Originally recorded on 11-27-2024
In this episode, Matt and Alexis talk about the 1st President, George Washington, the "foundingest father," who was incredibly conscious that everything he did would set precedent for the young country he founded. Washington had as much ego, as much to prove, and as much interest in power as the 44 men who have followed him in office, but he balanced his unmatched service to his country with his desire to have a private life in a way that defines virtue in the highest office in the country.

Alexis Coe
Alexis Coe is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling presidential historian and senior fellow at New America, a bi-partisan think tank. Coe is the leading presidential biographer of her generation, known for her unique insights, engaging style, and ability to reach larger, more diverse audiences in different mediums.

Her books have achieved critical and commercial success. She is the author of, most recently, You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George of Washington. Her next book, Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917-1957, will be published in 2025, and her first book, Alice+Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis, debuted in 2014.

In 2024, Coe went on a 13-stop cross-country discussion tour for New America. Her project, "How Should a President Be," is in anticipation of America's 250th anniversary in 2026.

Coe frequently appears on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, History, PBS, and other networks. She was a consulting producer on, and featured in, Doris Kearns Goodwin's Washington series on the History Channel. She is a frequent guest on NPR and hosted the podcasts No Man's Land and Presidents Are People Too!

She has been featured in and written for most major publications, including the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Best American Essays.

Coe has given keynote lectures and appeared on and moderated panels at Georgetown, the Library of Congress, West Point, the New York Historical Society, the National Constitution Center, the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, and many more.

She curated the ACLU'S 100 exhibitions. While in grad school, she was a project-based oral historian at the Brooklyn Historical Society. She went on to be a Research Curator in the Exhibitions Department at the New York Public Library in Bryant Park.

Coe serves on the 2024 Honorary Committee of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film and has long served on the board of advisors for the University of Georgia's History in the Headlines series. She is a member of Biographer's International.

She is based in New York.

00:00 Introduction to Country Over Self
00:33 Meet Alexis Coe: Presidential Historian
01:56 Discussing George Washington's Legacy
04:14 Washington's Relationship with Power
05:32 Washington's Early Life and Struggles
06:49 Washington's Rise to Prominence
11:55 Washington's Reluctance and Presidency
18:35 Washington's Second Term and Legacy
22:52 Washington's Decision to Retire
24:08 The Impact of Washington's Legacy
24:59 Modern Parallels: Biden's Presidency
27:20 Washington's Family and Political Advantage
31:42 Washington's Toughest Decisions
32:37 The Whiskey Rebellion: Washington's Misstep
36:35 Rapid Fire Questions: Presidential Reflections
41:30 Strengthening Democracy: Proposed Changes
43:24 Current Projects and Future Aspirations
45:30 Closing Remarks and Farewell

To learn more about Country Over Self or to check out other episodes head to Countryoverself.com.

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Country Over Self is edited and produced by Culture Collaborative Media.