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...

Will the real JFK please stand up.   What image should we have today of the 35th President.  Our interview with author and Boston Globe reporter Thomas Oliphant, about his book Road to Camelot Inside JFKs Five Year Campaign.  We talk about how we shoul

In this episode, I interview decorated Navy SEAL and "American Sniper" Star Kevin Lacz. He is he author of THE LAST PUNISHER, A Seal Team Three Sniper's True Account of the Battle of Ramadi.  He served with Chris Kyle, the subject of the movie...

We tackle a group of topics in this episode.

How does history create a Presidential image?  We try to answer this with a look at how Lincoln became an image.  Not only were historians involved but the family, a sculptor, some oddballs and some really good Lincoln friends.  ...

Presidents and Intelligence, from Kennedy to Trump.  With a particular focus on the PDB or the Presidents Daily Briefing with Dr. David Priess, the Author of The President’s Book of Secrets. We discuss: Tension Presidents and The CIA, In History a

George Washington is a distant figure.  Sometimes, because of the distance in time, he appears too ancient to influence America’s debates today.  But he was a real person, and he was involved in politics and dealt with partisanship.  He also left

The concept of a President earning a right to govern and direct the agenda on behalf of the People is, in historical terms, a new concept.   No such concept is present in Constitution, nor does it appear, was imagined by Constitutional supporters or o

Based on a new book by Bruce, a look at the myth that the President creates jobs, from Monroe to Kennedy to Trump

A look at the election of 1916, also a surprise to supposed-President Hughes.  And about 2016, how close all of us were and how far away, and what happens now.  

Truman Surprise and Pollster Failure

All about the 4th Amendment

Story of the zany election in 1840 which some felt was to "Pop" for its time.

Convention scheduling, and the reasons for it.

How James Madison and Alexander Hamilton interpreted the Constitution, from a 2012 episode.

From 1812 to today, a lesson:  Neither side will win.  Your'e side probably won't win, not for long, per this episode.  It was recorded before 2016, and still I think it applies.  

Bruce gives his best imitation of a PBS telethon and reveals a special offer for donors. Also Huey Long visits the show (well you know, not really) a discussion of vetoes and the naming of wars...and because not even MHCBUYP can avoid it, we talk...

Even while dealing with a Civil War, Lincoln was focused on foreign policy.  And one key nation was China.  

The 1980 GOP primary, a year with a large field of candidates- larger than remembered - makes up Your Tasty Entree in this delicious podcast of TV history and politics.  Also the series finale of Mad Men and how it links to historical discussion....

Know Nothings were once derided but their ideas do return again and again in politics, from 2007

In the wake of Obamacare problems, we look at the frustrations of those attempting to implement Social Security.  The first consultant told Congress to drop the idea.  When they refused, an incredible system was developed in the Pre Computer...

A look at the history of child labor and attempts, mostly unsuccessful for decades, at child labor restrictions.  From 2014.  

history of the reactipon speech to the State of the Union

Will President Obama retain his protective Senate, a very rare political situation.  

Did the Founders Care if We Starve?