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American Experience Presents – GBH — History
American Experience Presents – GBH

“American Experience Presents” brings a fresh take on the iconic stories told on TV’s most-watched history series. This 10-episode anthology launches with three powerful narratives: Joseph McCarthy, whose anti-communist crusade terrorized 1950s America; media titan William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper mogul whose empire shaped public opinion for decades; and Sgt. Isaac Woodard, the decorated World War II veteran whose brutal assault by police sparked a civil rights awakening. This new GBH podcast examines how these three transformative figures shaped pivotal moments in 20th century America, bringing their stories to life for a new generation of listeners.

Connect with American Experience on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.

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Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriters: Galen Beebe and Andrew Newman

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrators: James Edwards and Cameo George

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Copyright: ©2024 WGBH Educational Foundation

Latest Episodes:

Part 2: The Isaac Woodard Case Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

In a gripping courtroom confrontation, Isaac Woodard comes face to face with his attacker, revealing a miscarriage of justice that will shake the foundations of American racism. Discover President Harry Truman's stunning transformation from a man shaped by Southern prejudices to a bold champion of civil rights, as powerful testimonies and behind-the-scenes revelations culminate in a groundbreaking moment that will forever alter the landscape of racial justice in America.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

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Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Andrew Newman

Story Editor: Galen Bebee

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator and Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 1: Isaac Woodard's Fateful Bus Ride Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Just hours after his honorable discharge from the Army, Isaac Woodard, a decorated World War II veteran, faces a brutal encounter with law enforcement that leaves him blind and ignites a national conversation about race and justice, highlighting the stark realities of returning home as a Black man in the Jim Crow South.

Enter Orson Welles, the famous director and radio personality, who uses his weekly broadcasts to launch a riveting real-life whodunit. As Welles and the NAACP race to uncover the truth, their investigation captivates the country and sets in motion a chain of events that will challenge segregation in the South and change the course of the civil rights movement.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Andrew Newman

Story Editor: Galen Bebee

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator and Executive Producer: Cameo George

Introducing: Isaac Woodard Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

In 1946, decorated World War II veteran Isaac Woodard is brutally beaten and blinded by police just hours after his honorable discharge – a shocking act of racial violence that ignites a firestorm of change. Join host Cameo George as she unravels this powerful, forgotten story that reveals how one soldier's unimaginable tragedy inspired President Harry Truman, challenged the brutal system of segregation, and became the unexpected spark that would ultimately transform the course of American civil rights history.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Andrew Newman

Story Editor: Galen Bebee

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator and Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 4: Hearst's Hollywood Dreams Meet the Great Depression Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

From Hollywood glamor to financial ruin, William Randolph Hearst's empire crumbles as the Roaring Twenties crash into the Great Depression. Facing economic collapse, a fractured relationship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and whispers of communism, Hearst navigates a treacherous landscape. His unexpected encounter with Hitler, passionate proposal to longtime love Marion Davies, and eventual inspiration for the film "Citizen Kane" reveal a man wrestling with power, love, and legacy. This is the final chapter of an American titan's extraordinary journey.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 3: Hearst Conquers Hollywood and Builds a Castle Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

By 1919, William Randolph Hearst had conquered the world of print media, but the ambitious mogul isn't satisfied. As America roars into the 1920s, Hearst sets his sights on a dazzling new frontier—the silver screen. From pioneering newsreels to lavish Hollywood productions, Hearst aims to dominate this revolutionary medium just as he has with newspapers.

Meanwhile, atop an isolated California hilltop, Hearst begins construction on a monumental castle to house his insatiable appetite for art and antiques. As his empire and real estate holdings expand, complications arise in his personal life as well. Don't miss the next chapter in the saga of America's first media tycoon.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 2: Hearst vs. Pulitzer Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

William Randolph Hearst has one goal: to dethrone Joseph Pulitzer as the king of newspapers. What follows is a circulation war like no other, where no tactic is off-limits. Hearst slashes prices to a penny, poaches top talent, and even lures away Pulitzer's pressroom cat. But it's his sensational coverage that truly captivates readers. From exposing corrupt ice trusts to smuggling Cuban revolutionaries, Hearst's 'new journalism' knows no bounds. He assembles his own 'murder squad,' races through city streets to catch killers, and brazenly claims credit for starting the Spanish-American War.

As Hearst's influence grows, so do concerns about his unchecked power. When newsboys go on strike against his unfair practices, the self-proclaimed champion of the working class shows his true colors.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 1: Hearst's San Francisco Sensation Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

In 1887, a 24-year-old Harvard dropout takes over a struggling San Francisco newspaper. Within weeks, he's arrested for libel. Meet William Randolph Hearst, the audacious young publisher who transforms The San Francisco Examiner from a money-losing headache into the 'Monarch of the Dailies.'

Discover how Hearst's outrageous stunts—like timing how long it takes a ferry to rescue an overboard reporter—skyrocket circulation from 5,000 to 55,000 in just three years. And meet the mother who controls his purse strings. From championing racist policies to laying the foundations of his media empire, Hearst's rise proves as controversial as it is meteoric. Listen as this mercurial maverick makes his mark on journalism.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Introducing: William Randolph Hearst Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

American newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst's immense wealth and power transformed the media's role in politics and society. In this 4-part series, we delve into Hearst's early life and his rise as a media titan, revealing how his prodigious appetites and control over vast media holdings allowed him to shape public opinion and influence major events.

Hearst's innovative and often controversial approach to journalism, known as "yellow journalism," redefined the boundaries of news reporting and had a profound impact on American culture. Discover how his publishing empire not only sensationalized stories but also played a critical role in political campaigns and public perception during pivotal moments in history.

Join host James Edwards for a richly detailed account of William Randolph Hearst, where expert interviews, rare archival audio, and compelling storytelling illuminate the legacy of this pioneering media titan whose impact continues to resonate today.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 3: Downfall Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

At the height of his power, Senator Joseph McCarthy seems unstoppable. But his downfall comes from an unexpected place—the U.S. Army. Follow the dramatic escalation of McCarthy's anti-communist campaign in 1953 as his crusade collides with the military, leading to televised hearings that captivate the nation. The drama intensifies with Edward R. Murrow's iconic broadcast, as the legendary newsman challenges McCarthy's methods, marking a seismic shift in public opinion. Listen as this chaotic political showdown unfolds, revealing the raw interplay of power, media, and accountability—and witness the beginning of the end for one of America's most controversial political figures.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

-------------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

Part 2: Chasing the Lie Oct 16, 2024

Show notes

As Cold War fears grip 1950s America, Joseph McCarthy weaponizes accusations of communist infiltration, rocketing from obscurity to national prominence. Discover how one man's relentless pursuit of a lie explodes into a nationwide witch hunt. Through rare audio and firsthand accounts, hear McCarthy's audacious tactics unfold - from smearing political opponents to interrogating alleged subversives in government and beyond, no institution is safe, not even public libraries.

Listen as the televised hearings and flying subpoenas leave careers in ruins, as everyday Americans face an impossible choice: their principles or their survival. But as the senator's power reaches new heights, dark clouds gather on the horizon.

Learn more about American Experience

Follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threadsand YouTube

-------------------------------------

Credits:

Lead Producer: Devin Maverick Robins

Associate Producer: Meiqian He

Scriptwriter: Galen Beebe

Story Editor: Devin Maverick Robins

Editorial Advisor: John Bredar

Sound Designer: Jack Pombriant

Narrator: James Edwards

Executive Producer: Cameo George

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