Listen on:
Talk About Teddy
Weekly conversations Exploring the world of Theodore Roosevelt https://www.talkaboutteddy.com/
Hosted by Kurt Skinner - military officer, educator, and historian, and by Larry Marple, an educator and historian, who for the past 16 years has brought Theodore Roosevelt to life through historical portrayal
Together each week, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the life of Theodore Roosevelt – life-long learner, voracious reader, author, adventurer, conservationist, public servant, soldier, statesman, and so much more
TR was arguably our most intellectually curious President, a man of unbridled enthusiasm and unapologetic patriotism, whose strenuous life of public service in the arena continues to inspire us to high ideals
Join us each week at the Talk About Teddy podcast as we chat with authors and historians, Roosevelt scholars, and a wonderful array of individuals and organizations committed to carrying forward the legacy and vision of Theodore Roosevelt
Episodes
Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
In this episode of the 'Talk About Teddy' podcast, Larry and Kurt are joined by Clay Risen, a journalist and editor at the New York Times. Clay discusses his 2019 book 'The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century,' which explores the significance of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War and their impact on Theodore Roosevelt's political career. Clay delves into the diverse composition of the regiment, describing how it reflected American society, and explains how the war and the Rough Riders served as a crucible for Roosevelt's leadership skills and public persona. The conversation also touches on the broader themes of American imperialism, the evolution of the U.S. military, and the role of the media in shaping public perception during the war.
See show notes at our website www.talkaboutteddy.com
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
The second episode of the TR’s National Park series features a discussion with retired Park Superintendent Valerie Naylor. The episode explores the establishment and significance of various Southwestern parks, particularly those in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Valerie provides insights into the cultural and historical importance of these parks, many of which house ancient native sites and artifacts. Theodore Roosevelt's role in creating national monuments to protect these antiquities through the Antiquities Act is highlighted. Key parks discussed include Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Montezuma Castle, Petrified Forest National Park, El Morro, Tonto National Monument, and Tumacácori National Historical Park. The show also looks at Roosevelt’s vision for the Grand Canyon and his efforts to preserve it against exploitation. The episode concludes with Valerie’s personal experiences visiting these parks and her work with the Theodore Roosevelt Center.
www.talkaboutteddy.com
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Kurt and Larry discuss the influence of Christian faith in the life of Theodore Roosevelt with Associate History Professor Benjamin Wetzel.
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
Kurt and Larry discuss the Theodore Roosevelt Association with TRA President & Chairman Gregory Wynn.
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Kurt & Larry are joined by veteran museum curator, Susan Sarna, to discuss her current role as Senior Curator of Collections at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum and 30+ year career as National Park Service Curator at Sagamore Hill NHS.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Wednesday Dec 18, 2024
Kurt & Larry discuss Theodore Roosevelt's Pacific Coast states National Parks & Monuments with National Park Service veteran Superintendent Valerie Naylor. Parks mentioned in this episode: Crater Lake NP, Lassen Peak NM & Cinder Cone NM (Lassen Volcanic NP), Muir Woods NM, Pinnacles NM, Mount Olympus NM (Olympic NP).
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Wednesday Nov 27, 2024
Kurt and Larry are joined by TR historian and avid birder, Duane Jundt to discuss TR's lifelong fascination with birds.
Sunday Sep 15, 2024
Sunday Sep 15, 2024
In commemoration of the mustering out of Colonel Roosevelt's Rough Rider regiment (1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry) on September 15, 1898, we are pleased to re-release our previous conversation with friend of the podcast, Mark Lee Gardner, acclaimed author of his award-winning 2016 book Rough Riders: Theodore Roosevelt, His Cowboy Regiment, and the Immortal Charge Up San Juan Hill.
Saturday Sep 14, 2024
Saturday Sep 14, 2024
In recognition of the first presidential inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt upon the death of President McKinley in Buffalo, New York on September 14, 1901, we are re-releasing our previous conversation with Stanton Hudson at the TR Inaugural National Historic Site.
Friday Aug 30, 2024
Friday Aug 30, 2024
Larry and Kurt are joined by Julia Marple to discuss our historical portrayals of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt.
Episode 2 - Rough Riders
Larry and Kurt are joined by Mark Lee Gardner, author of Rough Riders: Theodore Roosevelt, His Cowboy Regiment, and the Immortal Charge Up San Juan Hill
“Overflowing with intelligently packaged information about Roosevelt and his regiment, massaged into an appealing action-narrative style as instructive alike to enthusiast and newcomer as it is enjoyable to read.” — Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Buy Mark's book:
Rough Riders: Theodore Roosevelt, His Cowboy Regiment, and the Immortal Charge Up San Juan Hill
Read Colonel Roosevelt's war memoir online:
Roosevelt, Theodore. The Rough Riders. New York: Collier, 1899., https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000466566
Captured Spanish Bugle
"Then they went straight up the steep, open hillside toward the rifle pits and fortified house on the ridge. 'It was the grandest sight I ever saw,' wrote Second Lieutenant John Greenway to his mother....The first Americans to reach the trenches were Greenway, Roger Fitch, and John Beissel (all Troop G men)...." (pg 170, Rough Riders)
"I can say, Mother, I was the first Rough Rider to reach the summit of this hill...I along with two men from my platoon, captured the first prisoner capt'd by the Regt. I have his trumpet which I took from him and will send [it to] you." (letter excerpt from Lt Greenway to his mother, July 13, 1898)
Inscription reads: "Taken from Spanish Prisoner Captured by Lt. John C. Greenway Roosevelt's Rough Riders San Juan Hill. July 1st 1898.
* Photos courtesy of Michael Rebman, Museum Curator/Manager
City of Las Vegas Museum and Rough Rider Memorial Collection, Las Vegas, New Mexico
Bronco Buster
"The Rough Riders...wished to present the colonel with 'a very slight token of the admiration, love and esteem in which you are held by the officers and men of your regiment.'...a marvelous bronze sculpture of a cowboy on a rearing horse...The Bronco Buster by Frederic Remington...The men had all chipped in to purchase it." (pg 243, Rough Riders)
"'To have such a gift come from this peculiarly American regiment touches me more than I can say. This is something I shall hand down to my children, and I shall value it even more than I do the weapons I carried through the campaign.'...Roosevelt asked the men to line up and file by him so could shake each of their hands. He spoke briefly to each trooper, calling most of them by their first names." (pg 244, Rough Riders)
* pictured on the left: Col. Roosevelt shaking hands with his men - "The Bronco Buster" can be seen on the table (Theodore Roosevelt Collection Roosevelt, Harvard University, R560.3.EL61-098a); "The Bronco Buster" bronze by Frederic Remington at Camp Wikoff, Montauk, NY (Theodore Roosevelt Collection Roosevelt, Harvard University, R560.3.EL61-099); Trophy room at Sagamore Hill, summer home of President Theodore Roosevelt, with bison heads over the mantle. New York Oyster Bay Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, ca. 1910. Aug. 23. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2006676023/. Note bronco Buster on the center table