Grover Cleveland's superhuman moral courage with Troy Senik

Grover Cleveland's superhuman moral courage with Troy Senik

Author: Matt Blumberg November 7, 2024 Duration: 46:33

Recorded on 09-26-2024

In this episode, Matt and Troy talk about the 22nd and 24th President, Grover Cleveland, the only president to serve two non-sequential terms in history (up to this week's election of Donald Trump), and some of the interesting similarities to the party alignment circumstances to today's environment. Matt and Troy cover a number of vignettes from Cleveland's time in office, including the role that "doing the right thing" played in his political life, the shocking way he handled his cancer diagnosis and surgery, and the extraordinarily gracious way he handled his defeat and the inauguration of his successor in 1888, all during a time of immense transition for the Democratic Party.  

Troy Senik
Troy Senik is a former White House speechwriter, having served under President George W. Bush during his second term. Today, he is the co-founder of Kite & Key, a non-profit digital media company dedicated to making public policy research accessible to the public. In 2022, he published his first book, A Man of Iron: The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland, named by the Christian Science Monitor as one of the best books of 2022.

Senik's career has spanned journalism, government, public policy, and non-profit leadership. He is a former columnist and member of the editorial board at the Orange County Register, the former opinion editor of the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and the former editor-in-chief of Ricochet. His writing has appeared in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, National Affairs, City Journal, and The Guardian. He has served in senior leadership roles at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and the Manhattan Institute for Public Policy, and also spent a decade as the host of a series of podcasts on public policy for the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

A former Jeopardy! champion, Mr. Senik holds a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from Belmont University and a master's degree in public policy from Pepperdine University. Born and raised in Southern California, he currently lives in the New York City area.

 

To learn more about Country Over Self or to check out other episodes head to Countryoverself.com. 

If you have an idea for an episode or want to reach Matt directly, please email podcast@countryoverself.com


Country Over Self is edited and produced by Culture Collaborative Media. 




In Country Over Self, author and technology entrepreneur Matt Blumberg sits down with some of the nation's most accomplished Presidential historians. Together, they examine defining moments in American history through the lens of leadership and sacrifice. This isn't a general survey of presidential facts; it's a focused exploration of those critical junctures where a President made a choice intended to strengthen the nation, even when that decision came at a significant personal or political cost. Each episode of the podcast delves into a specific story, unpacking the context, the pressures, and the often-complicated motivations behind these pivotal actions. You'll hear detailed narratives that go beyond textbook summaries, revealing the human complexities and historical weight of these decisions. Designed for those who appreciate depth in a concise format, the series offers thoughtful analysis on how singular choices can ripple through time, shaping the country's trajectory. By focusing on the tension between personal ambition and public duty, Country Over Self provides a unique perspective on the American presidency, all grounded in historical scholarship and engaging conversation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 14

Country Over Self
Podcast Episodes
Finale - Does Country Over Self exist? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:39
In this episode, Noah Feldman and Alexis Coe join Matt to discuss a wide range of Presidential anecdotes beyond the 12 Presidents covered in the series, wrap up learnings from Country Over Self, and attempt to answer the…
George Washington's many courageous acts with Alexis Coe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:03
Originally recorded on 11-27-2024In this episode, Matt and Alexis talk about the 1st President, George Washington, the "foundingest father," who was incredibly conscious that everything he did would set precedent for the…
John Adams's rationale for virtue with Joseph Ellis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:24
Originally recorded on 10-2-2024 00:00 Introduction to Country Over Self 00:33 Meet Joseph Ellis: Historian of John Adams 02:36 John Adams: The Most Human of the Founding Fathers 04:15 Adams' Role in the American Revolut…
Harry S. Truman and early recognition of Israel with Gary Ginsberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:15
In this episode, Matt and Gary talk about the 33rd President, Harry S. Truman. An accidental - and somewhat unprepared President who succeeded Franklin Delano Roosevelt after only 73 days on the job as Vice President, Tr…
James A. Garfield and Civil Service Reform with CW Goodyear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
In this episode, Matt and Charlie talk about the 20th President, James A. Garfield. While most Americans wouldn't be able to pick Garfield out of a lineup, and he was only president for a handful of months before he died…