My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

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

History
News
Politics
76
SECRECY AND DEMOCRACY, with Dr. Katlyn Carter o...
48 min
77
JOHN QUNICY ADAMS w/ Bob Crawford of The Road t...
With Bob Crawford, co-host of Road to Now Podcast and bassist for The Avett Brothers, we talk about the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. Bob's knowledge of this not well-known President shines through in the interview. He's recently completed a series FORTUNATE SON on JQA. We discuss not only his Presidency, but his post-Presidency. We also discuss Bob and Bruce's college experiences and New Jersey and national politics.
78 min
78
Running For President From Prison
The story of Eugene Debs and another case where a Presidential candidate ran from prison and compare - as well as contrast - with the current politics. Also a bit about experimental TV.
40 min
79
Eyewitness Accounts of COLUMBINE, JONESTOWN and...
Learn something new about major news events from the people there. We talk to Joshua Cohen of Eyewitness History Podcast (https://www.parthenonpodcast.com/eyewitness-history/). The excerpts from his interviews manage to knock down some of the myths about major historical events and news stories. We start with the principal of Columbine High School, there on that terrible day, and we go to the newsman covering The Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. We also talk to a Jonestown Massacre survivor, a member of the rock band Queen, and the so-called father of podcasting.
82 min
80
THREE POINT TWO: The Story of NEW DEAL BEER, Sc...
Before Prohibition could be repealed but after many Americans had grown tired of it, a novel political trick was tried - declaring beer was OK. Well a certain kind of beer, called 3.2. It only lasted eight months, though in many states it lasted longer and in one American state, is still law. We look at this forgotten part of the New Deal and how it provides an example of the role of science in American politics.
50 min
81
JFK at 106 – Searching for The True Kennedy (In...
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
55 min
82
Playing Cards With the Signers of The Declarati...
Break your news bubble and see biases in coverage clearly -Download our sponsor Ground News's App at - Ground.News/myhistory All about Signers in this one. We talk to Jason Petri, listener to MHCBUYP about his playing card deck project, and we discuss: :the lives of the signers What can Button Gwinnett, Stephen Hopkins or Thomas Heyward Jr. do for us? The importance of the Declaration, even when the country hasn't lived up always to the aspiration (with help from a former president for a good interpretation). The history of the actual document, and how it was saved from British capture. A reminder - we are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network - Check out great shows at airwavemedia.com Songs by Lee Rosevere - https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/ and Kevin MacLeod who has excellent jazz music opens our episode up.https://kevinmacleod.bandcamp.com/
68 min
83
W.E.B. DuBois and The Wounded World w/ Chad L. ...
In 1917, the most prominent spokesperson for African Americans, W.E.B. DuBois, shocked many when he threw his support behind enthusiastic and patriotic participation in World War I. He thought it was the key to expanding rights and treatment for African Americans. He was only to be later disappointed by the treatment of soldiers in France, the treatment of veterans when they came home, and the revision of history after the war to downplay accomplishments of African American soldiers. He struggled to write a book but could never come to terms with his own role in World War I and what came after. We discuss the life and legacy of the author and activist W.E.B. DuBois with Chad L. Williams, the Samuel J. and Augusta Spector Professor of History and African and African American Studies at Brandeis University.
31 min
84
The Supreme Court Story of Abe Fortas
Abe Fortas was a rising star on the Supreme Court. He argued a still-legendary case before it and then was appointed one of its justices. For many he was seen as the successor to Earl Warren. It was when he was nominated for Chief Justice that opposition cemented. He was too close to the President, too liberal on issues, and then there were disclosures of contributions he had received were revealed. After a drawn-out stalemate he withdrew his candidacy for Chief Justice. But it wouldn't stop there. Fortas also stepped down as an Associate Justice as the administration changed and political pressure increased. The Fortas case would be revealed later by insider and Watergate persona John Dean as part of an 'unpacking' plan that President Nixon had to reduce the left-lean of the Warren court, though it wasn't obvious at the time. But it's not that simple either. Fortas's case also has set a precedent for the danger of having a Justice with a close relationship to the Chief Executive.
42 min
85
Introducing - Founding Son: John Quincy's America
Introducing - Founding Son: John Quincy's America
3 min
86
FALL OF USSR: Bonus "Bloknot" (Notebook) Episode
More of the story - Boiler room bohemians, the coup before the coup, Soviet "Easterns" Cowboy Movies, cassette tapes of Vladimir Vysotsky, how to save money, USSR style, faking out the KGB and more.
72 min
87
FALL OF USSR: Part 6 - Two Bears in a Cave
A country is removed from the map in a week. There's more too than that, but it's not far from the most truthful description. The final episode of our series on the fall of the Soviet Union finds a rescued Gorbachev quickly realizing that he might be in yet another seizure of power. But this one happening quietly over a few tiring days. And with the support of the Russian people.
83 min
88
FALL OF USSR: Part 5 - I Cannot Forsake Princi...
The first blood is spilled. We look at the right-wing of Soviet Society which triggered the putsch. And the rebellious elements that also existed. Jeans, rock and roll, religion, revisionism and weakness. Music by Lee Rosevere and Theme Song by Chris Novembrino We are part of Airwave Media Network - check out Ben Franklin's World, Tea Time History, Redacted History, the History of China, The Explorers Podcast, The Age of Napoleon www.airwavemedia.com Want to Advertise on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics? sales@advertisecast.com
58 min
89
FALL OF USSR: Part 4 - Moscow Does Not Believe ...
As barricades are built and citizens turn to a protective barrier, the Soviet culture they come from might be the very thing that keeps them going. Music by Lee Rosevere and Theme by Chris Novembrino We are part of Airwave Media Network To hear the next two episodes right now - sign up for our Patreon Sponsor: Wondery's American Scandal Be Sure to Check Out Their Season on the Oklahoma City Bombing
67 min
90
FALL OF USSR: Part 3 - Athens vs. Sparta
Two institutions, the press and the military, may well determine the fate of the USSR on the night of August 19th, 1991. The Emergency Committee decides, it's time to explain themselves on TV. A reporter makes a fateful decision. So does another. A motley crowd is fashioned into an instant militia.
66 min
91
FALL OF USSR: Part 2 - The Steam Bath of History
Yeltzin has stood on a tank, but few have seen it. Crowds shift from the traditional protest places to a new one. They bring heavy metal. What on Zemlya is happening? It all starts in a steam bath. Sort of. In order to understand the events of August 19th, 1991, it's necessary to look back. Particularly at 1989, when the most orderly country on earth became the most unpredictable. Music by Lee Rosevere and Theme Song by Chris Novembrino We are part of Airwave Media Network - check out Ben Franklin's World, Tea Time History, Redacted History, the History of China, The Explorers Podcast, The Age of Napoleon www.airwavemedia.com Want to Advertise on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics? sales@advertisecast.com
42 min
92
FALL OF USSR: Part 1: Wake Up, Cassandra!
Soviet citizens wake up to tanks outside their windows in 1991. Media is censored. The President is detained. Another president escapes, maybe just escapes... A third President is powerless. Is this the end of everything?
63 min
93
"WRONG FOREVER ON THE THRONE!" - William Jennin...
The Democratic Party had a problem in the nineteen teens and twenties. What to do with a candidate that could stir up crowds but not enough electoral votes? Though pleased to nominate him in 1896 and introduce a new kind of politics to their party, some Democrats grew tired of William Jennings Bryan especially in his later years as his fundamentalism turned to alcohol, evolution and an arguable Southern favoritism. Also a brief look at his daughter, Ruth Bryan Owen
49 min
94
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ELECTION of 1855, 20th Ame...
We talk a bit about Nathaniel Banks, the Speaker of The House of Representatives that (still) took the most ballots to be elected. Kevin McCarthy joins the ranks of Speakers that needed multiple ballots - we discuss the implications. A brief look at Frederick Gillett, the last Speaker to even need two ballots in 1923, and then a look at why Congress starts on January 3rd.
47 min
95
THEY COULDN"T STOP DYING - THE ODD STORY OF THE...
The 72nd Congress of 1931 was, as elected, a very narrow Republican House 218 R - 217 D. Close, but for President Hoover, good enough. That is until, 14 Congressmen-elect died. Not all at once - that would be weird - over 13 months, for all kinds of reasons but heart attacks and pneumonias leading the list. When special elections were held, it went 218 D and 216 R. 1 Farm Laborer supported the Democrats so 219-216. We talk about this curious case. We also talk about the 14 Congressmen-elect who had some interesting biographies. And we talk Herbert Hoover and the spin he (tried to) put on The Great Depression. We are part of Airwave Media Podcast Network. www.airwavemedia.com Advertise? sales@advertisecast.com
40 min
96
Leap to Freedom: Hans Konrad Schumann's Story
One three-second period changed the life of an East German soldier. Stories of freedom and oppression feature heavily on this hodge-podcast episode, the Berlin Wall, the Uruguay dictatorship of the 70's and 80's, a bit about Grover Cleveland and a bit about Charles III.
52 min
97
Soccer and Repression: The 1978 World Cup in Ar...
As the world attention focuses on a soccer game, behind the surface is a disturbingly hidden suppression of a previously strong democracy.
45 min
98
Close Encounters of the CONGRESS KIND: The (Re...
46 min
99
The Youth Vote: John Lennon's Dream, Nixon's Ni...
A discussion of the 26th Amendment, the story behind it. John Lennon and his attempt to mobilize youth voting, and how Nixon countered it. And a look at the 18-29 year-old vote in recent elections including the recent midterm. Parts from 2013 and parts recorded this year.
38 min
100
You Can't Always Get What You Want? The 2022 Mi...
Call 2022 the Mick Jagger midterm - neither party got fully what they wanted. Both parties experienced win and losses. It is, so far, largely a "stave midterm" where the President's party lost less seats than expected - we've discussed a few of these on this podcast, and thus for the party expected to have lost seats a kind of win. Yet in this case as opposed to other 'stave' midterms, the President's Party looks like they will lose the house. So when is a win a win and a loss a loss? Is this like the 1970, 1990 or 1994 or 1974 elections? We discuss all this and talk about a midterm in the past.
61 min