Podcasts about Valley Forge

Episode 4159 │ Date June 26, 2026 Paine wrote from collapse. Washington drilled in frozen mud. The Son Tay raiders rescued no one — and saved everyone. Nine men. One pattern. Vincit. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS  Time to introduce Vincit — BardsFM's new short-form daily series built on a single doctrinal standard: Vincit qui patitur, he conquers who endures. Scott Kesterson walks through nine stories, nine moments where endurance was the only weapon that mattered — Thomas Paine writing Common Sense from personal collapse, Washington drilling a dissolving army in frozen mud at Valley Forge, Lewis and Clark holding an impossible expedition together through sheer refusal to quit, Theodore Roosevelt disappearing into the Dakota Badlands after losing his wife and mother on the same day and coming back, Alvin York wrestling his faith into action and capturing 132 prisoners with squirrel-hunting marksmanship, the First Marine Division holding Henderson Field at Guadalcanal on captured Japanese rice, Patton winning the battle as a ghost before he ever was allowed to return the field, fifty-six Special Forces operators flying into the most defended airspace in history at Son Tay to rescue POWs who weren't there — and saving them anyway — and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. still walking toward something with a damaged voice and a target on his name. One pattern runs through all nine: endurance is not the absence of suffering, it is what suffering forges when you refuse to leave the field. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What is the doctrine of Vincit qui patitur — and why does the pattern of endurance run identically through a Revolutionary pamphleteer, a frozen Continental Army, a failed POW rescue mission, and a man with a neurological voice condition still walking toward something? What is the difference between news and pattern recognition, between reaction and discernment — and why does Vincit operate at that intersection rather than the breaking news cycle? What did the Son Tay Raiders — who rescued no one — actually accomplish, and why did the POWs in the Hanoi Hilton later testify it was the turning point in their psychological survival? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm This episode was researched and produced under the Sentinel Framework v3 — the analytical methodology built by Scott Kesterson — with AI-assisted research synthesis at a 70/30 human/AI authorship ratio, fully disclosed. All analysis, conclusions, and editorial judgments are those of Scott Kesterson. AFFILIATE LINKS Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here DONATIONS: If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here MAILING ADDRESS: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740

During the winter of 1777-1778, George Washington and his soldiers set up camp at Valley Forge. It was a very cold and difficult time for the soldiers. They didn't have enough food, clothes, or proper shelter to keep warm. Many soldiers got sick, and some even had to leave because of the harsh conditions. Despite these challenges, they worked hard to become a stronger and more organized army. With the help of leaders like Baron von Steuben, the soldiers learned new skills and became better prepared to fight for their freedom.

In 1777, as Americans sought the support of France, Benjamin Franklin struggled to convince officials in Paris to form a military alliance with the new United States. Meanwhile, British General John Burgoyne planned a grand strategy to crush the rebellion by conquering the Hudson River Valley. That summer, his troops fought the Continental Army in a battle that would turn the tide of the American Revolution.But late that year, American forces faced a winter of peril as George Washington led his exhausted army into quarters at Valley Forge, where the soldiers endured disease, freezing conditions, and the threat of starvation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Baron von Steuben and the Strategic Overhaul at Valley Forge. Guest: Professor Richard Bell. Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer, arrived at Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1777–1778, desperate for a career after being forced out of the Prussian military. Though he arrived in a brilliant uniform, he was essentially a "soldier of fortune" hired by Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane to instill order and discipline in the ragtag Continental Army. Washington's decision to hire him proved to be one of his best strategic moves, transforming the army's combat readiness. Steuben's presence highlights the Revolution as a global event where foreign professionals contributed expertise for various personal and strategic reasons. 11919 VERSAILLES

National Martini day. Juneteenth. National Garfield day. Entertainment from 2015. First official baseball game played, Pinball banned call pinhibition, George Washington and his army left Valley Forge. Todays birthdays - Gena Rowlands, Phylicia Rashad, Ann Wilson, Kathleen Turner, Doug Stone, Paula Abdul, Robin Tunney, Zoe Saldana. Thomas Watson died.Intro - God did good - Dianna Corcoran     https://www.diannacorcoran.com/Its martini time - The Reverend Horton HeatSee you again - Wiz Khalifa  Charlie PuthGirl crush - Little Big TownBirthdays - In da club - 50 Cent     http://50cent.com/Magic man - HeartIn a different light - Doug StoneForever your girl - Paula AbdulExit - What I see - Cody Templeton    Cody Templeton musicHistory & Factoids about today Playlist on SpotifyHistory & Factoids about today webpagecooolmedia.comcountryundergroundradio.comNational Days - May Puzzle BookGrace & Grit Christian Country Radio

June 14, 2026On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army, The Battles of Lexington and Concord had made it clear that the British government endangered American liberties, Congress then named Virginia planter George Washington as its commander-in-chief, Defending the country without creating a military that could be used to repress the people was a challenge, The army was overlooked by Congress and funds were not available for food or supplies for the militiamen encamped at Valley Forge, PA, When France signed a treaty with the American states in February 1778, they lent money, material, and men to the cause of American independence, The Treaty of Paris formally ended the war in September 1783, and Congress disbanded the army, Washington stepped aside from military leadership, addressing Congress in December, Painter John Trumbull called his retirement one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.  Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

Dorsey Ross' birth was a surprise. Dorsey's parents were in their forties, had two grown daughters, and were considered past child-bearing age. When Dorsey was born, the doctors believed he wouldn't survive due to his life-threatening disability.    Dorsey was born on January 16th, 1977, with a congenital disability known as Apert's Syndrome. His forehead was pushed outward, his nose and mouth were pushed inward, and his fingers and toes were fused, meaning he had no individual movement of them. Doctors gave Dorsey's parents no hope for his survival and advised them to put him into an institution.  His parents both knew and trusted in God, and they believed that God would do great things in Dorsey's life. Throughout his life, Dorsey has had to overcome a lot of obstacles, including being bullied, called names like monster and freak, and undergoing multiple operations.   68 Operations Later...... Teachers told Dorsey he would not make it in college, and with all odds against him, he entered Queensborough Community College. After four years there and after attaining an associate degree, he entered the University of Valley Forge. After years of hard work and perseverance, he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Youth Ministry.  His life saying is, "can't is a word not in his vocabulary" because, for most of his life, he has never used the word can't. He believes that with God, all things are possible and that he can do all things through Christ, who gives him strength. It's with God's help that he is overcoming life's obstacles. GRAB YOUR COPY HERE Dorsey has undergone multiple operations over his lifetime. However, regardless of what he has had to face, Dorsey has not given up. He does everything he can to accomplish the goals and dreams God gave to him.

The General on His Knees #RTTBROS #Nightlight #USA250 #Nation250 #America250The General on His KneesAnd it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees.— 1 Kings 8:54THE STORYIsaac Potts did not mean to see it.The Quaker farmer was riding through the woods near Valley Forge in the bitter winter of 1777 to 1778 when he heard a voice. He followed the sound through the trees until he came to a clearing. There, alone in the snow, was General George Washington on his knees, his voice lifted in earnest prayer.Potts watched for a moment, then quietly withdrew. He went home and told his wife what he had seen and said: "If George Washington be not a man of God, I am greatly deceived, and still more shall I be deceived if God does not, through him, work out a great salvation for America."Valley Forge was the lowest moment of the Revolution. The army was starving. Two thousand men were without shoes in the snow. Washington wrote that the situation was desperate beyond what most Americans knew. He did not just write about trusting God. He knelt in the snow and asked for it.THE REFLECTIONThere is a kind of faith that is easy to have when things are going well. Valley Forge is the test of another kind, the faith that kneels in the cold when comfort is gone and the cause looks lost.Washington could have given up at Valley Forge. By every human calculation, the war was not winnable. His army was dissolving. The British were comfortable in Philadelphia, twenty miles away. But he prayed. And he stayed.The spring of 1778 brought Friedrich von Steuben, who transformed a ragged militia into a genuine army. It brought news of the French alliance. None of it was inevitable. All of it, Washington believed, was providential.We serve the same God who met Washington in those cold Pennsylvania woods. The question is whether we are willing to kneel in our own Valley Forge moments, when nothing is working and the sensible thing would be to go home. The General stayed on his knees. It changed everything.THE PATRIOT'S PRAYERPray It Forward: Where is your Valley Forge right now, the situation where you are most tempted to give up? Bring it specifically to God today, and ask Him to show you the spring that is coming.

With the passion, erudition, and irrepressible wit that have become his signature, Eric Metaxas's REVOLUTION: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World brings the epic of America's birth to life so fully that you will feel you are a part of the story, which is precisely the point. By turns deeply moving, gripping, and spectacularly entertaining, these are the stories every American must know, including some of history's noblest heroes-and some despicable villains.REVOLUTION also touches on the role that sacrifice, character, and faith played in the great struggle for "the Sacred Cause" of liberty. George Washington, John Adams, Nathan Hale, Henry Knox, Horatio Gates, Israel Putnam, Benedict Arnold and many others all come to life for a new generation of Americans.At more than 500 pages-with photos, maps, and illustrations-REVOLUTION is definitive and sweeping, an astonishing epic containing a dazzling array of stories, ranging from the explosive events that led up to Lexington and Concord, all the way through the impossible twists and turns of the war itself-including the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Crossing of the Delaware, Saratoga, and the bitter winter at Valley Forge-all the way to the final victory in Yorktown and "The World Turned Upside Down."Unless we ourselves know the true story of the Revolution-what some have called America's "founding myth"-we cannot play the role we are meant to play in the Revolution that still continues today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

American Revolution (1765–1783) was a political conflict involving the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain, culminating in the American Revolutionary War and the independence of the colonies as the United States. RW21. The Revolution DVD box-set available at https://amzn.to/4p8seIt American Revolution books at https://amzn.to/43DduIG Revolutionary War games and souvenirs at https://amzn.to/487e2YU ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). RW21. Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's Historical Jesus podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: The History Channel Presents - The Revolution narrated by Edward Herrmann & directed by Peter Schnall (2006 A&E Television Networks); Yankee Doodle by American Patriotic Song. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the official White House page declared Harambe a "true patriot" on what would have been his 27th birthday, most people scrolled past. David & Brad take a moment. Because once the government is producing gorilla memorial content while simultaneously installing a UFC octagon on the South Lawn for America's 250th, you have to ask what exactly Valley Forge was for.As it turns out, there's a through-line from the White House's foray into internet meme governance all the way to Denver International Airport's genius plan to silence the lizard-people conspiracy by opening some of the tunnels for public tours, which just tells every conspiracy theorist on earth that the other tunnels are where the answers are. The fix is always worse than the problem, whether you're running an airport, a cruise ship, or a country.The coconut, however, remains the answer. Roddy Piper knew it. Sister Rose Albert Malloy knew it. And if you've spent any time watching influencers validate each other's feelings on a screen, you know it too.

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-1-2026.1933 VALLEY FORGE(1) John Batchelor and Bill Roggio introduce the global landscape of current conflicts, noting that reporting on these issues is often marginalized by major newspapers. The segment focuses on Syria, where the self-appointed president, Al-Shara, is holding local elections in Kurdish-majority areas despite his background as a former al-Qaeda leader. Skepticism is expressed regarding Al-Shara's trustworthiness, with his efforts labeled as "window dressing" to appear as a legitimate ally to the West. Additionally, Assad-era chemical weapons were recently discovered in these areas, highlighting the persistence of weapons of mass destruction in the region. Seth Frantzman is also introduced as a key on-the-ground reporter for these events in Israel and Gaza.(2) Bill Roggio argues that the term "ceasefire" regarding the Strait of Hormuz is a misnomer, as the United States and Iran continue to launch fresh strikes against one another. Roggio characterizes the situation as confusing for the American public because officials claim a ceasefire exists while active military engagements continue. Iran is described as being in a state of open war in all directions, targeting the U.S., Europe, and regional neighbors. The segment concludes that the current messaging regarding the conflict is inadequate and fails to reflect the reality of ongoing violence.(3) Jonathan Sayeh reports that the U.S. blockade has caused a sharp decline in Iranian oil exports, though it has not yet reached a level of total economic catastrophe. The Iranian regime is demanding the total elimination of all sanctions and access to frozen assets in Qatar as a prerequisite for any behavioral changes. Sayeh notes that there is no longer a significant "reformist" camp within the government; instead, the IRGC and the Supreme Leader hold absolute decision-making power. The regime remains confident that it can absorb external pressure and continue funding its proxies and missile programs.(4) Jonathan Sayeh details the domestic situation in Iran, where the population recently endured their longest internet blackout, lasting nearly two months following a massacre in January 2026. Once connectivity was partially restored, citizens used social media to memorialize approximately 40,000 people allegedly killed by the regime during the unrest. Sayeh suggests that the Iranian people feel abandoned by Washington's claims that the goal of regime change has already been achieved. Consequently, the population is hesitant to mobilize without a clear signal and external backing for an armed resistance.(5) Samuel Ben-Ur assesses that Hamas's military wing has been degraded to the point of acting primarily as an internal police force in Gaza. The group's command structure has been "wiped out" following years of war and recent Israelidecapitation strikes, leaving only one pre-war senior leader, Immad Ael, remaining. To replenish its ranks, Hamas is increasingly recruiting child soldiers as young as 16 or 17. Despite these losses, Hamas continues to pay approximately 50,000 staff members and maintains control over the shrinking portion of Gaza not held by the IDF.(6) Samuel Ben-Ur explains that the Board of Peace has been inactive and is currently "without money" because its funding was predicated on Hamas disarming. Hamas immediately rejected a disarmament plan presented by the board, asserting that its weapons are an essential part of its "resistance." The group's political leadership remains protected in Doha, Qatar, due to U.S. security guarantees provided after a failed Israeli assassination attempt. Because Hamasrefuses to make any concessions, the $17 billion pledged for the reconstruction of Gaza remains withheld.(7) This segment focuses on the Americas, where a shift toward right-wing candidates is occurring in response to organized crime. In Colombia, presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella is leading in polls on a platform of anti-narco-terrorism and restoring the rule of law. In Brazil, the U.S. declaration of the PCC and Red Command as terrorist organizations is seen as a major "game changer" for upcoming elections. Candidates who advocate for close cooperation with the U.S. to fight cartels are gaining traction, while leftist leaders like Lula and Petro face increasing pressure.(8) Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports on a "slow-motion coup" attempt in Bolivia led by Evo Morales, whose supporters have placed the capital under siege. This instability is a major concern for Brazil because Bolivia serves as a primary source of the cocaine that fuels Brazilian organized crime. Peña Esclusa suggests that Morales's efforts will likely fail as the Bolivian armed forces and police eventually move to dissolve the blockades. Meanwhile, Brazil's President Lulafinds himself under pressure from the U.S. and internal factions, limiting his ability to support Morales.(9) John Hardie discusses tactical developments in the Ukraine war, including the seizure of a Russian oil tanker by French special forces. Ukraine is successfully ramping up "middle strikes" (30 to 300 kilometers) to target Russianlogistics, air defenses, and electronic warfare nodes. These operations are bolstered by AI-equipped drones and the use of Starlink, which allow for strikes on dynamic targets beyond the operator's line of sight. On the battlefield, Ukrainianforces have recaptured territory in localized counterattacks on the border of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.(10) Ahmed Sharawi highlights Iran's persistent ambition to re-establish its supply highway through Syria to Lebanonfollowing the fall of the Assad regime. Sharawi reports that Iran continues to target Kurdish groups in Iraq, making Iraqi Kurdistan the second most targeted area by Iran after the UAE. In Syria, the government's recent local elections are described as a "selection" process aimed at showcasing a false political process to the West. This centralization of power under President Al-Shara is criticized for failing to represent the actual needs of the Syrian people and refugees.(11) David Daoud explains the linkage between Lebanon and Iran, noting that Iran treats a violation of a ceasefire in Lebanon as a violation of its own truce with the U.S. Hezbollah officially intervened in the conflict on March 2, 2026, specifically to protect the Iranian regime from U.S. and Israeli pressure. Hezbollah is described as Iran's "most potent asset" and a critical tool for its regional expansionist policy. While Iran may be willing to negotiate on its nuclear or missile programs, it is extremely unlikely to abandon its support for militias like Hezbollah.(12) David Daoud characterizes recent diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon at the U.S. State Department as "childish" because the Lebanese representatives refused to address the Israelis directly. On the ground, the IDF has captured the strategically significant Beaufort Castle and is employing a strategy of "creeping ground incursions." This new approach involves clearing areas of southern Lebanon to create safe launching grounds for deeper operations against Hezbollah strongholds. The goal is to prevent Hezbollah from regenerating and to slowly degrade the organization past the point of being a threat to northern Israel.(13) Peter Berkowitz examines two distinct intellectual critiques of the United States as it approaches its 250th anniversary: the postmodern progressives and the post-liberal right. The progressives argue that America is mired in systemic oppression and that its founding principles are the actual cause of its problems. The post-liberal right, conversely, views the nation as decadent and corrupt because it fails to recognize a higher religious authority. Both groups advocate for fundamental changes, with the right-wing critique specifically calling for the government to take a more active role in leading citizens toward virtue and salvation.(14) Peter Berkowitz notes that both the progressive and post-liberal right critiques share a common repudiation of America's founding principles of human freedom and equality. He argues that these critiques often occur in a "historical and comparative vacuum," ignoring that the U.S. remains a premier destination for those seeking personal liberty. Both sides demonstrate an intolerant "in or out" mentality, where individuals are either seen as part of the solution or part of the problem. Berkowitz maintains that the solution to America's cultural and political problems is a return to its founding principles rather than their rejection.(15) Peter Huessy discusses the confirmation by the U.S. government that China conducted recent underground nuclear tests. Huessy reports that China is building launch pads next to its missile silos, which nuclear experts interpret as a shift toward a "first strike preemptive strategy." This strategy is designed to use a nuclear umbrella to coerce the U.S. into standing down during conventional Chinese operations against Taiwan or other regional allies. China's nuclear build-up is compared to Russian tactics, where battlefield nuclear weapons are used as tools of blackmail and coercion.(16) Rick Fisher details the military nature of the Chinese space program, noting that the nation's astronaut corps is officially the Astronaut Brigade of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Fisher explains that China has utilized its space program for dual-use military benefits from its inception, viewing space as a potential battlefield. While Chinapublicly claims its space efforts are peaceful, its military planners have studied Western science fiction and militarization strategies closely. The segment warns that the U.S. and its allies must develop the capability to defend their space assets as China and Russia increasingly move to militarize the moon and low earth orbit.Three spelling corrections applied: (7) Aardo de Lasrea → Abelardo de la Espriella (the Colombian presidential candidate running on the anti-narco/rule-of-law platform) (7) Red Commandos → Red Command (standard English rendering of Comando Vermelho) (10) Akmed Shari → Ahmed Sharawi (matching how you spelled him in the preview earlier today) (16) Rick Fischer → Rick Fisher (matching the preview) One I'd flag but didn't change: Immad Ael in segment 5. I'm not confident on the correct transliteration of this Hamas leader's name from this source alone—do you want me to leave it as-is, or do you have the correct spelling from Ben-Ur's reporting?

In episode 250 of the Transition Drill Podcast, explore breaking free from toxic cultures and rewriting your identity in transition for veterans and first responders navigating the high stakes of civilian life. You'll hear Riley Gruppo on overcoming systemic isolation, a traumatic medical retirement, and the pressure to be perfect, and what it takes to reclaim your personal mission as an entrepreneur.Riley grew up in a chaotic military family, groomed for a life of service under intense pressure. Seeking her own path, she entered an Early Commissioning Program at Valley Forge Military Academy before finishing her degree at Pepperdine University. Driven by ego and a fierce desire to prove her critics wrong, she chose the infantry branch right as combat arms roles opened to women.Her time on active duty at Fort Benning was defined by physical grit and systemic hurdles. Riley faced isolating dynamics as a woman in a heavily male dominated space, but she outperformed expectations until a severe knee injury forced a trajectory change. She pivoted to lead an integrated training unit on Sand Hill, but the unrelenting demands of command left no space to process personal loss, including the sudden death of her grandmother.Ultimately, a medical retirement forced her out of the uniform. Riley stepped into the corporate world in survival mode, quickly recognizing that the toxic cultures she tolerated in uniform existed in civilian offices too. After recognizing her skills in strategic planning and operations were highly transferable, she made the bold choice to quit corporate life and build her own brand, The Standard.Today, she helps clients navigate pivotal career transitions using a framework focused on the mind, body, and mission. She is also a passionate advocate for veteran healthcare, partnering with the Aspen Elevation Institute to pioneer cutting edge treatments for traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Riley proves that when you leave the military, the ultimate mission becomes taking care of yourself.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#aboutQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:paul@transitiondrillpodcast.comCHAPTERS00:00:00 - Intro: The Question That Opens Grief00:03:18 - Grandmother as the Anchor00:06:38 - Relearning How to Be Human00:08:38 - Groomed for the Infantry00:12:20 - Texas, Divorce, and Survival00:15:27 - Broken Homes, Servant Hearts00:21:19 - Good Memories Inside Chaos00:22:24 - Excellence Built on Fear00:25:24 - Living Alone Senior Year00:29:08 - Valley Forge and the Hard Way00:36:42 - Choosing Infantry00:38:00 - The Injury That Changed the Path00:44:18 - Pivoting Away From Infantry00:50:24 - The Cost Behind the Badge00:55:33 - Medically Retired, Ready to Leave00:58:09 - Seeing the Culture After Leaving01:03:30 - Isolation in Uniform01:09:30 - Women, Competition, and Change01:25:00 - Now the Mission Is You01:38:04 - Healing the Brain, Helping OthersSPONSORS:GRND Collective: Premium, veteran-owned sportswear built for those who show up, outwork the excuses, and give 100%. Score 15% off your order at thegrndcollective.com using promo code TRANSITION15 at checkoutBlue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children's Foundation, serving families who've paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comBill is a historian. He currently teaches at the University of Texas, where he holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History. He's the author of more than 30 books, including The First American and Traitor to His Class. His new book is American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington. As part of our occasional series on great Americans, it was time for the OG American. I learned a lot reading the book and talking to Bill.For two clips of the episode — on Washington's humane display of aristocracy, and how he's the antidote to today's politics — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: Bill growing up in a Catholic neighborhood in Portland, Oregon; teaching at a Jesuit high school in his early 20s; the different styles of historians; Washington born into the Virginia gentry; losing his dad at a young age; smallpox as a teen likely making him infertile but protecting him during war; his skill at land surveying; joining Ben Franklin in the Ohio Company of land speculation; British arrogance toward colonists; GW accidentally sparking the French and Indian War; his grudge against the Crown; losing most of his battles but winning both wars; his Dunkirk and his D-Day; a meh tactician but a grand strategist; his wise retreats; absconding to Mount Vernon; Hamilton and LaFayette as surrogate sons; attacking the Brits on Christmas; holding the army together at Valley Forge; the deep loyalty of his men; keeping his ego in check; Shays' Rebellion; GW the key to securing the Constitution; declaring neutrality in European wars; his farewell address; and warning against partisanship.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Ben Rhodes on Iran and speech-writing, John Gray on Trump's new world, Bob Wright on the evolutionary force of AI, Tiffany Jenkins on privacy in a liberal democracy, Daniel McCarthy on conservatism, Stephen Grosz on the struggles of love, David Thomson on cinema history, and Robby George on all our disagreements. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

⭐ FREE SLAVES with CSI: https://csi-usa.org/metaxas/Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, Eric talks with Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn about the new documentary Revolutionary America, the fragile miracle of the American Revolution, and why Americans must recover the true story of the founding. They discuss Rededicate 250, the media's reaction to Eric's ballroom joke, the Declaration of Independence, Washington crossing the Delaware, Valley Forge, Lexington and Concord, John Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, King George III, and why the Revolution was far more desperate and consequential than many Americans realize. Subscribe for clips from The Eric Metaxas Show to hear politics and culture from a Christian perspective.⭐ PRE-ORDER TODAY:Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

In this episode we have a conversation with reporter Jasper Craven about his new book, God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood, which is a made-for-KYE feat of research that offers a fascinating way into perennial themes of this show: masculinity, U.S. empire, the relationship between violence and civilization, and the surprising camp of conservatism. Along the way we discuss Donald Trump, the mob, Peter Brian Hegseth, Graham Platner, and more. Sources: Jasper Craven, God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood (2026) — "Battle of the Sexes: Pete Hegseth's War on Women," The Baffler, Sept 2025 Dan Gilgoth, The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America Are Winning the Culture War (2007) Dr. James Dobson, Dare to Discipline: A Pyschologist Offers Urgent Advice to Parents and Teachers (1970) ...and don't forget to subscribe to Know Your Enemy on Patreon for access to all of our bonus episodes!

Most of us learned the same story: During the winter at Valley Forge, George Washington's army suffered and endured. Ragged soldiers huddled together in frozen huts and gnawed on shoe leather for food. But what if that story is mostly myth? Military historian Ricardo Herrera, author of Feeding Washington's Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778, reveals what was really happening during the winter of 1777–1778. Valley Forge wasn't a place of frozen inactivity, it was a hub of military operations. The army's survival depended not on virtue and willpower alone, but on the armed foraging columns Washington sent into the Pennsylvania countryside to seize food, horses, and supplies from the civilians he was fighting to protect. Rick's Website | Book |Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/348 RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES

This week Jasper Craven joins Francis to discuss his latest book "God Forgives, Brothers Don't". Pick up Jasper's book here in either Hard Cover or Audiobook format - https://bookshop.org/a/25702/9781668087190  When investigative reporter Jasper Craven first dug into Valley Forge Military Academy five years ago, he uncovered an acrid strain of masculinity that was raw, violent, fiercely hierarchical, and quickly mutating out of control. Initially, he had assumed that military education was a dying, outmoded brand. But as he looked deeper, he found a sprawling, well-funded network featuring dozens of military schools, like Valley Forge and West Point, plus thousands of ROTC programs in public colleges and high schools that allowed the Pentagon to wield outsized power on education. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates  https://whatahellofawaytodad.com/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hellofawaytodad/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hellofawaytodad/   

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Impact Without Limits, Brian and Dale explore George Washington's harsh winter at Valley Forge and one of the most pivotal seasons of the American Revolution, where survival itself became the victory. Facing loss, disease, hunger, desertion, and political pressure, Washington and the Continental Army endured when everything pointed toward collapse.They also unpack the unexpected people and moments that helped reshape the war—from Baron von Steuben's training to growing French support—and reflect on a timeless truth: sometimes growth doesn't happen in the victories, but in the seasons where people simply refuse to quit.Episode Highlights: The Winter That Nearly Ended the Revolution.Valley Forge: Surviving Without a Battle.Washington Under Pressure.The Leaders Who Rebuilt the Army.When Survival Becomes Victory.Links Mentioned in Episode/Find More on ForeverLawn:www.foreverlawn.comImpact Without Limits Instagram: @impact_withoutlimitsForeverLawn's Instagram: @foreverlawnincGet Grass Without Limits HereVisit our show notes page HERESubscribe to Our Newsletter HEREDale's Instagram: @dalekarmieBrian's Instagram: @bkarmieFind Our Shorts on the ForeverLawn YouTube ChannelCheck out Freedom 250 on Whitehouse.govThis show has been produced by Adkins Media Co.

Trump diverts about $1.8 billion in taxpayers's money to his cronies—just call him President Slush Fund. Ben riffs. Kevin Ryan talks about the lessons he learned from his recent Senate campaign. From there he covers everything from Hegseth in Kentucky to George Washington at Valley Forge. A shout out to Robin Kelly. A call for ranked-choice voting. A plea for a separation between church and state. A recital from Henry the Fifth. And a few words about the paradox of saying Happy Memorial Day. Kevin is the state director for Veterans For All Voters. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's no better place to explore America's roots during it's 250th year than Washington, D.C., home of the nation's capital. While Washington is the center of American politics, it's also the birthplace of the illustrious Museum of the Bible.  Dr. Carlos Campo, CEO of the Museum of the Bible talks about the museum's powerful influence over the millions who've visited since its opening nearly a decade ago. Dr. Campo also highlights the exhibitions the museum will showcase in honor of America's 250th anniversary, specifically, the quintessential imagery of George Washington's prayer at Valley Forge. The original painting, now on display, tells more than words eve could about how the nation was forged, aided by its most powerful man on bended knee, bowing to the greatest power in all creation.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The American Revolution teeters on the edge of collapse before roaring back to life with Washington's daring crossing of the Delaware River and a Christmas surprise attack at Trenton. Experience the heartbreak of Brandywine, the comeback at Saratoga, the frozen crucible of Valley Forge, and the global shakeup triggered by a French alliance. Along the way, Benedict Arnold betrays a nation, an enslaved double-spy helps alter the course of history, and a cornered British army walks into a trap that will upend an empire. This is the epic story of America's brutal fight for independence and the raw resilience that forged a nation. GLENN'S SPONSORS: Chapter: When it comes to Medicare, Chapter puts you first. Dial #250 and say the key word Chapter. Jase Medical: Get your personalized emergency medical kit today. Visit https://jase.com/ and enter code “BECK” at checkout for a discount on your order. Relief Factor: If you're living with aches and pains, see how Relief Factor, a daily drug-free supplement, could help you feel better and live better. Try the three-week QuickStart for just $19.95 by visiting https://ReliefFactor.com. American Financing: American Financing can show you how to put your hard-earned equity to work and get you out of debt. Dial ⁠800-906-2440⁠, or visit ⁠https://www.americanfinancing.net⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Eric Metaxas Show, Eric talks with Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn about the new documentary Revolutionary America, the fragile miracle of the American Revolution, and why Americans must recover the true story of the founding. They discuss Rededicate 250, the media's reaction to Eric's ballroom joke, the Declaration of Independence, Washington crossing the Delaware, Valley Forge, Lexington and Concord, John Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, King George III, and why the Revolution was far more desperate and consequential than many Americans realize. Subscribe for clips from The Eric Metaxas Show to hear politics and culture from a Christian perspective.⭐ PRE-ORDER TODAY:Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

Graham Platner, Maureen Galindo, Raúl Castro, Jeff Bezos, and Pete Hegseth headline today's A.M. Update. Trump calls out Senate Republicans for keeping Obama-era parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough in place, and Aaron uses John Cornyn's non-answer about his Senate record to lay out exactly why he deserved the Paxton endorsement — the list of accomplishments is a long silence. Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner takes another hit as a resurfaced Reddit post shows him mocking a Purple Heart recipient who was shot four times by the Taliban, while Texas 35th district Democrat Maureen Galindo faces backlash even from her own party after pledging to turn the Karnes ICE detention center into a prison for American Zionists, and a castration facility. The DOJ unseals a 1996 indictment against Raúl Castro for the shootdown of two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue aircraft, with acting AG Todd Blanche announcing the charges to an enthusiastic Miami crowd. Jeff Bezos does a wide-ranging CNBC interview calling for zero income taxes on the bottom 50% of earners and criticizing corporate welfare — and Aaron unpacks why the taxation idea would actually increase class resentment. Aaron closes with Pete Hegseth's Rededicate 250 remarks on George Washington kneeling in the snow at Valley Forge.

Sunday's nine-hour “Rededicate 250” event on the National Mall brought together politicians and religious leaders calling for America to be returned to God. In this episode, Brad Onishi breaks down key statements from figures like Robert Jeffress, Mike Johnson, Pete Hegseth, and Marco Rubio, exposing how their claims rely on selective history, mythmaking, and a deeply misleading vision of the founding. From the Doctrine of Discovery to the legend of Washington at Valley Forge, the story being told isn't just inaccurate—it's strategic. This episode argues that Christian nationalism is not about personal faith or patriotism, but about power: the belief that certain religious identities deserve greater authority in public life. By revisiting the Constitution, the founding era, and the principle of “we the people,” Brad shows what's actually at stake—religious freedom, democratic equality, and the boundary between church and state. The question isn't whether religion belongs in American life, but whether the government gets to decide whose religion counts. Subscribe for $3.65:⁠ ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter:⁠ ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠⁠ Donate to SWAJ: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Animals were critical to the War for Independence, both as livestock to feed the armies and navies, and as draft animals to pull cannon and provisions.  Dogs and other animals served as mascots and companions, and insects spread diseases that upset the most careful military plans. While historians have looked at problems of supply and transportation for the armies at war, none has looked at the impact of animals on the War, or the War on animals.  David Hsuing, an environmental historian and Charles and Shirley Knox Professor of History at Juniata College, tells us about the many roles of animals in shaping the War and its outcome, focusing on the siege of Boston.  Tell us what you think! Send us a text message!

What made George Washington more than a Founding Father? In this episode of Reckoning with Jason Herbert, historian H. W. Brands joins Jason to explore the man behind the marble statue—soldier, strategist, slaveholder, revolutionary, and reluctant president.Drawing from Brands' new biography of Washington, the conversation dives deep into the personality and contradictions of America's first president. Together, they examine Washington's rise during the French and Indian War, his leadership during the American Revolution, the brutal realities of Valley Forge, and the immense pressure of holding the Continental Army together when independence seemed impossible.But this episode goes beyond battlefield mythology. Jason and Brands explore Washington's carefully crafted public image, his obsession with reputation and character, his complicated relationship with slavery, and the enormous influence he had on later American leaders like Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. They also tackle a larger question: why does Washington still loom so large in American memory 250 years later?From the halls of the Constitutional Convention to the frozen encampment at Valley Forge, this is a conversation about leadership, war, power, masculinity, and the creation of the United States itself.Perfect for fans of American history, the Revolutionary War, presidential biography, and the complicated legacy of the Founding Fathers.

What does it mean to call someone the “father” of a nation—and what happens when that father is more complicated than legend allows? Watch this conversation on YouTube . Russell welcomes renowned historian H.W. Brands for a conversation on his newest book, American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington. Washington was a man formed by ambition and concern for character, but from the myth of praying at Valley Forge to the quiet realities of Washington's faith, his life is often incorrectly perceived through a filter of our modern era. The truth about his leadership and life has more nuance than we realize.   Brands helps uncover a leader who believed in providence but resisted religious spectacle, who embodied authority not through charisma but through consistency. And perhaps most strikingly, a man who understood power well enough to walk away from it. But the conversation isn't just about the past, It's about the kind of leadership we recognize in the present (and the kind we are missing). In an age marked by distrust in institutions and suspicion of motives, Washington's example raises uncomfortable questions we should reckon well with: Can character still command respect? Can authority still be earned rather than performed? And are we even looking for the kind of leaders who would rather leave than stay? Resources mentioned in this episode: American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington — H.W. Brands Keep up with Russell: Subscribe to Russell on Substack Sign up for the weekly Moore to the Point newsletter  Submit a question for the show at questions@russellmoore.com  Subscribe to the Christianity Today Magazine: Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Een Franse tiener stortte zich met heel zijn enthousiasme, idealisme en aristocratische ponteneur 250 jaar geleden in de onafhankelijkheidsstrijd in Amerika. Hij werd – al in die tijd - een soort popster en kreeg de bijnaam 'held van twee werelden'. Het was het ongebruikelijke begin van een ongekend avontuurlijk leven tijdens revolutie, omwenteling en strijd voor democratie en mensenrechten. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette - een onvervalst Hollywood-epos waardig. Jaap Jansen en PG Kroeger vertellen het verhaal over de meest vereerde Europeaan in de rebelse dertien koloniën. *** Deze aflevering is mede mogelijk gemaakt met donaties van luisteraars die we hiervoor hartelijk danken. Word ook vriend van de show! Heb je belangstelling om in onze podcast te adverteren of ons te sponsoren? Zend ons een mailtje en wij zoeken contact. *** Hij leefde van 1757 tot 1834. Een weeskind uit een adellijke, puissant rijke en krijgshaftige dynastie in Auvergne. Hij kende iedereen en speelde waar hij opdook een hoofdrol in meeslepende gebeurtenissen. Als politicus, generaal, diplomaat, filosoof en bemiddelaar. Hij was een tijdgenoot van al die fascinerende mensen van Verlichting, Romantiek en revolutiejaren. Napoleon, Goethe, Germaine de Staël, Beethoven, de Humboldts en natuurlijk de founding fathers van Amerika. Op13 juni 1777 kwam het door Lafayette zelf betaalde oorlogsschip Victoire aan bij de kust van South Carolina. Zijn wapens, het kruit en onmetelijke rijkdom waren welkome geschenken. Maar wat moesten de Amerikaanse opstandelingen met die jongen vol esprit, maar zonder kennis van de Engelse taal? In enkele maanden veroverde hij de harten van de Amerikanen, misschien wel juist omdat zo'n uiterst elitaire, aristocratische persoonlijkheid zo’n enorm contrast vormde met de dagelijkse besognes en contacten in Philadelphia. En hij maakte indruk doordat hij oprecht was. Hij maakte alle ontberingen aan het front en in de ijzige winter van Valley Forge mee als trouwe adjudant van George Washington. "Ik ben hier om te leren, niet om lesjes uit te delen," zei hij bescheiden. Washington stuurde de 20-jarige terug naar Parijs om als influencer ook Franse harten én beurzen te laten kloppen voor vrijheid en democratie. Ook daarin bleek hij een succès fou. Terug aan de zijde van zijn idool Washington commandeerde Lafayette de troepen en speelde een hoofdrol bij de definitieve overwinning op de Britten bij Yorktown in 1781. In Parijs werd hij bejubeld. Hij onderhandelde mee aan de vrede waarmee koning George III zijn Amerikaanse imperium moest vrijlaten. Terug in het vrije Amerika trok hij door alle nieuwe 13 staten, als een popster gefêteerd. Geen wonder dat hij terug in Frankrijk een leidende aanjager werd van een verlicht koninklijk bewind en meer burgerlijke vrijheden. De ochtend na de bestorming van de Bastille werd hij benoemd tot commandant van de Nationale Garde en moest rust en orde en een correct functioneerde overheid garanderen. Hij schreef wereldgeschiedenis. Uit zijn pen kwam de Déclaration des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen – de Verklaring van de rechten van de mens en de burger - het fundament voor de formulering van mensenrechten sindsdien. Zijn coauteur was vriend voor het leven Thomas Jefferson. De radicalisering en uiteindelijk 'la Terreur' van de Revolutie hadden voor Lafayette's familie vreselijke gevolgen. Hij poogde te vluchten naar Amerika, maar werd opgepakt en zat jaren vast als gijzelaar in een Habsburgs kasteel in Slowakije. Napoleon kocht hem vrij, maar dat betekende allerminst dat hij voor zijn steeds dictatorialer wordende bewind. Lafayettte was de rest van zijn leven een principieel, vurig tegenstander van autoritair bewind, ook van de niet al te democratische koningen na l'Empereur. Het scheelde overigens maar weinig of hij was in 1830 zelf staatshoofd geworden. Amerika was hem nimmer vergeten. Ter viering van 50 jaar onafhankelijkheid, nu 200 jaar geleden, maakte hij een tournee langs alle 24 staten van toen. Het werd een triomf, met zijn verjaardagsfeest op het Witte Huis. Hij sprak als icoon van de vrijheid het Congres toe. En hij bezocht nog weer eens zijn vriend Jefferson, toen 81 jaar oud. Bij zijn dood in 1834 werd nationale rouw afgekondigd in heel de Verenigde Staten. President John Quincy Adams zei in zijn grafrede: “Lafayette staat hoog op de lijst van de pure en onzelfzuchtige weldoeners van de mensheid.” *** Verder kijken Filmtrailer Lafayette (1961) Tekenfilm: Lafayette, de Franse tiener die Amerika maakte Deel 1 Deel 2 Guns and Ships - Hamilton (Original Cast 2016 - Live) *** Verder luisteren 281 - Fourth of July: Amerika reisgids voor politieke junkies 382 - 250 jaar Verenigde Staten: de Boston Tea Party 519 - Thomas Jefferson, de revolutionaire schrijver van de Onafhankelijkheidsverklaring 459 – Rolmodel George Washington 397 - Benjamin Franklin, zijner majesteits meest loyale rebel 190 - Napoleon, 200 jaar na zijn dood: zijn betekenis voor Nederland en Europa 580 - Lenteboekenspecial met Germaine de Staël 57 - PG Kroeger over Alexis de Tocqueville 513 – Tanks rollen door Washington DC, 250 jaar US Army 570 - 250 jaar VS: leiderschap in het Amerikaanse Huis van Afgevaardigden 494 - Trumps aanval op de geschiedenis en de geest van Amerika 473 - 2025. 200 jaar John Quincy Adams president 475 – Trumps rolmodel Andrew Jackson 520 - De radicaaldemocratische erfenis van Pieter Vreede *** Tijdlijn 00:00:00 – Deel 1 00:26:28 – Deel 2 00:53:30 – Jean-Marc van Tol + Deel 3 01:13:35 – EindeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We'd like to invite you to subscribe (for free) to our YouTube Channel. In 2026, its name will change from Addressing Gettysburg to Addressing History so as to enable us to produce new content that explores a wider breadth of American history. Our first attempt at that was produced last year and we just released the first episode of this new series. It's called "Tavern Talks" and our goal is to give we, the People, equal footing with our historian guests in a way no one else cares to try. Our first episode is about Valley Forge and features Kenneth Gavin. There are some visuals that you will not be able to see because this is the audio-only version, obviously. That's why we encourage you to bite the bullet and finally get over to YouTube and subscribe to our channel. See you there!  

What happens when the capital falls—but the fight is far from over?In this episode of Boom Goes the History, co-host Kris White is joined by historian Dan Davis and producer Andy Poulton to dive into the dramatic Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. From the shock of losing the American capital to the hard lessons learned on the road to Valley Forge, the crew unpacks how setbacks helped shape the Revolution's resilience. It's one of the most trying chapters in George Washington's storied career. It's a fast-paced, fun, and insightful look at a pivotal moment—and a reminder that even in defeat, the story was far from finished.

William "Billy" Lee is the man behind George Washington, and his story reveals a side of the American founding that history too often ignores. This episode uncovers how Lee's life helps explain Washington's greatest contradiction and why oversimplifying the Founding Era distorts the truth. In this episode of The P.A.S. Report Podcast, Professor Nick Giordano explores the complex relationship between George Washington and William "Billy" Lee. While Washington led a revolution for liberty, Lee stood beside him through the Revolutionary War, Valley Forge, and the early years of the new republic. Their story opens a deeper look into Washington's evolving views on slavery and the broader tensions at the heart of America's founding. What You'll Learn: The untold story of William "Billy" Lee and his indispensable role beside George Washington  How the American Revolution and Washington's correspondence helped shape his evolving view of slavery  The central contradiction between America's fight for liberty and the institution of slavery  Why reducing the Founding Era to simple slogans distorts the truth of history  What Washington's final will reveals about his legacy, Lee's freedom, and the American story

Jon Mack has been around the NCCAA for several years as a player and coach, playing basketball for the University of Valley Forge from 1996-2000, earning NCCAA All-Regional honors and finishing his career as the school's leader in points, points per game, and second all-time in rebounds. Mack stayed with the Patriots from 2000-2017, coaching the men's basketball team and serving as Athletic Director from 2004-2017, earning 11 trips to the NCCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship.   Mack then coached Southwestern Christian University, guiding the Eagles to the NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game in 2018, before arriving at Lancaster Bible College (LBC) and leading the Chargers to the 2026 NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. He is a four-time NCCAA Coach of the Year and picked up his 110th win at LBC and 435th overall win as a head coach in the Chargers' 82-75 victory over Columbia International University in this year's NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game. In this episode, Mack discusses playing basketball at Valley Forge, how he has grown as both a Christian and a coach over the years, the network of coaches in the NCCAA, and how his team overcame adversity to win the 2026 NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship.   

9. Thomas Paine's Crisis and the Fabian Strategy Guest: Ed Larson Summary: Ed Larson details Thomas Paine's "AmericanCrisis," which revitalized the patriot cause. He explains George Washington's "Fabian strategy" of tactical retreats to wear down the British army while their atrocities fueled local resistance. (10)1950 VALLEY FORGE

10. Abigail Adams and the Limits of Equality Guest: Ed Larson Summary: This segment highlights Abigail Adams' plea to "remember the ladies" in the new code of laws. Ed Larson discusses how her husband, John Adams, dismissed these early calls for gender and racial equality. (11)1943 VALLEY FORGE`

4. Joseph Ellis, *The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773 to 1783*. Thomas Paine's *Common Sense* revolutionized the rebellion by using plain language to argue that an island could not rule a continent and that monarchies were inherently flawed. Paine shifted the movement's focus from the rights of Englishmen to the natural rights of all human beings, making American victory seem inevitable. However, the harsh reality of war was felt at Valley Forge, where George Washington's army faced starvation and exposure due to a lack of congressional support. During that brutal winter, approximately 1,200 soldiers died of malnutrition and exposure, testing the endurance of those who "stayed the course". (4)1865 PARIS

5. Joseph Ellis, *The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773 to 1783*. Nathaniel Greene saved the Continental Army from collapse at Valley Forge by stabilizing the food supply as quartermaster. The veterans of this ordeal began to see themselves as an "aristocracy of virtue" committed to the necessity of a strong federal government. Figures like John Laurens envisioned the revolution as a crusade to end slavery, viewing it as the purest expression of the cause. Furthermore, the Continental Army was a genuinely integrated force, with African Americans making up 8-10% of the troops and serving in combat units at a level not seen again until the KoreanWar. (5)1492 COLUMBUS

Joseph Plumb Martin reveals the brutal reality behind the American Revolution and the true price of liberty. Discover how an ordinary teenage soldier endured starvation, freezing winters, and battlefield chaos to help secure American independence. The American Revolution is often told through the stories of famous founders and celebrated generals, but the survival of the new nation depended on thousands of ordinary soldiers who endured unimaginable hardship. This episode of America's Founding Series explores the life of Joseph Plumb Martin, a teenage Continental Army soldier whose firsthand account exposes the hunger, sacrifice, and perseverance that ultimately secured American liberty. His story serves as a powerful reminder that freedom was not granted by speeches or declarations but earned through years of suffering and unwavering commitment. What You'll Learn How Joseph Plumb Martin enlisted at just sixteen and spent seven grueling years in the Continental Army The harsh realities of Revolutionary War camps including starvation, firecakes, and boiling leather to survive Why the brutal winter at Morristown nearly destroyed Washington's army The chaos and extreme heat of the Battle of Monmouth and the legendary moment that inspired Molly Pitcher Why Martin's memoir stands as one of the most powerful firsthand accounts of the American Revolution This episode reveals the forgotten story of the ordinary soldier whose endurance made American independence possible and challenges listeners to reconsider the true cost of liberty.

February 14, 2017 Adam and Drew open the show discussing Adam's kids recent school trip to Valley Forge and how it led to the discovery that kids simply will not respond if you try to interrupt their sleep in the middle of the night. They then turn to the phones and speak to a caller with a suggestion for Adam to end an annoying automotive phenomenon and another who is wondering how to help out a friend whose life is seemingly falling apart. As the show winds down the guys take a very serious call from a former child abuse survivor who is looking to keep his abuser in jail for his full sentence and have his parole denied.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode of 15:14, Kevin Carson, Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, is joined by Lamar Eifert, the Assistant Pastor of Valley Forge Baptist and Director of Valley Forge Biblical Counseling Center. Lamar brings decades of ministry experience in both his local church and in biblical counseling, and his church hosts an annual “Competent to Counsel” conference. He is certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counseling.  In this conversation, Kevin and Lamar discuss biblical counseling, heart-level change, the church's responsibility to care for the hurting with God's Word, and the upcoming counseling conference. Lamar shares his journey from a secular career into pastoral ministry and biblical counseling, highlighting the sufficiency of Scripture to address the deepest struggles of the human heart. Lamar also emphasizes the need for trained biblical counselors in the Northeast as well as the vision behind the annual “Competent to Counsel” conference. Rooted in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, this conversation emphasizes that biblical counseling is not driven by technique alone, but by love for Christ and faith in the transforming power of His Word. Competent to Counsel Conference Hosted by the Valley Forge Biblical Counseling Center Theme: For the Love of Christ Constrains Us (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)  Key speakers include: Dr. George Crabb Dr. Charlie Hodges Dr. Kevin Carsoon Dr. Ben Marshall Melissa Baker Scott Wendal Learn more or register at: vfbcc.org/conference   FROM OUR SPONSOR:  To learn more about an undergraduate degree in biblical counseling, go to BoyceCollege.com/1514. For more information on the Biblical Counseling and Master of Divinity degree in 60 months, go to BoyceCollege.com/five.   Support 15:14 – A Podcast of the Biblical Counseling Coalition today at biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/donate.

Elizabeth Carlyle, J.D., CEO of First Freedom Art Company, explains how she became the steward of the Arnold Friberg Art Collection, including the iconic The Prayer at Valley Forge. This painting is key in our nation's 250th celebration. She also shares her book, Americans Who Pray: Uniting a Nation in Faith and Freedom, highlighting the role of prayer in shaping the nation. First Freedom Art | Arnold Friberg Masterpieces & Limited Editions (https://www.firstfreedomart.com/)

Our conversation about the Continental Army's winter at Valley Forge, PA continues with a look at how the troops were trained, and what the winter of 1777-1778 tells us about the truth and legend of George Washington, humble leader...Join our America250 newsletter community! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of how America250 is playing out. Paying subscribers get access to early, ad-free versions of the show. Plus bonus features throughout the year. To support our work and get access to everything, subscribe now.This Day is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week on "50 Weeks That Shaped America," we're headed to the winter of 1777-1778 and the strategic retreat by the Continental Army to Valley Forge, PA. Over the course of that winter, George Washington worked to turn the army from a group of ragtag militias into a unified force -- all with the help of a mysterious Prussian general. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how Valley Forge was effectively a pop-up city, and how it reflected what would come in an independent United States.Join our America250 newsletter community! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of how America250 is playing out. Paying subscribers get access to early, ad-free versions of the show. Plus bonus features throughout the year. To support our work and get access to everything, subscribe now.This Day is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

"Ideas are more powerful than all the armies of the world. Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo's observation resonates with Lawrence Reed, FEE's President Emeritus and author of the forthcoming Born of Ideas, who traces his liberty awakening to 1968 when Soviet tanks crushed Prague Spring. Then, he was a 14-year-old watching people who simply wanted to speak their minds get destroyed for demanding basic rights. Now, nearly 60 years into his "otherwise unemployable" career advancing liberty, Larry argues that July 4, 1776 was "this incredible combination...like a thunderclap" where "men and women of solid character" met "revolutionary ideas" about human rights. Larry teaches students that ideas—not institutions, media, or parents—determine "whether people live in a free society or an unfree society," but close behind ideas is character: "people who don't have high character...they're not likely to be free. They're not fit to be free." Free speech, he argues, is "the verbal manifestation of the freedom to think"—without it "you might as well be a robot," or in North Korea where "just thinking something and saying it can get you thrown in prison or worse." Addressing critics who dismiss the founders for not abolishing slavery immediately, Larry warns against "presentism"—judging the past by present standards, comparing it to putting the Wright Brothers in a courtroom asking "what good are you?" because their plane lacked tray tables and Wi-Fi. In closing, he offers inspiration from Valley Forge: those soldiers weren't freezing and starving for iPhones or gourmet meals but "for a principle of individual liberty. That's exciting stuff. Life without liberty is just absolutely unthinkable."Delve deeper into Larry's work at: https://www.lawrencewreed.com/

. Why did Philadelphia matter so deeply to both the British and the Continental Army? How did strategy, logistics, and personalities shape the campaign that culminated in Brandywine, Germantown, and the winter at Valley Forge? And what did the occupation of the revolutionary capital mean for civilians caught between armies?  Michael C. Harris tells this story in his new book, Fighting for Philadelphia:  Forts Mercer and Mifflin, the Battle of Whitemarsh, and the Road to Valley Forge.  This campaign around the new country's largest city, in the marshes, woods, and fields of Pennsylvania and New Jersey was a critical turning point testing the resilience of the American people and military and reshaping the war's momentum.  .Tell us what you think! Send us a text message!

SURVIVAL AT VALLEY FORGE AND A NEW ARISTOCRACY Colleague Joseph Ellis. At Valley Forge, the army suffered from congressional neglect until Nathaniel Greene reorganized the quartermaster corps to provide food. Ellis describes the survivors as a "virtuous aristocracy" committed to American nationhood. He highlights the integrated nature of the Continental Army, which included significant numbers of African American soldiers, and John Laurens, a young officer who believed the war must end slavery. The British peace overtures were rejected as too late. NUMBE1801

9. The Professional: Von Steuben's Transformation of the Continental Army. Richard Bell introduces Baron von Steuben as a desperate, unemployed Prussian officer who professionalized the ragtag Continental Army at Valley Forge. Washington's hiring of foreign experts like Steuben demonstrated a strategic willingness to utilize global talent to ensure the revolution's survival. 1921 WASHNGTON HQ VALLEY FORGE

SHOW 12-22-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT FUTURE NAVY. 1941 HICKAM FIELD 1. Restoring Naval Autonomy: Arguments for Separating the Navy from DoD. Tom Modly argues the Navy is an "underperforming asset" within the Defense Department's corporate structure, similar to how Fiat Chrysler successfully spun off Ferrari. He suggests the Navy needs independence to address critical shipbuilding deficits and better protect global commerce and vulnerable undersea cables from adversaries. 2. Future Fleets: Decentralizing Firepower to Counter Chinese Growth. Tom Modly warns that China's shipbuilding capacity vastly outpaces the US, requiring a shift toward distributed forces rather than expensive, concentrated platforms. He advocates for a reinvigorated, independent Department of the Navy to foster the creativity needed to address asymmetric threats like Houthi attacks on high-value assets. 3. British Weakness: The Failure to Challenge Beijing Over Jimmy Lai. Mark Simon predicts Prime Minister Starmer will fail to secure Jimmy Lai's release because the UK mistakenly views China as an economic savior. He notes the UK's diminished military and economic leverage leads to a submissive diplomatic stance, despite China'sdeclining ability to offer investment. 4. Enforcing Sanctions: Interdicting the Shadow Fleet to Squeeze China. Victoria Coates details the Trump administration's enforcement of a "Monroe Doctrine" corollary, using naval power to seize tankers carrying Venezuelan oil to China. This strategy exposes China's lack of maritime projection and energy vulnerability, as Beijingcannot legally contest the seizures of illicit shadow fleet vessels. 5. Symbolic Strikes: US and Jordan Target Resurgent ISIS in Syria. Following an attack on US personnel, the US and Jordan conducted airstrikes against ISIS strongholds, likely with Syrian regime consultation. Ahmed Sharawi questions the efficacy of striking desert warehouses when ISIS cells have moved into urban areas, suggesting the strikes were primarily symbolic domestic messaging. 6. Failure to Disarm: Hezbollah's Persistence and UNIFIL's Inefficacy. David Daoud reports that the Lebanesegovernment is failing to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River, merely evicting them from abandoned sites. He argues UNIFIL is an ineffective tripwire, as Hezbollah continues to rebuild infrastructure and receive funding right under international observers' noses. 7. Global Jihad: The Distinct Threats of the Brotherhood and ISIS. Edmund Fitton-Brown contrasts the Muslim Brotherhood's long-term infiltration of Western institutions with ISIS's violent, reckless approach. He warns that ISISremains viable, with recent facilitated attacks in Australia indicating a resurgence in capability beyond simple "inspired" violence. 8. The Forever War: Jihadist Patience vs. American Cycles. Bill Roggio argues the US has failed to defeat jihadist ideology or funding, allowing groups like Al-Qaeda to persist in Afghanistan and Africa. He warns that adversaries view American withdrawals as proof of untrustworthiness, exploiting the US tendency to fight short-term wars against enemies planning for decades. 9. The Professional: Von Steuben's Transformation of the Continental Army. Richard Bell introduces Baron von Steuben as a desperate, unemployed Prussian officer who professionalized the ragtag Continental Army at Valley Forge. Washington's hiring of foreign experts like Steuben demonstrated a strategic willingness to utilize global talent to ensure the revolution's survival. 10. Privateers and Prison Ships: The Unsung Cost of Maritime Independence. Richard Bell highlights the crucial role of privateers like William Russell, who raided British shipping when the Continental Navy was weak. Captured privateers faced horrific conditions in British "black hole" facilities like Mill Prison and the deadly prison ship Jersey in New York Harbor, where mortality rates reached 50%. 11. Caught in the Crossfire: Indigenous Struggles in the Revolutionary War. Molly Brant, a Mohawk leader, allied with the British to stop settler encroachment but became a refugee when the British failed to protect Indigenous lands. Post-war, white Americans constructed myths portraying themselves as blameless victims while ignoring their own Indigenous allies and British betrayals regarding land rights. 12. The Irish Dimension: Revolutionary Hopes and Brutal Repression. The Irish viewed the American Revolutionas a signal that the British Empire was vulnerable, sparking the failed 1798 Irish rebellion. While the British suppressed Irish independence brutally under Cornwallis, Irish immigrants and Scots-Irish settlers like Andrew Jackson fervently supported the Continental Army against the Crown. 13. Assessing Battlefield Realities: Russian Deceit and Ukrainian Counterattacks. John Hardie analyzes the "culture of deceit" within the Russian military, exemplified by false claims of capturing Kupyansk while Ukraine actually counterattacked. This systemic lying leads to overconfidence in Putin's strategy, though Ukraine also faces challenges with commanders hesitating to report lost positions to avoid forced counterattacks. 14. Shifts in Latin America: Brazilian Elections and Venezuelan Hope. Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Peña Esclusapredict a 2026 battle between socialist accommodation and freedom-oriented transformation in Brazil, highlighted by Flavio Bolsonaro's candidacy against Lula. Meanwhile, Peña Esclusa anticipates Venezuela's liberation and a broader regional shift toward the right following leftist defeats in Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. 15. Trump's Security Strategy: Homeland Defense Lacks Global Clarity. John Yoo praises the strategy's focus on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, reviving a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. However, he criticizes the failure to explicitly name China as an adversary or define clear goals for defending allies in Asia and Europe against great power rivals. 16. Alienating Allies: The Strategic Cost of Attacking European Partners. John Yoo argues that imposing tariffs and attacking democratic European allies undermines the coalition needed to counter China and Russia. He asserts that democracies are the most reliable partners for protecting American security and values, making cooperation essential despite resource constraints and political disagreements.

James Howard Kunstler joins me to unpack the J6 pipe bomber story, the five year FBI delay, and how the new DOJ is building a grand conspiracy case that could reshape American politics. We also talk about lawfare, the revolt of the elites, and why this moment feels like a new Valley Forge for the republic. TIMESTAMPS(0:00) Intro(3:06) James Howard Kunstler Joins(4:22) J6 Pipe Bomb Questions(7:13) Why The FBI Delayed(12:20) New FBI Conspiracy Case(21:01) Lawfare Versus Real Justice(29:40) American Crisis And HopeSponsors: Secure Your Future with a Gold IRA: https://metaxasgoldira.orgMyPillow — Save BIG with code ERIC: https://mypillow.com ten Boom Coffee— Save 10% with code ERIC: https://tenboom.coffee Christian Solidarity International: https://csi-usa.org/metaxas/ Legal Help Center - Get Free Legal Help Today: https://legalhelpcenter.com Help Save Lives in Israel Today: https://savinglifeisrael.org