Garrett Boorojian and NYT Bestselling Author, JFK Jr.'s friend, former The History Channel Scholar–in–Residence, University of Oklahoma Emeritus Professor, former University of Oxford Lecturer, former Yale University Associate Professor, Steve Gillon

Garrett Boorojian and NYT Bestselling Author, JFK Jr.'s friend, former The History Channel Scholar–in–Residence, University of Oklahoma Emeritus Professor, former University of Oxford Lecturer, former Yale University Associate Professor, Steve Gillon

Author: Garrett Boorojian October 28, 2025 Duration: 1:12:56

https://www.stevenmgillon.com/

"STEVEN M. GILLON

Historian | Author | Producer | Professor | Speaker

"History is not about memorizing facts. It’s about using facts to build an argument for interpreting the past." - Steven M. Gillon"

https://millercenter.org/experts/steven-m-gillon

"Fast Facts

  • Former Scholar-in-Residence at The History Channel
  • Written or edited nearly a dozen books
  • Professor emeritus, University of Oklahoma

Steven Gillon is the former Scholar-in-Residence at The History Channel and emeritus professor of history at the University of Oklahoma.

Gillon received his BA in history from Widener University, where he graduated summa cum laude with honors in history. He was named the recipient of the faculty prize for maintaining the highest undergraduate GPA. He went on to earn his MA and PhD in American civilization from Brown University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving his PhD, Gillon spent nine years teaching history at Yale University, where he won the prestigious DeVane Medal for outstanding undergraduate teaching. In 1994, he accepted a position as University Lecturer in modern history at Oxford University. Three years later, he returned to the United States at the invitation of the president of the University of Oklahoma to become the founding dean of a new Honors College.

Gillon is one of the nation's leading experts on modern American history and politics. He has written or edited nearly a dozen books including the New York Times e-book bestseller, The Pact: Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and the Rivalry that Defined a Generation (Oxford 2008). Among his many other books are: Boomer Nation: The Largest and Richest Generation and How it Changed America (Free Press 2004); 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America (Three Rivers 2006); Pearl Harbor: FDR Leads the Nation into War (Basic 2011); That’s Not What We Meant to Do: Reform and Its Unintended Consequences in Twentieth-Century America (W.W. Norton, 2000); The Democrats' Dilemma: Walter F. Mondale and the Liberal Legacy (Columbia University, 1992); and Politics and Vision: The ADA and American Liberalism, 1947-1985 (Oxford 1987). Gillon's next book, Presidents at War, will be released in early 2025.

Gillon's articles have appeared in both academic journals and popular newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Boston Globe. He is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. He has made appearances on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News as a commentator and expert on issues related to modern American history.

Over the past decade, Gillon has hosted a number of shows on The History Channel, including the network's flagship public affairs program, HistoryCenter. He has also hosted Our Generation, History vs. Hollywood, and Movies in Time. His last three books have been turned into prime time documentaries on the network: The Kennedy Assassination 24 Hours After, Pearl Harbor: 24 Hours After, and Lee Harvey Oswald: 48 Hours to Live.

In addition to his scholarly and television work, Gillon has served as a historical consultant for a number of prominent organizations. He was the chief historian for the Woodstock Museum in Bethel, New York. He spent two years as a consultant to News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch. In 2013, AARP chose him as one of ten “Thought Leaders” in the United States on issues related to the aging of the Baby Boom generation."


Garrett Boorojian hosts WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment, a podcast that digs into the human dynamics behind high-stakes success. Each conversation moves beyond typical interviews to explore how trust, communication, and genuine connection are forged under pressure. The guest list is a testament to the universal application of these principles, featuring Hall of Fame athletes from football, basketball, and baseball, Olympic medalists, Emmy-winning media figures, and top coaches and executives. These are individuals for whom "team" is not a corporate buzzword but the fundamental mechanism of achievement. You'll hear firsthand accounts of navigating locker rooms, boardrooms, and creative collaborations. The discussions are grounded in real stories-from the tension before a championship game to the delicate negotiations of a major business deal-revealing the practical methods these professionals use to build cohesive units. This isn't abstract theory; it's lived experience dissected to uncover what actually works. Whether you're leading a sports team, a business department, or any collaborative project, this podcast offers a rare look at the relational craftsmanship required to excel. Garrett guides these explorations with a focus on actionable insight, making each episode a masterclass in the subtle art of working with others.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment
Podcast Episodes
Garrett Boorojian and Founder + CEO of Renala, Certified Facilitator in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY, formerly of ICF Next / World Vision / Paralyzed Veterans of America / Atlantic Media, Co-author of "Living Room Leadership," Brittany Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:22
Garrett Boorojian and Brittany Anderson discuss relationship building in a team environment.Source: https://leadwithfamily.com/living-room-leadership/"NEW BOOK BY BRITTANY + GEOFF ANDERSONUnlock the Power of Living Room…
Garrett Boorojian and 1993 NFL First Round Draft Pick (1st Overall), New England Patriots Hall of Famer, 4x Pro–Bowler, Super Bowl 36 Champion, Co–founder of Bledsoe Wine Estates (Doubleback, Bledsoe Family Winery, Bledsoe|McDaniels), Drew Bledsoe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:12
Garrett Boorojian and Drew Bledsoe discuss relationship building in a team environment.Drew's NFL Career / Accolades:– 251 Passing Touchdowns / 44,611 Passing Yards– Super Bowl 36 Champion / 2x AFC Champion– 4x Pro–Bowle…
Garrett Boorojian and former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, U. of Michigan Law School Professor, Author of "The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government, NBC News / MS NOW Legal Analyst, Barbara McQuade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
Garrett Boorojian and Barbara McQuade discuss relationship building in a team environment.Source: University of Michigan Law Schoolhttps://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/barbara-l-mcquade"Barb…
Garrett Boorojian and Atlanta–based Award–winning Independent / Hollywood Actress (Walk the Line, Big Momma's House 2, We Are Marshall, The Blind Side, The Hunger Games, What to Expect When You're Expecting, Flight, 42, Hidden Figures), Rhoda Griffis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:44
Garrett Boorojian and Rhoda Griffis discuss relationship building in a team environment."... [T]his platform is fabulous Garrett, there is a door for everybody, and that's thanks to you." – Rhoda GriffisSource: Universit…
Garrett Boorojian and former NFL 4x Pro–Bowler, former NFL First–Team All–Pro, former NFL Sacks Leader, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, former High School and NCAA Division I Football Coach, Motivational Speaker, Bryce Paup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:06
Garrett Boorojian and Bryce Paup discuss relationship building in a team environment.Source: Iowa State Footballhttps://cyclones.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bryce-paup/2348"Bryce PaupTitle: Assistant Defensive Lin…
Garrett Boorojian and Founder / Principal of The Fair Path Project, former Diplomat at the U.S. Department of State, former CAO / Spokeswoman at End Workplace Abuse, former Director of Human Resources at Solano County / Mariposa County, Kim Williams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:12
Garrett Boorojian and Kimberly Williams discuss relationship building in a team environment.Sources: The Fair Path Projecthttps://www.fairpathproject.com/"Overcome Workplace Bullying. Build Psychological Safety.The Fair…
Garrett Boorojian and 1982 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Champion and Consultant at the University of North Carolina, former NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Head Coach, former Assistant GM at the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, Buzz Peterson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:38
Garrett Boorojian and Buzz Peterson discuss relationship building in a team environment.Robert Bower Peterson Jr. | Buzz Peterson:– 1981 High School Basketball Player of the Year in the U.S. state of North Carolina– 1982…