S1 Ep75: PREVIEW. Hezbollah Rises Again: Unfinished Business and Ceasefire Breaches in Lebanon. Edmund Fitton-Brown described Hezbollah as a "punched out fighter on the mat getting up slowly," rearming to a new scale of threat. There is definitely "unfinished busi
PREVIEW. Hezbollah Rises Again: Unfinished Business and Ceasefire Breaches in Lebanon. Edmund Fitton-Brown described Hezbollah as a "punched out fighter on the mat getting up slowly," rearming to a new scale of threat. There is definitely "unfinished business in Lebanon." Hezbollah intends to break the ceasefire, which is monitored by the United States and Israel. The Lebanese state has shown r...
3m Nov 10, 2025
3m
S1 Ep75: PREVIEW. Russia Attacks Ukraine's Energy Nodes: Expecting a Hard Winter. John Hardie discusses Russia's attacks on Ukrainian energy nodes, meaning large cities like Kyiv may only have about 12 hours of electricity daily. This lack of power will put extrem
PREVIEW. Russia Attacks Ukraine's Energy Nodes: Expecting a Hard Winter. John Hardie discusses Russia's attacks on Ukrainian energy nodes, meaning large cities like Kyiv may only have about 12 hours of electricity daily. This lack of power will put extreme pressure on Ukrainian civilian life during the winter. Moscow hopes freezing the population will break Ukrainian will and add leverage to th...
1m Nov 10, 2025
1m
S1 Ep75: PREVIEW. Analyzing the Gaza 'Board of Peace' Proposal: Security and Trust Concerns. Bill Roggio analyzed the US 10-point Gaza proposal, which creates a political/technical "board of peace" to supervise rebuilding until it is replaced by Gazans in 2027. Cr
PREVIEW. Analyzing the Gaza 'Board of Peace' Proposal: Security and Trust Concerns. Bill Roggio analyzed the US 10-point Gaza proposal, which creates a political/technical "board of peace" to supervise rebuilding until it is replaced by Gazans in 2027. Crucially, the plan does not provide for security. Key issues include determining who will comprise the board, who will provide security forces,...
2m Nov 10, 2025
2m
S1 Ep75: PREVIEW. China's Narrative of Western Decline: Targeting Europe and US Colonial History. Steve Yates discussed China's political warfare suggesting Europe and the United States are colonial masters in "severe decline." China points to population decline,
PREVIEW. China's Narrative of Western Decline: Targeting Europe and US Colonial History. Steve Yates discussed China's political warfare suggesting Europe and the United States are colonial masters in "severe decline." China points to population decline, demographic changes, and the degradation of their projection of power. China's narrative targets both the US and Europe, suggesting Europe is ...
2m Nov 10, 2025
2m
S1 Ep74: PREVIEW. Canadian-Chinese Struggles; China's Campaign Against Pessimism and Public Discontent. Charles Burton discusses China's campaign to discourage pessimism on social media, noting that while severe censorship works, unhappiness persists privately amo
PREVIEW. Canadian-Chinese Struggles; China's Campaign Against Pessimism and Public Discontent. Charles Burton discusses China's campaign to discourage pessimism on social media, noting that while severe censorship works, unhappiness persists privately among family and friends, leading to growing frustration. The discontent with Xi Jinping's leadership is profound. This is exacerbated by him dec...
2m Nov 10, 2025
2m
S1 Ep74: PREVIEW. US 10-Point Plan for Reorganizing and Rebuilding Gaza; Focus on Internationalism. David Daoud discusses the US 10-point plan for rebuilding Gaza as an opening negotiation tactic focused on achieving active international engagement. Rebuilding Gaz
PREVIEW. US 10-Point Plan for Reorganizing and Rebuilding Gaza; Focus on Internationalism. David Daoud discusses the US 10-point plan for rebuilding Gaza as an opening negotiation tactic focused on achieving active international engagement. Rebuilding Gaza requires "all hands" as well as lots of money and patience. The US is seeking this international community involvement because it has "no in...
2m Nov 10, 2025
2m
S1 Ep73: The Decline of Democracy: Autocracy and Oligarchy on the Rise. Gaius and Germanicus discuss Michael McFaul's hypothesis that democracy is in recession and autocracy is ascendant. Germanicus concurs, blaming "Blue" (Democrats) for pursuing steps that stri
The Decline of Democracy: Autocracy and Oligarchy on the Rise. Gaius and Germanicus discuss Michael McFaul's hypothesis that democracy is in recession and autocracy is ascendant. Germanicus concurs, blaming "Blue" (Democrats) for pursuing steps that strip the nation of its Republican character, including efforts to control media and censor, which he terms "creeping authoritarianism." He cites e...
12m Nov 10, 2025
12m
S1 Ep73: Domestic Crisis: US Political Conflict Compared to Charles I and the Long Parliament. Gaius and Germanicus, speaking in Londinium, explore a significant domestic threat to the American Empire by drawing an analogy to 1641-1642 England, prior to the regici
Domestic Crisis: US Political Conflict Compared to Charles I and the Long Parliament. Gaius and Germanicus, speaking in Londinium, explore a significant domestic threat to the American Empire by drawing an analogy to 1641-1642 England, prior to the regicide of Charles I. They argue that the current US "emperor" is ignoring the repudiation registered by a recent vote, similar to Charles I ignori...
21m Nov 10, 2025
21m
S1 Ep73: Russian Aggression, NATO Tensions, and the Specter of 1914. Gaius and Germanicus, hosting the Friends of History Debating Society in Londinium, discuss the future of the Roman Empire's inheritor, the United States, and its empire in the 21st century. The
Russian Aggression, NATO Tensions, and the Specter of 1914. Gaius and Germanicus, hosting the Friends of History Debating Society in Londinium, discuss the future of the Roman Empire's inheritor, the United States, and its empire in the 21st century. The conversation, held by the turbulent Thames, focuses on the extreme challenges facing US institutions, both outside and inside its borders. The...
21m Nov 10, 2025
21m
S1 Ep72: Origins of Water and Organic Molecules in Space4. Greg Brennecka explores the origins of life's ingredients, noting that Earth, Mars, and meteorites are fundamentally made of the same materials, with meteorites delivering complex organic molecules contai
Origins of Water and Organic Molecules in Space4.  Greg Brennecka explores the origins of life's ingredients, noting that Earth, Mars, and meteorites are fundamentally made of the same materials, with meteorites delivering complex organic molecules containing carbon. While life needs rock, energy, and water, scientists suspect Earth's water may have settled back after being liberated during the...
10m Nov 10, 2025
10m
S1 Ep72: Classification and Dating of Meteorites 3. Cosmochemist Greg Brennecka details meteorite classifications, emphasizing chondrites—primitive, unmelted samples representing the early molecular cloud and serving as the "baby book" of the solar system—whereas
Classification and Dating of Meteorites 3.  Cosmochemist Greg Brennecka details meteorite classifications, emphasizing chondrites—primitive, unmelted samples representing the early molecular cloud and serving as the "baby book" of the solar system—whereas acondrites have been melted and often come from differentiated or disrupted planets. Brennecka specializes in Calcium Aluminum-rich Inclusion...
13m Nov 10, 2025
13m
S1 Ep72: Asteroid Belt and Meteorite Origins (Solar System Formation) Greg Brennecka discusses the origins of objects falling to Earth, explaining that the asteroid belt's location is determined by the movement of large planets like Jupiter and Saturn, whose grav
Asteroid Belt and Meteorite Origins (Solar System Formation 2.  Greg Brennecka discusses the origins of objects falling to Earth, explaining that the asteroid belt's location is determined by the movement of large planets like Jupiter and Saturn, whose gravitational interactions swept material into specific resonance zones. Cosmochemists can link meteorites back to parent bodies such as Vesta b...
9m Nov 10, 2025
9m
S1 Ep72: GREG BRENNECKA: IMPACT—HOW ROCKS FROM SPACE LED TO LIFE, CULTURE, AND DONKEY KONG Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong Cosmochemist Greg Brennecka discusses the history of meteoritics, beginning with the documentation of a m
GREG BRENNECKA: IMPACT—HOW ROCKS FROM SPACE LED TO LIFE, CULTURE, AND DONKEY KONG Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong Cosmochemist Greg Brennecka discusses the history of meteoritics, beginning with the documentation of a meteor shower in Normandy, France, in 1803 by Jean Baptiste Biot, which validated the celestial origin of falling rocks and proved they fell a...
13m Nov 10, 2025
13m
S1 Ep71: 8. The Final Negotiations and Hitler's Appointment. Tim Ryback discusses how on January 30, 1933, Hitler required the support of media magnate Alfred Hugenberg (40 seats) to achieve the coalition necessary for Hindenburg to appoint him Chancellor. Hugenbe
8. The Final Negotiations and Hitler's Appointment. Tim Ryback discusses how on January 30, 1933, Hitler required the support of media magnate Alfred Hugenberg (40 seats) to achieve the coalition necessary for Hindenburg to appoint him Chancellor. Hugenberg, who sought to be Minister of Economics, desperately opposed Hitler's primary demand: holding new Reichstag elections. Hugenberg knew elect...
7m Nov 10, 2025
7m
S1 Ep71: 7. Schleicher's Dismissal and Hindenburg's Manipulation. Timothy Ryback discusses how on January 28, 1933, Chancellor Schleicher requested six months of martial law from Hindenburg to allow the politically deteriorating Nazi party to stabilize and restore
7. Schleicher's Dismissal and Hindenburg's Manipulation. Timothy Ryback discusses how on January 28, 1933, Chancellor Schleicher requested six months of martial law from Hindenburg to allow the politically deteriorating Nazi party to stabilize and restore democracy. Hindenburg, angered by Schleicher trying to dictate terms and preempting the decision in a newspaper, dismissed him. Schleicher im...
12m Nov 10, 2025
12m
S1 Ep71: 6. Continued Defeats, Financial Ruin, and Schleicher's Strategy. Timothy Ryback discusses how the Nazi party continued its decline, suffering losses in Thuringia and facing severe financial ruin, estimated to be 90 million Reichsmarks in debt. A desperate
6. Continued Defeats, Financial Ruin, and Schleicher's Strategy. Timothy Ryback discusses how the Nazi party continued its decline, suffering losses in Thuringia and facing severe financial ruin, estimated to be 90 million Reichsmarks in debt. A desperate push for a majority in the small state of Lippe in January failed, though Hitler publicly declared it a triumph. Simultaneously, Chancellor S...
7m Nov 10, 2025
7m
S1 Ep71: 5. Hitler's Post-Defeat Meetings and Internal Rift. Timothy Ryback discusses how following his November defeat, Hitler remained driven. Former Chancellor Papen, the most unpopular chancellor in German history, sought a meeting, hoping Hitler was weakened
5. Hitler's Post-Defeat Meetings and Internal Rift. Timothy Ryback discusses how following his November defeat, Hitler remained driven. Former Chancellor Papen, the most unpopular chancellor in German history, sought a meeting, hoping Hitler was weakened enough to join a necessary coalition. Hitler rejected Papen, knowing he was in trouble. A subsequent meeting with Hindenburg also failed, rein...
11m Nov 10, 2025
11m
S1 Ep71: 4. Hitler's Aerial Campaign and the November Defeat. Tim Ryback discusses how ahead of the November 6th election, Hitler campaigned intensively using an airplane—a strategy known as Hitler Über Deutschland—to circumvent media bans and reach "heartland Ger
4. Hitler's Aerial Campaign and the November Defeat. Tim Ryback discusses how ahead of the November 6th election, Hitler campaigned intensively using an airplane—a strategy known as Hitler Über Deutschland—to circumvent media bans and reach "heartland Germany" multiple times a day. His campaign targeted Alfred Hugenberg, a consequential media magnate who controlled 4,600 newspapers and had the ...
10m Nov 10, 2025
10m
S1 Ep71: 3. Gridlock and the Dissolution of the Reichstag. Timothy Ryback discusses how following Hitler's August refusal to cooperate, the Nazis actively used "obstructionist politics" to gridlock and paralyze the legislative system, using their 37% of seats to d
3. Gridlock and the Dissolution of the Reichstag. Timothy Ryback discusses how following Hitler's August refusal to cooperate, the Nazis actively used "obstructionist politics" to gridlock and paralyze the legislative system, using their 37% of seats to destroy democracy with its own tools. Because no laws could be passed, President Hindenburg frequently resorted to constitutional powers (Artic...
10m Nov 10, 2025
10m
S1 Ep71: 2. Key Players in the Rise to Power. Timothy Ryback introduces core players in the 1932–1933 drama. Gregor Strasser was critical to the NSDAP, balancing Hitler's fanatic nationalism with a committed socialist agenda, functioning as a popular coalition bui
2. Key Players in the Rise to Power. Timothy Ryback introduces core players in the 1932–1933 drama. Gregor Strasser was critical to the NSDAP, balancing Hitler's fanatic nationalism with a committed socialist agenda, functioning as a popular coalition builder. On the establishment side were Chancellor Papen and Minister of Defense Schleicher. Schleicher was the political mastermind and "key pow...
6m Nov 10, 2025
6m
S1 Ep70: 1. Hitler's Refusal of a Coalition Role. Timothy Ryback details the pivotal meeting on August 13, 1932, between President Paul von Hindenburg and Adolf Hitler. Following the Nazi party's strong electoral performance (37%), Hitler expected the Chancellorsh
1. Hitler's Refusal of a Coalition Role. Timothy Ryback details the pivotal meeting on August 13, 1932, between President Paul von Hindenburg and Adolf Hitler. Following the Nazi party's strong electoral performance (37%), Hitler expected the Chancellorship. Hindenburg, however, only offered him a role "participating in the government." Hitler immediately refused, stating "no," because he was a...
12m Nov 10, 2025
12m
S1 Ep69: Patterns of Isolation and Continuity in the Americas Professor Meltzer notes that rapid dispersal and substantial population increase characterized the first peoples in the Americas, leading to early isolation and the emergence of subgroups through both
Patterns of Isolation and Continuity in the Americas 4. Professor Meltzer notes that rapid dispersal and substantial population increase characterized the first peoples in the Americas, leading to early isolation and the emergence of subgroups through both geographic constraints like the Andes Mountains and social isolation due to increasing territoriality. Some areas show strong genomic contin...
9m Nov 10, 2025
9m
S1 Ep69: Ancestral Native American Dispersal and Admixture 3. Meltzer describes the dispersal of the first peoples into the Americas, explaining that ancestral Native Americans likely arrived first and made it south of the ice sheets, splitting into Northern and S
Ancestral Native American Dispersal and Admixture 3. Meltzer describes the dispersal of the first peoples into the Americas, explaining that ancestral Native Americans likely arrived first and made it south of the ice sheets, splitting into Northern and Southern groups with the Southern group dispersing rapidly toward Tierra del Fuego. This rapid dispersal into completely unknown, people-free l...
12m Nov 10, 2025
12m
S1 Ep69: Migration Routes and Genetic Groups 2. Professor Meltzer details the migration routes of ancestral Native Americans, explaining that while they crossed the land bridge during maximum glaciation, they were initially trapped in Alaska by two vast continenta
Migration Routes and Genetic Groups 2. Professor Meltzer details the migration routes of ancestral Native Americans, explaining that while they crossed the land bridge during maximum glaciation, they were initially trapped in Alaska by two vast continental ice sheets. The "ice free corridor" along the Rockies was not a viable route until around 13,000 years ago, so the likely path was down the ...
6m Nov 10, 2025
6m
S1 Ep69: DAVID MELTZER: PEOPLING OF THE AMERICAS Peopling of the Americas as Inferred from Ancient Genomics 1. Professor David Meltzer, an archaeologist, discusses how genomics provides a breakthrough over earlier methods like mitochondrial DNA by using the entir
DAVID MELTZER: PEOPLING OF THE AMERICAS Peopling of the Americas as Inferred from Ancient Genomics 1. Professor David Meltzer, an archaeologist, discusses how genomics provides a breakthrough over earlier methods like mitochondrial DNA by using the entire genome to reveal the complex tapestry of ancestry, showing mixing and cross-breeding among populations. Ancestral Native Americans arose fro...
13m Nov 10, 2025
13m
S1 Ep68: Dallas the Dog Welcomes Skittish Sparrows. Jeremy details Dallas's affinity for birds, noting that usually skittish common garden sparrows are now drinking and eating from the dog's bowls. The destructive cockatoos, while still present and stripping pine
Dallas the Dog Welcomes Skittish Sparrows. Jeremy details Dallas's affinity for birds, noting that usually skittish common garden sparrows are now drinking and eating from the dog's bowls. The destructive cockatoos, while still present and stripping pine trees, have thankfully avoided attacking the damaged roof. Crows remain cautious, staying distant to avoid aerial "dogfights" with the aggress...
7m Nov 09, 2025
7m
S1 Ep68: Ashes Cricket: Injury Risks and Unknown Opponents. Jeremy Zakis discusses the upcoming Ashes contest, noting both Australia and England are good teams with unknowns. Australia aims to match England's power but faces risks from older, injury-prone players,
Ashes Cricket: Injury Risks and Unknown Opponents. Jeremy Zakis discusses the upcoming Ashes contest, noting both Australia and England are good teams with unknowns. Australia aims to match England's power but faces risks from older, injury-prone players, including captain Pat Cummins. The series outcome depends heavily on the English team's strategy (fast, slow, power, or spinning). 1898
4m Nov 09, 2025
4m
S1 Ep68: Snakes in Pools and Magpie Attacks on Cyclists. Jeremy discusses the prevalence of snakes, noting that it is illegal to kill them, and they are frequently attracted to swimming pools, seeking water and warmth in filters or motors. He warns that even libra
  Snakes in Pools and Magpie Attacks on Cyclists. Jeremy discusses the prevalence of snakes, noting that it is illegal to kill them, and they are frequently attracted to swimming pools, seeking water and warmth in filters or motors. He warns that even libraries are not safe from brown snakes. He also highlights an experiment examining why magpies aggressively attack cyclists more than other peo...
11m Nov 09, 2025
11m
S1 Ep68: Australian Weather: Four Seasons in a Week. Jeremy describes Australia's weather as an "eclectic cacophony," experiencing four seasons in one week, including 80°F days and brutally cold winter-like maximums. Severe storms and reported nighttime funnels hi
Australian Weather: Four Seasons in a Week. Jeremy describes Australia's weather as an "eclectic cacophony," experiencing four seasons in one week, including 80°F days and brutally cold winter-like maximums. Severe storms and reported nighttime funnels hit Queensland. The rapid growth of foliage due to this erratic weather is a dangerous omen, potentially creating extra fuel for future summer f...
8m Nov 09, 2025
8m
S1 Ep67: 4. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. The discussion critiques the indiscriminate government funding of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which subsidized well-endowed institutions and missed
4. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. The discussion critiques the indiscriminate government funding of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), which subsidized well-endowed institutions and missed future innovators, thereby slowing the natural process of working out what is "good and what's bad." Government lending programs inevitably co...
11m Nov 09, 2025
11m
S1 Ep67: 3. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. This excerpt examines the federal government's response, characterized as a partial command economy imposed after state lockdowns. John Tamny contends that Wa
3. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. This excerpt examines the federal government's response, characterized as a partial command economy imposed after state lockdowns. John Tamny contends that Washington threw trillions of dollars at the collapse it subsidized, delaying recovery. He refutes the premise that cash handouts stimulate grow...
10m Nov 09, 2025
10m
S1 Ep67: 2. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. The conversation reviews the governors' initial promise of two-week lockdowns, noting that centralized power is rarely relinquished. The economic crisis deepe
2. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. The conversation reviews the governors' initial promise of two-week lockdowns, noting that centralized power is rarely relinquished. The economic crisis deepened as epidemiologists and experts supplanted the collective knowledge of the marketplace, resulting in central planning, mass unemployment, a...
8m Nov 09, 2025
8m
S1 Ep67: 1. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. John Tamny discusses the severe economic contraction initiated by mandated lockdowns, such as Governor Cuomo's March 20, 2020, order in New York. Tamny argues
1. When Politicians Panicked: The New Coronavirus, Expert Opinion, and a Tragic Lapse of Reason. John Tamny discusses the severe economic contraction initiated by mandated lockdowns, such as Governor Cuomo's March 20, 2020, order in New York. Tamny argues that politicians caused the crisis by forcing successful businesses to cease operations. These sudden actions by major economies forced globa...
11m Nov 09, 2025
11m
S1 Ep66: 8. The Trans Earth Injection, Lovell's Navigation Error, and the Successful Reentry. Bob Zimmerman discusses how the Trans Earth Injection (TEI) was the mission's second moment of highest risk, requiring the non-redundant SPS engine to fire on the backsid
8. The Trans Earth Injection, Lovell's Navigation Error, and the Successful Reentry. Bob Zimmerman discusses how the Trans Earth Injection (TEI) was the mission's second moment of highest risk, requiring the non-redundant SPS engine to fire on the backside of the moon to propel them back to Earth. Susan Borman had been most anxious about this burn, knowing failure meant certain death in lunar o...
10m Nov 08, 2025
10m
S1 Ep65: 7. The Iconic Earthrise Photo and the Genesis Reading Broadcast. Bob Zimmerman discusses how while orbiting the moon, the crew captured the now-iconic "Earthrise" photographs. A dispute over who took the famous color picture was resolved by transcript ana
7. The Iconic Earthrise Photo and the Genesis Reading Broadcast. Bob Zimmerman discusses how while orbiting the moon, the crew captured the now-iconic "Earthrise" photographs. A dispute over who took the famous color picture was resolved by transcript analysis: Frank Borman quickly took a black-and-white image, and Bill Anders subsequently captured the celebrated color image after scrambling to...
10m Nov 08, 2025
10m
S1 Ep65: 6. The Cold War Context and the Tragedy of a Government-Controlled Space Program. Bob Zimmerman discusses how the Apollo 8 mission was embedded in the global Cold War and the extreme chaos of 1968, marked by political turmoil and assassinations. The space
6. The Cold War Context and the Tragedy of a Government-Controlled Space Program. Bob Zimmerman discusses how the Apollo 8 mission was embedded in the global Cold War and the extreme chaos of 1968, marked by political turmoil and assassinations. The space race was intended as a demonstration that America, as a free society, could achieve great things better than the Soviet top-down system. Whil...
8m Nov 08, 2025
8m
S1 Ep65: 5. Lunar Orbit Insertion and the Disappointment of the Moon's Surface. Bob Zimmerman discusses how on Christmas Eve, Apollo 8 approached the moon. The critical moment was Lunar Orbit Injection (LOI), requiring the firing of the Service Propulsion System (
5. Lunar Orbit Insertion and the Disappointment of the Moon's Surface. Bob Zimmerman discusses how on Christmas Eve, Apollo 8 approached the moon. The critical moment was Lunar Orbit Injection (LOI), requiring the firing of the Service Propulsion System (SPS) engine. This burn had to occur while the craft was behind the moon, resulting in a dramatic Loss of Signal (LOS) for Earth. Susan Borman ...
10m Nov 08, 2025
10m
S1 Ep65: 4. The Failure of the Soviet Zond Program and the Decision to Gamble on Apollo 8. Bob Zimmerman discusses the fierce moon race with the Soviet Union's Roscosmos, which utilized the Zond capsule for circumlunar missions. Zond 5 and 6, launched in late 1968
4. The Failure of the Soviet Zond Program and the Decision to Gamble on Apollo 8. Bob Zimmerman discusses the fierce moon race with the Soviet Union's Roscosmos, which utilized the Zond capsule for circumlunar missions. Zond 5 and 6, launched in late 1968, suffered critical failures (guidance system and atmosphere loss, respectively), forcing the Soviets to cancel their planned manned December ...
9m Nov 08, 2025
9m
S1 Ep65: 3. Launch Mechanics, Primitive Technology, and Trans Lunar Injection. Bob Zimmerman discusses how Apollo 8 launched on December 21, 1968, the first day of its window, following a smooth ride on the powerful Saturn 5 rocket. Engineers had mitigated the "po
3. Launch Mechanics, Primitive Technology, and Trans Lunar Injection. Bob Zimmerman discusses how Apollo 8 launched on December 21, 1968, the first day of its window, following a smooth ride on the powerful Saturn 5 rocket. Engineers had mitigated the "pogo" vibration effects that plagued earlier test flights. After one Earth orbit to verify systems, they performed the Trans Lunar Injection (TL...
7m Nov 08, 2025
7m
S1 Ep65: 2. The Apollo 8 Crew, Cold War Context, and Reliance on the Saturn 5 Booster. Bob Zimmerman introduces the Apollo 8 crew—Commander Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and rookie William Anders—set against the backdrop of the intense global Cold War in late 1968. Bo
2. The Apollo 8 Crew, Cold War Context, and Reliance on the Saturn 5 Booster. Bob Zimmerman introduces the Apollo 8 crew—Commander Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and rookie William Anders—set against the backdrop of the intense global Cold War in late 1968. Borman was selected for his honesty and dedication to duty, ensuring the mission's success after his role in investigating the Apollo 1 tragedy....
12m Nov 08, 2025
12m
S1 Ep65: 1. Apollo 1 and Soyuz 1 Disasters: Rushing the Space Race. Bob Zimmerman discusses the major setbacks suffered by both nations in 1967. In January, the Apollo 1 fire occurred during a launchpad rehearsal, killing astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee. Th
1. Apollo 1 and Soyuz 1 Disasters: Rushing the Space Race. Bob Zimmerman discusses the major setbacks suffered by both nations in 1967. In January, the Apollo 1 fire occurred during a launchpad rehearsal, killing astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffee. The cause was carelessness: a spark ignited flammable materials in the pure oxygen atmosphere, trapping the crew because the hatch could only be...
8m Nov 08, 2025
8m
S1 Ep65: 4. Post-Apollo Budget Cuts and the Rise of Robotic Mars Exploration. Matthew Shindell discusses how following the success of Apollo, NASA proposed extending the human space program to Mars. However, President Nixon, recognizing shifting political prioriti
4. Post-Apollo Budget Cuts and the Rise of Robotic Mars Exploration. Matthew Shindell discusses how following the success of Apollo, NASA proposed extending the human space program to Mars. However, President Nixon, recognizing shifting political priorities, chose to divert funding toward domestic issues like civil rights and poverty. As a result, NASA's post-Apollo budget levels dropped signif...
6m Nov 08, 2025
6m
S1 Ep65: 3. From Newtonian Physics to Canals: Projecting Life onto Mars. Matthew Shindell discusses how the shift from ancient cosmology to modern science was a slow process, with figures like Galileo and Newton developing new observations and physics. Enlightenme
3. From Newtonian Physics to Canals: Projecting Life onto Mars. Matthew Shindell discusses how the shift from ancient cosmology to modern science was a slow process, with figures like Galileo and Newton developing new observations and physics. Enlightenment thinkers, including Buffon and Laplace, began searching for a natural (rather than divine) origin for the solar system, establishing that t...
14m Nov 08, 2025
14m
S1 Ep65: 2. The Islamic World's Scientific Contributions and Mars in Medieval Thought. Matthew Shindell highlights an intellectual renaissance in the Islamic world—specifically Baghdad and Damascus—between the 10th and 16th centuries, which was vital while Europe
2. The Islamic World's Scientific Contributions and Mars in Medieval Thought. Matthew Shindell highlights an intellectual renaissance in the Islamic world—specifically Baghdad and Damascus—between the 10th and 16th centuries, which was vital while Europe was experiencing its "Dark Ages." Through translation and original work, Islamic scholars built upon ancient knowledge, fueling a great intell...
5m Nov 08, 2025
5m
S1 Ep65: 2. The Islamic World's Scientific Contributions and Mars in Medieval Thought. Matthew Shindell highlights an intellectual renaissance in the Islamic world—specifically Baghdad and Damascus—between the 10th and 16th centuries, which was vital while Europe
2. The Islamic World's Scientific Contributions and Mars in Medieval Thought. Matthew Shindell highlights an intellectual renaissance in the Islamic world—specifically Baghdad and Damascus—between the 10th and 16th centuries, which was vital while Europe was experiencing its "Dark Ages." Through translation and original work, Islamic scholars built upon ancient knowledge, fueling a great intell...
10m Nov 08, 2025
10m
S1 Ep65: 1. Ancient Interpretations of Mars, Cosmology, and the Roots of Astronomy. Matthew Shindell examines how ancient civilizations viewed Mars, often anthropomorphizing it or seeing it as a communicator of heavenly will. The Mayans, observing Mars's bright ap
1. Ancient Interpretations of Mars, Cosmology, and the Roots of Astronomy. Matthew Shindell examines how ancient civilizations viewed Mars, often anthropomorphizing it or seeing it as a communicator of heavenly will. The Mayans, observing Mars's bright appearance during opposition and subsequent retrograde motion, depicted it in the Dresden Codex, which archaeologists call the "Mars beast." In ...
13m Nov 08, 2025
13m
S1 Ep64: The Local Arm of the Milky Way and the Sun's Changing Place. Dr. Ken Croswell discusses new revelations about the Milky Way, a spiral galaxy. The Sun is in the local arm, also called the Orion arm, which is a vigorous star nursery containing the Orion Neb
The Local Arm of the Milky Way and the Sun's Changing Place. Dr. Ken Croswell discusses new revelations about the Milky Way, a spiral galaxy. The Sun is in the local arm, also called the Orion arm, which is a vigorous star nursery containing the Orion Nebula. Previously considered a minor spur, the local arm is now known to be substantial, extending at least 26,000 light-years. Observations rel...
7m Nov 08, 2025
7m
S1 Ep64: The Local Arm of the Milky Way and the Sun's Changing Place. Dr. Ken Croswell discusses new revelations about the Milky Way, a spiral galaxy. The Sun is in the local arm, also called the Orion arm, which is a vigorous star nursery containing the Orion Neb
The Local Arm of the Milky Way and the Sun's Changing Place. Dr. Ken Croswell discusses new revelations about the Milky Way, a spiral galaxy. The Sun is in the local arm, also called the Orion arm, which is a vigorous star nursery containing the Orion Nebula. Previously considered a minor spur, the local arm is now known to be substantial, extending at least 26,000 light-years. Observations rel...
14m Nov 08, 2025
14m
S1 Ep63: SHOW 11-7-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE MUCH DEBATED AI VALUATIONS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 California Politics and West Coast Issues. Jeff Bliss reports on California Governor Gavin Newsom's successful
SHOW 11-7-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE MUCH DEBATED AI VALUATIONS. FIRST HOUR 9-915 California Politics and West Coast Issues. Jeff Bliss reports on California Governor Gavin Newsom's successful Proposition 50 to reshape congressional districts, a move linked to increasing Newsom's presidential visibility. Newsom's public persona is incr...
6m Nov 08, 2025
6m
S1 Ep62: The Trillion-Dollar Space Race: Musk (Hare) vs. Bezos (Tortoise). Richard Smith compares the space race between Elon Musk's SpaceX ("the hare") and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin ("the tortoise"). Blue Origin operates under the cautious motto Gradatim Ferociter
The Trillion-Dollar Space Race: Musk (Hare) vs. Bezos (Tortoise). Richard Smith compares the space race between Elon Musk's SpaceX ("the hare") and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin ("the tortoise"). Blue Origin operates under the cautious motto Gradatim Ferociter, funded by Bezos's personal wealth, aiming to move heavy industry off Earth. SpaceX is driven by Musk's "existential" goal to make humanity i...
8m Nov 08, 2025
8m