The Road to Now

The Declaration of Independence 02.07.2026 9min

On July 2nd, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating that "that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states." Two days later, on July 4, they adopted the Declaration of Independence, read here for you by (in order of appearance): Bob Crawford, The Road to Now Lindsay Graham, History Daily Greg Jackson, History That Doesn't Suck Lindsey Cormack, Government That Doesn't Suck Ben Sawyer, The Road to Now Colleen Shogan, In Pursuit With final commentary by Lindsay Graham.

Benjamin Franklin w/ Dayton Duncan and David Schmidt 29.06.2026 51min

This week, as we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence, we shine a light on one of the founding generation's greats: Benjamin Franklin It's difficult to fathom how Franklin accomplished so much in a single lifetime. It's equally difficult to imagine how to take such an incredible life and consolidate it into four hours of documentary film. In this episode, we cover both feats with writer Dayton Duncan and producer David Schmidt, two of the great minds behind Ken Burns' documentary on Benjamin Franklin. Dayton and David discuss Franklin's life, the work that goes into creating a historical documentary film, and their process for deciding the best way to tell an American icon's story in a pair of two-hour episodes. Benjamin Franklin: A Film by Ken Burns is available via PBS.org on your local PBS station and we highly recommend it! If you enjoy this episode, check out Ben and Bob's conversation with Ken Burns in episode #191. This episode originally aired as #229 on April 4, 2022. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer.

#372 Obstinate Daughters: Women in the American Revolution w/ Denise Kiernan 22.06.2026 1h

The American Revolution touched the lives of everyone living in the American colonies, and though the focus is often on the battlefields and political debates, those who were excluded from those places nevertheless played a crucial role in gaining independence. In this episode, Denise Kiernan joins us to discuss her new book, Obstinate Daughters: The Rebels, Writers and Renegade Women Who Ignited the Revolution and how looking at the revolution through women's lives gives us a more perfect understanding of the events that founded the United States of America. Denise Kiernan is the author of multiple New York Times Bestsellers including The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II (Atria, 2014). She is also a journalist, producer and former head writer of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Obstinate Daughters is available June 23, 2026 from Dutton. You can find out more about the book and order your copy at DeniseKiernan.com This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

#371 Been There, Done That w/ Greg Jackson 15.06.2026 1h 2min

If you feel like America is facing hard times right now, you've got a lot in common with your forebearers. Greg Jackson of History That Doesn't Suck joins Ben for a live conversation to discuss his new book Been There, Done That: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome, and why he thinks highlighting some of America's hardest moments can strengthen us as we work to preserve the American Republic on the eve of its 250th anniversary. If you enjoy this conversation, come join us in Nashville on June 24th as Ben hosts a live event with Greg to celebrate the launch of the book. The event, sponsored by Ben's local bookstore, The Bookshop, is at 7pm at the Noelle. Click here for tickets. You can get your copy of Been There Done That here. This episode was recorded live on international waters during A Cruise That Doesn't Suck. A special thanks to Greg, Dossie McCraw and Riley Neubauer for inviting Ben to be part of the cruise and for all their hard work to organize and record this episode. This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.

#370 The Declaration of Independence: A Biography of America's Founding Text w/ Ted Widmer 08.06.2026 1h 4min

The Declaration of Independence has a story that is much bigger than July 4th, 1776. From its origins in enlightenment thought to its evocation by modern politicians, the document has had a life that can teach us a lot about who we are and have been. In this episode, Ted Widmer joins us to discuss his new book, The Living Declaration: A Biography of America's Founding Document, which brings together an impressive set of documents that demonstrate the Declaration's impact on people in the US and around the world. The Living Declaration drops on June 23, 2026. Click here to preorder a copy and make sure to visit LivingDeclaration.org for a calendar of events related to the book. Come join Ben as he hosts a live conversation with his friend and History That Doesn't Suck host Greg Jackson about Greg's new book Been There, Done That in Nashville on Thursday, June 24! Click here for more info and to get tickets! This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

A Forgotten History of Long Island w/ Tim Keogh 01.06.2026 54min

The suburbs have long been a symbol of American prosperity in the post-WWII era. Yet the contrast between suburban wealth and "inner city" poverty overlooks the stories of those living in suburbia who were unable to reach "the good life." In this episode Ben & Bob talk with Tim Keogh, whose new book In Levittown's Shadow: Poverty in America's Wealthiest Suburb (Univ. of Chicago Press, 2023), explores the history of suburbanization in Long Island, New York, and argues that post-WWII prosperity relied on those impoverished suburbanites who we've since forgotten. Dr. Tim Keogh is assistant professor of history at Queensborough Community College, part of the City University of New York. This is a rebroadcast of RTN #291 which originally aired as "A Forgotten History of American Suburbs w/ Tim Keogh" on December 4, 2023. This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

Montgomery C. Meigs: Master Builder of the Union Army w/ Robert O'Harrow Jr. 25.05.2026 53min

Washington D.C. in the 1850s was a tale of two cities. It was the Capitol city of a rapidly expanding new nation while at the same time ground zero for a politically fractured and divided nation hurtling toward disunion. Standing in the middle of it all was Montgomery C. Meigs, a military engineer who led the construction of two massive public works projects at the same time: the expansion of the Capitol building and an aqueduct to provide water to the residents growing city. Meigs would go on to serve as Quartermaster for the Union Army under Abraham Lincoln. Meigs was an innovator, public servant, and one of the most important patriots of the nineteenth century. This week Bob welcomes author and journalist Robert O'Harrow Jr. to discuss his 2016 book, The Quartermaster: Montgomery C. Meigs, Lincoln's General, Master Builder of the Union Army. For thirty years Robert O'Harrow Jr. was an investigative journalist and contributing writer at The Washington Post and was among the first national journalists to cover cybersecurity. In 2017, he part of the team that won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of notorious Alabama political Roy Moore. This episode originally aired as RTN #281 on August 21, 2023. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer.

#369 Ten Years of RTN w/ Bob Crawford & Ben Sawyer 17.05.2026 59min

May 18, 2026 marks exactly ten years since Bob Crawford and Ben Sawyer launched the first episode of The Road to Now, so we decided to get together for a conversation reflecting on our first conversation, the unexpected places the show has taken us, and what we've learned along the way. We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to listen to this show, sat down with us for an interview, or shared kind words with someone else. When we recorded the first episode in the basement of Bridgestone arena, we didn't know where the show would lead us (or how to make a podcast), but after a decade of great conversations, live shows, and a humbling amount of support from listeners and guests, we're still going strong. And a special thanks to anyone who has supported us on Patreon- we couldn't have made this show what it is without your support. Here's to another ten years. -Ben & Bob This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.

#368 Women & the Civil War Pension System w/ Kristin Jorgensen 11.05.2026 55min

The Civil War was the bloodiest military engagement in American history, and for the wives of those killed or wounded in battle, the struggle for survival continued long after the shooting ceased in 1865. In this episode we speak with longtime friend of the show Kristin Jorgensen about her recently-defended MA thesis, "From Private Misfortune to Public Entitlement: Rural New York Widows and the Civil War Pension System" which tells the story of how the Federal benefits offered to the wives of Union soldiers helped transform women's roles in American politics and society. To find out more about Kristin's work, you can follow her on linkedin or check out her business Pastward at PastwardHistory.com. This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

#367 Ancient Coins w/ Dean Kinzer 04.05.2026 1h 4min

It took about ten years, but it looks like our road, like all of them, lead to Rome. Dean Kinzer of Kinzer Coins joins us for a conversation about the role that coins played in the ancient world. He explains how money evolved in ancient Europe, the process through which coins were produced, and how you can see the rise and fall of the Roman empire through the output of their mint. If you're interested in learning more about ancient coins check out Dean's podcast, The Ancient Coin Hour, or visit Kinzer Coins' website at KinzerCoins.com. This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

The Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East w/ Eugene Rogan 27.04.2026 47min

At the beginning of the 20th century, most of the territory that we call the Middle East- including Syria, Iraq, Israel and Turkey- were part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman alliance w/ Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I provided Britain and France w/ the opportunity to divide the once-great empire into many states based on European imperial ambitions. In this episode Bob and Ben speak w/ Eugene Rogan to learn more about why the Ottoman Empire was divided, how that process shaped the Middle East, and how this history helps us understand the world today. Dr. Eugene Rogan is a Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at St Antony's College, University of Oxford. He is author of The Arabs: A History (Penguin, 2009, 3rd edition 2018), which has been translated in 18 languages and was named one of the best books of 2009 by The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Atlantic Monthly. His new book, The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East, 1914-1920, was published in February 2015. We'd also like to say a special thanks to the family of Roscoe L. Strickland Jr. for providing the support that brought Dr. Rogan to MTSU as part of the Strickland Scholars Program. Additional thanks goes to Dr. Susan Myers-Shirk for her work in arranging for MTSU's Strickland Scholars to appear on our podcast. This is a rebroadcast of episode 112 which originally aired on November 19th, 2018. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer.

The History of Golf w/ Tony Parker 20.04.2026 34min

Throughout the latter part of the 20th century, Golf developed a reputation as a sport for wealthy white men who gathered at their exclusive country clubs to make business deals over 18 holes of golf, all the while smoking expensive cigars and drinking martinis (you know, like in CaddyShack?). But then, seemingly from out of nowhere, Tiger Woods burst onto the scene, changing the look and style of the sport forever. It turns out that most Americans' perception of the sport is does not quite fit the reality. The truth behind golf's history is much more complicated and a bit more noble. And today, Golf raises more money for charity than all other major sports combined. For example, since 1970 the FedEx St Jude Classic Golf tournament has raised over $79 million dollars for the hospital (That number was $33 million when this episode originally aired in 2017). In this episode of the Road to Now we get the story straight in our conversation on the history of golf with Dr. Tony Parker of the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. This episode originally aired as RTN #51 on April 3, 2017. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer.

#366 A Trip to the Hermitage w/ Ben & Bob 13.04.2026 36min

Ben & Bob took a trip to the home of Andrew Jackson, so they took the opportunity to record an episode on their impressions of the Hermitage and why Bob doubts they'll ever have a copy of America's Founding Son in the bookstore. They also talk about Cuba's place in American history and other current events. Make sure to check out the upcoming AVTT/PTTN tour dates and plan to catch a show if you can! This episode was recorded in Ben's pickup truck. It was 'edited' by Ben Sawyer and produced by the bumpy roads of Middle Tennessee.

#365 Taxes: An American History w/ Vanessa S. Williamson 06.04.2026 1h 8min

Did you know that the Boston Tea Party was sparked by a corporate tax cut? Or that during the explosive post-WWII economic boom, the highest tax bracket in the US was about 90%? Or that the more democratic a country is, the more taxes its citizens tend to pay? In this episode, Vanessa S. Williamson joins us for a conversation about her new book, The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History (Basic Books, 2025), the misunderstandings that shape both liberal and conservative attitudes toward tax policy, and the reasons she thinks that taxation and democracy are inseparable in US history. Dr. Vanessa S. Williamson is Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institute and Senior Fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.

#364 Henry David Thoreau w/ Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers 30.03.2026 53min

Directors Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers join us to discuss their new film, Ken Burns Presents: Henry David Thoreau. Erik & Christopher talk about their rediscovery of Thoreau's place in American history, their process for capturing his story, and why Thoreau's views of his own time might resonate with those seeking to make sense of the modern world. The two-part series premieres on PBS March 30-31, so make sure to check your local listings and tune in! This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.

Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician w/ James M Bradley 23.03.2026 1h 25min

Martin Van Buren served just one term as President from 1837 to 1841, but as the architect behind the founding of the Democratic Party, his legacy lives on in the US today. In this episode, we speak with James M. Bradley, author of the new book Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician, to learn how Van Buren helped reshape politics in the 19th century and laid the groundwork for America's two-party system. You can learn more about the work being done to preserve the papers of Martin Van Buren at VanBurenPapers.org. Love history and want to go on a cruise? Join Ben and History That Doesn't Suck's Greg Jackson for a 5-day/4-night cruise of the Caribbean that runs from May 18-22! Visit htdscruise.com for details and enter promo code RTN at checkout for $100 off a cabin! And don't forget that Bob's new book America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams from President to Political Maverickis now available! Click here to get your copy! This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher and originally aired as episode 324 in January 2025.

#363 What are America's Founding Principles? w/ Hans Zeiger 16.03.2026 45min

Ben & Bob speak with Hans Zeiger, President of the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles & History. We discuss the work that the JMC is doing to promote teaching the founding principles and civics to Americas young people from kindergarten through college. The JMC will be hosting a National Summit on Civil Education in Philadelphia, May 18-19. Click here for details. Love history and want to go on a cruise? Join Ben and History That Doesn't Suck's Greg Jackson for a 5-day/4-night cruise of the Caribbean that runs from May 18-22! Visit htdscruise.com for details and enter promo code RTN at checkout for $100 off a cabin! And don't forget that Bob's new book America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams from President to Political Maverickis now available! Click here to get your copy! This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.

#362 America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams w/ Bob Crawford 09.03.2026 53min

Bob Crawford's first book has arrived! America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams from President to Political Maverick launches March 10 via Zando Press and we're celebrating with an episode dedicated to the book. Bob will be speaking about his new at bookstores across the country. Click here for dates & locations! This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher

#361 The Oscars: A History of the Academy Awards w/ Monica Sandler 02.03.2026 58min

The Oscars hold a special place in popular culture, but the first Academy Awards ceremony, held in 1929, bore little resemblance to the spectacle most of us know today. In this episode, media expert Monica Sandler takes us from that first award ceremony – when both Los Angeles and the films made there struggled for respectability – to the modern extravaganza that draws tens of millions of viewers worldwide. Monica also breaks down the way voting has changed over time, the evolution of categories, and what she thinks was the greatest snub of all time. Dr. Monica Sandler is a film and media historian at Ball State University, specializing in the history of entertainment prizes and their influence on Hollywood. You can find out more about her at her website: MonicaSandlerPhD.com. Come find Ben & Bob on the road this summer! -Bob will be speaking about his new book, America's Founding Son (out March 10) at bookstores across the country. Click here for dates & locations! -Ben will be joining his friend Greg Jackson of History That Doesn't Suck for a history cruise on the Caribbean from May 18-22, featuring a live recording of The Road to Now! Click here to find out more about a History Cruise That Doesn't Suck and use promo code RTN for $100 off a cabin! This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

#360 The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame w/ Joe Spaulding and Casey Soward 23.02.2026 53min

Since opening in 2019, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame (FARHOF) has worked to preserve and share the rich heritage of American music with the people of Boston and the world. In this episode Ben & Bob speak with FARHOF founder, Joe Spaulding, and J. Casey Soward, President of the Boch Center, which hosts FARHOF in Boston's Wang Theater. To learn more about FARHOF, make sure to visit their website: FARHOF.org. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our interview with Deana McCloud on the Woody Guthrie Center in episode 94. This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.