Episodes

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
Nov. 20, 2024

023: The Irish Potato Famine Part 3: Irish Emigration from Ireland, F…

Hello! In this final episode in our three part series on the Irish Potato Famine, I take a look at Irish Emigration out of Ireland. I also take a look at the famine ships and coffine ships that sailed over 3,000 miles from Ireland to north america....

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 13, 2024

022: The Irish Potato Famine Part 2: A Look at how the Famine Started…

Hello!  In this weeks epsiode, we go into Part 2 of the Irish Potato Famine. Over the course of todays episode, you will learn just how bad the Bristish repsone to this Humanitarian Crisis actually was. You will also learn how the famine itself...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 6, 2024

021: The Irish Potato Famine Part 1: A look at the English Takeover o…

Hello! In todays episode, we start our first look at the Three Part Special on the Irish Potato Famine. Over the course of this episode, you will learn how the English came to dominate over Ireland starting way back with everyones favorite Henry,...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 30, 2024

020: Jack O' Lanterns and Samhain: A look at How Folk Lore and Tradit…

Hello! In todays episode, I take a look at how we got our modern day Jack O' Lanters. From legends such as Stingy Jack to children carving faces into turnips (horrifying), Jack O' Lanters can be traced back to the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Whales....

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 23, 2024

019: H.H. Holmes: The Story of a Manipulative Conman in the Backdrop …

Hello! In todays episode I take a sidestep into true crime, and we take a look at H.H. Holmes. H.H. Holmes was a manipulative Conman, who commmited fraud his whole life. He was also a prolific seriel killer that took the lives of many unsuspecting...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 16, 2024

018: Witches: The Basque Trails, The Malleus Maleficarum, The Salem W…

Hello! In this second Halloween Episode for the month of October I discuss Witches! In the first part of todays episode I look at the Basque Witch Trails that happened over in Spain. We take a very brief look at the Spanish Inquisition, and then dive...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 9, 2024

017: The History of Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours

Hello! In this epsiode I cover the history of Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours. We cover many things in this epsidoe including Marie Tussands original wax figure exhibit, macbre theater, and the New Jersey Castle Fire. We also take a breif look at our...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 2, 2024

016: The Louisiana Purchase Part 2: The Haitian Revolution, The Purch…

Hello! In this episode, I finalize my coverage of the Louisianna Purchase. We go over the Haitian revolution and how that impacted the French ownership of the teritorry. We also dive into the negotiiantion between the US and France in regard to how...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 25, 2024

015: The Louisiana Purchase Part 1: A look at the Louisiana Territory…

Hello! In this episode I discuss the Louisianna Territory, primarily the french and spanish claims to the territory prior to the american purchase. There a quite bit of twist and turns in the story of the Louisianna Territory, so stay tuned for part 2...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 18, 2024

014: The History of Voting Age: A Look at how Voting Has Changed Over…

Hello! In this weeks Episode I look at the history of our Voting Age. I was also taken on some small side quests, so I also discuss aspects of voting such as the poll tax and the women's right to vote. I also discuss the changes in the drinking age....

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 11, 2024

013: BONUS Hannah Mather Crocker: A Special Episode with "Revolutiona…

Hello! In this bonus Episode, Emily from Revolutionary Women tells me about Hannah Mather Crocker! Follow Revolutionary Women on all Podcast Apps!

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 11, 2024

012: The Molasses Flood of 1919: Featuring "Revolutionary Women" Host…

Hello! In todays episode, I am Joined by Emily of Revolutionary Podcast and we discuss the tragedy of the 1919 Molasses Flood. Make sure to head on over to Revolutionary Women and listen to epiosde that I guested on! Sources today include: Dark Tide:...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 4, 2024

011: The History of Presidential Debates: From Abraham Lincoln to Pre…

Hello! In this weeks episode, I cover the History of the Presidential Debate. This history is supprisingly short, with debates only being regulated in 1988. In modern times, we loook at the debate as a defining aspect of the presidential race, but it...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 28, 2024

010: American Dollar Princesses and Social Debuts: A look at Mary Lei…

Hello! In today's episode, I cover American Dollar Princesses, more specifically Mary Lieter Curzon and Jenny Jerome Churchill. I also talk about Social Debuts. Who was invited, what went on, and how you were precieved.  Sources include: The...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 21, 2024

009: The Washingtons and Slavery: A Look at Mount Vernon, the Custis …

Hello! In this weeks episode, we take at look at the Washingtons and Slavery. Both George and Martha had slave holdings before they married, but they seeemed to have different understandings about the institution of slavery. If you stay until the end...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 14, 2024

008: Why Was George Washington Our First President?

Hello! In this episode I ask myself "Why George Washington?"  George wahsington was elected to be our first president, but why? How did we get to George being the guy in charge? Sources for this episode  include the white house website, The...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 7, 2024

007: The Electoral College: What is it and how does it work?

Hello! In this episode I am covering all things electoral college. What is it? Where did it come from? How does it work? Why do we hate it? I hope you learn a little something new about such an important aspect of our election process! Sources used in...

Listen to the Episode