My History Can Beat Up Your Politics artwork

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

654 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.1K ratings

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates.  "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

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Episodes

The 25th Amendment, Section Four Explained, w/ Dr. Brian C. Kalt

January 21, 2020 03:06 - 46 minutes - 21.8 MB

The Constitution contains two possible forms of presidential removal outside of election, one is the much-discussed impeachment process. The other is the 25th Amendment's fourth section. We discuss 25 Section 4 with Professor Brian C. Kalt, Professor of Law & Harold Norris Faculty Scholar at Michigan State University, including how the amendment works, its uses and its common misunderstanding by the public and Hollywood writers.

The Surprising, Perhaps, History of Martin Luther King Day

January 20, 2020 05:00 - 11 minutes

The history of the federal holiday starts with a strike and ends with a battle between President and Senate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Obscure Facts About Presidents - Congress in the 1890's from one Congressman's Point of View: Racism, Regionalism, Party Conflict and Intra Party Conflict

January 18, 2020 05:00 - 23 minutes

We get into some additional facts about Presidents we didn't cover in the last episode. Plus we talk about George B. McClellan Jr, Congressman from New York and his experience in Congress in the 1890's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truman's Mild Support of JFK

January 17, 2020 17:00 - 11 minutes

HST and JFK did not have a close relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mister 22 and Mister 24: Grover Cleveland

January 01, 2020 17:00 - 39 minutes

A look at Grover Cleveland, the only president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Articles of Impeachment, Senate Trials, More

December 16, 2019 00:10 - 1 hour - 32.7 MB

We discuss the current politics in the country and what impeachment means now, will impeachment become routine, how the Thanksgiving table has entered politics rather than the other way around. Plus we talk Clinton and impeachment and replay our interview with Leon Neyfakh of the Slow Burn podcast.

Impeachment - Conversation with David Priess and Bruce Carlson

December 02, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour

It's all of those things. Conversation with David Priess, MHCBUYP listener, COO of Lawfare, Author of several books - about impeachment and the decision to impeach, and the many sides to this question from Tyler to Clinton to Trump.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A World Disrupted - Interview w/ Charles Emmerson, Author of "Crucible - The Long End of the Great War and the Birth of a New World, 1917-1924"

December 02, 2019 00:24 - 42 minutes

The years from 1917 to 1924 are fractured yet formative for the world. After a terrible war, Germany, Russia and Ukraine are forever changed. New movements and scientific developments occur. We speak with Charles Emmerson, author of "Crucibe The Long End to the Great War and the Birth of a New World" about the period between 1917 and 1924 and what it says about today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lincoln and Zachary Taylor

November 18, 2019 05:00 - 20 minutes

Lincoln's career was partially built on his support for another President.  We get into that, and why you wouldn't want Lincoln as an opponent.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Deep Dive into The Emancipation Proclamation

November 14, 2019 17:00 - 32 minutes

What was the true function of the Proclamation and the context surrounding it? How did people react at this time? Was slavery the true cause of the Civil War, and should North and South fit into liberal and conservative boxes. Could Congress pick the President? And what podcast advice does Bruce have? Bruce takes Listener Questions in this episode. Music from Chris Zabriskie, Chris Novembrino and Lee Rosevere on this episode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Switching VIces

November 11, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour

We look at vice presidential and vice presidential candidate switches throughout history. And we speculate if a tactic last used in 1976 might find its way into the 2020 Election. We also get into the McGovern-Eagleton 1972 events and talk about Nixon and Hunter Thompson's car ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Butterfield: Nixon’s Watergate Frenemy

November 05, 2019 17:00 - 25 minutes

Alexander Butterfield, Nixon’s deputy COS who revealed the existence of the taping system in the White House, gets only a small mention in Watergate history but he has a lot to contribute to the understanding of it. He recently spoke to Bob Woodward in a new book and his account and the records he kept for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Mystery of Impeachment - How it Works, What Happened in 1868 and More

October 20, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour

We look at the Chase, Clinton and Johnson precedents for attempted impeachment, we attempt to answer questions about this oft-discussed, rarely used, and perhaps, poorly understood Constitutional function. Why is impeachment so rarely used? Why does the Senate try the President? Does the Senate become a Court when it does, or stay the Senate? What is a High "Misdemeanor?" And what does Aaron Burr have to do with all of this? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beam Me Up: The James Traficant Story w/ Alex Hastie of The Ohio v. The World Podcast

October 20, 2019 15:43 - 1 hour

We discuss the life and career of Youngstown, Ohio congressman James Traficant with Alex Hastie of Ohio v. The World Podcast. We rerun part of the episode from his podcast.  We hear from Eric Murphy, director of the documentary "The Congressman from Crimetown"  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/traficant The frumpled congressman was a fixture of Ohio politics and a national controversial figure until his death in 2014. We discuss do as you please politics and if there is similarity between Traficant...

Bruce Talks About Everything, Dem Debates Trump 2020 and Clinton 1996, Supreme Court

October 01, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour

Trump Reelection, Democratic Debates and Recent Court decisions discussed on the episode. It's a bit more lose than the norm, bear with Bruce as he tackles a lot in a short time and provides some sketches of things to come.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Impeachment is Dangerous, Simple, Non-Effective, Impactful, and Utterly Constitutional - Conversation with David Priess and Bruce Carlson

September 25, 2019 03:23 - 1 hour - 34.4 MB

It's all of those things.  Conversation with David Priess, MHCBUYP listener, COO of Lawfare, Author of several books - about impeachment and the decision to impeach, and the many sides to this question from Tyler to Clinton to Trump.  

Brown vs. The Board of Education

September 10, 2019 04:00 - 32 minutes

The history and context of the famous court case, and its aftermath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brexit, Boris and UK and Irish Politics w/ Steven Byrne from What am Politics

August 31, 2019 17:49 - 1 hour

We talk about the new UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Brexit, and Irish politics with Steven Byrne of What Am Politics Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holden Caufield and Xerox: The Corporate Personhood Debate (from 2013)

August 20, 2019 04:00 - 24 minutes

we discuss a recent Supreme Court decision and corporations as people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How to Rank The Presidents, with Susan Swain and Brian Lamb of C-SPAN

July 24, 2019 16:00 - 37 minutes

With C-SPAN's Susan Swain and Brain Lamb we talk Theodore Roosevelt and LBJ. And we discuss their book The Presidents, and the unique ranking system they use to assess and order America's POTUSes. e also talk abut some of the historians who helped them.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colonel Franklin - Benjamin Franklin's Decision to Use Force (from THEY SIGNED PODCAST)

June 28, 2019 04:00 - 39 minutes

In the Pennsylvania colony, Benjamin Franklin was a force in convincing Quakers to protect the colony with militia  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ark of Commerce Part IV: Make It Stop

May 23, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour

In our fourth of a series on American commerce, a look at three instances of when U.S. commerce was stopped, for a variety of reasons.  The embargo of 1807 is an important part of the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson, not often examined in detailed compared to other events. It brought serious economic problems, but was held up by Jefferson as an experiment by a peaceful power. We also examine his Treasury Secretary Gallatin, who had to implement the plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Sedition, Presidents and the Press

May 01, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour

From John Adams and the Alien Sedition Act, Lincoln's rage and FDR's giggling sidekicks, from JFK's light warnings to Trump and the press as the people's enemy, we look at the relationship between President and the Press. Plus we are joined by Chris Novembrino of the Don't Worry About the Government podcast to discuss why actions of the 18th century may still be alive in today's politics.  Music from Lee Rosevere, Nctrnm, AAAlato and Chris Zabriskie in this episode.   Learn more about your ad...

Surprising Facts About Accidental Presidents - Interview w Jared Cohen

April 19, 2019 16:00 - 54 minutes

Surprising facts about the presidencies of John Tyler, JFK, LBJ, Chester Arthur and Millard Fillmore from Jared Cohen, author of Accidental Presidents, Eight Men Who Changed America. From Tyler's Grandkids, Arthur's Secret Correspondent and Adviser, and a new fact about LBJ's place on the ticket we discuss some surprising facts about those who became president by surprise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young Jefferson, Signer of The Declaration and Other Virginia Signers (FROM THEY SIGNED PODCAST)

April 01, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutes

From a podcast on the signers completed in 2012 the story of Thomas Jefferson's early years, and other stories.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Third Parties: The Moped and the Maserati - Why Third Parties Haven't Won in American Politics

March 20, 2019 16:00 - 27 minutes

About 3rd parties, with a focus on John Anderson's campaign and many others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Myth of "The Founding Fathers Said..This or That!"

March 19, 2019 16:00 - 34 minutes

In this episode we look at the concept of "Founding Fathers." It's not a term common to use on this podcast, but it's not without any meaning either. We look at the early Americans that helped to 'found' the nation. One thing is clear - there's a lot of them.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Woodrow Wilson Has No Friends: Wilson, His Politics and His Image Today with Patricia O'Toole

March 18, 2019 16:00 - 52 minutes

Or so it seems these days. Liberals, conservatives, anti-globalists, Fed haters, socialists, libertarians all have a bone to pick with him. how much criticism does he deserve?  We speak with Patricia O'Toole, the author of 'The Moralist - Woodrow Wilson and the World He Made."We look at the politics of tariffs, foreign policy, intervention, immigration, war and race through the lens of Woodrow Wilson.  Remember to subscribe to My History Can Beat Up Your Politics on iTunes/Apple Podcasts. Lea...

The Slaughter Could Not Be Ignored -

March 15, 2019 16:00 - 1 hour

Rerun from 2013, but obviously seems very relevant now. A look at this attempt at a single, fix it amendment, to get over a reluctant President, which didn't work but has impacts on today's politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Making of the Franklin Pierce Cast

March 01, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes

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

You Don't Know About Franklin Pierce

February 28, 2019 17:00 - 59 minutes

The 14th President is among the most unknown, as he was when he won in a surprising election. Yet he started with great promise. Youthful, regal in manner and style, with celebrity friends, many thought his Presidency was a renewal for the country. Instead he provoked a resistance movement. His fall in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska act reveals a lot about the Presidency in a time of scattered politics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LBJ 's Cell Phone and His Decision to Jump on the Ticket in 1960

February 20, 2019 17:00 - 30 minutes

In answering a question about JFK's health and its role in Lyndon Johnson's decision to accept the Vice Presidency, Bruce takes a look at the people and factors surrounding Johnson's decision, Kennedy's motivations, Eisenhower's indirect role, and the confusing hours in a Los Angeles hotel that changed history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nixon in Full

February 20, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour

A look at the life and career of Richard Nixon, from childhood to Presidency, originally aired in 2014 as 'Get Your Nixon On' This title feels more descriptive. I don't know whether time has changed this cast, or if this cast has more meaning now, or less, that is for the listener to judge. Music by Lee Rosevere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview with Sidney Blumenthal - Putting Lincoln in a Political Context, Stephen Douglas, Jefferson Davis, The Whigs and More

February 12, 2019 17:00 - 53 minutes

We are joined by the author of Wrestling With His Angel: The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln Vol II, Sidney Blumenthal. In this cast, he talks about Lincoln in the 1850's, as he emerges as a small-time lawyer to being 'woke' by the passage of the Kansas Nebraska Bill to make a stirring speech and come to a definite conclusion about the future of the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Minutes: A Classic Debate Moment of Silence

February 01, 2019 17:00 - 14 minutes

Carter Ford '76, and the Presidential debate snafu that lead to an unplanned moment of silence.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Minutes

February 01, 2019 17:00 - 14 minutes

Carter Ford '76, and the Presidential debate snafu that lead to an unplanned moment of silence.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dueling -The Bad Side and The Secret Good Side to a Tragic American Practice - PLUS a Call to Fill Out the MHCBUYP Survey

January 09, 2019 17:00 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MB

The Two Hamiltons, and other Americans lost to the practice of dueling.  We explain what dueling is and what dueling is not and explore the issues around a practice that was common, if somewhat illicit in the time of the founding of America.    Please fill out our survey - it is here https://survey.libsyn.com/mhcbuyp It will greatly help the program out as we seek sources of support.  

Dueling -The Bad Side and The Secret Good Side to a Tragic American Practice

January 09, 2019 17:00 - 26 minutes

The Two Hamiltons, and other Americans lost to the practice of dueling. We explain what dueling is and what dueling is not and explore the issues around a practice that was common, if somewhat illicit in the time of the founding of America.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mexico's Contribution to World War II and Other Stories

January 07, 2019 17:00 - 12 minutes

a forgotten ally gets some credit in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shays Rebellion and Its Implications

January 05, 2019 17:14 - 1 hour

The history behind a rebellion against a state of the new United States, why it happened, its impact on our Constitution, and what it means today. From a 2014 cast, but it's been a while. Our sponsor is Warby Parker - excellent glasses (wearing them now as I write the shoow notes) check them out at www.warbyparker.com/myhistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigating the Executive Branch: The Trial of Thomas Jefferson, Governor

January 02, 2019 17:00 - 34 minutes

"Public offices are, what they should be, burdens to those appointed to them which it would be wrong to decline, though foreseen to bring with them intense labor and great private loss." So wrote a newly elected governor Jefferson to a friend. We take a look at his experience and the Revolutionary War in Virginia, discover a forgotten hero and learn a bit about Executive branch meets Legislative branch in the process.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Searching for Eisenhower: Ike on War, Civil Rights, Big Government and Political Moderation (with William Hitchcock)

January 01, 2019 17:00 - 51 minutes

We discuss all things Ike with William Hitchcock - author of "The Age of Eisenhower." We talk about how President Eisenhower was a surprisingly good politician, how he navigated Civil Rights, Social Security and other domestic programs, how he dealt with LBJ. We discuss the failure that upset him the most, and what he may have gotten wrong. We also get to the bottom of that Military Industrial Complex. (PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS - get a special episode on the 1957 Civil Rights Bill). Learn more abo...

Economy and Jobs: Debunking "The Good Old Days" Argument with Gregg Easterbrook

January 01, 2019 17:00 - 34 minutes

Was the past better? Were the "Good Old Days" really all they are chalked up to be?  Gregg Easterbrook, author of It's Better Than it Looks: Reasons for Optimism in an Age of Fear, has a bold argument. Things are better now then they have ever been. A reminder about our sponsor Warby Parker eyeglasses - get your try on pack of 5 frames at www.warbyparker.com/myhistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ark of Commerce, Part III: Loco

December 29, 2018 17:00 - 1 hour

A mysterious crash. A strange contraption. A fateful race, an outbreak of violent activity and a crafty watch-seller. A look at the railroad history of America and the changes the railroad brought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curtis LeMay, Warrior, Candidate - with Alex Hastie of Ohio v. The World Podcast

December 28, 2018 23:41 - 1 hour - 32.1 MB

Bruce is interviewed on Ohio v. The World Podcast, which is the creation of MHCBUYP fan Alex Hastie.  The subject is Curtis LeMay.  Politically we know him as George Wallace's reluctant running mate in 1968.  But there was much more to him, as Bruce and Alex discuss. His career spanned World War II, Kennedy,  Vietnam, The Cold War and more.   

Curtis LeMay, Warrior, Candidate - with Alex Hastie of Ohio v. The World Podcast

December 28, 2018 23:41 - 1 hour

Bruce is interviewed on Ohio v. The World Podcast, which is the creation of MHCBUYP fan Alex Hastie. The subject is Curtis LeMay. Politically we know him as George Wallace's reluctant running mate in 1968. But there was much more to him, as Bruce and Alex discuss.  His career spanned World War II, Kennedy, Vietnam, The Cold War and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ark of Commerce, Part II: Two If By Sea

December 28, 2018 17:00 - 1 hour

A unique boat is built to overcome a powerful challenge in interstate water commerce. a revolution is fed by fish. A writer turns commerce into words.  A well known Revolutionary figure finds an agreeable industry, while young workers take a stand.  A new high tech monopoly is broken, and a young boy gets his dream.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LBJ and The Creation of Medicare - 50 Years Ago

December 28, 2018 17:00 - 38 minutes

50 years ago, Medicare was created and some of it was recorded. We'll look at the original conversations that demonstrate LBJ's work on the bill, and compare the enactment of Medicare to the Affordable Care Act. And we'll contrast the two bill's passages and implementation, effect and popularity. Based on a previous cast called 'Medicare Atmosphere' from 2010... but updated and re-recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ark of Commerce - Part I: Crash Party

December 27, 2018 17:00 - 1 hour

In this look at American commercial history we discuss the Black Thursday Stock market crash, the early career of Thomas Edison, how a popular game evolved from a anticorporate activist, and how Wall Street was once in Philadelphia, so to speak.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Craziest Speaker of The House Election, Indian Removal Petitions and Other Thoughts

December 25, 2018 17:24 - 36 minutes

A few questions, some from an older cast that now bears repeating in the wake of a new speaker election, and others from the premium channel now elevated. Was Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal allowed to happen by a quiet public, or was thee resistance? And what would Revolutionary protests look like.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests

Bob Drury
1 Episode
Chris Matthews
1 Episode
Dale Carnegie
1 Episode
George Washington
1 Episode
Thomas Jefferson
1 Episode
Tom Clavin
1 Episode

Books

Myth and Reality
1 Episode