History. Rated R.

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The Modern Prometheus, A Frankenstein Bonus Episode Apr 25, 2022

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In a special bonus episode, we're flashing back to an episode of Will's old podcast, "The Motivation Report," for an in depth look at the novel, "The Modern Prometheus or Frankenstein." This episode first aired on October 23rd, 2016. If you haven't listened to our episode going in depth on Mary Shelley, do that first as it provides a lot of additional context.

Mary Shelley, Mother of a Monster Apr 22, 2022

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Craig and Will switch seats this episode! Will talks about the author of Frankenstein, arguably literature's most significant romantic, sci-fi, and horror contribution, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Many know her name, few know her husband (yet), and even fewer know just how much her life informed her writing. Learn her tragic and moving life story and how she gave birth to one of literature's most enduring monsters. Also, Craig's taking the reigns up top to discuss the history of lamb as a cuisine and gives a recipe for you to cook along to!
From senor Craig: As we learned in the latest podcast, lambs are important in Judeo-Christian history and a favorite food in merry old English. Here’s a great recipe for lamb chops of all kinds. (vegans close your eyes). As usual check through all the steps before you begin to be sure you have all the ingredients.
Step 1. In a large bowl, mix the juice of one lemon, with half a cup of olive oil, three crushed and chopped garlic cloves, a teaspoon of salt, and a tablespoon of chopped rosemary.
Step 2. Coat lamb chops in the marinade and leave over night.
Step 3. Light the barbecue or the broiler in your oven.
Step 4. Using tongs place the chops on the grill or under the broiler for five minutes.
Step 5. Flip the chops and cook for five more minutes. They can be served with your favorite rice or potato recipe.

Cleopatra...High Above Me, She's So Lovely Apr 15, 2022

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Cleopatra. She's so high-ey-ai-ay! High above us. But also, she had a storied history with Rome and its many rulers and fighters and politicians and boys. But MOST importantly...she loved wine. Even bathed in it to keep her beautiful. That's why this week's cocktail recipe is likely the easiest ever...
Cleopatra's Wine Recipe:
Step 1: Buy a botle of wine.
Step 2: Open that bottle of wine.
Step 3: Drink that wine.
Step 4: Finish that bottle bitch.
Step 5: Purchase ten gallons of wine and bathe in it you fucking sluts!!!!

Harry Truman and Why We Didn't Need to Nuke Japan Apr 08, 2022

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President Harry Truman was a lot more progressive than most preisdents when it came to equality, and when we needed someone to get us out of the war. Only it involved nuking Japan, which arguably didn't need to happen at all. But equally as important, Craig is cooking up "coq au vin," a French dish with a history he wants to argue about with Will. But you should cook it up and chow down with us. So cook according to Dr. Smith's recipe:
Remember to read through the recipe so you have all the ingredients you need before you start and that you have your timing down:
Step 1. The day before you intend to serve the meal prepare a large bowl of brine by mixing half a cup of salt (Kosher is best), with half a cup of season salt in a quart of water. Then pierce your favorite pieces of chicken with a fork and place them in the brine solution. Refrigerate over night.
Step 2. Remove the chicken from the brine and allow it to reach room temperature (takes about an hour).
Step 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and/or butter and sear the chicken pieces on all sides. Then set them into a casserole dish, Dutch oven, or pressure cooker.
Step 4. Add half a cup sliced onion, two sliced garlic cloves, tablespoon thyme, one cup diced celery, a bay leaf, and two strips of bacon.
Step 5. This step is optional, but if you ever watched Julia Child’s first cooking episode, you’ll remember that at this juncture she poured a quarter cup of cognac over the chicken and ignited it. (She nearly caught the set on fire, so do this carefully.)
Step 6. Pour one cup red wine over the chicken.
Step. 7. If you are using a casserole dish or a Dutch oven, set your oven to 300 degrees and cook the chicken for two and a half hours. If you are using a pressure cooker, set it on high pressure for 35 minutes. Let it stand for 15 minutes when the time expires, then release the remaining steam and serve.
The Coq au Vin can now be served with boiled potatoes, rice and/or vegetables. When Julia Child tasted her dish at the end of episode one, she looked directly at the camera and said, “I’ve never tasted better Coq.” Bien Appetite.

The Presidential Lightning Round: Teddy, Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover Apr 01, 2022

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We skipped a bunch of Presidents before we got to FDR so Craig is making up for it with a lightning round, running down US Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover!
Want to make a mint julep to toast to Teddy? Here's his controversial recipe:
10 to 12 fresh mint leaves "muddled" (until it resembles paste) with a splash of water and a sugar cube
2 to 3 oz rye whiskey
.25 oz brandy
1-2 sprigs fresh mint as a garnish
First fill a bar glass* with the muddled mint, then fill the glass generously with finely crushed ice. Top off with the rye, brandy, and mint garnish.

When FDR Tried to Kill Craig's Father Mar 25, 2022

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a transformative President to say the least. He also loved to fool around with the ladies. And...he tried to kill Craig's father?? Transformative may he be, he's also not necessarily the peachy keen man history makesw him out to be.
Want to cook up a grilled cheese? It's easy!
In a skillet, melt a pad of butter. Place 4 slices of break in the melted butter. Lay your cheese of choice on one slice, top it with the other, cook until one side is toasted brown, flip, repeat. Badabing, ya done!

A Tale of Two Williams, McKinley and Jennings Bryan Mar 18, 2022

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William McKinley was our 25th President and the 3rd to be, spoiler alert, assassinated. But it's okay, they brought in Thomas Edison to try to revive him with his magic? And the democrats couldn't get over their hard on for William Jennings Bryan, despite him being a two time loser. Fool them twice, shame on them. Also! The history of the Gin Rickey. Stir one up and sip with us.
The Gin Rickey
2 oz London dry gin
1 oz lime juice
Stir in a Collins glass filled with ice. Fill with club soda. Garnic with lime wedge.

President James Garfield, Not Named After the Cat Mar 11, 2022

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We're tackling a handfull of President's this episode, but mostly James Garfield who was, DUN DUN DUN, assassinated! The road to the secret service was a long one, clearly. Plus, Rutherford B. Hayes and James Garfield's favorite food, and the below recipe for "Squirrel Soup" if you wanna be real authentic and cook that up with us. (We're using lamb though...)
From The Daily Beast:
Wash and quarter three or four good sized squirrels; put them on, with a small tablespoonful of salt, directly after breakfast, in a gallon of cold water. Cover the pot close, and set it on the back part of the stove to simmer gently, not boil. Add vegetables just the same as you do in case of other meat soups in the summer season, but especially good will you find corn, Irish potatoes, tomatoes and Lima beans. Strain the soup through a coarse colander when the meat has boiled to shreds, so as to get rid of the squirrels' troublesome little bones. Then return to the pot, and after boiling a while longer, thicken with a piece of butter rubbed in flour. Celery and parsley leaves chopped up are also considered an improvement by many. Toast two slices of bread, cut them into dice one-half inch square, fry them in butter, put them into the bottom of your tureen, and then pour the soup boiling hot upon them.
Notes:
The substitution of the rabbit (x1) doesn’t change much in terms of cooking as it is also a very lean meat. It also needs to be cooked low and slow. Cook 8 hours on low in a crockpot for best results. Add the veg half way through. Strain and remove bones as instructed above.
Add whatever seasonal vegetables you would like.

Daniel Webster, What a Web He Weaves Mar 04, 2022

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Daniel Webster, likely one of the OG good dues in US History. A lawyer, statesman, Congressman, and Secretary of State, he was also a mastory orator and wrote some of this country's finest speeches. He also has a fun cocktail named after him...Daniel Webster's Punch! Mix up yours with the recipe below and cheers to the old Webs.
Daniel Webster's Punch
INGREDIENTS
3 lemons
1/2 cup sugar
1 bag black tea
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup cognac
3/4 cup oloroso, dry
3/4 cup Jamaican rum
1 1/2 cups Bordeaux, or any full-bodied red wine
champagne, to top
DIRECTIONS
Peel the lemons, taking care to avoid as much of the bitter white pith as possible.
In a large bowl, combine the sugar with the lemon peels, then lightly muddle and let sit for 20 minutes to allow the citrus oils to infuse with the sugar.
Boil 2 cups of water and steep the tea bag in it for 5 minutes, and set aside to cool slightly.
To the bowl, add the tea, lemon juice, cognac, sherry, rum and red wine, and stir to combine.
Strain out the lemon peels and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Fifteen minutes before serving, add the ice ring (see Editor's Note).
Ladle into cups and lightly top each glass with champagne.

US History IS Black History with Mateen Stewart Feb 28, 2022

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Comedian Mateen Stewart joins us to talk about the vital importance of teaching Black history in schools and throughout the world, and not JUST in February. Learn why February became Black history month, the origin of some words you might want to stop using, and the history of his family.

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