<![CDATA[Riches and Power]]>829e30f1-5c26-5645-b809-f9398acb8d37Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:39 +0000Captivate.fmAlex Doubethttps://artwork.captivate.fm/7b32d69b-fda5-4cc0-a2d0-2f75c7424805/JmVU3blHOWacsqKP7Vn1WSOt.jpegRiches and PowerAlex DoubetAlex DoubetListen in on interviews with world-renowned experts exploring the forces in history that shaped the world both then, and now. The topics we explore vary from whaling, to the Roman games, but they always touch on the intersection between riches and power, particularly in business and economic history.https://richesandpower.com/falseepisodicnopodcastInnovation in the Great Depression w. Jason VoiovichInnovation in the Great Depression w. Jason VoiovichImagine living through the Great Depression. It was a bleak time in American history with unemployment as high as 25% and despair all around. Looking back, it looks like a bleak time… but that may not be entirely true. In the midst of the pain and dislocation of the Depression, there was a flourishing and little-studied blossoming of entrepreneurship and invention that brought out things that we still use and appreciate today. Join us as we learn about the brighter side of the Great Depression. 

]]>Imagine living through the Great Depression. It was a bleak time in American history with unemployment as high as 25% and despair all around. Looking back, it looks like a bleak time… but that may not be entirely true. In the midst of the pain and dislocation of the Depression, there was a flourishing and little-studied blossoming of entrepreneurship and invention that brought out things that we still use and appreciate today. Join us as we learn about the brighter side of the Great Depression. 

]]>22313281-692b-47b1-b7e1-1273bf452e89Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -060051:45falsefull3939Constitutional Powers w. Richard Primus of U MichConstitutional Powers w. Richard Primus of U MichImagine a world in which the government has unbounded power, circumscribed by no constitution. This was the reality of things for most of human history, but more recently, in much of the world we have become accustomed to a constitution that limits the power of the government. In the United States, the constitution specifically lists—or enumerates as it is traditionally referred to—powers that the federal government has. These enumerated powers are always subject to ongoing debate, expansion, and contraction.

]]>Imagine a world in which the government has unbounded power, circumscribed by no constitution. This was the reality of things for most of human history, but more recently, in much of the world we have become accustomed to a constitution that limits the power of the government. In the United States, the constitution specifically lists—or enumerates as it is traditionally referred to—powers that the federal government has. These enumerated powers are always subject to ongoing debate, expansion, and contraction.

]]>d4432c1d-e67f-41f5-8df9-6982e7e55f5dWed, 25 Jun 2025 05:45:00 -060001:01:23falsefull3838Economic Crashes w. Harold James of PrincetonEconomic Crashes w. Harold James of PrincetonImagine a world without economic crashes. A world in which the economy is always up and to the right, forever. That sounds like a great world, but it is also, perhaps, a less vibrant world. A world in which innovations are adopted less readily and new ways of thinking never emerge. Join us as we learn about economic crashes with Professor Harold James of Princeton who recently published a book examining economic crashes throughout history called Seven Crashes.

]]>Imagine a world without economic crashes. A world in which the economy is always up and to the right, forever. That sounds like a great world, but it is also, perhaps, a less vibrant world. A world in which innovations are adopted less readily and new ways of thinking never emerge. Join us as we learn about economic crashes with Professor Harold James of Princeton who recently published a book examining economic crashes throughout history called Seven Crashes.

]]>e7218ab2-f54b-41b8-aedd-bb4eeb0a91c0Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 -060049:11falsefull3737Short: China Shock w. Gordon Hanson of HarvardShort: China Shock w. Gordon Hanson of HarvardThe China Shock started in earnest in the early 2000s after it entered the World Trade Organization. In those years, the American heartland's manufacturing was gutted as a result of the shockingly fast entry of cheaper Chinese goods into the world stage. That was China Shock 1.0. Why was that shock so impactful, and what is going on during today's China Shock 3.0 to many other countries. Join us for this timely discussion given the ongoing Trump trade war and tariffs.

]]>The China Shock started in earnest in the early 2000s after it entered the World Trade Organization. In those years, the American heartland's manufacturing was gutted as a result of the shockingly fast entry of cheaper Chinese goods into the world stage. That was China Shock 1.0. Why was that shock so impactful, and what is going on during today's China Shock 3.0 to many other countries. Join us for this timely discussion given the ongoing Trump trade war and tariffs.

]]>987b505f-4605-415f-8ff0-b111a6d8655fFri, 11 Apr 2025 06:45:00 -060017:48falsefull3636The Great Air Race w. John LancasterThe Great Air Race w. John LancasterImagine a world in which people dying in airplanes wasn’t international headline making news. A world, instead, in which planes crashing was a common, everyday occurrence. A little over 100 years ago, there was an air race that captivated the country as its participants raced from coast to coast, then back again. But this wasn’t a simple race. It was also a concerted effort to usher in the age of aviation. Join us as we learn about one of the pivotal moments in the history of early aviation.

]]>Imagine a world in which people dying in airplanes wasn’t international headline making news. A world, instead, in which planes crashing was a common, everyday occurrence. A little over 100 years ago, there was an air race that captivated the country as its participants raced from coast to coast, then back again. But this wasn’t a simple race. It was also a concerted effort to usher in the age of aviation. Join us as we learn about one of the pivotal moments in the history of early aviation.

]]>f61abbc0-cdd8-40b7-ac64-fec96623dbc0Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -060045:35falsefull3535The Podcast Industry w. Gary ArndtThe Podcast Industry w. Gary ArndtHow much do podcast hosts make? What does it take to get your show listened to? Why is podcasting such a great business model? Gary Arndt is a longtime podcast host of Everything Everywhere Daily, one of the most listened to history podcasts on the planet. We had a great discussion about the podcast industry itself. Join us for the ride!

]]>How much do podcast hosts make? What does it take to get your show listened to? Why is podcasting such a great business model? Gary Arndt is a longtime podcast host of Everything Everywhere Daily, one of the most listened to history podcasts on the planet. We had a great discussion about the podcast industry itself. Join us for the ride!

]]>5e148f74-8fb9-4243-abb9-07a278075031Mon, 24 Mar 2025 05:45:00 -060053:59falsefull3434Mixed Martial Arts & the UFC w. Rolling Stone’s Jack Crosbie (pt. 2)Mixed Martial Arts & the UFC w. Rolling Stone’s Jack Crosbie (pt. 2)Part 2: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rose from obscurity into being the third most popular sport on the planet. How did such a violent, oft-frowned-upon sport become so popular? And how did Dana White come to so dominate the sport via his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brand? This is a multi-billion dollar sport that you may not ever have heard much about.

Join us as we explore this fascinating business with Rolling Stone contributor Jack Crosbie, himself an MMA hobbyist. This is part one of a two-part episode.

]]>Part 2: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rose from obscurity into being the third most popular sport on the planet. How did such a violent, oft-frowned-upon sport become so popular? And how did Dana White come to so dominate the sport via his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brand? This is a multi-billion dollar sport that you may not ever have heard much about.

Join us as we explore this fascinating business with Rolling Stone contributor Jack Crosbie, himself an MMA hobbyist. This is part one of a two-part episode.

]]>d0144c57-81d4-4397-b2f0-bf451ad57799Tue, 11 Mar 2025 05:30:00 -060057:45falsefull3333Mixed Martial Arts & the UFC w. Rolling Stone’s Jack Crosbie (pt. 1)Mixed Martial Arts & the UFC w. Rolling Stone’s Jack Crosbie (pt. 1)Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rose from obscurity into being the third most popular sport on the planet. How did such a violent, oft-frowned-upon sport become so popular? And how did Dana White come to so dominate the sport via his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brand? This is a multi-billion dollar sport that you may not ever have heard much about.

Join us as we explore this fascinating business with Rolling Stone contributor Jack Crosbie, himself an MMA hobbyist. This is part one of a two-part episode.

]]>Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) rose from obscurity into being the third most popular sport on the planet. How did such a violent, oft-frowned-upon sport become so popular? And how did Dana White come to so dominate the sport via his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) brand? This is a multi-billion dollar sport that you may not ever have heard much about.

Join us as we explore this fascinating business with Rolling Stone contributor Jack Crosbie, himself an MMA hobbyist. This is part one of a two-part episode.

]]>d69439e9-eea0-479d-a501-5363981ac379Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -060043:26falsefull3232Housing Policy & HUD w. Jack Ryan (pt. 2)Housing Policy & HUD w. Jack Ryan (pt. 2)In Part 2 of our conversation with CEO of Rex, Jack Ryan, we talk about an OpEd in the Wall Street Journal he recently published: "What Does HUD Have to Show for the Trillions It’s Spent?"

We dig deep on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, its staggering spend over the past six decades, and why it has struggled to achieve any of its aims (including driving down the cost of housing).

]]>In Part 2 of our conversation with CEO of Rex, Jack Ryan, we talk about an OpEd in the Wall Street Journal he recently published: "What Does HUD Have to Show for the Trillions It’s Spent?"

We dig deep on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, its staggering spend over the past six decades, and why it has struggled to achieve any of its aims (including driving down the cost of housing).

]]>92b33a8c-6b0e-45df-a585-8d0280daf478Mon, 03 Feb 2025 06:00:00 -060027:16falsefull3131Housing Policy & HUD w. Jack RyanHousing Policy & HUD w. Jack RyanCEO and Author Jack Ryan recently wrote an op ed in the Wall Street Journal called "What Does HUD Have to Show for the Trillions It’s Spent?" and subtitled: "The U.S. homeownership rate was 64% in 1967, two years after the department opened. Now it’s . . . 64%."

He is an entrepreneur, an expert on housing policy, and a crusader against incumbent housing policy. Join us as a discuss American housing policy and why it has been so ineffectual at achieving its stated aims.

Mr. Ryan founded real estate brokerage Rex and recently published Bringing Adam Smith into the American Home: A Case Against Home Ownership.

]]>CEO and Author Jack Ryan recently wrote an op ed in the Wall Street Journal called "What Does HUD Have to Show for the Trillions It’s Spent?" and subtitled: "The U.S. homeownership rate was 64% in 1967, two years after the department opened. Now it’s . . . 64%."

He is an entrepreneur, an expert on housing policy, and a crusader against incumbent housing policy. Join us as a discuss American housing policy and why it has been so ineffectual at achieving its stated aims.

Mr. Ryan founded real estate brokerage Rex and recently published Bringing Adam Smith into the American Home: A Case Against Home Ownership.

]]>ab1312e9-b5a6-4bd6-b9c5-ef7344134404Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:30:00 -060044:30falsefull3030Consumer Culture w. Jason VoiovichConsumer Culture w. Jason VoiovichImagine walking down an aisle at Target or Walmart looking for a new coffee maker, but there is just one option. Shelf after shelf of a single brand’s coffee maker. You don’t like it? Too bad. Or, imagine a time before big-box retailers, when you might have to order a coffee maker via a catalog and wait weeks for its delivery. We live in an era of overwhelming choice that is entirely unique from a historical perspective. And, though we all grew up in this paradigm and now take it for granted, consumer choice has origins in one dynamic decade. Join us as we explore the world of consumer culture.

]]>Imagine walking down an aisle at Target or Walmart looking for a new coffee maker, but there is just one option. Shelf after shelf of a single brand’s coffee maker. You don’t like it? Too bad. Or, imagine a time before big-box retailers, when you might have to order a coffee maker via a catalog and wait weeks for its delivery. We live in an era of overwhelming choice that is entirely unique from a historical perspective. And, though we all grew up in this paradigm and now take it for granted, consumer choice has origins in one dynamic decade. Join us as we explore the world of consumer culture.

]]>d354b9cd-1e80-4c96-aa2f-70b47d79da66Mon, 16 Dec 2024 05:45:00 -060057:01falsefull2929Shelf-Stable Milk w. Ellen Cushing of The AtlanticShelf-Stable Milk w. Ellen Cushing of The AtlanticWhy is America so odd in that its citizens drink huge quantities of refrigerated milk? Other Western countries primarily drink shelf-stable milk that does not need to be refrigerated until opened. How did this happen? What impact does this have on our grocery stores and environmental footprint?

]]>Why is America so odd in that its citizens drink huge quantities of refrigerated milk? Other Western countries primarily drink shelf-stable milk that does not need to be refrigerated until opened. How did this happen? What impact does this have on our grocery stores and environmental footprint?

]]>6ce3ba3a-2a88-4c7a-b28a-dd7ee97c88e2Mon, 02 Dec 2024 06:15:00 -060021:25falsefull2828Asset Managers w. Sahand MoerefyAsset Managers w. Sahand MoerefyImagine a world in which you don’t own index funds, but rather own companies directly. You have to know them intimately, and vote on issues affecting the operations of the company. Today, we live in a world in which most of us invest passively, but it hasn’t always been that way. Join us as we explore the world and history of asset managers.

Sahand Moarefy is a corporate attorney, and he is the author of a fantastic, recently-published book called The New Power Brokers: The Rise of Asset Manager Capitalism and the New Economic Order, available on Amazon.com.

]]>Imagine a world in which you don’t own index funds, but rather own companies directly. You have to know them intimately, and vote on issues affecting the operations of the company. Today, we live in a world in which most of us invest passively, but it hasn’t always been that way. Join us as we explore the world and history of asset managers.

Sahand Moarefy is a corporate attorney, and he is the author of a fantastic, recently-published book called The New Power Brokers: The Rise of Asset Manager Capitalism and the New Economic Order, available on Amazon.com.

]]>e4fc9635-4dfe-4532-beef-de7e152ed4cfWed, 13 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -060001:11:38falsefull2727Spirit Airlines w. Scott Nover of SlateSpirit Airlines w. Scott Nover of SlateSpirit Airlines is one of the most reviled airlines--and brands--in the country. Yet, it also might be the most important airline in the country. Join us as we explore why this hated airline is so important to the U.S. air traveler with writer Scott Nover.

]]>Spirit Airlines is one of the most reviled airlines--and brands--in the country. Yet, it also might be the most important airline in the country. Join us as we explore why this hated airline is so important to the U.S. air traveler with writer Scott Nover.

]]>5482fc08-355e-4b99-9c3b-fb43b72680a9Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -060021:02falsefull2626Deep Time w. Caroline Winterer of StanfordDeep Time w. Caroline Winterer of StanfordImagine living in a world without a conception of a past greater than a few hundred or thousand years. A world in which “old” was perhaps not much older than your great, great, great grandfather. How would that change your conception of history, your place in the world, what the future holds? Deep time is a very modern idea whose impact on the development of North America as a locus of world power was profound in many ways. Join us as we explore the idea of deep time.

]]>Imagine living in a world without a conception of a past greater than a few hundred or thousand years. A world in which “old” was perhaps not much older than your great, great, great grandfather. How would that change your conception of history, your place in the world, what the future holds? Deep time is a very modern idea whose impact on the development of North America as a locus of world power was profound in many ways. Join us as we explore the idea of deep time.

]]>9d3b49f8-5391-4209-bb33-204236f5d004Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -060001:05:26falsefull2525Left for Dead w. Eric Jay DolinLeft for Dead w. Eric Jay DolinImagine a world before North Face, Patagonia, or any other cold-weather gear. A world in which you had to rely only on what you could find in nature. It was in that world that industrial-scale hunting of seals took place because their fur provided fantastic insulation from the elements. It was also in that world that the unbelievable journey of the Nanina took place in which a group of men were abandoned on a remote set of islands. Join us as we learn about the world of 18th century maritime hunting in the recently-published book Left for Dead.

]]>Imagine a world before North Face, Patagonia, or any other cold-weather gear. A world in which you had to rely only on what you could find in nature. It was in that world that industrial-scale hunting of seals took place because their fur provided fantastic insulation from the elements. It was also in that world that the unbelievable journey of the Nanina took place in which a group of men were abandoned on a remote set of islands. Join us as we learn about the world of 18th century maritime hunting in the recently-published book Left for Dead.

]]>a20f381b-8f03-4c4b-b193-d3690315fe51Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -060049:26falsefull2424Lie Detection w. Ken Alder of NorthwesternLie Detection w. Ken Alder of NorthwesternImagine a world in which you can’t lie because, if you do, you will be found out 100% of the time. We obviously don’t live in this world, but we’ve built machines in an attempt to get closer to that reality. So-called lie detectors—a staple of police procedural dramas—are an attempt to suss out the truth of a testimony using science. But is that science real, or is it more of a reflection of a moment in time in history? Join us as we explore the history of lie detectors. 

]]>Imagine a world in which you can’t lie because, if you do, you will be found out 100% of the time. We obviously don’t live in this world, but we’ve built machines in an attempt to get closer to that reality. So-called lie detectors—a staple of police procedural dramas—are an attempt to suss out the truth of a testimony using science. But is that science real, or is it more of a reflection of a moment in time in history? Join us as we explore the history of lie detectors. 

]]>77daa250-82b3-4300-b10e-4a18a62ad849Wed, 12 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -060045:57falsefull2323The Ski Business w. Stuart WinchesterThe Ski Business w. Stuart WinchesterImagine a world in which you love skiing, but the only way to shush down the mountain is to trudge to the top of the mountain with the skis strapped to your back. There are no lift lines, sure, but each run requires an arduous effort to make happen. Conversely, imagine a world in which ski lifts are abundant, but a lift ticket doesn’t cost north of $200 per day at the window. Why and how did the ski business in North America get so expensive and how did it become what some might describe as a duopoly? Join us as we explore the world of the ski business.

]]>Imagine a world in which you love skiing, but the only way to shush down the mountain is to trudge to the top of the mountain with the skis strapped to your back. There are no lift lines, sure, but each run requires an arduous effort to make happen. Conversely, imagine a world in which ski lifts are abundant, but a lift ticket doesn’t cost north of $200 per day at the window. Why and how did the ski business in North America get so expensive and how did it become what some might describe as a duopoly? Join us as we explore the world of the ski business.

]]>932c989b-cf8e-4f28-b187-595b37a1f89cThu, 06 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -060001:03:21falsefull2222The Cold War w. Fritz Bartel of Texas A&MThe Cold War w. Fritz Bartel of Texas A&MWhy did the Cold War end? Every high schooler in the country would likely answer that with some reference to the steely-eyed resolve of John F. Kennedy, or America's overwhelming economic power. But Professor Fritz Bartel of Texas A&M University has a compelling--and very surprising--new theory he put forth in his recent book The Triumph of Broken Promises.

]]>Why did the Cold War end? Every high schooler in the country would likely answer that with some reference to the steely-eyed resolve of John F. Kennedy, or America's overwhelming economic power. But Professor Fritz Bartel of Texas A&M University has a compelling--and very surprising--new theory he put forth in his recent book The Triumph of Broken Promises.

]]>1352c495-b086-4704-8bcd-ac1548b6dc8fTue, 23 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -060001:01:04falsefull2121Short: Uber & Lyft are Leaving MinneapolisShort: Uber & Lyft are Leaving MinneapolisThe two largest ride share providers in the United States, Uber and Lyft, have recently said that they will be exiting Minneapolis in May. Minneapolis' city council has passed into law a requirement that the ride share providers pay a (in the companies' view) high minimum hourly wage to their riders. The companies say the wage is unsustainable. The city council says it is necessary to ensure a living wage. Join us as we explore this timely debate with Dave Orrick of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

]]>The two largest ride share providers in the United States, Uber and Lyft, have recently said that they will be exiting Minneapolis in May. Minneapolis' city council has passed into law a requirement that the ride share providers pay a (in the companies' view) high minimum hourly wage to their riders. The companies say the wage is unsustainable. The city council says it is necessary to ensure a living wage. Join us as we explore this timely debate with Dave Orrick of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

]]>57cf5af9-c87a-441c-af69-9c9b190a6100Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -060021:59falsefull2020Small Wars w. Lauren Benton of YaleSmall Wars w. Lauren Benton of YaleImagine a war ravaging your home and everything you know. But this isn’t a normal war, it is, in the eyes of the aggressor, a “small war.” The aggressor perhaps calls it a “peacekeeping mission.” From your perspective, this doesn’t matter one bit. Death is death and violence is violence. Throughout modern history, imperial powers have waged so-called small wars across the globe while resisting calls to define these conflicts as wars. Why are small wars so integral to understanding imperial powers in the modern world, and why is it that these conflicts so frequently garner little notice? Join us as we learn about imperial small wars and Lauren Benton's recent book They Called it Peace.

]]>Imagine a war ravaging your home and everything you know. But this isn’t a normal war, it is, in the eyes of the aggressor, a “small war.” The aggressor perhaps calls it a “peacekeeping mission.” From your perspective, this doesn’t matter one bit. Death is death and violence is violence. Throughout modern history, imperial powers have waged so-called small wars across the globe while resisting calls to define these conflicts as wars. Why are small wars so integral to understanding imperial powers in the modern world, and why is it that these conflicts so frequently garner little notice? Join us as we learn about imperial small wars and Lauren Benton's recent book They Called it Peace.

]]>3e678507-43aa-444c-b338-8a7f6146c3ffFri, 15 Mar 2024 07:00:00 -060048:58falsefull1919Impeachment w. Jeffrey Engel of SMUImpeachment w. Jeffrey Engel of SMUImagine a world in which your elected leaders may not be removed from office. You go to the polls, you vote, and for whichever leader wins the election, they are handed a mandate and a golden ticket to pilfer the country in whatever way they see fit. In the United States and many other democracies around the globe, even the holder of the highest elected office in the land is still subject to removal via an impeachment process. This final check on power is the last resort when things go wrong.

]]>Imagine a world in which your elected leaders may not be removed from office. You go to the polls, you vote, and for whichever leader wins the election, they are handed a mandate and a golden ticket to pilfer the country in whatever way they see fit. In the United States and many other democracies around the globe, even the holder of the highest elected office in the land is still subject to removal via an impeachment process. This final check on power is the last resort when things go wrong.

]]>e3ab771c-196d-46bf-8806-cd56c124cd91Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -060044:45falsefull1818Time w. Alexis McCrossen of SMUTime w. Alexis McCrossen of SMUImagine a world in which time is not kept by a single authority. If you drive from your hometown to one a few hours away, noon is slightly different and tied to the local experience of when the sun peaks. Time would be less precise, and more driven by the moon, the stars, the sun, and even the behavior of animals. We all live in a world in which time is centrally determined and incredibly accurate and precise. But time was not always that way. Join us as we explore the history of time and its evolution into the thing we know today. 

]]>Imagine a world in which time is not kept by a single authority. If you drive from your hometown to one a few hours away, noon is slightly different and tied to the local experience of when the sun peaks. Time would be less precise, and more driven by the moon, the stars, the sun, and even the behavior of animals. We all live in a world in which time is centrally determined and incredibly accurate and precise. But time was not always that way. Join us as we explore the history of time and its evolution into the thing we know today. 

]]>fc53281a-555b-445c-af01-e3c9b8664f49Wed, 24 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -060059:16falsefull1717Founding Partisans w. H.W. Brands of UTFounding Partisans w. H.W. Brands of UTJoin us for a discussion with a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Imagine living in a country riven by political discord and strife. One party works to steal the election from the other. Politicians who are, in the eyes of their opposition, wholly unfit for office are running for and winning some of the highest elected positions in the country. This may sound familiar, but it is actually a tale of some of the earliest days of the United States. The characters are not Trump, Biden, or Obama, but rather Adams, Jefferson, and Hamilton. Join us as we explore some of the earliest, most contentious days of our country in the recently-released book Founding Partisans.

]]>Join us for a discussion with a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Imagine living in a country riven by political discord and strife. One party works to steal the election from the other. Politicians who are, in the eyes of their opposition, wholly unfit for office are running for and winning some of the highest elected positions in the country. This may sound familiar, but it is actually a tale of some of the earliest days of the United States. The characters are not Trump, Biden, or Obama, but rather Adams, Jefferson, and Hamilton. Join us as we explore some of the earliest, most contentious days of our country in the recently-released book Founding Partisans.

]]>768c1315-9447-45e1-a80d-da903d9377acMon, 18 Dec 2023 07:00:00 -060058:10falsefull1616Environmental Warfare w. Emmanuel Kreike of PrincetonEnvironmental Warfare w. Emmanuel Kreike of PrincetonImagine a world in which your life is turned upside down by war…. Not just war, but total war. The very land on which you live is destroyed and you are forced to flee, leaving everything behind. Beyond that, the very place you live in is destroyed. Food is scarce, shelter is difficult to find, and fear pervades your life. Though total war is most associated with modern conflicts, its roots go back much further than you may have thought. Join us as we explore environmental warfare.

]]>Imagine a world in which your life is turned upside down by war…. Not just war, but total war. The very land on which you live is destroyed and you are forced to flee, leaving everything behind. Beyond that, the very place you live in is destroyed. Food is scarce, shelter is difficult to find, and fear pervades your life. Though total war is most associated with modern conflicts, its roots go back much further than you may have thought. Join us as we explore environmental warfare.

]]>6b3a0ae7-a470-4d6a-9814-11af5cb3cd95Tue, 07 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -060048:28falsefull1515The Constitution w. Jonathan Gienapp of StanfordThe Constitution w. Jonathan Gienapp of StanfordImagine living in a country without a written constitution. A country in which laws are subject to whimsy or a powerful person’s interpretation and there is no recourse for an individual who does not like or agree with the outcome of various legal decisions. In the United States, we live in a system subject to a written constitution. The document is—from a historical perspective—unique, and also outlines particular ways in which the highest-level laws of our country can and do function. Today, a near-constant debate rages surrounding whether that document is frozen in time or subject to constant reinterpretation and revision. Join us as we learn about the history of the Constitution and the ongoing debate around its proper place in the country’s legal system.

]]>Imagine living in a country without a written constitution. A country in which laws are subject to whimsy or a powerful person’s interpretation and there is no recourse for an individual who does not like or agree with the outcome of various legal decisions. In the United States, we live in a system subject to a written constitution. The document is—from a historical perspective—unique, and also outlines particular ways in which the highest-level laws of our country can and do function. Today, a near-constant debate rages surrounding whether that document is frozen in time or subject to constant reinterpretation and revision. Join us as we learn about the history of the Constitution and the ongoing debate around its proper place in the country’s legal system.

]]>b8f21162-6aaa-4c9b-8d82-44c19d40d2e8Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -060001:00:32falsefull1414Marco Polo w. Laurence BergreenMarco Polo w. Laurence BergreenImagine traveling across the world. But not on an airplane, not by car, but on your own two feet and on the backs of animals. Now, imagine doing that for two decades. Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant whose travels gained notoriety in his time and whose name survives across the millennia. There is far, far more to the man than just his name. He traveled across the known world and served the Great Khan. Join us as we explore the life and impact of this fascinating man. 

]]>Imagine traveling across the world. But not on an airplane, not by car, but on your own two feet and on the backs of animals. Now, imagine doing that for two decades. Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant whose travels gained notoriety in his time and whose name survives across the millennia. There is far, far more to the man than just his name. He traveled across the known world and served the Great Khan. Join us as we explore the life and impact of this fascinating man. 

]]>a22a8003-2b56-42d0-8a4c-d28a1464ae61Wed, 23 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -060047:23falsefull1313The Euro w. Harold James of PrincetonThe Euro w. Harold James of PrincetonImagine, or perhaps think back, to a Europe in which each country had a different currency. In Germany you bought things with the Deutschmark, but cross the border into France and you’d have to use the French franc, and further still in Spain you’d be buying things with Spanish peseta. Currencies are omnipresent in the modern day and permeate commerce, government, and psychology in equal measures. We value things in a currency with which we have the most familiarity, and gigantic infrastructures have been built up to ensure that currencies are valued and exchanged in real time throughout the world. Join us as we explore the creation of the euro and learn about the history of the second-largest reserve currency on earth. 

]]>Imagine, or perhaps think back, to a Europe in which each country had a different currency. In Germany you bought things with the Deutschmark, but cross the border into France and you’d have to use the French franc, and further still in Spain you’d be buying things with Spanish peseta. Currencies are omnipresent in the modern day and permeate commerce, government, and psychology in equal measures. We value things in a currency with which we have the most familiarity, and gigantic infrastructures have been built up to ensure that currencies are valued and exchanged in real time throughout the world. Join us as we explore the creation of the euro and learn about the history of the second-largest reserve currency on earth. 

]]>d29812a3-ed2a-4907-b2b4-f80e88cd6be8Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -060057:04falsefull1212Imperialism in Africa w. Steven Press of StanfordImperialism in Africa w. Steven Press of StanfordImagine a world in which your country is purchased by a foreigner. Not taken over by a foreign country, mind you, but rather bought and paid for via a purchase contract. While there are many instances of one country invading or occupying another throughout history, the late 1800s saw European powers come to own—at least in their eyes—nearly the entire of Africa. Europeans exploited a strictly legalistic process in order to take possession of, and subsequently exploit an entire continent, with chilling consequences. Join us as we explore contracts, imperialism in Africa, and their effect on the world as we know it.

]]>Imagine a world in which your country is purchased by a foreigner. Not taken over by a foreign country, mind you, but rather bought and paid for via a purchase contract. While there are many instances of one country invading or occupying another throughout history, the late 1800s saw European powers come to own—at least in their eyes—nearly the entire of Africa. Europeans exploited a strictly legalistic process in order to take possession of, and subsequently exploit an entire continent, with chilling consequences. Join us as we explore contracts, imperialism in Africa, and their effect on the world as we know it.

]]>ed92bfe0-21bd-479b-bbd8-063081979504Tue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 -060056:25falsefull1111James Watt w. David Miller of UNSW AustraliaJames Watt w. David Miller of UNSW AustraliaImagine a world in which there are no machines. If you need to move something heavy, get from place to place, or pump water, you have limited options including: human power, animal power, and (if you are close to a suitable river) river power. Thanks in large part to Scottish inventor James Watt, the Industrial Revolution was a time of unprecedented technological change in which his Watt steam engine contributed to a blossoming of machine-produced power unlike anything the world had ever seen. Join us as we explore this fascinating man and his life.

]]>Imagine a world in which there are no machines. If you need to move something heavy, get from place to place, or pump water, you have limited options including: human power, animal power, and (if you are close to a suitable river) river power. Thanks in large part to Scottish inventor James Watt, the Industrial Revolution was a time of unprecedented technological change in which his Watt steam engine contributed to a blossoming of machine-produced power unlike anything the world had ever seen. Join us as we explore this fascinating man and his life.

]]>50d95402-605d-447e-9b55-876c5f5598dcTue, 30 May 2023 00:00:00 -060051:05falsefull1010Patents w. Naomi Lamoreaux of YalePatents w. Naomi Lamoreaux of YaleA patent grants its owner “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” an invention for a specified period of time in return for disclosing the invention to the public. Patents are a foundational piece of intellectual property rights both in the United States and worldwide, and they are both celebrated and criticized for variously enabling or preventing innovation. Join us as we explore patents with Naomi Lamoreaux is the Stanley B. Resor Professor of Economics and History at Yale University.

]]>A patent grants its owner “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” an invention for a specified period of time in return for disclosing the invention to the public. Patents are a foundational piece of intellectual property rights both in the United States and worldwide, and they are both celebrated and criticized for variously enabling or preventing innovation. Join us as we explore patents with Naomi Lamoreaux is the Stanley B. Resor Professor of Economics and History at Yale University.

]]>2095ae53-3b1f-4387-938a-0a6463120d2cWed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -060051:41falsefull99Polio w. Naomi Rogers of YalePolio w. Naomi Rogers of YaleImagine living with the fear of catching a disease that could paralyze you for the rest of your life. Generations of people in the United States lived with the fear of polio, and worldwide people still contend with that fear today. The development of the polio vaccine is one of the most renowned achievements in modern medicine, and thanks to its development it is vanishingly rare to see someone in an iron lung in the United States today. Huge amounts of resources went into the defeat of the disease, but today it is making slight inroads back into public discourse as unvaccinated people contract the disease once more here in the United States. Join us as we explore the fascinating history of polio.

]]>Imagine living with the fear of catching a disease that could paralyze you for the rest of your life. Generations of people in the United States lived with the fear of polio, and worldwide people still contend with that fear today. The development of the polio vaccine is one of the most renowned achievements in modern medicine, and thanks to its development it is vanishingly rare to see someone in an iron lung in the United States today. Huge amounts of resources went into the defeat of the disease, but today it is making slight inroads back into public discourse as unvaccinated people contract the disease once more here in the United States. Join us as we explore the fascinating history of polio.

]]>eac1ec1c-2188-443f-8a29-abd7281e683eWed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -060057:49falsefull88Unions w. Ruth Milkman of CUNYUnions w. Ruth Milkman of CUNYImagine a world in which there were zero protections for you as a worker. If you got sick, you could be fired. If you grow too weak or old to work in the mines, you’re fired and there are other workers to take your place. While workers today frequently still find themselves in precarious positions, but many of the protections we can be thankful for today we can ascribe to unions. 

What is the history of labor unions in the U.S., how did they rise to power in the 20th century, and why have they waned since?

]]>Imagine a world in which there were zero protections for you as a worker. If you got sick, you could be fired. If you grow too weak or old to work in the mines, you’re fired and there are other workers to take your place. While workers today frequently still find themselves in precarious positions, but many of the protections we can be thankful for today we can ascribe to unions. 

What is the history of labor unions in the U.S., how did they rise to power in the 20th century, and why have they waned since?

]]>e4081b34-0bb7-4946-9b1f-186b8250b29aTue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -060001:00:43falsefull77The Bicycle w. David HerlihyThe Bicycle w. David HerlihyImagine traveling before the wheel. Anywhere you wanted to go, you had to either walk, or be wealthy enough to afford an animal such as a horse that could take you there. Travel was slow, fraught with delay, and in the case of a horse, needed constant feeding. Living in a developed, wealthy country, it’s easy to forget that the car isn’t the only way to get around the world. The bicycle is a hidden workhorse of transportation worldwide, and its history is chock full of controversy, innovation, and some zany designs that may make you scratch your head. As recently as 2010 there were 2.5 bicycles made for every car manufactured worldwide… over 130M that year, alone. Out of all that chaos came the beautiful, efficient mode of transport that is the bike as we know it today.

Join us for a conversation with author and historian David Herlihy.

]]>Imagine traveling before the wheel. Anywhere you wanted to go, you had to either walk, or be wealthy enough to afford an animal such as a horse that could take you there. Travel was slow, fraught with delay, and in the case of a horse, needed constant feeding. Living in a developed, wealthy country, it’s easy to forget that the car isn’t the only way to get around the world. The bicycle is a hidden workhorse of transportation worldwide, and its history is chock full of controversy, innovation, and some zany designs that may make you scratch your head. As recently as 2010 there were 2.5 bicycles made for every car manufactured worldwide… over 130M that year, alone. Out of all that chaos came the beautiful, efficient mode of transport that is the bike as we know it today.

Join us for a conversation with author and historian David Herlihy.

]]>6b0376bd-d652-4372-8f47-e7e4ec538950Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -060001:01:17falsefull66Monopolies w. Thom HartmannMonopolies w. Thom HartmannWhile we have an abundance of choice as consumers in the United States, in many realms there are increasingly few options in terms of what, and from where, we can buy. Monopolies have existed in North America since the colonial era and, though fought aggressively in the mid-20th century, have reared their head once more in recent decades.

In this episode we have a conversation with author and radio host Thom Hartmann and explore the United States' long history in contending with and regulating monopolies.

]]>While we have an abundance of choice as consumers in the United States, in many realms there are increasingly few options in terms of what, and from where, we can buy. Monopolies have existed in North America since the colonial era and, though fought aggressively in the mid-20th century, have reared their head once more in recent decades.

In this episode we have a conversation with author and radio host Thom Hartmann and explore the United States' long history in contending with and regulating monopolies.

]]>532dde27-7f53-4993-8c50-c54c28fb6074Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -060057:41falsefull55Consumer Debt, pt. 2, w. Louis Hyman of CornellConsumer Debt, pt. 2, w. Louis Hyman of CornellPart 2 of a conversation with Professor Louis Hyman of Cornell University.

How did consumer debt in the United States move from general acceptance (covered in part 1), into something that is omnipresent? Beyond that, how did it go from something that was an enabler of success in the mid-20th century to something that eroded wealth over people's lifetime?

Debt as we accept it today is a uniquely modern idea and has not always existed this way.

]]>Part 2 of a conversation with Professor Louis Hyman of Cornell University.

How did consumer debt in the United States move from general acceptance (covered in part 1), into something that is omnipresent? Beyond that, how did it go from something that was an enabler of success in the mid-20th century to something that eroded wealth over people's lifetime?

Debt as we accept it today is a uniquely modern idea and has not always existed this way.

]]>889db14d-3f48-460f-9a51-2009e92b75eaThu, 06 Oct 2022 10:38:00 -060043:53falsefull44Consumer Debt, pt. 1, w. Louis Hyman of CornellConsumer Debt, pt. 1, w. Louis Hyman of CornellConsumer debt powers a huge swath of the US economy. The ease with which we are able to access and use debt today is a wholly modern invention. Even a couple hundred years ago, debt was something that could potentially land you in prison and was largely unavailable to the average consumer.

Join us as we explore the evolution of debt from something that was abhorred to something that is a normal part of the everyday consumer's life, with Professor Louis Hyman of Cornell.

Louis Hyman is a historian of work and business at the ILR School of Cornell University, where he also directs the Institute for Workplace Studies in New York City. He has published two books on the history of personal debt (Debtor Nation and Borrow) and a history of how American work became so insecure (Temp).

Originally from Baltimore, Hyman received a BA in history and mathematics from Columbia University. A former Fulbright scholar and McKinsey associate, he received his PhD in American history from Harvard University.

]]>Consumer debt powers a huge swath of the US economy. The ease with which we are able to access and use debt today is a wholly modern invention. Even a couple hundred years ago, debt was something that could potentially land you in prison and was largely unavailable to the average consumer.

Join us as we explore the evolution of debt from something that was abhorred to something that is a normal part of the everyday consumer's life, with Professor Louis Hyman of Cornell.

Louis Hyman is a historian of work and business at the ILR School of Cornell University, where he also directs the Institute for Workplace Studies in New York City. He has published two books on the history of personal debt (Debtor Nation and Borrow) and a history of how American work became so insecure (Temp).

Originally from Baltimore, Hyman received a BA in history and mathematics from Columbia University. A former Fulbright scholar and McKinsey associate, he received his PhD in American history from Harvard University.

]]>5d10ea9e-76dc-417d-bc32-f8b8b97d9b1fWed, 14 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -060030:13falsefull33The Roman Games w. Kathleen Coleman of HarvardThe Roman Games w. Kathleen Coleman of HarvardImagine walking into an arena, sword in one hand and shield in the other. You are in a kill or be killed situation in which other people--and perhaps wild animals--attack you to the cheers of thousands of Romans. This our most common understanding of the Roman games, from both movies and other art, but is it a fiction?

Kathleen Coleman is one of the world's foremost experts on the Roman games, why they began, and what they were really like. Join us on a fascinating exploration of this important--and, to modern minds, strange--facet of Roman society. You will be surprised by some of the revelations and perhaps even learn something new about how the Roman games' impact echoes in present day.

]]>Imagine walking into an arena, sword in one hand and shield in the other. You are in a kill or be killed situation in which other people--and perhaps wild animals--attack you to the cheers of thousands of Romans. This our most common understanding of the Roman games, from both movies and other art, but is it a fiction?

Kathleen Coleman is one of the world's foremost experts on the Roman games, why they began, and what they were really like. Join us on a fascinating exploration of this important--and, to modern minds, strange--facet of Roman society. You will be surprised by some of the revelations and perhaps even learn something new about how the Roman games' impact echoes in present day.

]]>5d281cfb-46ef-4980-9599-94c19202233bWed, 10 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -060050:23falsefull22Whaling in America w. Eric Jay DolinWhaling in America w. Eric Jay DolinImagine killing a whale. The American whaling industry was one of the largest industries in early America and supported thousands of jobs while also being guilty of killing thousands--if not millions--of whales. We interview author Eric Jay Dolin and learn about how American whaling built fortunes and irrevocably changed the landscape of America's oceans.

Learn more about Eric's writing: https://www.ericjaydolin.com/

]]>Imagine killing a whale. The American whaling industry was one of the largest industries in early America and supported thousands of jobs while also being guilty of killing thousands--if not millions--of whales. We interview author Eric Jay Dolin and learn about how American whaling built fortunes and irrevocably changed the landscape of America's oceans.

Learn more about Eric's writing: https://www.ericjaydolin.com/

]]>7e16a8f3-32f7-45ce-8c16-dd68b2912b13Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:50:00 -060050:34falsefull11