Last week, after President Joe Biden went to Valley Forge and then spoke in Pennsylvania, I got a chance to sit down with him to ask a few questions. What I wanted to hear from him illustrates the difference between journalists and historians. Journalists are trained to find breaking stories and to explain them clearly so that their audience is better informed about what is happening in the world. What they do is vitally important to a democracy, and it is hard work. One of the reasons I always try to call out the names of journalists whose articles I’m describing is to highlight that there are real people working hard to dig out the stories we all need to know and that we are all part of a community trying together to figure out what’s happening in this country.
If we do not face the reality that our US news media is censoring so many realities and constantly promoting Trump 45 then how can we hope to win? Please! This needs to be addressed!!! Just this past Sunday Kristen Welker's interview with Elise Stefanik was a total sell out. All Americans on Jan 6 watched our temple of democracy attacked and now Rep. Stefanik states that these people are "Hostages"? Heather, we need to focus on the US news media whether it is the far right media or just Fox News or the corporate media which omits and censors so many realities and threats such as the climate crisis.
Omg compare that to the other guy. Unbelievable the difference. And age? No, rather a great demonstration of the wisdom granted him by his awareness and his experience. Thank you Heather for a gorgeous opportunity to see this man be so open and vulnerable about what compels him.
How could anyone vote for Trump instead of this man. Last election I wanted to vote for Bernie or Elizabeth Warren, but I voted for Biden and now I think: this presidency has been a quiet revolution...to the good.
What jumped out at me during Heather's interview with Joe Biden was some of the vocabulary that he chose. For example, the contrast he made between humility and entitlement is central, but the difficult path is to build confidence in our kids and in ourselves while at the same time preserving the understanding that it is our humility liked to our confidence that allows us to persevere and. succeed.
“[I]t is an odd thing to have a historical subject who can talk back to you, but in all the right ways: it forces you to adjust your understanding of our historical moment. That’s the sort of information that will make the historical record clearer and that, when today’s society has itself become history, will help historians in the future better understand how and why it changed.”
Thank you, Professor and you too, Mr. President. Listening to this gave me the strength to write this on my Facebook account. Hi, can I imagine the naysayers here and that’s fine. But whether you like President Biden or not for whatever reason and I’m sure there are many or maybe not. But one thing for me is I like his honesty and his outlook because we must all have the ability to have a good outlook in America and for ourselves for our friends for our families for our communities . I’m not telling anybody how they should feel, but I believe that President Biden cares about everybody. So I say, go Joe. And if you want to rip me apart, that’s OK you have the freedom to do that. I still believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everybody. Peace, stay warm. Go Chiefs and Ku! Lolol….. 
Humility-- what a rare but wonderful quality in humans. It's great to be confident, too, but don't get too big for your britches. Nobody is indispensable, as Washington knew. As dad used to say to us kids, "you have a lot to be humble about." Hah! That goes for everyone.
What joy to check m y phone one last time before bed and here you are. Thank you for all you do, for your great mind and incredible empathy and wisdom.
After seeing that video I am at a loss how anyone cannot want that good man to continue as the president. Compared to any of the alternatives from either party, especially whatsisname with the yellow hair and the big mouth, Joe Biden is what we need now.
I was trained as a journalist and see few similarities in how HCR, as a historian, approached her conversion to how journalists conduct interviews. This wasn’t about getting soundbites or quotes for her story, it was about putting a question out there and truly listening.
Journalists are like fast food; essential on those busy nights when the kids all have to be in different places. Historians are like gourmet chefs, taking hours to carefully choose ingredients, identify the perfect combination of spices, and working slowly and intentionally to craft an engaging narrative that sustains and defines who we are.
Watching HCR and Biden in this context was like watching master musicians perform a duet, both exhibiting a beauty and art that comes from years of practice fed by a deep passion for their respective arts.
The words of President Biden give me hope. He has persevered through many difficulties and setbacks. Yet he is President today and providing strong leadership with a vision for the future. Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to hear him speak in a calm and dignified setting.
Heather -
If we do not face the reality that our US news media is censoring so many realities and constantly promoting Trump 45 then how can we hope to win? Please! This needs to be addressed!!! Just this past Sunday Kristen Welker's interview with Elise Stefanik was a total sell out. All Americans on Jan 6 watched our temple of democracy attacked and now Rep. Stefanik states that these people are "Hostages"? Heather, we need to focus on the US news media whether it is the far right media or just Fox News or the corporate media which omits and censors so many realities and threats such as the climate crisis.
I love this man so much. The best President of the United States in my lifetime. And I’m 75.
Hey HCR Community- also catch Heather o Al Franken’s podcast. It is spectacular as well!
Omg compare that to the other guy. Unbelievable the difference. And age? No, rather a great demonstration of the wisdom granted him by his awareness and his experience. Thank you Heather for a gorgeous opportunity to see this man be so open and vulnerable about what compels him.
Thank you, Dr. HCR. You keep finding ways to show us -- not tell us -- who we are. It’s a blessing.
I was reading the letter & it suddenly ended, but then I saw the video. What an incredible gift on a Friday night. Thank you Doctor! You give me hope.
How could anyone vote for Trump instead of this man. Last election I wanted to vote for Bernie or Elizabeth Warren, but I voted for Biden and now I think: this presidency has been a quiet revolution...to the good.
What jumped out at me during Heather's interview with Joe Biden was some of the vocabulary that he chose. For example, the contrast he made between humility and entitlement is central, but the difficult path is to build confidence in our kids and in ourselves while at the same time preserving the understanding that it is our humility liked to our confidence that allows us to persevere and. succeed.
“[I]t is an odd thing to have a historical subject who can talk back to you, but in all the right ways: it forces you to adjust your understanding of our historical moment. That’s the sort of information that will make the historical record clearer and that, when today’s society has itself become history, will help historians in the future better understand how and why it changed.”
Thank you, Professor and you too, Mr. President. Listening to this gave me the strength to write this on my Facebook account. Hi, can I imagine the naysayers here and that’s fine. But whether you like President Biden or not for whatever reason and I’m sure there are many or maybe not. But one thing for me is I like his honesty and his outlook because we must all have the ability to have a good outlook in America and for ourselves for our friends for our families for our communities . I’m not telling anybody how they should feel, but I believe that President Biden cares about everybody. So I say, go Joe. And if you want to rip me apart, that’s OK you have the freedom to do that. I still believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everybody. Peace, stay warm. Go Chiefs and Ku! Lolol….. 
Thank you Heather.
Great job interviewing the man who sits in the most unappreciated seat in the world.
It pains me to know our Democracy rests in the hands of the electoral college and not the will of the people.
Be safe. Be well.
Humility-- what a rare but wonderful quality in humans. It's great to be confident, too, but don't get too big for your britches. Nobody is indispensable, as Washington knew. As dad used to say to us kids, "you have a lot to be humble about." Hah! That goes for everyone.
What joy to check m y phone one last time before bed and here you are. Thank you for all you do, for your great mind and incredible empathy and wisdom.
After seeing that video I am at a loss how anyone cannot want that good man to continue as the president. Compared to any of the alternatives from either party, especially whatsisname with the yellow hair and the big mouth, Joe Biden is what we need now.
I was trained as a journalist and see few similarities in how HCR, as a historian, approached her conversion to how journalists conduct interviews. This wasn’t about getting soundbites or quotes for her story, it was about putting a question out there and truly listening.
Journalists are like fast food; essential on those busy nights when the kids all have to be in different places. Historians are like gourmet chefs, taking hours to carefully choose ingredients, identify the perfect combination of spices, and working slowly and intentionally to craft an engaging narrative that sustains and defines who we are.
Watching HCR and Biden in this context was like watching master musicians perform a duet, both exhibiting a beauty and art that comes from years of practice fed by a deep passion for their respective arts.
The words of President Biden give me hope. He has persevered through many difficulties and setbacks. Yet he is President today and providing strong leadership with a vision for the future. Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to hear him speak in a calm and dignified setting.