Leadership and Legacy is on summer break -- but we'll be back in September with new great conversations.

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Anita McBride—author and former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush—offers an insider’s perspective on the evolving role of America’s first ladies. Drawing on her own White House experience, McBride highlights how communication, altruism, and quiet courage have shaped some of the most impactful partnerships in presidential history. From behind-the-scenes influence to public leadership, she demonstrates how first ladies have helped to define the nation’s highest office. Tune in to gain insights on the many roles of women in the White House, our expectations of a first lady, and leadership lessons from the first military spouse of the United States.

Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is hosted by Washington Library Executive Director Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. It is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and Primary Source Media. For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Rick Atkinson delves into the nature of military leadership through the lens of George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Atkinson outlines the essential traits of an effective commander—unshakable resolve, strategic communication, and a keen ability to navigate the complexities of the battlefield across both space and time. He also highlights Washington’s political acumen and talent for recognizing potential in others, setting him apart from his British counterparts, whose flawed assumptions and leadership missteps raise the intriguing question: Could the British have won? Tune in to gain insights on military leadership, character, and the need to protect hard-won liberties for future generations.

Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is hosted by Washington Library Executive Director Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. It is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and Primary Source Media. For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.