Shows
Leadership BackstoryEV Connect, Founder: Jordan Ramer’s Leadership BackstoryCharging infrastructure plays a crucial role in the adoption and usability of EV cars. EV Connect, a company founded by Jordan Ramer in 2009, focused on providing seamless experience by managing and optimizing the charging infrastructure for property owners. In this episode of the Leadership Backstory, Jordan shares his journey of building and growing EV Connect, which was ultimately acquired by Schneider Electric. With a focus on giving back and supporting climate entrepreneurs, Jordan looks to leverage his experiences and knowledge to positively impact the fight against climate change.We learned a lot, and we...
2024-03-1449 minLeadership BackstoryPower Your Platform: Erica Schneider’s Leadership BackstoryErica Schneider retraces her journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.During our conversation, Erica discussed:the concept of personal branding and the importance of approaching it as "powering your platform." She emphasizes the need to lead with authenticity and creating an online persona that reflects one's true self rather than conforming to a specific brand or image.building relationships and connecting with others on a personal level, as well as shifting the focus from transactions to meaningful connections. She also talks about the balance between sharing personal stories and providing value to the audience...
2023-10-1541 minLeadership BackstoryPaul Quinn College, President: Michael Sorrell’s Leadership BackstoryMichael Sorrell retraces his journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.From the halls of Duke to the corridors of the Clinton administration and steering Paul Quinn College through its toughest times, President Michael Sorrell embodies transformative leadership. Drawing from invaluable family lessons, he's not just redefining success — he's gearing up to change the future of higher education. Listen to a journey that's only just begun.There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will, too.So let's get started!...
2023-09-1752 minLeadership BackstoryNiche, CEO: Luke Skurman’s Leadership BackstoryLuke Skurman retraces his journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Excited to solve the college admission puzzle as a teen, Luke pursued his passion as a student at Carnegie Mellon University before founding Niche, a leading school and college resource for students and parents.There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will, too.So, let's get started!Connect with Luke Skurman:https://www.linkedin.com/in/skurman/https://www.niche.com/
2023-08-0650 minLeadership BackstoryBONUS: Breaking down Peter Baron's Journey on The Zero Hour PodcastHi, everyone, I’m Peter Baron, and this week’s episode of the Leadership Backstory is a little different. Today’s guest is me.My good friend Christine Chapman had me on her pod, The Zero Hour Podcast, which she co-hosts with Marc Fierz, to share the catalyst moment that sent me on my path.It was a ton of fun reflecting and connecting dots, and I hope you enjoy the story. It should offer insight into why we host the Leadership Backstory and why I’ve dedicated my career to serving schools.Befo...
2023-06-2533 minLeadership BackstoryEntrepreneur Gamechanger Franchise CMO 2023: Doug Zarkin's Leadership BackstoryDoug Zarkin retraces his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Passionate about teams, talent, and culture, as well as the redefinition of brands in categories, Doug shares leadership lessons learned from his father all the way to his recent 11-year tenure as the VP & Chief Marketing Officer at Pearle Vision.Doug’s list of accomplishments is long and impressive. - Brandweek’s Marketer of The Next Generation- Entrepreneur Gamechanger Franchise CMO 2023- Crain’s NY Notables in Marketing & Advertising There are lots of leadersh...
2023-06-1842 minLeadership BackstoryBrightly, CEO: Andy Levitt’s Leadership BackstoryAndy Levitt retraces his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Andy walks us down his leadership path from selling t-shirts in college to a career in the pharmaceutical industry to founding three successful start-ups, including the vegan meal kit company Purple Carrot and his new company, Brightly Ventures, which creates value at the intersection of food recovery and climate change.There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.So let's get started!Visit Brightly: htt...
2023-06-1147 minLeadership BackstoryWashington Spirit, VP, Head of Revenue: Cay Young’s Leadership BackstoryCay Young retraces her career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Cay shares her journey in sports management. From climbing the ranks for the LA Spark to her current role as VP, Head of Revenue for the Washington Spirit. There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.So let's get started!
2023-06-0445 minLeadership BackstorySpero Ventures, General Partner: Shripriya Mahesh’s Leadership BackstoryShripriya Mahesh retraces her career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Shripriya's traveled a fascinating path from management consulting to graduate school to a distinguished career in tech that included a time at eBay (where today she sits on their board) to a career in film. Today she's the General Partner at Spero Ventures, where they "invest in technology companies that are driven to deliver value to shareholders and society."There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will t...
2023-04-2350 minLeadership BackstoryKathy Varol Consulting, Purpose Strategy Expert: Kathy Varol’s Leadership BackstoryKathy Varol retraces her career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.From the Peace Corps to Microsoft to business school to Adidas, Kathy's career journey fed a passion for helping leaders harness business as a force for good. Today she leads Kathy Varol Consulting, focusing on working with organizations to embed “purpose into their company in order to transform their culture, their business, and the world.”She also hosts the popular Purpose and Profit Podcast, “sharing the stories of business visionaries who are intentionally establishing a purpose beyond profit.” There are lots of l...
2023-04-1641 minLeadership BackstoryDerrick Gay, LLC, Diversity and Inclusion Strategist: Dr. Derrick Gay’s Leadership BackstoryDr. Derrick Gay retraces his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.We learn about his journey from music, to teaching and administrating, to founding a consultancy that’s partnered with over 500 organizations across numerous sectors to deepen D&I capacity; enhance inclusion and engagement; attract, hire, and retain the best talent; and design strategy to maximize business and education goals.Many leadership lessons are packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.So let's get started.Learn more about Dr. De...
2023-04-0957 minLeadership BackstoryTango, CEO: Ken Babcock’s Leadership BackstoryKen Babcock retraces his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Growing up in Buffalo, embracing leadership roles in high school and college set the foundation for a career that took him to Deloitte Consulting, Uber, Atomic, and Harvard Business School, where he and his co-founders started Tango – a Chrome extension that takes the pain out of documenting processes by automatically generating how-to guides while you work. Ken is Tango's CEO.Many leadership lessons are packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.So...
2023-04-0249 minLeadership BackstoryPresident-elect, National Association of Independent Schools: Debra Wilson’s Leadership BackstoryDebra Wilson retraces her career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Growing up in Connecticut, attending an independent school, and moving to new parts of the country for college and law school all shaped her career and leadership philosophy and led her to a distinguished career working with thousands of schools as an association executive. Now she's been named President-elect for the National Association of Independent Schools.Many leadership lessons are packed into this episode (including the importance of a personal board of directors!).We learned a lot, and we know...
2023-03-2641 minLeadership BackstoryHeadspace Health, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer: Christine Evan’s Leadership BackstoryChristine Evans, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of Headspace Health, shares her career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Christine retraces her journey from the fashion world to executive marketing roles at leading health-related brands like Fitbit and Headspace Health.There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too!Visit Headspace Health to learn how they’re transforming mental healthcare: https://www.headspacehealth.com/And please subscribe to the Leadership Backstory from your favorite podcast app!...
2023-03-1954 minLeadership BackstoryHarkness.ai, CEO: Jason Brooks’ Leadership BackstoryJason Brooks, CEO of Harkness.ai, shares his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Learn about Jason's career in education and how it propelled him to found Harkness.ai as a platform to empower everyone to meaningfully contribute their voice at work, in school, or in any other group.There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.Visit https://harkness.ai/ to learn more about how Harkness...
2023-03-1249 minLeadership BackstoryKanahoma, CEO: Seth Odell’s Leadership BackstoryLet's welcome Seth Odell to the Leadership Backstory.Seth shares his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.We learn how a career start in broadcast news set him on a path to working for some of the biggest brands in higher education. From UCLA to SNHU to Helix Marketing to National University— each made him a better leader and prepared him to found and lead Kanahoma. There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.
2023-03-0554 minLeadership BackstoryProof+Geist, CEO: Ernest Koe’s Leadership BackstoryThat’s Ernest Koe, CEO of Proof+Geist, a software consulting firm driven to improve your experience with technology.Ernest shares his career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.We learn what it was like to immigrate to the United States as a teen and how his career started in teaching, then pivoted to software development before landing him as the CEO of a software consulting company.There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.We learned a lot, and we know you will too.So...
2023-02-2649 minLeadership BackstoryCEO, ZeeMee: Vanessa Didyk’s Leadership BackstoryLet's welcome Vanessa Didyk, CEO of ZeeMee, the #1 social media platform for authentic peer-to-peer engagement and live virtual events.Vanessa shares her career journey on this episode of the Leadership Backstory.Her story is fascinating, from building a successful business out of college to acquisition to starting a subsidiary to the top spot at ZeeMee. There are lots of leadership lessons packed into this episode.Brendan & I learned a lot, and we know you will too.So let's get started.
2023-02-1958 minLeadership BackstoryCEO, Kajabi: Ahad Khan's Leadership BackstoryLet's welcome Ahad Khan to the Leadership Backstory.Ahad's the CEO of Kajabi, a platform that helps creators build knowledge into income."Linearity is boring."Ahad Khan's non-linear career path energized his leadership philosophy, guiding him to become CEO of Kajabi, a platform that helps creators build knowledge into income.Listen to episode one of the Leadership Backstory to hear how each stop on Ahad's winding career path shaped how he leads today.Why taking a non-linear path matters:Varied experiences and roles. Success and failure. Small...
2023-02-1253 minLeadership BackstoryWelcome to the Leadership Backstory!Welcome to The Leadership Backstory, a podcast series retracing successful business leaders' winding and unpredictable paths.Your hosts, Peter Baron and Brendan Schneider, have long been fascinated by how executives rise to the top and why they become successful at their jobs.Did a defining moment in their career put them on a path to the top office?How did they cultivate and nurture a leadership philosophy that delivered success?Would they take the same career path if they could do it all over again?These questions and many more offer a peek into...
2023-02-0606 min
The Backstory: A media freedom podcastWellbeing and resilience: How women journalists are navigating Covid-19 (The Backstory S3E6)The Covid-19 pandemic has focused attention on issues that have been taboo in many newsrooms for a long time: mental wellbeing, stress management, technological burnout and limits between personal and professional life. For women journalists in particular, where there is an expectation to remain productive under demanding circumstances, these challenges have been compounded. What can journalists to improve their own wellbeing and resilience? And what should editors and managers be doing to better support their teams?
In this episode:
- Mar Cabra (twitter.com/cabralens), Pulitzer prize-winning data journalist and founder of The Self-Investigation (theselfinvestigation.com)
- Tamala Chirwa, Director...
2021-03-1727 min
The Backstory: A media freedom podcastYou better be prepared: addressing sexual harassment in the media (The Backstory S3E5)Sexual harassment happens everywhere, and media organisations are not immune. Addressing it is good for journalists, and for the media business in general. How can organisations create a work culture where sexual harassment does not happen? How can they identify it, and address it when it does happen?
In this episode:
- Carin Andersson, Human Resources consultant and former HR Director at MittMediaAB, Sweden (http://mittmedia.se)
- Collin Haba, CEO, The New Times, Rwanda (https://www.newtimes.co.rw/)
- Melanie Walker, Executive director of Media Development and Women in News (WIN), WAN-IFRA.
- Myra Abdallah, Lebanese journalist and...
2020-12-0835 min
The Backstory: A media freedom podcastWomen journalists taking on tech (The Backstory S3E3)Technology has revolutionised how we get our news. Data visualisation and multimedia are increasingly used to tell stories, and coding is no longer just for computer scientists. But when it comes to working with digital technology, in most newsrooms men outnumber women. Why are men still dominating this field? And what does it take for women to get ahead? In this episode, four women from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and North America talk about how they beat the odds to work with technology -- and why it’s so important for women to aim for these positions and br...
2020-09-1826 min
BackStoryThe End of the Road: BackStory and the History of Finales in AmericaOn this final episode of BackStory, Nathan, Brian, Joanne and Ed explore different kinds of finales throughout American history. They also consider what it’s like being a part of their own finale and how finales can sometimes lead to new beginnings.
2020-07-031h 19
BackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time the People PickedAs BackStory nears the end of its production, we’ve asked our listeners to call in with moments from the show’s history and compile their very own “Best of BackStory.”
We got some great responses covering a range of topics, each of them meaningful to the present moment in their own way.
So in this best of BackStory, we present three of our listener’s favorite interviews from the show. You’ll learn about the early U.S. Postal Service, and hear from residents of Hamlet, North Carolina as we explore the painful memory of a 1991 tragedy. Then, you’ll...
2020-06-2651 minBackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time the People PickedAs BackStory nears the end of its production, we’ve asked our listeners to call in with moments from the show’s history and compile their very own “Best of BackStory.”
We got some great responses covering a range of topics, each of them meaningful to the present moment in their own way.
So in this best of BackStory, we present three of our listener’s favorite interviews from the show. You’ll learn about the early U.S. Postal Service, and hear from residents of Hamlet, North Carolina as we explore the painful memory of a 1991 tragedy. Then, you’ll...
2020-06-2651 minThe Backstory: A media freedom podcastWomen leading women in the news (The Backstory S3E2)Women in leadership, diversity in the workplace - these are catchphrases that media organisations are talking about, but what do they mean? Why is it important to have women in top positions? And who are the women who are already there? In this episode, three women who have made it to the top echelons of their media organisations in Africa, the Middle East and Europe talk about what it took to get there and what they are doing to change things for other women who follow in their paths.
In this episode:
- Pamella Sittoni (https://twitter.com/pamsittoni), Executive...
2020-06-1828 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Joanne Freeman Went to CongressAs BackStory moves towards the end of its production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show that we’re publishing as episodes once per month.
Joanne Freeman joined BackStory in 2017, and has since had hundreds of conversations on a huge variety of topics. But during this time, a few of these interviews surprised and moved her as a historian, and as a woman in unexpected ways.
So in this best of BackStory, Joanne presents three of these striking conversations from her time on the show. You’ll learn about a decades-old family secret, and fin...
2020-05-1543 minBackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Joanne Freeman Went to CongressAs BackStory moves towards the end of its production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show that we’re publishing as episodes once per month.
Joanne Freeman joined BackStory in 2017, and has since had hundreds of conversations on a huge variety of topics. But during this time, a few of these interviews surprised and moved her as a historian, and as a woman in unexpected ways.
So in this best of BackStory, Joanne presents three of these striking conversations from her time on the show. You’ll learn about a decades-old family secret, and fin...
2020-05-1543 minThe Backstory: A media freedom podcastWhere are the women? Finding gender balance in the news (The Backstory S3E1)Often, without even realising it, much of the media we consume is dominated by men. Men’s voices and men’s perspectives account for roughly 75% of the news. Yet, women make up half the population. Research has shown that stories that feature women are more widely read by women. So, why does this imbalance persist and how can news organisations shift how they represent women? Listen to how some have done it, with tips on measuring the problem, and ways to fix it.
In this episode:
- Kesewa Henessey (twitter.com/HennessyKesewa), Digital editor for engagement, Financial Times (www.ft.com...
2020-05-1232 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Nathan Connolly Had A Close EncounterAs BackStory moves towards the end of its production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show that we’re publishing as episodes once per month.
Since joining BackStory in 2017, Nathan Connolly has interviewed a ton of different people about everything from Bruce Lee to Bison. But a handful of conversations are particularly memorable to Nathan because they unpacked issues that he cares deeply about.
2020-04-1035 minBackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Nathan Connolly Had A Close EncounterAs BackStory moves towards the end of its production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show that we’re publishing as episodes once per month.
Since joining BackStory in 2017, Nathan Connolly has interviewed a ton of different people about everything from Bruce Lee to Bison. But a handful of conversations are particularly memorable to Nathan because they unpacked issues that he cares deeply about.
2020-04-1035 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Brian Balogh Went to a MonasteryAs BackStory wraps up production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show.
A founding host of the show, Brian Balogh has discussed a range of topics with a lot of different people - academic historians, museum curators, and even politicians. But some of his favorite conversations have been with everyday people who have lived and engaged with history, sometimes in surprising ways.
So in this edition of the “Best of BackStory,” Brian brings you three of his favorite interviews from his time at BackStory. You’ll hear from a member of a prison work crew...
2020-03-2725 minBackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Brian Balogh Went to a MonasteryAs BackStory wraps up production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show.
A founding host of the show, Brian Balogh has discussed a range of topics with a lot of different people - academic historians, museum curators, and even politicians. But some of his favorite conversations have been with everyday people who have lived and engaged with history, sometimes in surprising ways.
So in this edition of the “Best of BackStory,” Brian brings you three of his favorite interviews from his time at BackStory. You’ll hear from a member of a prison work crew...
2020-03-2725 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Ed Ayers Marched Into RichmondAs BackStory moves towards the end of its production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show that we’re publishing as episodes once per month.
A founding host of the show, Ed Ayers has had hundreds of conversations on a huge variety of topics. But some of his favorite BackStory moments touched on anniversaries and events related to his own field in American history: slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
So in this best of BackStory, we will take a deep dive into what the Confederacy means today, and learn about the newly opened...
2020-02-2137 minBackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Ed Ayers Marched Into RichmondAs BackStory moves towards the end of its production, we’ve asked our hosts to select memorable moments from the show that we’re publishing as episodes once per month.
A founding host of the show, Ed Ayers has had hundreds of conversations on a huge variety of topics. But some of his favorite BackStory moments touched on anniversaries and events related to his own field in American history: slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
So in this best of BackStory, we will take a deep dive into what the Confederacy means today, and learn about the newly opened...
2020-02-2137 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Peter Onuf Declared IndependenceFor close to ten years, Peter Onuf hosted BackStory along with Ed Ayers and Brian Balogh. Now, with the show coming to a close, Peter is back to help kick off a new series we’re doing on the show. These are episodes in which all five of our hosts will look back on their time with the show and highlight some of their favorite moments.
With so much time at the show, Peter had a lot of material to work with. But he has narrowed it down to three conversations that still stick out in his memory today. Eac...
2020-01-2429 minBackStoryBest of BackStory: The Time Peter Onuf Declared IndependenceFor close to ten years, Peter Onuf hosted BackStory along with Ed Ayers and Brian Balogh. Now, with the show coming to a close, Peter is back to help kick off a new series we’re doing on the show. These are episodes in which all five of our hosts will look back on their time with the show and highlight some of their favorite moments.
With so much time at the show, Peter had a lot of material to work with. But he has narrowed it down to three conversations that still stick out in his memory today. Eac...
2020-01-2429 min
BackStoryStuffed - Taxidermy in the History of AmericaThe holidays are upon us and we're more than a little obsessed with stuffing - just not the kind you eat. On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Ed and Nathan 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.
Image: "In the workroom," photograph shows occupational portrait of taxidermist Martha A. Maxwell with animal specimens, palette, and rifle. Oct. 27, 1876 Source: Library...
2019-12-271h 09
BackStoryThe Best of BackStory 2019On this episode of BackStory, Brian brings you a sampling of some of our favorite segments from the past year.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://www.backstoryradio.org/support
2019-12-2045 minBackStoryThe Best of BackStory 2019On this episode of BackStory, Brian brings you a sampling of some of our favorite segments from the past year.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://www.backstoryradio.org/support
2019-12-2045 min
BackStoryFrom BackStory to You: A History of Giving and Receiving‘Tis the season for giving. Whether it’s the latest gadget or the coziest sweater, many Americans are spending the month of December searching for that perfect gift. But throughout American history, gift giving has taken on many different forms. And the act of giving and receiving has allowed bonds to form across social, political, and cultural divides.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne and Nathan bring you two very different stories of giving and receiving. One starts in Ireland, and the other looks at a time when lending a helping hand resulted in more harm than good.
2019-12-1357 minBackStoryFrom BackStory to You: A History of Giving and Receiving‘Tis the season for giving. Whether it’s the latest gadget or the coziest sweater, many Americans are spending the month of December searching for that perfect gift. But throughout American history, gift giving has taken on many different forms. And the act of giving and receiving has allowed bonds to form across social, political, and cultural divides.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne and Nathan bring you two very different stories of giving and receiving. One starts in Ireland, and the other looks at a time when lending a helping hand resulted in more harm than good.
2019-12-1357 min
BackStorySunny Days: The History of Sesame Street in America and the WorldThis month marks the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street, the children’s television show that has made an indelible mark on American culture, not to mention people all over the world. So on this episode of BackStory, Brian, Ed and Joanne explore the history of Sesame Street and what made a show about muppets and their neighbors so revolutionary.
Image: A scene of the US children's series "Sesame Street" with puppets Ernie and Bert, photographed in March 1976. Photo by Dieter Klar/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help ke...
2019-11-2254 min
BackStoryThe Chinese in American History: How Afong Moy, Mayling Soong and Bruce Lee Changed the Narrative About ChinaConversations about US-China relations often revolve around tariffs, trades and recently, President Donald Trump’s tweets. So on this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Joanne and special guest host Erika Lee go beyond the standard narrative of US-China relations and learn about three Chinese and Chinese American people who worked to change American perceptions of China.
Support for this podcast comes from International Education at the University of Richmond and The Rose Chen Group for Cultural Understanding.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://ww...
2019-11-111h 05
BackStoryCall To Arms: Enlistment in AmericaIt's Veteran's Day weekend, when we in the US honor those who have served in our Armed Forces. In this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne and Brian look at the many reasons for joining the US armed services - from a sense of patriotism, to escaping poverty, to earning American citizenship. They’ll discuss the struggles of the Continental Army to find enough soldiers during the Revolutionary War and how thousands of Filipinos became American citizens by enlisting in the US Navy after World War II.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep th...
2019-11-0841 min
BackStoryHaunted Histories: A BackStory Halloween SpecialImage: Alleged 1911 spirit photograph of Emma Hardinge Britten taken by William H. Mumler.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://www.backstoryradio.org/support
2019-10-2535 min
BackStoryRallying Behind Racism: The Women of White SupremacyWhite supremacy has been in the news a lot recently. It is often seen as a movement at the fringes of American society, and discussion of it rarely includes white women. But women play a critical, if overlooked, role in the white supremacy movement, and examining their involvement shows it to be far less fringe than many think. So on this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne dig into the little known history of white women and white supremacy.
Image: Attention has been focused on the almost mythical Ku Klux Klan organization in the United States, following...
2019-10-1853 min
BackStoryImpeachment Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: High Crimes and Misdemeanors in American HistoryOn Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she’s launching a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. The announcement comes after news of a July phone call between Trump and Urkanian president Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Trump requested Zelensky launch an investigation into political rival and Democratic presidential contender, Joe Biden.
So on this episode of BackStory, we’re bringing you a roundtable conversation with Joanne, Nathan and Brian about impeachment in the past, present and possibly future of American history.
Image: A coalition of progressive activist groups, including MoveOn.org, hold a rally at the Capi...
2019-09-2728 min
BackStoryClose Encounters: UFOs in American HistoryAlienstock, the event jokingly conceived by college student Matty Roberts to storm Area 51 on September 20, is officially canceled. When more than 500,000 planned to attend and another 500,00 indicated they were interested in the Facebook event back in July, the U.S. Air Force took notice and issued a strongly worded statement that discouraged the plan.
But that hasn’t stopped an unknown number of people from planning to descend on rural Nevada this weekend, leading the FAA to shut down airspace above Area 51 as a precaution. This interest in the unknown isn’t new and to shed some light, BackStory is repub...
2019-09-181h 01
BackStory"Trade Winds" from episode #0141 “They Might Be Giants: China and the U.S.”This morning, China published a short list of products exempted from its tariffs on American made goods. This list comes about a month before scheduled talks between Chinese negotiators and Trump administration officials.
The current U.S. trade war with China is not unlike previous conflicts. In this segment from BackStory’s 2015 show, “They Might Be Giants: China and the U.S.,” host emeritus Peter Onuf talks to historian John Haddad about how Americans smuggling opium into China during the 19th century led the Chinese to crack down on trade that was already very restrictive. And learn how the Opium Wars we...
2019-09-1111 min
BackStory"What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate" from episode #043 "Weathering the Storm"Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas this week, and east coast states from Florida to North Carolina are bracing for its impact. In preparation, governors are declaring states of emergency to allow emergency management teams to coordinate and act quickly. But in this segment from BackStory's 2012 show, "Weathering the Storm," host emeritus Peter Onuf learns from Oxford University professor Gareth Davies that responses to disasters are often fraught with politics.
Image: Poseidon by Mark Rain (www.azrainman.com). Source: Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting t...
2019-09-0411 min
BackStoryBackStory’s Labor Day Special: A History of Work and Labor Relations in the U.S.To mark the Labor Day holiday Brian presents a compilation of BackStory’s best stories about work and workers. Why were so many employers keen on hiring children in the 19th century? When was computing considered women’s work? And what happened when almost a million Mexicans were expelled from the US to free up jobs for white workers?
Image: John Vachon photo of a Minneapolis employment agency, 1939. Source: Library of Congress
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://www.backstoryradio.org/support
2019-08-3037 minBackStoryBackStory’s Labor Day Special: A History of Work and Labor Relations in the U.S.To mark the Labor Day holiday Brian presents a compilation of BackStory’s best stories about work and workers. Why were so many employers keen on hiring children in the 19th century? When was computing considered women’s work? And what happened when almost a million Mexicans were expelled from the US to free up jobs for white workers?
Image: John Vachon photo of a Minneapolis employment agency, 1939. Source: Library of Congress
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://www.backstoryradio.org/support
2019-08-3037 min
BackStory"Let Freedom Ring" from episode #075 "Fierce Urgency of Now"On August 28, 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom - a demonstration held by civil rights leaders and attended by approximately 250,000 people – took place. It was during this protest, one of the largest in U.S. history, that Martin Luther King made his now famous speech at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial where he uttered the words, “I have a dream.”
In this segment from BackStory’s 2013 episode “Fierce Urgency of Now: The 1963 March on Washington,” Ed talks with historian David Blight about the continuing impact of the Civil War in shaping the context within which the march took place, a...
2019-08-2809 min
BackStoryTeaser: 1619: The Arrival of the First Africans in VirginiaOn Friday's episode, BackStory digs into the complicated history of 1619 and the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans to the English colonies.
In this preview, BackStory travels to Hampton, Virginia to meet with members of the Tucker family. Using oral history and official records, they’ve traced their lineage back to William Tucker, the first African American born in British North America in 1624.
Image: BackStory producer Melissa Gismondi speaks to Walter Jones, Vincent Tucker and Verrandall Tucker, at the Tucker family cemetery in Hampton, VA.
2019-08-2201 min
BackStory"Above the Law" from episode #104 "Serve and Protect?"This week, NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo was fired for his involvement in the 2014 death of Eric Garner. The incident helped to stimulate the Black Lives Matter movement, and sparked public debate about the limits of and accountability for law enforcement.
With these debates once again at the fore, BackStory revisits a segment originally published in 2016. In it, producer Nina Earnest explores how the professionalization of the Los Angeles Police Department ended up putting the department above the law they were supposed to enforce.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the...
2019-08-2111 min
BackStoryBorder Patrols: Policing Immigration in AmericaOn the heels of what may have been the biggest single-day sweep of undocumented immigrants last week in Mississippi, this week the Trump administration released a new "Public Charge" rule. The idea of a public charge – an individual who isn’t considered capable of self-sufficiency – became a part of U.S. immigration law after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The new rule will make it harder for immigrants who fail the public charge test to obtain a Green Card.
Efforts to curb immigration in the U.S. are nothing new. This episode from BackStory’s archives looks at the origins of illegal...
2019-08-1437 min
BackStoryMan Up: A Look at Masculinity in American HistoryIt’s an age-old question: What makes a man? Americans have thought about it for generations. So this week on BackStory, we go back into the archives to look at past segments that explore the changing perceptions of American manhood. We’ll look at why so many men started growing beards in 19th century America, and we’ll explore how ideas about the perfect male body used to be very different from what you might think of today.
Image: The “Manly art of self-defense” Newsboys’ Protective Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 1908. Source: Library of Congress
BackStory is funded in part by our...
2019-08-0926 min
BackStory“Armed For Freedom” from episode #183 “Taking it to the Streets”At least 31 people were killed this past weekend in mass shootings in the U.S. The violence that took place during the early morning hours of August 4 in Dayton, Ohio was the nation’s 251st mass shooting of 2019.
As the U.S. and its leaders once again debate gun control, BackStory revisits a segment originally published in 2013. In it, UCLA legal scholar Adam Winkler talks to Brian about the day in 1967 that 30 Black Panthers walked into the California State House in Sacramento carrying loaded guns. They were protesting a gun control bill that they said deprived them of their 2nd Amen...
2019-08-0710 min
BackStoryThar She Blows Again: The History of Whales and America (Part 2)Whale deaths are reaching record numbers in 2019. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association, gray whale deaths are “notably greater than the average” and have led the NOAA to declare the occurrence an Unusual Mortality Event (UME). In addition, NOAA considers the death rates of North Atlantic right whales an urgent conservation crisis leading the U.S. to begin working with Canada this month to help protect the species.
This week, BackStory revisits our two episodes on the history of whales and America. We’re re-releasing part one, “Thar She Blows” on July 31. In this episode, Brian, Nathan and Joanne explore how...
2019-08-021h 03
BackStoryThar She Blows: The History of Whales and AmericaWhale deaths are reaching record numbers in 2019. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association, gray whale deaths are “notably greater than the average” and have led the NOAA to declare the occurrence an Unusual Mortality Event (UME). In addition, NOAA considers the death rates of North Atlantic right whales an urgent conservation crisis leading the U.S. to begin working with Canada this month to help protect the species.
This week, BackStory revisits our two episodes on the history of whales and America. We’re re-releasing part one, “Thar She Blows” on July 31. In this episode, Brian, Nathan and Joanne explore how...
2019-07-3143 min
BackStoryMaking the Team: Sports and Equality in American HistoryThis month, the US Women’s Soccer Team won the Women’s World Cup for the fourth time since the tournament was established in 1991. But alongside the celebrations were calls for female players to be paid the same as their male counterparts. So, on this episode of BackStory, we’re revisiting past segments that explore the issue of sports and equality throughout American history.
Image: Althea Gibson, U.S. and Wimbledon tennis champion, gives some pointers on the game which has brought her international fame, December 1957. Source: World Telegram & Sun photo by Ed. Ford via Library of Congress
2019-07-2627 min
BackStory"Jose Julio Henna & the Invasion of Puerto Rico" and "What is Puerto Rico?" from episode 248 "After Hurricane Maria"On Monday, hundreds of thousands of people surged through the capital of Puerto Rico in the largest protest the island has ever seen. It is the latest in a series of demonstrations calling for the resignation of Puerto Rico's governor, Ricardo A. Rosselló, who is expected to finally resign today.
While the recent unrest was sparked by the publication of messages between Rosselló and his friends and advisors in which they mocked an obese man, a poor man, a gay pop star, and several women, it was a demonstration of the long-simmering resentment over economic recession, corruption, and the ma...
2019-07-2418 min
BackStoryThe Melting Pot: Americans and AssimilationIn the spirit of July 4th, BackStory revisits an episode on the abiding question: What does it mean to be an American? We’ll explore 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 any room for it today.
Image: Cover of Theater Program for Israel Zangwill's play "The Melting Pot," 1916. Source: Wikimedia Commons
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes comi...
2019-07-051h 00
BackStoryIn God We Trust? The History of Religious Identity in AmericaThe Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment forms the basis for the separation of church and state: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Yet, throughout American history, this principle hasn’t stopped Americans from using religious differences to draw boundaries around who is and isn’t American. Joanne digs into the BackStory archives to bring you a selection of segments that look at religious identity in America and how faiths, cultures and rituals adapted to American life.
Image: "Church and state - No Union upon any terms" by Tho...
2019-06-2139 min
BackStoryThe Civil War in the 21st Century: A New Museum Marks an Old ConflictOn May 4, 2019, the American Civil War Museum opens in Richmond, Virginia. It’s a historic endeavor, building upon a merger of several museums and historical sites in the region, including the former Museum of the Confederacy.
The museum’s goal is to tell an inclusive and balanced version of the Civil War. But for an event that’s arguably the most contentious conflict in American history, that’s a tall order.
So on this episode, BackStory gets an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the museum to explore what it means to tell new narratives of the Civil War in public sp...
2019-05-0354 min
BackStoryAlternative Facts, Falsehoods and Delusions: The Lies We've Told Ourselves and Each Other in American HistoryLate last month, the Washington Post reported President Trump has made some 9,451 false or misleading claims throughout his term in office. Yet, Trump’s supporters have maintained he’s not lying — he’s presenting so-called alternative facts. No matter how you look at it, it’s clear we’re living in what many pundits are calling a post-truth moment — where misinformation, lies and alternative facts are everywhere. Nathan digs into the BackStory archives to bring you a selection of segments that look at alternative facts in American life.
Image: Feejee Mermaid, shown in P.T. Barnum's American Museum, 1842, as leased from...
2019-04-1928 min
BackStoryDeath on the Assembly Line: Industrial Tragedies in American HistoryOn Wednesday an explosion from a gas leak in Durham, NC killed one person and injured 25 others. Local authorities say the leak started after a construction worker hit a gas line. The explosion occurred soon after.
From explosions to pollution, tragedies like the one in Durham have wreaked havoc on Americans and their communities throughout history. This week, BackStory considers the history of industrial disasters and how they’ve changed the nature of American capitalism.
Image: The front page of the Boston Daily Globe, January 16, 1919. Headline: "Molasses Tank Explosion Injures 50 and Kills 11." Source: newspapers.com, https://ww...
2019-04-121h 10
BackStoryAll the Presidents’ Vetoes: A Brief History of Saying No to LegislationTo veto or not to veto? That was the question President George Washington wrestled with on this day in 1792.
In honor of that decision, and the precedent it set for subsequent leaders, this week BackStory looks at presidential vetoes through two periods in American history. First, Joanne unpacks Washington’s complicated feelings about his first (and only) veto. Then, Brian speaks with historian Jeffrey Engel about how President Trump’s recent use of the veto pen fits into the big picture of presidents saying ‘thanks, but no thanks.’
Image credit: President Donald Trump signs the first veto of...
2019-04-0538 min
BackStoryShore Thing: A History of the BeachSpring Break is here and BackStory has gone to the beach. Ed, Joanne, and Brian dip their toes into four tales from America’s shoreline. We’ll talk about race, health, and daringly provocative woolen swimsuits. And the hosts will add their own experiences of the beach as a weird, magical place.
Download a full transcript of this episode.
BackStory is funded in part by our listeners. You can help keep the episodes coming by supporting the show: https://www.backstoryradio.org/support
2019-03-1550 min
BackStoryOh, Bloody Hell: BackStory’s History of Profanity in AmericaWARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS UNCENSORED USE OF THE STRONGEST PROFANITIES. PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN IF YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE OFFENDED AND PLEASE DO NOT PLAY IF CHILDREN ARE LISTENING.
This week, BackStory looks at the history of profanity in America. We’ll discover how soldiers returning from World War Two brought home more than just tales from the battlefield, explore what it really means to swear like a sailor, and discover how Lenny Bruce challenged and provoked the America of the 1950’s and 60’s. Plus Nathan talks to scholar Elizabeth Pryor, who just happens to be the daught...
2019-03-0855 min
BackStoryShattering the Glass Ceiling in America: BackStory Celebrates Women's History MonthIn celebration of Women’s History Month, Brian showcases our favorite BackStory segments that highlight female achievement in American history. We’ll hear from a former switchboard operator about her experiences at New York Telephone in the 1970’s and learn how Ida B. Wells found her voice as an advocacy journalist. We’re also sharing a Radio Diaries story on Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican Senator from Maine whose 1964 presidential bid inspired a generation of women to enter politics.
2019-03-0138 min
BackStoryBlackStory: BackStory Celebrates Black History Month with a CompilationNathan 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” about the racial cleansing in Corbin, Kentucky that took place 100 years ago, but mostly remains hidden from the town’s official history. Note: This episode contains previously broadcast content.
About the image: "Civil Rights mural at Martin Luther King Memorial Park...
2019-02-0152 min
BackStoryBlackStory: BackStory Celebrates Black History Month with a CompilationNathan 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” about the racial cleansing in Corbin, Kentucky that took place 100 years ago, but mostly remains hidden from the town’s official history. Note: This episode contains previously broadcast content. About the image: "Civil Rights mural at Martin Luther King Memorial...
2019-02-0154 min
BackStoryThe BackStory Prize: Our Choice for the Best Public History Project in AmericaBackStory 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 become the winner of the first ever BackStory Prize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-01-1138 minBackStoryThe BackStory Prize: Our Choice for the Best Public History Project in AmericaBackStory 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 become the winner of the first ever BackStory Prize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-01-1138 min
BackStoryThe BackStory Prize: Our Choice for the Best Public History Project in AmericaBackStory 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 become the winner of the first ever BackStory Prize.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2019-01-1135 minBackStoryThe BackStory Prize: Our Choice for the Best Public History Project in AmericaBackStory 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 become the winner of the first ever BackStory Prize.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2019-01-1135 min
BackStoryThe BackStory Holiday Book Show: 19 History Books for the Holiday SeasonWhat 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-12-151h 04
BackStoryThe BackStory Holiday Book Show: 19 History Books for the Holiday SeasonWhat 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices
2018-12-151h 01
Young WomanBackstory. Why #FGTC? Ep.IHi everyone! This episode shares backstory on how #FGTC came along & a little backstory on how I came to Christ as well.
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This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/moesha-gray/support
2018-09-1027 min
The Backstory: A media freedom podcastShow me the money: Censorship + financial independence (The Backstory S1E2)How do you run an independent media organisation in a country where the government imposes censorship rules? How do you support a successful media company without folding to pressure from your funders or your sponsors? The internet has exploded traditional media funding models. And yet, in some parts of the world, legacy media - even print! - remain a strong source of independent information. How are these companies surviving? In this episode of The Backstory, WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Director, Andrew Heslop, meets some of them to find out:
- Sonny Swe, founder and CEO of Black Knight Media Group and...
2018-03-0124 min
BackStory with Colby ColbBackstory Podcast TrailerIntroducing "Backstory with Colby Colb". Legendary Hip Hop broadcaster Colby Colb shares some of his many years of interesting interviews with some of music's biggest names. Go behind the scenes with artists like Jayz, Common, Nas, Kanye West, WuTang Clan, Swizz Beats, DJ Khaled and more. Music history, interesting conversations and information you never knew before. Subscribe to the Backstory Podcast with Colby Colb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2018-02-0107 min
The Backstorybackstory backchat #2Hi, welcome to the second episode of the backstory backchat. Claire and Suzy talk over a cuppa about the latest episode of the backstory. This week we’re talking about ‘Marrying a stranger’ (Season 1, episode 6).
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-11-2400 min
The Backstorybackstory backchat #1Hi, welcome to the first episode of the backstory backchat. Claire and Suzy talk over a cuppa about the latest episode of the backstory. This week we’re talking about ‘Aspergers for girls’ (Season 1, episode 5).
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-11-1000 min
BackStorySkin Deep: Whiteness in AmericaThis week, BackStory looks at whiteness in America by broadcasting segments from podcasts we admire. These stories -- from the podcasts Scene on Radio and What’s Ray Saying along with a segment from BackStory’s archives -- explore what it means to be white in America, and how the concept of whiteness has fundamentally shaped our country.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2017-07-1452 min
BackStorySkin Deep: Whiteness in AmericaThis week, BackStory looks at whiteness in America by broadcasting segments from podcasts we admire. These stories -- from the podcasts Scene on Radio and What’s Ray Saying along with a segment from BackStory’s archives -- explore what it means to be white in America, and how the concept of whiteness has fundamentally shaped our country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-07-1455 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory Pt. 2Best of BackStory Pt. 2 by BackStory with the American History Guys
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2017-01-2651 minBackStoryBest of BackStory Pt. 2Best of BackStory Pt. 2 by BackStory with the American History Guys
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2017-01-2651 min
BackStoryBest of BackStory Pt. 2Best of BackStory Pt. 2 by BackStory with the American History Guys
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-01-2651 minBackStoryPreviewBackStory is going through some big changes. Take a listen to this preview and learn about everything that's going into the new BackStory - premiering on Feb. 3!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2017-01-2001 minBackStoryBest Of BackStory Pt. 1We’ll spend our last regularly scheduled broadcasts reviewing some of BackStory’s most memorable moments. We’ll revisit BackStory interviews with history makers, the Guys’ expeditions to see history being made, and the unexpected stories behind some of the 21st century’s most basic assumptions. You’ll hear portions of the very first broadcast of BackStory in 2008, Brian Balogh’s roadside conversation with a man from a jail’s work gang, Ed’s interview with a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Peter’s epic turn as a movie director for a film version of the War of 1812.
...
2017-01-1951 minBackStoryBest Of BackStory Pt. 1We’ll spend our last regularly scheduled broadcasts reviewing some of BackStory’s most memorable moments. We’ll revisit BackStory interviews with history makers, the Guys’ expeditions to see history being made, and the unexpected stories behind some of the 21st century’s most basic assumptions. You’ll hear portions of the very first broadcast of BackStory in 2008, Brian Balogh’s roadside conversation with a man from a jail’s work gang, Ed’s interview with a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Peter’s epic turn as a movie director for a film version of the War of 1812.
...
2017-01-1951 minBackStoryBest Of BackStory Pt. 1We’ll spend our last regularly scheduled broadcasts reviewing some of BackStory’s most memorable moments. We’ll revisit BackStory interviews with history makers, the Guys’ expeditions to see history being made, and the unexpected stories behind some of the 21st century’s most basic assumptions. You’ll hear portions of the very first broadcast of BackStory in 2008, Brian Balogh’s roadside conversation with a man from a jail’s work gang, Ed’s interview with a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Peter’s epic turn as a movie director for a film version of the War of 1812.
2017-01-1951 minBackStoryBest Of BackStory Pt. 1We’ll spend our last regularly scheduled broadcasts reviewing some of BackStory’s most memorable moments. We’ll revisit BackStory interviews with history makers, the Guys’ expeditions to see history being made, and the unexpected stories behind some of the 21st century’s most basic assumptions. You’ll hear portions of the very first broadcast of BackStory in 2008, Brian Balogh’s roadside conversation with a man from a jail’s work gang, Ed’s interview with a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Peter’s epic turn as a movie director for a film version of the War of 1812.
2017-01-1952 minBackStoryHistory for the Headlines: 2015 in ReviewHere at BackStory, we’re always on the lookout for stories from the past that help us make sense of our lives today. As 2015 comes to a close, we’re winding back the clock to find out what some of our favorite BackStory moments have to say about the year’s major news stories. What does the 19th century populist movement tell us about the 2016 presidential campaign? And how does the 1897 battle over America’s first long-distance oil pipeline connect to the Keystone XL debate? In this episode, we’ll take a second look at 2015—and turn up a few surprises al...
2015-12-2551 minBackStoryComing Home: A History of War Veterans [rebroadcast]The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created tens of thousands of new combat veterans. But what happens to these soldiers once they return home? In honor of Veterans Day, BackStory looks at the experiences of veterans across American history. What kinds of challenges did veterans face in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries? How did Americans understand the psychological effects of war before PTSD was a diagnosis? What was expected of soldiers’ wives and mothers from one war to the next? Are veterans only as popular as the wars they’ve fought in? On this episode of BackStory, the Guys...
2015-11-0553 minBackStoryGreen Acres: A History of Farmers in America [rebroadcast]As the fall harvest comes in, BackStory takes a look at how farmers came to wield so much influence in American politics and life. In the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson viewed farmers as ideal citizens,their agricultural lifestyle providing the foundation for a virtuous republic. Just two percent of Americans live on farms today, but farmers still occupy a special place in the national identity. In this episode, BackStory considers why the ideal of the self-sufficient, independent American farmer is still so powerful (even as the reality has largely disappeared) and who has invoked that ideal over time. From railroad...
2015-10-1652 min