In this episode of Mastering the Room, host Casey Burgat sits down with Sharon McMahon—former high school teacher turned powerhouse civics educator—to explore the art of making history matter in today’s fast-moving digital world. Sharon shares how the 2020 pandemic reshaped her career, leading her to build a dynamic, multi-platform media presence dedicated to factual, engaging, and accessible civic education.

Together, they unpack the challenges of creating high-quality educational content in an era of short attention spans, the impact of fear and conspiratorial thinking on political discourse, and the crucial role historians play in making sense of current events. Sharon also introduces her new book, The Small and the Mighty, a tribute to unsung heroes who have shaped history—because, as she reminds us, real change often starts with ordinary people stepping up.

From memorable conversations with political figures to lessons from historical changemakers like Septima Clark, this episode is a compelling deep dive into why understanding the past is key to shaping the future—and how working with adversaries might just be the secret to progress.

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SHARON'S LINKS:

• Website
• Instagram
• Latest Book: The Small & The Mighty
• "Here's Where It Gets Interesting" Podcast

TODAY'S TAKEAWAYS

• Sharon McMahon transitioned from teaching to media during the pandemic.
• The need for civics education has grown significantly.
• Diversifying content platforms is crucial for reaching wider audiences.
• Quality content creation requires significant time and effort.
• Engagement with the audience informs content direction.
• Teaching experience helps in breaking down complex topics.
• Ordinary people can have extraordinary impacts on history.
• The next needed thing is accessible to everyone.
• Social media's transient nature poses challenges for content creators.
• Sharon's book highlights unsung heroes in history. Historians have a unique perspective that allows them to see beyond the panic of daily news cycles.
• Desensitization can be countered by understanding historical context and actionable steps.
• Conspiratorial thinking often oversimplifies complex political motivations.
• Proving historical narratives can be challenging, but it's essential for scholarly rigor.
• Memorable interviews with political figures reveal the importance of personal connection in communication.
• Future projects can include public speaking and children's literature, expanding the reach of historical narratives.
• Lessons from history, like those from Septima Clark, emphasize the importance of collaboration across differences.
• Working with adversaries can lead to significant societal change and understanding.
• The role of storytelling is crucial in making history relatable and impactful.
• Engaging with history allows for a deeper understanding of current societal issues.

CHAPTERS

• 00:00 Introduction to Sharon McMahon
• 01:17 Sharon's Journey from Teacher to Influencer
• 03:01 The Impact of 2020 on Sharon's Career
• 04:50 Diversifying Platforms and Content Creation
• 07:50 The Challenge of Creating Quality Content
• 11:04 The Influence of Teaching on Content Creation
• 12:51 Favorite Topics and Teaching Moments
• 15:33 The Release of 'The Small and the Mighty'
• 18:25 Exploring Ordinary People Who Changed History
• 24:08 The Next Needed Thing: Making an Impact
• 28:10 The Historian's Perspective on Current Events
• 31:35 Understanding Fear and Desensitization
• 32:53 Conspiratorial Thinking in Politics
• 35:51 The Challenge of Proving Historical Narratives
• 40:05  Memorable Interviews and Political Insights
• 42:19 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations
• 45:49 Lessons from History: Working with Adversaries

ABOUT MASTERING THE ROOM

Mastering the Room is produced by the George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management and hosted by political analyst and professor Casey Burgat. In less time than the average D.C. morning commute, you'll get an inside take on today’s issues with information and perspectives you won’t get anywhere else.

MTR challenges guests to go beyond the Sunday show talking points and offer a deeper understanding of polarizing topics, discussing ideas that few have heard before.

Whether you agree with them or not, you’ll see unique arguments from surprising new angles. Packed with influencers, experts, and familiar names in DC and beyond, Mastering the Room is a podcast with access, connections, and proximity to power. 

To listen to vintage episodes from the original Mastering the Room podcast, click here.

ABOUT CASEY BURGAT

Mastering the Room host, Casey Burgat, is the Director of the Legislative Affairs program at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. 

Before joining GSPM, Dr. Burgat was a Senior Governance Fellow at the R Street Institute where his research focused on issues of Congressional capacity and reform. Mr. Burgat is known for his regular contributions to scholarly and journalistic publications, including CNN, the Washington Post, and Politico, and has appeared on various television and radio outlets. 

Dr. Burgat is the author of the 2025 Amazon best-seller  We Hold These "Truths," exploring society's myths and misconceptions about how government works (published by Authors Equity). He's also co-authored Congress Explained: Representation and Lawmaking in the First Branch, a textbook on all things Congress, published by Sage/CQ Press in the fall of 2022.