Working Over Time
61 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago -Hosted by Dr. Karen Bellinger, the Working Over Time podcast examines society through the lens of work, over time and across cultures. Being human is a curious gig!
Produced by LittleFire, Past Preservers, and Karen Bellinger. Visit our website at www.workingovertimepodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @WorkingOTSeries.
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Episodes
”If Stones Could Speak” - Life on an Ancient Egyptian Construction Site
April 19, 2022 13:43 - 1 hour - 104 MBThis episode's topic is so literally monumental, we brought in three experts to help us bring it to life. We’re going back more than 3,000 years, to New Kingdom Egypt, to visit two of the job sites that contributed to the production of some of the ancient world’s most iconic monuments. We start with the dynamic duo of Dr Maria Nilsson and John Ward, Nat Geo Explorers and archaeologists who have spent over ten years uncovering the secrets of Gebel el Silsila, the little-known quarry site that...
”Building Blocks” - The Medieval Foundations of Modern Stonemasonry
March 08, 2022 18:50 - 1 hour - 100 MBIn this episode, Karen talks with Master Mason Brad Steele about the ancient craft of building in stone, from its ancient origins through the medieval guilds which continue to provide fraternal and educational support to ensure its survival into the future.
”From The Mouse to Tudor Modern” - The Business of Branding & Licensing Heritage IP
February 15, 2022 17:14 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBKaren explores the history and evolution of licensed brands and “intellectual property,” and hears about the latest IP trends in heritage attractions and art museums. Join the conversation with guest Georgina Dorothy, archaeologist and historian turned heritage IP executive at ARTiSTORY.
“Profanely Sacred” - The Dual Face of European Medieval Theatre
February 01, 2022 11:31 - 1 hour - 119 MBIn this episode, Karen talks with actor, director, and theatre historian, Dr Kyle A Thomas. Join us for a peek behind the curtain of European theatre in the Middle Ages. Spoiler alert: piety wasn’t the only value on display in medieval relgious dramas!
Holiday Classics Rewind - Mall Santas - The Industry of Holiday Joy
December 22, 2021 14:57 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBAs we move through some holiday down time, celebrate with this WoT classic episode. It’s the story of the department store, or mall, Santa - the origins of the job, who were the big players, and its lasting legacy on the industry of holiday joy. Join us as we talk with Dr. Sheila Hoffman, and hear the tale of the very first Department Store/Mall Santa, in a fireside story with Working Over Time Producer/Writer Aidan Laliberte. (recorded over zoom)
”Around The Forge” - (Part 1) Blacksmith Folklore & Legends
November 09, 2021 18:22 - 50 minutes - 69.9 MBIn today’s episode, which is Part I of II, we examine blacksmithing from the perspectives of the legends and folklore forged from the same fires as the revolutionary iron tools that so fundamentally shaped human experience. What better way to dive into this topic than with our guest, Mark Norman, whose own podcast, The Folklore Podcast, has enjoyed over 1.25 million downloads to date, fueled by compelling content and, of course, a stellar host. With that, let’s gather around the forge.
”Witches to Riches” - Working Right Now in Salem‘s Halloween Industry
October 29, 2021 14:00 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBHalloween *bonus* Working Right Now episode, with returning guest, Isabella Connor, 17th-19thc New England historian and writer. Isabella loves Salem, and Halloween. Just not together. Tune in to find out why.
”The Politics of Art” - Ancient Greco-Roman Sculptors
October 26, 2021 12:51 - 1 hour - 88.4 MBWhat do you think of when you hear the phrase “public art?" What is it? Who is it for? What is its purpose, anyway? In this episode we explore these questions, and more, through the lens of ancient Greco-Roman sculpture with archaeologist and educator Laura Aitken-Burt. Spoiler alert: the place and influence of state-sanctioned art strikes us as one of those “universals” of human society, past and present.
“Game of Popes” - The Renaissance Roots of the Modern Architect
October 12, 2021 13:09 - 1 hour - 119 MBFor much of human history, finding shelter was something everyone did on their own, to survive. But with increasing labor specialization in complex societies, the act of designing and building structures evolved into a distinct blend of art and science, becoming the discipline we know today as architecture. But when did this job, as such, become a thing? Today’s guest, Viviano Villarreal-Bueron, has a ripping good take on that, replete with drama, intrigue, and bruised egos aplenty. So - ha...
”Since Sliced Bread” - The Ancient Business of Bread Making
September 24, 2021 12:27 - 1 hour - 97.5 MBClassical historian and baker-in-residence, Dr Owen Rees, walks Karen through the ancient past and present pleasures of breadmaking.
”Upward Mobility” - Dr. Sian Proctor Wins Her Space Race At Last
September 15, 2021 14:58 - 3 minutes - 4.29 MBWe’re in the throes of a new space race, and it’s a whole new ballgame from the 1960s Cold War version, when the world’s superpowers duked it out to see who could be the first to send a man into space. Fast-forward to today, and we’re in the wild west of a “space tourism” race. The SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, slated to lift off TODAY, September 15, 2021, promises to up the ante by launching the first all-civilian mission to orbit the earth, with the express goal of broadening access to spa...
”Knights in Tarnished Armor?” - Enduring Myth, Brutal Reality
September 11, 2021 16:35 - 1 hour - 124 MBIn this episode, Karen is joined by Sam Wilson and Jem Duducu to take a look at the job specs and role of a medieval knight. Listen in as they compare the enduring myth of knights and the chivalric code to the brutal reality.
"Working Right Now" - The Modern Toymaker
July 26, 2021 12:47 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBFor decades now, the independent toymaker has been eclipsed by corporate toy marketers in a position to fund defense-department-sized ad budgets across print, radio, TV, and, today, the internet bannerscape. In this episode, we have a conversation with thoroughly modern indie toymaker Bobby Vala, giving us hope that this hopelessly stacked landscape is shifting, finally, as savvy small operators find ways to harness the power of story to hook and retain players, and to build authentic grassr...
”Working Right Now” - The Modern Toymaker
July 26, 2021 12:47 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBFor decades, the independent toymaker has been eclipsed by corporate toy marketers funding defense-department-sized ad budgets across print, radio, TV, and the internet. Our chat with thoroughly modern indie toymaker Bobby Vala gives us hope that this hopelessly stacked landscape is shifting, as savvy small operators find ways to harness the power of story to hook and retain players, and engage fans directly through the leveling effects of social media as a direct, two-way communications ch...
”Breakroom 2” - Nigel‘s Egyptian Adventure
July 01, 2021 11:38 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBThe gang’s all here, back in the Breakroom! This time, we’re chatting with production partner and Past Preserver Head Nigel Hetherington about what it’s like to do archaeology in Egypt, and to start a heritage media business. Join us for another behind-the-scenes look at how Aidan, Raz, and Karen create the podcast, and learn what’s involved in being an expert presenter on unscripted, factual television. Grab a hot cup of something, and we'll meet you there.
"Breakroom 2" - Nigel's Egyptian Adventure
July 01, 2021 11:38 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBIn this episode we talk with Nigel Hetherington, Historian and Agent. Nigel is the head of Past Preservers, and production partner of this Podcast. If you've wanted to learn about getting into television presenting as an expert, this is the episode for you. Join us for a behind the scenes look at both the podcast, and unscripted, factual television. Grab a drink, and we'll see you in the breakroom.
"'Mad' Men and the Art of Persuasion" - Adverti$ing in the 1920s
June 12, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 74.5 MBHave you ever seen an ad - on TV, in a magazine, or online - that was so clever it made you laugh out loud? Or just hit so close to home it took you by surprise? What about an ad that was so unbelievably “off” that you couldn’t believe anyone ever thought it was a good idea, much less got it greenlit and broadcast into the great collective consciousness? (that Kendall Jenner Pepsi ad, anyone….?). If you’ve ever wondered where this peculiarly capitalist form of communication came from, wond...
"Dangerous Waters" - Undersea Explorers Through The Millennia
May 28, 2021 20:22 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBThis episode takes us to some of the deepest, darkest and most awe-inspiring settings planet Earth has to offer. We’re doing a deep dive into, deep diving, as it happens. Specifically, the perilous quest to discover and map unexplored caves in our oceans’ harshest, most remote corners. Our guide is the intrepid Jill Heinerth, a renowned underwater explorer and cave mapper whose projects span decades, and whose insistence that discovery is the driving force of human advancement is an inspirat...
"That Unhealthy Glow" - The Business of Killer Cosmetics in the 1920's
May 15, 2021 20:36 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBWelcome to the emergent beauty industry of the early 20th century: a veritable Wild West that played fast and loose with the latest scientific darling, a new element called radium, which (spoiler alert) exposed users to concerning levels of radiation. Historian Lucy Jane Santos is with us today, to dish on how radium became the secret sauce in a dizzying range of beauty and personal care products, and remained so even after the health hazards were well-understood. So - Without further ado,...
"Wine Dark Sea" - Winemakers of the Ancient Greco-Roman World
May 04, 2021 13:16 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBThe current shifting season is the perfect backdrop for our first episode of the season:Greco-Roman Winemakers of the ancient world. Because - who doesn’t need a drink after the last decade *cough cough* We mean "year." That said, people have had lots of reasons to wine (and whine) since - well - ever. And today, we have Dr. Emlyn Dodd, a Greco-Roman Archaeologist who’s gonna take us through the ancient, fascinating, and ever-timely traditions and technologies around wine cultivation, as pra...
"I Can't Believe It's Not Piracy!" - 17th-18th Century Privateers
February 13, 2021 19:23 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBOn today’s episode - our last of this season - we’re addressing an age-old question: “Privateer or Pirate?” Ok, maybe not age old, exactly, but it’s a question I didn’t even know to ask until I spoke with maritime archaeologist Neil Dobson, whose work spans decades of deep-water shipwreck exploration and recovery. In his all his years of studying ships and their legendary captains, none has captured Neil’s imagination, and heart quite so much as that of the famous Captain William Kidd, who w...
"Eyes in the Sky" - Physicists and Satellites in the 1950s-70s.
February 06, 2021 20:18 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBFor the past 60 years, following the trail blazed by Sputnik, we’ve put thousands of satellites into orbit, looping sentinels that serve critical functions in modern society, transmitting TV and radio signals, tracking the weather, and providing communications and positioning channels that serve a range of military and civilian needs. In this episode, we talk about one such technology, which has transformed everyday life for the 4billion people – nearly half the globe’s population - who use ...
"From Reeds to Regulators" - 18th-20thc Deep Sea Divers
January 30, 2021 15:35 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBToday, we’re going to swim with some of the earliest and most intrepid explorers the world has ever known. We're talking about the brave souls who plunged to the ocean floors, beginning thousands of years ago, as free divers, collecting sponges, pearls, and the stuff to make princely dyes which could be found nowhere else on the planet. The human desire to reach the deep has never waned, but fortunately, the technology to make underwater activities easier and safer has evolved to the point t...
"The Golden Cage" - Imperial Life in the Ottoman Harem
January 22, 2021 22:16 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBJoin Karen and her guest Jem Duducu for a conversation about a unique element of the Ottoman Empire- a central but often misconstrued aspect of this traditional Muslim household - called the harem - and the sometimes surprising influence it had on Ottoman politics. The members of the harem - the sultan’s many wives, concubines, and servants - were enmeshed in a dizzying web of responsibilities and - for those savvy enough - unique opportunities for political maneuvering in a world where the ...
“Attagirls Take Flight” - Women Aviators of the Mid-20th Century
January 15, 2021 16:51 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBIn this episode, we take a look at the job of the “Attagirls” female pilots in World War II, which have feet even deeper in history, over a hundred years before, and it’s no exaggeration to say that World War II might well have ended very differently without their courageous contributions. Join us as we speak with archeologist and historian Georgina Dorothy for a memorable trip through time. (recorded over zoom) music by Bear McCreary Follow today's guest on IG @georgina_dorothy_. We're o...
"Under Wraps" - Ancient Egypt's Business of Death
January 08, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBOn this episode, Karen talks with Sofia Aziz, an expert on the thriving business of death and funerary work in Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom. We’ll cover everything you thought you knew about Egyptian mummification and burial, based on the incredible new biomedical technologies used by Sofia and her colleagues at the University of Manchester’s KNH Centre to learn more about this central concern of an eternally fascinating culture. (recorded over zoom) Follow today's guest on Twitter @SofiaAzi...
"Roman Rubdown" - On The Job At An Ancient Roman Bathhouse
January 01, 2021 18:29 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBWho’s ready to start this year off with a good old-fashioned, relaxing “Roman rubdown?” Today we welcome returning guest, Tim Moller, to lead us through all the delightful distractions of an ancient Roman bathhouse. From lubing up for massages, poolside dining, shopping, politicking, and public posturing, the Roman bathhouses were central hubs of personal and cultural, as well as economic exchange: They were dim, dank, but also discreet venues where people from all walks of life could mix an...
"Mall Santas! A Job Fair" - The Industry of Holiday Joy
December 24, 2020 13:19 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBIt’s the story of the department store, or mall, Santa - the origins of the job, who were the big players, and its lasting legacy on the industry of holiday joy. Join us as we talk with Dr. Sheila Hoffman, and hear the tale of the very first Department Store/Mall Santa, in a fireside story with Working Over Time Producer/Writer Aidan Laliberte. (recorded over zoom)
"The Magic of Constant Change" - Alchemists in the Early Modern Age"
December 18, 2020 18:16 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBWe’re talking with Dr. Boria Sax about all things alchemy, from its medieval roots to what it actually was, what it represented, and how those in the not-so-distant past could make a heck of a career out of it. First, you’ll need some supplies: Go grab one part Fiery Dragon, a few Doves of Diana, and seven Eagles of Mercury. Now, mix them together. What do you get? According to a recently discovered manuscript by none other than famed physicist Isaac Newton, you’ve got the basis for the leg...
"Kiln & Kinship" - Pottery Artisans of 17th-Century England
December 11, 2020 18:35 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBToday on the podcast, we’re talking about archaeology and an artifact class that I nerd out over every time - pottery! We’re trekking back to 17th-century Liverpool with Dr. Liz Stewart, who researches the work and lives of the pottery artisans who lived in Rainford, a nearby village that played a key role in the emergence of Liverpool as a major international port. And you thought the Beatles were the first big thing out of Liverpool... Time to fire up the kiln and get right to it! (recorde...
"For Every Tea A Season" - Ancient Chinese Tea Farmers
December 04, 2020 19:55 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBWe’re riding the time machine straight back to Ancient China, to discuss the origins and evolution of one of the world’s oldest industries: Tea. Today’s show is all about the work of ancient Chinese tea farmers, guided by Dr. Justin Hill - author, historian, and tea aficionado (Writer; Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny & The Drink and Dream Teahouse). We’ll cover what was - and still is - required to source and prepare a dizzying array of tea varieties. And we’ll explore the or...
"Plague, Sepsis & Cinnamon" - Physicians in Ancient Rome
November 28, 2020 18:57 - 1 hour - 64 MBToday we have an appointment with the doctor in Ancient Rome, when the practice of medicine was a little bit different than it is today. Antibiotics, we love you! But, despite their less sophisticated understanding of medical science, the tools and techniques of Ancient Romans hit surprisingly close to the mark, in terms of human anatomy and its ailments. In fact, they were pretty darned effective with cinnamon, scalpels, and the odd bone axe. (recorded over zoom) Music by Thomas Newman
"Death by Tiger" - Korean Tiger Hunters of the Joseon Dynasty
November 20, 2020 16:48 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBThe elite tiger hunting corps of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, which ruled for five centuries beginning around the year 1400. As always, we’ll talk about the job itself, but we’ll focus more than usual on the job’s place within its cultural and historical contexts. The human-tiger relationship in Korea always has been rich and complex. While having posed a deadly threat to human life and limb over the centuries they roamed the Korean peninsula, Tigers also symbolized everything from traditional Ko...
"Fast & Brutal" - Life Aboard a 19thc Clipper Ship
November 13, 2020 18:05 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBThis week, we’re heading to the deep blue sea! We’ll join the captain and crew of a 19thc clipper ship, an iconic maritime innovation that revolutionized sailing and global trade, despite being something of a flash in the pan itself. Boatbuilder and maritime archaeologist Graham McKay joins us to navigate a not-so- distant past, stormy seas and all. Jimmy Buffett aside, the life of a Clipper ship sailor was anything but easy-breezy. This was soul-deep hard work. So - let’s rig up and set out...
"Devils on the Stage" - Elizabethan Actors at the Globe Theater
November 06, 2020 16:25 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBWe’re heading to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London. That’s right, we’re talking about the life and work of Elizabethan stage actors with our guest, Clive Greenwood, who in addition to being a Museum Heritage Educator, happens to be an actor himself. Turns out that learning lines as a Shakespearean actor was a lot more than that. For starters, in those days, they rarely even had a full script to work from! The stage that Shakespeare wrote for had to be a uniquely dynamic and versatile spa...
“A Changing Oath” - Presidents in the American Republic
October 30, 2020 17:07 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBGuess what! IT’S ELECTION TIME. Finally. So, what better job to cover than President of the American Republic. In this episode, we discuss this one-of-a-kind job with Kenny Ryan, a journalist and fellow podcaster whose own show examines the lives and work of each of the former U.S. presidents. How did this job work? How was it intended to work? How has it changed? So many questions. So let’s dive in to the very best civics lesson we’ve ever had. Seriously. Remember Schoolhouse Rock? Well, Ke...
"Job Fair: Ancient Bloodsports!" - Maya Ball Players & Roman Gladiators
October 23, 2020 15:15 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBBloodsports!!! It's the match of last century! Maya Ball Players vs Gladiators! Join Dr. Karen Bellinger as she speaks with Andrew Kinkella and Cody Amens about what it took be an athlete in two different times and places, and whether or not one match would mean certain death. (recorded over zoom)
"A Community in Chaos" - Puritan Ministers of the Salem Witch Trials
October 16, 2020 16:56 - 1 hour - 65 MBWith Halloween fast approaching, what better time to dive into today’s topic - the role of religious ministers in the Salem Witch Trials of Puritan New England. 17th-century New England is a time and place that many find hugely fascinating. Join Dr. Karen Bellinger as she has the privilege of exploring it from a new perspective with our guest, historian and author Isabella Connor. As scary as witches and demons are, it’s the human stuff - the devastating effects of mass hysteria and uncheck...
"Worlds Collide" - Sachems in 17thc Plymouth Colony
October 09, 2020 16:53 - 1 hour - 72.6 MBKaren with Dr. Elic Weitzel about the 17th-century Plymouth Colony, founded 400 years ago by a tiny group of ‘Pilgrims’ determined to carve a “New” England from wilderness that had long been occupied, in highly sustainable fashion, by tens of thousands of Native Americans. The immediate burden of dealing with these settlers fell to local chiefs, or Sachems. But the impacts of this small colonial enterprise’s changes to the land track straight through to today’s climate crises. So let’s dive...
"The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" - Woman Spies in World War 2
October 02, 2020 15:45 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBWelcome to Season TWO of Working Over Time, where we examine society through the lens of work, over time, and across cultures. In this episode, join Dr. Karen Bellinger as she kicks things off with historian and playwright Danielle Wirsansky, who illuminates the astonishing world of Britain’s World War II women spies. That’s right, we’ll hear about all kinds of state-sanctioned espionage, a few eyebrow-raising Winston Churchill quotes, and a figure named Blonde Poison who, despite her name, ...
"Breakroom" - A Bonus Behind the Scenes episode with the Team
September 14, 2020 19:01 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBAn off season, behind the scenes peek episode, featuring insights from the Working Over Time team, as well as two peers within the podcast/live stream heritage content community. Get to know LittleFire and Past Preservers a little bit more and learn what motivated the team to create the show. (recorded over zoom).
“Stealing History” - Ancient Tomb Raiders & the Digital Underworld
September 04, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBIt's the Season One Finale, and we’re ending with a bang, not a whimper! It’s pretty much common knowledge that Facebook violates its users’ basic data privacy rights. But did you know that Facebook also is one of the prime vectors for billions of dollars of criminal trafficking in looted artifacts, inflicting catastrophic economic and cultural damage on vulnerable populations in conflict regions across the Middle East, fueling regional violence and transnational terrorism? Whether your ans...
"True Grit & Conquest" - Legionaries in Ancient Rome
August 29, 2020 16:53 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBThe Roman Legionary: All that, and so, SO much more. Join Karen and guest Dr Simon Elliott as they discuss the astonishingly array of ways in which the fabled foot-soldier underpinned Roman society in more ways than you could ever have imagined! (recorded over zoom)
"Cult of Beauty" - Influencers in 18th Century Dublin
August 22, 2020 17:53 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBIf you can’t imagine an 18th-century “beauty influencer” as a precursor to today’s social media megastar, listen in as Laura Fitzachary dishes all the soap with Karen! Spoiler: The quest for beauty can be pretty ugly...
"Welcome to the Freak Show" - Freak Performers in the Victorian Age
August 15, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBFree tickets to the Victorian Freak Show, courtesy of expert escort Dr John Woolf! Grab yours now. Guaranteed to provoke a bit of revulsion plus .... a measure of uncomfortable recognition. See how our obsession with celebrity can trace its roots back to Victorian Freak Show performers, and maybe even further.
"Voyeurs & Pointe Shoes" - Ballerinas in Fin de Siecle Paris
August 08, 2020 13:21 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBBeautiful girls executing ethereal dance steps. Intoxicating music. The frisson of a bare ankle atop a precipitous pointe shoe… Hot lights. Entitled patrons. Join Karen and Dr Sheila Hoffman for an exclusive tour of the backstage fin de siècle Paris ballet. The frothy tutus and bouquets were just the beginning of a day in the life of its ballerinas, who catered to wealthy male patrons as well as adoring audiences.
"Stomping Over The Known World" - Elephant Traders in the Hellenistic Period
August 01, 2020 15:42 - 53 minutes - 49 MB(recorded over zoom) Elephants, ivory, and war, oh my! Join Karen and historian Tim Moller as they discuss the ancient elephant trade sponsored by Ptolemaic Egypt nearly 3,000 years ago. An exotic earful, indeed!
”Entering the Waves” - Seaside Dippers in the Regency Period
July 26, 2020 01:17 - 1 hour - 55 MBKaren talks with Dr. Kathryn Ferry about the curiosities and pleasures of the 18th century British seaside, anchored by the brawny, colorful, and largely female “Dippers” who brokered middle and upper class beach visits. Recorded over zoom. Follow Kathryn on IG @seasideferry.
"Entering the Waves" - Seaside Dippers in the Regency Period
July 26, 2020 01:17 - 1 hour - 55 MB(recorded over zoom) Join Dr. Karen Bellinger as she talks with Dr. Kathryn Ferry. when they explore the curiosities and pleasures of the 18th century British seaside, anchored by the brawny, colorful, and largely female “Dippers” who brokered middle and upper class beach visits.
"Between a Rock and Hard Place" - Work & Home in Industrial Age England
July 17, 2020 16:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBPeek into the home lives of Industrial Age factory workers, led by house historian Melanie Backe-Hansen! Experience the last great shift in work-life balance, and how working class families managed the intersection of work and home life during a time of epic shifts in productive systems.