Young George Washington: Resilience Through Failure | The Power of Story | Episode 2

Young George Washington failed early and often, from the surrender at Fort Necessity in the French and Indian War to the brutal winter at Valley Forge. In this episode of “The Power of Story” from Belmont University, “Young Washington” (2026) co-writer Diederik Hoogstraten joins scholars Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel and Dr. Nathan Webb in conversation with students whose questions drive an exploration of resilience in Washington’s life. They unpack the failures of his early military career, the influence of his mother and the truth that character virtues are stable but not fixed, built gradually with intention. At Valley Forge in the winter of 1777, Washington stayed among his suffering soldiers and enlisted Baron von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette to train and hold the army together. Hosted by Rick Rekedal. Produced in collaboration with Wonder Project and Angel Studios. Made possible with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Watch the full series and subscribe for more from Belmont University. belmont.edu.