing the presidency closer to the people. Learn about his handling of the slavery issue and the significance of the Monroe Doctrine as a timeless American foreign policy. Reflect on the death of James Monroe and the end of the era of founding fathers.

11 snips
Jan 31, 2016 • 39min
James Madison: Burning down the house
Explore the legacy of James Madison, his impact on executive power, and his journey to the presidency. Discover his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, political beliefs, and views on the current political impasse. Delve into Obama's approach to decision-making and its impact on supporters. Reflect on the similarities and differences between the Obama and Madison presidencies, Madison's post-presidential life, and his concerns for the American Republic. Learn about Dolly Madison's financial difficulties, a former slave's memoir, and get a preview of the next episode.

78 snips
Jan 25, 2016 • 44min
Thomas Jefferson: On food and freedom
Jon Meacham and Annette Gordon-Reed discuss Thomas Jefferson's complex legacy, exploring his presidency, the Declaration of Independence, and his ownership of slaves. They also delve into Jefferson's political tactics, his impact on America, his interest in science and exploration, and his contradictory stance on slavery.

34 snips
Jan 18, 2016 • 34min
John Adams: The case of the missing monument
In the second episode of Presidential, biographer David McCullough as well as noted art and architecture experts explore why there's no monument to John Adams in Washington, DC -- and how that omission shapes our sense of his legacy.

103 snips
Jan 10, 2016 • 50min
George Washington: The man, the myth, the legend
Who exactly was our first president? Bob Woodward, Joel Achenbach and Julie Miller kick off our first episode of Presidential.

Jan 5, 2016 • 3min
Introduction: Welcome to Presidential
Preview the Washington Post podcast, with clips from upcoming episodes and an overview of the series by host Lillian Cunningham.