Episodes
The Almost First Lady: Rachel Jackson
In the final edition of the Andrew Jackson series, I am taking a look at the life of his wife and soulmate, Rachel Donelson Jackson. Though she passed away before Jackson assumed office, the marriage between Rachel and Andrew Jackson was one for the ages. Though their relationship started in scandal, a scandal that would came to haunt them as Jackson pursued national politics, it was also one of true dedication and admiration of one another. So tune in and hear about just who Rachel Jac…
Andrew Jackson: A Discussion with Presidencies of the United States
This week is a continuation of the series on Andrew Jackson and this time I am welcoming a special guest, Jerry from the Presidencies of the United States Podcast. Andrew Jackson has a complicated and nuanced legacy. He was the original outsider and man of the people; he was a man who held tightly to his sense of honor and was unafraid to fight for what he believed in. His was also the administration that put a mighty steak through the heart of the indigenous tribes who lived within territo…
The Indian Removal Act of 1830
During his eight years as president of the United States, Andrew Jackson passed one major piece of legislation: the Indian Removal Act of 1830. A bill set up to allow negotiations between the federal government and tribal nations for land exchanges, it quickly set the precedent of forced indigenous removal. So what was the Indian Removal Act? And what were its impacts? Don't forget the Intelligent Speech Conference is just a few weeks away - be sure to grab your tickets at www.intelligen…
The Original Outsider: Andrew Jackson
Happy June Peeps! This month is going to be all about Andrew Jackson. I knew when I started plotting out my coverage of the seventh president of the United States a single episode just wasn't going to cut it - so get ready for a Jackson bonanza. This week, I am starting with the life and political rise of the man himself. Who was Andrew Jackson? Why was he so popular? And what impacts did he leave on the nation? Tune in to find out all of this and more. As a reminder, this is th…
Missing: The Kidnapping of Black Americans
Although the international slave trade was outlawed in 1808, the demand for free labor continued to escalate as the country expanded and the cotton crop overtook tobacco as the country's most in demand export. When the domestic slave trade proved insufficient, or too expensive, many planters resorted to purchasing their labor on the black market. These individuals were often free young men and women who were kidnapped from their homes in the north and forced into a life of servitude. Jo…
Woodstock
Join me this week as I dive into another listener request: the history of the epic music festival, Woodstock. In the summer of 1969, four young men put on what came to be the most memorable music festival of a generation. For four days, thousands of young Americans enjoyed the performances of the artists that came to define sixties: Jefferson Airplane, Credence Clearwater Revival and Jimi Hendrix. But what was the inspiration of Woodstock? How did it come together? And why does it still rem…
The Freedom's Journal
Join me this week as I dive into the history of the Freedom's Journal, the first black owned and operated newspaper in American history. Started by two free men in 1828, The Freedom's Journal influenced a generation of writers, editors and artists by providing a platform for black voices. For the first time in history, their newspaper was nonpartisan and strove to provide both sides of an argument. What was the Freedom's Journal? And who were the men behind the pages? Find all of that o…
The Adams Men (with Abridged Presidential Histories)
Welcome to episode 100 peeps! Join me this week as I chat with presidential history podcast host extraordinaire, Kenny Ryan, about John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams. Both men had strikingly similar careers and both go mostly unrecognized in popular culture, despite their immense contributions to history. Kenny Ryan is the host of Abridged Presidential Histories, a podcast dedicated to sharing the life and impacts of our past presidents. He expertly weaves a concise narrative and …
The Chosen Son: John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States, elected in a "corrupt bargain" when the House of Representatives voted him into office, despite Andrew Jackson winning both the popular and electoral votes. Adams' presidency was not one for the record books, but his diplomatic career was one for the ages. Join me this week as I dive into the life and career of John Quincy Adams. From the Treaty of Ghent to his opposition to the annexation of Texas, John Quincy Adams was a man …
Resilient: Louisa Adams (Part Two)
Join me as I wrap up the life of Louisa Catherine Adams. In this episode, I explore her time overseas with her husband while he served as Minister to Russia and her efforts to get John Quincy Adams elected president. I also cover her time as First Lady, what her thoughts were about Adams' resurgence in the House of Representatives and her legacy.
Resilient: Louisa Adams (Part One)
Often lost in the shadows of the family she married into, Louisa Catherine Adams had a life filled with trials and tribulations. She was the first foreign born First Lady and journeyed throughout Europe, first as a daughter of a wealthy merchant and then as the wife of famed diplomat and future president, John Quincy Adams. Join me as I start the story of the life of Louisa Adams. In this episode, I discuss her early childhood, the volatile courtship between her and John Quincy and the firs…
Gendered Citizenship with Dr. Rebecca DeWolf
Join me this week as I chat with author, historian and educator Dr. Rebecca DeWolf about her analysis of the early development of the Equal Rights Amendment. Dr. DeWolf wrote about the fight of the ERA in her book, Gendered Citizenship, which was one of my favorite books of 2021. In this episode, we discuss how the right to vote for women via the 19th amendment created a sense of constitutional uncertainty for the status of women and how various groups, coined as protectionists and emancipa…
California Missions (Listener Request)
Join me as I dive into another listener request! This week's topic comes thanks to long time listener Sam, who requested I dive into the history of the California Missions. Those of us who grew up in California likely remember learning about, and potentially even visiting, the Missions spread throughout the state. But what prompted their creation? Who lived in the Missions? And why do they continue to loom so large in California history?
Women in Politics
Women have exerted influence in American politics since the country's founding. Though initially through individual acts to bring attention to their cause, they eventually organized into unions and societies who commanded attention and effectuate change. Join me as I jump into the history of women in politics in the United States.
The Gilded Age: A Conversation with Dr. Einav Rabinovitch-Fox
Joining me for a special discussion about one of my favorite periods in history, Dr. Einav Rabinovitch-Fox breaks down the Gilded Age in America and specifically how the period shaped the idea of women. If you've been enjoying the HBO series, The Gilded Age, you'll enjoy our conversation as we discuss the era, its impact on the role of women and how material culture impacted the period. Dr. Einav Rabinovitch-Fox is a historian who recently published a book, Dressed for Freedom, which ex…
Women in Baseball
Baseball is often referred to as America's favorite pastime. Millions watch their favorite sports teams battle it out for position and, hopefully, a championship. But why aren't there more women in baseball? Join me this week as I dive into the history of women in baseball.
Her Cold War with Dr. Tanya Roth
Happy Women's History Month! Join me this week as I interview historian and author Dr. Tanya Roth about her analysis of women in the United States history, Her Cold War. Roth weaved an engaging and informative story about how women's roles in the military evolved in a post World War II nation and how slowly but surely they worked towards providing an equitable place at the table.
Frederick Douglass: Part Two
Join me this week as I wrap up the life of famed abolitionist and ex-slave, Frederick Douglass. In this episode, we pick up with Douglass venturing into national politics and announcing his support for women's suffrage. This episode also discusses how Douglass evolved in the aftermath of the Civil War and where he focused his attention once slavery was abolished.
Frederick Douglass: Part One
Abolitionist, author, newspaper editor. Frederick Douglass was many things in his 77 years and continues to be a powerful historic figure. Join me this week as I begin a dive into the life of one of the greatest and most respected fighters in history, Fredrick Douglass.
The Second Great Awakening
Religion has been intertwined in American history since its founding. There have been several religious revivals aimed at increasing church membership and devotion to God. The Second Great Awakening was one of the largest and most consequential religious movements in American history. It was during this movement that revivalism and social activism became part of the religious experience. Join me as I dive into what the Second Great Awakening was and just how it impacted the country.
David Walker's Appeal
One of the most forceful voices in the abolitionist movement came from the words of a free man named David Walker. While he may be overshadowed by the likes of Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, Walker left his mark on the push for ending slavery and pulled no punches in his rebuke of the white enslavers who used paternalistic verbiage in excusing their behavior. Walker's life was cut short and I think this, in part, has led to his faded memory when reviewing the abolitionis…
The Filibuster (Listener Request)
This week I am diving into the first listener request of 2022 - The Filibuster. A complicated and confusing piece of senate procedure, the filibuster has been in the news for the last few years as political pundits discuss why our current Congress seems unable to achieve any legislative progress. What exactly is the filibuster? How did it originate? Tune into this episode to find out.
The Elusive Mrs. Monroe
The women behind the great men in history are often forgotten and overlooked. No one quite exemplifies this as much as Elizabeth Monroe, the wife of the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe. Join me this week as I discuss her life and her impact - and why her story isn't well known.
The Monroe Presidency
The last of the founding era presidents, James Monroe sometimes is seen as somehow less illustrious than his predecessors. However, the fifth president of the United States oversaw a key transition in the country and undoubtedly left his mark on the country. Join me this week as I dive into the presidency of James Monroe.