The Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest

Podcat Transcript On October 14, 1066, England changed forever.  Forces led by William of Normandy sailed from France and defeated the King of England, putting the country on a radically different trajectory.  It affected everyone from the aristocracy down to the commoners, and it even trickled down to the very language spoken in the country …

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The RMS Titanic

The RMS Titanic

Podcast Transcript On April 15, 1912, one of the greatest disasters in modern nautical history took place.  The RMS Titanic, one of the most celebrated ships of its era, struck an iceberg and sank on its inaugural voyage.  While the story of the Titanic is well known, it has often been exaggerated, and there are …

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Seed Oils

Seed Oils

Podcast Transcript Whether or not you are aware of it, in the last day, if you are anywhere near average, there is a very good chance that you have consumed seed oils.  Seed oils are everywhere in the modern diet. They are contained in almost every processed food and a great many foods prepared at …

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Triple Crowns and Grand Slams

Triple Crowns and Grand Slams

Podcast Transcript Many different sports have a concept of a triple crown or a grand slam.  What it is defined as differs from sport to sport, but what they all have in common is that achieving a triple crown or a grand slam is considered to be the pinnacle of the game.  In some sports, …

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A Brief History of Australia

A Brief History of Australia

Podcast Transcript Australia is a unique country.  By area, it’s huge. By population, however, it is dwarfed by smaller countries such as Nepal, Ghana, Yemen, and the United Kingdom.  By modern standards, the nation is quite young, yet it has a history that goes back further than almost any other country.  …and there is also …

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Questions and Answers: Volume 30

Questions and Answers: Volume 30

Podcast Transcript May is upon us.  It is the month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.  It is the month of May Day, Mother’s Day, as well as Bicycle Month and Haitian Heritage Month. However, the most important thing about May is that it provides an opportunity for your …

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The History of Banks and Banking

The History of Banks and Banking

Podcast Transcript One of the biggest and most important industries in the world is banking.  Banks control an enormous amount of money and are often the most influential economic institutions in most countries.  Yet, banks are not a modern invention. Banks, in one form or another, have been around for thousands of years and have …

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Calendar Reform

Calendar Reform

Podcast Transcript Our calendar and system of keeping time are rather unique.  It isn’t nice and tidy like the metric system. It is a collection of odd time units, leap years, and rotating calendars.  As such, many people throughout history have thought that they could do better.  So they have made proposals for changing our …

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Sede Vacante and The Process of Papal Succession

Sede Vacante and The Process of Papal Succession

Podcast Transcript After the death or resignation of a pope, but before the election of a new pope, there is a period of time at the Vatican known as Sede Vacante.  The Sede Vacante doesn’t last very long, and it doesn’t happen very often, but when it does occur, it is a very busy time.  …

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