William Howard Taft served as both the President of the United States and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court — the only man to ever do so. Richard Lim, host of the This American President podcast, recounts the unique career of America’s 27th president.

When Thomas Jefferson wrote about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” he wasn’t just using poetic language—he was laying down a radical vision for a free society. But what did he and the Founders really mean by “liberty?”  And how has that definition changed over time?  Robert George, Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, explains.

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Liberty: What Did the Founders Mean?

Discipline. It’s one of the most valuable character traits an individual can learn. And yet, this characteristic is rarely encouraged – especially by those on the left. PragerU’s 2019 commencement speech features U.S. Navy Seal Jocko Willink revealing the secret to success, discovered as he trained to become a member of one of America’s most elite military forces. Discipline equals freedom. Watch to find out why.

Discipline = Freedom

How much do you know about Christmas—about its origins and its many beloved traditions? Do you know where the idea of stocking-stuffers comes from? Or how lights found their way onto the Christmas tree? Or why we all have the jolly, red-suited, white-haired image of Santa Claus in our heads? In this video, historian William Federer explores the holiday’s rich and unique history.

The Amazing History of Christmas - 2024

As artificial intelligence transforms the world, it’s triggering an unprecedented demand for energy. So where will that power come from—and what does it mean for America’s future? Mark Mills, executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, explains what history tells us about innovation and the unstoppable force of progress.

What Will Power the AI Revolution?

The Spanish got to the New World first. The French built the biggest forts. The Indians knew the land best. So how did the English come to dominate North America? Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, walks us through the unlikely rise of the English colonies—and how they laid the foundation for the United States of America.

Colonial America: Why Do Americans Speak English?

Before the American Revolution came the French and Indian War—a conflict that redrew maps, ignited colonial unrest, and brought to the world stage a young man who would change the course of history. Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, explains how this war set the stage for America’s fight for independence.

Colonial America: The French and Indian War

Before the American Revolution in 1776, there was another revolution decades earlier. This one wasn’t about freedom vs. tyranny, but about something else entirely, and it changed the face of the developing nation almost as profoundly as the War of Independence did. Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, tells the story.

Colonial America: The Great Awakening

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 remain one of the most infamous—and misunderstood—episodes in American history. What caused the panic? Why did so many go along with it? And how did this dark chapter shape America’s future? Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, explains. 

Colonial America: The Salem Witch Trials

One was founded on profit. The other on faith. Jamestown and Plymouth shaped two powerful forces in American life: commerce and religion. Thomas Kidd, author of American History Volumes 1 and 2, tells the story of the colonies that helped set the stage for the nation to come.

Colonial America: Jamestown vs. Plymouth

Joseph Biden spent his career chasing one goal: the presidency. After decades of political frustration, he finally became the 46th president of the United States. What happened next is one of American history’s tragic ironies. Presidential historian Tevi Troy explores Biden’s rise and fall.

Joe Biden: Decline and Fall

There are two contemporary narratives of the Trump era. According to one, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is a right-wing autocrat who aspires to end the American republic. According to the other, he is saving the republic from left-wing extremism. Which version is more accurate? Sir Niall Ferguson, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, explores this question.

Donald Trump: The MAGA President

Michelle Thibeau served in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Afghanistan. As a woman and a soldier, she knows that there are many roles in the armed forces that women can and should fill. Is combat one of them?


Do Women Belong in Combat?

Barack Obama promised to fundamentally transform America. Over two terms in office, he did just that—on race, healthcare, and foreign policy. But was it change for the better? Carol Swain examines the impact of the 44th president and the legacy he left behind.

Barack Obama: Transforming America

Even Barack Obama’s political opponents appreciated the significance of his election. The charismatic new president would take America into a post-racial future.  But is that what happened? Renowned political scientist, Carol Swain, examines the 44th president's stunning rise to the nation’s top office. 

Barack Obama: “Hope and Change”

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists brutally attacked Israel, murdering over 1,200 civilians and taking 251 hostages. The world’s response? Mass rallies—in support of the attackers. Larry Elder explains why this moment is not only critical to contemporary geopolitics but is a pivot point for Western civilization.

What “Free Palestine” Really Means

“You have the right to remain silent…” It’s one of the most famous phrases in American law. But where does it come from? In Miranda v. Arizona (1966), the Supreme Court ruled that police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning. John Malcolm of The Heritage Foundation explains how that decision reshaped criminal justice—and why it remains deeply controversial.

Miranda v. Arizona: The Right to Remain Silent

 Fracking: some call it one of the greatest innovations of the last fifty years. Others insist it’s an environmental disaster. Who is right? Linnea Lueken, research fellow at the Heartland Institute, sets the record straight. 

The Truth about Fracking

What does it mean to be free? When Professor of Philosophy Sean McDowell poses this question to his students, they typically respond: “Freedom means doing whatever you want as long as you don’t hurt anyone.” But is it really as simple as that? Or is this question more complex and consequential than you might think?

What Does It Mean to Be Free?

After radical Islamic terrorists struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, swung into action. His every thought was about keeping America safe. But 9/11 was only one of several major crises Bush would have to face. Elizabeth Spalding, senior fellow at Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, examines Bush’s challenging presidency.

George W. Bush: The War on Terror

No one alive on September 11, 2001, will ever forget the shock and horror of that day, most especially the man who was recently elected the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush. Was he prepared to meet the moment? Elizabeth Spalding, senior fellow at Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, describes the path that brought him to that day.

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William Howard Taft: The Really Big President

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