Creating America

Episode 19: Religious Freedom | Thomas Jefferson & the “Wall of Separation”

In this episode of Creating America, host Will Sarris explores the origins of religious freedom in the United States through the First Amendment, Thomas Jefferson’s famous 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, and Jefferson’s writings on religion in Notes on the State of Virginia. You’ll hear: * The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution * The 1801 letter from the Danbury Baptist Association * Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 reply introducing the phrase “wall of separation between Church and State” * Jefferson’s writings on religious liberty from Notes on the State of Virginia Creating America is a history podcast dedicated to reading the speeches, letters, and documents that shaped the United States. Host & Narrator: Will Sarris Follow us on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586175179173 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586175179173] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod 📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com 💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris Reply on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:g6bu77lnsa5njogfr53d4ksu/post/3mmebdkvvox2s] 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net #FirstAmendment #ThomasJefferson #ReligiousFreedom #ChurchAndState #AmericanHistory #Constitution #BillOfRights #DanburyBaptists #HistoryPodcast #CreatingAmerica

Episode 18: Teaching Them How to Say Goodbye | George Washington's Farewell Address

In this episode of the Creating America Podcast, host Will Sarris explores one of the most influential speeches in American history: George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796). At the height of his power and popularity, Washington made a decision almost unheard of in world history — he voluntarily stepped away from leadership. By refusing a third term, he established the precedent of the peaceful transfer of power and helped define the American presidency for generations. In his Farewell Address Washington: * Talks of the growing political divisions of the 1790s * Gives his thoughts on America’s debate over the French Revolution * Gives warnings about political parties and sectional division * Address his concerns about foreign influence and permanent alliances Washington's farewell address was crafted with assistance from Alexander Hamilton and delivered at a pivotal moment in early American history. If you enjoy American history, founding documents, presidential speeches, Revolutionary War history, or political philosophy, this episode is for you. Creating America is a history podcast dedicated to reading and bringing to life the speeches, letters, and documents that shaped the United States. Subscribe, rate, and share the show to support independent history storytelling. Host & Narrator: Will Sarris Follow us on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586175179173 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586175179173] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod 📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com 💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris Reply on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:g6bu77lnsa5njogfr53d4ksu/post/3mlso2sa7ph2s] 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

Episode 17: The Man Who Willingly Gave Up Power | Washington's 1783 Resignation & First Inaugural Address

In Episode 17 of the Creating America Podcast, we explore two extraordinary moments in the life of George Washingtonthat helped define the American experiment in self-government. First, we hear Washington’s 1783 resignation speech—when he voluntarily gave up power as Commander-in-Chief after the Revolutionary War. At a time when military leaders often became rulers, Washington chose a different path, drawing comparisons to Cincinnatus and setting a precedent for civilian leadership that still shapes democracies today. Then, we turn to April 30, 1789, as Washington delivers his First Inaugural Address in New York City, stepping into the role of the first President of the United States under the newly ratified Constitution. In this speech, you’ll hear his humility, uncertainty, and deep sense of responsibility as he takes on an entirely new kind of leadership. Through immersive narration, this episode brings these foundational texts to life and highlights: * The unprecedented act of relinquishing power * The creation of the American presidency * The character and restraint that shaped early U.S. leadership If you’ve ever wondered what it sounded like at the very beginning of the United States, this episode offers a rare chance to hear those words as they were meant to be experienced. Subscribe, rate, and share to support the show! Host & Narrator: Will Sarris Follow us on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586175179173 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586175179173] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod 📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com 💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris Reply on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:g6bu77lnsa5njogfr53d4ksu/post/3mlb2smyy6m2i] 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

Episode 16: Brutus, The Anti-Federalist | The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

ive into the origins of the United States Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10) in this episode of Creating America: The Documents and Speeches That Shaped the United States, hosted by Will Sarris. Before the Bill of Rights became law, fierce debate surrounded the ratification of the Constitution. In this episode, we explore the powerful Anti-Federalist argument against the Constitution’s lack of explicit protections—through the words of “Brutus” (Robert Yates), whose 1787 essay helped spark the creation of the Federalist Papers. You’ll hear: * The full reading of “On the Lack of a Bill of Rights” by Brutus * Historical context behind the demand for constitutional protections * The transition from Anti-Federalist criticism to the drafting of the Bill of Rights * A complete reading of all 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Understand how concerns over government power, individual liberty, and natural rights led to one of the most important additions to American law. From freedom of speech and religion to due process and the right to bear arms, this episode brings these foundational texts to life through immersive narration. Perfect for students, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the founding principles of the United States, this episode continues our chronological journey through the documents that shaped a nation. 📜 Featured Texts: * Brutus Essay (1787) – Anti-Federalist critique * The U.S. Bill of Rights (Ratified 1791) 🎙️ About the Podcast: Creating America presents the original speeches and documents that defined U.S. history—performed and narrated to capture how they were meant to be heard. Subscribe, rate, and share to support the show! Host & Narrator: Will Sarris Follow us on social media! Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod 📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com 💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris Reply on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:g6bu77lnsa5njogfr53d4ksu/post/3mkphk3exps2m] 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net

Episode 15: The Federalist Papers, Part 4: Thoughts on Bills of Rights & Concluding Remarks (Nos. 84 & 85)

In this episode of Creating America, host and narrator Will Sarris presents dramatic readings of Federalist Papers No. 84 and No. 85, written by Alexander Hamilton during the debate over ratifying the United States Constitution. These concluding essays tackle some of the most enduring questions in American history: * Does the Constitution need a Bill of Rights? * Can liberty be preserved without explicitly listing freedoms? * Why was ratification urgent for the survival of the Union? In Federalist No. 84, Hamilton argues that a Bill of Rights may be unnecessary—and even dangerous—within a government derived from the people. In No. 85, he delivers a powerful final appeal for ratification, addressing concerns about imperfection in the Constitution while emphasizing unity, stability, and the possibility of future amendments. Through immersive narration and minimal commentary, this episode allows you to experience these foundational texts as they were meant to be heard—bringing clarity and emotional weight to one of the most important political debates in American history. Perfect for students, educators, and anyone interested in the origins of the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and the ideas that shaped the United States. Subscribe, rate, and share to support the podcast! Host & Narrator: Will Sarris Follow us on social media! Threads: https://www.threads.com/@creatingamericapod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatingamericapod 📩 Contact: CreatingAmericaPod@gmail.com 💬 Support the show: patreon.com/williamsarris Reply on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:g6bu77lnsa5njogfr53d4ksu/post/3mk5uaz3e4z2n] 🌐 More about Will: williamsarris.net