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Artwork for The Preamble

The Preamble

Sharon McMahon
World War II
Leo Frank
Joseph Stalin
Democracy
Social Media
Anti-Semitism
Pearl Harbor
Mary Phagan
Empathy
Cynicism
Daniel Inouye
Defiance
Book Bans
Charles Duhigg
Newt Lee
Mental Health
Jimmy Carter
Atlanta
John Lewis
Psychology

The world feels complicated. The Preamble is where it starts to make sense. Hosted by Sharon McMahon — known for making sense of complex issues — she and her guests dive deep into the stories and ideas driving our future, bringing clarity and honesty to every headline. If you want real insight, bold conversation, and answers that matter, this podcast is your must-listen. Hit play, and join the mov... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes496Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHistory

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Artwork for The Preamble

Latest Episodes

“You are now leaving Iranian airspace!” It was a moment that dozens of hostages and their loved ones longed for with bated breath, for 444 days. Freedom. To be released, and returned home. The Iranian hostage crisis captured the attention of the worl... more

A religious leader with a raging drug addiction who led his following to a tragic end. A President with the hope of finding peace between Israel and Egypt. And a politician who was pivotal to the early LGBTQ+ rights movement, and lost his life in the... more

Did you know that Star Wars almost started a war in real life, over a sand crawler model? Would the film have been so wildly successful if someone else had been cast in the role of Han Solo, such as – let’s say – Christopher Walken? How would a band ... more

A happenstance introduction to Charles Manson. Assassination attempts against President Ford, a man who was never elected to the vice presidency or presidency. And the kidnapping of a college student and newspaper heiress, 19-year-old Patty Hearst, t... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kim Holderness
Guest, from the Holderness Family Podcast
Holderness Family Podcast
Episode: Mayhem: The 1970s You Never Knew, Episode 4
Penn Holderness
Guest, from the Holderness Family Podcast
Holderness Family Podcast
Episode: Mayhem: The 1970s You Never Knew, Episode 4
Fred Haise
Astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 13
NASA
Episode: Mayhem: The 1970s You Never Knew, Episode 1
Rainn Wilson
Actor and activist
The Office (Cast)
Episode: Growing Hope: What Depression-Era Gardens and Rainn Wilson Teach Us About Hard Times
Matt Beat
teacher, podcast host, and musician known as MrBeat
YouTube/MrBeat channel
Episode: America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes
Sunita Sah
Cornell Professor and author of Defy, The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes
Cornell University
Episode: America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes
Suzy Welch
Host of Becoming You, three-time New York Times bestselling author, NYU professor
Becoming You / NYU
Episode: Welcome to Becoming You with Suzy Welch
Condoleezza Rice
Former U.S. Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Episode: Condoleezza Rice on Democracy, Patriotism, and Why She Still Has Hope
David McCullough III
Grandson of a famed biographer and historian; founder of the American Exchange Project
American Exchange Project
Episode: Learning From Our Differences and the Antidote to Doomscrolling Anxiety

Host

Sharon McMahon
Host of The Preamble; leads civics- and history-focused conversations with a clear teaching style.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 18.2k ratings
  • Loving the 70s

    Sharon and team thank you so much for The Preamble about the 70s. I am finding it fascinating. I was born in 1961 so I lived through the 70s but of course I was pretty young to remember a lot of things. I look forward to each and every episode. Love your work thank you for all you do to keep us informed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pamjo79
    United Statesa month ago
  • Sharon is a national treasure

    Thank you for your work and for making history and government so interesting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RachelLovesPodcasts
    United States2 months ago
  • Love it!

    Great podcast. Thoughtful guests and when there isn’t a guest there is always great information. I also really REALLY enjoyed the Mayhem 70’s series. Highly recommended especially what is going now days here is the USA in regards to Iran. Sharon , please PLeASe do other decades. Thank you so much

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jolanta De La Rosa
    United States3 months ago
  • Champions for knowledge

    It is nice to be able to gather insight with the encouragement to DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH not just follow blindly. Sharon has always promoted this as long as I’ve followed her platforms. Hanging on any one persons every word without looking for other viewpoints and credible sources, even those we don’t agree with, is irresponsible… So I will keep coming back for more! Outside of the horrible things that happen there is also good and Sharon shares both!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mrs.Millzy
    United States4 months ago
  • The Best

    Sharon is such a gifted storyteller. And I am learning so much more the I have in any history class!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KarlyMarie
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful guests and thoughtful storytelling; high-quality history-focused content.
Accessible, clear explanations that illuminate complex political topics.
Episodes blend historical narrative with contemporary relevance, making it a reliable resource for learning and reflection.
Bias concerns occasionally surface in reviews, but many praise fact-based, civics-centered approach.
Listeners value the emphasis on research and civil discourse, and appreciate practical takeaways for civic engagement.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#121
United States/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing Family Lore
Q: What made you so interested in ancestral lines and ancestral influences?
The host describes a long-standing curiosity about how stories travel through families and shape identity, emphasizing that they want to understand the circumstances that moved ancestors around the world rather than just collecting trivia.
America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes
Q: How can listeners begin to practice defiance in their daily lives?
Anticipate common pressure points, script what you will say, role-play, and train your mind and mouth to express defiant statements while staying within constructive boundaries.
America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes
Q: What role do coalitions play in moving big issues forward in a pluralistic democracy?
Coalitions are essential because most important legislative changes have historically required building broad, diverse support and crossing normal ideological boundaries to achieve common goals.
America at 250: Staying Hopeful, plus Saying No in a World That Demands Yes
Q: Your book is about defiance in a world that demands yes. How do you define being defiant in practical terms?
Defiance means acting in accordance with your own true values when there is pressure to do otherwise, and recognizing that true consent comes from within rather than from external expectations.
Growing Hope: What Depression-Era Gardens and Rainn Wilson Teach Us About Hard Times
Q: How did Rainn describe his shift from atheism to spirituality?
Rainn explained his journey through questioning faith, exploring spiritual questions, and ultimately embracing a spiritual perspective that informs his approach to life and creativity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Preamble

What is The Preamble about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A civics- and history-focused show that helps listeners understand complex current events through deep-dive storytelling, expert context, and thoughtful interviews. Episodes consistently explore democracy, civil rights, immigration, and governance, paired with historical perspectives that illuminate today's headlines. Notable is the host's clear, accessible teaching style and a willingness to engage with guests across disciplines to unpack nuanced issues. The program often combines rigorous analysis with practical civic guidance, making it useful for curious, civically minded audiences seeking actionable insights and a broader historical lens.

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How many listeners does The Preamble get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Preamble?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Preamble:

1. Mo News
2. Pantsuit Politics
3. Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
4. The Lazy Genius Podcast
5. The Esau McCaulley Podcast

How many episodes of The Preamble are there?

The Preamble launched 5 years ago and published 496 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Preamble?

Recent guests on The Preamble include:

1. Kim Holderness
2. Penn Holderness
3. Fred Haise
4. Rainn Wilson
5. Matt Beat
6. Sunita Sah
7. Suzy Welch
8. Condoleezza Rice

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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