The Preamble

 In this episode, Sharon shares the story of the shortest American presidency in our nation’s history. William Henry Harrison was an American military officer and politician who served as the ninth president of the United States, elected during the 1840 election. Harrison became the first president to die in office just one month after taking the Oath of Office. Harrison was the last U.S. president born under British rule and became a pioneer of the American Whig Party during his presidential campaign. Not only was William Henry Harrison’s untimely death caused a riff controversy in the capital about the role of the vice president upon the death of the president, and the decisions that resulted ultimately set a precedent we still uphold in our democracy today. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

 In this episode, Sharon sits down for an uncomfortable conversation with bestselling author and Emmy-nominated host, Emmanuel Acho. Known for his viral web series and book, “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” Emmanuel is no stranger to navigating difficult conversations surrounding race in the United States. Emmanuel and Sharon dive head first into topics such as white privilege, teaching our children about race and the key messages of the social justice movement. Taught with grace, wisdom and unshakeable determination, Emmanuel provides tactical ways to combat ignorance, administer justice and treat others with empathy. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

In this episode, Sharon takes Ashley LeMieux on a tour of the world’s most spectacular fair, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. The World’s Columbian Exposition was a fair like none other. Located in Chicago on a 690-acre fairground, the exposition attracted over 27 million people. The fair dazzled visitors with 200 extravagant buildings and palaces, impressive spectacles of electric lights, the world’s first ferris wheel and exact replicas of the Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria (Columbus’ ships). Fair visitors never went hungry and were introduced to foods such as Cracker Jacks, hot dogs, brownies, Quaker Oats and cream of wheat. The World’s Columbian Exposition changed U.S history, architecture and culture in a profound way. Join Sharon and Ashley as they uncover the mind-boggling story of Chicago’s World Fair and the lasting impact it had on the world.  For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

In this episode, Sharon tells listeners about an incredible woman that is often left out of  the history books: Rebecca Brown Mitchell of Idaho. Rebecca was known to have a “fire in her bones” that fueled her deep passion for education and justice. Rebecca’s story begins on the dirt-floor of an abandoned saloon in Idaho Falls. There, she taught the town’s children how to read and write, and she hosted weekly Sunday School. Flashing forward a few years, Rebecca established the town’s first school and church, became deeply involved in the Idaho State legislature and led a women’s rights movement within the state. Here is the story of how Rebecca Brown did it all and eventually gained Idaho women the right to vote nearly twenty years earlier than the rest of American women were granted the same right. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

In this episode, Sharon tells Kristina Kuzmic the story of Soichi Sakamoto, a man from Hawaii who became an Olympic swim coach when he didn’t even know how to swim himself. After teaching his boy scout troop to swim, Soichi set out on a new life’s mission: to coach Olympic swimmers. He started the Three Year Swim Club, promising his students that they would be world-class swimmers within three years. His swim club was made up of impoverished children, many of whom did not have bathing suits or enough food to sustain them through practice. As well, because he didn’t have access to a pool, Soichi resorted to teaching his first students in the water-filled ditches of Hawaiian sugar plantations. Despite the many challenges, Soichi did whatever it took to raise up Olympic athletes - from feeding them his own meals to inventing new ways to train his swimmers. This is the story of Coach Soichi Sakamoto and his journey to the 1948 Olympics. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

In this episode, Sharon sits down with author and speaker Jen Hatmaker to address the challenges of confronting firmly held beliefs, how to grow and adapt without abandoning your identity, and giving yourself the permission to explore. If you are trying to reconcile new and old ideas amid growth and change, dive into this riveting and humorous discussion between Jen and Sharon. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

In this episode, Sharon is joined by Senior Master Sergeant Wanda Joell, the first African-American woman to serve as a flight attendant on Air Force One. Wanda gives an insider’s look into the most exclusive plane in the world - describing what the inside of Air Force One looks like and sharing stories about the various U.S presidents she served.  Throughout her 24 years of service, Wanda welcomed four presidents - George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama - aboard Air Force One. Wanda explains her unique responsibilities as a flight attendant, such as cooking the presidents’ favorite meals from scratch, and describes what it was like to be in close quarters with presidents during important moments in history. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

In this episode, Sharon and therapist Faith Cade dive into the world of mental health and self-care. While a conversation about bubble baths and spa trips would be fun, Faith shares something so much better - how to implement practical self-love into your life. Faith explains what self-care really is and how self-affirmation can replace the negative voice inside our head with a voice that is hopeful and empowering. As well, Sharon and Faith speak on the immense responsibility we all carry: the responsibility of our personal mental health. This episode covers how we can address the anxiety and overwhelm we may be feeling from the past year by setting boundaries, protecting our emotions and practicing joyful and meaningful rest everyday. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

Sharon sits down with Belinda Luscbome, TIME Magazine Editor and author of “Marriageology,” to examine the inner workings of modern journalism in America. As a veteran journalist with over 30 years under her belt at TIME Magazine, Belinda provides a wise perspective on the fate of journalism in the digital world, the importance of fact checking, how to identify credible news sources and the impact money really plays in the editorial process. Coming off the heels of one of the most controversial elections in American history, Sharon and Belinda also participate in a discussion about the value of journalism in a capitalist society. For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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

Having a civil conversation about politics in our polarized society seems to be a near-impossible task these days. But why? In this episode, Sharon and hosts of Pantsuit Politics Beth and Sarah talk about how we can have kind, thoughtful and compassionate political discussions on and offline. Beth and Sarah talk about the political polarization we face today and why people get so up-in-arms about politics. Their answer: We care so much because we care about each other.  When we realize this, we are able to diffuse arguments and have political discussions with friends and family members that are centered around connection and relationship. Sharon, Beth and Sarah teach us how to have fruitful political conversations with our friends and family - even if they hold opposite views. Political conversations can be enriching, relationship-building and thought-provoking. There is so much to learn in this episode - let’s dive in! For more information on this episode including all resources and links discussed go to https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 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