243: Shore Thing: A History of the Beach
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne, and Brian dip their toes into four tales from America’s shoreline.
51m Mar 15, 2019
51m
271: Oh, Bloody Hell: BackStory’s History of Profanity in America
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian and Nathan look at the history of profanity in America.
55m Mar 08, 2019
55m
270: Shattering the Glass Ceiling in America: BackStory Celebrates Women's History Month
On this episode of BackStory, Brian showcases our favorite segments that highlight female achievement in American history.
38m Mar 01, 2019
38m
269: Man vs. the Machine: Technophobia and American Society
What drives people to reject technology? Though American society has been driven by technological leaps forward, not everyone has come along for the ride. We explore the strain of technophobia in American society from Neo-Luddism to Sabbatarianism and the anti-technology terrorism of the Unabomber. About the image: Original Film Title: METROPOLIS. English Title: METROPOLIS. Film Director: FRITZ...
41m Feb 22, 2019
41m
268: Love Off Limits: A History of the Relationships Once Considered Taboo in America
In this episode, Joanne, Brian, and Nathan discuss stories of love that challenged social norms and transcended class, race, and gender. They explore how people subverted laws banning interracial marriage, and why a wave of heiresses running away with their coachmen caused a moral panic in the Gilded Age.
50m Feb 15, 2019
50m
267: The Faces of Racism: A History of Blackface and Minstrelsy in American Culture
Nathan talks with historian Rhae Lynn Barnes (https://history.princeton.edu/people/rhae-lynn-barnes) about Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s 1984 yearbook page and its link to a long and disturbing history of blackface minstrelsy. They discuss how white civic organizations used minstrel shows for fundraising, why the era known as Jim Crow is named after a minstrel character, and what must happe...
35m Feb 08, 2019
35m
266: BlackStory: BackStory Celebrates Black History Month with a Compilation
Nathan showcases some of BackStory’s best content about African American history in honor of Black History Month. In this episode, hear about one historian’s heartbreaking research into the human effects of lynching to the extraordinary story of Korla Pandit, the turban-wearing showman of California’s cocktail lounges. We’re also sharing a segment from “Scene On Radio (https://www.sceneonradio....
52m Feb 01, 2019
52m
265: Nixon Beyond Watergate: A History of the Presidency Before the Scandal
Today the Presidency of Richard Nixon is mostly remembered for how it ended - with the Watergate scandal, impeachment and resignation. But what about early Nixon, the man sworn into office in January 1969? As Nathan, Ed and Brian discover, Nixon ran a more imaginative and ideologically flexible administration than its ignominious ending might suggest. 
1hr 4m Jan 25, 2019
1hr 4m
264: When You Just Want to be Alone: The History of Solitude in America
We all have times when we want to be alone, but what is the history of solitude in America? How are experiments on dolphins connected with consciousness raising and isolation tanks? And what does Thoreau’s solitary experiment at Walden Pond have to teach us all in the digital age? 
54m Jan 18, 2019
54m
263: The BackStory Prize: Our Choice for the Best Public History Project in America
BackStory is ten years old, and to celebrate our birthday we’ve created an important new prize - the BackStory Prize for Public History. Join Ed, Brian, Joanne, Nathan and special guest judges Margot Lee Shetterly (author of Hidden Figures) and actor Chris Jackson (who played George Washington in “Hamilton” on Broadway) as they discuss the exhibitions, books, websites and museums competing to b...
35m Jan 11, 2019
35m
262: Finding Americana: Butter Sculptures, Tiny Towns and Other Irresistible Gems
What could be more American than . . . butter carving? Maybe miniature roadside towns or perhaps a dead whale on a train. On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian and Nathan explore the best of Americana, finding the unique and the kitschy in American culture. (This show features two segments from previous episodes.)
54m Jan 04, 2019
54m
225: What’s Cooking? A History of Food in America
It’s the holidays -- that time of the year when food is everywhere. So, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan sit down to discuss some of America’s many homegrown culinary traditions and what the food we eat says about American identity. In this episode we talked to Pati Jinich of "Pati's Mexican Kitchen." Find her recipe for Chilorio Burritas (and more) on her website (https://patijinich.com/recipe/chilor...
50m Dec 28, 2018
50m
261: Playing the Past: Video Games and American History
The Department of Defense developed the very first video game and the Oregon Trail taught a generation to live as a pioneer. Red Dead Redemption 2 might be a major commercial success, but how historically accurate is it of the Old West? On this episode, Brian, Nathan and Ed explore the relationship between history and video games in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megap...
57m Dec 21, 2018
57m
260: The BackStory Holiday Book Show: 19 History Books for the Holiday Season
What history books should you gift - or get- this holiday season?  BackStory’s hosts and special guests share their recommendations of the history page turners you should pack for the holidays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
1hr 1m Dec 14, 2018
1hr 1m
259: Out of the Closet: The LGBTQ Community in American History
Brian, Nathan and Joanne explore the history of the LGBTQ community in the US, from tales of gender fluidity in the Old West to early gay liberation, and from the political career of Harvey Milk to the barrier breaking career of one SFPD cop.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
1hr 19m Dec 07, 2018
1hr 19m
230: Forgotten Flu: America & the 1918 Pandemic
The CDC recommended flu shots for all this year after more than 80,000 Americans succumbed to influenza in 2017 - a four-decade high. But 100 years ago, a strain of H1N1 that was first found in soldiers in the spring of 1918 rapidly spread across the United States killing about 675,000 by 1919 and making it “the most severe pandemic in recent history,” <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/...
44m Nov 30, 2018
44m
257: Stuffed: Taxidermy in the History of America
This Thanksgiving week BackStory is all about stuffing and being stuffed. We’ll find out about the father of American natural history dioramas, talk to a man with a condor in his freezer, discover how a mischievous raven connects Edgar Allan Poe to Charles Dickens and unravel the extraordinary story of the man who proposed stuffing the Founding Fathers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit h...
1hr 9m Nov 23, 2018
1hr 9m
256: Divided States of America? The History of An Often Disjointed Union
Google the phrase “divided America” and you’ll find numerous, stories, opinion pieces and even psychological theories on why we’re so disconnected. From race and class to gender and politics, it seems that Americans can’t see eye-to-eye - to the point that a recent NBC News headline stated, “Americans are divided over everything except division.” On this episode, Ed, Nathan and Joanne ...
57m Nov 16, 2018
57m
255: Lincoln the Lawyer: Abraham Lincoln’s Early Life and Career
Abraham Lincoln wasn’t the first lawyer to occupy the Oval Office (and he wouldn’t be the last). Lincoln came to national prominence after a long career settling disputes between farmers and representing litigious railway companies. So what did this enterprising lawyer pick up along the way and how did his legal career influence the President he became? Ed and guest host Lindsay Graham of the A...
55m Nov 09, 2018
55m
184: Border Patrols: Policing Immigration in America
Thousands of Central American migrants, dubbed the “migrant caravan,” have traveled north on foot towards the U.S. border since mid-October. Originating in Honduras, the group includes men, women and children attempting to escape high poverty, violence and corruption. In response, President Trump deployed 5,200 active duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico this week and indicates t...
38m Nov 02, 2018
38m
254: The War to End All Wars: Remembering WWI
On November 11, 1918, Germany formally surrendered to the Allied Powers, about 19 months after the United States entered the conflict. On this episode, Brian and Nathan reflect on how, 100 years later, “the war to end all wars” is still with Americans.
49m Oct 26, 2018
49m
253: To be a Citizen? The History of Becoming American
Around three quarters of a million people applied to be American Citizens in 2017. But what does citizenship actually mean? The way Americans have defined citizenship has changed over time and many have found their citizenship challenged, undermined, resisted and even revoked. On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne discover the path to citizenship has never been easy. ...
54m Oct 19, 2018
54m
250: Land of the Free? The History of Incarceration in the U.S.
(Contains archival audio in segments 1 and 3 (see backstoryradio.org for details).) The United States imprisons more of its citizens than any other nation in the world. This month prisoners across the U.S. took part in a National Prison strike protesting how they are used as cheap labor, and calling for an end to “prison slavery.” In this episode, Brian, Nathan and Joanne reflect on th...
39m Sep 28, 2018
39m
249: Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The History of America’s Wealthy Elite
It’s been ten years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers shook the world’s economy. Today Ed, Nathan and Brian explore the iconic figure of the American Millionaire, telling the story of one of the first African American Millionaires, delving into the ambiguities around Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy, and finding out that there is more to the board game Monopoly than just rolling the ...
47m Sep 14, 2018
47m
248: After Hurricane Maria: The History of Puerto Rico and the United States
In August of 2018, officials in Puerto Rico reported that over 3,000 people died in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. One year after the disaster, Brian, Ed and Nathan take a look at the historical relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. Are Puerto Ricans really Americans in the eyes of the federal government?
53m Sep 07, 2018
53m
181: Fit to Print?: A History of Fake News
As we approach the midterm elections, concerns about fake news - widely circulated news stories that are inaccurate, misleading, or completely made-up – continue to dominate the headlines. The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/23/health/russian-trolls-vaccines.html">topics</a>, targets, and sources of this content continues to expand, while labelling stories as “fake news” has b...
34m Aug 31, 2018
34m
247: Hot Enough For You? The History of Climate Change
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2018 is on pace to be the fourth hottest year on record. So, on this week’s episode, Nathan, Brian and Joanne talk about how Americans understood climate and weather in centuries past. They also explore how the invention of air conditioning changed America forever.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https:/...
31m Aug 24, 2018
31m
246: In the Shadow of the Mushroom Cloud: A History of the Atomic Age
In 1942, American scientists created the first sustained, controlled nuclear reaction, under the bleachers of a football field. Needless to say, it was the beginning of a new era. On this week’s show, Brian, Joanne and Ed talk atomic power, and the indelible mark it left on American culture.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
55m Aug 17, 2018
55m
187: A More Perfect Union? The Reconstruction Era
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Nathan and Joanne explore the central questions of the Reconstruction era.
43m Aug 10, 2018
43m
245: The Battle for Charlottesville's Soul: One Year Later, A Community Looks Back
On August 11 & 12, 2017, a “Unite the Right” rally brought chaos, violence and death to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia. To mark the anniversary, BackStory broadcasts an episode of “A12,” a new podcast series presented by historian, writer and podcaster Nicole Hemmer.  “A12” looks at the legacy of August 12th in Charlottesville and beyond. In it Hemmer, who witnessed the rally and atta...
45m Aug 03, 2018
45m
244: Elementary Mr. President: Sherlock Holmes, the Supreme Court and Dr. Spock
Ed, Joanne and Brian explore the history of filling vacant seats on the Supreme Court, discover the secret connections between 221B Baker Street and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and find out why the publication date of a successful child rearing manual is a Day that Changed America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
38m Jul 27, 2018
38m
212: The Melting Pot: Americans & Assimilation
This week, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan wrestle with a long-running tension in our country’s history: what it means to assimilate and “become American.” We’ll explore the 19th-century notions of who could become an American and the ways they were expected to change. Plus, we’ll discuss how much room there was for a hyphenated American identity in the past and if there is room today.
1hr 1m Jul 20, 2018
1hr 1m
216: What’s in a Number? Thirteen in American History
The 13th of any month is more likely to occur on a Friday than any other day of the week and it's happened as many as three times in a single calendar year. So, why is it considered bad luck?&nbsp; In this episode, Joanne, Nathan and Brian explore stories of superstition and the surprising roles the number 13 has played across American history.
50m Jul 06, 2018
50m
191: Saving American History
How is the history of a nation remembered? Well -- it all depends on what you keep. We’re talking about recipes, your old record collection, wedding dresses, newspapers, family letters or even your own personal diary. These are the types of documents future generations depend on to understand past American culture. On this episode, Joanne, Ed and Nathan talk about the people who decided to take...
40m Jun 29, 2018
40m
242: Summer Reading List: 14 History Books You’ll Want to Read
What should you be reading this summer? BackStory’s hosts and special guests share their recommendations of the history page turners you should pack for the beach.
54m Jun 22, 2018
54m
241: The Camera Never Lies? History Through the Viewfinder
In the 21st century, we often assume that a picture captures what really happened in a given moment. But on this week’s show, Joanne and Brian look at the early days of photography - when Americans had to figure out how to ‘read’ images - and learn if photos should be trusted at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
35m Jun 15, 2018
35m
210: Death Before Dishonor: Shame and Reputation in American History
This week, Ed, Nathan and Joanne discuss the importance of honor throughout American history. We’ll explore how 19th-century honor culture demanded that a man’s good name be saved by any means necessary — even murder. And we’ll consider how the concept lives on today.
46m Jun 08, 2018
46m
205: Are We There Yet? Americans On Vacation
As Americans hit the road and take to the skies for summer vacation, Joanne, Ed, and Nathan explore the ways Americans have spent their time off.
34m Jun 01, 2018
34m
240: Reflecting on Darkness: Lynching; Americans and the Holocaust
On this week’s episode, Nathan, Brian, Joanne &amp; Ed talk about how Americans remember and reckon with systematic violence, and how we keep this difficult history alive and in the public eye. Historian Kidada Williams reads letters from a man seeking justice for his son who was lynched, and Brian visits an exhibit at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.
39m May 25, 2018
39m
239: Upward Nobility: American-Made Royalty
The marriage of England’s Prince Harry to American actress Meghan Markle is making headlines around the world. U.S. women marrying into aristocracy has a surprisingly long history. This week, Ed, Brian, and Joanne look at the outsized political impact these marriages often have around the globe.&nbsp;
44m May 18, 2018
44m
238: Shock of the New: The Legacy of the 1893 World’s Fair
The World’s Columbian Exposition opened 125 years ago this month. Known today as the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, it put the emerging United States and its host city on shining display. So, on this episode, Joanne, Ed, and Nathan explore the fairgrounds. They’ll discuss how electric power - a new experience for many Americans - illuminated the White City. And they’ll consider how this presentatio...
56m May 11, 2018
56m
199: Crowning Glory: A History of Hair in America
It’s been fifty years since “Hair” debuted on Broadway (https://www.npr.org/2018/05/01/607339204/hair-at-50-going-gray-but-its-youthful-optimism-remains-bouncy-and-full-bodied) . The groundbreaking play featured an integrated cast and defined the rock musical genre. On this episode, Brian, Joanne and Nathan explore some of the many meanings Americans have attached to hair - as a marker of perso...
51m May 04, 2018
51m
237: “Dear Mr President…”: Letters to FDR, #twitterstorians, and one man's experience of slavery's legacy
Joanne talks about the letters that flooded into FDR’s Whitehouse and how historians reach the public using social media. Also, Justin Reid, director of African American programs at Virginia Humanities, reflects on his family’s experience of slavery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
30m Apr 27, 2018
30m
185: Behind the Bylines: Advocacy Journalism in America
In 2015, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly challenged Univision journalist Jorge Ramos on his role as a voice for Latinos in America. In an interview with the reporter on the O’Reilly Factor, he called Ramos “an advocate for people who enter the U.S.A. illegally (http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-jorge-ramos-journalist-advocate-20150903-story.html) .” In recent decades, however, more jour...
48m Apr 20, 2018
48m
193: The Habit: Opioid Addiction in America
As the opioid epidemic continues, Surgeon General Dr. Jerome M. Adams said this week that Americans should carry and learn to use naloxone, an overdose antidote. In this episode, Nathan, Ed and Brian look at America's long history with opioids - like opium, morphine and heroin. They’ll discuss how late 19th century doctors spurred the nation’s first addiction crisis and how race and class have ...
41m Apr 06, 2018
41m
235: The Real Martin Luther King: Reflecting on MLK 50 Years After His Death
Civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated 50 years ago. Today he is celebrated as an American hero and championed in children’s books and inspirational posters. But have Americans lost sight of the real MLK?
50m Mar 30, 2018
50m
233: Wherever Green is Worn: The Irish in America
On this St. Patrick’s Day special, Brian, Joanne and Nathan explore Irish American culture and identity.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
51m Mar 16, 2018
51m
52: Turf War: A History of College Sports
On this episode, Brian, Peter, and Ed unpack the origins of college sports and the ways universities originally justified athletics on campus. From the first collegiate PHYS ED program at Amherst College to the little-known story about the integration of the University of Alabama’s football team - the hosts discover why college sports even exist in the first place.
49m Mar 09, 2018
49m
204: Too Good To Be True?: Myths in American History
On this week’s episode, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan explore some of the stories Americans tell about our past and find the kernels of truth that lie at the heart of a few American legends.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices
55m Mar 02, 2018
55m
232: Billy Graham, Black Panther and Haiti, and Thomas Edison’s Reputation
The BackStory hosts look back on the rise of influential pastor Billy Graham, who died this week. Nathan probes how Black Panther’s mythical kingdom of Wakanda is a fully realized dream of a black-led country. And Joanne introduces a new segment, in which the hosts reevaluate American icons and their reputations. First up, Thomas Edison: gifted inventor or corporate thief? Learn more about your...
33m Feb 23, 2018
33m