History

In Pursuit with Colleen Shogan

We call it the American experiment, and over the last 250 years, we’ve learned a lot about what’s worked…..and what hasn’t. So what can we learn from Americans’ quest to form a more perfect union? Join Colleen Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States, along with some of our nation’s most prominent historians, journalists, and public servants as we go in pursuit of lessons from America’s past to write the history of America’s future.

Latest Episodes:

Ulysses S. Grant Stands His Ground Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

In 1868, Ulysses S. Grant faced his greatest challenge since the end of the Civil War when President Andrew Johnson appointed him Acting Secretary of War. How did Johnson's actions put Grant squarely in the middle of a Constitutional crisis? Colleen Shogan talks with General Stanley A. McChrystal (ret.) about Grant's sense of duty, his commitment to the rule of law, and the controversy that led to the first presidential impeachment in American history.

Read McChrystal essay on Ulysses S. Grant.

Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect.
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Mary Lincoln's Fiery Trial Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

The story of Mary Lincoln's life is often a tale of mental illness, frivolous spending habits, and a rocky marriage to husband, Abraham. But what if we have Mary all wrong? Colleen Shogan talks with author Lois Romano about Mary's difficult childhood, her tenure as First Lady during the Civil War, and her fight to reclaim her own life in widowhood.

Read Lois Romano's essay on Mary Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln's Union Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

How did Abraham Lincoln redefine the American Union amidst the horrors of the Civil War? Colleen Shogan talks with historian Harold Holzer about Lincoln's early life, his emergence as a leader of the Republican Party, and his vision for a new birth of freedom in the United States.

Harold Holzer is the Jonathan F. Fanton Director of The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College in New York City. He is the author of numerous books on Abraham Lincoln.

Read President Barack Obama's essay on Abraham Lincoln.

Franklin Pierce Fails to Read the Room Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Franklin Pierce had all the makings of a successful president - the experience, the military service, the charm - and yet he is often remembered as one of America's worst chief executives. So how did a man with such a fine resume plunge the nation deeper into crisis over the expansion of slavery? Colleen Shogan talks with Pulitizer Prize-winner author David W. Blight about Pierce's pedigree, the Northern Democrat's pro-Southern sympathies, and his misreading of national politics on the eve of the Civil War.

David W. Blight is the Sterling Professor of History at Yale University. He is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom (2018).

Read Blight's essay on Franklin Pierce.

Millard Fillmore Kicks the Can Down the Road Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Vice President Millard Fillmore never expected to be president, but Zachary Taylor's death in 1850 thrust him into the White House and the national spotlight. So how did the "man of hesitation and double opinions" confront the growing crisis over slavery? Colleen Shogan talks with former congressman Steve Israel about Fillmore's surprising rise, his contradictory opinions, and the compromises that hastened the coming of the civil war.

Steve Israel served as a congressman from New York from 2001 to 2017. He is the owner of Theodore’s Books in Oyster Bay and author of the novel, The Einstein Conspiracy (2025).

Read Israel's essay on Millard Fillmore.

James K. Polk Manifests A Destiny Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

By some measure, James K. Polk is among the most successful presidents in American history. But what were the costs of his many achievements? Colleen Shogan talks with Matthew Costello about the nation’s first dark horse presidential candidate, his ambitions for western expansion, and the triumphs that set the United States on a path toward civil war.

Featuring Matthew Costello, Ph.D., is Chief Education Officer, the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation Chair in White House History and director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History at the White House Historical Association.

Read Costello's essay on James K. Polk.

In Pursuit Recommends: History Daily: The Death of Alexander Hamilton Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

As a special treat for In Pursuit listeners, we're thrilled to bring you an episode of History Daily from our friends at Noiser and Air Ship. Hosted by public historian Lindsay Graham, the series tells fascinating stories about what happened “on this day” in history.

Today, we're going back to July 12, 1804, when American founding father, Alexander Hamilton, died from a fatal wound he suffered during a duel with his longtime adversary, Aaron Burr.

History Daily releases new episodes every weekday. You'll get a broad mix of history, from famous battles to fashion firsts. There’s medicine, science, technology, religion, politics, and sports – everything that made us who we are today.

Most episodes are under 20 minutes long, and you’ll discover amazing facts you’ve never learned before about history. And even if you think you know a certain day’s events, you might be surprised.

Check out History Daily on your favorite podcast app.

Join the Conversation:
Tell us who inspires you: https://www.inpursuit.org/join.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show.

William Henry Harrison Delivers a Warning Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Why did William Henry Harrison fear for the nation's future? Colleen Shogan talks with Sharon McMahon about Old Tippecanoe's life as a soldier and politician, the ominous message of the longest inaugural address in American history, and the choices that cut short Harrison's time as president.

Featuring Sharon McMahon, Civic Educator and author.
Read McMahon's essay on William Henry Harrison.

In Pursuit Live: America at 250 Town Hall at the National Constitution Center Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

What are the principles at the heart of the American experiment? How have those ideals guided us in the past? And how do they speak to us now as we commemorate 250 years of American independence?

On this special live episode of In Pursuit recorded at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Colleen joined Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, Harvard University Professor Danielle Allen, and moderator Robert Costa of CBS News in a wide ranging conversation about how we can connect new generations to the enduring ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Special thanks to Julie Silverbrook, Kevin Altman, and Bill Pollock of the National Constitution Center.

This special live episode was edited and mixed by Bill Pollock. Theme music for this episode provided by Artist.io.

In Pursuit with Colleen Shogan is a podcast by More Perfect. The series is written and produced by Jim Ambuske. Production Services by Stand Together

Louisa Catherine Adams Finds Her Voice Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Why did Louisa Catherine Adams feel like a bird trapped in a cage during her time in the White House? Colleen Shogan talks with Louisa Thomas about Adams's dangerous journey from Russia to Paris during the Napoleonic Wars, her complicated marriage to John Quincy, and the freedom she found in writing.
Featuring Louisa Thomas, Staff Writer, New Yorker.
Read Thomas's essay on Louisa Catherine Adams.

Hosted by Colleen Shogan, Ph.D. Written and Produced by Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. Audio mixing by Curt Dahl of CD Squared. Music from Music Bed. Production Services by Stand Together. In Pursuit is a podcast by More Perfect.

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