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Thanks! Join Patreons Like @rhaav428 who have access to some early episodes, extra episodes [just featured extras from the Midterms and Student Loan Episodes…] and the ‘Draft LBJ Series’ and who will get some early previews of our project on the Soviet Union.

A History of a History – Ken Burns “The Civil War”

In 1990, a significant TV event happened as PBS stole ratings from major networks. The event was a ground-breaking documentary of what is possibly the most important event in American history, one that cut through the Gone-with-the-Wind and glorified type images that had been in movies up to that date. Still the documentary used new…

Like the Visions of a Fever: America in Pre-War 1941

A look at pre-war America, 1941, the passage of Lend-Lease, and the sinking of four ships in the Atlantic. Robin Moor, Greer, Kearny and Ruben James, each inflicting a body blow but not yet producing war. As Americans waited for war in one ocean, war came in another. We are part of Airwave Media Network…

Inflation Gardens and Other Stories

Some economic stats are the concern of governments. Inflation is personal. In a sense, it’s all on us. Inflation has turned Presidents into crusaders. And sometimes turned the American people into the critical actors, volunteers or even “the problem.” We may or may not be there yet, but it’s worth a walk through the inflation…

The Ark of Commerce A Business History of The United States – Part I: Crash Party

A look at Black Thursday, 1929, the early career of Thomas Edison, the unusual story of a popular game and how Wall Street got its start in Philadelphia in this first in a series on commercial history  

Charleston 1860 and Secession: Politics, Media, Mania: Interview with Paul Starobin

Polarized politics, fear, a media with intent to inflame and make its owners famous, no budging on either side, confidence and even mania – that’s the combo that author Paul Starobin of the Atlantic and the New Republic describes as the factors that lead to South Carolina’s secession in 1860. We talk to him about…

Smiling Like He Meant It: Vice President Schuyler Colfax

Hero, smiler, progressive-minded politician, crook, orator, storyteller, friend to Lincoln. These are the labels that have been put on this forgotten Vice President of the United States.he bended ear the Lincoln, but a scandal ended his political career. Still he warrants mention. Last week we looked at Thomas Hendricks as part of our summer look at…

George B. McClellan, Jr. Would Like a Word

George B. McClellan Junior, son of the Union general and Mayor of New York City for two turn-of-the century terms is not history’s usual voice, his takes are different. He saw Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson at their most base and political. He became mayor of the nation’s largest city and talked about for its…

What if The Hartford Convention of 1814 Had Succeeded? And Other War of 1812 Thoughts That Didn’t Make the Episode – Now Available For Patreon Subscribers

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics Patreon supporters can access this extra episode where we break down the demands of the New England convention opposing The War of 1812. What if their demands were met, what would American life have looked like? This and British newspaper reaction to the War of 1812. SIGN UP…

Nixon Versus Plywood, Ike and Gas, LBJ and Copper and Other Presidential Inflation Stories

Stories of Presidential inflation fighting and fund-raising that seem to have a similar ring to today’s events, in this episode. Nixon’s plans to cut housing costs by reducing prices on the key element of housing inspires timber companies but riles environmentalist. Johnson uses his air fleet to shuttle the right people around to get the…

The Underrated Patrick Henry

“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” When Henry said it, he might have been committing treason. Yet the words also made him famous and indicated his superior bravery and patriotism to his country. The trouble is, this phrase is often all he’s remembered for. Those words were spoken before the Revolution, and tend to downplay Henry’s…

So, There Was No Smoke-Filled Room After All? And Other Presidential Election Stories

It’s the classic story of the 1920 election, but it’s probably not true, not in the way it’s told at least – that Warren Harding was chosen in a smoke-filled room. Sure, there was probably smoking in a Chicago hotel room in 1920, somewhere. Sure, there was some Presidential -picking chatter going on. But the…

Infringe: History of a Word and the Debate Over Guns

What’s in a word? Lots, maybe, when its a key word in the most contentious debate in America. The word “infringe” determines the threshold of how the Constitution should be enforced. But do we understand the word, and if we do, are we applying it correctly in our political debates over guns and politics? In…

What’s Going on Across the Pond w/ Steve Byrne of What Am Politics Podcast

Lockdown drinks, Partygates, Boris, Brexit, Ukraine, Keir Starmer’s wanting and Eurovision: An update on UK, Irish and Northern Ireland politics with Steve Byrne, formerly of What Am Politics Podcast (recently stopped but still with a huge archive –https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/what-am-politics/id1200345868?mt=2) We talk about where things stand in British politics and Bruce and Steve agree with what’s likely…

Free Speech is Easy, and Hard

Freedom of speech is boundless and yet has boundaries, according to our guest, Lynn Greenky of Syracuse University School of Law. She is the author of ‘When Freedom Speaks’ There are areas where the First Amendment of The U.S. Constitution protects, and areas where it does not. And this is no normal time. Social media,…

Stare Decisis and Spider Man, and Other Stories

We discuss the recent leaked SCOTUS interim decision, we discuss Casey, Roe cases, as well as abortion and anti-abortion politics of the 70s through the 90s. We also answer listener questions on – U.S. Grant and his image, favorite podcasts, which President to go on a bus ride with, why John Kerry lost and George…