It’s March 7th. On this day in 1854, vandals broke into the construction site at the Washington Monument, made off with the “Pope’s Stone,” and threw it in the Potomac River. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the incident, why it was part of rising anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States, and the very rocky construction of the Washington Monument. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia fro...
Mar 07, 2021•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s March 4th. This day in 1855, a British sanitary commission arrived in Istanbul to inspect a field hospital where soldiers were dying at alarming rates. Among the nurses treating the soldiers was Florence Nightingale, who would go on to make one of the most famous data analysis of the conditions at the hospital. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by writer Tim Harford to discuss Nightingales findings and how they influenced the world of data visualization — plus the perils of compelling graph...
Mar 04, 2021•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s March 2nd. This day, in 1971, the leftist group The Weather Underground carries out a bombing at the US Capitol. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the bombing, and the rise of more violent direct action coming out of the late 1960s protest movements. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.com Get i...
Mar 02, 2021•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 28th. This day in 1859 (February 27th, actually) a New York representative named Daniel Sickles shot and killed Phillip Barton Key, the son of Francis Scott Key, in a dispute over an affair that Key was reportedly having with Sickles’s wife. Jody, Niki, Kellie and special guest Wright Thompson discuss the shooting in broad daylight, and the many twists and turns of Daniel Sickles’s life. Wright’s latest book is “Pappyland,” his TV show is TrueSouth, and his podcast series is called...
Feb 28, 2021•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 25th. This day in 1972, Democratic frontrunner Edmund Muskie of Maine was embroiled in a “scandal” that would ultimately sink his candidacy. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the various twists and turns of the scandal, from a fake letter to possibly fake tears. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website:...
Feb 25, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 23rd. This day in 1954, children in Pittsburgh began to receive vaccines as part of the first clinical trials for Dr Jonas Salk’s polio eradication efforts. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the arrival of the vaccine, the initial distrust, and the inequities in development and distribution of the vaccine to various communities. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If ...
Feb 23, 2021•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 21st. This day in 1963 (actually, it was the 19th), Betty Friedan published her enormously influential book “The Feminine Mystique.” Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Nichole Perkins to discuss the publishing of the surprisingly-academic book, the kind of women it addressed, and the women who were left out of the conversation around second wave feminism Check out Nichole’s new podcast “This Is Good For You.” Her forthcoming memoir is called Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could...
Feb 21, 2021•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 18th. On this day in 1984, a New York State liquor board is holding hearings on the all-male strip club Chippendale’s. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the way in which Chippendale’s subverted and reinforced ideas about men, women, sex, and empowerment. Niki is a producer on the new podcast series “Welcome to Your Fantasy,” all about the wild history of Chippendale’s. Check it out now! Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Poli...
Feb 18, 2021•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 16th. On this day in 1804, US Marines carried out a mission to destroy a ship that had been captured by enemy forces off the coast of Tripoli. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the first Barbary War, why the US (and Sweden!) were involved in a Mediterranean battle, and tensions between naval warfare and westward expansion. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you wa...
Feb 16, 2021•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 14th. On this day in 1935, a Congressional committee released a report acknowledging what came to be known as “The Business Plot,” a scheme by Wall St financiers to stage a violent coup and replace Roosevelt with a military dictator. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the coup scheme, how it was not taken seriously at the time, and how seriously to take talk of fascist schemes today. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Politica...
Feb 14, 2021•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 11th. On this day in 1954, President Eisenhower expressed deep skepticism about US involvement in Vietnam. That would, of course, come to change. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how Eisenhower tried to avoid involvement, but also established the “Domino Theory” approach to viewing Vietnam that may have set up an inevitable US intervention. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia ...
Feb 11, 2021•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 9th. On this day in 1886, a mob descended on Seattle’s Chinatown, amid growing tensions between white and Chinese workers. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the events of the day, and the role of Chinese immigrant and Chinese-American workers in building the West — and how labor unions were often used to drive wedges between different ethnic groups. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Rad...
Feb 09, 2021•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s Februrary 7th. On this day in 1820, 86 freed slaves boarded a ship from New York City headed to a region in West Africa that would soon come to be known as Liberia. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the “reverse Middle Passage” journey of the ship, the American Colonization Society, and tensions between anti-slavery groups and abolitionists. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX....
Feb 07, 2021•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 4th. On this day in 1973, president Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the legislation, how it fit into the growing environmental movement of the time, and whether Nixon gets enough credit for his green efforts. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: Th...
Feb 04, 2021•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s February 2nd. On this day in 1920, Senator Warren G Harding pens a letter to his long-time mistress, laying out the terms under which they could break off their affair. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Harding’s affair, why the racy letters took so long to be made public, and what to make of Harding’s disastrous presidency. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to s...
Feb 02, 2021•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 31st. On this day (actually, February 1st) 1865, the House passed the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the 13th — especially the parts of the story that may be lesser known. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ...
Jan 31, 2021•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 28th. This day in 1850, Senator Henry Clay introduced a series of resolutions aimed at trying to build compromise and forestall the Civil War. Jody, Niki and Kellie discuss the series of bills, also known as “The Compromise of 1850,” and how the question of slavery was so tied up with the project of territorial expansion. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you w...
Jan 28, 2021•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 26th. On this day in 1964, Margaret Chase Smith announced that she was running for the GOP nomination for president. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Smith’s trailblazing run, the legacy of women inside Republican politics, and the power of “symbolic” candidates. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website...
Jan 26, 2021•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 24th. On this day in 1945, the town of Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first town in the country to add fluoride to its drinking water. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how the program was a huge success when it came to public health, but nevertheless spawned a generation of conspiracy theories about fluoridation. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to s...
Jan 24, 2021•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 21st. On this day in 1861, Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis gave a farewell address in the Senate, announcing that his state (along with several others) would be seceding from the United States. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how Davis tried to position the move, and how this dramatic moment fit into the run-up to the Civil War. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX...
Jan 21, 2021•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this Inauguration Day 2021, we look back at some notable other transition ceremonies, and discuss whether the day is pure symbolism or if it actually matters. Plus, a big announcement about the show — Kellie Carter Jackson is joining as a third host! Find out more about her, Jody Avirgan, and Nicole Hemmer on our website. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to sup...
Jan 19, 2021•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 17th. On this day in 2001, the company pets.com was in the process of liquidating its assets, after just 18 months in existence. Jody and Niki are joined by Julia Furlan to discuss the 2000 dot-com bubble, why companies like pets.com got so big and went so broke; and what lessons there are about the difference between the stock market and the real economy. Julia is the host of the Vox podcast series “Go for Broke.” The first season is all about the 2000 bubble. Find a transcript of ...
Jan 17, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 14th. On this day in 1976, Sara Jane Moore was sentenced to life for her attempt to assassinate President Gerald Ford. Jody and Niki discuss Moore’s life, motivations, and the landscape of apocalyptic political violence that extended from the late 60s into the mid-70s. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our...
Jan 14, 2021•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 12th. On this day in 1943, the US announces limits to the amount of meat Americans could eat, as well as a re-working of the meat content in sausages and other products. Jody and Niki discuss the rationing in WWII, and the wartime re-branding efforts of a lot of common American items. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support the show directly, you ...
Jan 12, 2021•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 10th. On this day in 1984, the United States and the Vatican established formal diplomatic relations for the first time in 117 years. Jody and Niki discuss the history of anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States, and how the fear of Communism finally brought Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II together. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. If you want to support ...
Jan 10, 2021•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 8th. On this day in 1992, President George HW Bush, on a diplomatic trip to Japan, ate some bad food and vomited during a state dinner, right onto the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister. Jody and Niki discuss the event, the larger context of US-Japan relationships, and what counts as a gaffe in American politics. Plus, some thoughts on other embarrassing political moments. Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political Histor...
Jan 08, 2021•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s January 5th. On this day in 1961, Vice President Richard Nixon, acting as President of the Senate, certified the electoral college results of the 1960 election, which he had lost to John F Kennedy. But this was after a long fight and lots of questions, conspiracy theories, and efforts to throw the election result into contest. Sound familiar? Find a transcript of this episode at: https://tinyurl.com/esoterichistory This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from ...
Jan 05, 2021•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast To wrap up 2020, and give ourselves a week off, we’re re-running some of our favorite episodes from the year. Thanks for listening all year, and we have lots more in store for 2021! ///// On May 7th, Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discussed the “Coya Come Home” letter — a public letter written by the husband of MN representative Coya Knutson, demanding that she leave office and return to domestic life. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of...
Jan 03, 2021•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast To wrap up 2020, and give ourselves a week off, we’re re-running some of our favorite episodes from the year. Thanks for listening all year, and we have lots more in store for 2021! ///// On September 13th in 1988, Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis boarded an M-1 tank in order to set up a photo op, ostensibly to make him look tough on defense. It backfired horribly. Jody and Niki are joined by Amy Walter of the Cook Political Reporter and The Takeaway to discuss the tank photo, huge polling col...
Dec 31, 2020•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast To wrap up 2020, and give ourselves a week off, we’re re-running some of our favorite episodes from the year. Thanks for listening all year, and we have lots more in store for 2021! ///// On July 23rd, 1890, Wyoming celebrated its entry into the United States. And it was doing so as a state that granted women the right to vote. Jody and Niki are joined by Maeve Higgins of the New York Times and the podcast Mothers of Invention to discuss the suffrage movement on the American frontier. This Day I...
Dec 29, 2020•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
