Prick The Balloon

The Spanish-American War was a manufactured little conflict that, for the U.S. at least, lasted about three months. On the other hand it was the first time the American Empire expanded off the mainland North American continent. The lessons of intervention still apply.

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.

This one is just a little fun. Sure it's history, but it's also wildly subjective. Let's face it, the U.S. is one corrupt nation, but which state takes the crown? You've probably got your own ideas, but you should get a few laughs and gasps listening to Mike's.

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.

What should we make of those darkly pious New Englanders who sought freedom of religion in the 1600s? In Mike's opinion, the positives are few and far between. Though they have undeniably passed through several filters, their dour negativity is still being imposed on Americans today.

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.

This episode gives a little love to a president who sometimes gets a bad rap. Though he was far from perfect, just like the rest of us, Ulysses S. Grant was a strong champion for civil rights and equality, and he even tried, unsuccessfully, to stop the nation's relentless killing of American Indians. It was Grant who gave us our first national park, too.

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.

The alternate title for this episode is Lucille Ball vs. John Wayne, but few things about the Hollywood Blacklist were that clear cut. It was a sad example of shutting down good Americans solely because of their beliefs, in many cases, not even their current beliefs. There is plenty of old-time movie gossip here, but also some lessons that resonate today.

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.

American labor unions have a long history of successes and failures, some of them downright murderous. Study that history, though, and one thing becomes clear - without a strong labor movement, there is no American middle class. This episode provides proof of the struggle.

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.

For the guy who's been staring back at us from the $20 bill for almost a century, the 7th president doesn't have much to recommend him in the way of ethics. Learn all about Andrew Jackson, and have some fun along the way.

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.