Presidents Unplugged
Presidents Unplugged is a lively and insightful podcast hosted by high schooler Ty Svenson, who revitalizes the stories of America’s presidents, whether powerful, forgotten, or fallen. Each week, Ty explores the triumphs, struggles, and pivotal moments that shaped the Oval Office and the nation it leads.
From George Washington’s courage and Theodore Roosevelt’s rugged spirit to the shocking assassinations that forever changed history, Presidents Unplugged examines the legacies behind every U.S. leader, one episode at a time. Ty combines captivating storytelling with quick, engaging lessons that make presidential history easy to grasp and impossible to forget.
Each episode addresses questions like:
• How did assassinations influence the presidency?
• Which leaders left a lasting impact on America’s identity?
• What myths about our presidents still fool people today?
• And what lessons can we learn from their successes and failures?
Tune in every Friday at 1 PM for a fresh look at American leadership, past, present, future, and everything in between.
Follow @presidents_unplugged on Instagram or visit presidentsunplugged.com to listen, learn, and explore the history that shaped our nation.
Episodes
34 episodes
Season Three Sneak Peek
Season Three of Presidents Unplugged dives into moments of fear, power, and transformation that shaped the nation. From the uncertainty of Y2K to the foundations laid by James Madison, and from civil rights to modern presidencies, this season s...
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Season 3
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2:44
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year: A Christmas Special
This Christmas special of President’s Unplugged takes a step away from elections and executive orders to explore how American presidents have celebrated the holiday season. From quiet, reflective Christmases during times of war to joyful White ...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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18:18
#28 The Fight For Lasting Peace
In this episode, Ty breaks down the complicated life and presidency of Woodrow Wilson, a leader shaped by his Southern upbringing and his relentless drive for achievement. You’ll hear how Wilson’s rise from scholar to governor to president fuel...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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21:01
#3 Contradiction and Controversy
Thomas Jefferson remains one of America’s most celebrated yet debated founders. In this episode, we explore the sharp contradictions between his soaring words about liberty and the complicated realities of his personal life and presidency. From...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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22:26
Pilgrims, Pardons, and Progress; A Very Presidential Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving special follows the holiday’s journey from the Pilgrims’ earliest expressions of gratitude to the way it evolved into a national moment of unity. It highlights how, even in times of deep division, from Washington’s era to Linc...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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18:47
537 Votes: The Election of 2000
The Election of 2000 became one of the most controversial and dramatic presidential races in American history, ending in a razor-thin contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore. The episode covers the chaos that followed Election Night, includi...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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29:09
A Single Vote: The Election of 1876
The election of 1876 was one of the closest and most contested races in American history, decided by a single electoral vote. As a weary nation struggled with corruption, division, and the lingering questions of Reconstruction, two governors, R...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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17:08
Corruption and Rivalry: The Elections of 1824 and 1828
In a young nation still shaping its identity, the elections of 1824 and 1828 exposed the raw ambition and bitter rivalry at the heart of American politics. What began as a contested vote turned into accusations of corruption and a political feu...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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17:11
#35 Shots In Dallas: November 22nd 1963 (Part 5 of 5)
November 22, 1963, began as a bright, hopeful day for President John F. Kennedy and the people of Dallas. But within seconds, tragedy struck, and America was left in disbelief. In this President’s Unplugged episode, the finale of our Spooky ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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21:02
#16 The Bullet on the Balcony (Week 4 of 5)
In this haunting fourth episode of the Spooky Month of Assassinations, we step inside Ford’s Theatre on the tragic night of April 14, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, so close to the end of the Civil War, sat beside Mary Todd, enjoying the play
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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20:45
#25 The Last Handshake (Part 3 of 5)
In this episode of President’s Unplugged, we examine the life and tragic death of William McKinley, the president whose kindness and openness defined his leadership, and ultimately caused his downfall. From his brave service in the Civil War to...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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17:43
#20 Where's The Bullet? (Part 2 of 5)
In this episode, we uncover the tragic and avoidable death of President James A. Garfield. What began as a shocking assassination attempt in a D.C. train station turned into an 80-day medical nightmare that exposed the flaws of 19th-century med...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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18:29
Almost Fatal (Part 1 of 5)
In this chilling kickoff to our Spooky Month of Assassinations, we explore the presidential assassination attempts that came terrifyingly close to changing history. From Andrew Jackson beating his attacker with a cane to Theodore Roosevelt fini...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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16:41
#29 Why Am I Here?
In this episode of President’s Unplugged, Ty Svenson dives into the life and presidency of Warren G. Harding, the man who once admitted he wasn’t fit for the job. From small-town Marion, Ohio, to the biggest office in the land, Harding’s journe...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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17:23
#42 Saxophones, Success, and Scandal
Bill Clinton, America’s 42nd president, defined the 1990s with energy, charisma, and controversy. From his rise as the youngest governor in U.S. history to his ability to connect with everyday Americans, Clinton brought hope, charm, and one of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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15:53
Charlie Kirk: The True American Patriot
In this heartfelt tribute, we reflect on the life, faith, and legacy of Charlie Kirk, who passed away on September 10th, 2025, at just 31 years old. From founding Turning Point USA to sparking tough conversations on college campuses, Kirk becam...
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10:05
Towers, Terror, and Tragedy
On September 11th, 2001, the United States was shaken by the deadliest terrorist attack in its history. From President George W. Bush’s quiet morning in a Florida classroom to the chaos in New York, the Pentagon, and the heroism aboard Flight 9...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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16:42
Season 2 Sneak Peak
A sneak peek into the Second Presidents Unplugged Season. This season is not only packed with events but also with information and stories you've never heard before. All on Presidents Unplugged Season Two. First episode airs ...
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Season 2
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1:26
#7 The Dueling Dangerous Democrat
Andrew Jackson was a president like no other, tough, unpredictable, and downright wild. From duels that nearly killed him to decisions that shook the nation, Jackson lived on the edge both on and off the battlefield. This episode dives into his...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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18:42
Q&A Special - Presidents Unplugged
In this special Q&A episode of President’s Unplugged, Ty addresses some of the wildest and thought-provoking questions from the community. From swearing parrots and pet raccoons in the White House to the reasons Franklin D. Rooseve...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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17:53
#34 I Like Ike
On this episode of President’s Unplugged, we explore the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower, five-star general, Korean War President, and one of the most trusted leaders in American History. From his Kansas roots to being a commanding general,...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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21:34
#37 Rise, Fall, Resignation - More Than A Scandal
In this episode of Presidents Unplugged, Ty Svenson delves deeper into the life and legacy of Richard Nixon, beyond the scandal that overshadowed his presidency. From a humble Quaker upbringing to his determined rise through politics, Nixon’s s...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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19:32
Against All Odds: The Making of Donald Trump
In this first installment of our three-part series on Donald J. Trump, we explore his unlikely path to the presidency from his privileged upbringing in Queens to his rise as a real estate mogul and reality TV star, and ultimately, to his shocki...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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17:17
#22 & #24 Non-Consecutive Difficulties
In this episode of Presidents Unplugged, we explore one of only two men in American history to serve two nonconsecutive terms as president: Grover Cleveland. From his rise as a reformer fighting political corruption to the unusual defeat and co...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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17:36
#18 Reconstruction And Resolve
Ulysses S. Grant entered the presidency as a celebrated general, yet his true challenges began in office. In this episode of Presidents Unplugged, we explore Grant’s complex and often underestimated time in the White House. He championed Re...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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17:35
