Solo Episodes

In 1845, President John Tyler ratified the first U.S. treaty with China: the Treaty of Wanghia. Almost 180 years later, this little-known treaty is a tough lesson on how China views the U.S. and why the CCP willingly takes ad...

When people hear "Josiah Bartlett," they may think of the U.S. President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet from the popular TV show The West Wing . But what about the ancestor of this fictitious but impressive U.S. President? In the secon...

This week, we learn how the little-known case, Jacobson v. Massachusetts, can provide lessons and insight on the importance of upholding representative democracy and balancing public safety and civil liberties. Support the sh...

Welcome to the first episode of the Sacred Honor Series! To begin this new series, we learn about how this signer went from wealthy businessman to the presiding officer during the adoption and signing of the Declaration of In...

This coming Sunday marks the 245th birthday of America and anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing. Sherman performs a public reading of this historic document as part of a tradition that dates as far back as J...

For our first Flag Day episode, we remember the ideals represented by the American flag and the journey that this flag has been on for more than 240 years. Amid contemporary turmoil and divisions, we can stand for the flag …

This week, Sherman answers your questions on a variety of topics ranging from the national debt to sports in the third Q&A episode. Thank you to all who submitted questions! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/friendsfe...

President Lincoln rightfully deserves major credit for keeping the Union during the Civil War. But there is one man who not only could've been our 16th President, but also the Secretary of State in charge of keeping foreign i...

With so many various activities, current events, and issues for Members of Congress to take on, the congressional schedule is always a packed one! Learn what Congress's schedule roughly looks like, why it's significant, and w...

The First Transcontinental Railroad was truly a revolutionary project that created new towns, made transportation easier, and helped define America during and after the Civil War. But within such a gargantuan government-suppo...

With the most recent disputes continuing between the European Union and the UK on the distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine, public health and the global economy is undermined. With the EU acting so immaturely, how importan...

As the education landscape still grapples with school closures and budget cuts, Sherman makes a prediction on how much higher education will change after the COVID-19 pandemic. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/friend...

A Senate-confirmed position of national cyber director was included in the most recent National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Listen to the top five priorities that this position should take as the cyber realm and cyber t...

What can and should we look forward to in 2021? To clear the fog of petty politics, we can strive to find a path forward for America this year. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/friendsfellowcitizens)

Newly and overwhelmingly confirmed Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has excellent military expertise and a life of public service. But how does his confirmation and those of former Secretaries of Defense James Mattis and Geo...