Episodes

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Brook Manville, author of The Civic Bargain: How Democracy Survives, discusses the concept of leadership in a democracy. He emphasizes that democracy is fundamentally a bargain, a system of self-governance where citizens act as checks on one another's power, ensuring that no single individual or "boss" can dominate. Drawing upon historical examples from Athens, Rome, and Great Britain, Manville highlights the challenges democracies face as they grow in s...

This podcast episode features an interview with Dr. Colleen Shogan, the director of the National Archives and Records Administration. Dr. Shogan discusses the importance of effective leadership and communication, particularly in her role overseeing a vast collection of historical records. She emphasizes the need for clear and direct communication, especially when delivering difficult messages. Dr. Shogan also reflects on her career path, highlighting the influence of her academic background in p...

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, General David Petraeus and historian Andrew Roberts discuss the art of leadership, drawing from their book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine. They explore the timeless principles of strategic leadership, emphasizing the importance of getting the big ideas right, communicating them effectively, overseeing their implementation, and adapting to changing circumstances. Through examples from history, including Napoleon, George III, and C...

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Dr. Patrick Spero interviews General John Allen, a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general, about his views on leadership. General Allen defines leadership as the means to accomplish difficult tasks and emphasizes the importance of humility, service, and respect. He shares his personal experiences, from his early days as a Marine officer to his strategic command roles, highlighting the influence of his father and the lessons he learned from his nonco...

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Representatives Steve Womack and Pat Ryan, two elected officials on opposite sides of the aisle, discuss their views on leadership. They emphasize the importance of integrity, direction, and leading by example, drawing on their military experiences to illustrate these principles. Both congressmen reflect on the challenges of leadership in a polarized political landscape and the complexities of making difficult decisions that balance party loyalty with th...

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Dr. Patrick Spero interviews Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett Packard. She discusses her experiences at AT&T and HP, highlighting the challenges of leading change within large organizations. Fiorina also reflects on the role of technology in leadership and the importance of preserving history in the digital age. The conversation also touches on Fiorina's views on corporate responsibility and her vision for the 250th anniversary of the American Rev...

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Jessie MacLeod, Associate Curator here at George Washington's Mount Vernon. The two discuss the behind-the-scenes details that went into creating the acclaimed exhibition, Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Alissa Oginsky, Manager of Teacher Programs and 2016 Mount Vernon History Teacher of the Year award winner. The two discuss the residential programs for teachers at the estate as well as the various forms of outreach and resources the education department produces for those outside of the region. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support ...

In this episode, Dr. Kevin C. Butterfield sits down with Dr. Mary Sarah Bilder, Founders Professor of Law at Boston College Law School, to discuss her latest research regarding Eliza Harriot Barons O'Connor who played a pivotal role during the Constitutional Convention. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Kevin C. Butterfield sits down with author Richard Brookhiser to discuss his newest book, John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Supreme Court. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Access Services Librarian Samantha Snyder sits down with Julie Almacy, Manager of the Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows program, to discuss the impact of this life changing experience for students as well as the process for how to apply for future fellowship classes. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Anthony King, Library Projects Assistant at George Washington's Mount Vernon and co-producer/sound engineer of the Conversations at the Washington Library Podcast. The two reflect on the previous year recording the podcast since they took administrative and creative control over the series. From all of us here at Mount Vernon, have a happy Thanksgiving! For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voi...

In this episode, Access Services Librarian Samantha Snyder sits down with author and Library research fellow George Goodwin to discuss his latest findings regarding Benjamin Franklin, espionage, and the propaganda dealings in Europe in the American Revolution. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Access Services Librarian Samantha Snyder sits down with Adam Erby, Associate Curator at Mount Vernon, to discuss the his favorite items in the collection as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the process in interpreting the mansion. For more information check out our website www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, we take a spook-tacular tour of Mount Vernon's history, featuring stories and voices from across the ages. Happy Halloween from all of us here at Mount Vernon! For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Kevin C. Butterfield sits down with Washington Library research fellow Dr. Daniel Livesay to discuss his recent book, Children of Uncertain Fortune: Mixed-Race Jamaicans in Britain and the Atlantic Family, 1733-1833, as well as his new research topic about the treatment of elderly slaves in the Chesapeake region. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast...

In this episode, Dr. Kevin C. Butterfield sits down with Washington Library research fellow Mark Tabbert to discuss his latest research regarding George Washington and his membership in/relationship with Freemasonry. For more information check out our website www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the opening of the Washington Library, current Executive Director Dr. Kevin C. Butterfield sits down with Dr. Douglas Bradburn, the former Founding Director of the Library and now President and C.E.O. of George Washington's Mount Vernon. The two discuss the highlights of the Library's history, the important events and acquisitions, as well as the future of the facility. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/po...

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Steve Bashore, the Director of Historic Trades at George Washington's Mount Vernon. The two discuss the history and operations at the Distillery & Gristmill, including the popular line of whiskey products produced on-site. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Access Services Librarian Samantha Snyder sits down with Ph.D. candidate at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and Washington Library research fellow Krysten Blackstone to discuss her fellowship experience. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Assistant Professor of History at the William Woods University and former Washington Library research fellow Dr. Craig Bruce Smith to discuss his new book, American Honor: The Creation of the Nation's Ideals during the Revolutionary Era. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Associate Professor of American History at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Library research fellow Robert Paulett to discuss his research regarding maps and the Proclamation of 1763. For more information check out our website www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Stoltz sits down with Scott Miller, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Virginia and a former Washington Library research fellow, to discuss his latest findings regarding the economy of the early American Republic. For more information check out our website at www.mountvernon.org/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mountvernon/support

In this episode, Mount Vernon's Vice President of Education Allison Wickens sits down with Valerie Shull, a 23-year veteran teacher of the Douglas School District in Box Elder, South Dakota and current Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings educator for the Rapid City Area Schools in Rapid City, South Dakota. In their conversation, they discuss Shull's time at Mount Vernon as a teacher fellow as well as her main research project, connecting the Lakota Values with George Washington. For more info...