Listening to America

#1502 Ten Things About the Supreme Court

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Clay Jenkinson present ten things about the Supreme Court. Mentioned on this episode. Subscribe to the Thomas Jefferson Ho...

#1501 4th of July

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week by three friends and contributors to The Thomas Jefferson Hour: Brad Crisler, Lindsay Chervinsky and Joseph Ellis for a rousin...

#1500 Vince from Uvalde

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recently the Thomas Jefferson Hour was contacted by long term listener Vince DiPiazza, the city manager of Uvalde, Texas. Vince wrote, "My community i...

#1499 The Enlightenment with Joseph Ellis

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson and Joe Ellis discuss the Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement that happened between 1680 and 1840 that believed in rational...

#1498 The Cost of War

07 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Swenson speaks with President Jefferson about the cost of the American Revolutionary War, the aid France provided to America, and Jefferson's po...

#1497 Ten Things About Theodore Roosevelt (Part Two)

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the second of two shows devoted to Theodore Roosevelt, Clay Jenkinson and Lindsay Chervinsky discuss Roosevelt's accomplishments and his shortcomin...

#1496 Ten Things About Theodore Roosevelt (Part One)

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson and Lindsay Chervinsky discuss Theodore Roosevelt's accomplishments and his shortcomings, including his great contributions to conserva...

#1495 National Bank

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David speaks with President Jefferson about the "original argument" between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton concerning whether or not the Unit...

#1494 Ten Things About John Jay

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Clay Jenkinson discuss John Jay, the American statesman, patriot, diplomat, Founding Father, abolitionist, and signatory o...

#1493 Plato's Republic

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Swenson speaks with President Jefferson about Plato's Republic and American democracy. This program originally aired in 2016.  Clay will be pe...

#1492 Ten Things About King George III

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Clay Jenkinson discuss King George III and his effect on the American Revolution. According to the British historian George...

#1491 American Character

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Swenson speaks with President Jefferson about the American character, both as citizens and as a nation. This program originally aired in May of ...

#1490 Ten Things About Benjamin Rush

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Clay Jenkinson discuss Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father who signed the Declaration of Independence. Rush was the force ...

#1489 The Field of Blood with Joanne Freeman

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson welcomes Yale Professor of History Joanne Freeman for a one on one conversation about her new book, The Field of Blood: Violence in Con...

#1488 Ten Things About Benjamin Franklin

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky and Clay Jenkinson discuss Benjamin Franklin. When Franklin was asked what the U.S. Constitution would provide, he answered, "A...

#1487 In Pursuit of Jefferson with Derek Baxter

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Clay Jenkinson welcomes the author Derek Baxter to discuss Baxter's recently published book, In Pursuit of Jef...

#1486 Ten Things About Crossing the Delaware

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson and Lindsay Chervinsky discuss ten things about an event rather than an individual: the crossing of the Delaware River by George Washin...

#1485 HMS Endeavour with David Nicandri

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Nicandri joins us to discuss the possible discovery of the HMS Endeavour, Captain James Cook's famous research vessel. The ship was used by Cook...

#1484 Ten Things About James Monroe

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson and Lindsay Chervinsky discuss James Monroe, America's fifth president. He is perhaps best remembered for issuing the Monroe Doctrine, ...

#1483 Jason Miyares: Attorney General of Virginia

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Miyares became the 48th Attorney General of Virginia on January 15, 2022. Clay Jenkinson spoke with him shortly before he took office to discuss...

#1482 Dead Pool with James L. Powell

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay welcomes James L. Powell, author of Dead Pool: Lake Powell, Global Warming, and the Future of Water in the West. They discuss whether there will ...

#1481 Bet the Farm with Beth Hoffman

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson is joined by Beth Hoffman, author of Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America. Hoffman and her husband left succe...

#1480 Ten Things About Lafayette

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay Chervinsky joins us to discuss the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was only 19 years old when he arrived in America, and had no combat experie...

#1479 Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson with Darren Staloff

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clay is joined by Darren Staloff, the author of Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of Enlightenment and the American Founding. In this incisive ...

#1478 Patrick Henry with John Ragosta

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Henry is often referred to as "the voice of the Revolution." He played a vital role in helping to launch the Revolution and was a leading anti...

#1477 Ten Things About Abigail Adams

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay Chervinsky joins Clay Jenkinson this week for the next in a series of programs titled "Ten Things". The conversations center on historical fig...

#1476 Henry Laurens and the Tower of London

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a special conversation between the creator of the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Clay Jenkinson, and his daughter Catherine, home from England for ...

#1475 Happy New Year

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We take a look back at the many conversations we had during this past year. We hear from President Jefferson on a number of subjects, including the ev...

#1474 Ten Things About Alexander Hamilton

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay Chervinsky joins Clay Jenkinson this week for the first of a series of programs titled "Ten Things." The conversations center on historical fi...

#1473 Our First Civil War with H.W. Brands

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We present a special conversation between Clay Jenkinson and best-selling author, historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands. They discuss Bra...

#1472 November Losses with Joseph Ellis

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This show was recorded on November 22, 2021 with special guest, author Joseph Ellis. We speak about the significance of the date. Then, we answer list...

#1471 Inn at Meander

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, we are joined by three favorite friends of the Jefferson Hour this week: Beau Wright, Pat Brodowski and Bra...

#1470 James Madison with Jay Cost

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jay Cost, author of the new book James Madison: America's First Politician, joins Clay Jenkinson this week to discuss the book and share insights on t...

#1469 Locked Down

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with President Jefferson about how the Articles of Confederation led to the creation of our Constitution. Jefferson also answers questions fr...

#1468 Triumph and Tragedy with Joseph Ellis

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Joseph Ellis joins us this week for further discussion about his new book, The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents. For more ...

#1467 Majority Rule with Lindsay Chervinsky

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome back Dr. Lindsay M. Chervinsky to discuss her recent post "How Did the Senate End Up With Supermajority Gridlock?" She and Clay talk about ...

#1466 Tread on Me

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

President Jefferson answers questions submitted by listeners on a wide range of topics including Monticello, West Point and the military, the three fi...

#1465 The True Story with Russ Eagle

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The creator of The Thomas Jefferson Hour, Clay Jenkinson, is joined this week by his good friend Russ Eagle. Russ shares the true story of Clay's rece...

#1464 Jouett's Ride

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We spend this week answering listener questions, including one asking us to discuss Jack Jouett. On June 3, 1781, Jouett made a 40-mile "midnight ride...

#1463 Petrification with David Nicandri

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson and David Nicandri discuss Thomas Jefferson's fascination with the mammoth, and his hope that Lewis and Clark would find living specime...

#1462 The Cause with Joseph Ellis

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, an in-depth and revealing conversation with Joseph Ellis about his new book, The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents, 1773-1...

#1461 Circular to the Heads of Departments

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with President Jefferson about his "Circular to the Heads of Departments," a memo he wrote dated November 6, 1801 which provides insight into...

#1460 The Enlightenment with Lindsay Chervinsky

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The noted author and historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky joins Clay Jenkinson this week for a discussion about the Enlightenment. Together they try to an...

#1459 Madison's Journals

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When reading Thomas Jefferson's correspondence, one often sees examples of his belief that the less government, the better. In this week's episode, Pr...

#1458 Voting Rights

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson is once again joined by the author and historian Joseph Ellis for a program of answering listener questions, including one on Jefferson...

#1457 A Poem from the Garden

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay answers listener questions and discusses the photographer Edward Curtis, and David shares a bit of a poem sent to us by Jack Preston, a 94-year-o...

#1456 Written in Your Heart

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jefferson answers listener questions about his classification systems, and Monticello's gardens and water supply. Jefferson offers advice to a young w...

#1455 Thomas Paine with Lindsay Chervinsky

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Paine wrote a bestselling pamphlet, became derided by Americans for his alleged atheism, and was almost killed during the French Revolution. Li...

#1454 Peaceful Transition

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're replaying a conversation from January 2018 about the peaceful transition of power in our American system of government. In this episo...

#1453 Fourth of July Questions

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome back the noted author and historian Joseph Ellis this week to join with Clay Jenkinson and respond to the many questions we received from l...

#1452 Lewis and Clark Extras

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson recently lead a conference for the Smithsonian that introduced attendees to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The lecture was brimming wi...

#1451 Presidential Tech

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome back the scholar and author Lindsay Chervinsky to discuss her recent piece about Presidents and their technology. The conversation covers t...

#1450 In the Garden

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Prompted by a listener request, we speak with President Jefferson about gardening and his love of plants. Thomas Jefferson once said, "No occupation i...

#1449 Second and Fourth

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week the annual Thomas Jefferson Hour Independence Day show with Clay Jenkinson and Joseph Ellis. Ellis makes the case that John Adams was right ...

#1448 American Narrative

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, a discussion with President Thomas Jefferson about the American narrative. The conversation was prompted by an article in the Atlantic maga...

#1447 The History of D.C. with Lindsay Chervinsky

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're pleased to welcome back the noted author and historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky. She and Clay discuss how Washington, D.C. became a constitutionall...

#1446 The Signers

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson is once again joined by the author and historian Joseph Ellis for a program answering listener questions, including inquiries about the...

#1445 No Enlightenment, No America

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

President Jefferson answers listener questions including comments about American views of British monarchy, Jefferson's thoughts on the work of Edmund...

#1444 The Language of Cottonwoods

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, an interview with Clay S. Jenkinson about his new book, The Language of Cottonwoods. You can pre-order Clay's new book at Amazon, Target,...

#1443 Washington and Jefferson

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week by the noted author and historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky. She and Clay S. Jenkinson have a lively and insightful discussion abo...

#1442 Questions and Books

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay answers listener questions, including inquiries about Jefferson and infrastructure, and about books mentioned on the show. Find this episode, alo...

#1441 On Citizenship

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we speak with President Jefferson about American immigration policy during his time and ours, as well as the requirements to gain citi...

#1440 Enslavement

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week by the author and historian Professor Joseph Ellis. He and Clay have an in-depth discussion about the Founding Fathers and the...

#1439 Mutual Strength and Advantage

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk with President Jefferson about the British point of view of rebellion in America which eventually led to the Revolutionary War. The ...

#1438 The Gun Men

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson is joined this week by author Joseph Ellis for a lively discussion about popular American conspiracy theories and gun rights in America...

#1437 Jefferson's Birthday

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We wish President Thomas Jefferson a happy 278th birthday this week and discuss possible gifts for him: books and wine. Jefferson also speaks about hi...

#1436 Appointments and Disappointments

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with President Thomas Jefferson this week about his cabinet, particularly about his Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin. President Jef...

#1435 Rebellion Revisited

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Clay responds to listener mail, including many comments regarding a previous show about Shays' Rebellion, and what Jefferson's reaction woul...

#1434 Joe Mail

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Clay Jenkinson, the creator of the Thomas Jefferson Hour, and the author Joseph Ellis answer questions from listeners about the make up of t...

#1433 Sedition Act

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with President Thomas Jefferson this week about the Sedition Act of 1798. Jefferson points out the importance of free speech and says that "i...

#1432 Leadership and Character

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For this Thomas Jefferson Hour Zoom Town Hall, we're discussing presidential leadership and character. We take questions directly from attendees, incl...

#1431 A Little Rebellion

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with President Jefferson about an armed uprising that occurred in Massachusetts in 1787 known as Shays' Rebellion. We ask Jefferson about an ...

#1430 Argument Is the Answer

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are joined this week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour by the respected author Joseph Ellis in a robust discussion about the Constitution, beginning wit...

#1429 I Have Some Questions

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clay S. Jenkinson answers listener questions and speaks about the Wall Street Journal's erroneous reporting of Jefferson's impeachment (he was not imp...

#1428 A Few Plain Duties

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

President Jefferson speaks about the challenges he encountered during his first term as president, and offers his guiding principle that he views gove...

#1427 Jefferson's First Cabinet

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

President Thomas Jefferson joins us this week to discuss the formation of his first cabinet. He had a great deal of experience having attended nearly ...

#1426 Jefferson's First Inauguration

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

President Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as our third President on March 4, 1801. He was dressed simply, wearing nothing that would distinguish him fro...

#1425 The Transition

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 dominated the thoughts of most citizens last week. Clay Jenkinson offers his own thoughts and histor...

#1424 The Bill of Rights

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we present an edited audio version of a Zoom town hall meeting recorded on December 15, 2020, the 229th anniversary of the ratification of ...

#1423 New Years 2020

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we take a look back at the many conversations we had during this past year. We hear from President Jefferson on a number of subjects, inclu...

#1422 Christmas 2020

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In spite of the fact that President Jefferson didn't really celebrate Christmas, this week we present our annual Thomas Jefferson Hour Christmas show....

#1421 The Two Jeffersons

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the one hand, Jefferson wrote perhaps the most important American directive: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equ...

#1420 HannaLore Hein

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We present a fascinating conversation with HannaLore Hein, who in 2019 became Idaho's first woman state historian. Clay Jenkinson and Hein discuss her...

#1419 Our Weariness

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We begin this week with a discussion about Clay Jenkinson's online public humanities course, The Future of Constitutional Democracy, and spend time re...

#1418 Captain Cook

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Clay Jenkinson interviews the author David L. Nicandri about his new book, Captain Cook Rediscovered: Voyaging to the Icy Latitudes. Nicandri speaks a...

#1417 After the Election with Joseph Ellis

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded on November 6, 2020, three days after the election, Clay Jenkinson and Joseph Ellis share their thoughts on the recent presidential election ...

#1416 What Just Happened?

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On November 4, 2020, the day after the election, The Thomas Jefferson Hour held a Zoom "Town Hall" to hear our listeners share their thoughts on the P...

#1415 Opinions and Principles

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Jefferson speaks about his election to the Presidency and the delays in certification as the 3rd President, al...

#1414 A Nation Divided

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour, along with some listener questions, we present a discussion with Clay Jenkinson and Joe Ellis about the upcomi...

#1413 Jefferson the Lawyer

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Jefferson practiced law from 1767 until early 1774. Much of his work involved land disputes, however one case in April of 1770 found him acting...

#1412 His Excellency

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by author Joseph Ellis to discuss his work chronicling the Founding Fathers. This week, we're focusing on his 2004 biography, His Excelle...

#1411 Supreme Court

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we speak with President Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by humanities scholar Clay S. Jenkinson) about the Supreme Court. Jefferson tells us ...

#1410 Monticello Overtime

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Clay recently joined Monticello Senior Historian Ann Lucas for "Getting Noticed on the Lewis and Clark Trail," a public Zoom conference during which C...

#1409 American Sphinx with Joseph Ellis

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Joseph Ellis joins us this week in the first of a series of conversations discussing his work as a historian chronicling the Founding Fathers. We begi...

#1408 Aaron Burr

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week our guest Laura Gordon of Seattle, Washington speaks with Thomas Jefferson about Aaron Burr, who served as Jefferson's Vice President from M...

#1407 Our Perilous Contest

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with Thomas Jefferson about a letter he wrote to John Adams in October of 1813 in which Jefferson argues against Adam's support of aristocrac...

#1406 Election of 1800

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Thomas Jefferson Hour Clay Jenkinson and Professor Joseph Ellis discuss what Ellis calls the "dirtiest election in American history; ...

#1405 Monuments Response

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In an earlier program, the Thomas Jefferson Hour presented a discussion between Clay Jenkinson and Professor Joseph Ellis about monuments and the pote...

#1404 Humor Me

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thomas Jefferson Hour creator Clay S. Jenkinson has returned from his annual Lewis and Clark tour, and gives us a report on the trip along with update...

#1403 Power and Dissent

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We speak with President Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by humanities scholar Clay S. Jenkinson) this week about public dissent and the powers of the p...