America's First Ladies

This week we finally get to the War of 1812! Also, Dolley's sister gets married in the first-ever White House wedding (even though we're still not calling it the White House). And James Madison wins reelection.  Transcript and further reading available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-10/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the early part of James's first term as President, including Dolley's work redecorating the President's House and throwing parties left and right.  Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-9/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover James's second term as Secretary of State, the election of 1808, and more background on the run-up to the War of 1812. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-8/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we learn more about Dolley's role as Jefferson's presidential hostess, and cover a couple of important events that took place during Jefferson's first term; namely, the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark expedition. Maps, portraits, and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-7/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the four short years that the Madisons spent at Montpelier before James was dragged back into government service, and we get our first look at Dolley's new role as presidential hostess. Transcript and links available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-6/ Music by Matt Dull Link to S.193 Link to H.R. 630

After taking a brisk review of the ratification of the new U.S. Constitution, we finally get Dolley and James together this week, covering their courtship, wedding, and early years of marriage in Philadelphia. Transcript and portaits available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-5/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we do a deep dive into the Constitutional Convention - think of it as getting to see how the sausage is made, with the sausage being the legal document that still rules our lives today. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-4/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we hit pause on Dolley Madison to focus on young James Madison as he develops into the statesman who will eventually play such a large role in creating the U.S. Constitution. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-3/ Music by Matt Dull

This week we'll learn about Dolley's teenage years in Philadelphia, her first marriage to John Todd, Jr., and the aftermath of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-2/ Music by Matt Dull

Welcome to Season 4! We're covering Dolley and James Madison this season, and today we cover Dolley's family history and early life in North Carolina and Virginia. List of reference books available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-4/ Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-1/ Music by Matt Dull

Part 2 of our supplemental series on the Constitution. There were too many amendments to put them in the same episode as the main body of the document. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-3-supplemental-b/ Music by Matthew Dull

The one where I read the Constitution of the United States of America to you. If nothing else, you can listen to it when you can't sleep! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-3-supplemental-a/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week we wrap up Martha Patsy Jefferson Randolph with a gallop through the final 18 years of her life. Transcript and the final portrait painted of Martha available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-7/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week we cover Thomas Jefferson's presidency and Patsy/Martha's admittedly minor role in it. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-6/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week, the Jefferson family returns to America, and Patsy almost immediately decides to marry and start having children. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-5/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week we travel from Philadelphia to Boston, and then on to Paris. Thomas and Patsy spent about five years in Paris, leaving just as the French Revolution was getting underway in 1789. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-4/  Music by Matthew Dull 

We'll make it to the end of the Revolutionary War this week, but Patty Jefferson doesn't live to see the end. Thomas Jefferson serves two terms as Virginia governor during the war, and the Jefferson family has to evade the British army after they invade Virginia. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-3/  Music by Matthew Dull

This week we cover the majority of Patty and Thomas Jefferson's marriage, which happens to overlap with some signficant moments in the American Revolution, including the Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson wrote. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-2/ Music by Matthew Dull

We kick off season 3 with background information on Martha "Patty" Wayles and her future second husband, Thomas Jefferson. Transcript and background materials available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-3-1/  Links to the books I used this season and some photos of the two Marthas at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-3/ Music by Matthew Dull

Before we kick off season 3, I want to read you the Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson wrote, and John Adams played such a large role in getting approved by Congress. I'm willing to bet you've never read it in full, so it's worth a listen! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-2-supplemental/ Music by Matthew Dull

We wrap up Abigail Adams's season with the final year of her husband's presidency and the years they spent post-presidency, finally getting to enjoy a private retirement. Programming note: we'll take a couple of weeks off to let listeners catch up. New episodes will resume on January 16, 2026. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-13/ Links to books for Season 2 americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-2/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week covers John Adams's sole term as President, and Abigail's four years as First Lady. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-12/ Music by Matthew Dull 

This week we cover the rest of Abigail's tenure as the Vice President's wife, and the election of 1796, which results in John Adams being elected President. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-11/ Music by Matthew Dull

Abigail and John wrap up their time in London, return home to the United States, and settle into a normal life back in Massachusetts. And then John is elected as the first Vice President of the United States, forcing Abigail into public life in a new way. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-10/ Music by Matthew Dull

From 1785-1788, the three Adamses lived in London. Nabby got married while there, and Abigail and John became grandparents for the first time. Transcript and further information available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-9/ Music by Matthew Dull

Abigail, Nabby, and John spent one year living in Paris. It was quite the adjustment for Abigail. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-8/ Music by Matthew Dull

John is in the Netherlands, John Quincy is in Russia, Charles sails home to America by himself, and then Abigail and Nabby leave Boston to join John in Europe when the war finally ends. This family gets around! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-7/ Music by Matthew Dull

This episode finds Abigail and John living in separate countries, on separate continents, for the majority of 1778-1781. Find out how Abigail puts her entrepreneurial spirit to work. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-2-6/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week Abigail continues to struggle with running the farm in John's absence while he continues to live and work in Philadelphia. Note: this episode contains a somewhat harrowing description of a stillbirth.  Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/2-5/ Music by Matthew Dull

Note: when this episode went live on 10/24/25, there was a glitch that resulted in two sentences missing at around the 3:30 mark. A new version was uploaded on 10/30/25 with the correct version of the episode. This week covers the pivotal year of 1776. Abigail writes her most famous letter to John, asking Congress to "Remember the Ladies" when drafting the new laws for the new country. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/2-4/ Music by Matthew Dull

This week, the events leading to the Revolutionary War heat up. John spends his time traveling back and forth between home in Massachusetts and the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The first shots of the war are fired in Lexington and Concord, and Abigail starts to develop her keen sense of political and social commentary. Transcript and further reading available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/2-3/ Music by Matthew Dull

We cover 10 years in this episode, from Abigail and John's marriage in 1764 through the turbulent decade leading up to the Revolutionary War, and right up until John gets ready to leave for the Continental Congress in September 1774. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/2-2/ Music by Matthew Dull

Welcome to Season 2 of the show! We kick off this season with Abigail Adams's early years, when she was still Abigail Smith. We cover her childhood in Massachusetts, her courtship by John Adams, and their marriage. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/2-1/ Links to the books I read for this season and a photo of young Abigail at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-2/ Music by Matthew Dull

Just a brief programming note to let you know that I'll be activating ads starting with Season 2, which begins next week.

In this bonus episode, I read you an absolutely bonkers recipe for Martha's Christmas Yorkshire pie. I found the recipe in a book called Pie & Whiskey. You can find the transcript for this episode at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-1-supplemental/  And if you're interested in your own copy of Pie & Whiskey, here's a link to it on Amazon  

Martha and George finally get to retire to Mount Vernon, after spending almost two decades in service of their country. Season 2: Abigail Adams coming soon! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-11 Music by Matthew Dull

The second half of George Washington's first term was spent in Philadelphia, and then he reluctantly agreed to serve a second term. Martha stood by him through thick and thin. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-10 Music by Matthew Dull

The first half of George Washington's first term as president was spent in New York, the temporary American capital. Martha and George had to muddle their way through being the first to hold their positions, and it wasn't always pleasant. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-9 Music by Matthew Dull

Lots packed into this episode! The battle of Yorktown in 1781, followed by the end of the war and Martha and George's return to Mount Vernon. But just a few years later, George was elected to be the first president, and he and Martha had to leave their home once again to serve their country. Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-8 Music by Matthew Dull

Despite the assistance of the French, the war dragged on for years. Martha continued to join George every winter in camp for the season, returning to Mount Vernon each summer to spend time with her growing brood of grandchildren. Transcript at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-7 Music by Matthew Dull

This episode covers late 1775 into 1777, the winters that Martha spent with George in army encampments, the work she did to support the Continental Army, and the battles fought during that portion of the war. Transcript and further information at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-6 Music by Matthew Dull

Tensions between America and Great Britain come to a head and the War of American Independence begins. Martha and George Washington are in the middle of it all, especially once he's named Commander-in-Chief of the combined colonial militias. Transcript and further information at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-5 Music by Matthew Dull

The early years of George and Martha Washington's marriage were full of activity and coincided with the rising tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. Transcript at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-4 Music by Matthew Dull

This episode covers Daniel and Patsy Custis's life together, the birth of their children, and Daniel's untimely death. It also covers Patsy's courtship by George Washington and their wedding. Transcript and further materials available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-3 Music by Matt Dull

The woman who would become known as Martha Washington was born Martha "Patsy" Dandridge in 1731. This episode covers Patsy's childhood in colonial Virginia, up to her marriage to Daniel Custis in 1750. Transcript and further information (like the drawing of a "gig" mentioned in the episode) available at americasfirstladiespodcast/1-2 Music by Matthew Dull

Before we dive into the life of Martha Washington, here's an introduction to give you context and background information relevant to the time period we'll discuss this season. I heartily recommend listening to this episode before beginning Episode 2! Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-1-1-introduction/ Music by Matthew Dull

How much do you really know about America's First Ladies? This podcast is going to take a deep look at every woman who has served as First Lady, going chronologically and starting at the beginning, with Martha Washington. This is an easy listen, not like sitting through a boring lecture. These women led vibrant lives, and together, we can get to know them better. Each season is a long-form narrative covering the life of a different First Lady. New episodes released on Fridays.