The Year 1800

The Year 1800

Podcast Transcript In the year 1800, the last year of the 18th century, the world was on the precipice of radical change.  The scientific revolution, the agricultural revolution, and the industrial revolution had all begun, but were yet to hit full swing.  There were also literal revolutions afoot. Countries began overthrowing their leaders or colonial …

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The History of Surgery

The History of Surgery

Podcast Transcript Over the years, human life expectancy has increased dramatically.  While there have been many developments that have led to longer human lifespans, most of that has come from just a few major advancements.  One of the biggest of which has been the development of surgery.  The types of surgical procedures that exist today …

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Questions and Answers: Volume 31

Questions and Answers: Volume 31

Podcast Transcript The month of June comes from the Latin word Iunius, which is derived from the Roman goddess Juno.  Juno was the queen of the Roman gods and was the goddess of marriage, love, and childbirth. Despite her domestic associations, she was often depicted ready for battle, holding a shield and a spear. While …

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The Last Days and Death of Adolf Hitler

The Last Days and Death of Adolf Hitler

Podcast Transcript In April 1945, in the last days of the war in Europe, everything was falling apart for the Third Reich.  Adolf Hitler and his closest advisors holed up in a bunker in Berlin and issued delusional orders until the Russians arrived. Hitler, his wife, and other high ranking Nazi officials took their own …

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Bonds and the Bond Market

Bonds and the Bond Market

Podcast Transcript One of the most important markets in the global economy is the bond market.  The bond market doesn’t get as much attention as the market for stocks. Yet, the global market for bonds is actually larger than the total value of all publicly traded stocks.  Moreover, bond markets have the power to influence …

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The History of Memorial Day (Redux)

The History of Memorial Day (Redux)

Podcast Transcript Every year, on the last Monday in May, the United States honors its war dead. It is often celebrated with parades, cookouts, and ceremonies at military cemeteries. While many people just think of it as a three-day weekend and the beginning of summer, it is a tradition that extends back over 160 years.  …

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The First and Second Banks of the United States

The First and Second Banks of the United States

Podcast Transcript After the American Revolution, the United States economy was in trouble. One solution proposed to solve the crisis was the establishment of a national bank.  The bank wasn’t just an economic issue; it also sparked one of the first constitutional debates in the nation’s history.  Fast-forward several decades, and the United States found …

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How Much Did Rome and Sub-Saharan Africa Know About Each Other?

How Much Did Rome and Sub-Saharan Africa Know About Each Other?

Podcast Transcript The Romans were familiar with Africa, or at least part of it. At one point, they controlled everything on the north coast of Africa from Morocco to Egypt.  However, below their African territories was the vast Sahara Desert, which was extremely difficult to cross. For all practical purposes, it served as a permeable …

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“Honest” Jack Sheppard

"Honest" Jack Sheppard

Podcast Transcript In early 18th-century London, a petty criminal became one of the most celebrated people in England.  He wasn’t celebrated despite the fact that he was a criminal; he was celebrated because he was a criminal. The authorities didn’t share in the public’s enthusiasm. He was arrested several times, but he managed to escape …

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