Mastering the Room

Sharon McMahon Talks Political History, Headlines, and Histrionics

Episode Summary

In this episode of Mastering the Room, host Casey Burgat sits down with Sharon McMahon—former high school teacher turned powerhouse civics educator—to explore the art of making history matter in today’s fast-moving digital world. Sharon shares how the 2020 pandemic reshaped her career, leading her to build a dynamic, multi-platform media presence dedicated to factual, engaging, and accessible civic education. Together, they unpack the challenges of creating high-quality educational content in an era of short attention spans, the impact of fear and conspiratorial thinking on political discourse, and the crucial role historians play in making sense of current events. Sharon also introduces her new book, The Small and the Mighty, a tribute to unsung heroes who have shaped history—because, as she reminds us, real change often starts with ordinary people stepping up. Subscribe and Rate Mastering the Room on: 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mastering-the-room/id1725338042 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/30B5HT6QCFnakmtp0MnZoT Or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. For comments, bookings or advertising opportunities visit our show page or email us: matt.mcdermott@idfive.com

Episode Notes

In this episode of Mastering the Room, host Casey Burgat sits down with Sharon McMahon—former high school teacher turned powerhouse civics educator—to explore the art of making history matter in today’s fast-moving digital world. Sharon shares how the 2020 pandemic reshaped her career, leading her to build a dynamic, multi-platform media presence dedicated to factual, engaging, and accessible civic education.

Together, they unpack the challenges of creating high-quality educational content in an era of short attention spans, the impact of fear and conspiratorial thinking on political discourse, and the crucial role historians play in making sense of current events. Sharon also introduces her new book, The Small and the Mighty, a tribute to unsung heroes who have shaped history—because, as she reminds us, real change often starts with ordinary people stepping up.

From memorable conversations with political figures to lessons from historical changemakers like Septima Clark, this episode is a compelling deep dive into why understanding the past is key to shaping the future—and how working with adversaries might just be the secret to progress.

Subscribe and Rate Mastering the Room on:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🔊 Spotify

Or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

For comments, bookings or advertising opportunities email us: matt.mcdermott@idfive.com

SHARON'S LINKS:

TODAY'S TAKEAWAYS

Sharon McMahon transitioned from teaching to media during the pandemic.
The need for civics education has grown significantly.
Diversifying content platforms is crucial for reaching wider audiences.
Quality content creation requires significant time and effort.
Engagement with the audience informs content direction.
Teaching experience helps in breaking down complex topics.
Ordinary people can have extraordinary impacts on history.
The next needed thing is accessible to everyone.
Social media's transient nature poses challenges for content creators.
Sharon's book highlights unsung heroes in history. Historians have a unique perspective that allows them to see beyond the panic of daily news cycles.
Desensitization can be countered by understanding historical context and actionable steps.
Conspiratorial thinking often oversimplifies complex political motivations.
Proving historical narratives can be challenging, but it's essential for scholarly rigor.
Memorable interviews with political figures reveal the importance of personal connection in communication.
Future projects can include public speaking and children's literature, expanding the reach of historical narratives.
Lessons from history, like those from Septima Clark, emphasize the importance of collaboration across differences.
Working with adversaries can lead to significant societal change and understanding.
The role of storytelling is crucial in making history relatable and impactful.
Engaging with history allows for a deeper understanding of current societal issues.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Sharon McMahon
01:17 Sharon's Journey from Teacher to Influencer
03:01 The Impact of 2020 on Sharon's Career
04:50 Diversifying Platforms and Content Creation
07:50 The Challenge of Creating Quality Content
11:04 The Influence of Teaching on Content Creation
12:51 Favorite Topics and Teaching Moments
15:33 The Release of 'The Small and the Mighty'
18:25 Exploring Ordinary People Who Changed History
24:08 The Next Needed Thing: Making an Impact
28:10 The Historian's Perspective on Current Events
31:35 Understanding Fear and Desensitization
32:53 Conspiratorial Thinking in Politics
35:51 The Challenge of Proving Historical Narratives
40:05 Memorable Interviews and Political Insights
42:19 Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Aspirations
45:49 Lessons from History: Working with Adversaries