This podcast is part of our America 250 highlights and takea a deeper dive into Thomas Jefferson.

While we did do a podcast on his presidency, this episode focuses on his life, influences, the Declaration of Indelendence, and his Monticello estate.

We are joined by Steve Light, the Vice President for Education and guest experience at Monticello.

There are some links below to take a look at after the podcast if you wish to learn more about Monticello.

There is always more to learn!

Talk to you soon,

Jimmy & Jean

Monticello.org offers an incredible variety of resources for students, educators, and lifelong learners. From virtual programming and book discussions to classroom materials and immersive field trip opportunities, their work brings Jefferson’s world and the broader story of early America to life in meaningful ways.

We highly recommend exploring the links below and taking time to dive into all they offer. And if you ever have the opportunity to visit Monticello in person, it is truly a must-see. I recently had the opportunity to visit Monticello. Walking the grounds, taking in the breathtaking views, and hearing the powerful, moving stories of all who lived and labored there creates a profound experience. There is something deeply intimate about stepping inside someone’s home — you leave with a richer, more nuanced understanding of who Jefferson was and the complex legacy he left behind.

If you value thoughtful, honest history and educational outreach, please consider making a donation to support Monticello’s ongoing mission.

Monticello | Thomas Jefferson's Home

Monticello | Declaration Book Club

Monticello | School Field Trips

In this episode of US History Repeated, we continue our discussion with Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Garrow and just what Dr King's rise to national prominence cost him—and what his unfinished work still asks of us.

In Part Two, of our discussion, we explore how the public perception of King changed as his message grew more challenging, why his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War cost him political allies, and how his vision expanded to include economic justice through the Poor People’s Campaign. We’ll also confront the final days of his life and his assassination.

Our thanks to historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Garrow for helping us bring depth, nuance, and historical clarity to this conversation.

There is always more to learn!

Jimmy & Jean

In this episode of US History Repeated, we’ve traced the early life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—from the influences that shaped him, to the emergence of his leadership, and through the pivotal campaigns that helped bring about the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. These victories are often remembered as moments of triumph, but they were also the beginning of a far more complicated chapter in King’s life and in the nation’s story.

There was a lot to cover and we decided to break this one into two parts.

In Part Two, we’ll step into that complexity. We’ll explore how the public perception of King changed as his message grew more challenging, why his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War cost him political allies, and how his vision expanded to include economic justice through the Poor People’s Campaign. We’ll also confront the final days of his life and his assassination.

Our thanks to historian and Pulitzer Prize–winning author David Garrow for helping us bring depth, nuance, and historical clarity to this conversation. If today’s episode showed how Dr. King rose to national prominence, the next will ask what it cost him—and what his unfinished work still asks of us.

There is always more to learn!

Jimmy & Jean