Prick The Balloon

The New Deal-era Federal Writers Project produced some wonderfully fun guides to each of the 48 states, plus Alaska and Puerto Rico and several cities. This short episode explains and shares.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Petty bickering over a cabinet member's wife tore the Jackson administration apart for two years, but was it really just bitter politics as usual? It all pitted a president against a vice-president topped with name calling and the offer of a duel.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Sports has often led the way in civil rights, so even non sports fan will find great nuggets of both outrage and triumph in this episode. No prior knowledge required. Game on.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

We face stereotyping in so many different ways every day, and lumping people and places and things all together is almost always a bad idea. This episode makes the strong case that American liberalism owes its roots to Texas Populists. Seriously, yes - Texas.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

The sad and frustrating story of Woodrow Wilson resumes as the U.S. enters WWI. Unfortunately for Wilson, his legacy largely goes downhill from there. It ends with a president unable to perform his duties and some unforgiveable stains to weigh against some real progress.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

People are complicated, but few in American history are more confounding than Woodrow Wilson, who hit the extremes of good and bad. He left so much to unpack that it takes two episodes. In this first one, we ride with Woody through reelection in 1916.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Not all angry old men are men, or even old, but they have definitely obstructed progress in our country over the years. Others just want you to get off their lawn. This episode explores both.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

One side loves to complain about bias in the news. As always, they fail to understand the history of the topic. We had finally tamped down much of it until the system was blown apart by a conservative icon. This is the timeline of America's news.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 10 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Political parties change. What was once a bunch of liberals becomes conservative, and vice versa. The run through of American political parties is fascinating and laugh provoking.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 10 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

How is our relationship with animals? Have we gotten better or worse in our interactions with and stewardship of the animal kingdom around us? Mike lays it out so you can decide. But you'd better be nice to those dogs, or there will be trouble.

Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 10 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Creative Commons photo by Lewis Hurlbert. Thanks!