Professor Buzzkill History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#55 - Mini-Myth: Walt Disney Sep 24, 2015

Show notes

#53 - Pre Dawn Raid: Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment Sep 18, 2015

Show notes

The Republican Primary this year will see a lot of havering between all the different candidates. They all will be breaking Ronald Reagan’s famous 11th Commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Speak ill of a Fellow Republican.” The historical problem is that Reagan broke his own commandment many times, even against a sitting Republican president. The deification of Reagan as a great Republican unifier is a myth and pundits should stop repeating it! Enjoy!

#52 - Mini-Myth: Sir Walter Raleigh, Potatoes, and Tobacco Sep 17, 2015

Show notes

Almost nothing about Sir Walter Raleigh is true, or at the very least it’s all been highly exaggerated. He didn’t lay his cloak down for Queen Elizabeth, and he didn’t introduce potatoes and tobacco to Europe after his travels in the New World. He cuts a dashing figure through popular history, nonetheless. Put your romanticizing aside, Buzzkillers and hear the truth!

*Encore Episode* #34 - The Houses of Parliament Sep 15, 2015

Show notes

The Buzzkill has landed! Right in the heart of London, in Parliament Square. We interview Dr. Caroline Shenton, from the Parliamentary Archives, about myths surrounding the Houses of Parliament. We broadcast directly from Westminster Hall, the oldest and most important part of the building. Centuries of myths are struck down in this ye olde myth busting feste!

#51 - Mini-Myth: Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned Sep 10, 2015

Show notes

Did the Roman emperor Nero really fiddle while his glorious city of Rome burned? Politicians may often be bad guys, Buzzkillers, but there’s no good evidence for this level of mania in old Nero. It’s a good story, but that’s all it is, a story.

#49 - Mini-Myth: African-American Code Quilts Sep 03, 2015

Show notes

One of the most most popular history exercises in elementary schools these days is to have students learn about Quilt Codes and the Underground Railroad and make some designs themselves. Students are told that quilt patterns gave escaped slaves directions and warnings on their way to freedom. Alas, it’s a myth, Buzzkillers. But it’s a highly textured one. Geddit? Listen in!

#47 - Mini-Myth: Catherine the Great Died while Attempting to Have Sex with a Horse Aug 27, 2015

Show notes

Find any fraternity member who’s also a freshman history major. Get him drunk, and he’ll start reeling off myths like crazy. One of them will probably be that Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia (1729-1796) died by being crushed by a horse. While she was having sex with that horse! In bed! You can probably guess whether it’s true, Buzzkillers!

#46 - Literary Churchill Aug 25, 2015

Show notes

Inside Churchill’s Brain The Literary Churchill, Buzzkillers! We finally get to hear what was going on inside the old bulldog’s head. Prof Jonathan Rose schools us on how Churchill’s reading, writing, and acting affected his decisions and political career. We even play Churchill Quote or No Quote!

#45 - Mini-Myth: Napoleon Short? Aug 20, 2015

Show notes

You’ve probably always seen Napoleon depicted as a shorty. And you may have heard that his ambition was driven by a classic “short man’s complex.” Alas, it’s not true. At least not by his measured height. The nickname came about differently. Listen to the podcast, Buzzkillers, to find out how and why.

*Encore Episode* #12 - Rosa Parks Aug 18, 2015

Show notes

Here's an encore presentation of Episode 9 - Rosa Parks. Meek and mild Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1950s Alabama because she was just tired after a long day at work. That’s mostly myth, and it obscures all the work that Mrs. Parks did, as well as over-simplifying the complicated politics of the civil rights movement. Join us as we interview Professor Jeanne Theoharis, author of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks. Read more at http://professorbuzzkill.libsyn.com/page/2/size/25#WMg7CxjmJ4clxE9w.99

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