Podcast Episodes

Hannah Van Buren’s Journey from Dutch Heritage to American History

Season 19 Episode 35

Though Hannah Van Buren died nearly twenty years before her husband’s presidency, her life reflected the sweeping historical forces of early America. Sharon unpacks the Dutch roots of New Amsterdam (…

Published on 5 hours ago

The Scandalous Second Marriage of Rachel Jackson

Season 19 Episode 34

Despite being one of Sharon’s least-favorite Presidents, she explores the lifelong, and at times scandalous, love and devotion between President Andrew Jackson and his wife, Rachel. It's a story of a…

Published on 1 week ago

The Diplomatic Prowess of Louisa Adams

Season 19 Episode 33

Stepping into the White House at the close of the Founding Fathers’ era, London-born Louisa Adams became the nation’s first foreign-born First Lady. In an age of prosperity shadowed by growing politi…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Presenting: The C-Word

With every episode, Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett take you on a historical deep dive into the life of a woman society dismissed by calling her mad, sad, or just plain bad: Lindsay Lohan, Judy Garlan…

Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago

The Quiet Bravery of Elizabeth Monroe

Season 19 Episode 32

Sharon delves into the fascinating yet often overlooked life of Elizabeth Monroe. As First Lady, her health struggles and preference for formality set her apart, leaving a unique legacy that redefine…

Published on 3 weeks ago

Hostess in Chief: Dolley Madison's Impact on American Society

Season 19 Episode 31

It’s time to meet the woman who set the gold standard for the role of First Lady. With her natural charm and lively spirit, Dolley Madison hosted countless gatherings for Washington’s elite, turning …

Published on 4 weeks ago

Martha Jefferson and the Women of Monticello

Season 19 Episode 30

Thomas Jefferson’s wife Martha died nearly twenty years before he took office, yet history still lists her as an official First Lady. Jefferson never remarried, but two very important women supported…

Published on 1 month ago

Abigail Adams Abroad

Season 19 Episode 29

Today, we’d call them the ultimate power couple. Abigail Adams, one of America’s most beloved First Ladies, sets sail across the Atlantic to join her husband, John, in the glittering city of Paris. B…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Secrets of the Two Theodosias

Season 19 Episode 28

Sharon takes us into the intertwined lives of the two women who shaped Aaron Burr. Their stories reveal brilliant minds, an unquenchable hunger for knowledge, the griefs of motherhood, and the weight…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

The Life of America’s First Lady Martha Washington

Season 19 Episode 27

Sharon explores the life of America’s first First Lady, Martha Washington, highlighting the many ways she shaped her family, the presidency, and the nation itself. Though the formal title of “First L…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago