The Secrets Thomas Jefferson Tried to Keep
An episode of the The Not Old - Better Show podcast, hosted by Paul Vogelzang Smithsonian, titled "The Secrets Thomas Jefferson Tried to Keep" was published on January 12, 2026 and runs 39 minutes.
January 12, 2026 ·39m · The Not Old - Better Show
Episode Description
🎙️📚 New The Secrets Thomas Jefferson Tried to Keep Episode: Being Thomas Jefferson—An Intimate History
🗽 Thomas Jefferson is often treated as an idea more than a person. But what happens when we pause, look closer, and ask who he really was—emotionally, physically, privately?
In this week's episode of The Not Old Better Show, I'm joined by historian Andrew Burstein, whose new book uncovers a Jefferson marked by chronic illness 🤕, obsessive order 📊, emotional vulnerability 💔, and lifelong secrecy.
Today's episode is sponsored by Caraway. Good Looking & Clean Cooking.
📜 Through letters, lists, and private moments, Burstein reveals a man who avoided confrontation, controlled his surroundings, and struggled to reconcile ideals with personal choices—especially in his relationship with Sally Hemings.
🎭 This conversation also asks why Jefferson still matters so much today—claimed by all sides, reshaped by each generation, and never fully settled. For listeners who value depth, nuance, and honest reflection, this episode resonates deeply.
🎧 Listen here: https://notoldbettershow.info/4456zJi
Today's episode is sponsored by Caraway. Good Looking & Clean Cooking.
🌐 Explore more at notold-better.com
Similar Episodes
Mar 17, 2026 ·9m
Mar 2, 2026 ·11m
Feb 7, 2026 ·11m
Jan 25, 2026 ·9m
Jan 14, 2026 ·7m
Jan 2, 2026 ·1m