Within The Realm

We often hear complaints about the lack of community in our country, from a lack of diversity to simply not knowing your neighbors. Could the design of our communities and homes play a part in this? I speak to an architect that believes borrowing a few ideas from the past might hold the key to building a better sense of community.

Memories of loved ones too soon gone are kept alive through stories, stories that tell who they were and who they still are. Recently, I gave an interview about becoming grateful through tragedy. In the interview, I discussed our journey through the loss of our son, Jacob. Even after the interview, there's still lots to tell about how our hearts are broken, but full. Full of memories of the good he put into the world.

These particular memories involve a CD found in his car and a simple trip to the grocery store turned into something more. The stories behind them leave our hearts broken, but full.

It is one of the most recognizable songs the world over, but few know about it's start as a country music tear-jerker, and fewer still know about it's rocky road before it became renown. "You Are My Sunshine," even with it's status as a musical icon can add significant meaning to an evening in the backyard with the neighbor's kid.

Halloween is usually all fun and games...until you have something to prove. For my brother, it was unseating the reigning costume contest champion at the annual Halloween get-together. For me, it became a day of seeing into the future, celebrating the past and deciding what it was I wanted to be...

On February 27, 1914, Westville businessman PJ Dore was killed by Tandy Folsom. It's the stuff of local legend, but it serves as an illustration for a larger historical debate. Professor Greg Jackson of the podcast History That Doesn't Suck discusses the Frontier Thesis and opposition to the idea. Then we delve into the legend and how the truth of the matter presents a clash of cultures in the early days of the State of Oklahoma.

David Crockett (he never signed his name Davy Crockett) cut quite a figure in history. He was known as a frontiersman, a bear hunter, an Indian fighter and a hero of the Texas revolution, all in his short 49 years of life. But, according to Micheal Wallis, author of the book "David Crockett, the Lion of the West," it was his tenure in Congress and his stand against fellow Tennessean, President Andrew Jackson, that proves to be Crockett's most courage battle.

Recently America...and the world...celebrated the 50th Anniversary of men landing on the moon. In this episode we discuss the space program with a couple of friends of mine who can provide a unique perspective on the subject while keeping their feet firmly on the earth!

Punk Rock is more than music. It's a movement, "A thing you are," says one of our contributors to today's episode. Although it's seen as movement for young people, there are plenty that hang on to the philosophies and ethics, continuing to apply apply them to their changing lives. We talk with several who were influenced early by Punk Rock and found it has stuck with them.

With no formal education and not speaking English, Sequoyah developed a writing system for the Cherokees that helped preserve their language and culture. Recently, two event, both involving the Cherokee language and both having a direct tie to Sequoyah although he died over 180 years ago.

Once a barrier to the westward expansion of the United States now just a reference on aged maps, the Great American Desert played a pivotal role in the development of many other parts of the country, all the while remaining virtually empty of white settlement, until...