SOCRS110- Andrew Och- "The First Ladies Man: Educating, Paying Homage & Respect Where Due"

Straight Outta Combat Radio-Honoring Combat Wisdom

Andrew Och

Andy Och is an award winning television and multi-media producer who has traveled the world with his pen, paper and camera. A Radio/Television and Film graduate from the University of Maryland, Andy started his production career in music – recording and touring with his band in the 80s & 90s. Soon after that he added his camera to the mix, and all the pieces fell into place. A storyteller from a young age, Andy enjoys the art of communication, and will go anywhere in the world for more knowledge, greater understanding and a good story. He is a true documentarian of life.

Most recently, for the C-SPAN series – “First Ladies: Influence and Image”, Andy spent over a year traveling to nearly every location that helped tell the stories of every First Lady of the United States of America. He covered Martha Washington through Michelle Obama, and visited with people and places all across the country. From Colonial Williamsburg to Stanford University, he was given an ALL ACCESS – BACKSTAGE PASS to some of the nation’s most treasured collections and historical landmarks. He spent time in libraries and museums – homes and schools – birthplaces and cemeteries – train stations and churches. No stone was left unturned, no door left unlocked, in his unique and historical journey to learn everything he could about these women before, during and after their time in the White House.

Historians, archivists and enthusiasts agree – Andy’s recent project and travels put him in a small and rare group of people. He is responsible for one of the most complete and vast collections of material and information about this unique sorority of women ever assembled. He IS the First Ladies Man, and he is excited to share the stories of his adventures.

Mr. Och states, “I think it’s important to be aware of the first ladies that did things or put policies into place that are still relevant today, and not just the obvious ones we learned about in school.” He brings a fresh look and a new passion to an often overlooked subject in American History.

The First Ladies Man is set to publish his first book, Unusual For Their Time (Dec 2015) that is a companion to his speaking program; it allows him to tell all the tales from the road. Mr. Och’s travels were extensive; from Fredericksburg VA to California, Mr. Och relates, “On my very first stop in Fredericksburg for Elizabeth Monroe, I held earrings that were woven from her actual hair. I knew this was going to be the adventure of a lifetime.”

Andrew continues and adds, “One of my last stops on the West Coast was the Reagan Museum and Library in Simi Valley, CA to research Nancy Reagan. The true love story that is the Reagan’s was a powerful way to wind things up, and reaffirm that these women are people. Real people who live; love, laugh and cry.”

Bringing education and entertainment together, Andrew Och has accumulated one of the most intricate and complete historical collections of America’s First Ladies. He is a historian, teacher, lecturer and producer who lives and breathes his work. During his lectures, he’s often asked- who was his favorite First Lady? Mr. Och’s answer sums up his lecture series, “I can’t name just one lady. Their separate contributions need to be looked at as a whole because together they’ve helped sew the unique fabric of our country and for that we’re extremely lucky.”