Civics & Coffee
212 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago -The people, events and topics of United States history, shared in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee. Come hang with me as I nerd out a little on America's history.
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Episodes
Mary Todd Lincoln: Part Two
April 13, 2024 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBJoin me this week as I wrap up the life of Mary Todd Lincoln. In this episode, I review her time as First Lady, her friendship with dressmaker Elizabeth Keckly, and why she was committed to an asylum.
Mary Todd Lincoln: Part One
April 06, 2024 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBThe wife of 16th President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln is generally known for her eccentric personality. However, there is so much more sitting beneath the surface. Join me this week as I begin the life and times of Mary Todd Lincoln.
The Bishop and the Butterfly with Michael Wolraich
March 30, 2024 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.3 MBJoining me this week is Michael Wolraich. We discuss his latest book, The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age, including what went into the research and how the murder of a woman rocked New York City politics. To learn more about Michael, visit his website at www.michaelwolraich.com
Indigenous Americans in the Civil War
March 23, 2024 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBThe Civil War touched every corner of the United States and the people residing within its borders. Native Americans were no exception. As the country tore itself in two, Indigenous Americans had to determine the best course of action for their community. Should they side with the Union? The Confederacy? Or stay neutral? Tune in this week to learn about Native Americans in the Civil War.
Gettysburg
March 16, 2024 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBThe bloodiest battle of the Civil War, Gettysburg was the fatal blow to Robert E. Lee's quest to invade the north and force a surrender. Tune in as I describe how thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers overtook a small, rural community in southern Pennsylvania and how the battlefield became a public history site.
Public Assistance in California (Request)
March 09, 2024 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBI am back with another listener request! Longtime listener Arthur asked that I talk about the history of public assistance in the United States. Tune in this week to learn why that is quite the ask and why I decided to focus on the history of welfare in California instead.
Jefferson Davis
March 02, 2024 10:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBJoin me this week as I dive into the life of Jefferson Davis. A military man and southern politician, Jefferson Davis was the one and only president of the Confederate States of America. Why was he chosen? And what happened to him after the war? Tune in to find out.
Civil War Medical Advancements
February 24, 2024 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.7 MBThe single most devastating military conflict in United States history, the Civil War took hundreds of thousands of American lives and permanently maimed many others. However the sheer volume of patients also provided an opportunity to test new procedures and hone processes. Join me this week as I discuss medical advancements during the Civil War.
By Her Own Design with Piper Huguley
February 17, 2024 10:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBJoin me this week as I speak with Professor of Literature and historical novelist Piper Hugely as we discuss her book By Her Own Design. The novel tells a fictionalized account of the black fashion designer Ann Lowe and is an engaging, thought provoking look at the life of black women in Jim Crow United States. To learn more about Piper, please visit her website at www.piperhuguley.com
The History Conference
February 10, 2024 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.7 MBThe American Historical Association Conference was held last month in San Francisco. One of the largest conferences around, it attracts historians from all over to discuss and debate various historical topics. However, so much of the conference experience remains unknown. Join me this week as I dive into history conferences. What are they? Should you go? And how can you maximize your experience?
Clara Barton & The Red Cross
February 03, 2024 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBKnown as the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton lived several lifetimes in her 90 years on earth. She was a nurse, abolitionist, and activist, always challenging norms and pushing the envelope. Join me this week as I dive into the history of Clara Barton.
Democracy in Darkness with Dr. Katlyn Carter
January 27, 2024 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBJoining me this week is Dr. Katlyn Carter who recently published her first book, Democracy in Darkness: Secrecy and Transparency in the Age of Revolutions. The book traces the history of the origins of government for both the United States and France and illuminates how the call for transparency in government did not always translate in practice. To learn more about Dr. Carter, please head to the website www.civicsandcoffee.com To read the Age of Revolutions blog, head to www.ageofrevolut...
The Massachusetts 54th
January 20, 2024 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBDepicted in the 1989 Hollywood feature film "Glory" the Massachusetts 54th was the first all black regiment to fight in the Civil War. Established in the aftermath of the Emancipation Proclamation, the members serving in the regiment had much riding on their perceived success. Join me this week as I dive into the history of the Massachusetts 54th.
Spying In the Civil War
January 13, 2024 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBCollecting intelligence against ones enemy has been a longstanding military practice. Commanders have long sought to ensure they have the most accurate information before heading to battle to maximize their effectiveness and the Civil War was no different. Join me this week as I dive into the history of spying during the Civil War.
It Begins: Fort Sumter
January 06, 2024 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBThe election of Abraham Lincoln as the sixteenth president of the United States prompted states throughout the south to announce their desire to leave. Trying to maintain federal authority where it could, Lincoln entered office hoping to restock Fort Sumter, set in the bay of the Charleston Harbor. The first battle of the Civil War, Fort Sumter ignited what had been building for months. Join me this week as I dive into the battle of Fort Sumter. What happened? And why was Fort Sumter so im...
Before the Movement with Dr. Dylan Penningroth
December 30, 2023 10:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBJoining me this week is Professor of Law and History, Dr. Dylan Penningroth. He recently wrote a book, Before the Movement, which traces how Black Americans used the legal system throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to practice their civil rights. To learn more about Dr. Penningroth and his scholarship, please head over to the website, www.civicsandcoffee.com
Dolly Parton
December 23, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBHappy Holidays! I could think of no better time to dive into the history of one of the most beloved entertainers in America. Longtime listener and friend Shaydra requested I cover Dolly early in my podcast journey. That request was renewed after Parton's recent performance during the halftime show between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders. A signer, actress, songwriter, and philanthropist, Dolly Parton has been breaking the mold for over five decades. Join me this week as I...
Chaos: The Election of 1860
December 16, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBOne of the most consequential elections in United States history, the election of 1860 was filled with drama. Third party candidates; a political party caving in on itself; concerns over what the nascent Republican Party would do if they won the White House. Join me this week as I dive into the election of 1860. How did Lincoln win the vote? And what does it have to do with the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln: Part One
December 09, 2023 10:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBThe sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is consistently ranked as one of the best presidents by historians. A man who oversaw the fracturing of the nation, Abraham Lincoln lived quite a life before ever stepping foot inside the White House. So much so that his life must be told over a number of episodes. Join me this week as I dive into Lincoln's early history. How did he get into law? Who was his first fiancé? Turn in to learn this and more.
Harpers Ferry
December 02, 2023 10:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBOften classified as a dress rehearsal for the Civil War, the raid on Harpers Ferry was a watershed moment in American History. Fully believing his purpose in life was to end slavery, John Brown put together an ambitious, and some would argue unattainable, plan to initiate a war pitting slaveholders against the men and women they held in bondage. While Brown's plan failed, the implications ricocheted throughout the country, further dividing the nation. Tune in this week to find out what h...
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
November 25, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBAs a group of settlers eagerly headed west in the throes of Manifest Destiny, they were being watched by a group who were convinced they posed a grave threat. Known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the murder of over one hundred settlers led to the excommunication of members of the Mormon Church and remained shrouded in mystery for generations. So what exactly happened? Tune in to find out.
Bonus: 2nd Annual Friendsgiving
November 20, 2023 10:00 - 56 minutes - 38.5 MBHappy Thanksgiving week everyone! I am here with a BONUS episode to help you make it through your travel week. Last year, a group of us podcasters got together to chat history, podcasting, and everything in between. We had such a good time that we decided to do it again this year! Come learn all about Kenny from Abridged Presidential Histories, Howard from Plodding Through the Presidents, Jerry from the Presidencies of the United States, and me! Your local favorite podcast host. And be...
Dred Scott
November 18, 2023 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBOne of the most contentious Supreme Court decisions in United States history, Scott v. Sanford effectively robbed Black Americans of recognition as citizens. So just who was Dred Scott? And how did his court case impact the millions of Black Americans living in the country at the time? Tune in and find out. For source material, transcripts, and ways you can support the show, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
James Buchanan
November 11, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MBA president who consistently ranks toward the bottom of the list, James Buchanan made several missteps during his tenure that furthered the country toward war. How is that a man who spent his entire adult life striving for the highest political office could fail so tremendously? Tune in this week to find out. For transcripts, source material, and ways you can support the show, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons with Dr. Charlotte Gray
November 04, 2023 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBMost history fans know at least the basics about Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, two of the most prominent and influential political leaders of the twentieth century. Significantly less is known about the women who had the largest impact on their development: their mothers. In her recently published double biography, historian Charlotte Gray shines a light on Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt and provides readers with a new understanding of what role each m...
The Trailside Killer
October 28, 2023 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBA man who stalked his victims along the serene trails of several California state parks, David Joseph Carpenter was a career criminal who arguably should have never been free to murder seven people in an eight month span between 1980 and 1981. This week, I am diving into the story of The Trailside Killer. What happened? And what does the Zodiac have to do with the case? For source material, transcripts, and information about how you can support the show, please visit the website at www.ci...
Mary Ann Shadd Cary
October 21, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBA woman who lived enough for several lifetimes, Mary Ann Shadd Cary was one of the loudest voices in support of Canadian emigration for Black Americans. Growing up in a household committed to racial justice, Shadd Cary spent her life turning words into action, becoming the first Black woman to launch a periodical in North America. But she also bucked societal norms, often alienating supporters and potential benefactors. Join me this week as I dive into the life of Mary Ann Shadd Cary. ...
Imperfect Spouse: Jane Pierce
October 14, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBThe wife of fourteenth president Franklin Pierce, Jane Appleton Pierce often gets a bad rap. Seen as a woman who was unwilling to support her husband's political efforts, Jane Pierce definitely lacked excitement in serving in the position of First Lady. But she was also a woman who lived with chronic pain and suffered tremendous loss. Join me this week as I dive into the life of Jane Pierce. And when you are done, be sure to let me know where you fall: was Pierce a bad wife? Or simply a da...
Franklin Pierce
October 07, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBFourteenth President Franklin Pierce is frequently listed as one of the country's worst presidents by historians. A man who so desperately wished to keep his preferred political party intact, Pierce made questionable decisions that arguably pushed the country further towards war. So why does he get such a bad grade? Join me this week as I look at the life and presidency of Franklin Pierce. For source material, transcripts, and more information on how you can support the show, please head ...
The Rough Rider & The Professor with Laurence Jurdem
September 30, 2023 09:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBJoining me this week is Laurence Jurdem to discuss his newest book, The Rough Rider & the Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and the Friendship that Changed American History. Dr. Jurdem is an Adjunct Professor of history at Fairfield University and Fordham College’s Lincoln Center campus. In this episode, we chat about the relationship between Lodge and Roosevelt and what their relationship tells us about politics during the Gilded Age & Progressive Era. To find out more a...
The Fillmore Women
September 23, 2023 09:00 - 13 minutes - 9.62 MBSome presidential wives are more well known than others. Throughout the nineteenth century, there are a string of women who did not leave as lasting an impact to the role of First Lady or a voluminous set of journals and letters for historians to mine to craft a narrative of their lives. Abigail Powers Fillmore is one such presidential spouse. Even less is known about Fillmore's second wife, the wealthy widow Caroline McIntosh. Though the record may be scant, what we do know about Abigail P...
Millard Fillmore
September 16, 2023 09:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBJoin me this week as I dive into the life and career of Millard Fillmore. The second "accidental president," Fillmore ascended to the office after the passing of Zachary Taylor. The two men, who had no relationship before Taylor's death, proved to have very different opinions on the issue of the day. Fillmore is considered by many to be one of the worst presidents in history. Tune in to find out why. For source material and transcripts, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
James Baldwin - Part Two
September 09, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBWelcome back to James Baldwin - Part Two! Join me this week as I complete the story of Baldwin's life, including his ascension to the top of the literary world, his work during the Civil Rights Movement, and the legacy he left behind. Thanks again to Ethan for making such a wonderful request. For source material, transcripts, or to request your own topic, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
James Baldwin: Part One
September 02, 2023 09:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBI am back with another listener request! James Baldwin is one of the most well known authors of the twentieth century. Growing up in Harlem during the roaring twenties and depression riddled thirties, Baldwin knew from a young age he wanted to be a writer. But living with an overbearing stepfather made that dream something he had to fight for. Tune in this week as I dive into the first half of Baldwin's life including growing up in New York, his early introduction to the arts, and wha...
The Wounded World with Dr. Chad Williams
August 26, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBJoining me this week is Professor of History at Brandeis University, Dr. Chad Williams. In this episode, we discuss his new book, The Wounded World: W.E.B. DuBois and the First World War. The book traces DuBois' efforts to write a comprehensive biography of African American military service during the World War I and explores the reasons why DuBois' ultimately decided against publication. Dr. Williams provides a thorough analysis of not only DuBois' evolution, but what service during World ...
Violence in Congress
August 19, 2023 09:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBTensions were high in the run-up to the Civil War. Disagreements proliferated about the institution of slavery and just what should be done about it. And nowhere were disagreements and tempers high than inside the halls of Congress. While many know about the caning of Charles Sumner, some may be surprised to learn that this was just one in a long line of violent acts conducted by members of Congress. Tune in this week as I dive into the history of congressional violence. And when you're ...
The Long Island Murders
August 12, 2023 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBIn 1854, a sleepy community on the north fork of Long Island was devastated by reports of a double murder. James and Frances Wickham appeared to have everything a young couple could want: a beautiful home, comfortable wealth, and good health. So what happened? Tune in this week to learn more about the Wickham Murders. For transcripts and source material, please head to the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
Celebrity Nation with Landon Jones
August 05, 2023 09:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBJoining me this week is former managing editor of People magazine, Landon Jones, to discuss his latest book, Celebrity Nation. Our conversation covers what brought Jones to the subject, what we can learn from American history by studying celebrity, and the dangers of celebrity culture. To learn more about Landon, please visit his website at www.lannyjones.com For more information about the book and show notes, please head over to the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
Zachary Taylor
July 29, 2023 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBKnown for his military success, Zachary Taylor came to office as President of the United States at a critical moment in United States history. Despite being a leader on the battlefield, many historians argue he failed to deliver the same while president, propelling the country further on the path to war. So just who was Zachary Taylor? Tune in to find out. For show notes and transcripts, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
Anna Kingsley
July 22, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBI am back with another listener request! Anna Kingsley was a slave woman who went on to become property and slave owner who won a monumental court case during a period when women and former slaves were given little, if any, agency or respect. Much of Anna's life remains a mystery, but what we do know is quite fascinating. Tune in this week as I dive into the life of Anna Kingsley.
Sarah Winchester's Mystery House
July 15, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBSitting along the busy intersections of San Jose stands a grand mansion with a haunted past. The Winchester Mystery House has been a top tourist destination for one hundred years and is known for its creepy design elements like the stairs to nowhere and doors that do not open. Most have heard the stories about how Sarah Winchester, a rich widow who lost her husband and daughter, visited a medium who told her to move west and build a house big enough for all who had fallen victim to the Win...
Sustaining the Carrier War with Dr. Stan Fisher
July 08, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 29.6 MBJoin me this week as I interview historian, professor, and new author Dr. Stan Fisher about his book, Sustaining the Carrier War: The Deployment of U.S. Naval Air Power to the Pacific. In his book, Dr. Fisher recounts the efforts the United States Navy made to improve capabilities in fighting a protracted war in the Pacific. He provides a human face to the conflict, focusing on the men (and women) who made sure planes were air ready. Our conversation includes an overview of how the Navy pr...
The New York Times
July 01, 2023 09:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBOne of the most well known newspaper in the world, The New York Times has been publishing the news since 1851. Despite the financial hurdles faced by many news organizations, the New York Times manages to stay afloat and has expanded into several other media formats. So how did the New York Times come together? Who were its founders? Tune in to find out. For source material, transcripts, and more information on how you can support the show, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee...
James McCune Smith
June 24, 2023 09:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBThe first African American to earn a medical degree, James McCune Smith was a leader black intellectual, counting friends like Frederick Douglass and Henry Highland Garnet. He was known for both his scientific knowledge and his reformist activities during his lifetime and wrote extensively for Douglass' newspaper. However, today most are unfamiliar with Smith or his accomplishments. So this week, I am focusing on Dr. James McCune Smith. Who was he? And why don't know we know more about him...
First in Her Class: Elizabeth Blackwell, MD
June 17, 2023 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBThe first to earn a medical degree in the United States, Elizabeth Blackwell broke barriers and carved a path for others to follow. Graduating at the top of her class, Blackwell would fight to create a medical practice and would spend her life championing medical education for other women. So just who was Elizabeth Blackwell? Tune in to find out. For transcripts and source material, please head to the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
June 10, 2023 09:00 - 15 minutes - 10.9 MBOne of the best selling novels in history, Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin forcefully took on the institution of slavery and challenged citizens of the country to fight for abolition. Beginning as a short story in an abolitionist newspaper, Uncle Tom's Cabin remains one of the most analyzed and studied novels. But how did the story come together? And who exactly was Harriet Beecher Stowe? Tune in to find out. For transcripts, source material, or to request a topic, head over ...
William Wells Brown
June 03, 2023 09:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBOne of the most prolific authors of the nineteenth century, William Wells Brown remains a bit of a mystery. A man born into slavery who clawed his way to freedom, Brown has quite the fascinating biography. An author, abolitionist, and member of the underground railroad, Brown can tell us a lot about nineteenth century America. So just who was William Wells Brown? Tune in to find out. Four course material, transcripts, and information on how you can support the podcast, please visit the...
Supreme Court: The Confirmation Process
May 27, 2023 09:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBIn recent years, much has been written about the political theater involved in Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings. Many Americans report feeling frustrated at both the question asked by Senators and the answers provided by future associate justices. One long time listener asked that I review the history of supreme justice nominations and the confirmation process. Has it always been so polarizing and political? Have justices always avoided answering questions? Tune in to find out...
Making Airwaves at the Society for Military History
May 20, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBEarlier this year I attended to annual Society for Military History academic conference in San Diego. I was invited to participate in a panel on podcasting, aptly named Making Airwaves. Fellow podcaster Philip Shackelford not only organized the panel, but recorded the discussion live - which I am releasing today. My sincerest gratitude goes to Philip who has his own show, The Modern Scholar Podcast, as well as Bill Allison from Military Historians are People Too, Kelly DeVries with Bow and...
The Bloody Island Massacre
May 13, 2023 09:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBAfter the murder of two white men in the Clear Lake region of California, the United States government responded by launching a campaign to exact revenge. This campaign came to be known as the Bloody Island Massacre. But what exactly happened? Tune in this week to find out. Transcripts and source material can be found on the website www.civicsandcoffee.com