Episodes

  • One hundred years before this year's 2024 U.S. presidential election, a different type of populism and progressivism swept the nation during the 1924 national elections. Learn how Wisconsinite U.S. Senator Robert La Follette (popularly known as "Fighting Bob") tapped into the two-party dissatisfaction of the American people and introduced a novel politics that brought very different voter coalitions together.

    Marking four years since the start of the podcast, Sherman also recaps some of the highlights from the 2023-24 podcast guests.

    "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    "Devonshire Waltz Andante" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • The box office successes of the Barbie and Oppenheimer movies in 2023 may not have been just a coincidence. The Wausau Daily Herald earlier this year named a Wisconsinite woman as 'the real-life 'Barbenheimer.' Grace Stanke, a nuclear engineer and nuclear energy advocate who served as Miss America 2023, is a leader in sparking a new chain reaction. She unleashes her passion for nuclear energy and its role in keeping our physical (and discourse) environment cleaner and better for current and future generations.

    Follow Grace on social media!
    Instagram: @grace.stanke
    X: @Grace_Stanke

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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

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  • While John Morton does not have the same recognition as other famous signers (like the one before him, Ben Franklin), he may have contributed to one of Pennsylvania's nicknames. Hear how Morton seized his "Keystone moment" when so much was on the line for the PA delegation and the Second Continental Congress.

    Also, a major announcement for our Patreon members!

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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • NEW Patreon update! Full versions of all interview episodes will soon be available to every paid member! More details next month!

    How can we better prepare young people to best transition into public service careers? Whether you are interested in applying for internships, already an applicant, curious about how young people are getting involved, and/or know someone who is looking to start a career in public service, this is an episode for you!

    Our guest Rachel Rohrbach is a Florida prosecutor with numerous internship experiences at places such as the White House and Capitol Hill. In this in-depth discussion with Sherman, she shares her passions for two major political issues and offers sound advice for those who seek that extra stepping stone to serve the public good.

    LinkedIn - Rachel Rohrbach

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    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Today (July 13, 2024) is a tragic day in American history. A former president and current major presidential candidate Donald Trump was tragically shot at a Trump rally near Butler, PA earlier this afternoon. Luckily by the grace of God, he is expected to be all right. But sadly, one rally attendee lost his life.

    We are better than this.

    Please continue to pray for our nation. There is no place for political violence in our country. Americans from all different walks of life need to come further together and bring more unity and peace to our land.

    God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

    Photo source: Associated Press

    Support the show

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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Oscar Underwood, a Democrat U.S. Senator from Alabama 1915-1927, gained so much political capital during the Wilson administration and was considered a potential candidate for POTUS or VP. But his stance against the most powerful white supremacist group forced him to make his party go on record whether the party platform supports or opposes radicalism and extremism. While his effort was not successful in 1924, lessons from his courageous stance could teach us about the perils of giving in to the crazies of our time.

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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • For many, James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution. But how did he become that Founding Father who shaped American institutions and politics far beyond his time? Dr. Lynn Uzzell, a Madison scholar and Associate Professor of Political Science at Bethel University, shares the real lessons and experiences that taught the Founder himself about the realities of government and human beings.

    Check out lynnuzzell.com for more information about her work!

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Arguably the most famous American scientist, diplomat, postmaster, and so much more, Benjamin Franklin embodied America as an experiment. What distinguished him as a signer of the Declaration of Independence which he helped edit?

    ICYMI, take a listen to Ep. 122 feat. Valerie Durham: https://ffc.buzzsprout.com/1255184/12791628-122-a-gathering-of-free-minds-for-festive-fun-at-freedomfest

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Revolutions are tumultuous episodes of history when the past and the present battle to fundamentally shape the future. How did the 'lawyers' revolution' and the American legal and political systems define and redefine the meanings and context of our laws? Dr. Williamjames Hoffer, Professor of History at Seton Hall University, tells the story of the Caning of Charles Sumner, the Plessy v. Ferguson case, and the 'lawyers' revolution' that refocus contemporaries on the political and legal aspirations and complexities of our nation.

    Check out the following books by Williamjames!
    The Clamor of Lawyers: The American Revolution and Crisis in the Legal Profession

    Plessy v. Ferguson: Race and Inequality in Jim Crow America

    The Caning of Charles Sumner: Honor, Idealism and the Origins of the Civil War

    To Enlarge the Machinery of Government: Congressional Debates and the Growth of the American State, 1858-1891

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
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    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Nowadays, American conservative political leaders have foreign policy platforms that call for greater toughness against China. But they are not the first generation of conservatism that wanted stronger U.S. foreign policy and security in the wake of Communist China. Learn more about two formerly prominent but now forgotten Members of Congress, CA Sen. William Knowland and MN Rep. Walter Judd, who warned about the dangers of the Chinese Communist Party and sowed the seeds for U.S. support of Taiwan.

    Thumbnail picture: U.S. Rep. Walter Judd (R-MN 1943-1963)

    Support the show

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    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Too often, Americans understandably anticipate modern technology but voice frustration over potholes. So what are some of the issues that are preventing the U.S. from having decent roads and technological advancements in our infrastructure? Kirbie Ferrell, a Texas A&M Bush School graduate and Policy Analyst at The Eno Center for Transportation, gives a snapshot of where we are on our infrastructure and how good methods like responsible deployment can better implement the technology we invent.

    Support the show

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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • John Adams called him "a greater and better Man that Dr. Franklin..." So who was this pioneer of medicine, education, and science? Learn how Dr. Benjamin Rush, Franklin's protégé, laid the foundation for modern mental health care and became an avid advocate for causes such as abolitionism, public education, and health care for the poor.

    Support the show

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    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Around 4am on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a tragic attack against Ukraine that began the first major European conflict since World War II. The causes and effects of the invasion have disrupted the state of U.S. national security and global world order. Dr. Kateryna Shynkaruk, an experienced diplomat and academic who is a Senior Lecturer at Texas A&M's Bush School DC, first discusses her firsthand experiences evacuating her home country. She also shares her thoughts about the conduct of Russian President Vladimir Putin, characteristics of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the state and future of the conflict in Ukraine.

    "UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE" - Highly recommended video feat. Dr. Shynkaruk and former Bush School Dean (and F&FC guest) Gen. (ret.) Mark Welsh

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
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    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • While the XYZ Affair was not about deciphering secret codes, one could decipher some of the contentious eras of polarization and partisanship in American politics. Learn how this diplomatic episode between the Adams administration and French envoys divided the young nation, led to the buildup of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and almost led to a major conflict in the 1790s.

    Learn more about MA signer Elbridge Gerry in Ep. 71!

    Thumbnail photo: Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, French Foreign Minister

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
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    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Since the tragic Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023 resulting in more than 1100 deaths, Jews worldwide have encountered an unprecedented wave of antisemitism. Trent Spoolstra, Associate Regional Director for the Midwest office at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and fellow Bush School alumnus with Sherman, recounted his personal thoughts, experiences, and emotions after learning about the attack. Learn more about the mission and work of the ADL to fight antisemitism and all forms of hate, and hear Trent's calling for peace, tolerance, and civility during this critical time for the Jewish people and their communities.

    Find out more about the ADL at www.adl.org

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • When people think of money, they may think of Ben Franklin. But a different Founding Father from Pennsylvania supplied a lot of money that funded the American patriot cause. Learn how Robert Morris's rise and fall in American politics reflected the contentious nature of political life in the early years of the federal republic.

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
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    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • What is the future of comms on the Hill? In Part II, Sarah recounts her first-hand experience with Sherman as they were evacuated during the January 6th, 2021 Capitol attack. She also shares the mission and vision of her own PR firm 917 Strategies and the future of women working in comms in our nation's capital. And finally, why dogs are wonderful company!

    In case you missed it, listen to Part I HERE

    Check out Sarah's website! www.917strategies.com
    Follow Sarah on:
    Instagram: @sarahselip
    X: @sarahselip
    And follow her dog Lilly on Instagram too!

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • A Capitol Hill staffer once told me: "Comms [communications] IS policy." How do congressional communications influence policymaking? In this two-part episode, Sherman reconnects with Sarah Selip, whom he had the opportunity to learn from and work with during his internship with former Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) in early 2021. An emerging leader for women looking to serve in DC, Selip is the founder of 917 Strategies and a former congressional communications director who has an extensive background in conservative politics. Hear more about her past day in the life of working for Members of Congress and the opportunities and challenges of comms on the Hill!

    Listen to Part II HERE

    Check out Sarah's website! www.917strategies.com
    Follow Sarah on:
    Instagram: @sarahselip
    X: @sarahselip
    And follow Lilly on Instagram too!

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • How did the first U.S. Senator with an abolitionist platform speak on the Senate floor? Hear excerpts from New Hampshire Senator John P. Hale's speech in support of a DC emancipation bill in 1862 and learn more about his public service career and accomplishments (including an interesting fact about his daughter Lucy).

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
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    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

  • Happy 2024! Welcome to another year of Friends & Fellow Citizens!

    As technology rapidly develops, how can we develop and protect consumer welfare? Tirzah Duren, Technology Director of the American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research, discusses how issues like antitrust, data privacy, and AI will shape the policy debates in an age of polarization and rapid technological advancement.

    Learn more about ACI at theamericanconsumer.org!
    Learn more about Tirzah's work on technology policy!

    Support the show

    Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
    JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
    NEW MERCH STORE! Click HERE to pre-order your podcast mug now!

    IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.