First, we talk about how a day of fasting and prayer in 1798 turned into a night of fear and flying "cockades." Then we’re joined by presidential historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, author of the new book Making The Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged The Republic, for an insightful conversation about how President John Adams was a much savvier politician than he gets credit for—especially considering he was surrounded by saboteurs and jerkfaces.   NEW: Please send us your Local Lore — hometown histories, interesting historical markers, and weird local claims to fame! Send them to [email protected] and we might feature them in an upcoming series! Find out more at plodpod.com Consider joining our Patreon family at https://www.patreon.com/ploddingthroughthepresidents Check out our sweet John Adams swag and more at our merch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/plodding-through-the-presidents?ref_id=24294 And right now get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription at https://babbel.com/presidents Listeners also get 50% off your first box of Factor plus 20% off your next month with code plodding50 at factormeals.com/plodding50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices