My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Latest Episodes:

Cholera and Benjamin Harrison Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

In 1892, a dreaded disease caused a President to navigate local health situation and created a new law. We look at the precedent-setting quarantine order of the 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison. While we are at it, we look at Harrison's presidency, policies, his influence on future events, his failed attempt to obtain fair elections for both African Americans and city dwellers, and how he annoyed Theodore Roosevelt.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elvis Meets Nixon - The Insider Story Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

It was a strange series of event that lead to the King of Rock and Roll and President Nixon to meet at the White House. A look at a frenetic day at the Nixon White House and the reasons behind the meeting.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Obscure Facts About Presidents w/ Jeremy Anderberg of The Art of Manliness and Readmorebooks.co Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

Who was Chester Arthur's secret pen pal? How did Herbert Hoover spend his last day in office? What was McKinley's obscure accomplishment? What was Rutherford B. Hayes passionate hobby? What event hurt Taft's Presidency from the get-go? How did Martin Van Buren contribute to today's politics? For Presidents Day, a conversation with Jeremy Anderberg of The Art of Manliness website and podcast and ReadMoreBooks.co newsletter. Music -"Swallow" by Pistol Jazz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Power to Pardon Jan 17, 2021

Show notes

From Eugene Debs to Richard Nixon, from a previously run episode, the President's power to pardon is examined.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democracy w/ Dr. Paul Cartledge of Cambridge University: The Life, and Hopefully Not Death, of Democracy (2017) Jan 09, 2021

Show notes

We speak often of Democracy, but do we really know what it is? We point to Athens as an example. But what was Greek Democracy really like? A conversation with Dr. Paul Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, author of "Democracy: A Life." A lot of topics here and while we chose not to break it up in 2 parts, you might want to listen to it in 2 parts. Music from Lee Rosevere on this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Masks Then and Now, 1960 Election Presidents Leaving and Not Leaving Oval, Also 14 Years of My History Can Beat Up Your Politics Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Host Bruce Carlson reflects on 14 years of the podcast, provides a show update. Plus some listener questions on masks then and now, Presidents leaving (or not leaving) the Oval, and Kennedy's 1960 election and allegations of fraud.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Geeks, Orcs and Herbert Hoover Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

The invention of radio and government intervention in recreation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Etiquette and Social Media: Where are Our Manners? Social Etiquette from Ben Franklin to Dale Carnegie to Today, w Jessica Weisberg Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

Jessica Weisberg has traced Ben Franklin's early advice-writing, read the "Lord Chesterfield" letters that early Americans read to learn how to act, attended Dale Carnegie workshops and spoke with Miss Manners all in a quest to track down why Americans are so obsessed with advice. We speak with Jessica about her book "Asking For a Friend" and discuss whether we've gotten far away from Dale Carnegie or Chesterfield, the selfless advice of our early American ancestors.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pirates and America, w/ Rebecca Simon, Author of "Why We Love Pirates" Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

America's fascination then and now with sea rebels, sea dogs, privateers, smugglers, and pirates by other names is pretty clear. Books, movies and video games with pirates sell. We talk with pirate expert and historian Rebecca Simon, Ph.D. and author of "Why We Love Pirates: The Hunt for Captain Kidd and How He Changed Piracy Forever" We talk about connections between the American Revolution and piracy, and the different ways pirates were viewed in Britain and America.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did Nixon Win the Popular Vote in 1960? And Other Stories Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

In this episode we look at an enduring mystery, one that didn't matter too much in the 1960 election but has since taken on significance. Could it be that Kennedy lost, and Nixon won, the popular vote nationally in 1960. We looked at it a decade ago, and at that time MHCBUYP declared that Richard Nixon may have won the pop vote. Now, we think it's complicated. But still possible. This, plus the "Gumps of History" and other listener questions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices