"Distilling the essence of the American Idea with America’s storyteller"

SHOW NOTES: In this special episode of The Blessings of Liberty, a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns walks through the Declaration of Independence, clause by clause, to encapsulate the big ideas at the heart of the American story. Jeffrey Rosen, senior fellow at FIRE and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Participants

Ken Burns is a pioneering force in American documentary filmmaking. He has directed and produced some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War; Baseball; and Jazz. His films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including 17 Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Oscar nominations. His most recent project is The American Revolution, which premiered in November 2025.

Jeffrey Rosen is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic.

Additional Resources

• Ken Burns, The American Revolution (2025)
• Declaration of Independence

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• Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness
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Thank you to our presenting sponsor, FIRE, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans—especially freedom of speech and free thought. Learn more about FIRE’s work at FIRE.org/blessings.

Soapbox is the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s bold new conference, taking place November 4-6, 2026, in Philadelphia to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment. It culminates in a show-stopping gala on November 6. Early bird pricing is available from now until July 4. Please go to https://soapbox.fire.org/ to purchase tickets and check out the amazing lineup of speakers!

"Exploring the character and public service of America’s first president"

SHOW NOTES: In this episode of The Blessings of Liberty, award-winning historian H.W. Brands joins to discuss his new book, American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington. From his early military career to his leadership during the American Revolution and reluctant return to public service as the first president of the United States, American Patriarch brings to life the man who was called to lead time and again by his peers. Jeffrey Rosen, senior fellow at FIRE and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Participants

H.W. Brands holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his PhD in history in 1985. He has written more than a dozen biographies and histories, including The General vs. the President, a New York Times bestseller. Two of his biographies, The First American and Traitor to His Class, were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.

Jeffrey Rosen is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic.

Additional Resources

• H.W. Brands, American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington (2026)
• George Washington, “Newburgh Address” (1783)
• George Washington, “Circular Letter to the States” (1783)
• George Washington, “Farewell Address” (1796)

Stay Connected and Learn More

• Continue the conversation by following us on social media.
• Substack: @rosenjeffrey
• Instagram: @TheBlessingsOfLiberty
• X: @JeffreyRosenPod
• X (Personal): @RosenJeffrey
• YouTube: @TheBlessingsofLibertyPod
• Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness
• Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, FIRE, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans—especially freedom of speech and free thought. Through legal advocacy, education, and public awareness, FIRE helps protect open debate and a culture where ideas can be challenged instead of silenced. Learn more about FIRE’s work at FIRE.org/blessings.

"Exploring the personal and public life of America’s 'greatest public servant'"

SHOW NOTES: In this episode of The Blessings of Liberty, Bob Crawford, bassist for the Grammy-nominated band The Avett Brothers, joins to discuss his new book, America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick. This accessible and entertaining biography tells the tale of Adams’s turbulent government career and his evolving views on slavery. Jeffrey Rosen, senior fellow at FIRE and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Participants

Bob Crawford plays the upright bass, bass guitar, and violin for the Grammy-nominated Americana band The Avett Brothers. He is the co-host, alongside Dr. Benjamin Sawyer, of the history podcast The Road to Now, which explains the story behind important events and outstanding individuals of today’s world.

Jeffrey Rosen is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic.

Additional Resources

• Bob Crawford, America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick (2026)
• John Quincy Adams, “An Oration Addressed to the Citizens of the Town of Quincy, on the Fourth of July, 1831” (1831)
• John Quincy Adams, “Jubilee of the Constitution: A Discourse” (1839)
• Theodore Weld, American Slavery As It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses (1839)
• United States v. The Amistad (1841)

Stay Connected and Learn More

• Continue the conversation by following us on social media.
• Substack: @rosenjeffrey
• Instagram: @TheBlessingsOfLiberty
• X: @JeffreyRosenPod
• X (Personal): @RosenJeffrey
• YouTube: @TheBlessingsofLibertyPod
• Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness
• Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, FIRE, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans—especially freedom of speech and free thought. Through legal advocacy, education, and public awareness, FIRE helps protect open debate and a culture where ideas can be challenged instead of silenced. Learn more about FIRE’s work at FIRE.org/blessings.