In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with Dorothy Verkerk from the University of North Carolina about the experience of teaching in the summer program at University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. Recording while we waited for our flight to Toronto at the end of the program, they chat about the challenges of teaching a condensed summer session, some of the highlights of the summer, and how much they enjoyed teaching their UIBE students. They also debate the pros and cons of teaching abroad and discuss my ambivalence towards Chinese beer.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Dorothy-Ver-Kerk.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with Matt Pressman about his forthcoming book on American journalism in the 1960s and 1970s. They chat about the definition of journalism, the state of newspapers, and the inclusion of ‘soft’ news into journalism. Matt is also a former JEOPARDY! champion, so they talk about his experience on the show and what you don’t see on television.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Matt-Pressman.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham welcomes Paul Kahan back to the show to talk about his new book Amiable Scoundrel: Simon Cameron, Lincoln’s Scandalous Secretary of War. They chat about researching the Civil War, Cameron’s personal character, and the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Lincoln administration. They also examine 19th century American political culture and the separation between politics and personal relationships.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Paul-Kahanx2.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam Sean Graham talks with Nicole Nolette, author of Jouer la traduction: Théâtre et hétérolinguisme au Canada francophone, winner of the 2016 Ann Saddlemyer Award for as the best book on Canadian theatre. They talk about translating for theatre, the challenge of overcoming regional dialects, and the nature of bilingualism in Canada.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Nicole-Nolette.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam Sean Graham talks with Gavin Benke of Boston University about his research on Enron. They chat about the company’s origins, how an energy company got involved in complex financial management, and Enron’s relationship with 1990s culture. They also talk about how 9/11 influenced public perception of the company and George W. Bush’s place in the story.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Gavin-Benke.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam Sean Graham talks with friend-of-the-show-Tracy-Neumann about her new book Remaking the Rust Belt: The Postindustrial Transformation of North America. They talk about Tracy’s work, the Canada Program at Harvard, industrial redevelopment in Pittsburgh and Hamilton, and some of the major differences between Canada and the United States.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Tracy-Neumann-1.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks Alison Mountz of Laurier and Harvard. They talk about the Canada Program at Harvard, the Canada Research Chair program, and the origins of her group’s efforts at slow scholarship. Around the 20 minute mark they get into slow scholarship in greater detail and discuss what it means, how it can be practiced, and the gendered and racialized environments in which we all work.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Alison-Mountz-1.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with the author of General Idea: Life and Work, Sarah E.K. Smith. They talk about the differences between traditional history and art history, the legacy of General Idea, and the challenges and benefits and digital publishing.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Sarah-Smith.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam, Sean Graham talks with Jacob Remes about his new book Disaster Citizenship: Survivors, Solidarity, and Power in the Progressive Era. They talk about doing trans-national research, North America diaspora, and responses to disasters.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Jacob-Remes.mp3

In this episode of the History Slam, Aaron Boyes returns to the show to talk about the best and worst people after whom you can name a child. Taking into account both the person’s achievements and the name’s aesthetic values, Aaron and Sean offer some unique options about which you may not have thought.

https://media.blubrry.com/activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Baby-Names.mp3