World War II is the singular event of modern history, encompassing the darkest depths of the human soul, the highest aspirations of invention, and the tenacious capacity to persevere with the fate of the world at stake. Tony Rydberg and Ryan Rasmussen piece together the mosaic of history that ushered the world to the brink of annihilation and back again. After checking out this episode, be sure to return for the Part 2 episode, where Ryan and Tony will break down the many legacies, for better or worse, of World War II.

The life cycle of the Phoenix: creation, destruction, rebirth. This was also the cycle for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his wife Eleanor, and the nation he would lead. During his unprecedented tenure of four elections, he led America through unprecedented times. Ryan Rasmussen and Tony Rydberg sift through his domestic policies to solve the mystery of how a man who never knew financial trouble in his life became the beacon of hope for a nation in the deepest throes of financial strife.

Whenever a crisis reared its ugly head, Herbert Hoover was there to resolve it. He was called "The Great Humanitarian," and at one point, he was the most beloved American on Earth. So, why was he so ineffective when the Great Depression hit during his presidency? Tony Rydberg and Ryan Rasmussen try to bring some sense to this paradox as they explore Hoover's life and his profound legacy, for better and worse.