The Preamble

Sharon McMahon

The world feels complicated. The Preamble is where it starts to make sense. Hosted by Sharon McMahon — known for making sense of complex issues — she and her guests dive deep into the stories and ideas driving our future, bringing clarity and honesty to every headline. If you want real insight, bold conversation, and answers that matter, this podcast is your must-listen. Hit play, and join the movement that will shape history.An Audacy Podcast.

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503 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes503

Newest first

Dec 21, 2022 · 27 min
The War for the West
Today on Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we move Westward.
Dec 19, 2022 · 28 min
The Nomadic Life of Army Wife Margaret Taylor
On today’s episode, we’re going to move from political power player Sarah Polk to our next first lady: a total frontierswoman who was more comfortable roughing it in the wild with Army soldiers than throwing a society ball in Washington D.C.
Dec 16, 2022 · 25 min
Frederick Douglass: The Powerhouse Abolitionist
Today on here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we’re going to talk about a person who, by the mid-1800s, was shaping some of the biggest social reform movements to come out of the nation’s Antebellum era.
Dec 14, 2022 · 31 min
The Wealthy & Powerful Sarah Polk
On today’s episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, you’ll learn five reasons why Sarah Polk is unique in the constellation of America’s First Ladies.
Dec 12, 2022 · 29 min
Women Vs. Whiskey: The Rise of the American Temperance Movement
Did you know that, in the late 1800s, Americans were drinking three times the amount of alcohol we consume today? On this episode of Here's Where It Gets Interesting, you'll get a crash course in the history of drinking in America. Learn why Whiskey became the most-consumed spirit, which Former president tried to smuggle in 500 bottles of French Wine without paying taxes on them, and how the Women's Christian Temperance Union chose to voice their support for Prohibition (there's some bar smashin
Dec 9, 2022 · 31 min
Two White House Weddings and a Funeral
Welcome to today's episode of Here's Where It Gets Interesting where we'll talk about a president who had three women perform the official duties of the White House Hostess.
Dec 7, 2022 · 29 min
Deaths in the White House
On this episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, let’s take a brief look at the history of some past presidential deaths–how they happened and what happened after.
Dec 5, 2022 · 30 min
First Lady of the Month, Anna Harrison
Today on Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we’re going to talk about another First Lady who follows the pattern: married to the president, but never lived in the White House.
Dec 2, 2022 · 28 min
Petticoats and Kitchen Cabinets: A Capital City Shake-Up
On this episode of Here's Where It Gets Interesting, we discuss someone whose defiance of social and moral convention irrevocably shaped the nation’s political stage during the Antebellum years.
Nov 30, 2022 · 24 min
Cookies, Corsets, and a Legacy of Learning from Hannah Van Buren
Today on Here's Where It Gets Interesting, we’ll continue to talk about some key players of the Jacksonian Era and learn about another one of our first ladies who never made it to the White House.
Nov 28, 2022 · 28 min
Andrew Jackson and the Cheese That Pleased a Nation
Today on Here's Where It Gets Interesting, we're going to dive in and take a look at some of the actions and eccentricities of the Andrew Jackson presidency.
Nov 25, 2022 · 25 min
The Catastrophic Marriage Scandal of Rachel Jackson
On this episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we’re going to talk about a First Lady who never got the opportunity to step foot inside the White House.
Nov 23, 2022 · 25 min
The Thanksgiving Episode: From Early Advent to Cranberry Crisis
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! On today’s episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we take a look at some of the more unusual November holiday White House happenings.
Nov 21, 2022 · 32 min
The Networking Strategy of Louisa Adams
On this episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, we return to the White House to talk about one of a much-requested topic: our nation’s First Ladies.
Nov 18, 2022 · 41 min
How the Future Shapes Our National History with Heather Cox Richardson
On today’s episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, Sharon interviews one of our most-requested guests: Heather Cox Richardson.
Nov 16, 2022 · 30 min
Live Life in Crescendo with Cynthia Covey Haller
On this episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, Sharon speaks with author Cynthia Covey Haller.
Nov 14, 2022 · 31 min
Conservation in a Panda Costume with Ami Vitale
Today on Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, National Geographic wildlife photographer Ami Vitale sits down with Sharon to talk about her adventures around the world.
Nov 11, 2022 · 37 min
Brush Up on Your Boundaries with Melissa Urban
On this episode of Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, Sharon speaks with Whole30 CEO Melissa Urban.
Nov 9, 2022 · 40 min
Persuaders as Meaning Makers with Anand Giridharadas
Joining Sharon on Here’s Where It Gets Interesting today is author Anand Giridharadas.
Nov 8, 2022 · 44 min
BONUS Episode! Re:Thinking with Adam Grant: If Teachers Took Over the Government with Sharon McMahon
Listen to Adam Grant's Re:Thinking Podcast interview with Sharon about how we can rethink the qualifications for elected office, who decides to run, and what information voters should weigh.