Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates. "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review
Through most of American history, calling someone a Cicero was the highest democratic honor. John Adams wrote of the Roman orator, that “as all the ages of the world have not produced a greater statesman and philosopher united in the same character, his authority should have great weight.” Thomas Jefferson said Cicero was “the father of eloquence and philosophy” John Quincy Adams dramatically said that if he did not have book of Cicero at hand it was having to live without "of one of my limbs.” And a young Abraham Lincoln reading from a borrowed library benefited greatly from his works, as well as others. We talk to Ryerson University professor of politics and author of Words on Fire Rob Goodman about these topics. Through close readings of Cicero – and his predecessors, rivals, and successors – political theorist and former speechwriter Rob Goodman tracks the development of this ideal, in which speech is both spontaneous and stylized, and in which the pursuit of eloquence mitigates political inequalities. For cicero, speech was essential. More than just talking or Cicero referred to speech as “what has united us in the bonds of justice, law, and civil order, this that has separated us from savagery and barbarism”. Speech was to Cicero a sign of humanity’s inherently communal and cooperative nature and one of our greatest tools in creating a prosperous life for ourselves. "Be no Atticus," John Quincy Adams told his good friend Charles Sumner when he thought he got to reclusive and too bookish and didn't get out there in the debate. He almost could of said, be more like Atticus's friend Cicero. Cicero got out and spoke, took controversial positions in defense of republic and eventually was executed. Rob Goodman's book Words on Fire is available here - https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/words-on-fire/FEB517ABF09F8A067773B2F563F45150 We are part of Airwave Media Network. Check out the other shows there - airwave media.com
38 min
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THE FRENCH REVOLUTION and America with Will Cla...
In this episode, I talk to fellow Airwave Media podcaster Will Clark of Grey History about the French Revolution and how it shaped American history, how American politicians reacted to it at the time, 100 years ago, and today. We also get into 'grey areas' of the French Revolution: things that we think about it that may be wrong, exaggerated, or even right on target. ABOUT GREY HISTORY Grey History is a podcast dedicated to exploring the ambiguities of the past. Too often history is presented as black and white, and Grey History seeks to examine the area in between those two extremes. Why? Because it’s in the grey that history has its beauty, its intrigue, and, most importantly, its lessons. In order to explore history’s ambiguities, the podcast makes a deliberate point of comparing differing experiences, perspectives, and conclusions. By incorporating testimonies from a wide variety of participants, contemporaries, and historians, we can better understand the lessons of the past. https://greyhistory.com/ Both of our shows are members of the Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com
79 min
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100 YEARS AGO TODAY - A Look at 1924 With Jon B...
69 min
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2004: SWIFT BOATS AND PALM PILOTS: Part II of o...
To match the faithful of the Bush campaign, the Kerry campaign builds the largest army of door knockers ever. Just like Team Bush, he thinks he has the election. But did he ever have a chance?
60 min
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2004: BUSH AMWAY OHIO IDEA - Part I of Two-Part...
In part I of our look at the 2004 election, we look at things from the Bush Campaign side, where a revolutionary idea may or may not have helped the campaign win a troublesome state for them. In the last few days, they weren't sure.
38 min
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WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT w/ Richard Lim of "This Ame...
We are pleased to be joined by Richard Lim of This American President Podcast (www.thisamericanpresidentpodcast.com). He discusses William Howard Taft, his considerable accomplishments, his Presidency, his position as governor of the Philippines, and the considerable respect many had for him. We'll also discuss why more than just his weight should be remembered about him. Check out This American Presidents Podcast if you are not subscribed already. As for us, we are part of Airwave Media Network.
47 min
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YOU BREAK EVERYBODY'S BACK: The 1988 Presidenti...
In our final episode of our six-part series on the 1988 Presidential Election, Vice President Bush has a lead over Mike Dukakis. It's close enough for a comeback though, and more than a few have suggestions for a different Dukakis message. A series of mistakes will doom the campaign. And that is the traditional way the story is told. But we suggest there they may been an invisible election going on under the surface.
72 min
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YOU BREAK EVERYBODY'S BACK: The 1988 Presidenti...
Michael Dukakis secures the nomination, unifies his party and has a well-regarded convention. He's seventeen points ahead in the polls. Is it real? Even his own campaign staff thinks it may not be. A story in Reader's Digest is troubling. In New Orleans, Bush fires back, while dealing with questions about his choice for number two.
74 min
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YOU BREAK EVERYBODY'S BACK: The 1988 Presidenti...
83 min
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YOU BREAK EVERYBODY'S BACK: The 1988 Presidenti...
58 min
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YOU BREAK EVERYBODY'S BACK: The 1988 Presidenti...
Gary Hart, the frontrunner in the Democratic side of the 1988 race faces a major setback. Not only his he disappointed, but so are all the people who wanted to run against him so they could have the honor of beating him. Jump Ball, says an aide of new candidate Joe Biden. Biden hopes his appeal to Baby Boomers will carry him forward. Dick Gephardt and Al Gore enter the race, swinging. Bush suffers a setback.
78 min
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YOU BREAK EVERYBODY'S BACK: The 1988 Presidenti...
52 min
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The UK GENERAL ELECTION 2024, w/Steve Byrne
The UK has a surprisingly early general election this year, one that will rap up on July 4th, oddly. We talk to former host of What Am Politics Podcast Steve Byrne to give us all the insights of what's going on. Plus, the UK's surprising historical election, 1992
64 min
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VACCINES THEN AND NOW
Vaccine history, acceptance and denial. The man who saved Boston and never got credit. Law and the citizen and medicine. FDR's polio - if it was polio - and what it meant for America. From 2014, with an update for...
70 min
65
HIGH NOON IN TRENTON - John Adams Takes a Stand...
With Jerry Landry of The Presidencies of The United States Podcast [https://www.presidenciespodcast.com/] we talk about a decisive point in John Adam's presidency where the capital moved to Trenton, and Adams had gone to Massachusetts. He comes back to take a decisive stand that will mean a lot for the history of the U.S. Presidency. Jerry's show can be found at - https://www.presidenciespodcast.com. The episode following this one is called "Some Awful Crisis" and it is at - https://www.presidenciespodcast.com/217-some-awful-crisis/ We are part of Airwave Media Network - www.airwavemedia.com
53 min
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Why Do NEBRASKA AND MAINE Vote for President Th...
It started with one guy's idea. And nothing happened with it until after he died. We look at the Maine and Nebraska congressional district system of Presidential elector assignment and its history as both the NE2 and ME2 went for different...
36 min
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STUDENT LOANS; A History of Ed Financing in th...
College costs have been an issue since the founding of the Republic, as we discuss in this issue, And equally, the desire to provide education to young minds has been strong. What's different about the era we live in is that college is closely associated with debt. Debt that cannot be removed by bankruptcy, and debt that is now considered a national problem. We look at student loans, their history, and on the way a bit of a history of American education. How Harvard isn't Harvard, in a manner of speaking. How Jefferson and Wilson got seriously involved in dorms. How Nixon created a monster, though we can say on purpose. How even education for GIs has been controversial, and how Senator Joe Biden played a role in the problem that President Joe Biden seeks to solve (or ameliorate). Thankful to Brian Stolk and Chris Novembrino who made contributions to research for this episode. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising - sales@advertisecast.com
87 min
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CARTER 1981
80 min
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CARTER 1979
In the third year of the Presidency, Jimmy Carter wrestles with combining the principles of his first term with realities of the American economy amid myriad domestic struggles, two hostage-taking incidents, and a intraparty political rival. He attempts to make a speech that will reconnect him with the American people. We are part of Airwave Media Network To advertise, email advertising@airwavemedia.com
97 min
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CARTER 1977
Can the Presidency be done differently? Can a President be less Imperial, more of a citizen, turning the thermostat down in the White House and carrying his own bags? In many ways, Jimmy Carter approached 1977 seeing himself in this light. We look at the first year of Carter's Presidency.
79 min
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WHISTLESTOP TRAIN CAMPAIGNS w/ Edward Segal
With Edward Segal, author of Whistle-Stop Politics, we talk about the unique method of campaigning for President - by train. And why it's not just a thing of the past. See more about Edward's book here: https://edwardsegal.com/whistle-stop-politics/ We are part of Airwave Media Network For more train politics stories, more 1988 election stories, and other things, join our Patreon - http://www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp
29 min
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Update on UK Politics with Stephen Byrne
58 min
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THE JACKSONIANS and Their Role in Today's Polit...
56 min
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FLORIDA MAN; The Go-Go Governorship of Claude K...
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FLORIDA MAN: The Go-Go Governorship of Claude K...
In his first and second years as an improbable GOP Governor in the South in the 1960's Kirk, tries out a new type of politics, at least new to the Sunshine State: confrontation. Equally with protestors, strikers, and polluters, he confronts them straight on. He also makes a miscalculation that will hurt his rep while he's winning a political victory.