In Plain Sight: Lady Bird Johnson

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"In Plain Sight: Lady Bird Johnson" presents a surprising and original portrait of Lady Bird Johnson, told in the former first lady's own words -- from over 123 hours of her White House audio diaries, heard here largely for the first time ever. It recasts Lady Bird's role in the Johnson White House as her husband's closest advisor and most trusted political partner and provides history-making revelations about LBJ's time in office. It's the story of how one vastly underestimated woman navigated the power, politics and polarization of her era to become one of the most influential members of the Johnson administration... even if we never knew it. An eight-part series from ABC Audio & Best Case Studios. Hosted by New York Times bestselling author Julia Sweig.

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Recent Reviews

Buford Tripp

More to Her Story

I am simply brown away. I devoured this podcast, at first captivated by Mrs. Johnson’s soothing voice. But then learned there was so much substance to her. In my incomplete study of First Ladies, I had been somewhat placing Lady Bird on the back burner. Perhaps because her cause didn’t seem as substantive of a Betty Ford or a Rosalynn Carter. But I was wrong. THANK YOU for enlightening me, and now I must read your book about this wonderfully intelligent, insightful, and consequential former occupant of the White House.
CJC in Brooklyn

Fascinating untold story

The contributions of so many remarkable women and POC have been overlooked by historians for far too long. I’m glad writers like Julia Sweig are finally doing their stories justice! They deserve the recognition, and knowing their stories makes us all richer. What Ladybird was really championing was environmental justice, a huge issue today. She was a woman ahead of her time!
Sandstealer456

Loved this series!

I binged this series. So interesting and in-depth. I learned so much about her. Then, just in case I missed anything, I listened to it again.
Rzq55

So good

I listened to this and then another podcast about her called “Lady Bird.” In Plain Sight is more policy heavy. The other podcast (Lady Bird) is more about her life outside of policy. Both are amazing and listening to both give you a perfect picture of her. I feel so much closer to an unheralded but beautiful First Lady because of these podcasts.
Dingbat1928

Awesome

I learned a lot with this podcast. I really enjoyed!
amyelizabeth7

lady bird

wouldn’t let me listen past the first episode 😡
elhokay

The Best!

This is my favorite podcast, and I have listened to lots of them. It is so professional with lots of interesting details that paint a picture you can see and feel. Excellent narrator and research. I was sad when this one was over. Please make more!
BRC in Baltimore

Excellent

Catching up on podcasts. This is a gem — based on tapes of Lady Bird Johnson not previously heard. Insights from 1963 to the end of the Johnson administration that illuminates aspects of early Civil Rights movement, environmentalism efforts, Vietnam.
smooches123

History Comes to Life

Aside from hearing the soothing East Texas drawl of Mrs. Johnson herself in many excerpts from her audio diary, I was captivated by the story telling in this podcast. Would recommend to any American history buff. Lady Bird was the most underrated First Lady of this country, by far.
RR&CR

History revealed

I remember these events as breaking news but neither I - or my contemporaries- mostly college debaters- dreamed of how LBJ had come to see his Presidency and the genuinely important influence Lady Bird had in the councils of government.
JefDavis

Enjoyable

Very much enjoyed listening to her tapes. It also made me realize what a good job LBJ did managing a job he didn’t want. I appreciate the podcaster bringing these to us.
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One of the most fascinating podcasts I have ever heard

Having access to the recordings made for an extremely cool dive into the Johnson presidency. It completely rewrote my understanding on Lady Bird (and LBJ too). Extremely well made, and all around great.
LeilaMaloney

Great Podcast

A wonderful podcast, I throughly enjoyed listening to it!
Dixie.10

Lady Bird Johnson

I absolutely love this Podcast. I have come to realize the depth of this beautiful lady. She may well be the classiest First Lady we ever had.
porthart

illuminating

Excellent podcast, the audio really adds to the book a side that print cannot catch. It illuminates LadyBird’s contributions and depth. I learned so much about the complicated Johnson presidency and times. Thank you!
valerije

Well done!

This podcast is brilliant! Informative and insightful. Fascinating. Presentation is stellar. A superb piece of journalism.
Blond37

Wonderful

I was a political science and history major in college so I may be biased :) but this was such a fun, interesting and educational series. VERY well done!
B3JG

Loved this Podcast!

Wow! It was beautifully done and very interesting. Highly recommend.
Blue Eagle 78

Review

This podcast revealed so much insight into this wonderful lady, that I think not a lot of people knew about.I knew the two of them were close, but not like that, which was incredible. As well, the people that developed this podcast were amazing with their oratory. That I pay a lot of attention to when deciding whether or not I will even listen, even though the subjects are of interest. Great job!!! Diana
Gnjmcd

Really great stuff

This is fantastic! I honestly never knew a thing about Ladybird Johnson. What an incredibly intelligent, dignified, amazing lady. So happy I listened to this one!
Blue Eagle 77

Time Well Spent

This podcast provided incredible insight into Lady Bird Johnson and the LBJ presidency, which occurred during my youth. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
chabad fan

Thank you

I really enjoyed listening to this podcast. Mrs. Johnson was a very smart, intelligent woman.
USA Mknitter

Thank you for this history

Appreciated hearing Lady Bird’s personal view of her husband’s presidency—a side that I, as a teenager during that period, never heard about on the radio or TV. Thank you for this totally different perspective!
SingingFriar

Wow

If you think you know about the LBJ presidency, listen to this and you’ll be stunned. What a remarkable portrait of Lady Bird thanks to incredible primary sources expertly weaved into a compelling narrative. Heatbreaking, inspiring, tragic and always fascinating. Thanks so much for bringing the untold story of Lady Bird to life.
birdonthestreet

Learning Something New

I’m not usually into history pods but this one is very interesting.
Crayzld

Visiting the past

Politics aside, Lady Bird’s words evoke a time of grace and class…of love and respect and loyalty…a softness under her strength
dhurt1926

Fascinating Woman Who Deserves More Attention

Wonderfully executed podcast using Lady Bird’s own recordings to tell such an important story. Often neglected, President’s wives deserve more attention, especially those with such stature and opinions. What a woman in such extraordinary times.
Joanne Dickey

Wonderful

This was really a lovely podcast. Very happy I listened to it
Zizzabet

In Plain Sight

And I thought I knew Lady Bird! Yes, as the one of anti-litter campaigns and highway beautification programs. The angle(s) from which J. S. chooses to show us who Lady Bird was, allows us to see a woman much more interesting than what we had previously thought. She also gives a wider view of the LBJ years than we may have seen previously. Very well done! Darn good history lesson!
2020kbd

Ode to the music team

This podcast has a very interesting subject and I’m certainly enjoying it a lot. One aspect I’ve noticed in particular has nothing to do with the subject however, and that’s the music! I want to give a big shoutout to the team that manages the subtle transitions and the ranch theme, and say that it really adds to my enjoyment of this podcast.
NikkyNoodle7

True or exaggerated?

It’s good, but it doesn’t touch on the mean, vindictive, bully LBJ was which makes me wonder how much of Lady Birds account is true or exaggerated. Also, when it was mentioned LBJ and Lady Bird had been friends with the Connellys who were riding in the car when JFK was assassinated it made me wonder if the rumors about LBJ arranging the assassination are true.
benjrose

Lady bird

Took a work road trip the past two days and listened to all 8 podcasts. Loved it. Growing up in Texas and spending the majority of my life in Austin, it was great to hear tho time in history from a Texas perspective. How far the politics in Texas have gone from this time. His efforts and accomplishments make me proud to be a Texan!
stargazexx

Well-Produced and Timely Look Back at Important History

An incredibly well-done podcast - I listened to m the whole thing in the space of a couple of days. I knew almost nothing about Lady Bird Johnson aside from bits and pieces picked up living in Texas for a summer (a la Lady Bird Lake) but her history is infinitely worth knowing, I found. This is not only true from a “history for history’s sake” perspective, but also because there are so many parallels in the work she did behind the scenes during her husband’s administration and the struggles we’re experiencing now. Large portions of this are from her personally-recorded audio diaries and it starts the day of JFK’s assassination. HIGHLY recommend!
Texastoneman

Phenomenal!!

I heard short snips of this podcast on other pods and was intrigued. I listened to the 8 episodes almost non stop as it was so wonderful. What a marvelous telling of such a critical time in the history of our country. This is truly amazing and is a must listen. Please take the time to absorb this story. Wonderfully done. Thank you!!
YL USER

Wonderful herstory (sic) lesson!

I thoroughly enjoyed this in-depth dive into Ladybird. I’m so sorry she wasn’t taken more seriously.
ItsMeListening

Wow!

Thank you for making and producing this. We had no clue of some of this and you all brought it to life brilliantly!
Brrrr38

Wow!

I devoured this podcast. I honestly knew nothing about Lady Bird Johnson except her name. I’m not generally drawn to presidential history, but this podcast was highly educational and entertaining. I’m going to miss Lady Birds voice...maybe I can get her on a loop to fall asleep to...🤔. Well done to this podcast!
mjnquin

In plain sight

Wonderful history in the voice of the powerful woman herself! She was ahead of her times and a full partner to LBJ. His wildflower muse!
Maureenmiami

Nuggets of gold

It’s terrific to relive history. What a better way to relive it with a First Lady! A strong political woman what a model to follow today!
All Is On PDX

Cozy up and listen

This is a wonderful podcast. I can’t speak highly enough if it. It is an actual recording of the former First Lady and her thoughts and experiences while residing in the White House during the Johnson presidency.
Fenickfeet

Listen to Her Voice

Even if the story was dull, I’d enjoy listening to this for the former First Lady’s voice. Her tone and cadence give me ASMR. So it’s an added bonus that the content is fascinating, covering a complex relationship I didn’t know much about and adds heft to a First Lady’s agenda that had been downplayed in the annals of political history.
Sully99

Must Listen

The most intelligently-crafted podcast regarding historical subjects and a historical era that I have ever heard.
CA Curious

Hiding in Plain Sight

This is a fascinating view of the terribly turbulent years of the presidency of LBJ as presented by the voice of Lady Bird, his life long partner, who certainly had more than a bird’s eye view of it all.
NONEEE

Good content drowned out by background music

Loved hearing Lady Birds own words. Content is great. But for the life of me I cannot understand why the producer feels the background music should be so loud to interfere with the actual words of Lady Bird and the narrator. It’s really annoying
Bunco Bea

Great podcast!

This podcast was very well done. It’s amazing what we did not know about President Johnson and especially the woman behind the man, Lady Bird Johnson. History keeps repeating itself in terms of voting rights and discrimination.
Wallykk

Great stuff!

Thanks, Julia. Look forward to reading the book.
kylen faye

This is a beautifully told story.

A wonderful look into a interesting time. I definitely recommend it!
Kirby J Peters

Terrific-do not miss this podcast

Did you know that Ladybird Johnson’s real first name was Claudia? Hearing her diary read aloud brought the sixties to life and gave an incredible inside look into the workings of a true political partnership. Do not miss this podcast!
Rosebud25

A must

I lived this in real time, had no idea of the elegance and devoted role she had both as First Lady and partner of LBJ. Every moment is so beautifully spoken and she shares a first line view never known before. I thought I read and saw everything about the JFK, MLK and RFK assassinations, and lived the riots and anti war demonstrations! This brought a new and appreciated perspective and told so soulfully in so much detail. I couldn’t stop listening and wanted more. Thank you, dear Lady Bird, RIP. Thank you for the many hours putting this series together.
Maremm

Riveting

Such a great series! A beautiful but tragic slice of history, and it left me wanting more. Lady Bird is fascinating and overlooked for too long. Thank you!

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