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Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music Two (Duvet and Corr...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music The Skydiver from t...
Nate DiMeo shares a poignant historical narrative about the enigmatic origins of Catalina Island's bison and the devastating near-extinction of American buffalo, including the dark, eugenicist roots of early conservation efforts. This historical reflection profoundly inspires musician Hrishi Hirway, who then explains how Nate's story provided the breakthrough for finishing his song "Rollercoaster." The episode beautifully weaves together history, personal connection, and the unexpected ways art influences art.
Discover the fascinating history of shorthand transcription through the story of Nathan Barron, a master of the Pittman method who dominated early 20th-century competitions. The episode details the National Association of Court Reporters' efforts to standardize accuracy against exaggerated claims, culminating in the dramatic 1924 contest where the innovative stenotype machine heralded a new era, forever changing how words are recorded. It also touches on the unique cognitive abilities of transcribers.
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. This episode originally d...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music Marisa Anderson pla...
This episode recounts the little-known story of Hawaiian teenagers recruited by the U.S. government in the 1930s for an "adventure" to tiny, desolate Pacific islands. What began as a supposed scientific mission evolved into a strategic colonization effort to claim territory before World War II. The boys endured isolation, hardship, and tragic losses, ultimately facing Japanese attacks, and their critical service remained unacknowledged for decades.
With Nate surprisingly sidelined, his friends and fellow Radiotopians at This Day save (This) day. Here's the show description: In our new series "50 Weeks That Shaped America," we're headed to January 1920 and the first night of Prohibition. Hide your booze! Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the long road to prohibition, going back decades, and the political forces that led to the ban of alcohol. Join our America250 newsletter community ! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of h...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Starting off the year wit...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched ...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music The Lady With the G...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Buy the audiobook wherever you get audiobooks (like libro.fm! ) The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have rec...
Discover Thornwell Jacobs, a man troubled by the fragmentary knowledge of ancient Egypt, who conceived the revolutionary idea of the time capsule. This episode explores his grandest project, the "Crypt of Civilization," a meticulously designed repository intended to provide future generations with a comprehensive understanding of the 20th century, housed within Oglethorpe University until the year 8113. It reflects on the legacy and potential misinterpretations of such a colossal undertaking.
Host Nate DeMeo recounts his two impactful visits to Washington D.C., in 1993 and 2002, exploring the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums. He reflects on the Mall's embodiment of American history through significant public events and the Smithsonian's vast, often contradictory, collection as a metaphor for the nation. The episode culminates in an urgent call to action, announcing a teach-in to counter current political efforts to suppress accurate historical narratives within public institutions.
This episode recounts the powerful story of the anti-nuclear peace vigil that stood outside the White House for 44 years. It details the journey of its founders, William Thomas, Concepcion Picciotto, and Ellen Thomas, who dedicated their lives to protesting nuclear weapons and government policies. Despite arrests, hardship, and the elements, their persistent presence served as a constant reminder of global peril, eventually outliving them before its removal in 2025.
This episode recounts the extraordinary story of Gloria Lockerman, a 12-year-old Black girl who captivated America by correctly spelling "Antidisestablishmentarianism" on "The $64,000 Question" in 1955. It highlights the immense societal pressure and racial context of her triumph. The narrative then explores her courageous decision to walk away from the full prize money, revealing the profound reasons rooted in securing financial stability for her family in a segregated era. Her inspiring life beyond the spotlight, marked by education and civil rights advocacy, is also detailed.
The Memory Palace delves into the 1910 Los Angeles Times bombing, a pivotal event in American labor history. It explores the rise of time bomb use by unions, the anti-union stance of LA Times owner Harrison Gray Otis, and the tragic, unintended consequences when a planned property damage explosion resulted in 21 deaths, profoundly shaking the labor movement.
In this summer reading episode, Nate DiMeo shares two powerful poems that delve into the human experience aboard public transport. Walt Whitman's "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" connects the observer across generations through shared moments on the river, while Elizabeth Bishop's "The Moose" captures the quiet journey of a bus through rural landscapes, culminating in a magical encounter. Both poems invite listeners to reflect on everyday transcendence and communal observation.
The episode details the tragic fate of 541 schoolgirls and seven teachers in Hiroshima who were killed instantly while working to create firebreaks before the atomic bomb detonated. It delves into the harrowing aftermath, describing the parents' unimaginable grief and their struggle to comprehend a new reality. Despite the widespread devastation and ongoing deaths from radiation, these bereaved families united to build powerful, symbolic memorials, ensuring the memory of their children and the immense human cost of the bombing would never be forgotten, even under strict occupation censorship.
This episode features Nate DiMeo recounting a pivotal personal experience from 1996: a frustrating search for parking in Providence that led him to a transformative encounter with an NPR documentary about the tragic death of Eric Morse. This powerful story, which cut through his personal anxieties, inspired his unique approach to audio storytelling. DiMeo reveals he shares this anecdote to underscore the vital role of public radio and urges listeners to support stations facing recent funding cuts, highlighting the impact of such programming.
This episode explores the story of Nan Britton and her 1927 tell-all book, "The President's Daughter," which claimed her child was fathered by President Warren G. Harding. It recounts her teenage crush, the beginning of their secret affair, the birth of their daughter Elizabeth, and Britton's struggles to publish her story to support her child and advocate for children born out of wedlock. The episode touches on Harding's reputation for affairs, the public's reaction to Britton's book, and the eventual DNA confirmation of her claim decades later.
This episode, originally released after the Pulse nightclub shooting, explores the vital role of spaces like the White Horse Inn in Oakland, claiming to be the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the U.S.
It recounts the history of the White Horse as a sanctuary where LGBTQ+ people found belonging and navigated decades of discrimination, legal challenges, and historical events, highlighting the enduring importance of these safe spaces against ongoing threats.
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . On June 13th, 2025, I'll do a special, one-night-only live show at the Tribeca Audio Festival in New York City, joined by two of the audiobook's readers: Carrie Coon and Lili Taylor! www.thememorypalace.us/events . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of indepen...
The episode reflects on the complexities of history and memory in Montgomery, Alabama, focusing on Sophie Bibb's role in Confederate memorialization and its proximity to Civil Rights landmarks. It explores the juxtaposition of Confederate monuments and Civil Rights sites, highlighting the ongoing tension between historical narratives and their impact on the present. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding the full context of history, including uncomfortable truths, to foster a more complete and nuanced understanding of the past.
This episode recounts the story of Helen Hulick, a kindergarten teacher who defied courtroom dress codes in 1938 by wearing pants. Her act of defiance led to a contempt of court charge and a brief stint in jail, capturing national attention and sparking debate about women's fashion and rights. Although not a revolutionary, Hulick's stand against 'anti-slackism' played a part in shifting societal norms.
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . During mid-April, 2025, I'm doing a southern book tour, with stops in San Antonio, Houston, Gainesville, Montgomery, New Orleans, and Oxford. Find out more at www.thememorypalace.us/events . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operate...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched ...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched ...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched ...
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org , on Amazon.com , on Barnes & Noble , or directly from Random House . Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm . The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. I have recently launched ...
