Profiles in Liberty with Caleb Franz

When someone mentions the furnishers of the American Revolution, they are usually referring to Samuel Adams or Paul Revere. These men capitalized on the abuse of authority perpetrated by the British to popularize rebellion. However, the most effective individual to furnish the revolution is perhaps the most forgotten. Mercy Otis Warren used entertainment and satire to provide levity in people's lives while feeding them a more subtle message about liberty and tyranny. This helped grow revolutionary sentiment, and even after the war, it allowed her to popularize liberty in the new republic. In this Season 2 finale, hear how Mercy Otis Warren risked life, liberty, sacred honor, and her deepest friendships in pursuit of liberty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Hutchinson's story is perhaps one of the most quintessentially American tales of virtue, sacrifice, civil disobedience, and resistance. She stood against oppression on two separate continents and on both occasions she was forced to flee because she wouldn't back down. Anne laid the foundation for the freedom of speech, the right to assembly, and the right to worship as one deems appropriate. Few in American history had given so much and gotten so little in return. Yet, her story is largely forgotten throughout history. This episode of Profiles in Liberty attempts to elevate her to her proper historical prominence. She was a martyr of freedom and America's first true foremother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind every great man, there is an equally great woman. At least, so it is said. No matter how accurate it is, this was certainly the case with John and Abigail Adams. Abigail's constant love, loyalty, friendship, and companionship allowed John to push the nation toward independence at a time when nobody would stand with him. Abigail's advice would oftentimes go on to shape the history of this nation. Thus, she served as the backbone in more than just the life of John Adams. Abigail was, in many ways, the backbone of the infant American nation. Just as she continued to advocate for greater equality of the races and sexes to her husband, she served as the leading voice for the liberation of all people in a time when women had hardly a voice in the first place. For these reasons and more, she comfortably sits in history as THE Founding Mother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slavery may have been eliminated everywhere in the United States until 1865, but America started its journey toward abolition in Massachusetts in 1781. As much as they disdained the institution of slavery, it wasn't the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, or Patrick Henry that kicked off that journey, but rather a slave woman by the name of Mum Bett. The story of Mum Bett is a powerful one that highlights a woman who knew in her heart that she had a right to be free. What's especially fascinating about this story, however, is how it showcases that the original intent of the idea of America was to eventually eliminate, not sustain, the evil institution of slavery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harriet Tubman is historically famous for her daring rescue missions between the north and the south, guiding her brethren to freedom. Yet, this barely scratches the surface of her powerful conviction and incredible sacrifices. In this episode, discover how Harriet Tubman's faith, will, and principles came together to drive one of the most successful rescue missions in American history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are all familiar with Paul Revere and his historic midnight ride on the eve of the American Revolution. What is less known, however, is that he wasn't alone in this endeavor. In fact, one of the men who rode with him, Wentworth Cheswell, was a black man who helped secure the idea of America as much as any other Founding Father. Not only did Cheswell ride with Revere, but he was also by all accounts an American original. He was the first black officeholder in American history, a well-respected member of his community, the first archeologist of New Hampshire, and his town's historian, to name a few accomplishments. His story has largely been forgotten, but it's time for that to change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Underground Railroad was one of the most impressive and successful acts of civil disobedience in American history. While no one person can technically claim to have "founded" this movement, William Still is almost solely responsible for publicizing the stories of those who escaped slavery using that network. As the liberty movement grows today, William Still provides many valuable lessons that we can learn from and apply in the conflicts we are currently involved in. Still understood that good storytelling is fundamental to the success of any worthwhile movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frederick Douglass is world-renowned for his escape from and advocacy against slavery in the mid-1800s. His personal journey is a story that embodies what it truly means to be an American. It can serve as an inspiration to all of us to do what is right. Yet, his ideological journey is perhaps even more fascinating. Once jaded by the American system that had allowed him to suffer in chains, Douglass realized only after he took his freedom for himself that slavery is a system that runs counter to the blessings of the liberty promised in the U.S. Constitution. Nobody can truly understand the true purpose of the Constitution under they understand the wisdom of Frederick Douglass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Wythe was perhaps the Founder to influence this nation the most. Many other men did great and courageous things, but it was Wythe who ignited the fire of liberty in so many of their hearts. While he is today largely unknown, George Wythe was the mentor to several Founders who went on to become Senators, Supreme Court Justices, and even Presidents - including Thomas Jefferson. For the season one finale, learn about the man who earned so much respect and admiration from the men that we respect and admire today. Wythe devoted his life to training future generations in the tradition of liberty. It was that same devotion that in many ways likely lead to his suspicious and mysterious death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If I started to tell you about a man who heroically strapped his horse and went upon a midnight ride at great personal risk for the American cause, you'd think I'm talking about Paul Revere. While Revere's actions were indeed heroic, this story of a midnight rider is actually about Caesar Rodney. A man who has largely been forgotten in history, Caesar Rodney of Delaware is the sole individual who saved the vote for Independence. Hear about his heroic story during this week's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Washington is often referred to as the Father of our nation, the indispensable man, and the first President of the United States. These are all mostly true, except that the last accomplishment may not be his, from a certain point of view. Indeed, Washington was the first President under the Constitution, but it was Samuel Huntington who became President before him under the Articles of Confederation. No matter how you classify being "first," Huntington was a crucial and prominent figure during the American Revolution during one of our darkest hours. In this episode, hear how his steady and constant leadership helped to preserve our Independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Benjamin Rush may only be the second most famous Benjamin from Philadelphia, but his impact on this nation was revolutionary. Much of our current medical understanding of mental health and addiction started with him. He was a passionate writer and patriot. Dr. Rush championed political reforms that our country has just recently been catching up to, such as criminal justice reform. His social advocacy is just as impressive, as he was an early proponent of women's education through "Republican Motherhood." Still, perhaps his most significant contribution come later in his life, as he devoted his final years healing the broken friendship of the two titans of the revolution, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. In doing so, he managed to provide the nation with a pathway forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Henry Lee came from one of the most powerful families in colonial Virginia in the 18th century. He was born into a life easier than most. The wealth and resources that he could potentially have at his disposal would have set himself up for a life of luxury. Yet, Lee chose a very different path. Rather than become corrupted by the lifestyle of the Virginia aristocracy, Richard Henry Lee put his life and fortune on the line time and again to further the cause of liberty. Indeed, even after America achieved Independence, his passion and conviction drove him to make some rather unpopular choices because he believed it to be the right thing to do. The conviction of Richard Henry Lee is something that we can all learn a thing or two from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most well known Founding Fathers in history. He was as world renowned in his own time as he is historically renowned now. Yet few today fully understand or appreciate some of his most significant contributions. There is so much more to Benjamin Franklin than being a signer of the Declaration of Independence or flying a kite. Most significantly, more than anyone else, Benjamin Franklin defined what it even means to be an American. He gave us our identity. And furthermore, he taught us that the most significant impact we can make on the world must begin at the local level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Adams often gets the short end of the stick. He's not the most popular founding father, he was incredibly disliked in his own day, and he's hardly ever referred to as a "hero of liberty." He was modest, brash, temperamental, and not particularly wealthy. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin often overshadow Adams due to their contributions to the revolution. However, the importance of his legacy is not one that should be understated. He was one of the earliest and loudest voices for Independence. He is largely the reason why many of his fellow founders were able to leave such a large and impactful footprint. And most importantly, his commitment to the truth in the face of heated passion set a shining example for all liberty lovers to follow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thomas Jefferson is the founding father that captures our imagination more than any other. He was a philosopher, a scientist, a linguist, a musician, and so much more. His words in the Declaration of Independence have become America's mission statement, proclaiming to the world what this nation is suppose to be about. Yet he's also arguably the most divisive founding father, largely due to his relationship with one issue: Slavery. While it's true that there is a certain contradiction with Jefferson owning slaves while preaching freedom, there is often key context missing when we review this aspect of his life. In truth, arguably no southern founding father was as consistently vocal against the evils of slavery as Jefferson. In this episode, we look into his true legacy on the matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn about the latest show on the We Are Libertarians Podcasting Network - Profiles in Liberty - and the direction it will be going on in this preview edition of the program.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices