The Missing Chapter Podcast

It's 1930 in Banks Mississippi, Robert Johnson walks into a juke joint where two of the most popular blues guitarists of the day, Son House and Willie Brown, were playing a show for a packed house.  He had not been seen in almost a year and asked Son House if he could sit in his chair and play a few songs.  Son responded saying, “Alright, but you sit in that chair, you better do something with it.”  Son House had heard Robert play before and had not been impressed by what he thought of as Robert’s mediocre talent.  Robert, a young man who was already a widower at age 19 strode up onto the stage and sat down with his guitar.  The audience had no idea what was going on, but what happened next started one of the most famous legends in Mississippi Delta Blues history and would have a profound impact on music for the next 80+ years.  Surrounded in mystery, there are only three known pictures of him and 29 recorded songs.  Sadly, only 8 years after that performance he would become the inaugural member of the macabre 27 club.  Find out more about Robert Johnson on this episode of The Missing Chapter.  

It was on October 22, 1962, that former president JFK told the world that the Soviets were building secret missile bases in Cuba, about 90 miles off the coast of Florida. And not only did he make claims to that, he had photographic evidence to prove it.  The Americans and Soviets began the nose-to-nose confrontation over these bases stationed in Cuba.  So, while a diplomatic solution was ultimately the goal, and as our US government tirelessly tried to pursue that, no one knew what was really taking place inside the Soviet submarine B-59, off the coast of Florida, and how one man, who was actually on our enemy’s side, saved the world from nuclear war.  Find out who this person is and the circumstances surrounding this event on this episode of The Missing Chapter.  

Where were you? Where were you when the sun came up on that gorgeous, picturesque late summer day?

Where were you when the commute began, the horns honked, and the daylight broke?

Where were you? Where were you when the terminal gates closed, the luggage was loaded, and runways cleared?

Where were you when the coffee brewed, the early hello’s exchanged, and the see-you-later hugs were given?

Where were you? Where were you when the world stood still and fire rained, when the silence was broken, and lives were changed forever?

Where were you when hell was unleashed, when eyes looked to the skies, when eyes looked to the tv’s, when eyes looked to their parents, and when eyes looked to the heavens for answers?

Where were you? Where were you when the people ran, the buildings fell, the rubble smoldered?

When the country wept, hearts were broken, and heroes laid down their lives?

Where were you? Where were you when grief gave way to strength, when arms united, and resolve stood tall.

Where were you when the flags unfurled, the songs were sung, and the candles lit?

Thank you for joining us for a very special 9/11 Anniversary edition, where we reflect, remember, and honor the fallen…

September 11th, 2001

Where were you?

When you hear the word “nuclear”, you might think of nuclear family, nuclear power, nuclear bomb, or nuclear accident.  Well, when you think of nuclear accidents, most of us go right to Chernobyl or Three Mile Island or maybe the most recent Fukushima incident in 2011.  But not too many know about the other nuclear incident that happened on U.S. soil.  As a matter of fact, it’s not just another accident in history, it’s the largest radioactive spill in U.S. history altogether, and it took place only 3 months after the Three Mile Island incident.  Find out where this spill took place, as well as what the cleanup efforts were like on this episode of The Missing Chapter.

The triumphs of Alexander the Great and his lasting legacy are undisputable and his impact on world history is legendary, but his story also teaches us something else important, that in the end, even if you are the conqueror of lands, death always prevails.  Find out what finally defeated history's most epic warrior, Alexander the Great, on this episode of The Missing Chapter. 

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  Since the dawn of man, looking to the skies has been a reminder of the vastness of space in comparison to the smallness of human beings, the infinite possibilities that have yet to be discovered, the power in which it holds, and the wonderment that it evokes in our finite human hearts.  We’ve looked to the skies for answers, we’ve questioned its origins, and we’ve become increasingly curious about its potential as our science and technology advances.  And ever since the launch of Sputnik I by the Soviet Union in 1957, space has become more than just an awe-inspiring picture to gaze into, it has become a competition.  Welcome to this episode of the Missing Chapter Podcast, where today, we’ll discuss the space race, but not in the typical sense, as we delve into declassified documents that may reshape how you view our own Moon and rethink what you were taught in the history textbooks about our plans for space.

Their names are synonymous with Saturday mornings and the laughter of children.  Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester the Cat.  Generations began their weekends by welcoming these comical characters into their homes and, as a result, they helped shape the culture that they entertained.  Porky Pig, Tweetie Pie, Foghorn Leghorn, the Road Runner.  The golden age of cartoons saw an increasing number of production companies spring up throughout Hollywood and would help revolutionize a television industry that was still in its fledgling years.  Barney Rubble, Mr. Spacely, Peppy la Pew, Speedy Gonzalez. These illustrated icons helped amass untold fame and wealth that is still being felt today, some 80+ years later.  Captain Caveman, Woody Woodpecker, Dino the Dinosaur, Marvin the Martian.

But there’s one name that you might not know and it’s imperative to understanding the true scope of this time period, as well as this entire genre of entertainment.  You see, without him, there would have been no stories… and these characters, well their voices, would never have been heard.

Hear their stories, and his, on this episode of The Missing Chapter.

The Egyptians, the Romans, and modern-day architects have all used concrete in their construction from some of the most basic of structures, to the most magnificent buildings in world history.  But one inventor, someone who is widely known for his other inventions, tried to revolutionize how we see and use concrete forever.  His attempts were valiant, but the concrete future never reached the heights that he had envisioned.  His one shining moment in this venture, though, is one of the most historic and famous stadiums of all time.  Find out who this inventor is and what stadium he created on this episode of The Missing Chapter.  

Often referred to as “America’s Pastime,” few images conjure up a sense of warm summer days more than baseball - the crack of the bat, the smell of popcorn, and the cheer from adoring crowds.  American baseball has been there throughout our nation’s history – from the Civil War to civil rights, from World Wars to 9/11.  One could argue that no other sport in our nation’s history has helped heal our wounds or celebrate our victories, as much as baseball has.  The traditions that baseball was built on have transcended both time and generations.  One tradition has become synonymous with baseball and eventually sports, as a whole.  Find out more on this episode of the Missing Chapter.

Our nation's literary history is filled with talented, gifted authors with minds that are blessed with the ability to paint a picture through words.  Many of us have experienced these literary works, almost being a part of their stories.  But one author, who had a profound impact on 20th-Century fiction, isn't your typical writer.  He was not someone who sat in front of a fire and wrote novels - this person was an adventurer - maybe even to a fault.  On today's episode of The Missing Chapter, we welcome a published author and friend, Shawn Krol, to help us explore the extraordinary life of one the most storied authors, Ernest Hemingway.