Growing Patriots: Recent Episodes
FCB Radio Network
For most of the American Revolution, John Adams was representing America in Europe. Hear all about it in this episode!
In the lead up to the American Revolution, John Adams went from prominent attorney to leader of the American Revolution. In this episode, found out how it all happened!
We can't talk about the life of John Adams without talking about his wife, Abigail. They were a team! This episode introduces Abigail Adams.
John Adams grew up in a colonial Massachusetts that was rapidly becoming a hotbed of revolution. Find out how his early life, education, and legal career prepared him to be a Founding Father of the new nation to come.
After the revolution, George and Martha Washington were ready to retire at Mount Vernon. But the American people had different plans for the Washingtons.
When George Washington was named Commander of the Continental Army, he had a huge task ahead. Find out how the army he led came out victorious.
Find out about Benjamin Franklin's work as a writer and inventor in this last episode about our first founding father.
Benjamin Franklin spent most of the American Revolution in France. Find out what he was doing and how it was critical to American liberty!
Learn all about Benjamin Franklin's early life. What was he like as a child? How did it impact him as an adult? Find out now!
As we start to learn all about the Founding Fathers, let's talk about who they were and what it means to be a founder.
When our founders created America, they embraced a lot of new ideas – like liberty, equality, and justice. But who inspired our founders to see the world that way? In this episode, we talk about something called The Enlightenment and the philosophers who changed history.
Abraham Lincoln came after the founding period in American history, but he had a lot in common with our founders. In this episode, we're joined by Jon White, author of the children's book "My Day with Abe Lincoln" to tell us all about him!
There are some threads that go throughout colonial American history – things like liberty and justice. Here are a few to keep in mind!
In this episode, we go over 7 key moments from America's founding you should always remember.
Here are 5 things that happened during America's founding period that didn't get a full episode, but I still want you to know about!
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How did Washington, D.C. become our capitol? We hear all about it with an expert from the United States Capitol Historical Society!
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Once the Constitution had been ratified, it was time to America to choose its first president.
We're joined by Dr. Colleen Shogan – the Archivist of the United States –to hear all about how George Washington was chosen and inaugurated.
We've learned an awful lot about the Constitution! In this episode, we're joined by Constitutional expert Clark Neily who breaks it down into the key themes and what we absolutely need to keep in mind.
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The final two amendments in the Bill of Rights are all about who has the power – the people and the states. Here's how it all works.
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Amendments 5-8 are all about protecting the rights of someone who has been accused of a crime. That's almost half of the whole Bill of Rights! So, why did our founders care so much? Let's find out.
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The third and fourth amendments to the Constitution are all about making sure your home is safe from the government.
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We’ve wrapped up our episodes on the First Amendment, and you know what that means – on to the second! People often argue about the Second Amendment – but do they know what it really says? In this episode, we’re joined by Second Amendment and firearms policy expert Stephen Gutowski from The Reload to give us the real scoop.
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We're wrapping up the First Amendment with a minisode on the last two freedoms it protects – assembly and petition!
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We continue our exploration of the First Amendment by talking about free speech. What does it mean? What can you say? Are there any limitations? Listen now to find out!
In this episode, we get started on the First Amendment! It "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." So, what does it mean to have freedom of religion? Why was it so important to our founders? Listen to find out!
Before we learn about the rights protected in the Bill of Rights, let's learn what rights really are!
The Constitution had been made the law of the land, but our founders wanted to make sure the people – and the government – knew certain fundamental rights could not be trampled upon.
We've talked about the Legislative and Judicial Branches. Now, it's time to learn what the Executive Branch does!
We continue to explore the different branches of government by learning all about the Judicial Branch. We're joined by Judge Don Willett to tell us what it does and how it all works.
There are three branches of government in America – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. In this episode, we find out what the legislative branch does!
Christmas flashback! Two things I love are Christmas and learning about colonial America, so I am crazy about this previously-airedepisode. Matt Arthur from Tryon Palace in North Carolina joins us to answer Christmas questions from the incredible 6 year-old Ella. In this episode, learn all about how Christmas was celebrated in Colonial times.
With Hanukkah celebrations underway around the world, we're revisiting this previously-aired episode to talk about how Jewish holidays were celebrated in colonial America. 12 year-old Zachary joins us with questions about holidays and Jewish culture, and Andrew Porwancher, history professor with the University of Oklahoma, joins us to answer them!
After getting rid of a tyrannical king, our founders wanted to make sure no one could have that much power in America.
So, they split the power into three branches of government, each with a specific job do to. And, if they get out of line, the other branches can check them and balance things out.
Here's how it works.
We've all heard the story of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth.
But there was a Thanksgiving before that – in Virginia!
Here's the story.
This Veteran's Day, we're flashing back to our episode about how the American military was first created!
If you missed this episode the first time around (are just wanted to hear it another time) – here it is again!
From harvest festivals to bonfire night, here are some of the ways autumn was celebrated in colonial America.
When our founders were deciding how our presidents would be elected, they had to figure out a way to make it fair for everyone. What they came up with was ingenious – an electoral college.
When our founders were setting up a new country, that had to make sure that they set up a new government that represented everyone. Here's how they got it done.
Our founders created a constitution that would limit the government. That means the people have to be strong and brave. Our friend from the James Madison Institute joins us to explain.
How did the Constitution come to be? We have a quick look at the Constitutional Convention in this minisode!
How did the Constitution come to be? We have a quick look at the Constitutional Convention in this minisode!
Our founders had to choose what kind of government America would have – and they chose a republic. What does that mean and how does it work? And why did Benjamin Franklin famously say we have a "republic, if we can keep it"? Find out in this episode!
Our founders had to choose what kind of government America would have – and they chose a republic.
What does that mean and how does it work? And why did Benjamin Franklin famously say we have a "republic, if we can keep it"?
Find out in this episode!
WE THE PEOPLE.
Those are the first three words of the preamble to the Constitution – and one of the most famous phrases in the world.
But what's a preamble and what does it do? Find out in this episode!
WE THE PEOPLE. Those are the first three words of the preamble to the Constitution – and one of the most famous phrases in the world. But what's a preamble and what does it do? Find out in this episode!
What's a Constitution? Why did we need one? Does it still matter today? In this episode, we find out!
What's a Constitution? Why did we need one? Does it still matter today? In this episode, we find out!
What is a Constitution? Why did we need one? Does it still matter today? Today, we find out.
What is a Constitution? Why did we need one? Does it still matter today? Today, we find out.
Now that America was its very own country, our founders had to figure out how to run it! The Articles of Confederation helped with that.
Washington and his men were encamped at Morristown, New Jersey during the winter of 1779-80 – one of the harshest winters in history.
The British said they would free any enslaved person who came to fight on their side – but was there a catch? Find out in this episode!
Dr. Kacy Tillman joins us for this episode to tell us all about loyalist women.
In the 18th century, most people didn't believe women could think for themselves. So, they could get in trouble for the opinions of their fathers, husbands, brothers, and other men in their lives.
History might remember them as loyalists, but some simply wanted peace. Others were working to help by acting as spies or messengers.
Here are some of their stories.
In 1792, George Washington asked Americans to set aside one day in November to reflect on gratitude. Here is what the proclamation said.
We've heard a lot about soldiers, spies, and political leaders during the American Revolution — and most of them were men.
In this episode, we're joined by an expert in women's history to hear what the ladies were up to.
In the first major battle after leaving Valley Forge, both armies found out if the Americans' new training had paid off.
George Washington heard that the British Army was making a move - and maybe it was time to leave Valley Forge. In this minisode, we talk about how they decided when to leave and what happened next.
As we've been talking about the American Revolution, we've been taking a lot about people getting hurt, wounded, and sick. What happens next? In this episode, you'll hear all about what medical care was like.
Not everyone in the American Colonies wanted liberty from Great Britain. In this episode, we talk about the loyalists who wanted to remain a British Colony, including Thomas Hutchinson, Governor of Massachusetts.
The winter of 1777-1778 was pivotal for the Continental Army. While wintering under terrible conditions at Valley Forge, the soldiers trained hard. What was life like in that winter? In this episode, we find out.
The battlefield had so much gunsmoke and noise—how were the soldiers supposed to know what to do? A fife and drum corps!
Amelia is joined by a fifer to tell us all about it.
In the midst of the battles of Saragota, another battle was being fought- this time in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Find out what happened (and who was hiding!) in this epsiode.
The American and British armies met in upstate New York and the two battles that followed changed the momentum of the American Revolution. We're joined by Eric Schnitzer from Saratoga National Historic Park to tell us all about who was there, what happened, and why it was such an important battle.
France was a key ally during the American Revolution, and perhaps the most famous fighting Frenchman was the Marquis de Lafayette. This week, we're joined by Lafayette expert Laura Auricchio to talk about why he joined the fight for American independence, how he got France and America on the same page, and what he did after the war.
Here's a quick episode to catch you up on what happened between the Washington Crossing the Delaware and The Battles of Saratoga (which will have a full episode of its own coming up).
As head of the American military, George Washington needed the kind of information only spies could provide. Learn all about the Culper spy ring and how they fought for American liberty.
In this episode, we talked about what kids did during the American Revolution. How did they help the fight for liberty?
We're joined by a special guest from Andrew Jackson's Hermitage to tell us all about how he served as a teenager.
In case you missed the Thanksgiving special last year, here it is again! Hear all about how Thanksgiving was celebrated during the American Revolution.
Things weren't looking so good for George Washington's Continental Army, so he had to do something fast! Why was it so important that he cross the Delaware River? Did he have to do it during the winter? What did it mean for the revolution? Find out in this episode!
Once the Revolutionary War started, we needed a flag so soldiers could tell each other apart on the battlefield. For this important job, they turned to Betsy Ross. Why did they pick her? Did George Washington like the flag? How did she feel about such an important job? This week, we're joined by Lisa Moulder from the Betsy Ross House as well as Betsy herself to answer these big questions!
We had declared independence, and the war was officially on. How did those first few battles in New York and New Jersey go fo American troops? Amelia is joined by 8 year-old Charlotte to find out all about The Battles of Long Island (also called The Battle of Brooklyn or The Battle of Brooklyn Heights), Harlem Heights, Valcour Island, and Fort Lee.
After the American colonies have declared independence, they had to fight for it! What kind of weapons did they have? What were they like? What did the British military have? How could we ever win?
In this episode, we take on those big questions with firearms historian Ashley Hlebinsky.
The colonies had met and decided it was time to be independent. First, they had to tell the king! In this episode, we're joined by Thomas Jefferson himself, the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, to tell us all about it.
It was time for freedom, but it didn't come without a fight. The American colonies had to fight a war for their independence and the right man had to be in charge. George Washington stepped in as commander and the Continental Army took on the strongest military in the world.
The first shot has been fired, and American colonists are ready to fight for their liberty. Delegates from all 13 colonies meet to figure out how to win their freedom- and what to do once they have it!
The first shot is fired and revolution is on! It's one of the most important shots ever fired- but who fired it? Why? How was it heard around the world? Since we recorded this in the middle of a pandemic, Amelia is going solo for this quick minisode.
The first shot is fired and revolution is on! It's one of the most important shots ever fired- but who fired it? Why? How was it heard around the world?
Since we recorded this in the middle of a pandemic, Amelia is going solo for this quick minisode.
Words were a huge part of how America became free. Pamphlets, speeches, letters, and documents changed people's minds, but they were also dangerous! Today, we're joined by a free expression expert to talk about what words did to make us free- and why that still matters.
"The British are coming!"
Is that really what Paul Revere said? Who was with him? In this episode, we find out what happened on the night of April 18, 1775- and what it meant for American history.
What was Christmas like during the time of the American Revolution? Did soldiers have time to celebrate? What about people at home? We find out in this special episode!
How was Thanksgiving celebrated at the time of the American Revolution? Did soldiers celebrate differently than civilians? In this special episode, we find out!
After Britain imposed the Intolerable Acts, the American Colonies decided something had to be done. Representatives from the different colonies met in Philadelphia for a Continental Congress to decide what that should be. In this episode, we get all of the details from a true expert!
After the Boston Tea Party, Britain wanted to punish the American colonies. They passed a series of laws that became known as the Intolerable Acts or Coercive Acts. They were supposed to prove to the colonists that they were in charge, but do you think the colonists obeyed? Find out in this episode!
When Britain taxed tea, colonists proved that they meant it when they said "no taxation without representation!" In December of 1773, patriots snuck onto a ship carrying tea into Boston and threw it into the harbor. Hear all about how that happened, why, and what happened next.
Things just kept getting worse between Britain and the American Colonies, and tensions boil over in Boston in what is now called "The Boston Massacre." How the people reacted is just as important as how it happened. Find out all the details in this episode!
Britain had to pay for the French and Indian War and, through things like the Stamp Act, were raising taxes on American Colonists to do it. The colonists didn't think it was fair that they could be taxed when their voices weren't even being heard by the British- they weren't being represented. The cry of "no taxation without representation" took hold in the American Colonies, and the idea that people deserved to be heard by their government was one that would change the world.
After the French and Indian War, Great Britain needed to raise money. They did that by taxing the American colonies- without giving colonists any say in it. Here comes trouble between Britain and the American Colonies, and the colonists' favorite saying: "no taxation without representation."
American colonists fought with the British army in The French and Indian War, but we don't talk about it much anymore. Today, we have an expert from Fort Ticonderoga, which was really important during the war, to tell us all about why it mattered so much.
Two things I love are Christmas and learning about colonial America, so I am crazy about this episode. Matt Arthur from Tryon Palace in North Carolina joins us to answer Christmas questions from the incredible 6 year-old Ella.
In this episode, learn all about how Christmas was celebrated in Colonial times.
With Hanukkah celebrations underway around the world, we're taking some time this week to talk about how Jewish holidays were celebrated in colonial America. 12 year-old Zachary joins us with questions about holidays and Jewish culture, and Andrew Porwancher, history professor with the University of Oklahoma, joins us to answer them!
In this Thanksgiving special, we talk about Thanksgiving! How did it start, and how did it become the holiday as we know it today? Plus, did Virginia have the REAL first Thanksgiving, not the Pilgrims, like we've always thought?
What did people read in the colonial era? How were books printed? How else the the written word shape early America? This week, we're joined by an expert from the American Antiquarian Society to answer these questions and more on books and reading in colonial times!
Did colonial kids celebrate Halloween? What other things did colonists celebrate at this time of year? We find out in this special episode!
This week, we talk about how people celebrated special events in colonial times. Holidays, weddings, special occasions- how were they like today, and how were they different?
I have been looking forward to this episode for MONTHS. Neal Hurst, assistant curator for textiles and costumes from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is here to tell us everything about what people wore in colonial times. The questions from 7-year old Mazarine are some of my favorites ever, too! I hope you like this one as much as I do!
Music is one thing that really connects people, so learning about the music in a time period can tell us a lot about the people who lived in it! This week, we talk about colonial music and instruments.
Let's face it- meals are a big part of our lives. How we get our food, the dishes we use, and our mealtime traditions tell people a lot about us! The same was true in colonial times. This week, 5 year-old Joy asks questions about 18th century meals and we have two food historians joining us to answer them.
We're back! In this next series of episodes, we'll be learning what life was like in colonial America. This week- what was life like for colonial kids?
This week, we are introduced to the last of the 13 colonies. These are North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia- three southern plantation colonies. We learn all about plantation life including slavery, crops, and even talk about bugs!
New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire are the focus of this week's episode. Eight year-old Sadie joins us with questions about rough winters, colonial Jewish culture, why these colonies all start with "new" and more. Then, Allyson Schettino, Associate Director of School Programs with the New York Historical Society answers Sadie's questions and then some.
The colonies of Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are introduced this week, and we use them as a jumping-off point to talk about religious tolerance in the American Colonies.
Learn all about the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, and Plymouth Rock here. As always, there are more resources at growingpatriots.com