Professor Buzzkill History Podcast

Professor Vernon Burton joins us to explain the long and tortured history of the ways in which the United States Supreme Court has handled race. The Supreme Court is usually seen as the protector of our liberties: it ended segregation, was a guarantor of fair trials, and safeguarded free speech and the vote. But what’s the full story, across all of American history. Episode 468.

Not even Donald Trump could have made this deal. Have you heard that Dutch settlers bought the island of Manhattan from Native Americans for a measly $24? Turns out it was more complicated than that. New York finance always is. Episode 468.

Jason Steinhauer of the History Communications Institute joins us to explain the veracity of the film clip of a "3-year-old chimney sweep" from the 1930s that's gone viral on social media. Is it heart-breaking evidence of child labor, or is it something else? He also explains how it went viral and what that means for issues of history presented on social media. Episode 467.

Monday Myth for Extra Credit! A Viking horned helmet would have been very impractical, and perhaps dangerous, in battle, Buzzkillers. Horned helmets are most likely the invention of legendary opera composer Wagner’s costume designer in the 19th century. Episode 466

July 30th is the anniversary of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis during World War II in the Pacific in 1945. Captain Quint’s story about the USS Indianapolis in the movie “Jaws” is only the beginning of a gut-wrenching piece of history. There’s a lot more to the Indianapolis sinking than most people know. Listen to the special Anniversary Encore!

Professor Brandon Gauthier uses Lenin, Stalin, and Putin as case studies to try to help us understand the reasons why certain political leaders become monsters. By looking further into their pasts and noting the important changes in their attitudes towards other human beings, Gauthier shows how radical ideologies coupled with the erasure of any sense of empathy for other people created some of the worst people in world history. Episode 465.

Monday Myth for Extra Credit! How often did people bathe in the past? Hardly ever, according to popular perception. Well that’s not true, Buzzkillers! Not only did people wash more frequently than is generally thought, they had innovative and creative ways to get it done (even in cold weather). My favorite is the MesoAmerican steam bath. So get naked and get clean with Professor Buzzkill! Episode 464.

Crikey. These are interesting times. But is “may you live in interesting times” actually an old Chinese curse, or is the history of that saying more complicated? We take you from Chinese folk tales in 1627 to 20th-century British politicians in this encore episode of Quote or No Quote, trying to track down who said what when. Listen and learn.

Professor Heather Cox Richardson gives us the low-down on one of history's pieces of sh*t, Salmon P. Chase (the man on the $10,000 bill). Hear about his machinations during the Lincoln administration, his colossal ego, and how he helped saddle the United States with President Andrew Johnson. Ugh! Episode 463.

Your favorite Buzzkill history professor, Dr. Philip Nash, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the life of Claire Boothe Luce, an American Renaissance woman if ever there was one. In part two of this two-parter, we discuss her career as a diplomat, and her fascinating personal life. Listen and learn! Episode 462.