Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally

Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally

Podcast Transcript During World War II, allied soldiers would often spend their time listening to the radio. They could, at least for a little while, be transported back home by listening to popular music with the soothing sounds of a female radio host with a flawless American accent. Along with the music, the troops would …

Read more

Ancient Colors

Ancient Colors

Transcript When people from prehistory created the first works of art on the walls of caves, they used the colors that they found around them. Almost all of the early cave art is drawn in black or dark red.  As time progressed, humans figured out how to create more colors and they began using them …

Read more

The History of Wrestlemania

The History of Wrestlemania

Transcript Every year, around this time, one of the largest entertainment events is held. Wrestlemania. However, this isn’t just a wrestling show. How it came about is a story of business consolidation, modern media, and celebrity culture.  Even if you aren’t a fan of professional wrestling, the story behind the business of Wrestlemania is fascinating. …

Read more

A History of the English Language

A History of the English Language

Transcript About 1500 years ago, a group of people that we would now call Vikings landed in what we now call England, and created a language we now call Old English.  Fast-forward to today, and people from 140 countries are listening to a daily podcast about random stuff, in a dialect, we call American English.  …

Read more

How many Nobel Prizes Would Isaac Newton Have Won?

How many Nobel Prizes Would Isaac Newton Have Won?

Transcript Isaac Newton is one of the most important scientists in the history of the world. His discoveries have impacted almost every aspect of physics, and a huge part of the first two semesters of any physics course is dominated by his discoveries. It raises an interesting question: If Nobel Prizes were given out when …

Read more

Rome: Empire vs Republic

Rome: Empire vs Republic

Transcript I’ve done several episodes pertaining to Ancient Rome. The reason is that so many of the foundational things in our world, from our alphabet to our calendar, to the names of our months, all can be traced back to Rome. During these episodes, I’ve often talked about the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.  …

Read more

The History of Saint Patrick’s Day

The History of Saint Patrick's Day

Transcript Every March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated. Everyone wears a lot of green, there are parades, shamrocks, and a whole lot of drinking.  But who exactly was St. Patrick? Why do we celebrate his day? And what does any of this have to do with shamrocks, drinking, and wearing green? Learn more about …

Read more

The Mercury 13

The Mercury 13

Transcript In the late 1950s, NASA recruited military test pilots to become the very first American Astronauts.  They underwent an extensive battery of tests to find the very best astronauts for the Mercury program. These men became the Mercury 7.  However, at the same time, another round of tests was being conducted on another group …

Read more

Operation Sealion

Operation Sealion

Transcript In the spring of 1940, the German war machine rolled over the nations of Western Europe so quickly that it surprised everyone, including the Germans.  With France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark conquered, there was only one more country left to fall: Great Britain. To topple this final domino, the German high command …

Read more