Episodes

Elizabeth Cady Stanton is one of the most well known suffragists of the 19th century and spent her life advocating for women's rights - yet most only know the highlights. Join me this week as I begin my exploration of the life and legacy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton including her early childhood, how she got involved in activism, and the early days of her friendship with Susan B. Anthony.

And when you are done with this episode, be sure to check out my previous episode about the Seneca Falls Convention - episode link in the show notes below.

American politics feels like it is increasingly polarized with no end in sight - how exactly did we get here, and is there a way out? Joining me this week is Dr. Maya Kornberg, author of Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress . In this episode we explore the history, challenges, and reforms of Congress of the past 50 years and what lessons we can learn from prior freshman classes in pushing future changes. Our conversation also covers the rise in political violence, the...

This week's episode comes to you thanks to Jeremy, a longtime listener who wanted me to dive into the history of computers. Join me as I explore how the personal computer evolved from the oversized mega machines of the 1940s and 1950s to the handheld devices to know and love today. And don't forget - you too can submit your episode requests via the website!

When you are done with this episode and want to learn more about women's roles in the evolution of computers, be sure to check out my prior episode, Hidden Computers: Women in Tech - linked in the show notes.

The largest and most influential union of the nineteenth century, the Knights of Labor began as a secret fraternal organization in Philadelphia in 1869. Responding to the ongoing labor unrest with events like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, the Knights enjoyed a brief but significant moment of influence and power, but were ultimately unable to live up to its altruistic claims. Tune in this week as I dive into the rise - and fall - of the Knights of Labor.

Join me as I welcome Dr. Gautham Rao to discuss the evolution of policing and its slave and white supremacy origins as expertly outlined in his book White Power: Policing American Slavery . Our conversation explores the legalization and deputization of whiteness, how pivotal the Prigg v. Pennsylvania court case was, how class tensions impacted the enforcement of the Posse Comitatus doctrine, and more! To learn more about Dr. Rao's amazing scholarship, check out his website: https://gauthamrao.co...

Have you ever heard about the Ladies Land League?

Tune in this week to learn how Irish American women joined a land reform movement for their countrymen across the Atlantic and used their platform to challenge gender norms and enter the public sphere - all while maintaining respectability and femininity. Learn about League Leaders Fanny and Anna Parnell and their efforts at mobilizing women throughout the United States and Ireland - and why we do not know more about these trailblazers.

Join me this week as I conclude my coverage of the Commodore and Railroad King, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Learn how Vanderbilt aided the Union during the Civil War by offering his steamships and how he got into the industry that sear his name into the minds of Americans for generations: the railroad.

Sitting down with me this week is Dr. Nancy Bernhard. She is a historian who recently published her first historical novel The Double Standard Sporting House which explores the women of a high class brothel in Gilded Age New York - and one woman in particular who decides to take on the Tammany Hall criminal syndicate. Join us as we discuss what motivated the story, how women have consistently fought against the limitations of society, and why a work of fiction about the Gilded Age resonates in o...

Known as the Commodore and the King of the Rail, Cornelius Vanderbilt is one of the most famous men in American history. Born of meager means, Vanderbilt built several empires, mastering the sea and the rail. Join me as I start exploring the life and impacts of one of the titans of the Gilded Age.

Join me as I sit down with Dr. Robert May to discuss his latest book Debunking the Yule Log Myth: The Disturbing History of a Plantation Legend. In this episode we discuss Dr. May's approach to history, his decision to tackle the Yule Log myth , including how it originated and the reasons it persists in American culture. Learn more about how myths are created, spread, and believed - and how you can become a better consumer of history. Support the show

An obscure, little known gun fight over land speculation in central California in May 1880 helped shaped local residents opinions about the railroad industry for a generation. Tune in this week as I dive into the story of the Mussel Slough Tragedy and explore how the fight between local settlers and the Southern Pacific Railroad highlights the conflicts over land, resources, and corporate power during the Gilded Age.

Activists fighting for female suffrage faced a series of hurdles during their decades-long battle before they achieved victory. Suffrage was a campaign that had many starts and stops and was filled with tensions over race and class. Join me this week as I dive into a bit of this history: where did female suffrage stand after Reconstruction? Why did the movement splinter? And where did it end up in the Gilded Age? Find out all of this and more!

Join me as I sit down with Dr. Austin McCoy to explore the cultural and musical evolution of De La Soul, highlighting their innovative contributions to hip hop from the 1980s to today. Discover how their work challenged norms, expanded definitions of black masculinity, and influenced future artists, all woven with personal insights and historical context. To learn more about Dr. McCoy visit his website here . You get your copy of the book, consider visiting my affiliate shop through bookshop her...

Industrialists of the Gilded Age were addicted to consumption. While some spent vast sums of money on public projects, several dedicated their time and energy into building palatial estates to demonstrate just how rich and powerful they had become. Competing for the attention and respect of the classic elites, the newly elite built mansions that emulated their European neighbors. Tune in as I explore the opulence and cultural significance of Gilded Age mansions, their architectural styles, and the social ambitions behind their construction.

Lucretia "Crete" Garfield outlived her president husband by almost forty years, yet most only know her as the widowed First Lady from the Gilded Age. Join me this week as I explore the life and legacy of Lucretia Garfield - including her early life, her marriage to James Garfield, and her work to ensure her husband's legacy.

Sitting down with me this week is author Shannon McKenna Schmidt to discuss her book You Can't Catch Us: Lady Bird Johnson's Trailblazing 1964 Campaign Train and the Women Who Rode with Her. Our conversation covers the preparation and significance of Johnson's tour, Lady Bird's unique style compared to her husband LBJ, her role as a trailblazer for women, and the security challenges faced during the tour. Tune in to learn about this and so much more - and then snag a copy of the book for...

Settle in as I wrap up my coverage of Charles Guiteau - the infamous presidential assassin of James Garfield. In this episode, I dive into how Guiteau came to the decision that the only way to fix the country's political problems was through murdering the President of the United States, his meticulous planning, and review the trial, The United States v. Charles Guiteau.

Charles Guiteau is infamous for his role in the assassination of President James Garfield. A man who believed he was destined for greatness and who thought he was on a mission from God, Guiteau was a complicated figure that deserves more analysis. Join me this week as I start to explore the life of the troubled Charles Guiteau - learn about his childhood and time in the Oneida community, as well as how he became a lawyer. Be sure to tune in next week to learn more about the plot to kill President James Garfield!

In this conversation, Dr. Elizabeth Block discusses her book Gilded Age Fashion: More Than 50 Iconic Looks and the Stories Behind Them exploring the intricate relationship between women's fashion and social dynamics during the late 19th century. She highlights how the social calendar dictated fashion choices and the significance of material culture in understanding the era. Dr. Block also delves into the communication aspect of fashion, the fashion faux pas of the time, and the accuracy of costumes in the HBO series 'The Gilded Age.'

Join me for the concluding chapter of President James Garfield. After spending nearly two decades in Congress, James Garfield became the dark horse candidate for the 1880 presidential election. Yet, he would serve only a few months before being struck down by an assassin's bullet - and medical malpractice. Tune into learn about the few achievements of Garfield's brief presidency and the notorious shooting that claimed the life of a president in his prime.

How did a New York City subway shooting in 1984 normalize white rage and create a media ecosystem that celebrates greed? Join me as I sit down with historian Heather Ann Thompson to discuss her latest book,  Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings, and the Rebirth of White Rage. Tune in to learn about what happened that December day in 1984, how the media helped create an alternative narrative, how one mother refused to let her son be turned into a villain, and how the shooting influenced our current political moment.

The Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park is a small but mighty public history site dedicated to honoring the sacrifices and telling the stories of the women on the World War II Homefront. Situated along the Richmond waterfront, this unassuming national park provides a host of educational opportunities for visitors including interviews with real-life Rosies past and present. 

Join me as I sit down with Rosie Jeanine Gibson to discuss her memories of working as a welder on a Seattle shipyard and Rosie the Riveter National Trust representative Pam to discuss the amazing work the park is doing. And be sure to check out the extended version of this episode over at the Rosie the Riveter Trust YouTube Channel (see Show Notes below)

Tune in as I sit down with historian John Garrison Marks to discuss his upcoming book Thy Will Be Done: George Washington's Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory. We explore the complex legacy of George Washington's relationship with slavery and how Washington has been used as a symbol in contemporary debates about race and justice, as well as the myth-making surrounding his legacy. This conversation also touches on the evolution of the interpretations of Washington's legacy in education and public history and is of particular importance as the nation prepares for the 250th anniversary.

Elected in 1880 in one of the closest contests in American history, twentieth president James Garfield sadly died before he could leave a lasting executive legacy. Largely remembered for how he died, Garfield had an extensive political career, serving in the House of Representatives for nearly two decades. Join me this week as I explore Garfield's early life and career and get to know the president that many Americans have largely forgotten.