What if today’s leading voices took a fresh look at the lives of America’s presidents and first ladies—searching for lessons that still speak to the challenges we face now? That’s the idea behind In Pursuit, a new initiative to discover history’s greatest lessons by revisiting America’s first 250 years and distilling insights that can inspire and inform our future.

Bringing together former presidents and first ladies alongside historians, scholars, and cultural leaders, In Pursuit offers clear, accessible reflections on leadership, character, and civic responsibility—grounded in history, but aimed squarely at the present moment.

In this episode, Dr. Colleen J. Shogan shares how this ambitious project came to life—and why revisiting the American story may be essential to shaping its next chapter.

In Pursuit

https://www.inpursuit.org

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What American president would take a demotion and become a congressman after leaving the White House? The answer is John Quincy Adams. In this episode, we interview Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers, about his new book on America's sixth president. 

America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick

https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Founding-Son-President-Political/dp/1638932603

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President Trump has ordered strikes on Iran. In this episode, scholar Randall Fowler discusses how we got to this critical moment. He examines the history of U.S.–Iran relations — from the 1953 coup and the 1979 Islamic Revolution to sanctions, nuclear diplomacy, and today’s military action — with a focus on how each American president shaped the path to this moment.

More Than a Doctrine: The Eisenhower Era in the Middle East

https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Doctrine-Eisenhower-Middle/dp/1612349978

Securing the Prize: Presidential Metaphor and US Intervention in the Persian Gulf

https://www.amazon.com/Securing-Prize-Presidential-Metaphor-Intervention/dp/1643365509/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

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On January 3, 2026, the United States captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, ending his corrupt reign over the South American country. What led President Donald Trump to order this dramatic intervention? 
Franklin Camargo is Venezuelan-American political commentator who fled his native country in 2019. In this episode, Camargo discusses his remarkable journey, the capture of Maduro, and what Venezuelans really think about America.

https://www.prageru.com/presenters/franklin-camargo

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FDR is often ranked by historians as one of the two or three greatest presidents. In recent years, he sometimes lands at the top spot. In this episode, Professor David T. Beito explores whether that ranking is deserved.

FDR: A NEW POLITICAL LIFE

https://www.amazon.com/FDR-Political-David-T-Beito/dp/1637700695

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If J.D. Vance gets elected to the White House in 2028, he will be the first president in over a century to have facial hair. In this episode, Theodore Pappas discusses the surprising history of hair and the American presidency. 

COMBING THROUGH THE WHITE HOUSE: HAIR AND ITS SHOCKING IMPACT ON THE POLITICS, PRIVATE LIVES, AND LEGACIES OF THE PRESIDENTS

https://www.amazon.com/Combing-Through-White-House-Presidents/dp/1400246156

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Richard shares an update on his book project.

https://www.richardmlim.com

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Why is there evil in the world? How do you stop it? In this episode, No Spin News host Bill O'Reilly discusses his new book about the most evil people in all of history.

CONFRONTING EVIL: ASSESSING THE WORST OF THE WORST

https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Evil-Assessing-Worst/dp/1250374049/ref=sr_1_3

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Some of the biggest myths in American history center around the lives of the presidents. In this episode, historian Larry Schweikart tackles some of the biggest misperceptions about America's chief executives.

A PATRIOT'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES: FROM COLUMBUS'S GREAT DISCOVERY TO AMERICA'S AGE OF ENTITLEMENT

https://www.amazon.com/Patriots-History-United-States-Entitlement/dp/1595231153/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

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“His single minded mission was to elevate the United States as a leading world power… he was dedicated to the ideal of American greatness.”

That is how today's guest, Bret Baier, describes President Theodore Roosevelt in his new book, To Rescue the American Spirit. In this episode, we interview Mr. Baier on how Roosevelt shaped the American Century.

TO RESCUE THE AMERICAN SPIRIT: TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND THE BIRTH OF A SUPERPOWER

https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-American-Spirit-Superpower-Presidential/dp/0063360756

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In this episode, we interview Allen Estrin, the co-founder and executive director of Prager University, about the life of Charlie Kirk and about Estrin's new book on the presidents of the United States.

THE HONEST BOOK OF PRESIDENTS: THE MEN WHO SHAPED AMERICA

https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Book-Presidents-Prager-University/dp/0063430274/

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