Welcome to It's a History Podcast!

Episodes

May 7, 2025

047: The Gilded Age: The Social Season, The Other London, And Living …

Hello! In today's episode we coninue to look at what the typical heiress might expect while living in Gilded Age. We take a look at the Social Season in London, a breif look at what London would be like for those not in the inner circle, and what the...

Listen to the Episode
April 30, 2025

046: The Gilded Age: Mrs. Astor and Her 400, Social Etiquette, and Wh…

Hello! Welcome to another episode of Its a History Podcast. In todays episode we kick off the patent pending "Guilded Age Summer". Todays episode lays some ground work for what society was like for those in the upper crest of society. The ladies we...

Listen to the Episode
April 23, 2025

045: Secrets of The Killing State: A Conversation With Corinna Barret…

Hello! In this very special episode of Its a History Podcast, I had the oppurtunity to speak with Corinna Barrett Lain about her most recent book "Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection".  We discuss the secrecy...

Listen to the Episode
April 16, 2025

044: Easter Eggs: Why We Have Them, Why We Dye Them, and Why a Bunny …

Hello! In todays episode I dive into all things Easter egg. Over the course of todays episode we will discover why eggs are associated with Easter, why we dye them, and just how the Easter Bunny came to be. We also take a look at the Faberge Eggs and...

Listen to the Episode
April 9, 2025

043: The History of Audiobooks: From Vinyl, to Cassette, to CD, to Di…

Hello! In this Episode of It's a History Podcast, I take a look at the History of Audiobooks. We start all the way back in the 1930's and work our way up to the current state of audiobooks.  Mentioned in this episode are two fellow podcasts...

Listen to the Episode
April 2, 2025

042: Frederick Douglas: The Face of Many Men: How Frederick Douglas's…

Hello! In This weeks episode, though short, we look at why Frederick Douglas's image is used to represent both Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner. Due to an error on my part, I was made aware of this issue and started to look into why. This episode...

Listen to the Episode
March 26, 2025

041: The History of the Sewing Machine: From Clunky to Functional: Ho…

Hello! In this episode of It's a History podcast, We dives into the fascinating history of the sewing machine. Join me as we look at the history of sewing machines from hand-sewing with bone needles to the complex inventions of the 19th century that...

Listen to the Episode
March 19, 2025

040: The Happy Birthday Song: From Origins to Copyright Controversies

Hello! In this week's episode of It's a History Podcast, join me as we delve into the fascinating history of the Happy Birthday song. In this epsiode we discover the origins of the melody in a song called 'Good Morning to All,' composed by sisters...

Listen to the Episode
March 12, 2025

039: The History of Arsenic Green and Poisonous Books

Hello! Welcome to another episode of It's a History podcast! In this episode, we dive into the dark history of arsenic green during the Victorian Age, also known as Paris Green, and how it led to the creation of poisonous books. Starting with the...

Listen to the Episode
March 5, 2025

038: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 3: The Rebellion, the Betrayal,…

Hello! In this week's episode we conclude the riveting story of Denmark Vesey, a free black man who planned one of the largest slave rebellions in United States history. We delve deep into Vesey's meticulous planning, the eventual collapse of the...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 26, 2025

037: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 2: Life After Freedom, Charlest…

Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, we continue our exploration of Denmark Vesey's life, focusing on his experiences post-freedom. We look into Vesey's attempts to free his wife and start a business in Charleston, South Carolina,...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 19, 2025

036: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 1: Early Life and Revolutionary…

Hello! In this episode I delve into the life of Denmark Vesey, an enslaved man who planned one of the largest slave rebellions in the United States. We'll explore Vesey's early life, his experiences in the harsh conditions of St. Thomas and St....

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 12, 2025

035: The Complex History of Romance Novels: What is a Romance Novel, …

In this episode of It's a History Podcast, I delve into the intricate history of romance novels. We explore the controversies surrounding the genre, from accusations of being 'wrong or dirty' to criticisms of anti-feminism. We first covers the origins...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 5, 2025

034: The First Super Bowl: How the NFL Came to Be and the Championshi…

Hello! On this episode of It's a History podcast I explore the fascinating early history of football leading up to the very first Super Bowl. I look at how the game evolved from a blend of soccer and rugby into a cultural phenomenon, and we learn...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 29, 2025

033: Franklin's Trees: A conversation With AJ Schenkman About FDR and…

Hello! In this epsiode of It's a History Podcast, I sit down with author AJ Schenkman to discuss his latest children's book, 'Franklin's Trees.' This episode delves into FDR's lifelong love for trees, his experiences with polio, and how these...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 22, 2025

032: American Vikings: A Conversation With Martyn Whittock on America…

Hello! In this episode of It's History Podcast I dive into an insightful conversation with author Martyn Whittock about his latest book 'American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America'. We discuss Viking exploration,...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 15, 2025

031: Mary Shelley Part 3: A Tragic Accident, Literary Achievements, a…

Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, I delve into the third and final part of Mary Shelley's life. Todays episode will explore the trials and tribulations she faced from tragic losses and betrayals to the literary accomplishments that...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 8, 2025

030: Mary Shelley Part 2: The Birth of Frankenstein and Never-Ending …

Hello! Welcome back to another episode of It's a History Podcast. In this episode, we continue delving into the life of Mary Shelley. Picking up from last week's episode, we explore Mary's fateful journey to Geneva with Percy, Claire, and Lord Byron,...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 1, 2025

029: Mary Shelley Part 1: The Early life of Mary Shelley, Meeting Per…

*Discussion of Suicide Attempts in the Episode* Hello! And Welcome to the Mary Shelley Extravaganza! Join me as we kick off a three-part series diving deep into the life and legacy of Mary Shelley. Best known for her novel 'Frankenstein,' Mary Shelley...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 25, 2024

028: The History of the Mall Santa: How Santa Got His Home in the Mal…

Hello! In todays episode I take a look at the Mall Santa. Where did he come from? Why do we take pictures with him?  Santa is a part of childhood, and having the chance to see him and tell him what you want for christmas is such a fun memory that...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 18, 2024

027: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree: From Humble Beginnings to Extrav…

Hello! In todays episode we look at the history of the Rockefeller Christmas tree! We take a look at the very first tree, various trees throughout the years (including which one was the biggest), and how the current trees are picked. We also venture...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 11, 2024

026: The Ferris Wheel: From the Showcase Piece of the 1893 Chicago Wo…

Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, we delve into the story behind the creation of the iconic Ferris wheel. Learn how the Ferris wheel gained fame following its debut at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the challenges faced by its creator...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 4, 2024

025: The 1893 Chicago World's Fair: How a Fair Goes From Concept to R…

Hello! In todays episode I cover the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. Over the course of todays episode You will hear about Chicago being chosen as "The" host city, how the fairs design concpet came to be, and the many trials and tribulations of building an...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 27, 2024

024: The Eagle and The Turkey: Two Birds; One a National Symbol and O…

Hello! And happy Thanksgiving! Coming off the tail end of the Potato Famine, I figured we all needed a little lighthearted episode this week. This week I take a look at the eagle and the turkey, both of these birds are significant to the US but for...

Listen to the Episode