Best Robert Van Ness Podcasts (2026)

In which we look at the Carters after Robert "King"Carter, including other Carter lines that bring us Country Music and the 39th President of the United States.By Robert Van Ness

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The Jeffersonians - Dr. Kevin Gutzman Interview 1:27:30

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2+ y ago1:27:30

1:27:30

In which Dr. Gutzman and I discuss his newest book, The Jeffersonians.By Robert Van Ness

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First Families of Virginia - The Carters, Part 2: Robert "King" Carter 36:36

3y ago36:36

36:36

In which Robert "King" Carter's importance is illustrated, showing just how powerful the Carter family had become.By Robert Van Ness

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First Families of Virginia - The Carters, Part 1 23:04

3y ago23:04

23:04

In which the Carter family is introduced up to Robert "King" Carter's beginnings.

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Virginia's Important Ghost Stories - Dr. Alena Pirok Interview 53:24

3y ago53:24

53:24

In which Dr. Alena Pirok discusses Ghost Stories' importance to Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia's history.By Robert Van Ness

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Abingdon's Barter Theatre - Katy Brown Interview 38:39

3+ y ago38:39

38:39

In which Katy Brown talks about the Barter Theatre's past, community involvment, and enduring legacy.

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Colonial Virginia's War Against Piracy - Jeremy Moss Interview 44:21

3+ y ago44:21

44:21

In which Jeremy Moss discusses his new book - Colonial Virginia's War Against Piracy: The Governor and the Buccaneer.

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The Encyclopedia of Confederate Generals - Dr. Samuel Mitcham, Jr. Interview 54:24

3+ y ago54:24

54:24

In which I interview Dr. Samuel Mitcham about his new book The Encyclopedia of Confederate Generals.

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First Families of Virginia - The Wormeleys 57:25

3+ y ago57:25

57:25

In which the Wormeley family is outlined from their earliest days as Norman Conquerors to their important time in Virginia.By Robert Van Ness

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First Families of Virginia - The Armisteads 29:06

4y ago29:06

29:06

In which I discuss the Armisteads and their important connections to Virginia's history.

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First Families of Virginia - The Nelsons 1:03:23

4y ago1:03:23

1:03:23

In which the Nelson family of Virginia's founding and influence upon Virginia and the United States is discussed.

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First Families of Virginia - The Parkes 43:51

4y ago43:51

43:51

In which the rapid rise and fall of the Parke Family of Virginia is recounted.

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First Families of Virginia - The Custises Part 2 1:15:04

4y ago1:15:04

1:15:04

In which the Custis influence from the time of John Custis IV to George Washington Parke Custis is discussed.

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First Families of Virginia - The Custises Part 1 49:02

4y ago49:02

49:02

In which the Custis family foundations up to John Custis IV of Williamsburg are discussed.

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Special Halloween Episode - Evelyn Byrd's Ghost 12:14

4y ago12:14

12:14

In which Evelyn Byrd's life is summarily illustrated, and stories about her ghost are told.

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Debunking the 1619 Project - Dr. Mary Grabar Interview 1:13:38

4+ y ago1:13:38

1:13:38

In which Dr. Mary Grabar discusses her new book Debunking the 1619 Project.

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The 1619 Project - Phillip Magness Interview 1:24:37

4+ y ago1:24:37

1:24:37

In which Dr. Phillip Magness explains much of the criticism levied at The New York Times' 1619 Project.

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First Families of Virginia - The Grymes 36:17

4+ y ago36:17

36:17

In which the Grymes Family of Virginia's history and genealogy is outlined.

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The Lafayette Trail - Julien Icher Interview 50:42

4+ y ago50:42

50:42

In which the Lafayette Trail's Julien Icher discusses Lafayette's 1824 tour of the United States, and his work to highlight that famous visit.

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First Families of Virginia - The Ludwells 33:40

4+ y ago33:40

33:40

In which the Ludwell family and their impact upon Virginia is discussed.

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First Families of Virginia - The Fitzhughs 1:01:30

5y ago1:01:30

1:01:30

In which the Fitzhugh story, dating back to 13th Century England, is illustrated from those humble beginnings to William "The Immigrant", his Virginia progeny, and beyond.By Robert Van Ness

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The James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage 44:07

5y ago44:07

44:07

In which Museum Director Bethany Sullivan highlights the James Madison Museum of Orange County, Virginia.

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First Families of Virginia - The Taliaferros 29:49

5y ago29:49

29:49

In which the Taliaferro family's immigration to Virginia, as well as their spread throughout Virginia and the United States touching many lives along the way is outlined.

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The Deadly Politics of Giving - Dr. Seth Mallios Interview 47:19

5y ago47:19

47:19

In which Dr. Mallios discusses how gift giving played a pivotal part in Ajcan's downfall, as well as gift giving's influence at the later Roanoke and Jamestown colonies.

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First Families of Virginia - The Randolphs 1:11:29

5y ago1:11:29

1:11:29

In which the Randolph's Virginia beginnings are detailed, and some of their fascinating later generations are highlighted.

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Special Halloween Episode - Haunted Tuckahoe with Jessica Stith 31:58

5y ago31:58

31:58

In which Tuckahoe's Jessica Stith tells some of Tuckahoe Plantation's haunted history such as the famous Gray Lady Ghost and other spooky happenings.

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Scott Dawson and the "Lost Colony Mystery" 1:09:48

5+ y ago1:09:48

1:09:48

In which historian Scott Dawson tells the "Lost Colony" story based upon primary sources and archaeological evidence found on Hatteras Island, NC.

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First Families of Virginia - The Corbins 43:39

5+ y ago43:39

43:39

In which a young Henry Corbin emigrates to Virginia and builds a strong family that profoundly touches Virginia's story is recounted.

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Virginians and their Histories - Brent Tarter Interview, Part 3 57:59

5+ y ago57:59

57:59

In which Brent Tarter and I discuss the shaping of Modern Virginia as she emerged from the Civil War and into the 20th and 21st Centuries.

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Virginians and their Histories - Brent Tarter Interview, Part 2 1:09:04

5+ y ago1:09:04

1:09:04

In which historian Brent Tarter and I discuss the 18th Century and events leading up to the Civil War.

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Virginians and their Histories - Brent Tarter Interview, Part 1 41:11

5+ y ago41:11

41:11

In which I interview historian Brent Tarter for the first of three episodes in advance of his upcoming book Virginians and Their Histories.

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Lessons from the 1721 Boston Smallpox Epidemic - Tony Williams Interview 46:59

5+ y ago46:59

46:59

In which historian Tony Williams and I discuss his book The Pox and the Covenant to learn about how Bostonians handled the serious 1721 Smallpox epidemic in comparison to today's current virus pandemic.

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First Families of Virginia - The Pages 44:16

5+ y ago44:16

44:16

In which the Page family's 17th Century rise, 18th Century zenith, and 19th Century demise are recounted.

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First Families of Virginia - The Burwells 37:52

6y ago37:52

37:52

In which the Burwell Family foundation and rise to prominence is recounted.

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First Families of Virginia - The Harrisons 41:34

6y ago41:34

41:34

In which the Harrison Family's founding as well as their influence on Virginia and the United States is illustrated.

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First Families of Virginia - The Lees 28:44

6y ago28:44

28:44

In which Lee family patriarch Richard I and wife Anne Constable's lives as well as the lives of many of their descendants are briefly illustrated.

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First Families of Virginia - The Bollings 15:03

6y ago15:03

15:03

In which a series outlining Virginia's "First Families" is begun by introducing the Bolling Family Line.

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Interview with Berkeley Castle's Charles Berkeley 18:00

6y ago18:00

18:00

In which I had the pleasure of interviewing Cherles Berkeley, 27th generation owner of Berkeley Castle, and we discuss the Gloucestershire influence upon Berkeley Plantation and Virginia's history.

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Special Halloween Episode - Haunted Thoroughgood 9:47

6y ago9:47

9:47

In which a few haunted tales from Virginia Beach's Thoroughgood House are retold from L.B. Taylor's The Ghosts of Tidewater.

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Berkeley Challenges the Navigation Acts 30:15

6y ago30:15

30:15

In which Governor Berkeley challenges the Navigation Acts before The Council for Foreign Plantations and King Charles II's Privy Council, while the Virginia settler landscape evolves.

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Jamestown Burned! Interview with eyewitness Thomas Mathews 55:21

6+ y ago55:21

55:21

In which Thomas Mathews - portrayed by Historic Jamestowne's Willie Balderson - recalls the terrible events and aftermath of Bacon's Rebellion.

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Berkeley Returns to Power 32:09

6+ y ago32:09

32:09

In which Sir William Berkeley and King Charles II return to power and begin organizing their lands under the renewed Stuart cause once again.

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Sir William Berkeley - Interview with Dr. Warren Billings 35:20

6+ y ago35:20

35:20

In which Dr. Warren Billings and I talk about Sir William Berkeley's importance on 17th Century Virginia's development.

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Virginia During the Interregnum 30:18

6+ y ago30:18

30:18

In which fallout from the English Civil War is felt in Virginia and Maryland as both colonies endure changes under the English Protectorate.

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Virginia's Native History - Interview with Dr. Ashley Spivey 1:06:01

6+ y ago1:06:01

1:06:01

In which I interview Dr. Ashley Spivey concerning Native Virginian history, culture, influence, as well as past, present, and future Native concerns.

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Governor Berkeley Is Undone 21:18

6+ y ago21:18

21:18

In which events surrounding the English Civil War, Virginia religious freedom, and free trade are used by the Matthews-Claiborne faction to remove Governor Berkeley from office are detailed.