Détente had come to an end. With the paranoid former KGB head Yuri Andropov assuming the Premiership and the election of the staunchly anti-communist Ronald Reagan, things were heating up in the Cold War. As the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan reached its peak and Reagan’s rhetoric became more and more aggressive, things had reached a fever pitch. T…

Hear about a trip to see the Fastest Pop Machine in the World, and about the virtues of Bob Seger, the roots rock voice of the Rust Belt. You can count on your guys to make it make sense, right? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandon-woosley/message

The official story is that Brazil was discovered by Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese sailor who while far out at sea on a voyage to India around the African continent spotted some seaweed and found what he believed to be a large island sitting in the Atlantic. However the French nobility claim to have discovered it 4 years earlier. This episode e…

Pet Peeves about parking, the music of 1983, and a little parenting on the fly. You probably think you've heard this before, but we swear it's different this time. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandon-woosley/message

The show has returned, Sorry for the long hiatus. This new series will focus on Brazil. Former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has defeated Brazilian Incumbent president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro in the 2022 Brazilian presidential election, leading to the first time in that country's history that an incumbent president has lost the nex…

The Sons of the Double Cheeseburger have returned, long after you forgot they ever existed. Here to talk about life, the best music of 1982, and baseball. Seems timely, right? How did you do without these guys? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandon-woosley/message…

This episode explores the history of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, explaining the commonalities and differences in language, history, and culture. The second half of the show explains the modern history of Ukraine and Russia's attempt to absorb them into the Russian and Soviet Empires. The final chapter explains the Ukrainian invasion from the…

Oldie but goldie! Sorry for the lack of shows lately my lovely fans, I am still alive. This is one of my favorite episodes from the podcast covering a range of things I find nostalgic. The Japanese Beethoven I am working on an episode about the Brazilian election which I hope to get out soon. Support the Show.…

Oda Nobunaga, fresh from his victories in the east was ready for the final battle that would determine the fate of Japan. All that remained in his way was the Mori clan, beaten and battered, located around the western tip of Honshu, Japan’s largest Island. Nobunaga summoned his forces to meet Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had conquered deep into Mori ter…

Oda Nobunaga was nearing his dream, of a unified Japan under his rule, all that remained were the wavering Ikko-Ikki and Mori clan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide, two of Nobunaga's most trusted generals, began a final campaign against the Mori. Hideyoshi was successful however Mitsuhide struggled leading to resentment. Once again thanks t…

The samurai were the result of centuries of corruption from the oldest clan in Japan, the Fujiwara. The Fujiwara held complete control of the government of ancient Japan, even at one-point controlling the emperor. Through this power abuse rose the Taira and Minamoto who eventually took over and then fought a civil war between themselves with the Mi…

The story continues after the inconclusive battles of the Kawanakajima plains. The Tiger of Kai, Takeda Shingen returned to the Tokugawa lands, but his untimely death would lead his son Takeda Katsuyori to become leader of the Takeda clan, Katsuyori was not his father and he would lead the Takeda clan into almost complete insignificance. The Dragon…

The age of the samurai was full of great men and great stories to go along with them. None are more iconic than the tale of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, the Tiger of Kai and the Dragon of Echigo. Although Sengoku Jidai is best remembered through the eyes of the three great unifiers, there were stories of bravery, cunning and deceit all throug…

The Oda clan was at war on all fronts, if not for the disloyalty the other Daimyo had towards one another, the Oda would have certainly fallen. There was also disloyalty among the family of Nobunaga which was a constant thorn in his side. With Kyoto in his grasp and the Ikko-Ikki peasants revolt sparking up all over the country the enemy now lies w…

Oda Nobunaga was one of the most powerful lords and contender to be the new Shogun after his heroic victory at Okehazama, however he still had one problem to deal with, Saito clan in Mino province. Mino lay between the Oda homeland of Owari and Kyoto, seat of the Shogun and to take Kyoto he would have to take Mino first. The Saito clan was original…

Japan was once in a state of constant warfare and chaos, known as the Sengoku Jidai. This was the time of the Samurai, who ruled the land and fought each other for power in service of the emperor. Three great men would rise above all others and create the Japan we know today. Our story begins with a young noble named Nobunaga of the Oda clan, a cla…

Shinzo Abe the longest serving Japanese PM and legend in Japanese politics was assassinated this week. The assassin did this because of Abe's alleged links to a bizarre cult based in South Korea, whose followers are called "Moonies" of which the assassin’s mother was a member. This covers the sad demise of Shinzo Abe, the assassin’s story, Japan's …

Japan entered the 1960s on a bad note. The ANPO protests, the resignation of Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and finally the assassination of Inejiro Asanuma. However Japan would make a complete turn around by the mid 60s becoming one of the most successful nations in the world. This episode covers the legacy of Nobusuke Kishi and Japan's transformat…

With the American occupation ending, Japan in the 1950s seemed to have a bright future ahead. This however was not the case, for virtually the entire decade of 1950 Japan went from protest to protest which brought chaos and instability to the land. Nobusuke Kishi having garnered mass power and political connections would eventually assume the premi…

Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the Soviet invasion of Manchukuo, Japan formally accepted the unconditional surrender terms imposed on her by the Allies. As general Douglas MacArthur landed on Japanese soil he immediately called for the arrest of suspected war criminals Hideki Tojo and Nobusuke Kishi, the Tokyo Tr…

Shinzo Abe is Japan's longest serving prime minister. Abe comes from a long dynasty of politicians including those who served The Empire of Japan in World War II. Japan unlike Germany was able to avoid most of the punishment dulled out after WWII. Nobusuke Kishi is Abe's maternal grandfather who would become Prime Minister and go on to shape post w…

From Putin's Russia to fundamentalist Iran, appeasement is a word often used disparagingly in the media to describe an unconfrontational, cowardly way of avoiding international bullies. Appeasement became famous before World War II when the Western allies Britian and France did everything possible to avoid a second great war with Nazi Germany. This…

On February 24th Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking off the largest war Europe has seen since World War II. This invasion has sparked massive protests all over the world, and has seen the tanking of the Russian economy. This episode explains what has been going on for the first 5 days of this war. Topics Covered The Ghost of Kiev and other heroes Vol…

Kazakhstan entered the New Year with a series of riots, the largest in the country's history. The riots were sparked by a hike in gas prices. More importanlty however they stem from the leadership of probably the most famous Kazakh man, Borat. Just kidding Nursultan Nazarbayev. This episode covers the history of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh people, as…

Jimmy Carter entered the presidency as a breath of fresh air, he walked the streets to the White House. His approval rating skyrocketed in the early days of his presidency however it wouldn't last long. This episode covers the presidency and post presidency of Jimmy Carter. Topics Covered Torrijos-Carter Treaties Iranian Revolution SALT II Soviet-A…

Jimmy Carter is perhaps the most misunderstood president of the modern era. Carter who is just a few IQ points shy of being considered a genius is one of our smartest presidents yet his presidency was viewed as a failure by most. This episode covers the early years of Jimmy Carter. Part I Support the Show.…

Christianity was integral to the formation of the Apartheid state. Since the Dutch brought Christianity to the land of South Africa it has taken numerous forms, often times coming from a combination of the church and local customs. Prophets and seers were common throughout South African history, such as Siener Van Rensburg, who convinced many Boers…

With the declaration of war on Germany by Great Britain, South Africa answered the call. The South African government was eager to expand it's borders and German South-West Africa was a neighboring province. In this neighboring province was a large number of Boers. All of the ethnic groups of South Africa fervently joined in support of their countr…

Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill both came of age in South Africa, today they are the founding fathers of their respective countries, India and the United Kingdom. Both Gandhi and Churchill have come to face scrutiny in recent years for things they had said and done however they are still held in high regard almost universally. South Africa's f…

Beginning with the history of modern South Africa, we explore what happened when the Dutch arrived in 1652. Jumping ahead in time we explore the tribal groups that made-up 17th century South Africa and that today, make-up modern South Africa. The ANC and EFF parties both claim they have the answer to what to do with the land that was stolen from th…

South Africa has been labeled the protest capital of the world and rightfully so as its history has been filled with racism, inequality and political unrest. On July 9th, 2021, after a call was placed to arrest the former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma on corruption charges, his supporters took to the streets and began protesting. It soon tu…

***IMPORTANT*** The History of Current Events --- Is the new name of this show! I decided to change the name to something a bit less common. A Brief History of <3 we will always love you Support the Show.By Hayden

What is going on in Afghanistan? The Taliban has taken back Afghanistan, after their lightning quick offensive, which began on May 1st. What will the future hold for Afghanistan? What about the Afghani women? This episode explains the potential future of the former American Satellite State. Includes stories of an American soldier and stories of Afg…

On June 26th 1963, the fifteenth anniversary of the Berlin airlift. US president John F. Kennedy was walking the streets of Berlin. Taking in the sight of the newly constructed Berlin Wall. Kennedy who had to give a speech later in the day had a change of heart, he disregarded the milk toast speech given to him about peace with the soviets and deci…

Cuba as of July 2021 has seen massive protests over Corona restrictions all over the Island. What has caused the seemingly peaceful Caribbean island to suddenly enter a state of turmoil? This episode goes into the history of Cuba and what has caused something as simple as Corona to push its people to the breaking point. Covering topics from Che Gue…

This episode is a compilation of several live recordings when Brandon was in the Chicago area in June. Enjoy Brandon and Kevin, along with assorted family members who may be guests against their wishes. The topics include college life, burritos, baseball, and family. This is recorded in a restaurant, a minivan, and a dining room, so sound quality i…

The Free Syrian Army, having been crushed by Russian airstrikes and abandoned by all its friends, struggles to defend its final stronghold, the very place where the war started all those years ago, Daraa Syria. With the war drawing to a close we learn who the victor or victors are, and what the future of post-war Syria will hold. The brutal 10 year…

As US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan its perhaps well to ask who are the Taliban and where did they come from? This episode explores the tumultuous history of Afghanistan, a country that has been tainted and destroyed from outside powers trying to impose their way of life on the rural Afghan subsistence farmers. This episode explores the Soviet…

''one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter'' Abdullah Öcalan is a Kurdish-Turkish revolutionary who has been fighting for Kurds to achieve equal rights since the 1970s. He started the PKK a communist party which goal is either the achievement of equal rights for the Kurdish peoples or a separate Kurdish state. He spent much of his life …

As the war in Syria continues, it ceases to be a civil war and becomes a proxy war between outside players. Giving a detailed explanation of the backstories of Russia and Turkey and why they are so invested in Syria as well as their dictators Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The second half of the episode returns to our story; expanding int…

Saddam Hussein ruled with an iron fist and it kept the Middle East stable, after his deposition, chaos arose in Iraq. As ISIS proclaims their worldwide Caliphate, they begin taking vast swarms of land, the Middle East begins falling apart. The brutal executions of Kayla Mueller, James Foley and Steven Sotloff shows the western world how dire the si…

This is a very Chicago episode, as Brandon and Kevin are here to talk about big, swarthy mustaches and sample Malort, a drink you will normally only find in the City of Big Shoulders. Maybe in Cicero, too. They also give some overdue love to a couple of albums they overlooked in the '90s. If you're a Malort drinker, how would you describe the exper…

Where has the show been? Is the show still going to be continued? What happened to Ancient Persian soldier Mithridates and the 10,000 Greek mercenaries who marched through Persia on a death mission??? All will be answered in the show update dear listeners Support the Show.By Hayden

Kevin and Brandon catch up, and then play a game they call Baseball Card Showdown. Finally, Kevin gives an overdue record review of an overelooked album by Screaming Trees. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandon-woosley/message

The Syrian Civil War has been one of the best recorded, as well as one of the most brutal wars. This episode tracks the events that led to the civil war, from decolonization to dictatorships to religious and ethnic struggle. It explains the combatants on the multi-sided war and the outside players such as The USA, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia, who…

This is a shorter episode with conversation Brandon and Kevin had about favorite shows and actors which didn't fit into the episode on Justified ("Fire In the Hole"). Also, they discuss the most prudent plans for finishing a bottle of moonshine. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandon-woosley/message…

Japan is a country where video game soundtracks more often than not appear in their Billboard top 10. What often doesn't appear in their top 10 is the Classical Music genre. One man, decided to change that, a man who by his own admission was said to have been a child prodigy, Mamoru Samuragochi. This story follows the weird tale of Mamoru Samuragoc…

In this episode Brandon and Kevin try some foods that are new to them. They like some, they don't like others. You'll learn about tasty treats from far-flung locations and new twists on old staples. Also, there's the food. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandon-woosley/message…

Sometimes Kevin and Brandon will recommend media to each other. In this episode they discuss the TV show "Justified," a different kind of law enforcement show from the 2010s. Whether you're a fan of Justified or are interested in being introduced to something new to you and worth your time you should find it to your liking. --- Send in a voice mess…