Professor Buzzkill History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Hands of Time: a Watchmaker's History Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Rebecca Struthers, an academic expert on horology and an award-winning watchmaker, guides us through the fascinating history of wristwatches, and their importance to social history. These seemingly mundane and utilitarian objects can tell us a fascinating story about our changing attitudes toward keeping track of time. From Elizabethan fashion, to World War I battlefields, to the Swatch craze, to the rise of smart watches, Dr. Stuthers illuminates the broader significance of the wristwatch! Episode 529.

Heather Cox Richardson on Saving Democracy - Wisdom Wednesday! Sep 20, 2023

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When it comes to the crush of the American daily news cycle, Heather Cox Richardson has always taken the long view. The New England-based historian gained wide popularity writing casual, history-informed summaries of the news — a perspective millions of readers were hungry for. Her new book is called “Democracy Awakening.” Shirley Leung from the Boston Globe podcast, Say More, sits down with Dr. Richardson to talk about the evolution of the GOP, the uncertain health of our democracy, and why Americans need to know history to understand the present. Email SayMore at saymore@globe.com

McCarthy and McCarthyism: American Demagoguery During the Cold War Sep 19, 2023

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Senator Joseph McCarthy was one of the most notorious politicians in American history. He made wild accusations, ruined the lives and careers of countless people, and stained American politics with investigative tactics similar to those in Stalin’s Soviet Union. Just as important, however, was McCarthyism. Professor Philip Nash explains all in this gripping episode that has all sorts of parallels to politics in today’s America. Episode 529.

Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York’s Place Names Sep 12, 2023

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Why are New York’s roads, bridges, buildings, and institutions named after certain people? Who were those people and why did they matter so much? Professor Rebecca Bratspies explains all in this fascinating romp through not only New York history, but also the history of the practice of naming things after individuals, and the complex specifics of how that usually happened. Episode 527

Coffee with Hitler: Civilized Diplomacy? Sep 05, 2023

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“How might the British have handled Hitler differently?” remains one of history’s greatest "what ifs." Dr. Charles Spicer tells us the astounding story of how a handful of amateur British intelligence agents wined, dined, and befriended the leading Nazis between the wars. With support from royalty, aristocracy, politicians, and businessmen, they hoped to use the recently founded Anglo-German Fellowship as a vehicle to civilize and enlighten the Nazis. Episode 526

Anarcha: One of the Mothers of Gynecology Aug 29, 2023

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Anarcha was a young enslaved woman who was operated on by J. Marion Sims, the now-discredited 19th-century “father of modern gynecology.” Author J.C. Hallman has made many important discoveries about the life of Anarcha and the malpractice of Sims. His “Say Anarcha” excavates history, deconstructs the biographical smoke screen of a surgeon who has falsely been enshrined as a medical pioneer, and brings forth a heroic Black woman to her rightful place at the center of the creation story of modern women’s health care. Episode 525.

Gun Carnage in the United States Aug 22, 2023

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Dr. Thomas Gabor shatters the many myths that help keep American gun culture alive. His strong evidence-based research shows that the many slogans and claims repeated incessantly by the gun lobby and its surrogates are completely false. The real evidence about guns is almost completely ignored in American society and politics today. Please listen, and help spread the truth! Episode 524.

Titanic Myths Smashed! Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Kate Messner, the author of the wonderful "History Smashers" series, enlightens us about the innumerable myths surrounding the famous ship, The Titanic, and its sinking in 1912. Everything from the myth of it being proclaimed "unsinkable" to the myth of the last song played by the ship's band as it slipped under! You'll learn whether men dressed as women to get into lifeboats, whether your ticket class determined whether you survived, and how the whole story has been mythologized by films such as "A Night to Remember" and "Titanic." Episode 523.

Undelivered Speeches and What They Can Tell Us About History Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

For almost every delivered speech, there exists an undelivered opposite. These "second speeches" provide alternative histories of what could have been if not for schedule changes, changes of heart, or momentous turns of events. Listen as speechwriter and political analyst Jeff Nussbaum explains why studying these speeches is so vital in helping understand what actually did happen. One of our greatest shows! Episode 522.

Oppenheimer: the Man, the Myth, the Movie Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

The blockbuster film, Oppenheimer, is sweeping the cinema world, and has become an historical event in itself. Professor Philip Nash discusses the life and work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and we analyze his significance. We also review the film. Most importantly, we show how all of this is _extremely_ relevant to today’s fraught political and scientific atmosphere. The dangers shown in the Oppenheimer story can teach us a lot about the dangers we face now. Episode 521.

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