S1 Ep13 – The First Thanksgiving: Faith, Freedom, and the Story We Forgot

November 24, 2025

As Thanksgiving becomes a flashpoint in today’s culture wars, what parts of the original story are being forgotten? In this episode of Signal Over Noise, host Nathan Johnson speaks with Aaron Bradford, a direct descendant of Pilgrim governor William Bradford, about the people, faith, and sacrifices behind the first Thanksgiving. Drawing from firsthand accounts, family history, and primary sources, the conversation explores the Pilgrims’ quest for religious freedom, the Mayflower Compact, and the remarkable cooperation between the Plymouth settlers and the Wampanoag. A thoughtful look at why this moment in history still matters — and what it can tell us about gratitude, self-governance, and American identity.

For more on our guests visit:
https://www.libertyencounters.com/