Let me put my Historian Hat on

Dallas is one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup. In this episode I explore how Mega-Sporting-Events (MSEs) have played a role in international relations, altering perceptions of host nations. In recent years this has brought more attention to Human Rights, creating opportunities to move beyond national and civic boosterism and to create lasting legacies.

* Correction: I note that the 1934 World Cup took place before fascism took hold in Italy. Mussolini took power in 1922, and did in fact try to use the 1934 World Cup to promote his regime.

Responding to the recent bombing of Iran by the United States, I explore how Cold War ideology and the Military Industrial Complex continue to shape and complicate U.S. foreign relations.

In this episode I reflect on the chaos of our current political moment before looking at the lessons of Bleeding Kansas. I discuss the success of Kansas as a political project of the New England Emigrant Aid Company to consider how we may reach out to Red States, and warn of the dangers of “reform fatigue,” which has undermined every truly progressive movement toward equality.

This episode reflects on the lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. amidst the heaviness of January 20, 2025. I weave together ideas that I think can help us move forward and inspire us as we face a daunting four years ahead.

This is my Christmas Episode. I start by walking us through the cycles of Panics and Depressions in U.S. history before discussing the causes of the Great Depression and how it set us on path towards never ending consumption. I conclude by considering the dangers of modern consumption, including its dehumanizing impact on anonymous blue-collar workers left unfulfilled within the Christmas supply chain.

In this episode I discuss historical methodology and theory of change. I begin by reflecting on a new book I’m eager to read and how hearing a few interviews with its author already has my historical mind spinning. I follows these tangents into explorations of how history helps us develop a sense of place, how places hold history and make us curious, and how that curiosity is really all about studying change, which can then help us develop our theories of change so that we can use lessons from the past to influence the future.

In this episode I suggest we’ve got more work to do to complicate the myth of thanksgiving and center the lives and agency of indigenous people. I also discuss how the holiday has become an American tradition aided by gifts to American presidents. One of those strange gifts, intended to be a part of the thanksgiving meal, became a beloved presidential pet.

With the release of Wicked this weekend, I wanted to share the story of L. Frank Baum, author of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum created the Oz universe, which is a uniquely American fairy tale with enduring popularity. Yet, hidden within the original Oz book is a parable on the populist politics of the 1890s.

In this episode I share the story of William Henry Lewis, an incredible figure in African American history, sport history, and early twentieth-century politics. He is a figure I think everyone should remember and know about.

In this meandering episode I discuss the 1880s as a political era that’s has some “rhymes” with our present day. I highlight issues of corruption, immigration, tariffs, the Gilded Age, and elections between mediocre white men. The 1884 election takes center stage to consider Grover Cleveland as the first president to serve non-consecutive terms. Note: I talk kind of fast in this episode. I’m sorry!