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
68 episodes
#16 A House Divided
In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life and leadership of Abraham Lincoln, from his humble beginnings to the presidency during America’s greatest crisis. We’ll follow his rise through politics, his powerful words, and the defini...
Leadership in Action: A Presidential Look at Leadership
What can four of America’s most influential presidents teach us about leadership? Inspired by Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Leadership in Turbulent Times, "Leadership in Action" explores the stories of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt...
“I'm Not A Crook!” The Watergate Special
The Watergate scandal remains one of the most infamous political scandals in American history, ultimately leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. From a seemingly lackadaisical break-in to secret recordings and mysterious informa...
#13 Compromise, Conflict, and Canyons
Millard Fillmore entered the presidency with an enormous task: to hold together a nation being torn apart by slavery and sectional conflict. In “Compromise, Conflict, and Canyons,” we follow Fillmore from his humble beginnings and unexpected ri...
#43 Bushisms, Terrorism, and Conservatism
George W. Bush’s presidency was shaped by defining moments that tested both his leadership and the nation, from the tragedy of 9/11 to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and eventually the financial crisis of 2008. In this episode, we also explor...
#6 Skinny-Dipping, Corrupt Bargains, and Expectations
John Quincy Adams spent his entire life striving to live up to the extraordinary expectations placed upon him. In this episode, we follow his journey from gifted diplomat and Secretary of State to the controversial Election of 1824, his difficu...
#17 Impeachment, Inheritance, and Intentions
Andrew Johnson inherited one of the most difficult presidencies in American history after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, stepping into the enormous challenge of rebuilding a nation after the Civil War. In this episode of Presidents Unplu...
#19 Telephones, Teetotalers and Turmoil
Rutherford B. Hayes is often remembered for one of the most controversial elections in American history, but there is far more to his story than a single electoral vote. In this episode of Presidents Unplugged, we explore the life of a Civil Wa...
#23 The Guy in Between
Benjamin Harrison is often remembered as the president sandwiched between Grover Cleveland’s two terms, but he left behind a far greater legacy than many realize. In this episode of Presidents Unplugged, we explore his service as a Civil War ge...
#250 With Liberty and Justice for All
"#250 With Liberty and Justice for All" celebrates America’s 250th anniversary by exploring the triumphs, trials, and defining moments that have shaped the nation’s story. From the Revolutionary War to the challenges of the modern era, this spe...
#14 The United Anomaly
Franklin Pierce entered the White House carrying deep personal tragedy and a nation growing more divided by the day. Often remembered as one of America’s most overlooked presidents, Pierce struggled to hold the country together as tensions over...
#21 Ports, Pants, and Predicaments
This week we look at Chester Arthur, a man many Americans never expected to become a successful president. After the assassination of James A. Garfield, Arthur entered the White House under a cloud of suspicion, with critics fearing he represen...
#31 Caught On Camera
This week's episode is about Herbert Hoover. A president stuck between a rock and a hard place during one of the most difficult economic times in American history. Will Hoover's legacy be defined by the four years he was in the White House? Or ...
#5 Eras, Doctrines, And Good Feelings
In this episode, we explore the life and presidency of James Monroe, a leader who helped guide America through a period of growing confidence and national unity. From the “Era of Good Feelings” to the Monroe Doctrine, Monroe’s presidency left a...
#30 The Sound Of Silence
In this episode, we dive into Calvin Coolidge, a quiet president leading through a roaring time. How did a president with so little to say leave such a major impact on the Roaring Twenties? Whether we’re talking about personal tragedy, sweet lo...
#38 Who Are You?
This episode dives into the unexpected presidency of Gerald Ford, the only president never elected as either president or vice president. From his humble beginnings and years in Congress to stepping into office after the resignation of Richard ...
#2 The Man In Second
Today, we dive into the fascinating story of John Adams, America's second president, a man who always seemed to live in somebody else’s shadow. From defending British soldiers after the Boston Massacre to becoming the nation’s first vice presid...
#11 Efficiency, Expansion, and Warmongering
Today, we dive into the life of James K. Polk, one of the most efficient and controversial presidents in American history. From his painful childhood surgery and relentless work ethic to his aggressive expansion policies and the Mexican-America...
#32 Fear Itself: The Franklin Roosevelt Story
Franklin D. Roosevelt faced fear at every stage of his life, from personal hardship to national crisis. Beginning in the depths of the Great Depression, we explore how Roosevelt challenged a nation paralyzed by uncertainty and rebuilt confidenc...
Season 4 Sneak Peek
Season 4 of President’s Unplugged brings together defining moments in American leadership, featuring figures like John Adams, James Monroe, Herbert Hoover, Franklin Pierce, Gerald Ford, Calvin Coolidge, Abraham Lincoln, and George W. Bush, alon...
#45 The Unexpected Victory: The First Trump Presidency
This week's episode follows Donald Trump from his shocking victory in the 2016 election through all the defining moments of his first presidential term. It explores his outsider approach to governing, major policy decisions, economic highlights...
#8 Are You OK?
This week's episode explores the life and legacy of Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States, and the surprising story behind the famous phrase “OK.” The episode follows his rise from a small town in Kinderhook, New York, the...
#10 Drama, Explosions, and Age Gaps
In this episode, we look at how John Tyler unexpectedly stepped into the presidency after William Henry Harrison’s death and had to figure out what that really meant. He didn’t just fill the role; he set the tone by insisting that the vice pres...
Season 3 Q&A Special - Presidents Unplugged
In this Season 3 Q&A episode of Presidents Unplugged, we’re exploring your top questions about the presidency. From what presidents can actually do to the decisions that influence the nation, nothing is left out. Instead of quick answers, w...
#46 Decades of Dedication
Joe Biden’s presidency remains one of the most debated chapters of his long public career, but it is only part of a much larger story. From his early roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania to the personal tragedies and perseverance that shaped his cha...
