#366: Teach Yourself Like George Washington

#366: Teach Yourself Like George Washington

George Washington has become an archetype of the great American leader. Subsequent generals and presidents all have been compared to Washington, and in the American mythos, they all fall short of this founder's military and political genius. What many people don’t know about Washington, however, is that his formal schooling abruptly ended at age 11 with the death of his father and that he was largely self-taught. My guest today wrote an intellectual biography of Washington and how this autodidact rose to American apotheosis despite lacking the classical education of his Revolutionary contemporaries.
Her name is Dr. Adrienne Harrison and her book is "A Powerful Mind: The Self-Education of George Washington." Today on the show, Adrienne discusses how her time as a combat officer in Iraq led her to researching and writing her doctoral dissertation about Washington’s intellectual journey. We then discuss why Washington’s education was deficient compared to other Founding Fathers like Jefferson and Adams, how this lack made Washington extremely self-conscious, and what he did to mitigate ever revealing it. Dr. Harrison then takes us through how Washington charted his own education throughout the different stages of his life and career to help him become a wealthy landowner, successful general, and first executive of the United States. Adrienne also takes us on a tour of Washington’s personal study and library and what is says about his learning style. We end our discussion on lessons we can take from Washington on maintaining a passion for lifelong learning.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(1158)

The Idea Machine — How Books Changed the World (and Still Matter)

The Idea Machine — How Books Changed the World (and Still Matter)

Books are everywhere. They're so common, they're easy to take for granted. But my guest argues that they’re worth fully appreciating — because the book isn’t just a container for content; it’s a revol...

16 Joulu 202555min

Why You Don’t Follow Through on Your Health Goals — and How to Fix It

Why You Don’t Follow Through on Your Health Goals — and How to Fix It

Most of us know what we should do to be healthier: eat better, move more, sleep well. The real challenge? Actually following through.On today’s show, I talk to behavioral psychologist Amantha Imber, a...

9 Joulu 202551min

Masculinity as Confident Competence

Masculinity as Confident Competence

There’s a lot of debate these days about what it means to be a man. But maybe the answer is simpler than we think, and a lot of masculinity just comes down to confident competence. A broad set of know...

2 Joulu 202549min

A Butler’s Guide to Managing Your Household

A Butler’s Guide to Managing Your Household

Note: This is a rebroadcast. It’s a tough job to manage a household. Things need to be regularly fixed, maintained, and cleaned. How do you stay on top of these tasks in order to keep your home in tip...

25 Marras 202549min

How the World Wars Shaped J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis

How the World Wars Shaped J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis

When people think of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, they often picture tweedy Oxford professors and beloved fantasy authors. But their writing wasn't drawn only from their bucolic days teaching at Oxf...

18 Marras 202556min

Family Culture and the Sibling Effect — What Really Shapes Who You Become

Family Culture and the Sibling Effect — What Really Shapes Who You Become

When we think about what shaped our life trajectory, we often focus on the way our parents raised us. But what about our siblings? What role do they play in who we become?My guest today makes the case...

11 Marras 202541min

Hercules at the Crossroads — Choosing the Hard Path That Leads to a Good Life

Hercules at the Crossroads — Choosing the Hard Path That Leads to a Good Life

In a story from ancient Greek philosophy, Hercules faces a choice between two paths: one promising pleasure and ease; the other, hardship and struggle — but also growth and greatness. According to tod...

4 Marras 202558min

Make Friends With Death to Live a Better Life

Make Friends With Death to Live a Better Life

We live in a culture that does everything it can to keep death at a distance. We hide it behind hospital curtains, euphemize it in conversation, and hustle through grief like it's just another item on...

28 Loka 202553min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
rss-narsisti
adhd-podi
rss-rahamania
psykologia
ihminen-tavattavissa-tommy-hellsten-instituutti
kesken
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-valo-minussa-2
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
jari-sarasvuo-podcast
rss-tietoinen-yhteys-podcast-2
rahapuhetta
rss-turun-yliopisto
rss-arkea-ja-aurinkoa-podcast-espanjasta
rss-ranskaa-raakana
rss-uskonto-on-tylsaa