In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, biographer and journalist Sally Bedell Smith explores the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II’s father George VI, who unexpectedly became king after his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. Smith explores what leadership looks like in the modern British monarchy and the impact George VI had on his daughter Elizabeth. Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is hosted by Washington Library Executive Director D

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, attorney and legal analyst Elie Honig explores the origins, mission, and evolving role of the U.S. Department of Justice. While the DOJ is meant to operate independently of politics, its integrity has long depended less on constitutional mandates than on norms, traditions, and the people entrusted to uphold them. Tune in to examine what principled leadership looks like within this powerful arm of the executive branch—and why it ultimately requires presid

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy , historian and best-selling author Max Boot reflects on the insights he gained while writing the first definitive biography of President Ronald Reagan. From a turbulent childhood to his unlikely rise as a Hollywood leading man, Reagan’s early experiences shaped a leadership style that would eventually carry him to the highest office in the land. Boot explores how Reagan’s willingness to compromise—often overlooked—became a cornerstone of his enduring leg

This live episode was recorded at Mount Vernon as part of The American Military at 250: The 2025 George Washington Symposium. Retired Marine Corp General and former Chief of Staff John Kelly, the 78th Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller the Honorable Kathleen Miller discuss the American military today in this panel conversation moderated by Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washingt

This live episode was recorded at Mount Vernon as part of The American Military at 250: The 2025 George Washington Symposium. In this conversation, Lindsay Chervinsky and Kori Schake discuss the history of civil-military relations from George Washington to today. Dr. Schake leads the foreign and defense policy team at the American Enterprise Institute, and is the author of The State and the Solider: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States. Leadership and Legacy: Conversations

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy , historian, professor, and author Zara Anishanslin explores how art became a powerful form of leadership and resistance in London during the American Revolution. Through striking symbolism and emotional imagery, little-known Patriot artists transformed their creative talents into tools of protest, inspiration, and even espionage, revealing how art shaped the fight for independence in unexpected ways. Tune in for new insights into the hidden power of art,