Best University Teaching Edition Podcasts (2026)

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January 1, 1835 - The Day America Owed Nothing to Anyone 18:27

15h ago18:27

18:27

On January 1, 1835, the United States achieved something that has never happened before or since the national debt hit zero. President Andrew Jackson's triumph was real, his motivations were sincere, and the consequences were catastrophic. Within two years, the nation plunged into one of its worst depressions. All three things are true, and that's …

1
Do This Now for a Better December 6:17

7h ago6:17

6:17

Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Now that it's January once more, it's time to tally up the damage from the holiday season... that is, if you didn't plan for the damage already! Unfortunately, Christmas and New Year's is a season where many folks go into debt. Some are still carrying d…

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The Crucible: Redemption and Legacy 19:55

23h ago19:55

19:55

Welcome to the final episode of our journey through Arthur Miller's The Crucible, where we witness one man's redemption and explore why this 1953 play remains urgently relevant in 2025. In Act Four, we enter the Salem jail on a cold autumn morning. Abigail has fled with Parris's money, exposing the fraud at the heart of the witch hunt. Danforth ref…

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December 31: New Year's Eve - Celebrating an Arbitrary Line 17:14

1d ago17:14

17:14

Tonight, millions will celebrate New Year's Eve, but December 31st isn't particularly significant cosmologically. It's not a solstice or harvest marker; it's just the day our particular calendar designates as the year's end. January 1st used to be March 1st. Different cultures celebrate New Year's on various dates. Yet despite this arbitrariness, w…

1
December 30, 1922: The USSR is Officially Established 18:49

3d ago18:49

18:49

On December 30, 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was officially established, uniting Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Transcaucasus under a revolutionary government promising to build a workers' paradise. What began with Lenin's idealistic vision of ending exploitation became Stalin's nightmare of forced collectivization, manufactured…

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December 29, 1890: The Wounded Knee Massacre 16:27

18h ago16:27

16:27

On a frozen December morning in 1890, U.S. Army soldiers of the 7th Cavalry surrounded a band of Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. What followed was the massacre of approximately 300 people, primarily women and children, many unarmed, some killed while fleeing, others hunted down miles from the camp. Twenty soldiers received Congr…

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December 28, 1869: Chewing Gum Gets Its Patent 17:53

2h ago17:53

17:53

William Finley Semple was an Ohio dentist who, on December 28, 1869, received the first patent for manufactured chewing gum, claiming it would improve dental health. The irony? He never made or sold any. But his patent opened the door for Thomas Adams to commercialize Mexican chicle in the 1870s, and for William Wrigley Jr. to build a chewing gum e…

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Reading Rewired the Human Brain. What Happens If We Stop Doing It? 46:23

3m ago46:23

46:23

Maryanne Wolf is a UCLA professor and the renowned author of "Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain" and "Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World." She says deep reading makes you a better thinker, communicator, and citizen. But what happens if you lose the ability to read slowly, patiently, and critically…

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December 27, 1923: The Insulin Patent Sold for One Dollar 18:13

6d ago18:13

18:13

Before 1922, a diabetes diagnosis was a death sentence, especially for children who wasted away on starvation diets while their families watched helplessly. On December 27, 1923, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and James Collip sold their patent for the life-saving hormone insulin to the University of Toronto for one dollar. "Insulin does not belo…

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December 26, 2004: How 230,000 Deaths Exposed Our Fragile Safety Net 14:48

7d ago14:48

14:48

On December 26, 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean triggered tsunamis that killed more than 230,000 people across 14 countries in one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. What began as a tectonic plate rupture off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, became a catastrophe that exposed profound failures in humani…

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December 25, 1917: Ontario Women Win the Vote 17:58

8h ago17:58

17:58

While most Canadians celebrated Christmas in 1917, the province of Ontario quietly enacted legislation granting women the right to vote and run for provincial office. In this episode, we explore how the First World War transformed Canadian society and made women's suffrage undeniable, the remarkable women who fought for decades to win this right, a…

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The Crucible: The Trials and the Truth 18:55

6d ago18:55

18:55

Welcome back to The Literary Deep Dive. This is Episode 3 of our four-part exploration of Arthur Miller's The Crucible, and this is where everything accelerates toward tragedy. Today, we cover Acts Two and Three, the heart of the play, where the witch hunt spreads through Salem, and the court reveals that truth has become irrelevant. We enter the c…

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December 24, 1914: When Enemies Became Human 16:35

9d ago16:35

16:35

On Christmas Eve 1914, soldiers along the Western Front spontaneously stopped fighting and celebrated together, exchanging gifts, burying the dead, and even playing football in no man's land. Richard Backus examines this remarkable moment when enemies became human to one another and why military leadership suppressed it to keep the war going. From …

1
December 23, 1947: The Day the Future Became Tiny 17:57

10d ago17:57

17:57

On December 23, 1947, three Bell Labs physicists, William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain, demonstrated the first working transistor, a tiny device that looked insignificant but enabled the entire digital revolution. Richard Backus examines why this breakthrough came from systematic collaborative research rather than a lone genius, how …

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How to Make Your Holiday Gatherings Memorable 42:34

5d ago42:34

42:34

This is one of our favorite episodes — a conversation with Priya Parker, a conflict resolution specialist who’s worked on peace processes around the world, about her book The Art of Gathering. What she told him changed how we think about every dinner party, every work meeting, every family get-together we host. Priya’s argument is simple but radica…

1
December 22, 1972: When the Earth Shook and Corruption Was Revealed 17:38

11d ago17:38

17:38

On December 22, 1972, a massive earthquake struck Managua, Nicaragua, killing thousands and destroying most of the capital city. But the tragedy was compounded when dictator Anastasio Somoza embezzled millions in international aid meant for victims, turning disaster relief into personal profit. Richard Backus examines both the earthquake itself and…

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December 21, 1988: When Terror Fell From the Sky 18:17

12d ago18:17

18:17

On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed by a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 aboard and 11 on the ground. Richard Backus examines not just the attack itself but the systemic failures that enabled it: warnings existed but weren't adequately heeded, security was insufficient, and intelligence coordination was la…

1
December 20, 1803: The Day We Bought Half a Continent 18:14

13d ago18:14

18:14

On December 20, 1803, the United States officially took possession of the Louisiana Territory, completing the Louisiana Purchase that doubled the nation's size for $15 million. Richard Backus examines why this moment requires holding multiple truths: it was a brilliant strategy that secured American independence and enabled westward expansion, AND …

1
December 19, 1998: When Impeachment Became a Weapon 17:01

14d ago17:01

17:01

On December 19, 1998, the House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice related to his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Richard Backus examines both Clinton's serious character failure of lying under oath as president and how the impeachment process itself became corrupted by partisan warfare. From his…

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S7E10 - NotebookLM in Higher Ed 28:40

7d ago28:40

28:40

If you've been hearing about NotebookLM, but haven't explored what it has to offer, Tim & Brent discuss what it is, how it's different than other AI Chatbots, and some ideas on how you can use it in your classrooms and institutions. There's a lot to explore here, so listen in and then crack open your own account to see if NotebookLM is a fit for yo…

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December 18, 1865: The 13th Amendment Abolishes Slavery 23:26

15d ago23:26

23:26

On December 18, 1865, Georgia became the 27th state to ratify the 13th Amendment, providing the three-quarters majority needed to make it law. After 246 years of slavery and a Civil War that killed 600,000, the Constitution finally prohibited slavery, but with a crucial exception: "except as a punishment for crime." In this episode, we explore why …

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Buy Or Rent? The Real Question You Should Be Asking... 5:32

7d ago5:32

5:32

Watch The Jesse Mecham Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessemechamshow Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [email protected] Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: @ynabofficial Instagram: @ynab.official Twitter/X: @ynab Tik Tok: @ynabofficial…

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The Crucible: The Fever Begins 18:54

14d ago18:54

18:54

Welcome back to The Literary Deep Dive. This is Episode 2 of our four-part exploration of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Today we enter the play itself, walking through Act One on the morning after everything changed. We meet Reverend Parris, a frightened minister more concerned with his reputation than truth. We encounter Abigail Williams, a beauti…

1
December 17, 1903: The Day Humans Learned to Fly 17:54

8d ago17:54

17:54

On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright flew 120 feet in twelve seconds at Kitty Hawk, the first powered, controlled, sustained flight in human history. But Richard Backus examines why this matters more than the flight itself: two bicycle mechanics with no formal engineering training succeeded where better-funded, better-credentialed competitors faile…

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FLOURISH: Daniel Coyle on the Art and Science of Feeling Alive 1:17:19

16d ago1:17:19

1:17:19

What does it mean to flourish? According to author Daniel Coyle, flourishing is “joyful, meaningful growth — shared.” But how do you achieve that enviable state? The answer lies in Dan’s forthcoming book, “Flourish,” which you can pre-order now on Amazon, Audible, or Bookshop.org. Highlights: (5:11) Life isn't a treasure hunt; it’s more like treasu…

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December 16, 1944: The Day Winter Became a Weapon 18:04

17d ago18:04

18:04

On December 16, 1944, Germany launched its final major offensive through the Ardennes Forest in what became the Battle of the Bulge. Richard Backus's father was a combat infantryman in the 102nd "Ozark" Infantry Division who fought in this battle, making this episode deeply personal. Richard examines the surprise attack, the brutal winter condition…

1
December 15, 1890: When Resistance Died on a Cold Morning 18:40

18d ago18:40

18:40

On December 15, 1890, Sitting Bull, the legendary Lakota leader who defeated Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, was killed during an arrest attempt on the Standing Rock Reservation. But Richard Backus examines the deeper tragedy: Sitting Bull was killed by Indian Police, Native officers working for the government that had systematically de…

1
December 14, 1911: The Day We Reached the End of the Earth 17:12

18d ago17:12

17:12

Roald Amundsen, South Pole, Robert Falcon Scott, Antarctic exploration, December 14, 1911, race to the pole, polar exploration, preparation vs improvisation, Indigenous knowledge, Inuit expertise, methodical preparation, Scott's tragedy, exploration history, learning from experts, manhauling, Norwegian expedition, British expedition, survival metho…

1
December 13, 1972: The Last Footprints 15:25

20d ago15:25

15:25

On December 13, 1972, Gene Cernan became the last human to walk on the moon, completing Apollo 17's final lunar exploration. But this story isn't just about achievement it's about why we stopped going, what that says about us, and whether we've learned anything from fifty years of staying home.By University Teaching Edition

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December 12, 1964: The Day Canada Fought Over a Piece of Cloth 19:23

21d ago19:23

19:23

On December 12, 1964, Canadian Parliament began one of its most bitter debates: should Canada replace the Red Ensign (featuring the British Union Jack) with a new, distinctly Canadian flag? Richard Backus examines why this fight over a "piece of cloth" consumed Parliament for weeks. Veterans felt the change betrayed wartime sacrifices, while others…

1
December 11, 1936: The Day a King Chose Love Over Duty 18:01

22d ago18:01

18:01

On December 11, 1936, King Edward VIII signed the Instrument of Abdication, giving up the British throne to marry Wallis Simpson. But Richard Backus examines why this wasn't just a romantic story; it was a constitutional crisis that exposed the fundamental conflict between personal happiness and institutional duty. From his investigator's perspecti…

1
Kari Leibowitz Loves Winter (And You Can Too) 59:25

21d ago59:25

59:25

In our divided nation, there's one thing many of us seem to agree on: winter sucks. A recent study found that nearly half of Americans would skip winter if they could. Yet not everyone dreads the cold months. Psychologist Kari Leibowitz has spent years studying these winter-lovers, and she's arrived at a surprising truth: people who thrive this tim…

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More Money = Less Stress? Think Again 3:58

14d ago3:58

3:58

It's a common trap to think that making more money is the answer to your financial worries. Many people think that if they just had a bigger income, then they'd be able to afford everything they needed and wanted, and they wouldn't have to worry anymore. But a recent experience reminded Jesse that this simply isn't true. Jesse spoke at an event wit…

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The Crucible: Witch Hunts and Warning Signs 17:33

22d ago17:33

17:33

Begin your journey through Arthur Miller's masterpiece with Episode 1 of The Literary Deep Dive's exploration of The Crucible. Host Richard Backus from University Teaching Edition reveals why Miller risked everything to write this devastating play about the Salem witch trials—and how he used 1692 to expose the witch hunts happening in 1950s America…

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December 10, 1901: When a Merchant of Death Tried to Buy Redemption 17:22

23d ago17:22

17:22

On December 10, 1901, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded, launching the world's most prestigious recognition of human achievement. But Richard Backus examines the complicated origins: Alfred Nobel, haunted by being called a "merchant of death" after inventing dynamite, tried to rewrite his legacy by celebrating peace and knowledge instead of destr…

1
December 9, 1921: The Day One Woman Broke Through 17:13

24d ago17:13

17:13

On December 9, 1921, Agnes Macphail became the first woman elected to Canada's House of Commons, the only woman among 234 men. Richard Backus examines not just her achievement, but what she faced once she broke through: extraordinary scrutiny, impossible standards, and the burden of representing all women. From his investigator's perspective, he ex…

1
December 8, 1980: When the Music Stopped 16:56

18d ago16:56

16:56

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York apartment by Mark David Chapman, a man who claimed to be a fan. Richard Backus examines not just the murder, but the systems that failed to prevent it: mental health systems that couldn't identify someone in crisis, celebrity culture that creates obsessive parasocial relation…

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December 7, 1941: The Day We Weren't Looking 18:25

26d ago18:25

18:25

On December 7, 1941, Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor in a "surprise" assault that killed over 2,400 Americans and pulled the U.S. into World War II. But Richard Backus investigates why it wasn't really a surprise: there were warning signs, intelligence was available, and multiple indicators were present. The failure was that we were looking…

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December 6, 1917: When Two Ships Changed Everything 18:07

27d ago18:07

18:07

On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbour, triggering the largest man-made explosion before the atomic bomb. Nearly 2,000 people died because warning systems failed and emergency protocols didn't exist. Richard Backus investigates the cascade of small failures that led to catastrophe, from poor communication between ships to the la…

1
December 5, 1933: The Day America Admitted It Was Wrong 17:07

24d ago17:07

17:07

On December 5, 1933, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment, ending Prohibition and marking one of the few times America admitted a constitutional policy was a catastrophic failure. Richard Backus investigates why Prohibition failed so completely creating black markets, empowering organized crime, corrupting law enforcement, and ma…

1
S7E09 - 2025 Gift Guide for Techie Teachers 29:07

21d ago29:07

29:07

Every year Tim and Brent dig into some possible gifts for the techie teacher in your life. Whether you're looking to treat yourself, or just can't find something that will make the teacher in your life a little happier, we've got some ideas for you to check out. Listen in to hear the suggestions and thoughts about how teachers might use them. Show …

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December 4, 1872: The Mystery That Launched a Thousand Theories 17:25

29d ago17:25

17:25

On December 4, 1872, the crew of the Dei Gratia found the Mary Celeste sailing abandoned in the Atlantic, seaworthy, cargo intact, but not a soul on board. Richard Backus investigates what the evidence actually tells us versus the sensational theories that have accumulated over 150 years. From his investigator's perspective, he examines the most li…

1
Best Of: How Successful Groups Work 1:10:57

21d ago1:10:57

1:10:57

Daniel Coyle will soon join us on the show to talk about his forthcoming book, Flourish. Today, we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with Dan about his last book, The Culture Playbook. Here's how we described the episode back then: The filmmakers at Pixar. The servers at Union Square Cafe. The badasses on SEAL Team Six. What do these super succes…

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How Savers Become Spenders 6:57

28d ago6:57

6:57

Everyone is familiar with the "savers and spenders" dichotomy: some people identify as savers and others spenders, the implication being that spenders are irresponsible with money and savers are wise and frugal. As Jesse has argued, it's a false dichotomy. In fact, YNAB's overarching goal is to help everyone become a "spender" -- a wise spender who…

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Fahrenheit 451: Legacy and Lessons 32:56

24d ago32:56

32:56

In this final episode of our Fahrenheit 451 series, we step back from the novel's plot to explore its profound impact on literature, culture, and contemporary life. We examine Bradbury's place in the dystopian tradition alongside Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World, exploring what makes Fahrenheit 451 unique: it's distinctly American, it dep…

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December 3, 1984: The Night the Gas Came 16:54

23d ago16:54

16:54

On December 3, 1984, forty-two tons of toxic gas leaked from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, killing thousands in a single night and injuring hundreds of thousands more. Richard Backus investigates how systematic cost-cutting degraded multiple safety systems, creating a preventable disaster. But this episode goes beyond the techni…

1
AI and the Future of the University 44:01

27d ago44:01

44:01

A few weeks ago, Rufus moderated a panel discussion at Vanderbilt’s New York City campus on artificial intelligence and the future of American higher education. Today, we’re bringing you that conversation. It features Nabiha Syed, executive director of Mozilla Foundation; Nicholas Dirks, president and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences; Julie …

1
December 2, 1823: The Day America Drew a Line in the Sand 15:10

1M ago15:10

15:10

On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe announced a doctrine that would shape American foreign policy for two centuries but the United States didn't actually have the power to enforce it. Richard Backus explores how Monroe's bold declaration worked through British backing, how it evolved from defensive policy to justification for intervention, …

1
December 1, 1867: The Day Canada Learned to Argue Together 14:20

1M ago14:20

14:20

On December 1, 1867, Canada's first Parliament opened in Ottawa, but this wasn't a celebration of unity. It was an experiment in whether people who deeply disagreed could learn to govern together. Richard Backus explores how the parliamentary system was deliberately designed to contain differences without eliminating them and why that choice remain…

1
November 30, 1954: The Day the Sky Fell on Ann Hodges 22:28

1M ago22:28

22:28

Ann Hodges became the only confirmed person struck by a meteorite when an eight-pound rock crashed through her roof a story about astronomical odds, human responses to extraordinary events, and how trauma can be compounded by attention.By University Teaching Edition

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University Teaching Edition Podcasts

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