Episodios

  • Growing Hope: What Depression-Era Gardens and Rainn Wilson Teach Us About Hard Times

    Growing Hope: What Depression-Era Gardens and Rainn Wilson Teach Us About Hard Times
    Mar 30 2026
    During the Great Depression, Detroit officials carved up vacant lots and handed exhausted families seeds and tools. It wasn't a hobby — it was survival. And a lesson for today: hope isn't just a feeling, it's a habit you practice. Then Rainn Wilson — yes, Dwight Schrute — joins Sharon to talk about the loneliness epidemic, the rise of cynicism, and why posting about something isn't the same as changing it. Be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) A story on how to practice hope (00:07:50) The loneliness epidemic (00:22:41) Rainn Wilson’s on his faith To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 m
  • America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes

    America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes
    Mar 23 2026
    Are we heading toward a second civil war? No, but what might happen could still be unsettling. Sharon has an honest conversation with YouTube civics creator Mr. Beat about radicalization, propaganda, and why there’s a difference between optimism and hope. Plus, in a culture that rewards compliance and punishes pushback, Dr. Sunita Sah tells us why saying no can be courageous and the most effective thing you can do. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) Could the US have another civil war? (00:12:13) Optimism vs hope (00:20:58) Saying no in a world that demands yes To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 m
  • Welcome to Becoming You with Suzy Welch

    Welcome to Becoming You with Suzy Welch
    Mar 19 2026
    Here on The Preamble, we look for the historical context and the factual clarity behind the headlines because we know that understanding the "why" helps us navigate the "what." But as we look at the big stories driving our future, we can’t ignore the smaller, quieter stories happening in our own lives—the transitions, the pivots, and the big questions about our own purpose. Questions like: “What should I actually do with my life?” and “How do I make the hard decision to stay or go?” Today, I’m sharing a special introduction to a voice that brings that same commitment to clarity and honesty to the art of self-discovery: Suzy Welch. Suzy is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and the professor at the helm of NYU’s most popular class on authentic purpose. She is a leading expert on decision-making, but she delivers her expertise with a refreshing, irreverent wit. On her podcast, Becoming You, Suzy tackles the "freaking truth" about life and work today without leaving you in despair. Find Becoming You with Suzy Welch wherever you get your podcasts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    2 m
  • Condoleezza Rice on Democracy, Patriotism, and Why She Still Has Hope

    Condoleezza Rice on Democracy, Patriotism, and Why She Still Has Hope
    Mar 16 2026
    Sharon tells us why sugarcoating history doesn’t help any of us. Truly loving your country means acknowledging the not-so-great and even horrible moments of its past. Plus, Condoleezza Rice was banned from restaurants and movie theaters as a child because of the color of her skin. She went on to become Secretary of State. And somehow, after everything she's seen, and where we are now, she's still optimistic about democracy. You'll want to hear why. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) What it really means to be a patriot (00:08:29) Condoleezza Rice on growing up in the segregated south (00:23:42) The future of democracy To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 m
  • Learning From Our Differences and the Antidote to Doomscrolling Anxiety

    Learning From Our Differences and the Antidote to Doomscrolling Anxiety
    Mar 9 2026
    Did you know that only 4% of new marriages in America happen between Democrats and Republicans? Or that three quarters of white Americans don't have a single friend who isn't white? David McCullough III — grandson of the beloved historian — shares his bold idea for fixing what's tearing us apart. Then, author Katherine May puts into words something most of us feel but can't quite name — that exhausting loop of bad news, social media outrage, and dread. She says the antidote is closer than you think. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) Getting out of your bubble (00:12:50) Studying “abroad” in the US (00:22:36) The antidote to doomscrolling anxiety To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 m
  • The Long History of Demonizing Immigrants: From the Great Depression to Today

    The Long History of Demonizing Immigrants: From the Great Depression to Today
    Mar 2 2026
    Before ICE raids, there were pamphlets warning Americans about immigrant "peasants" stealing their jobs and "hell ships" dumping people into the Mexican desert with no food, water, or way to reach their families. Sharon looks back at the parallels between the mass deportations of the past and what’s happening now. Plus, historian and author Ana Raquel Minian joins Sharon to discuss her book In the Shadow of Liberty and the cruelty of immigrant detention in the United States. She explains why brutality was the point. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) The Long History of Demonizing Immigrants (00:13:03) Ellis Island Was a Prison (00:27:48) Mass Incarceration of Immigrants To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 m
  • Elyse Myers’ New Book and Harriet Tubman’s Faith

    Elyse Myers’ New Book and Harriet Tubman’s Faith
    Feb 23 2026
    You might know her as the woman who got dragged to a taco bell where her date ordered one hundred tacos and she got stuck paying for them. Elyse Myers’ hilarious re-telling of that story launched her career, and now she’s out with a new book, That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You. She joins Sharon to talk about her struggles as a kid, and what happened when she learned her brain worked differently, and there was nothing wrong with that. Plus, Tiya Miles is here to discuss Harriet Tubman, and how her faith guided her. Even if you think you’re an expert on Harriet Tubman, you’ll learn something. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) The Worst First Date Ever (00:12:25) Learning to Accept Your Differences (00:19:06) Harriet Tubman’s Unwavering Faith To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 m
  • The State of Black History and Journalism in 2026

    The State of Black History and Journalism in 2026
    Feb 16 2026
    Simply teaching the facts in and out of the classroom has become an act of courage, and sometimes, real risk. Former history teacher Ernest Crim joins Sharon McMahon to talk about why Black history, civics, and knowing your rights are crucial to navigating power abuses, injustice, and democracy. He tells us why he keeps speaking up even when the system falls short. Plus, is reporting the facts partisan? Sharon speaks with Katie Couric about the changes in journalism over the last few years, and how polarization, paywalls, and fear of retaliation are reshaping news coverage. And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) How to Teach Black History in Today’s Climate (00:20:39) Pam Bondi Congressional Hearing and Journalism in the Trump Era (00:32:54) Political Polarization and What Comes Next To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 m