Welcome to the Everything is a Primary Source Podcast, where we use popular culture to learn about history. It was this week in 1917 that the United States entered World War I, so what better time than now to dissect the song that is forever attached to America’s involvement in the Great War, George M. Cohan's "Over There."

Everything is a Primary Source is building a digital archive, and you can get involved. Perhaps you would like to add to this conversation, or start a new one about history through pop culture. Go to everything-history.com to learn about the Everything is a Primary Source Project and how you can take part in this exciting new, open-source educational resource.

S3E26: "Bringing Home the Bacon"

Today’s episode starts about bacon and eggs but ends up a conversation about industry and infrastructure. You’ll have to listen to see how it gets there.

I was so glad to be joined by two fellow social studies teachers-turned-podcasters, Phil and Phil of Canajoharie High School in New York, co hosts of the Missing Chapter Podcast to chat about the famous Beech-Nut plant in their town along the Erie Canal and NYS Thruway.

S3E25: Cards, Cards and More Cards

An episode made from two podcast karaoke interviews.

Part 1) Comedian Shawn Carter talks Garbage Pail Kids
Part 2) Bryson discusses Teenage Mutant Ninja Turltes and Pokemon cards

S3E24: "It Stinks?"

I ran into a fellow NH social studies teacher, Jeff, this Fall while recording at the NCSS conference in Nashville, and he and I gave 90s TV's The Critic a pretty solid critique.

S3E23:  "These Go to 11"

Deremy joins the show again, but this time with his Pop Culture Five podcast cohost, Thomas.  Thomas has another show,  SNL Hall of Fame, and I couldn't think of a better pair of guys to help break down the 1984 Rockumentary/Mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap."

S3E22: "A Great Migration of Culture"

My drop-in guest, Gloria wished to talk about music related to the Great Migration of the 20th century, and we did, but we also found ourselves covering a great many other topics related to the mass movement of African Americans from the Southeast to points North and West between 1910 and 1970.

S3E21: "Heal the World"

CeCe from History Co:Lab and their Ambie Award-nominated podcast, UnTextBooked stopped by to talk about "We Are the World" the 1985 fundraising single organized by Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to respond to the devastating famine affecting millions in Ethiopia in the time period.  What can this song featuring over two dozen musicians tell us about the society, culture, politics and economics of 39 years ago?

S3E20: "The Ballad of Adam and Eve"

Jeremy of the Society for Commercial Archeology joins the show again, this time to dissect the 1999 comedy, "Blast from the Past" as a document of its era.

S3E19: "Usher-ing in a New Era"

Katarina, a fellow social studies educator with whom I spoke in her home city of Nashville, Tennessee this past fall, chose to talk about Usher’s 2004 hit with Ludacris and Lil John, “Yeah,” when she stopped by my booth,  and see what it can tell us about the time period. Perfect timing because I’m releasing this episode on Super Bowl Sunday 2024, where Usher is going to be performing in the halftime show.

S3E18: "A Little Wilder"

Mel Brooks's "Blazing Saddles" just turned 50 and what better time to look at it as a document of its time period.  I was joined by Caroline in Nashville back in December to get her take on the Western Comedy, and comedy movies in general.