Pocahontas

Pocahontas

Podcast Transcript One of the most notable figures in early American history is Pocahontas. Best known as the main character in Disney’s animated film Pocahontas, she was not a fictional character. She was, in fact, quite real.  However, her real life was radically different from that depicted in popular culture. In fact, there are enormous …

Read more

All About Helium

All About Helium

Podcast Transcript Sitting at the far top right of the periodic table is the element helium.  Helium is the second-lightest and second-most abundant element in the universe. It is also an inert gas that doesn’t form molecules with anything.  It has extremely few uses and, despite its cosmic abundance, is very hard to find on …

Read more

History of Romance Languages

History of Romance Languages

Podcast Transcript Almost a billion people in the world today speak a language that originated from Latin, aka a Romance Language.  Despite sharing the same origin, the Romance languages have evolved differently, in some cases very differently.  ….and while you are almost certainly aware of the largest Romance language, there is a good chance that …

Read more

The Luddites

The Luddites

Podcast Transcript At some point, you might have been called, or might have called someone else a Luddite, due to a refusal to adopt a new technology. Nowadays, it’s usually done in jest, but the Luddites were real.  While the term is often used to describe any anti-technology attitude, the actual Luddite worldview was more …

Read more

All About Dog Breeds

All About Dog Breeds

Podcast Transcript When looking at a dachshund and a great dane, it is hard to believe that these dogs trace back to the same ancestors. Yet, this is true! Through centuries of domestication and selective breeding, humans have transformed dogs into the most diverse mammal species known today. Yet, despite the incredible diversity in dog …

Read more

Operation Bernhard

Operation Bernhard

Podcast Transcript Wars can be fought in many different ways. Ultimately, they are resolved on the battlefield. However, there are other ways to try to influence the outcome of a conflict. You can try to destroy their logistical support for their troops. You can attempt to destroy their economic base by burning their agricultural fields …

Read more

A History of Neckties

A History of Neckties

Podcast Transcript One of the most ubiquitous items of clothing in formal and business attire is the necktie.  Yet a cursory check of paintings from several centuries ago shows that neckties have not been around forever. They are, in fact, a relatively recent invention.  Over the last century, neckwear has both defined fashion and changed …

Read more

The History of NASCAR

The History of NASCAR

Podcast Transcript The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as NASCAR, has become one of the most recognizable and uniquely American forms of motorsport.  It emerged from the traditions of the rural South, shaped by the ingenuity of moonshine runners and the broader story of the American car.  Over time, the sport …

Read more

The History of Nintendo

The History of Nintendo

Podcast Transcript Nintendo is one of the most legendary video game companies in the world. Many of you have probably owned a Nintendo system to play video games. If you are old enough, you might have even played some of their games in a video arcade.  Even if you have never played a video game, …

Read more