A Note from James:

So we have a brand new president of the United States, and of course, everyone has their opinion about whether President Trump has been good or bad, will be good and bad. Everyone has their opinion about Biden, Obama, and so on. But what makes someone a good president? What makes someone a bad president?

Obviously, we want our presidents to be moral and ethical, and we want them to be as transparent as possible with the citizens. Sometimes they can't be totally transparent—negotiations, economic policies, and so on. But we want our presidents to have courage without taking too many risks. And, of course, we want the country to grow economically, though that doesn't always happen because of one person.

I saw this list where historians ranked all the presidents from 1 to 47. I want to comment on it and share my take on who I think are the best and worst presidents. Some of my picks might surprise you.

Episode Description:

In this episode, James breaks down the rankings of U.S. presidents and offers his unique perspective on who truly deserves a spot in the top 10—and who doesn’t. Looking beyond the conventional wisdom of historians, he examines the impact of leadership styles, key decisions, and constitutional powers to determine which presidents left a lasting, positive impact. From Abraham Lincoln's crisis leadership to the underappreciated successes of James K. Polk and Calvin Coolidge, James challenges popular rankings and provides insights you won't hear elsewhere.

What You’ll Learn:

• The key qualities that define a great president beyond just popularity.
• Why Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as the best president—and whether James agrees.
• How Franklin D. Roosevelt’s policies might have extended the Great Depression.
• The surprising president who expanded the U.S. more than anyone else.
• Why Woodrow Wilson might actually be one of the worst presidents in history.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [01:30] What makes a great president?
• [02:29] The official duties of the presidency.
• [06:54] Historians’ rankings of presidents.
• [07:50] Why James doesn't discuss recent presidents.
• [08:13] Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during crisis.
• [14:16] George Washington: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
• [22:16] Franklin D. Roosevelt—was he overrated?
• [29:23] Harry Truman and the atomic bomb decision.
• [35:29] The controversial legacy of Woodrow Wilson.
• [42:24] The case for Calvin Coolidge.
• [50:22] James K. Polk and America's expansion.

A Note from James:

Probably no president has fascinated this country and our history as much as John F. Kennedy, JFK. Everyone who lived through it remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated. He's considered the golden boy of American politics. But I didn't know this amazing conspiracy that was happening right before JFK took office.

Best-selling thriller writer Brad Meltzer, one of my favorite writers, breaks it all down. He just wrote a book called The JFK Conspiracy. I highly recommend it. And we talk about it right here on the show.

Episode Description:

Brad Meltzer returns to the show to reveal one of the craziest untold stories about JFK: the first assassination attempt before he even took office. In his new book, The JFK Conspiracy, Brad dives into the little-known plot by Richard Pavlik, a disgruntled former postal worker with a car rigged to explode.

What saved JFK’s life that day? Why does this story remain a footnote in history? Brad shares riveting details, the forgotten man who thwarted the plot, and how this story illuminates America’s deeper fears. We also explore the legacy of JFK and Jackie Kennedy, from heroism to scandal, and how their "Camelot" has shaped the presidency ever since.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The true story of JFK’s first assassination attempt in 1960.
2. How Brad Meltzer uncovered one of the most bizarre historical footnotes about JFK.
3. The untold role of Richard Pavlik in plotting to kill JFK and what stopped him.
4. Why Jackie Kennedy coined the term "Camelot" and shaped JFK’s legacy.
5. Parallels between the 1960 election and today’s polarized political climate.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [01:30] Introduction to Brad Meltzer and His New Book
• [02:24] The Untold Story of JFK's First Assassination Attempt
• [05:03] Richard Pavlik: The Man Who Almost Killed JFK
• [06:08] JFK's Heroic World War II Story
• [09:29] The Complex Legacy of JFK
• [10:17] The Influence of Joe Kennedy
• [13:20] Rise of the KKK and Targeting JFK
• [20:01] The Role of Religion in JFK's Campaign
• [25:10] Conspiracy Theories and Historical Context
• [30:47] The Camelot Legacy
• [36:01] JFK's Assassination and Aftermath
• [39:54] Upcoming Projects and Reflections

Additional Resources:

• The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
• Clint Hill's Memoir, Mrs. Kennedy and Me
• The Life Magazine Camelot Interview
• Watch the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon Debates

So, I’m out rock climbing, but I really wanted to take a moment to introduce today’s guest: Roger Reaves. This guy is unbelievable. He’s arguably the biggest drug smuggler in history, having worked with Pablo Escobar and others through the '70s, '80s, and even into the '90s. Roger’s life is like something out of a movie—he spent 33 years in jail and has incredible stories about the drug trade, working with people like Barry Seal, and the U.S. government’s involvement in the smuggling business. Speaking of Barry Seal, if you’ve seen American Made with Tom Cruise, there’s a wild scene where Barry predicts the prosecutor’s next move after being arrested—and sure enough, it happens just as he said. Well, Barry Seal actually worked for Roger. That’s how legendary this guy is. Roger also wrote a book called Smuggler about his life. You’ll want to check that out after hearing these crazy stories. Here’s Roger Reaves.

Roger Reaves shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a farm to becoming one of the most notorious drug smugglers in history. He discusses working with Pablo Escobar, surviving harrowing escapes from law enforcement, and the brutal reality of imprisonment and torture. Roger reflects on his decisions, the human connections that shaped his life, and the lessons learned from a high-stakes career. Whether you’re here for the stories or the insights into an underground world, this episode offers a rare glimpse into a life few could imagine.

• How Roger Reaves became involved in drug smuggling and built connections with major players like Pablo Escobar and Barry Seal.
• The role of the U.S. government in the drug trade and its surprising intersections with Roger’s operations.
• Harrowing tales of near-death experiences, including shootouts, plane crashes, and daring escapes.
• The toll a life of crime takes on family, faith, and personal resilience.
• Lessons learned from decades of high-risk decisions and time behind bars.

• [00:01:30] Introduction to Roger Reaves
• [00:02:00] Connection to Barry Seal and American Made
• [00:02:41] Early Life and Struggles
• [00:09:16] Moonshine and Early Smuggling
• [00:12:06] Transition to Drug Smuggling
• [00:16:15] Close Calls and Escapes
• [00:26:46] Torture and Imprisonment in Mexico
• [00:32:02] First Cocaine Runs
• [00:44:06] Meeting Pablo Escobar
• [00:53:28] The Rise of Cocaine Smuggling
• [00:59:18] Arrest and Imprisonment
• [01:06:35] Barry Seal's Downfall
• [01:10:45] Life Lessons from the Drug Trade
• [01:15:22] Reflections on Faith and Family
• [01:20:10] Plans for the Future

• Roger Reaves’ book: Smuggler
• Information about Barry Seal: Barry Seal Wikipedia
• The movie American Made: IMDb Link