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Q&A: Peniel Joseph, "Freedom Season" Jan 19, 2026

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University of Texas at Austin history professor Peniel Joseph, author of "Freedom Season," talks about the pivotal events of 1963 that impacted the Civil Rights Movement in America. That year, which marked the centenary of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, also saw the assassinations of President Kennedy and Mississippi civil rights activist Medgar Evers, the publication of James Baldwin's bestseller "The Fire Next Time," and the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed 4 little girls.

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AW: Jonathan Mahler on Power, Politics, and the Making of Modern New York Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

New York Times Magazine staff writer Jonathan Mahler talked about the 1980s forces, events, and characters that defined and shaped New York City. His book features Donald Trump, Spike Lee, Rudy Giuliani , Ed Koch, and Al Sharpton - and highlights New York's experiences with homelessness, AIDS, racial tensions, and the crack epidemic. The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College in New York City hosted this event

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BN+: Ben Freeman, "The Trillion Dollar War Machine" Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

"The Trillion Dollar War Machine" is the name of the book. The co-authors are William Hartung and Ben Freeman. They both do work for the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a think tank in Washington, D.C. It's a nonprofit research organization whose stated purpose is to oppose the military-industrial complex described by President Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell address. We will talk with co-author Ben Freeman, the Quincy Institute Director of Democratizing Foreign Policy. The subtitle of the book is: "How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home."

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Q&A: Gary Walters, "White House Memories 1970-2007" Jan 12, 2026

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Gary Walters has served seven U.S. presidents and their families at the White House from 1970-2007, first as a member of the Secret Service and later as an usher. He served as White House Chief Usher from 1986-2007, the longest in U.S. history. Mr. Walters shares stories from his time in the Executive Residence and discusses the role that he played in managing the day-to-day operations, presidential transitions, and major events at the White House.

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Cal Ripken Jr.: Baseball Iron Man on 2,632 Consecutive Games and His Hall of Fame Career Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

Baseball hall of famer Cal Ripken Jr. joins David M. Rubenstein to discussed his legendary career and his work as a bestselling author, and gave viewers a tour of memorabilia from his decades in baseball.

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AW: Ben Shapiro Argues the World Is Divided Over the Future of Western Civilization Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

The Daily Wire's Ben Shapiro argued that the world is divided between those who want to defend Western civilization and those who want to undermine it. This event was hosted by the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.

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BN+: John Ferling, "Shots Heard Round the World" Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

After 15 books on Revolutionary America, John Ferling still has more to say about the early period in the life of the United States. Ferling is professor emeritus of history at the University of West Georgia. In the preface of his 2025 book, "Shots Heard Round the World," Prof. Ferling opens with this: "Now that America will be commemorating the 250th anniversary of its War of Independence, what pops into your mind as you hear or witness references to that conflict?" Prof. Ferling gives his answer in a 500-page book focusing on America, Britain, and Europe in the Revolutionary War.

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Q&A: Rosie Rios, America250 Commission Chair Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In 2016, Congress established the America250 Commission to plan events to celebrate the semiquincetennial. America250 Commission Chair Rosie Rios joins us to talk about several of these events which will occur over the next year, including the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade that took place on June 14, 2025, and other initiatives that the public can participate in leading up to the anniversary. She also talks about serving as the 43rd Treasurer of the United States (2009-2016).

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AW: Rachel Corbett Explores Online Harassment in Monsters We Make Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

In Monsters We Make, journalist Rachel Corbett examines how power operates in the digital age, exploring the systems and incentives that shape online behavior and amplify harassment and abuse.

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BN+: Frank McCourt on Angela’s Ashes: Pulitzer Prize–Winning Memoir Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Irish American writer Frank McCourt wrote a book in 1996 that was on the New York Times bestseller list for over 100 weeks. Over the next 20 years, "Angela's Ashes" sold close to 10 million copies worldwide. It was translated into 24 languages. McCourt was born in New York City, but moved with his family to Limerick, Ireland, for his childhood years. Frank McCourt died at age 78 in 2009 of melanoma cancer. He was a guest on the Booknotes television program on September 19th, 1996.

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