The History Things Podcast

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THTP EP: Titanic Revisited: Part One - The Sinking Apr 20, 2026

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On April 10, 1912, RMS Titanic departed Southampton on her maiden voyage, carrying passengers whose hopes and ambitions ranged from a new life in America to a luxurious crossing aboard the world’s most celebrated ocean liner. Four days later, in the darkness of the North Atlantic, a collision with an iceberg set in motion one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Patrick and Parker retrace Titanic’s final voyage, from the excitement of departure and the ship’s calls at Cherbourg and Queenstown to the ice warnings that preceded the collision. We follow the unfolding emergency, the desperate preparations to abandon ship, and the choices faced by passengers and crew as the situation grew increasingly hopeless.

Through the stories of those aboard, this episode explores not only the mechanics of the sinking but the human experience of a catastrophe that unfolded in a matter of hours. Who found a place in the lifeboats? Who remained behind? And what happened when Carpathia arrived to rescue the survivors from the cold Atlantic?

Join us for Part One of Titanic Revisited, a journey into the final hours of a ship whose name has become synonymous with tragedy.

THTP EP: “With Malice Toward None…” w/ Codie Eash Mar 16, 2026

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As the American Civil War drew to a close, the nation faced a question almost as difficult as winning the war itself: how could a fractured country be reunited? The fighting had devastated communities, destroyed slavery, and left millions facing an uncertain future. Victory on the battlefield would not automatically produce peace in the hearts or lives of the American people.

Patrick is joined by guest Codie Eash to explore the meaning and historical context of “With Malice Toward None,” the famous phrase associated with Abraham Lincoln’s vision for reconciliation in his Second Inaugural Address. We consider the political and moral challenges confronting Lincoln as the Union approached victory, and the competing ideas about punishment, restoration, and the future of the former Confederacy.

What did Lincoln hope Reconstruction would achieve? Could a nation so deeply divided find a way forward? And how did his assassination alter the possibilities for reconciliation?

This episode examines the ideals, tensions, and unfinished questions surrounding one of the most consequential transitions in American history.

THTP Ep: “The Battle of Shimonoseki Straits” w/ Kyle Dalton Feb 16, 2026

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In the nineteenth century, Japan stood at a crossroads. Foreign powers were pressing for access to its ports and markets, while political and military factions inside Japan fought over how the country should respond to a rapidly changing world. At the centre of these tensions lay the strategically important Shimonoseki Straits.

Patrick and Parker are joined by Kyle Dalton to explore the conflict surrounding the straits, where Japanese resistance to foreign passage brought local political struggles into direct confrontation with Western naval power. We examine the historical background, the forces involved, and the wider consequences of the fighting for Japan’s relationship with the outside world.

How did a dispute over maritime access become part of a larger struggle over Japan’s future? What did foreign intervention reveal about the balance of power in East Asia? And how did these events fit into the dramatic transformation of Japan during the final years of the shogunate?

Join us for a look at a fascinating episode in nineteenth-century military and diplomatic history, when the waters off Japan became a stage for a much larger contest over sovereignty and influence.

THTP Ep: “Bucktails! Oo woo oo!” w/ Eric Mohney Jan 19, 2026

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THTP EP 119: 2025 End Of Year/Holiday Episode Dec 31, 2025

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Another year of history, stories, and fascinating conversations comes to a close! In this special end-of-year episode, Patrick looks back on the journey of The History Things Podcast and celebrates another year spent exploring the people, events, and unexpected stories that bring the past to life.

From memorable historical discussions to the discoveries and conversations that made the year special, this holiday episode offers a chance to reflect on the history we’ve explored together and look ahead to what awaits in the coming year.

Whether you’ve been listening since the beginning or have only recently discovered the show, join Patrick for a seasonal visit filled with the spirit of curiosity, appreciation, and a shared love of history. Here’s to another year of uncovering the stories that deserve to be remembered!

THTP EP 118: “… naked and starving as they are…” Valley Forge Part 2 w/ Ken Gavin Dec 08, 2025

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Winter at Valley Forge has become one of the defining images of the American Revolution: soldiers enduring bitter cold, inadequate clothing, hunger, and sickness while the future of their new nation hung in the balance. Yet the story of the Continental Army’s winter encampment is about far more than suffering. It is also a story of endurance, organization, and the struggle to turn an army of citizen-soldiers into a force capable of defeating the British.

Patrick and Parker continue the exploration of Valley Forge with guest Ken Gavin, examining the challenges confronting George Washington and his troops during the winter of 1777–1778. We look beyond the familiar legend to consider the army’s supply problems, the men responsible for keeping it functioning, and the efforts to improve discipline and military effectiveness.

What did survival at Valley Forge really require? How did Washington hold his army together through a season of hardship? And how did the encampment help prepare the Continental Army for the campaigns that followed?

Join us for the second part of this exploration of one of the Revolution’s most famous and frequently misunderstood episodes.

THTP EP 117: Valley Forge Pt. 1 w/ Ken Gavin Dec 01, 2025

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In December 1777, George Washington’s Continental Army marched into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The British occupied Philadelphia, American independence remained uncertain, and Washington’s soldiers faced a winter that would test the limits of their endurance.

Valley Forge has become synonymous with starvation, freezing temperatures, and barefoot soldiers leaving bloody footprints in the snow. But what actually happened during those difficult months? How much of the familiar story reflects the historical record, and what do the experiences of the soldiers reveal about the realities of the Revolutionary War?

Patrick and Parker welcome Ken Gavin to investigate the circumstances that brought the Continental Army to Valley Forge. From the military situation surrounding Philadelphia to the logistical challenges of feeding, clothing, and sheltering thousands of men, this episode explores the crisis facing Washington’s army at a pivotal moment in the fight for independence.

Discover how an army struggling to survive the winter prepared itself for the battles ahead—and why Valley Forge remains such a powerful symbol of the American Revolution.

THTP EP 116: [BONUS] Meet “Researcher Robyn” w/ Robyn Weir Nov 28, 2025

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Behind every great historical discovery is someone willing to dig through the records, follow the clues, and ask the questions that others might overlook. History isn’t made only by the people who appear in the textbooks; it is also brought to life by the researchers who uncover the evidence and help us understand what the past can tell us.

In this bonus episode, Patrick introduces listeners to THTP team member Robyn Weir, known as “Researcher Robyn,” and explores the work and curiosity behind historical research and how she helps bring structure to the podcast. It’s an opportunity to meet someone whose interest in the past extends beyond simply knowing what happened to understanding how we know it happened.

Join Patrick, Parker, and Robyn for a conversation celebrating the people who investigate history, track down forgotten details, and help turn scattered evidence into meaningful stories.

THTP EP 115: The Hatfield & McCoy Feud w/ Jack Hatfield Nov 10, 2025

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Few family rivalries in American history have become as legendary as the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Set in the rugged borderlands of West Virginia and Kentucky, the conflict has come to represent generations of resentment, bitter disputes, and violence that seemed impossible to stop.

But behind the popular image of feuding families lies a complicated historical story shaped by personal grievances, local loyalties, the aftermath of the Civil War, and the social and economic pressures of Appalachian life.

Patrick and Parker are joined by Jack Hatfield, 6x Great Grandson of “Devil Anse” Hatfield to explore the history behind his family and the legend. We examine the people involved, the events that helped fuel the feud, and the ways in which real incidents became transformed into one of America’s most enduring stories of family conflict.

How did the feud begin? Why did it escalate? And how much of the familiar tale survives scrutiny when the history is separated from the folklore?

Discover the people and circumstances behind the legend in this deep dive into one of the most famous feuds in American history.

THTP EP 114: UFO Crash At Roswell - Part Two Nov 03, 2025

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