The Resounding Will of Benjamin Franklin
1h 8m
·
Plodding Through The Presidents
·
We look at the haunting sounds and even more haunting history of Benjamin Franklin's favorite invention: the glass armonica. Then we welcome author Michael Meyer to discuss his new book Benjamin Franklin's Last Bet. The conversation brings Franklin to life and covers his unique bequests to the cities of Philadelphia and Boston and his rocky relationship with his son (hereby known as William Franklin, Patriot Hunter). We also touch on what Elon Musk and modern politicians could learn from Franklin.
Show notes and sources at plodpod.com
More on Michael Meyers at inmanchuria.com
For more information about Mayling Garcia visit maylinggarcia.com
Learn more about William Zeitler at https://www.williamzeitler.com/
(William Zeitler's music used with his permission.)
Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents
Check out our merch store! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294
The episode The Resounding Will of Benjamin Franklin from the podcast Plodding Through The Presidents has a duration of
1:08:55. It was first published
More episodes from Plodding Through The Presidents
Presidential Grave Hunter with Kurt Deion
We dig into the story of Attorney General and one-time presidential candidate William Wirt's missing skull, followed by a conversation with historian and author Kurt Deion whose unique journey is chronicled in the book "Presidential Grave Hunter: One Kid's Quest to Visit the Tombs of Every President and Vice President." Find out more at plodpod.com. Learn more about Kurt Deion at presidentialgravehunter.com and kurtshistoricsites.com Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our merch store! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Undeniable Rizz of Aaron Burr
We dig into the powerful, hypnotic charisma—the rizz—of Vice President Aaron Burr, specifically two events in March 1805 that showed his mesmerizing effect on those around him. Find out more at plodpod.com. Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our merch store! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294 Special thanks to Gwen Fries, author of The Beehive blog post Sympathy for the Devil: John Quincy Adams's Brush with Aaron Burr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Adapting Franklin & John Adams with Kirk Ellis
We welcome Emmy and Peabody award winning screenwriter and producer Kirk Ellis to the show to talk about his work adapting Apple's new series Franklin as well as HBO's John Adams series. We dig into the rich characters and settings of Franklin, what Michael Douglas brings to the role of Benjamin Franklin, and what it was like adapting David McCullough’s book John Adams and Stacy Schiff’s book A Great Improvisation—including the scenes Ellis and the authors disagreed about. Find out more at plodpod.com. Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our merch store! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mount Vernon's Stone of Secrets
We dig into the centuries-old mystery of a cornerstone in Mount Vernon’s cellar that inspired a pivotal prop in the film National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Then we hunt for the truth behind that prop’s role in a battle between Hollywood and historical accuracy. Along the way we explore The War of Jenkins’ Ear, what the War of 1812 smelled like, and what happened when air conditioning came to Mount Vernon. Find out more at plodpod.com. Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our merch store! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Joe versus Mount Vernon
This is the story of one man with big dreams who wanted to turn George Washington's Mount Vernon into a stop on his massive proposed theme park—a Disneyland on the Potomac named "The Spirit of America." In the 1960s and 70s, Joseph I. Goldstein was called the greatest threat to Mount Vernon since the British navy, and we dig into his wild plot and how the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, his neighbors, the government, and all the elements of nature joined forces to stop him. Find out more at plodpod.com. Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our merch store! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices