About

This American President began with a simple idea: the story of the American presidency is far more interesting—and far more complicated—than most of us learned in school.

Created in 2017 by host Richard Lim and producer Michael Neal, the podcast grew out of a shared fascination with American history and the individuals who have occupied the nation's highest office. We found ourselves drawn not only to the presidents themselves, but also to the people behind the title—their ambitions, strengths, flaws, decisions, and the extraordinary moments they faced.

Since launching the show, we've had the privilege of speaking with historians, authors, and experts from across the country to explore the lives and legacies of America's presidents. Our goal is to make presidential history engaging, accessible, and thought-provoking for everyone, whether you're a dedicated history enthusiast or simply curious about the leaders who shaped the nation.

Every president has a story. We're here to tell it.

This American President: The leaders you thought you knew.

About the Hosts

Richard Lim

Host

Richard Lim is the co-founder and host of the This American President podcast. He previously served at the White House, the Association of the U.S. Army, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Richard has appeared as a commentator on C-SPAN's Washington Journal and will appear on the History Channel's upcoming documentary on President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition, Richard’s opinion editorials have appeared on The Heritage Foundation’s The Daily Signal, the Washington Examiner, RealClearHistory, and the History News Network.

Richard Lim obtained a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of California, San Diego.

Michael Neal

Producer

Michael Neal is the co-founder and producer of the This American President podcast. He is responsible for the production and operations of the show. Professionally, Michael works as a construction consultant based in Washington, DC, where he also takes an active interest in visiting the region's many historical sites.

Michael Neal obtained a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.