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! Support the show...
May 02, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 337
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...
Apr 28, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 336
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 t...
Apr 25, 2026•17 min•Season 1Ep. 335
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. Support the show
Apr 18, 2026•18 min•Season 1Ep. 334
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 yourse...
Apr 14, 2026•26 min•Season 1Ep. 333
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 . Support the show
Apr 11, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 332
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 Presiden...
Apr 04, 2026•18 min•Season 1Ep. 331
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 costu...
Mar 31, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 330
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. Support the show...
Mar 28, 2026•21 min•Season 1Ep. 329
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 shoo...
Mar 24, 2026•39 min•Season 1Ep. 328
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 ...
Mar 21, 2026•26 min•Season 1Ep. 327
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 edu...
Mar 17, 2026•49 min•Season 1Ep. 326
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. Support the show...
Mar 14, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 325
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. Learn more about Alyson and her work on her website here . Grab your copy of The Missing Pages anywhere fine books are sold - or through my affiliate link on bookshop.org here . Support ...
Mar 10, 2026•30 min•Season 1Ep. 324
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 lasti...
Mar 07, 2026•16 min•Season 1Ep. 323
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. Support the show...
Mar 03, 2026•46 min•Season 1Ep. 322
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 Carnegie's steel empire was built on efficiency and reinvestment. Cornelius Vanderbilt revolutionized transportation and railroads in American and J.P. Morgan's financial prowess consolidated entire industries. Together, these men permanently reshaped the American economy for gener...
Feb 28, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 321
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 better life for themselves and establish a better future for the children. Learn about the motivation behind this exodus and why it sparked a Senate investigation. Support the show
Feb 21, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 320
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 post-war era, paying close attention to the years 1945-1961. Join us as we explore the significance of Christmas as a cultural lens, the impact of the HUAC investigations on Hollywood storytelling, and the contrast in career trajectories of two iconic directors Frank Capra and...
Feb 17, 2026•50 min•Season 1Ep. 319
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 Act ac...
Feb 14, 2026•15 min•Season 1Ep. 318
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. Support the show...
Feb 07, 2026•15 min•Season 1Ep. 317
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. You can pick up a copy of this book by visiting my affiliate shop on bookshop.org here . Suppor...
Feb 03, 2026•54 min•Season 1Ep. 316
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. Support the show
Jan 31, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 315
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. Support...
Jan 24, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 314
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 1975 summer blockbuster movie Jaws and permanently altered Americans relationship with sharks -- and how we can become better stewards of the ocean. To hear more from Rachel, be sure to check her out over on her podcast Hashtag History or at her website . Support the show...
Jan 20, 2026•37 min•Season 1Ep. 313
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 just how Hayes ente...
Jan 17, 2026•18 min•Season 1Ep. 312
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. When you are done listening to this introductory episode, be sure to check out the episode dedicated to the election of 1876 so y...
Jan 10, 2026•16 min•Season 1Ep. 311
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 working con...
Jan 03, 2026•19 min•Season 1Ep. 310
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 World , which reframes the Revolution as a global, transnational conflict with consequences stretching far beyond North America—from Spain and the Caribbean to Indigenous nations and British India. Bell challenges familiar myths about the Revolution, including the simplistic por...
Dec 27, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 309
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 critical role of textiles in human survival, community building among women, and the economic participation of women throughout history. Our conversation also touches on the connections between textile work and witchcraft accusations, the impact of influential figures like Elizabe...
Dec 20, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 308
