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Patriarchs

Patriarchs

Written by: District Productive
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Patriarchs is a six-part audio drama focused on the dynamic between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams during the founding of the United States. Written by award-winning playwright Jim McGrath, the podcast stars America’s preeminent interpreter of Shakespeare Stacy Keach as Thomas Jefferson, and six-time Helen Hayes Award winner Edward Gero as John Adams. Patriarchs opens in Philadelphia at the Continental Congress in 1776 Philadelphia and concludes on Independence Day July 4, 1826.

During that 50-year span, Patriarchs chronicles the origin of our country through the most consequential relationship in American History: the friendship, rivalry, animosity, and reconciliation of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Through this lens, Patriarchs answers the hard questions about how America began, who paid the price, and what kind of republic it has become. Every scene, every argument, every confession in Patriarchs is drawn from real letters, speeches, and memoirs of the people who created this nation. The result is an intimate drama of brilliant founders who are also flawed fathers, husbands, slaveholders, and partisans.

In addition to Adams and Jefferson, the podcast includes Abigail Adams, one of the sharpest political minds of the age, whose letters slice cleanly through ego and ideology. With Sally Hemings centered not as rumor but as a speaking, thinking presence whose choices and constraints shape Jefferson’s life, Patriarchs boldly confronts the reality of slavery and sexual exploitation in the founding generation.

© 2026 Jim McGrath
Political Science Politics & Government World
Episodes
  • Chapter 6: Rapprochement
    Jun 3 2026

    John Adams and Thomas Jefferson renew their correspondence after years of silence, beginning an extraordinary epistolary reunion that revives their friendship in old age. Built from real letters, speeches, and memoirs, the finale follows the renewed exchange between the two founders as they revisit the Revolution, the presidency, the meaning of republican government, and the contradictions of the nation they helped create.

    As Adams and Jefferson move from grievance to affection, the episode also reflects on Abigail Adams, Sally Hemings, John Quincy Adams, and the larger legacy of the founding generation. The story closes on the 50th anniversary of American Independence, with the two men dying on the same day and the narrator reminding us how much their lives shaped the republic.

    Patriarchs is a six-part audio drama about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the founding of the United States, the American Revolution, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence enacted in 1776.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    31 mins
  • Chapter 5: The Jefferson Administration
    Jun 3 2026

    John Adams hosts Thomas Jefferson one last time on his final night in the White House, and the two men confront the meaning of party, power, and the peaceful transfer of authority. Built from real historical language, the episode follows Jefferson’s inauguration, Adams’s departure from Washington, and the tensions that follow as Jefferson begins rolling back the Federalist program.

    As the episode continues, James Callender’s accusations against Jefferson and Sally Hemmings expose the hidden violence and contradiction at the center of the founding generation.

    With Adams, Jefferson, Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Sally Hemings all shaping the story, the episode becomes a study in principle, scandal, memory, and unfulfilled promises.


    Patriarchs is a six-part audio drama about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the founding of the United States, the American Revolution, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence enacted in 1776.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    28 mins
  • Chapter 4: The Adams Administration
    Jun 3 2026

    John Adams becomes President after narrowly defeating Thomas Jefferson in 1796, and the uneasy partnership between the two men is tested by cabinet politics, French aggression, and the rise of partisan warfare. Built from historical dialogue and source material, the episode follows Adams, Jefferson, Abigail Adams, John Quincy Adams, and James Callender as public principle, private friendship, and political survival collide.

    As France seizes American ships, Adams calls for military readiness and a stronger navy, while Jefferson turns to the press and to Callender to attack Adams and his administration. The episode closes with Adams triumphant over the peace with France, but personally wounded by defeat, setting up the final stage of the Adams-Jefferson divide.

    Patriarchs is a six-part audio drama about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the American Revolution, and the founding of the United States, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence enacted in 1776.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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