• There is so much more to the elite sorority of first ladies than fashion and state dinners, and this podcast and its lineup of guest experts will explore this reality. Ladies, First will take an informative, and entertaining look at our first ladies’ legacies and how their leadership has shaped our nation and the international community.

  • Listen on Apple Podcast
  • Listen on Podbean
  • Listen on GooglePlay

Featured Host

Natalie Gonnella-Platts
Natalie Gonnella-Platts

Deputy Director, Women's Initiative

George W. Bush Institute

Natalie Gonnella-Platts serves as the Deputy Director of the Women's Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute. In this role, Natalie is responsible for research and programmatic efforts that empower women worldwide to lead in their communities and countries. The portfolio currently includes the First Ladies Initiative, the Afghan Women’s Project, and the Women’s Initiative Fellowship. Natalie leads the work of the First Ladies Initiative, which aims to enable and support First Ladies from around the world in effectively using their platforms to empower women and children in their countries.

Full Bio

Episodes

June 7, 2018

Ep. 9 Service Above Self– The Leadership of Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush’s dedication to faith, family, and friends captured the hearts of Americans. We sat down for a conversation with her daughter, Doro Bush Koch, to celebrate a first lady and family matriarch who had an unwavering devotion to the United States and a commitment to service over self.

May 21, 2018

Ep. 8 The Celebrity Status of a First Lady

When Frances Clara Folsom married President Stephen Grover Cleveland on June 2nd, 1886, the media descended upon Washington. Frances garnered attention and scrutiny that no first family had seen before. A few years later, Edith Roosevelt, with six-children in tow, drew the line between her private and public life. We chatted with White House Historical Association Senior Historian Dr. Matthew Costello to understand the evolution of public intrigue around first spouses.

May 7, 2018

Ep. 7 Dolley Madison, The Political Genius

Bridging political divides, Dolley Madison and her fellow political spouses taught our politicians a thing or two about civility, manners, and the art of conversation. We chatted with Massachusetts Historical Society President Dr. Catherine Allgor about our early first ladies, in particular, Dolley Madison. 

April 16, 2018

Ep. 6 The Power of Collaboration

The community of first ladies may be small, but it is powerful. The women who make up this group understand its uniqueness and collaborate to amplify critical issues. We revisited conversations with Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Cherie Blair to explore how first ladies work together to draw attention to vulnerable populations.