Backstory with Larry Potash

Latest Episodes:

Wind and Wheels Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

The freedom we feel on a bicycle is difficult to replicate. And the history of the bike goes deeper than you might think. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago's First Crime King Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

Before Capone, there was another crime king of Chicago. Michael Cassius McDonald arrived in the city as a teenager, and scammed his way to becoming one of Chicago's most influential crime bosses. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Power of the Pen Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

Few mediums wield the power of the political cartoon. But as newspapers shrink, so do the number of cartoonists working today. A half century ago, Chicago Sun Times Cartoonist Bill Mauldin spoke truth to power with his cartoons. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The American Dream Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

In the early days of the automotive industry, few independent automakers were able to compete with the Big Three. But that didn't stop Charles Nash from trying. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Social Lubricant Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

For many years, American beer was boring, and rather bland. More recently, craft beer has exploded in popularity... bringing with it more flavor, rich storytelling, and more opportunity for diverse brewers. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Forces of Nature Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

A colorful and bustling prairie outside Chicago becomes the site of a manufacturing facility for ammunition during World War II. Then, on June 5, 1942 at 2:45 in the morning, tragedy strikes. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Boy's Best Friend Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

The bond between man and dog has been written about for millenia. But one man's story is just a little bit different. When he lost his dog, he got a new one from Russia, by way of the White House. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Reverse Underground Railroad Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Illinois was a free state before the Civil War. But one man found a loophole that allowed him to own slaves. Then he started to kidnap freed slaves, and sell them back to people in slave states. A relic of this operation remains in Equality, Illinois. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Backstory Shorts: A Presidential Fitness Test Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

When he noticed that older Naval officers were out of shape, this U.S. President mandated new physical endurance tests. When folks in the Navy grumbled about the new directive, he decided to lead by example with an historic stunt. This is the Backstory.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.