The Toba Eruption

The Toba Catastrophe

Podcast Transcript 74,000 years ago, the Earth suffered the greatest natural disaster that it has seen in the last several million years.  A supervolcano erupted in what is today the country of Indonesia.  In addition to completely changing the Earth’s climate for years, it may have pushed a species known as Homo Sapiens to the …

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The Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider

Podcast Transcript Straddling the border of Switzerland and France is the largest scientific instrument ever created.  It sits in a tunnel 27 kilometers or 17 miles long, at points, it rests 174 meters or 574 feet below the surface, and it cost a whopping €7.5 billion. It consists of thousands of powerful magnets, one of …

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The Persian Empire(s)

The Persian Empire(s)

Podcast Transcript Located roughly in the territory of the modern-day nation of Iran is the ancient land known as Persia.  Persia sat at the strategic crossroad between South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and Asia Minor. It was not only influenced by all of the great civilizations around it, but it …

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The Anarchy of 12th Century England

The Anarchy of 12th Century England

Podcast Transcript In the mid-12th century, England was in chaos.  The king of England, Henry I, died without an heir. The country was divided between forces loyal to his daughter, Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen.  For almost two decades, armed conflicts resulted in a breakdown of law and order and central authority. Learn more about …

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The Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock

Podcast Transcript Located in the middle of the Old City of Jerusalem lies one of the most famous structures in the world.  In addition to being the visible symbol of the city, it lies on a plot of land that is one of the most historical and contested pieces of property on the planet. It …

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The Negro Leagues

The Negro Leagues

Podcast Transcript In the first half of the 20th century, racial segregation was rampant across much of the United States. Perhaps nowhere was it more evident and public than in the sport of baseball.  Despite being denied a place in the major leagues for several decades, some of the greatest players of the era could …

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Father and Son Medal of Honor Recipients

Father and Son Medal of Honor Recipients

Podcast Transcript The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States Armed Forces. It is given to individuals who have displayed exceptional acts of valor in the face of enemy forces. It has been awarded 3535 times since its inception in 1861.  Of all the recipients of the Medal of Honor, …

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Dadaism

Dadaism

Podcast Transcript In the middle of the first world war, a group of artists, poets, and philosophers created an artistic and intellectual movement in response to the war.  While the movement itself didn’t last very long, its legacy laid the foundation for modern art in the 20th century and can still be seen in modern …

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Invasive Species

Invasive Species

Podcast Transcript Places all over the world are suffering from a similar ecological problem.  The specific problems are slightly different everywhere, but they all are based on the same fundamental issue: Invasive species. How each invasive species got where they are is a different story. Regardless of how they got there, some species can wreak …

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