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During the summer of 1787, in which men in wool and wigs sat in a hot room arguing about their volunteer group project, which, you know, sounds great right.

George Washington sat upon a stately chair.

It wasn't just a chair, by the way, it was a symbol.

And I'll share the rest of that story in a moment. But first, welcome to the preamble podcast. Each week, you'll hear some of the most interesting stories from our weekly magazine, also called the preample. This week, we're bringing back some of the most popular newsletters we've ever written. Plus, y'all are always asking me for gift suggestions for those hard to shop for people who have everything, and I have so many ideas for you. In today's episode of the

Preample podcast, I'm talking with Alex Madva about his new book, Somebody Do Something. This book

is perfect for anyone who has asked, what can one person do to make a difference?

Systemic change is hard, but Alex and his co-authors say the individual choices we make can have the biggest impact.

I'm Sharon McMahon, and this is the Preamble Podcast.

Now back to our story.

The chair had sturdy, simple legs and a handsome leather seat as its foundation. Two arms provided support for Washington's lanky appendages. The back of the chair is reminiscent of flying buttresses in Gothic architecture, pieces of carved mahogany intertwining delicately, confidently, directing the eye up to the ornament that sat behind

Washington's head.

Carved into the chair by Philadelphia cabinet maker John Falwell was half of a sun, its eyes and nose visible

above the horizon. The beams of light that shine from it are confident and strong. Perched above

the sun are a liberty pole and a liberty cap, two symbols of freedom throughout history.

Sheaves of wheat adorn its edges.

The chair was carved from wood harvested under appalling conditions by enslaved labor in the Caribbean.

Benjamin Franklin, the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, and certainly one of its most wealthy, respected, and famous,

...