Episodes

Listen in this week as I wrap up part two on the history of the Culper Spy Ring. This week focuses on the story that made the ring most famous - the discovery of the treasonous behavior by Benedict Arnold.

Did you know the founding father commonly known as the man who could not tell a lie was responsible for the development of a network of spies during the American Revolution? General George Washington, desperate to outsmart and outmaneuver the British, deployed a series of spies to feed him the information he so desperately needed.

So just what this spy ring? What did they do? Tune in and find out.

Sources Used This Episode:
George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American R...

We've made it! Listen with me as I talk about the final leg of the history of the World's Fair. This week's episode covers the New York and San Francisco fairs of 1939, the Disney influenced fair of 1964 and how the U.S was determined to make their Seattle World's Fair a showcase of American resolve to win the space race.

Next week I return to regular programming and will take us back to the American Revolution. Thanks everyone!

You all have shown me so much love I wanted to return the favor with a special bonus episode all about Thanksgiving.

Thank you to all of who you have listened thus far. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Sources Used This Episode:
The History of Thanksgiving, History.com (LINK)
Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving, Britannica.com, (LINK)
The History of Pumpkin Pie, History.com (LINK)
The Real History of Black Friday, (LINK)

In this week's episode, I wrap up the 1893 Chicago World's Fair including the brief story of a serial killer, H.H Holmes and dive into both St. Louis and San Francisco's first shot at hosting their own event.

St. Louis vied hard to ensure no one else competed with their fair and fought to have the Summer Olympics held on site and away from the original host city - Chicago.

I end this episode where I began - back in Chicago; albeit under a different set of circumstances for the 1933 Centennial ...

Shout out to listener Stacey who reached out and ask that I cover the history of the World's Fairs in the United States.

There have been A LOT of them - and a lot of cool and amazing advancements have come about thanks to these demonstrations of new ideas, inventions and national pride. So much, in fact, that this will be a multi-part episode.

This week I cover the origins of World's Fairs, what brought them to the United States and how they differed from their counterparts. Enjoy!

Sources Us...

John Adams, John Hancock and... Josiah Quincy? This week I talk about three of the many individuals who participated in the run up to the American Revolution. All three men knew each other throughout their lives and their proximation to Boston could be seen as one of the reasons Massachusetts gets all the revolutionary ink. Grab your coffee and hang with me while I dive into the roles these rebels played.

Sources Used This Episode:
American Rebels: How the Hancock, Adams and Quincy Families Fan...

Happy Voting day! I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give you all a bonus episode on one of the most historic civic duties in American history - voting. This is an episode all about the history of voting in the United States. I will cover how many individuals fought for the right to vote and why your ability to exercise your franchise may not be as protected as you may think.
I chat about the 15th, 19th and 24th Amendments as well as the Snyder Act and the history behind the term "grandfather...

Hey everyone! I know I mentioned talking about the rebels of the revolution in from Boycott to Bloodshed, but I took an offramp from the normal linear history path to share some background on Halloween in America. From the Celtic origins of the Samhain festival to the history of Haunted Houses, I touch on a few of the things that make Halloween the best holiday of the year. I even ventured into a little true crime with the Candy Man murder. Enjoy! I will return next week with the promised episod...

This week I am going to talk about the actions - and reactions - that lead to the American Revolution. After experiencing success in the French and Indian war, Great Britain was in need of cash to help protect the new territory and pay for the costs of the extended war. The colonists, on the other hand, were not used to being asked for taxes from Parliament and rebelled at every turn - including smuggling to avoid the tax man. Did you know there was a Liberty Tree where people would protest the ...

This week I am going to talk about a woman who literally wrote her way to freedom, Phillis Wheatley. Kidnapped from Africa as a small child, Wheatley would gain fame and notoriety as a result of creative writing capabilities. Wheatley was able to meet some of the most famous men of her time including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock. So why is it we know so little about her? Listen to this weeks episode and find out.

I asked - you answered!

This week I am going to give you a run down of the history of political debates in American History. Did you know the first televised presidential debate was between two women and was 4 years before the infamous 1960 Kennedy / Nixon debates? Listen for this and much more on this week's listener requested episode of the history of debates.

Sources Used This Episode:
The Commission on Presidential Debates: Debate History

LINK: https://www.debates.org/debate-history/1960-...

This week I am telling the story of a female shopkeeper - Elizabeth Murray Campbell Smith Inman. A Scot by birth, Murray would cross the Atlantic and set herself on a path of economic security not typical for the women of her time. Elizabeth's story is fascinating - from her multiple voyages across the ocean, to her multiple prenuptial agreements and her mentorship of other women - Murray's story is one of independence, fortitude and service.

Sources Used This Episode:
Elizabeth Murray: A Woman...

This week I am talking about the French and Indian war - a conflict seen as one of the catalysts for the American Revolution a few years later. This conflict over desired land expansion would lead to Great Britain's increase in territory, but see the beginnings of Britain's loss of colonial support. Also - did you know the French Indian War is known by many different names? Grab your coffee and enjoy.

Sources Used This Episode:

The People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

These Tr...

This week - by special request from a listener - I take a deep dive into the most infamous witch hunt in United States history - the Salem Witch Trials. I talk about how the accusations started, how the hysteria spread and one of the methods used to test whether someone was bewitched - be warned; it's gross. Grab your coffee - let's do it!

Sources Used in This Episode:
Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England by John Demos

Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, 1648-170...

This week I am talking about the Bacon Rebellion. Nathaniel Bacon, a Virginia planter focused on unlimited expansion, would go on to lead the first popular revolt in the colonies. The rebellion itself was short, but in this episode I talk about who Bacon was and why his revolt is viewed as important in American History.

Sources Used This Episode:
You Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned by Kenneth C. Davis

This week I am talking about Mary Dyer - one of the first activists in colonial America. I will talk about who Dyer was, why she made waves and what the Boston Martyrs were. Enjoy your cup of coffee with a side of history.

This week, I talk about the emergence of slavery in the new colonies. I review the transition of desired labor from indentured servants to slave labor and a how court case and early laws helped codify chattel slavery into the fabric of the nation.

Sources in this Episode:
These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

You Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned by Ke...

This week I tackle the first attempts at English colonization in the new world including the mysteries surrounding Roanoke and the beginnings of Jamestown. I also touch on a few key players made famous like John Smith and Pocahontas. Grab your coffee and enjoy!

Sources for this Episode:
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

You Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned By Kenneth C. Davis

Welcome to Civics and Coffee! In my premiere episode, I talk about the "beginnings" of America as it is commonly taught in school - including the discovery of North America, the indigenous people who were here before European contact and why Columbus gets so much credit. All in the time it takes to enjoy your morning coffee!

Sources for this Episode:
Changes in the Land by William Cronon

1491 by Charles C. Mann

This episode is all about what Civics and Coffee is and what you can expect when you subscribe.

If you want to leave suggestions for future episodes, leave a comment or email me at civicscoffeepod@gmail.com