The Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl

Podcast Transcript The Great Depression inflicted an economic disaster on the United States, driving unemployment to a staggering 25%.  While urban areas faced widespread unemployment, poverty, and food scarcity, farmers in the Great Plains were grappling with an equally devastating crisis: the Dust Bowl. Short-sighted farming practices and historic droughts led to a decade of …

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The Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty

Podcast Transcript Chinese civilization has endured for more than 3,500 years, driven by a succession of kings, emperors, and sophisticated bureaucracies. This enduring culture has produced a legacy of profound intellectual and cultural achievements. Among these eras, the Song Dynasty stands out for overseeing a commercial and urban revolution that produced a stunning array of …

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After 11 Years of Traveling Around the World, What’s Left? (Answer: A Lot)

After 11 Years of Traveling Around the World, What’s Left? (Answer: A Lot)

I recently celebrated my 11 year anniversary of turning over the keys to my house to travel around the world. Since I started traveling full-time I’ve done and seen more than most people ever will in their lives. I’ve been to over 120 countries, 340 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and all 7 continents. After so …

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The History of Ice Cream

The History of Ice Cream

Podcast Transcript Ice cream is a delicious, popular treat served around the world. Yet it hasn’t been around forever.  The creation of ice cream can be traced over centuries and across different empires. What finally brought ice cream to the masses wasn’t its great taste; it was changes in technology, which allowed it to ultimately …

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The History of Science Fiction

The History of Science Fiction

Podcast Transcript One of the most popular genres of literature, film, and television is science fiction. Science fiction is relatively new, and by its very nature, it is always evolving and reinventing itself.  Also, unlike other genres, science fiction isn’t just about storytelling. It is about generating ideas that have had an actual impact on …

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Soccer in South America

Soccer in the Americas

Podcast Transcript Ranking the “greatest soccer players of all time” often leads to a top three dominated by South Americans: Lionel Messi, Pelé, and Diego Maradona.  While soccer originated in Europe, its arrival in the Americas was a turning point for the sport. How did a game with such a late start in the Western …

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Things to Do in Vancouver’s 6 Best Urban Parks

Things to do in Vancouver’s Urban Parks

Vancouver, Canada is lucky to be home to a wealth of urban parks, including its most famous: Stanley Park. But there’s a lot more to this part of British Columbia than Stanley Park! Some parks are almost as pretty as Stanley Park, and others are pint-sized. But, all of Vancouver’s many parks are unique and …

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The Revolutions of 1848

The Revolutions of 1848

Podcast Transcript In 1848, a series of Revolutions took place against monarchies across Europe. The revolutions were not part of an organized effort. They were spontaneous and often quite different. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the Revolutions sparked social change across multiple countries, improving the lives of some and strengthening the power of others.  Learn about the …

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The Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization

Podcast Transcript In 1922, archeologist Howard Carter stunned the world by discovering King Tut’s tomb in Egypt. Two years later, his contemporary John Marshall published the results of his excavations of the Indus Valley. Although it lacked golden artifacts, the discovery demonstrated that ancient South Asia was as advanced and complex as Egypt. Learn more …

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