While many Americans may not recognize his name, George William Curtis was one of the most influential political leaders who was well ahead of his time. What can we take away from just one of his speeches on civil service reform? Hear how Curtis's thoughts can instill some foundational principles in our political conversations about those who serve in government.

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

We often watch Hollywood movies, TV shows, and other media as entertainment to temporarily escape the realities of life (including American politics). But how has Hollywood put a spotlight on our politics for decades? Professor of History at Purdue University Dr. Kathryn Brownell shares the exciting episodes and political figures that have shaped the entertaining nature of American culture.

You can check out Dr. Brownell's books below!

Showbiz Politics on Amazon.com

24/7 Politics on Amazon.com

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

With the Fourth of July weekend just around the corner, this episode celebrates the independence and resilience of our country. For decades, Americans of Taiwanese descent have demonstrated these values as part of the melting pot story of America.

Oceana Ling-Kurie (林小海), the reigning Miss International Taiwan 2024 and an aspiring actress and model, shares her story and lessons of living in two different cultures on either end of the great Pacific Ocean in her early life. She also discusses the significance of what it means to be an American of Taiwanese descent and the value of treasuring our country's Independence Day.

Follow Oceana (@oceanaxh) on Instagram!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

For our final Pennsylvania Signer, learn how George Ross had a change of heart as a former Tory and his connection (kind of) to the famous maker of the American flag Betsy Ross.

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

Childhood is one of the most precious stages of a person's life. But every day, children across the U.S. and the world have had their childhood sadly taken away by pediatric cancer.

In this first-ever in person F&FC interview, Hannah Adams is a childhood cancer survivor and advocate whose personal story and public service has touched numerous children and families. A University of Alabama graduate student, she has won multiple titles and awards in the Miss America Organization, including Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2019-20 and her current title Miss Phenix City 2025.

Hear how she and her family found their purpose to serve and help affected kids in the hopes of one day finding a cure for pediatric cancer.

Learn more about Hannah's platform at hannahleeadams.com! We wish her the best of luck at Miss Alabama 2025!

Follow Hannah on Instagram (@hannahleeadams) and Facebook!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

Hear Sherman's thoughts on three major stories this week (former President Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis, Rep. Gerry Connolly's passing, and the tragic shooting of two young staffers of the Israeli Embassy DC) and the value of the American people setting aside political differences to come together.

The Hill (dated 5/18/2025): Biden's cancer diagnosis prompts bipartisan outpouring of support

Moment of bipartisanship between Rep. Connolly and Rep. Hice (Sept. 2022)

Politico article (dated 5/22/2025): 'Something horrific like this was eventually going to happen': DC's Jewish community reels from Israeli Embassy staffers' killings

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

For many, government can inadvertently or purposefully get in the way of doing business. In this largely unknown Supreme Court decision, the court majority had some rather unusual and fantastical imaginations for justifying an expansive reading of the Commerce Clause. Learn how this case could justify government regulations for the most absurd and improbable hypotheticals.

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

Despite a history of medicinal innovation, the U.S. continues to unhealthily struggle with its pricey and inefficient healthcare system. What is holding back good healthcare policy with free market principles and necessary government regulation?

Miranda Spindt, Policy Associate at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), offers an overview of how too much government intervention has disrupted free market principles and created less-than-ideal health outcomes. She offers some unique solutions and ideas that can get us closer to a healthier conversation about the U.S. healthcare system.

Learn more about WILL at https://will-law.org/

Miranda's X account: https://x.com/miranda_spindt

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.