The Preamble

You hear on the news about immigration chaos in the United States, but what can be done to address the systemic issues, and the very real concerns of Americans? What was the driving force of the exclusion of some immigrant groups? And how has immigration changed over the years? Sharon McMahon is joined by author and expert, Ana Raquel Minian, to discuss her new book, In the Shadow of Liberty. Together, they dive into the history of immigration so we can better understand how to move forward. 

Special thanks to our guest, Ana Raquel Minian, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Mike Voulgaris

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are interested in the 1930s and 1940s, or have wondered how the rapid growth of authoritarianism in today’s political climate mirrors that of WWII, this is an episode for you. Sharon McMahon is joined by author Paul Sparrow to discuss his new book, Awakening the Spirit of America. It’s a story of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his surprising opponent, Charles Lindbergh, and their war of words. Learn how far back the “America First” slogan goes, and how persuasive language changed the course of history. 

Special thanks to our guest, Paul Sparrow, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think of prisoners on Death Row, what imagery comes to mind? Author of Too Close to the Flame, Joe Ingle, joins Sharon McMahon to talk about what it is like inside America's death penalty system. After spending 45 years working as a spiritual advisor to men and women on Death Row, Joe vulnerably shares his experiences of the final moments before they are executed, and sheds a light on how the legal system disenfranchises those who can not afford a lawyer. What is an alternative to the death penalty, and what might restorative justice look like?

Special thanks to our guest, Joe Ingle, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine walking into your polling place on Election Day, and openly declaring who you were voting for. That is exactly what today’s guest did when researching and writing his book, The Year of Living Constitutionally. Author A.J. Jacobs joined Sharon McMahon to share what it was like to live a year, interpreting the U.S. Constitution literally. What is in the Constitution, and what is not? From implementing in-home cursing laws, to carrying an 18th Century musket around Manhattan, you will love this entertaining experiment of how the Constitution impacts modern American democracy.

Special thanks to our guest, A.J. Jacobs, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following January 6th and the current political climate, some Americans fear there will be a “new Civil War.”  But what does that truly mean? If you are a lover of history, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. Author Erik Larson joins us to discuss his new book, The Demon of Unrest, which is set shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. Dive into the mindsets and captivating portrayals of leaders on the brink of a war that eventually killed 750,000 Americans, and injured millions more.

Special thanks to our guest, Erik Larson, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world of social media fights, keyboard warriors, and misinformation, it’s easy to feel disconnected, even among close friends and family. What if we rethink how we’re communicating to build better relationships and maintain connection? Former White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki, joins us to share lessons she’s learned about how to be an effective communicator with any audience, and growing through giving and receiving feedback. Join us for a peek behind the scenes, and practice listening to learn from one another – mistakes and all. 

Special thanks to our guest, Jen Psaki, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being a Pulitzer Prize winning presidential historian, knowing you had extraordinarily rare primary source material and Presidential memorabilia tucked away in the cellar of your own home… and not opening it for decades? Doris Kearns Goodwin joins us today to share her journey of exploring more than 300 boxes, alongside her husband of 42 years, Richard (Dick) Goodwin, that served as a time capsule of his service in the 1960s. In the relay race of democracy, you never know who will pick up the baton, and continue your work. Together, they have one last great adventure, a chance to reassess key historical figures, and a fresh perspective of the role young people play in the arc of history.

Special thanks to our guest, Doris Kearns Goodwin, for joining us today.

Host: Sharon McMahon

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder

Production Assistant: Andrea Champoux

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life in prison wasn’t enough for the Knights of Mary Phagan. They wanted Leo Frank to pay with his life, and they were going to make sure it happened. In Georgia, vigilante justice wasn’t new, but this time was different. This time, it would change the nation. Would the vigilantes actually get away with it? 

Join us for the final episode in this seven-episode series, The Vigilantes.

Special thanks to former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes for his time and contribution to this episode. 

Host/ Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder 

Writers: Amy Watkin, Sharon McMahon

Researched by: Kari Anton, Sharon McMahon, Amy Watkin, Mandy Reid, Melanie Buck Parks 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Georgia’s Governor knew his life was in danger when he made his ruling. Would he commute Leo’s sentence, or let him die by execution?. And just how far would the angry mob go to seek revenge for Mary’s death? The planning had already begun… and it wouldn’t take long for a deal to be made with the prison warden.

Join us for part six of this seven-episode series, The Vigilantes.

Host/ Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder 

Writers: Amy Watkin, Sharon McMahon

Researched by: Kari Anton, Sharon McMahon, Amy Watkin, Mandy Reid, Melanie Buck Parks 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Appeal after appeal, Leo Frank was running out of options. With a new lawyer joining his defense team – the same lawyer who earlier represented the man who testified against Leo – the tide began to turn. Witnesses were coming forward, a new explanation for the murder note comes to light, and the story is making national news. With only days remaining before the scheduled execution, would time be on his side?

Join us for part five of this seven-episode series, The Vigilantes.

Special Thank You to the American Jewish Archives in Cincinnati and the Kenan Research Center in Atlanta for their generous assistance in finding and sharing letters sent to Leo and Lucille Frank, his family, and to the Governors of Georgia, as well as the state legislature.

Host/ Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

Audio Producer: Jenny Snyder 

Writers: Amy Watkin, Sharon McMahon

Researched by: Kari Anton, Sharon McMahon, Amy Watkin, Mandy Reid, Melanie Buck Parks 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.