Best Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia Podcasts (2024)

1
Frederick Douglass's Two-Day Escape North (1838) 18:06

43m ago18:06

18:06

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's September 5th. This day in 1838, Frederick Douglass makes a two-day escape from Maryland to New York City. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how perilous Douglass's trip was, and how he was able to navigate the route from Baltimore to Delaware to Pe…

1
Roosevelt's "Big Stick" (1901) 16:33

2d ago16:33

16:33

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's September 3rd. This day in 1901, Vice President Teddy Roosevelt gives remarks in which he refers to his notion that one should "speak softly and carry a big stick." Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss where Roosevelt got that phrase, and how it came t…

1
The HIV-Positive Ray Brothers House Is Burned Down (1987) w/ Eric Marcus 24:21

30m ago24:21

24:21

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 29th. This day in 1987, an arson burns down the house of the Ray brothers, three HIV-positive children who had contracted the virus through blood transfusions. Jody, NIki, and Kellie are joined by Eric Marcus of "Making Gay History" projec…

1
Strom Thurmond's Epic Filibuster -- And Bladder Control (1957) 16:53

5h ago16:53

16:53

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 27th. This day (technically the 28th) in 1957, Senator Strom Thurmond embarks on what would be the longest filibuster in Senate history, arguing against civil rights legislation that would expand the vote for Black americans. Jody, NIki, a…

1
A Global Anti-War (Or Is It Pro-Peace?) Pact (1928) 25:36

7h ago25:36

25:36

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 25th. This day in 1928, representatives from the major world powers sign on to a treaty that states that promised to not use war to "resolve disputes or conflicts of whatever nature... or of whatever origin." Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss…

1
Conventions Week: Hamer vs. Johnson (1964) [Archive Episode] 21:11

5h ago21:11

21:11

**Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now!** Welcome to Conventions Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, as the Democrats are meeting in Chicago, we are looking at conventions, which are v…

1
Conventions Week: Seven Weird Conventions Moments (Part Two) 15:16

17d ago15:16

15:16

**Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now!** Welcome to Conventions Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, as the Democrats are meeting in Chicago, we are looking at conventions, which are v…

1
Conventions Week: Seven Weird Conventions Moments (Part One) 23:24

9d ago23:24

23:24

**Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now!** Welcome to Conventions Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, as the Democrats are meeting in Chicago, we are looking at conventions, which are v…

1
Trump's "Very Fine People" Comments (2017) 27:47

5h ago27:47

27:47

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 15th. This day in 2017, President Donald Trump gave a press conference in which he offered remarks about the violence that took place in Charlottesville, VA a couple days before. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the roots of the white suprem…

1
Thoreau Spends One Night In Jail (1846) 15:50

11d ago15:50

15:50

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 13th. This day in 1846, Henry David Thoreau is thrown in jail -- for one night -- for refusing to pay his back taxes. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Thoreau objected to the poll tax, and how his political stances intersected with the m…

1
What The Watts Riots Meant (1965) 17:52

2d ago17:52

17:52

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 11th. This day in 1965, six days of civil unrest erupts in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the violence was sparked -- and how the reaction to it prefigured much of the conversation that would domi…

1
George HW Bush Compares Sadaam To Hitler (1990) 17:44

5d ago17:44

17:44

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 8th. This day in 1990, George HW Bush addressed the country about Iraq's recent invasion of Kuwait. In it, Bush evoked WWII and made a comparison between Sadaam Hussein and Adolph Hitler. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Bush framed the …

1
The Shirtless George Washington Statue Is Unveiled (1841) 14:14

7d ago14:14

14:14

Come to our first ever live show! In Boston, on Friday, September 13th. Tickets are available now! It's August 5th. This day in 1841, a new statue is unveiled in the Capitol rotunda, to commemorate the 100th birthday of George Washington. One notable element: he's shirtless. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the statue of Washington arrived bare-c…

1
Some 2024 Veepstakes Thoughts (Plus A Special Announcement) 33:17

19d ago33:17

33:17

Here in 2024, there is a lot of speculation about who Kamala Harris will select as her running mate. And the Veepstakes almost feel kind of...normal? So, today, Jody shares some thoughts about the nature of the VP pick, and we re-run our episode from "Veepstakes Week" about notable picks throughout history. Also -- we just announced our first ever …

1
Jim Traficant Heads To Jail, Toupee And All (2002) 16:55

1M ago16:55

16:55

It's August 1st. This day in 2002, Congressman James Traficant of Ohio has been expelled from Congress for bribery and corruption, only the second member ever kicked out of the institution. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Traficant's bombastic reputation, corrupt dealings -- and how his shifting politics represented the way political fault lines wer…

1
The Mother Of Miami (1896) 14:08

14d ago14:08

14:08

It's July 28th. This day in 1896, residents vote to incorporate the city of Miami, Florida. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how the birth of Miami was in large part due to a woman named Julia Tuttle and the arrival of the railroad to the Florida "frontier." This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support…

1
Jesse Owens v Hitler, Behind The Scenes (1936) 19:50

26d ago19:50

19:50

It's July 27th. Today we mark the start of the Olympics by looking at one of the most famous -- and perhaps apocryphal -- moments in Olympics history, when American Jesse Owens won four gold medals in front of Adolf Hitler. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how the legend is a little more complicated than we may know, from the controversy over whether…

1
A Record Election-Year Heat Wave (1936) 18:53

1M ago18:53

18:53

It's the middle of July. In 1936, much of the country -- especially the Midwest -- is experiencing record heat. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the heat was so deadly, how it created economic and social ripple effects, and why FDR was able to rally the country to talk about government solutions to some of the problems the heat exacerbated. This …

1
"Pretendians" And The Politics Of Native Identity (1934) w/ Angel Ellis and Robert Jago 22:42

21d ago22:42

22:42

It's July 22nd. This day in 1934, FDR has signed the "Indian Reorganization Act," which provided economic relief to many tribes, but also came with provisions to reorganize the way in which Native Americans self-governed, and self-identified. This opened up a vacuum for fundamental questions of identity and community which reverberate today. Jody, …

1
The Thiokol Weapons Plant Explosion (1971) w/ Patrick Longstreth 22:40

23d ago22:40

22:40

In 1971, a massive explosion at the Thiokol plant in Woodbine, Georgia shook the small town and killed 29 workers, injuring dozens of others. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by director Patrick Longstreth to talk about how the plant provided good jobs for the rural community, but lax safety standards ultimately led to one of the worst industrial …

1
Reagan says "MAGA" (1980) 28:23

1M ago28:23

28:23

It's July 18th. This day in 1980, Ronald Reagan accepted the Republican nomination for president. His speech included the phrase "let's make American great again." Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the long history of that phrase, why it is so appealing, the power of nostalgia in American politics -- and of course how Trump made MAGA into a movement. …

1
'A Harvest Of Death' And The Power Of Photography (1863) w/ Robert Sullivan 17:44

28d ago17:44

17:44

It's July 15th. This day in 1863, photographer Timothy O'Sullivan has taken a photo of dead soldiers at Gettysburg called "A Harvest of Death." It would become one of the most famous photos in American history -- and O'Sullivan would soon be contracted to travel west and photograph the American frontier. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by writer …

1
The Real Free State of Jones (1863) [Archive Favorite] 14:07

2M ago14:07

14:07

[[It's the heart of the summer, which means that our crew is taking some breaks here and there. In the meantime, we'll bring you some favorite episodes from the vaults -- and we'll be back with new episodes very soon!]] It’s October 12th. This day in 1863, fighting is breaking out in Jones County, Mississippi, as a group of southern farmers starts …

1
A Bombing At LaGuardia Airport (1975) [Archive Favorite] 17:54

1M ago17:54

17:54

[[It's the heart of the summer, which means that our crew is taking some breaks here and there. In the meantime, we'll bring you some favorite episodes from the vaults -- and we'll be back with new episodes very soon!]] It’s December 29th. This day in 1975, a bomb, planted in a luggage locker, exploded at NYC’s LaGuardia Airport, killing 11 and inj…

1
The Big Dig's Big Start w/ Ian Coss [Archive Favorite] 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

[[It's the heart of the summer, which means that our crew is taking some breaks here and there. In the meantime, we'll bring you some favorite episodes from the vaults -- and we'll be back with new episodes very soon!]] It’s September 26th. This day in 1983, Massachusetts Senator Michael Dukakis held a press conference to announce an enormous and a…

1
The Statues That Represent The United States (1864) 13:49

2M ago13:49

13:49

It's July 2nd. This day in 1864, President Lincoln signed a law declaring the chamber previously used as the House of Representatives to be a statuary hall, featuring two statues submitted by each state. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the kinds of statues that got submitted, what kind of story of American history it told, and how that has started t…

1
Reagan Re-Ups The Voting Rights Act (1982) 13:41

2M ago13:41

13:41

It's June 30th. This day in 1982, Ronald Reagan signed a bill re-authorizing the Voting Rights Act, among a lot of pressure to pass the civil rights legislation -- but also a growing legal strategy to undermine the enforcement of the provisions. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why Reagan ultimately supported the act, and how legal advisors - includi…

1
The Weird History Of U.S. Debates (Part 2) 20:48

2M ago20:48

20:48

Ahead of this week's very weird debate, we take a look at the weird history of how political debates have been structured in the U.S. -- from format, to audience, to the role of the moderators. If you want to watch this episode, the full video is up on our YouTube page! Find out more at thisdaypod.com This Day In Esoteric Political History is a pro…

1
The Weird History Of U.S. Debates (Part 1) 21:14

2M ago21:14

21:14

Ahead of this week's very weird debate, we take a look at the weird history of how political debates have been structured in the U.S. -- from format, to audience, to the role of the moderators. If you want to watch this episode, the full video is up on our YouTube page! Find out more at thisdaypod.com This Day In Esoteric Political History is a pro…

1
Third Parties Week: Ross Perot Crashes The Debate (1992) 16:51

2M ago16:51

16:51

Welcome to Third Party Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, we are looking at third parties: who runs for a third party bid, who votes for a third party, and how much do third party candidates really matter? Today, we bring you an episode we did …

1
Third Parties Week: John Anderson's Middle Path (1980) 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

Welcome to Third Party Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, we are looking at third parties: who runs for a third party bid, who votes for a third party, and how much do third party candidates really matter? Today: The 1980 election is remembered…

1
Third Parties Week: Ralph Nader, Spoiler? (2000) 15:46

2M ago15:46

15:46

Welcome to Third Party Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, we are looking at third parties: who runs for a third party bid, who votes for a third party, and how much do third party candidates really matter? Today: Ralph Nader's 2000 run as a Gre…

1
Third Party Week: Who Goes Third Party? w/ Dave Weigel 31:01

2M ago31:01

31:01

Welcome to Third Party Week! From time to time this election year, we're going to do some special series that highlight the rhythm of an election cycle. This week, we are looking at third parties: who runs for a third party bid, who votes for a third party, and how much do third party candidates really matter? Today: Semafor's Dave Weigel joins us …

1
Lift Every Voice And Sing (1900) [Juneteenth Archive Episode] 21:31

3M ago21:31

21:31

Today we're reprising an episode we did for Juneteenth last year, as we get ready for this year's holiday! It’s June 18th. Today, for Juneteenth, we look at the history of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” aka the Black National Anthem. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the song’s history and the various ways in which it’s been presented as a song of resis…

1
Coretta Scott Weds Martin Luther King (1953) 25:29

3M ago25:29

25:29

It's June 11th. This day (actually June 18th) in 1953, Coretta Scott married Martin Luther King, Jr. on the front lawn of her childhood home in Alabama. Jody, Niki, and Kellie talk about how Scott and King started their relationship, the compromises -- personal and political -- that Scott had to make in their marriage, and how history has begun to …

1
The Sad Saga of the Late Lester Hunt (1953) 21:36

3M ago21:36

21:36

It's June 9th. This day in 1953, police in Washington, DC have arrested Lester "Buddy" Hunt, Jr on charges of soliciting sex from a male undercover officer. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how Hunt's arrest led to a tragic and twisted series of events involving his father, a prominent senator, and the parts of the government going after homosexualit…

1
We Refuse Week: Joy In Refusal, From Black Panther to The Boat Brawl 25:41

3M ago25:41

25:41

Our very own Kellie Carter Jackson has a brand new book! You can get "We Refuse" now wherever you get your books, and all this week we'll be looking at some of the most interesting stories she covers in the work. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podc…

1
We Refuse Week: Carrie Johnson Kills A Police Officer 18:18

3M ago18:18

18:18

Our very own Kellie Carter Jackson has a brand new book! You can get "We Refuse" now wherever you get your books, and all this week we'll be looking at some of the most interesting stories she covers in the work. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podc…

1
We Refuse Week: Kellie's Family History of Resistance 22:28

3M ago22:28

22:28

Our very own Kellie Carter Jackson has a brand new book! You can get "We Refuse" now wherever you get your books, and all this week we'll be looking at some of the most interesting stories she covers in the work. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podc…

1
How Many Presidents? (1787) w/ A.J. Jacobs 19:07

3M ago19:07

19:07

It's May 7th. This day in 1787, the writers of the constitution are debating a central question -- how many presidents should the United States have? Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by author A.J. Jacobs, whose new book "The Year of Living Constitutionally" dives into the weird world of our founding document. They discuss why the founders were co…

1
The Incident That Led Ida B. Wells To Flee Memphis (1892) 20:25

3M ago20:25

20:25

It's May 28th. This day in 1892, the newspaper offices of Ida B. Wells are ransacked by a white mob in Memphis, TN. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss the incident that led up to the attack on Wells's office, why her journalism on lynching in the South was such a threat to white supremacy, and why she ultimately decided to leave Memphis and eventually …

1
War Stories: A Confederate Day of Fasting and Prayer (1863) 19:28

3M ago19:28

19:28

In the runup to Memorial Day, we're bringing you some stories from the archives about war and the cost of war. We'll be back with new episodes next week! It’s March 27th. This day in 1863, Jefferson Davis declared a “day of fasting and prayer” to support the Confederate cause in the Civil War. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss the role of days like th…

1
War Stories: The Port Chicago Mutiny (1944) 18:16

4M ago18:16

18:16

In the runup to Memorial Day, we're bringing you some stories from the archives about war and the cost of war. We'll be back with new episodes next week! It’s August 25th. In 1944, a group of sailors at Port Chicago in California are facing mutiny charges, after refusing to work under dangerous conditions. Just under a month earlier, there had been…

1
War Stories: Camp Casey (2005) 20:13

4M ago20:13

20:13

In the runup to Memorial Day, we're bringing you some stories from the archives about war and the cost of war. We'll be back with new episodes next week! It’s September 2nd. This day in 2005, Cindy Sheehan embarks on a tour around the country to protest the Iraq War, where her son Casey had died the prior year. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Sheeha…

1
War Stories: The Vietnam Draft Lottery Gets Exposed (1970) 27:34

4M ago27:34

27:34

In the runup to Memorial Day, we're bringing you some stories from the archives about war and the cost of war. We'll be back with new episodes next week! It’s January 7th. In 1970, the New York Times published an article with the headline “Statisticians Charge Draft Lottery Was Not Random.” Jody and Niki are joined by data reporter Walt Hickey to t…

1
The "Louie Louie" Freakout (1964) 15:17

4M ago15:17

15:17

It's May 16th. This day in 1964, the FBI drops its years-long investigation into the pop song "Louie Louie." Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why there was a moral and political panic over the song and its indecipherable lyrics -- and look into what the song is actually about. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia fro…

1
Nixon Attacked In Caracas (1958) 15:36

4M ago15:36

15:36

It's May 14th. This day in 1958, Vice President Richard Nixon is on a goodwill tour of South America when his motorcade is attacked by a violent mob in Venezuela. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how the incident reflected the larger tensions between the United States and the region -- and how the U.S. saw Latin America as a key pawn in the growing C…

1
The Jefferson Davis Trial That Wasn't (1867) 19:31

4M ago19:31

19:31

It's May 12th. This day in 1867, Jefferson Davis, the former President of the Confederacy, left a courthouse in Richmond after waiting in jail on treason charges for two years. His trial would never take place. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why Davis was brought up on charges in the first place, and the way in which his trial got delayed and event…

1
What Do We Call The President? w/ A.J. Jacobs 19:01

4M ago19:01

19:01

Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by author A.J. Jacobs, whose new book "The Year of Living Constitutionally" dives into the weird world of our founding document. They discuss the debate over what to call the new leader of the executive branch, and what that signaled about the direction of the new country. A.J.'s new book is out now! And be sure to…

1
The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) 17:09

4M ago17:09

17:09

It's May7th. This day in 1882, Congress passes the Chinese Exclusion Act, aimed at curbing Chinese immigration as fears about Asian immigrants threatening White American jobs is on the rise. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how the American economy relied on Chinese labor at the same time that policy sought to exclude Chinese immigrants -- and how th…

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Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia Podcasts

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