Episodes
39
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...
38
March 5, 2025
038: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 3: The Rebellion, the Betrayal, and the Aftermath
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...
37
Feb. 26, 2025
037: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 2: Life After Freedom, Charleston Class Structure, and Religion
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,...
36
Feb. 19, 2025
036: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 1: Early Life and Revolutionary Influence
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....
35
Feb. 12, 2025
035: The Complex History of Romance Novels: What is a Romance Novel, Their Criticism, and Their Popularity
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...
34
Feb. 5, 2025
034: The First Super Bowl: How the NFL Came to Be and the Championship Game that Joined Two Rival Leagues
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...
33
Jan. 29, 2025
033: Franklin's Trees: A conversation With AJ Schenkman About FDR and his love for Trees
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...
32
Jan. 22, 2025
032: American Vikings: A Conversation With Martyn Whittock on American Vikings, the Evidence They Were Here, and Popculture
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,...
31
Jan. 15, 2025
031: Mary Shelley Part 3: A Tragic Accident, Literary Achievements, and Money Problems Galore: Oh My!
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...
Jan. 8, 2025
030: Mary Shelley Part 2: The Birth of Frankenstein and Never-Ending Tragedy
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,...
Jan. 1, 2025
029: Mary Shelley Part 1: The Early life of Mary Shelley, Meeting Percy Shelley, and Arrival in Geneva
*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...
28
Dec. 25, 2024
028: The History of the Mall Santa: How Santa Got His Home in the Mall and Why We Take Pictures With Him
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...
27
Dec. 18, 2024
027: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree: From Humble Beginnings to Extravagant Fanfare; How the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Became a Yearly Tradition
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...
26
Dec. 11, 2024
026: The Ferris Wheel: From the Showcase Piece of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair to American Icon
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...
25
Dec. 4, 2024
025: The 1893 Chicago World's Fair: How a Fair Goes From Concept to Reality in Just Three Years
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...
24
Nov. 27, 2024
024: The Eagle and The Turkey: Two Birds; One a National Symbol and One a Thanksgiving Staple
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...
23
Nov. 20, 2024
023: The Irish Potato Famine Part 3: Irish Emigration from Ireland, Famine Ships, and Coffin Ships
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....
22
Nov. 13, 2024
022: The Irish Potato Famine Part 2: A Look at how the Famine Started, The English Response, and Effects of Famine on the Irish Population
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...
21
Nov. 6, 2024
021: The Irish Potato Famine Part 1: A look at the English Takeover of Ireland, the State of Agriculture, and the Dependence on the Potato
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,...
20
Oct. 30, 2024
020: Jack O' Lanterns and Samhain: A look at How Folk Lore and Tradition Have Shaped Our Halloween Tradtions
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....
19
Oct. 23, 2024
019: H.H. Holmes: The Story of a Manipulative Conman in the Backdrop of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair
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...
18
Oct. 16, 2024
018: Witches: The Basque Trails, The Malleus Maleficarum, The Salem Witch Trails, and Modern Day Salem
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...
17
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...
16
Oct. 2, 2024
016: The Louisiana Purchase Part 2: The Haitian Revolution, The Purchase Negotiation, and Incorporating Louisiana Into the United States
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...