Best Walt Gold Podcasts (2024)

1
Guantanamo Bay Detention Center: A History From The Inside 1:02:10

39m ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Very few people know what it is like to be in the infamous US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, but our 3 guests for this episode have all had first hand experience. For one of them, it was as a detainee. Mansoor Adayfi was held, interrogated and tortured at Guantanamo for over 14 years. For Pardiss Kebriaei, it was as an attorney. Pardiss is a…

1
Outlaws: New York's Criminal Mastermind 34:55

6d ago34:55

34:55

When was the first bank robbery? What does it take to be successful in organized crime? Is it possible to be non-violent? And how might you avoid getting caught? The story of Ma Mandelbaum, the mother of New York's criminal underworld, has the answer to these questions and more. Don is joined by Margalit Fox, former senior writer at the New York Ti…

1
Maddie Rice Gets Into Prog With "America" 30:06

1d ago30:06

30:06

Singer-songwriter and guitarist for the SNL House Band joins us to talk about transitioning from being a hired gun to an artist in control, listening to Simon and Garfunkel tapes in the car, and the greatest song she's ever heard in her entire life, "America" written by Paul Simon as covered by Yes! Plus, Scott and Katherine review the 2024 MTV VMA…

1
How The World Sees The US: The Art of Diplomacy 37:16

8d ago37:16

37:16

How did Egypt and Israel come to an agreement at Camp David in 1979? How did the USSR come to allow the operation of NATO troops in East Germany? Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has played a leading role in the United States' diplomatic negotiations whilst serving in six Presidential administrations. In a troubled world, which needs diplomacy more than…

1
McCarthy & the Second Red Scare 51:32

1d ago51:32

51:32

Who was Joe McCarthy? How did this Republican Senator come to lead a nationwide campaign against communism? And how did he bring about his own downfall? For this episode, Don is joined by the authors of ‘Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare’, Dr. Andrea Balis and Elizabeth Levy. Listen in to find out why McCarthyism happened wh…

1
Bonus: 2009 VMAs 15th Anniversary Special 33:14

2d ago33:14

33:14

On September 13th, 2009 the MTV VMAs unexpectedly became one of the most consequential award shows in history. In this special Bonus Episode Scott and Katherine are joined by culture writer and host of the In Sync podcast Rachel Brodsky to look back for the 15th Anniversary of the award show where Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance sp…

1
Japanese in America: Railroads, Internment Camps & Little Tokyo 50:00

5d ago50:00

50:00

When the US turned to Japan looking for workers in the late 19th Century, they probably never foresaw that one day soon they would imprison those who arrived, their successors, and their families, en masse in camps around America. To hear about the Japanese American experience through history, Don is speaking to Kristen Hayashi. Kristen is Director…

1
President Woodrow Wilson: Progressive? Warmonger? Overrated? 39:02

8d ago39:02

39:02

The 20th Century is up and running and the next President in our series, Woodrow Wilson, is in for a challenge. Reconstruction is over, Europe is on the precipice of war, and women are campaigning for suffrage. So how does this two term presidency play out? From granting women the right to vote to segregating the Federal Government, how progressive…

1
Juveria Zaheer Turns Her Orbit Towards "Jesus, Etc." 34:29

9d ago34:29

34:29

Jeopardy! Champion Juveria Zaheer (winner of the Season 40 Second Chance Tournament and Champions Wildcard Tournament) joins us to talk about the Charli XCX clue she shouldn't have missed, watching her children fall in love with music, and the greatest song she's ever heard in her entire life, "Jesus, Etc." by Wilco. Plus, Scott and Katherine catch…

51
British Brides for American Tobacco: A Tudor Trade 34:47

15d ago34:47

34:47

In 1621 the Virginia Company of London put out a call for young, handsome and honestly educated women to become wives for the planters in its new colony in Jamestown. Hopeful husbands were supposed to pay for their English brides in best leaf tobacco. But who were the women who made the Atlantic crossing? And what became of them when they arrived i…

1
Who Was The Richest President? 38:27

15d ago38:27

38:27

Which President was best with their money? Which was worst? And are Presidents responsible for paying for their food, staff and parties during their time in office? To find out all this and more, Don speaks to tax attorney and wealth manager Megan Gorman. Megan's book is 'All the Presidents' Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Mo…

1
Eisenhower: D-Day and the Birth of the American Superpower 39:51

18d ago39:51

39:51

In June 1944, the joint forces of the Allies began the liberation of continental Europe on D-Day. But was there tension within the ranks? Don speaks to Michel Paradis to find out how Eisenhower's leadership helped win the war. How did he deal with the strained relationship between the fading colonial powers of Britain and France, and the rising sup…

1
President William Howard Taft: The Reluctant Politician? 48:00

22d ago48:00

48:00

Sandwiched between Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson is our 26th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. Did he have the confidence, belief and vision necessary to become a president? And why was he criticised for spending too much time on the golf course? Don is joined by Adam Burns, Head of Politics at Brighton College and author…

1
Kishi Bashi Feels Elevated By "Aqualera do Brasil" 23:37

23d ago23:37

23:37

Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi joins to talk about his new album Kantos, the records he listens to at dinner, and the greatest song he's ever heard in his entire life, "Aqualera do Brasil" as covered by João Gilberto. Get Kantos wherever you get your music when it's released August 23rd and follow him on instagram @kishi_bashi @gr…

1
Lafayette: The Marquis and the American Revolution 26:19

1M ago26:19

26:19

Why did an aristocratic French man fight for American freedom? How influential was Lafayette? And what did he do on his return visit to the United States 200 years ago this year?Don is joined by Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette. You can find more about Chuck’s work with Lafayette 200 here: https://lafayette200.o…

1
Kamala Harris: An Unprecedented Candidacy? 28:47

29d ago28:47

28:47

Cleopatra, Catherine the Great, Boudicca, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel: what do these women have in common? They were all leaders of their nations, and they may - pending the choices of the electorate later this year - be joined in their ranks by an American. But what might Kamala Harris face if she wins the election? What is she already facing…

1
American History Hit: 200 Episodes On 7:18

29d ago7:18

7:18

Host Don Wildman has a message for listeners old and new, marking 200 episodes of American History Hit. American History Hit first started publishing in 2022, and since then we've covered the first Americans, Revolution, Civil War, the World Wars and beyond. Here's to the next 200 episodes, where we will continue to look to the past to understand t…

1
President Theodore Roosevelt 41:22

1M ago41:22

41:22

What kind of a nickname is Bull Moose? How progressive was Theodore Roosevelt's presidency? And how does his legacy live on? Don is joined once again by Michael Patrick Cullinane, historian of American politics, an award-winning author, and the Lowman Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies at Dickinson State University. Michael's books on Roose…

1
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt 45:34

1M ago45:34

45:34

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." The youngest President ever, Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment, uncle to Eleanor Roosevelt, fifth cousin to FDR, and a keen huntsman; Theodore Roosevelt is consistently remembered as one of the United States' top 5 Presidents. But how did he reach the White House? In this first of two episodes on T…

1
Origins of Political Campaigns: Publicity Stunts & Fake News 50:58

2M ago50:58

50:58

How do our politicians use the media? Throughout the 2024 election we have seen a boom in the use of social media and cable news, so how far back does this go? To find out, Don speaks first to crisis public relations expert and TikTok star, Molly McPherson, to hear about this year's election campaign. Then, he chats to author Claire Bond Potter, wh…

1
American Operators on WW1's Front Line 30:40

1M ago30:40

30:40

When the First World War ended at 11am on 11 November, 1918, how did army command relay the ceasefire to their troops? In fact, before radios and computer systems, in the early years of the telephone, how were messages passed along trenches at all? In this episode, Don is joined once again by Elizabeth Cobbs, award-winning historian and novelist. E…

1
Roger Feeley-Lussier Remembers His Mom With A "Heart Of Gold" 34:48

1M ago34:48

34:48

Musician, graphic designer, and writer Roger Feeley-Lussier joins us to talk about his days in popular indie rock bands, sharing music with his daughters, and the greatest song he's ever heard in his entire life, "Heart Of Gold" by Neil Young. Plus, Scott and Katherine catch up on the Olympics Opening Ceremony and some listener recommendations. Fol…

1
The Third Presidential Assassination: McKinley 39:23

2M ago39:23

39:23

On 6th September, 1901, President William McKinley attended a public reception at the Pan American Exposition, a 6-month-long World’s Fair, in Buffalo, New York. He was at the height of his power, having been re-elected at the beginning of the year. But one of the people who stood in line to meet him was an anarchist, determined to carry out the fi…

1
President William McKinley: The Secret Service & the Spanish-American War 46:03

2M ago46:03

46:03

Why does the Secret Service protect the President of the United States? And what can we learn from McKinley's life and presidency, not just his assassination? Don speaks with Kim Kenney, Executive Director at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum. Together, they take us through McKinley's background, election and term in office, as well as loo…

1
Biden: US Presidents, Reelection & the Second Term Curse 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

President Joe Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, after announcing he was ending his reelection bid a few days ago. Dropping out so close to the election is historically unprecedented, but Biden is not to first president to make this decision. In 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson sat in the same office to announce the same …

1
Secrets of the White House 33:36

2M ago33:36

33:36

How did a party in the White House end in mayhem? When did the West Wing become a hive of government? And how has the private life of the President been shielded from the public, despite them living and working in the same building? To explore the stories that lurk beneath the white washed surface of the President's residence, Don speaks to Corey M…

1
Bonus: God Only Knows Music Analysis (Pop Unmuted 2016 Episode Re-release) 24:33

2M ago24:33

24:33

For this special Bonus episode, we're re-releasing an episode of Scott's old podcast Pop Unmuted. Tying in with our most recent episode where Comedian and Musician Allie Goertz chose "God Only Knows" as the greatest song she's ever heard in her entire life, this 2016 episode of Pop Unmuted finds Scott and his cohost Kurt Trowbridge breaking down th…

1
US Presidents Who Escaped Assassination 41:22

2M ago41:22

41:22

Lincoln, FDR, Reagan, Clinton, Bush and now Trump. All have been targets of assassination attempts while in or running for office. Listen to this bonus episode from our sister podcast, Dan Snow's History Hit, where host Dan is joined by Professor of American History at Cambridge University Gary Gerstle to take a look at the assassination attempts t…

1
Sovereignty, the Constitution and 100 years of Citizenship: Native Rights 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

This podcast contains adult language. What was the ‘Indian Citizenship Act’ of 1924? Why was it necessary? How did it happen? And why did it happen in 1924? Shannon O’Loughlin from the Association of American Indian Affairs joins Don to discuss the Act and its effect. Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte L…

1
Allie Goertz Agrees With Paul McCartney About "God Only Knows" 36:25

2M ago36:25

36:25

Writer/Comedian/Musician Allie Goertz joins us to talk about her new album of Nine Inch Nails covers, Peeled Back, balancing listening to music and podcasts, and the greatest song she's ever heard in her entire life, "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys! Plus, Scott and Katherine discuss Katy Perry's "Woman's World" and the viral "Apple" dance. Follo…

1
The Rise of Presidential Power 36:28

2M ago36:28

36:28

Right from independence, a question has hovered over the government of the United States. How much power should the President have? Not too much, lest they become a monarch. But not too little, they are elected to do a job and that job must be done. In this episode of American History Hit, Don is joined once again by Professor of Political Science,…

1
President Grover Cleveland: Panic in the Second Term 38:14

2M ago38:14

38:14

What caused the economic panic of 1893? In this episode we are delving into the event that made Grover Cleveland's second term so different from his first. Don is joined once again by Professor Mark Zachary Taylor from Georgia Institute of Technology, author of 'Presidential Leadership in Feeble Times.' From the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, to labo…

1
Zionism in Texas 37:44

2M ago37:44

37:44

What do you know about Galveston, Texas? Perhaps you've heard about the disastrous hurricane of 1900, perhaps not. This was also likely the case for the thousands of European Jews who migrated to the United States via the city's port in the years preceding the First World War. Don speaks to Rachel Cockerell, whose great-grandfather, David Jochelman…

1
What is Populism? From the Farmers' Alliance to Trump 36:28

2M ago36:28

36:28

In the long unanswered question of whether the established elite truly support the concerns of ordinary people, a supposed hero arises: Populism. But what is Populism? Where did it come from? And is this political approach from the late 19th century reflected anywhere in today's politics? Don speaks to Steve Babson, author of seven books including …

1
Jocelyn Of Walt Disco Wants All Versions Of "Send In The Clowns" 32:58

2M ago32:58

32:58

Singer and front-person of Scottish band Walt Disco, Jocelyn joins us to talk about their new album The Warping, touring with Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, and the greatest song they've ever heard in their entire life, "Send In The Clowns" by Stephen Sondheim Plus, Scott and Katherine chat about Cats: The Jellicle Ball and the "Girl, So Confus…

1
What Caused the American Revolution? 41:39

3M ago41:39

41:39

What took the US from the Boston Tea Party to Lexington and Concord? Where was the turning point for the creation of the republic? Mary Beth Norton joins Don in this episode to take us through the causes of the Revolutionary War, and why the year 1774 is so important in this history. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer…

1
President Benjamin Harrison: The President with a Petting Zoo 26:21

3M ago26:21

26:21

Why is the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, remembered as a 'Human Iceberg'? Why did it seem as though he was predestined for the Presidency? And what was it like to have a term sandwiched between the presidencies of Grover Cleveland? Don speaks to humorist Alexandra Petri about Harrison's presidency and legacy. Alexandra is …

1
The First Battle of the Civil War: Fort Sumter 42:38

3M ago42:38

42:38

A 34-hour bombardment, one (accidental) death, and the start of the bloodiest war the United States has ever seen. The Battle of Fort Sumter, in April 1861, is often obscured by the more famous battles in the four years of Civil War history, but it is one of the most significant among them. To find out more, Don speaks to the incredible Allen C. Gu…

1
The Whiskey Rebellion: Tax Protest & Armed Resistance 37:59

3M ago37:59

37:59

This episode was first released on November 14 2022. The Whiskey Tax, imposed in 1791, was the first federal tax on a domestic product by a United States government. It was introduced by Alexander Hamilton to pay the interest on war bonds that had been issued to wealthy backers of the the American Revolution. But many Whiskey distillers in Western …

1
Stan Talouis Feels The Impact Of "The Message" 36:43

3M ago36:43

36:43

Stand Up Comedian Stan Talouis joins to talk about growing up in the New York hip hop scene, why rap beefs are fun, and the greatest song he's ever heard in his entire life, "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Plus, Scott and Katherine talk about Gov Ball, accidentally filming a viral video of the new Chappell Roan song, Charli…

1
Presidential Pardons: Mormons, Conscientious Objectors & January 6th 40:53

3M ago40:53

40:53

In the US Constitution, the President of the United States is granted the right to pardon those convicted of federal crimes. But how do they tend to use these pardons, and when have they been used in the cases of mass insurrection? From Mormons, to conscientious objectors, to the January 6th uprising, Don is joined by Graham Dodds to discuss this h…

1
President Grover Cleveland: Honest to a Fault? 35:15

3M ago35:15

35:15

They say that honesty is the best policy, but was this the case for Grover Cleveland? He may be the only president to have served two non-consecutive terms (as of 13 June 2023), but Cleveland was deeply unpopular by the end of his last term. From protecting the interests of the American people and upholding the constitution, to a secret lifesaving …

1
The War on Crime: The 1930s and the New Deal 36:24

3M ago36:24

36:24

How did the United States go from a country defined by its lawlessness in the 1920s and early 1930s, to one where many political standpoints rest on a War on Crime? What roles did FDR, J. Edgar Hoover and Attorney General Homer S. Cummings play in this? In this episode of American History Hit, Don delves into the transformation of the Federal gover…

1
America at D-Day 54:18

3M ago54:18

54:18

On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces combined their land, air and sea forces into the largest amphibious invasion in history - D-Day. Under Supreme Commander General Dwight D Eisenhower, this attack turned the tide on the second world war, pushing enemy forces out of France and towards surrender in Berlin. 73,000 Americans landed on the beaches of No…

1
LØLØ's Personality Was Shaped By "Sk8er Boi" 33:59

3M ago33:59

33:59

Canadian Singer-Songwriter LØLØ joins us to talk about her upcoming debut album, Falling For Robots And Wishing I Was One, the advice Billie Joe Armstrong gave her about getting stuff thrown at you on stage, and the greatest song she's ever heard in her entire life, "Sk8er Boi" by Avril Lavigne Plus, Scott and Katherine share movies and musicians t…

1
Communism in America 51:59

3M ago51:59

51:59

The history of the United States' relationship with communism is one littered with fear and persecution. So where did the American Communist Party come from? How powerful has it been in the last century? And where is it now? In this episode of American History Hit, Don is joined by Dr. Vernon Pederson, Professor at the American University of Sharja…

1
The History of Baseball 39:55

4M ago39:55

39:55

Where did baseball come from? Why is every stadium unique? And how do you make it to the Hall of Fame? For half the year, baseball remains a national pastime in the USA. It is also a game of many myths, and plenty of legends. In this episode, Don speaks to one of them - Joe Posnanski is a two time Emmy Award winner and has been named National Sport…

1
The Battle of Okinawa 27:36

4M ago27:36

27:36

Please note, this episode contains discussion of suicide. On 1 April 1945, as the Second World War in Europe was reaching its end, one of the bloodiest battles in the whole conflict commenced on a small island south of mainland Japan. It was the Battle of Okinawa. Saul David joined Dan Snow on our sister podcast, Dan Snow's History Hit, to provide …

1
President Chester A. Arthur: Redemption in Office? 32:45

4M ago32:45

32:45

Vice President to a narrow election winner, Chester Arthur was a very unlikely President. But on September 20th 1881 he took his seat as the 21st President of the United States at the dawn of the modern administrative state and presidency. So what kind of President did he become? Was he progressive? What was his role in the creation of the Civil Se…

1
PRXZM Turns To The Sun With "Ambrosia" and "Minnesota Is A Place That Exists" 33:47

4M ago33:47

33:47

Synth Pop duo PRXZM (Emma Maidenberg and Nick Ortega) join to talk about their new album Turn To The Sun, writing music remotely, and the greatest songs they've ever heard in their entire lives, "Ambrosia" by Rosie Tucker and "minnesota is a place that exists" by glaive Plus, Scott and Katherine chat about this year's Eurovision Song Contest and Ap…

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