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The people, events and topics of United States history, shared in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee. Come hang with me as I nerd out a little on America's history.
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Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/radiotheatre/subscribe The adventures of silly aunt sissy everyones favorite #auntie, is about how to be the best parent and includes sketches like father knows it all and story time and music for kids. And as advice! Plus classic dramatic readings of public domain books and various short scripts all genres. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radiotheatre/support
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In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln authorized the execution of 38 Dakota warriors. His decision to execute, and the reasons used to justify the action remain a black mark on Lincoln's legacy. Join me this week as I dive into the latest listener request and explore what prompted the mass execution of Indigenous Americans and wh…
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Born into slavery in 1818, Elizabeth Keckly learned a trade that would lead to her freedom and place her into the upper echelons of white society: sewing. Join me as I dive into the life of the woman who was known as "Madam Elizabeth" by her famous employers. Where did Elizabeth learn how to sew? How did she buy her freedom? And what caused her rif…
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Joining me this week is historian and author Justin McHenry. In this episode we discuss his latest effort, Lemuria: A True Story of a Fake Place, which tells the story of the fictional Lemuria. Justin dives into how Lemuria is tied to Atlantis, how Mt. Shasta is involved, and what it tells us about alternative narratives. To learn more about Justin…
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One of the topics you all wanted me to cover was the impact of the war on the home front. Join me this week as I cover the impacts of a "total war" on local residents and how home front experiences changed depending on race, location, and economic status. For show notes, source material, and ways you can support the show, visit the website at www.c…
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Edwin Stanton is perhaps best known as the man who oversaw the hunt for President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. The lawyer turned Secretary of War dealt with his fair share of heartache and uncertainty, but as I will cover in this episode, he was the right man at the right time. For show notes, source material, or ways you can supp…
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Joining me this week is fellow podcast host and new audiobook author, Michael Trapani. He is the host (and author) of How to Start a War and sat down with me to discuss both his project and what we can learn from studying the bad actors in history. To learn more about Michael, head over to his website at www.howtostartawar.com…
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If you follow pop culture, then you may be aware that April 20th signifies a celebration of sorts by a certain portion of the population. Join me this week as I dive into the story behind how 420 became a cannabis smoker's holiday and how access and the legality of the drug has evolved in the United States throughout history. Listener discretion ad…
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Join me this week as I wrap up the life of Mary Todd Lincoln. In this episode, I review her time as First Lady, her friendship with dressmaker Elizabeth Keckly, and why she was committed to an asylum.By Alycia
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The wife of 16th President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln is generally known for her eccentric personality. However, there is so much more sitting beneath the surface. Join me this week as I begin the life and times of Mary Todd Lincoln.By Alycia
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The Bishop and the Butterfly with Michael Wolraich
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Joining me this week is Michael Wolraich. We discuss his latest book, The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age, including what went into the research and how the murder of a woman rocked New York City politics. To learn more about Michael, visit his website at www.michaelwolraich.com…
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The Civil War touched every corner of the United States and the people residing within its borders. Native Americans were no exception. As the country tore itself in two, Indigenous Americans had to determine the best course of action for their community. Should they side with the Union? The Confederacy? Or stay neutral? Tune in this week to learn …
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The bloodiest battle of the Civil War, Gettysburg was the fatal blow to Robert E. Lee's quest to invade the north and force a surrender. Tune in as I describe how thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers overtook a small, rural community in southern Pennsylvania and how the battlefield became a public history site.…
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Public Assistance in California (Request)
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I am back with another listener request! Longtime listener Arthur asked that I talk about the history of public assistance in the United States. Tune in this week to learn why that is quite the ask and why I decided to focus on the history of welfare in California instead.By Alycia
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Join me this week as I dive into the life of Jefferson Davis. A military man and southern politician, Jefferson Davis was the one and only president of the Confederate States of America. Why was he chosen? And what happened to him after the war? Tune in to find out.By Alycia
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The single most devastating military conflict in United States history, the Civil War took hundreds of thousands of American lives and permanently maimed many others. However the sheer volume of patients also provided an opportunity to test new procedures and hone processes. Join me this week as I discuss medical advancements during the Civil War.…
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Join me this week as I speak with Professor of Literature and historical novelist Piper Hugely as we discuss her book By Her Own Design. The novel tells a fictionalized account of the black fashion designer Ann Lowe and is an engaging, thought provoking look at the life of black women in Jim Crow United States. To learn more about Piper, please vis…
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The American Historical Association Conference was held last month in San Francisco. One of the largest conferences around, it attracts historians from all over to discuss and debate various historical topics. However, so much of the conference experience remains unknown. Join me this week as I dive into history conferences. What are they? Should y…
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Known as the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton lived several lifetimes in her 90 years on earth. She was a nurse, abolitionist, and activist, always challenging norms and pushing the envelope. Join me this week as I dive into the history of Clara Barton.By Alycia
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Democracy in Darkness with Dr. Katlyn Carter
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Joining me this week is Dr. Katlyn Carter who recently published her first book, Democracy in Darkness: Secrecy and Transparency in the Age of Revolutions. The book traces the history of the origins of government for both the United States and France and illuminates how the call for transparency in government did not always translate in practice. T…
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Depicted in the 1989 Hollywood feature film "Glory" the Massachusetts 54th was the first all black regiment to fight in the Civil War. Established in the aftermath of the Emancipation Proclamation, the members serving in the regiment had much riding on their perceived success. Join me this week as I dive into the history of the Massachusetts 54th.…
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Collecting intelligence against ones enemy has been a longstanding military practice. Commanders have long sought to ensure they have the most accurate information before heading to battle to maximize their effectiveness and the Civil War was no different. Join me this week as I dive into the history of spying during the Civil War.…
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The election of Abraham Lincoln as the sixteenth president of the United States prompted states throughout the south to announce their desire to leave. Trying to maintain federal authority where it could, Lincoln entered office hoping to restock Fort Sumter, set in the bay of the Charleston Harbor. The first battle of the Civil War, Fort Sumter ign…
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Before the Movement with Dr. Dylan Penningroth
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Joining me this week is Professor of Law and History, Dr. Dylan Penningroth. He recently wrote a book, Before the Movement, which traces how Black Americans used the legal system throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to practice their civil rights. To learn more about Dr. Penningroth and his scholarship, please head over to the website,…
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Happy Holidays! I could think of no better time to dive into the history of one of the most beloved entertainers in America. Longtime listener and friend Shaydra requested I cover Dolly early in my podcast journey. That request was renewed after Parton's recent performance during the halftime show between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Comma…
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One of the most consequential elections in United States history, the election of 1860 was filled with drama. Third party candidates; a political party caving in on itself; concerns over what the nascent Republican Party would do if they won the White House. Join me this week as I dive into the election of 1860. How did Lincoln win the vote? And wh…
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The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is consistently ranked as one of the best presidents by historians. A man who oversaw the fracturing of the nation, Abraham Lincoln lived quite a life before ever stepping foot inside the White House. So much so that his life must be told over a number of episodes. Join me this week as I…
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Often classified as a dress rehearsal for the Civil War, the raid on Harpers Ferry was a watershed moment in American History. Fully believing his purpose in life was to end slavery, John Brown put together an ambitious, and some would argue unattainable, plan to initiate a war pitting slaveholders against the men and women they held in bondage. Wh…
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As a group of settlers eagerly headed west in the throes of Manifest Destiny, they were being watched by a group who were convinced they posed a grave threat. Known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the murder of over one hundred settlers led to the excommunication of members of the Mormon Church and remained shrouded in mystery for generations. So…
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Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! I am here with a BONUS episode to help you make it through your travel week. Last year, a group of us podcasters got together to chat history, podcasting, and everything in between. We had such a good time that we decided to do it again this year! Come learn all about Kenny from Abridged Presidential Histories, How…
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One of the most contentious Supreme Court decisions in United States history, Scott v. Sanford effectively robbed Black Americans of recognition as citizens. So just who was Dred Scott? And how did his court case impact the millions of Black Americans living in the country at the time? Tune in and find out. For source material, transcripts, and way…
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A president who consistently ranks toward the bottom of the list, James Buchanan made several missteps during his tenure that furthered the country toward war. How is that a man who spent his entire adult life striving for the highest political office could fail so tremendously? Tune in this week to find out. For transcripts, source material, and w…
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Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons with Dr. Charlotte Gray
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Most history fans know at least the basics about Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, two of the most prominent and influential political leaders of the twentieth century. Significantly less is known about the women who had the largest impact on their development: their mothers. In her recently published double biography, historian Char…
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A man who stalked his victims along the serene trails of several California state parks, David Joseph Carpenter was a career criminal who arguably should have never been free to murder seven people in an eight month span between 1980 and 1981. This week, I am diving into the story of The Trailside Killer. What happened? And what does the Zodiac hav…
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A woman who lived enough for several lifetimes, Mary Ann Shadd Cary was one of the loudest voices in support of Canadian emigration for Black Americans. Growing up in a household committed to racial justice, Shadd Cary spent her life turning words into action, becoming the first Black woman to launch a periodical in North America. But she also buck…
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The wife of fourteenth president Franklin Pierce, Jane Appleton Pierce often gets a bad rap. Seen as a woman who was unwilling to support her husband's political efforts, Jane Pierce definitely lacked excitement in serving in the position of First Lady. But she was also a woman who lived with chronic pain and suffered tremendous loss. Join me this …
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Fourteenth President Franklin Pierce is frequently listed as one of the country's worst presidents by historians. A man who so desperately wished to keep his preferred political party intact, Pierce made questionable decisions that arguably pushed the country further towards war. So why does he get such a bad grade? Join me this week as I look at t…
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The Rough Rider & The Professor with Laurence Jurdem
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Joining me this week is Laurence Jurdem to discuss his newest book, The Rough Rider & the Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and the Friendship that Changed American History. Dr. Jurdem is an Adjunct Professor of history at Fairfield University and Fordham College’s Lincoln Center campus. In this episode, we chat about the relationsh…
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Some presidential wives are more well known than others. Throughout the nineteenth century, there are a string of women who did not leave as lasting an impact to the role of First Lady or a voluminous set of journals and letters for historians to mine to craft a narrative of their lives. Abigail Powers Fillmore is one such presidential spouse. Even…
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Join me this week as I dive into the life and career of Millard Fillmore. The second "accidental president," Fillmore ascended to the office after the passing of Zachary Taylor. The two men, who had no relationship before Taylor's death, proved to have very different opinions on the issue of the day. Fillmore is considered by many to be one of the …
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Welcome back to James Baldwin - Part Two! Join me this week as I complete the story of Baldwin's life, including his ascension to the top of the literary world, his work during the Civil Rights Movement, and the legacy he left behind. Thanks again to Ethan for making such a wonderful request. For source material, transcripts, or to request your own…
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I am back with another listener request! James Baldwin is one of the most well known authors of the twentieth century. Growing up in Harlem during the roaring twenties and depression riddled thirties, Baldwin knew from a young age he wanted to be a writer. But living with an overbearing stepfather made that dream something he had to fight for. Tune…
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Joining me this week is Professor of History at Brandeis University, Dr. Chad Williams. In this episode, we discuss his new book, The Wounded World: W.E.B. DuBois and the First World War. The book traces DuBois' efforts to write a comprehensive biography of African American military service during the World War I and explores the reasons why DuBois…
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Tensions were high in the run-up to the Civil War. Disagreements proliferated about the institution of slavery and just what should be done about it. And nowhere were disagreements and tempers high than inside the halls of Congress. While many know about the caning of Charles Sumner, some may be surprised to learn that this was just one in a long l…
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In 1854, a sleepy community on the north fork of Long Island was devastated by reports of a double murder. James and Frances Wickham appeared to have everything a young couple could want: a beautiful home, comfortable wealth, and good health. So what happened? Tune in this week to learn more about the Wickham Murders. For transcripts and source mat…
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Joining me this week is former managing editor of People magazine, Landon Jones, to discuss his latest book, Celebrity Nation. Our conversation covers what brought Jones to the subject, what we can learn from American history by studying celebrity, and the dangers of celebrity culture. To learn more about Landon, please visit his website at www.lan…
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This one is all about mental health awareness week and pride disability month and how friends help you feel good about yourself. Where I tell a story about anne green gables And we feel good about ourselves by making friends. And talk about barbie .listen to both segments . I also talk about aunt and uncle appreciation day . --- Support this podcas…
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Known for his military success, Zachary Taylor came to office as President of the United States at a critical moment in United States history. Despite being a leader on the battlefield, many historians argue he failed to deliver the same while president, propelling the country further on the path to war. So just who was Zachary Taylor? Tune in to f…
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I am back with another listener request! Anna Kingsley was a slave woman who went on to become property and slave owner who won a monumental court case during a period when women and former slaves were given little, if any, agency or respect. Much of Anna's life remains a mystery, but what we do know is quite fascinating. Tune in this week as I div…
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Sitting along the busy intersections of San Jose stands a grand mansion with a haunted past. The Winchester Mystery House has been a top tourist destination for one hundred years and is known for its creepy design elements like the stairs to nowhere and doors that do not open. Most have heard the stories about how Sarah Winchester, a rich widow who…
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Sustaining the Carrier War with Dr. Stan Fisher
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Join me this week as I interview historian, professor, and new author Dr. Stan Fisher about his book, Sustaining the Carrier War: The Deployment of U.S. Naval Air Power to the Pacific. In his book, Dr. Fisher recounts the efforts the United States Navy made to improve capabilities in fighting a protracted war in the Pacific. He provides a human fac…
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