In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Rep. Don Bacon about his approach to crafting bipartisan legislation, the challenges he’s faced in a divided Congress, and why cooperation still matters for America’s future.

Historian Ben Baumann examines whether bipartisanship is still possible in America, tracing America’s history of compromise from its founding to today’s era of deep political polarization.

In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann speaks with astrophysicist Dr. Ethan Siegel about the origins of the universe, why scientific skepticism matters, and how our understanding of the cosmos may evolve in the future.

Historian Ben Baumann explores the timeless question of why the universe exists, challenging the belief in certainties, and encouraging listeners to embrace the unknown by creating their own meaning in a mysterious cosmos.

In this episode, Ben Baumann discusses the transformative power of learning history, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical context rather than memorizing random facts and dates. He critiques the prevalence of pseudohistory and the influence of unqualified individuals on historical narratives. Baumann advocates for a comprehensive approach to learning history, including big history and personal ancestry, to empower individuals and enhance their understanding of their place in the world.

In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Jason Paige about his work producing commercial jingles, his iconic performance of the Pokémon theme song, and the impact of the musical "Rent" on his life and career.

Historian Ben Baumann talks about the history of popular television theme songs from the 1960s to the 2000s and how they impacted audiences.

In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann interviews the lead singer of Black Lab, Paul Durham, about his humble journey to becoming a professional musician, his experiences overcoming challenges in his career, and his work on the Spider-Man soundtrack.

Historian Ben Baumann talks about 2000s pop culture and what 2000s kids remember from the era.

In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann interviews Sporting KC legend Matt Besler about the origins and evolution of professional soccer in Kansas City, his career with Sporting KC, and more.