Kennedy Dynasty

Today marks five years since I grabbed a mic, pressed record, and started talking—never imagining that anyone would actually listen. And yet, here we are. What started as a simple passion project became something so much bigger than I ever expected. I truly can’t believe what this podcast has led to. Kennedy Dynasty has been the foundation of my career in film and historic preservation, and I am beyond grateful for every step of this journey. Along the way, I’ve met the most amazing people, had conversations I never dreamed possible, and found a community that shares my love for history. A huge thank you to Ryan and Anya for everything they did behind the scenes—this show wouldn’t have been what it was without them. For this final episode, Ryan Pryor and I recorded in person a little while ago, and I’m so glad we did. It’s available with video on YouTube, and I highly recommend watching it! Or, of course, you can listen anywhere you get your podcasts. My hope has always been to bring history to life in a way that feels real, engaging, and (hopefully) not stiff. I wanted each episode to feel like you were just chatting with a friend, diving into stories that matter. Because history does matter—if we don’t learn from it, we’re doomed to repeat it. My greatest wish is that Kennedy Dynasty sparked that curiosity in people of all generations, that it made history feel relevant, urgent, and worth exploring. So while this may be the final episode, it’s far from the end of my journey. I hope you’ll keep following along as I continue to explore history through film and storytelling. And most of all—thank you. Thank you for listening, for supporting, for being part of this adventure. I hope you enjoy this last episode. Kennedy Dynasty may be ending, but the love of history continues. -Alyson Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/alysonlholland Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month's spotlight guest is an inspiration for many historians and history storytellers: Mr. Dan Carlin of the Hardcore History Podcast. Peter and Dan discuss the inspiration behind their appreciation for the study of history, how the discipline has evolved over the years, and how podcasts present a unique approach to storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Alyson answers listener questions. Episode Recommendation - "The Schlossberg Siblings" - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kennedy-dynasty/id1506070703?i=1000557622432 Recommendation - JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography - https://amzn.to/3Xxo0xp Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/alysonlholland Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She’s baaaack! In this episode, Alyson catches you up a bit on her life (along with a special guest), and discusses various JFK memorials around the world. Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/alysonlholland Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson took a listener’s suggestion and discussed the Kennedy brothers-in-law: William Cavendish, Sargent Shriver, Peter Lawford, and Stephen Smith. Kick Episode: https://kennedydynasty.com/episode/kathleen-kick-kennedy/ MLK Call Episode: https://kennedydynasty.com/episode/the-phone-call/ Peace Corp Episode, Part One: https://kennedydynasty.com/episode/the-peace-corps-part-one/ Peace Corp Episode, Part Two: https://kennedydynasty.com/episode/the-peace-corps-part-two/ Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/alysonlholland Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with the first episode of 2024! This week, Alyson and Ryan Pryor discuss the connection between Ernest Hemingway and John F. Kennedy, along with their usual catch-up banter.  *Trigger Warning - Discussion includes the topic of suicide.* Help is available. Speak with someone today.  Call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit https://988lifeline.org JFK Library Hemingway: https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/ernest-hemingway-collection Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/alysonlholland Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where were you when you heard news that changed the course of history?  Today is November 22nd, which marks 60 years since the tragic assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas. National tragedies are never forgotten; everyone remembers where they were when they first heard terrible news.  Alyson wasn’t born yet in 1963, but she wanted to hear from a few people who remember that day vividly, and how it impacted their lives and the lives those around them.  (Episode is followed by President Kennedy’s Eulogy given by Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States on November 24, 1963. Click to Watch Here) Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, ahead of the 60th anniversary of the tragic assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, Alyson discusses the newly released commemorative edition of “Five Days in November” with best-selling authors, Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin Hill. Purchase: https://amzn.to/40JlK7d - Five Days in November: In Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of JFK's Assassination Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the series premier, we recap the basic events surrounding President Kennedy's assassination. We’ll discuss the formation of the famous Warren Commission, its findings — and highlight the one thing about its report that's often overlooked. Buy the book Countdown to Dallas: The Incredible Coincidences, Routines, and Blind "Luck" that Brought John F. Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald Together on November 22, 1963 here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**This episode was pre-recorded several weeks ago** This year was the 70th anniversary of Jack and Jackie’s wedding. Alyson shares all the details about the big day.  Recommendation: "Kennedy Weddings: A Family Album by Jay Mulvaney" - https://amzn.to/45FtVm1 Listen on Apple Podcasts: http://www.kennedydynasty.com/apple Listen on Spotify: http://www.kennedydynasty.com/spotify Website: http://www.kennedydynasty.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Newsletter: http://www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Shop: http://www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: http://www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The besties are back! Alyson and everyone’s favorite history teacher, Ryan Pryor, spend most of this episode catching up with each other after not recording for 4 months. They also share some of the CIA assassination attempts on Fidel Castro. But… it’s mostly banter. You’ve been warned. Reagan recommendation - The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink - https://a.co/d/dRxvxYL Sweatshirt - https://www.kennedyndyasty.com/hyannissweatshirt Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson talks about the Kennedys’ Irish heritage, and JFK’s tour of Ireland in 1963. JFK In Ireland: Four Days that Changed a President: https://amzn.to/45mkubU The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty: https://amzn.to/3OIem6B Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson discusses the history behind President Kennedy and J. Robert Oppenheimer’s interactions, including President Johnson presenting him with the Enrico Fermi Award.  See Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX: https://www.imax.com/movies/oppenheimer-in-imax-70mm-film Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson discusses Ted Kennedy’s 1980 presidential campaign.  Recommendation: Camelot's End: Kennedy vs. Carter and the Fight that Broke the Democratic Party - https://a.co/d/6T6WpRA Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson talks about Jacqueline Bouvier’s first visit to the Kennedy Compound on July 20, 1953. Recommendation: White House by the Sea: A Century of the Kennedys at Hyannis Port by Kate Storey - https://amzn.to/3pxlqKT Hyannis Sweatshirt - https://tinyurl.com/hyannissweatshirt JFK Hyannis Museum - https://jfkhyannismuseum.org/ Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson speaks with the author of "Jackie" and "Countdown to Dallas", Paul Brandus. Paul's Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestWingReport Purchase “Countdown to Dallas”: https://amzn.to/4318ZFD Purchase “Jackie: Her Transformation from First Lady to Jackie O”:  https://amzn.to/4318ZFD Listen to “From First Lady to Jackie O.”: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/from-first-lady-to-jackie-o Visit the White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/visit/ Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson discusses UK & US relations during the Kennedy years.  Recommendation segment: https://amzn.to/44OZvP1 Hyannis Port Sweatshirt: Click Here Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson talks about the career of Joe Kennedy III, who currently serves as United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. Recommendation: Jacqueline Kennedy : The White House Years: Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum - https://amzn.to/3NjBtFE Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson catches you up on some big news. She also talks about the history of the Egg Roll, which is one of the oldest annual White House traditions, and her experience attending this year! Recommendation Segment: https://www.whitehousehistory.org https://www.instagram.com/whitehousehistory/ Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Alyson chats with bestselling author, Lynne Olson, about her newest book, “Empress of the Nile: The Daredevil Archaeologist Who Saved Egypt's Ancient Temples from Destruction”. There’s a Jackie Kennedy crossover you don’t want to miss!  Buy the book: https://amzn.to/43v9Qip Newsletter: www.kennedydynasty.com/newsletter Shop New Merch: www.kennedydynasty.com/shop Recommendations: www.kennedydynasty.com/recommendations Instagram: www.instagram.com/kennedydynasty Facebook: www.facebook.com/kennedydynastypodcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/kennedydynasty Website: www.kennedydynasty.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices