Alaina continues her Disney Parks series with an episode on Walt Disney World Resort's second gate: Epcot. Walt Disney's original idea for all that Florida land was a planned city so unique that the world would come to see how his people lived and worked. After his death, some of those ideas, and the name, were recycled to be a theme park that serves as a permanent World's Fair. Is high modernism the path to despotism? Even so, could it have worked? How can you hit a forever-moving target: the future? Who needs rides when you can visit 11 themed gift shops and drink?

Links!

• Epcot website

Happy New Year! Our New Year's special has two topics for you. First, Grant takes us back to 1816, the Year Without a Summer, to tell the story behind the story of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Next, Alaina pops into 1916 to share the foundations and highlights of Dada. How does a geological event on one small island shape all of Western culture? If art is created by war, can art go to war?

Links!

• Frankensten; or, the Modern Prometheus at Project Gutenberg

Happy New Year! Our New Year's special has two topics for you. First, Grant takes us back to 1816, the Year Without a Summer, to tell the story behind the story of Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Next, Alaina pops into 1916 to share the foundations and highlights of Dada. How does a geological event on one small island shape all of Western culture? If art is created by war, can art go to war?

Links!

• Frankensten; or, the Modern Prometheus at Project Gutenberg

In 1968, the Democratic Party nominated a loyal member of the party leadership that did not reflect their members' views and could not present a compelling vision of the future. Meanwhile, prophesies of civil unrest became self-fulfilling as protests provoked a police riot miles away from the convention itself. What sort of protest makes the most change? How do you make leaders listen? Does democracy end on election day?

Links!

• Footage of Wednesday's Police Riot

It's the Holidays, and we'd like to share one of our traditions with you. Alaina tells us about the creation of a classic film, The Sound of Music. First, we delve into the creation of the fictional family Von Trapp, then look at their actual lives which inspired it. How much fidelity is owed to the truth in an adaptation? What lengths would you go to in resisting a fascist takeover? What unexpected benefits come with accepting refugees?

It's also been exactly six months since episode 1! Thank you for all the love and support!

Links!

• The Von Trapp family singers (current lineup)

Sometimes, when you're talking about history, it happens right in front of you. Grant takes hold of the one good thing to happen in this God-forsaken year and goes back to the 1870s to see how it all began. Alaina does her best to feign interest. How does a legacy push a team forward; how can it hold them back? What arcane might lies inside goats?

Links!

• Cubs' Website