Episodes
Delusions of Grandeur: Charles Guiteau Part One
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 d...
The Power of the Dress: Dr. Elizabeth Block on Gilded Age Fashion
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 th...
A President Forgotten: James Garfield Part Two
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.
Misplaced Rage: Fear and Fury with Heather Ann Thompson
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…
Past, Present & Future: Rosie the Riveter Reporting for Duty
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…
Complicated Legacies: Thy Will Be Done with John Garrison Marks
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&#…
A President Forgotten: James Garfield Part One
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.
Grief, Love, and Connection: The Missing Pages with Alyson Richman
Joining me this week is author Alyson Richman to discuss her latest novel The Missing Pages. Tune in to learn all about what went into developing the world of Titanic victim Harry Elkins Widener, the power of historical fiction in connecting readers to the past, and what it takes to research a historical novel.
Indian Boarding Schools in America: The Carlisle Indian Industrial School
In 1879, Richard Henry Pratt founded the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the first federally supported off-reservation boarding school for Native American children. Designed to promote assimilation into American society, Carlisle became the model for the broader system of Native American boarding schools that spread across the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In this episode, I explore how Carlisle operated, the federal policies that shaped it, and the l…
History Makers: Presidential Seclusion with Charles Ferguson
Join me as I sit down with author and historian Charles Ferguson to discuss his book Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David, which explores the history of the presidential retreat and the men who've shaped it. Learn about the original name for Camp David, how various presidents have utilized the retreat for relaxation and major policy negotiations, and the retreats lasting legacy in American history.
Titans or Crooks: The Men Who Built Industrial America
The Gilded Age was marked by the rise of powerful industrialists - but four men in particular are known for the power they wielded and the complex legacies they left behind. John D. Rockefeller transformed oil. Andrew Carnegi...
The Exodusters: The Great Migration You Haven’t Heard About
Before the Great Migration, there was a smaller, yet just as important emigration of Black Americans out of the South. For several months in 1879, thousands of freedmen and their families headed for Kansas, hoping to create a...
Selling Out Santa: A Deep Dive into Post-War Cinema with Dr. Vaughn Joy
Join me as I welcome historian and media literacy expert Dr. Vaughn Joy to discuss her book Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy. The book explores the evolution of Christmas films during the po...
The Posse Comitatus Act Explained
Why the U.S. military isn’t supposed to enforce civilian law — and when that rule breaks down. Passed in 1878, the Posse Comitatus Act was designed to limit the federal government’s use of the U.S. military in domestic law enforcement. The law emerged amid the tensions of Reconstruction, when federal troops were regularly deployed to maintain order in the former Confederate states. In this episode, learn why lawmakers drew a sharp line between soldiers and police, what the Posse Comitatus Ac…
Run to Freedom: The Nez Perce War
Over the span of four months, several small bands of Nez Perce tried in vain to escape the clutches of the United States government. Traveling over a one thousand miles, hundreds of Nez Perce outmaneuvered the military, only to be forced into surrender less than one hundred miles from the Canadian border. What brought on the conflict between the two sides? And why does the Nez Perce fly under the radar? Tune in to find out.
The Power of Representation: Dr. Orr on House of Diggs
Join me this week as I sit down with Dr. Marion Orr to discuss his book House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr. Learn about how Congressman Diggs brought national attention to the murder trial of Emmett Till, fought against apartheid in South Africa, and pioneered Black political influence in establishing the Congressional Black Caucus.
Lucy Webb Hayes: The Quietly Radical First Lady
Entering the White House as women's roles in the United States were rapidly evolving, Lucy Webb Hayes represented a potential bridge for many. Would she be a champion for suffrage and temperance? Would she use her position as First Lady to usher in a new era for the United States? Tune in to find out.
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877: The Uprising That Shocked the Nation
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 stands as a pivotal moment in American labor history, illustrating the clash between workers' rights and corporate power. Sparked by wage cuts amid an economic depression, this strike transcended its origins, morphing into a widespread social revolution that echoed the frustrations of ordinary Americans across the nation. Tune in to learn all about the causes, lessons, and legacies of the Great Strike of 1877 and how it influenced future labor movements…
Predator or Prey: The Real Jaws with Rachel Lee Perez
Join me this week as I sit down with Rachel Lee Perez to discuss her book The Real Jaws: The Attacks That Inspired the Movies. Learn how a series of deadly attacks along the New Jersey shore in the summer of 1916 inspired the...
From Disputed Election to Gilded Age Leader: Rutherford B Hayes Part 2
Join me this week as I wrap up my coverage of Rutherford B. Hayes. Learn how the president jumped from one domestic crisis to another: from demands to recall federal troops in the south to tackling the issue of civil service reform. How did Hayes deal with the anti-Chinese sentiment brewing out west? Or the debates over land distribution regarding Indigenous Americans? Tune in to find out.
And don't forget to tune into the episode dedicated to the election of 1876 so you know j…
From Disputed Election to Gilded Age Leader: Rutherford B Hayes Part 1
He came to office after a hotly contested election and served only a single term. How did Rutherford B. Hayes change the presidency and the United States?
Tune into this episode where I lay the groundwork for understanding the twentieth president of the United States. Learn about Hayes' early days, his military service, and his pre-presidential political appointments.
Welcome to the Gilded Age: Wealth, Upheaval, and Reinvention
The Gilded Age began as the United States marked the 100th anniversary of independence, entering an era of rapid industrial growth and profound social change. This introductory episode sets the stage for what you can expect in my coverage of the Gilded Age, exploring how new technologies, expanding railroads, and rising industrial power transformed everyday life.
Learn how as wealth accumulated at the top and economic inequality widened workers organized and demanded better and safer…
Beyond Patriots vs. Loyalists: The Global American Revolution with Dr. Richard Bell
Was the American Revolution really just a colonial rebellion against Britain? According to historian Dr. Richard Bell, the answer is no. In this episode, we discuss Bell’s book The American Revolution and the Fate of the Worl...
With Her Own Hands: Dr. Nicole Nehrig on Women, Work, and the Meaning of Making
Join me as I sit down with Dr. Nicole Nehrig to discuss her book With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories which explores the historical and psychological significance of textiles and knitting. She emphasizes the critic...