Podcast Transcript One of the most popular card games in the world is poker. The game was played in the old west among cowboys, by dogs on velvet paintings, and by the crew of the Star Ship Enterprise. Poker is played informally among friends and family, yet it is also a high-stakes competitive game where …
Podcast Transcript It is the most expensive substance in the world by a wide margin. When it was first proposed, it was actually proposed in jest. However, decades later, the joke turned out to have been true. It is a fundamental part of the universe, and by all accounts, it should be everywhere, yet it …
Podcast Transcript The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. It is presented to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have displayed extraordinary bravery and valor in combat, often at great personal risk and beyond the call of duty. The Medal of Honor has a rich history dating …
Podcast Transcript After several years of rising tensions, on May 13, 1846, the United States Congress declared war on the nation of Mexico. The war lasted only two years, and the conduct of the war was decidedly one-sided. The conclusion of the war resulted in changes to both countries, which can be seen on the …
Podcast Transcript Sometime around 9,000 to 11,000 years ago, somewhere in the Middle East or Central Asia, someone figured out how they could keep wild sheep and breed them. This simple act had enormous consequences for humanity. It improved food production, revolutionized the production of clothing, and even influenced the development of writing. Fast forward …
Podcast Transcript Located at the southern end of the Iberian peninsula is the largest autonomous community in Spain by population and the second largest by area: Andalusia. Andalusia is different from the other regions of Spain for a host of reasons. It has a unique history, a unique geography, and a unique culture. Moreover, many …
Podcast Transcript Almost immediately after the death of George Washington in 1799, the United States began to think of ways to commemorate and honor the father of the country. The process of creating a monument took decades. There were multiple aborted designs and one idea that was built but never fully implemented. What ended up …
Podcast transcript In the late 19th century, during the scramble for Africa, King Leopold II of Belgium seized a large landmass in Central Africa. By doing this, he created the Congo Free State, but this name was a misnomer as it was anything but free. King Leopold’s rule over the Congo Free State was defined …
Podcast Transcript Bhutan is a small country nestled in the heart of the Himalayas. Best known for its stunning location and its practice of Tibetan Buddhism, Bhutan was one of the most isolated and undeveloped countries in the world. However, over the last 30 years, it has experienced rapid development and has taken steps to …