The History Podcast #31 - NASCAR Vitriol - Why We Hate Series

The History Podcast #31

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This history podcast defends and criticizes NASCAR. We discuss the main arguments put forward by NASCAR haters. We shoot down several of these complaints, but some gripes are legitimate. NASCAR is less than a month a way, maybe we can help you better understand your hatred. More podcasts about hatred coming soon. For the record, we love NASCAR because we are Americans.

The History Podcast #30 - The History of First Person Shooters

The History Podcast #30

Download Podcast - The History of FPS

This History Podcast documents the history of first person shooter video games. We take you through the timeline from Wolfenstein to Call of Duty. Consoles, PCs, and the mod community are major topics of conversation. Ever wanted to know why 13 year-olds do not sleep anymore and play shooting games all night? We'll let you know how that happened.

The History Podcast #29 - Lack of Good War Films about Iraq and Afghanistan

The History Podcast #29

Download Podcast - Lack of Good War Films about Iraq and Afghanistan 

This history podcast discusses the lack of quality war films about current wars. In particular, we question why there hasn't been any comedic or critical films produced about Iraq and Afghanistan. There are many films that are critical of past american wars, and darkly comedic too. Vietnam comes to mind. Today, it seems that no one in our country is allowed to say anything pejorative or critical of any american military action. Why has there been such a sea change in the last 20 years? Why can't MASH, Catch-22, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, etc. be made today? Is this a part of a bigger problem?

The History Podcast - Movie Review: The Wolf of Wall Street

2014 Academy Award Series

Three hours of mayhem is Oscar worthy?

In short, yes. Some viewers have dismissed this film for its gratuitous nature and its glorification of crime. I understand this argument, and I get that an excessive use of the F-word can upset viewers. On the other hand, I do not know what audiences were expecting. This is a film by Martin Scorsese. Casino and Goodfellas are basically the same movie: criminals gallivant around for several hours and get into mishaps.

The History Podcast #28 - Have podcasts killed the republican party?

The History Podcast #28

Download Podcasts - Have podcasts killed the republican party?

This history podcast connects the decline and division of the republican party to the emergence of the podcast. As radio rating drop each year, listeners are moving on to other programs and other media platforms. The once uniform conservative message on talk radio still exists, but is anyone listening? With podcasts and the latest technological innovations, conservative listeners now have choices beyond the AM dial. Is the emergence of the Tea Party and libertarian republicans due to podcasts and the straying from the GOP message?

Book Review:The Battle of the Crater: A Novel by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen

When I was in graduate school, I told a particular professor that I was reading one of Newt Gingrich's alternate historical fictions.  What proceeded was a 15 minute lecture on Newt Gingrich's politics and another 10 on how historic fiction is bad for history.  Some of you might tune out or turn off if you see the name Gingrich anywhere near history, or historic fiction but you are missing out. Sure, Gingrich's books (or any historic fiction for that matter) you are not going to find heavy hitting, new research, but you will find something that is engaging and imaginative. Forget not the fact that Gingrich has a Ph.D in European History. Only a few of us can say that, right??

iTunes Ranking

Our Podcast is steadily rising upward on the iTunes Podcast Charts. We would like to thank all of our subscribers and listeners. We hope to crack the Top 25 in the Society and Culture category very soon.

This is no small task. The Society and Culture category is one of the most listened to sections on iTunes. The top podcasts in Society and Culture are some of the top podcasts overall on iTunes. You've got This American Life, Freakonomics, Fresh Air, Colt Cabana's wrestling show, and a lot of other professionally produced public radio podcasts.

We can do it. Thanks again for listening, and please spread the word about our show.

-Mr. Jackson

The History Podcast #27 - Can suicide be necessary?

The History Podcast #27

Download Podcast - Suicide

This history podcast examines suicide in nature and asks the question, "Is suicide necessary?" Should human beings take a lesson from the Pea Aphid. This insect sacrifices itself when its death betters its community. Should humans consider suicide, if it is the betterment of society? We debate.

Disclaimer: Please do not commit suicide.

The History Podcast #26 - Martin Luther King Jr. and the story that isn't told

The History Podcast #26

Download Podcast - Martin Luther King, Jr.

This history podcast examines the other side of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life. Name change, plagiarism, and adultery; why isn't this discussed? If the public openly discussed MLK's darker side, would it tarnish his image? Why is this topic taboo? Why is it that JFK, Clinton, and many other american leaders are not granted this privacy?

Bigger Than The Game: On The Horse That Was Too Small

The Story of Seabiscuit

In the midst of the Great Depression, sports became more than just sports. Fans escaped the drudgery of their daily lives by plopping down a few cents to watch their home team for a few hours forgetting the worries on the other side of the stands. Attendance at sporting events doubled and sometimes even tripled in the midst of the Depression as fans not only got away from their problems, but also got to see some most memorable sporting moments in history. More than baseball, football, or basketball, sports readily bet on were the most popular. Horseracing, along with Boxing, entered into its Golden Age because of its speed, danger and betting appeal. Lured by the thought of quick money or a lucky break, people flocked to the big tracks such as Churchill Downs, Pimlico, and Santa Anita. Aside from the cathedrals, fans could find smaller tracks and open field to bet on the “Sport of Kings.”

The History Podcast #25 - WWE Network changes TV

The History Podcast #25

Download Podcast - WWE Network changes TV

This history podcast examines how the WWE Network may change the way we watch TV. The WWE is ditching the old TV model. They are no longer dealing with the networks and TV providers. They are skipping past the middleman and selling their product directly to the consumer. Will other content creators follow suit? Will the next Breaking Bad sell its show directly to consumers via internet streaming?

I know we talk about pro wrestling a lot, but when it comes to studying american culture, media, and innovation, the WWE is a great source.

The History Podcast #24 - CES 2014

The History Podcast #24

Download Podcast - CES 2014

This history podcast explores this year's consumer electronics show. Where was our the free tickets?! I probably would spent most of my time doing more Vegas-y things anyway. Fortunately for us, someone else covered CES 2014 and let us know about all the cool gadgets. After reviewing the products promoted at CES, there is one thing that we are certain of: Alex de Tocqueville said it best when he described American inventiveness, we have a knack for making goods for convenience, not necessity.

The History Podcast #23 - Baraka and Conspiracies

The History Podcast #23

Download Podcast - Baraka and Conspiracies

In this history podcast we give our brief analysis on conspiracies in general. We focus on 9/11, but not facts and events. We discuss the general public's view on 9/11 conspiracies, and how they differ from JFK's assassination.

Book Review: Franklin and Winston By Jon Meacham

In January of 1943 President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet in Casablanca to discuss the coming end of World War Two and the peace after.  The meetings, at least for the press, were jovial and good natured.  Behind the closed doors, this was not always the case.

Meacham writes a really interesting account of the friendship between Churchill and Roosevelt.  Built out of political necessity, their friendship went through many of the cycles that a tumultuous romantic relationship would. After the friendship was sealed, things got down right domestic.  I'll have you read the book yourself or at least research the story, but I will say that "nakey time" is involved.

If you are interested in politics, or international relations this is a must.  My bias towards Meacham aside, this is a great way  to see just how major decisions during the war were made. If you a Churchill buff, you won't be disappointed. Roosevelt fan? Read the book! Like "nakey time?" Get ready!!

It's Alive!!! It's Alive!!!

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The History Podcast #22 - Solar City

The History Podcast #22

Download Podcast - Solar City

This History Podcast examines the solar power industry with a focus on Solar City. The investment community has shown great interest in Solar City's business model. Solar city is providing alternative energy to consumers that once could not afford solar energy. Although they have not yet profited from their business model, the lure of locking customers in to 20 year contracts has Wall Street's eye.

Bigger Than The Game: And Forrest Was There

Forrest Gump remains one of my all time favorite movies. Many of the historical events Gump was a part of are easy enough to pin-point. The one event that has long baffled me was his trip to China on the “All-American Ping-Pong Team.” Little did I know, the U.S Table Tennis team actually helped to pave the way for better U.S./Chinese relations at the height of the Cold War.

"In the land of China, people don't ever go to church"
but the did play some serious ping-pong

Long seen as one of the best ways to spread diplomacy throughout the world, table tennis had gain popularity impart from its development by British expatriates on over-seas assignment. The game took hold in China during the early 1900’s thanks to English involvement in the opium trade. It has been said that forces in the Chinese Civil War were so fond of the game that truces were set up so that the opposing sides could pit their best players against each other.

Amiri Baraka

The modern poetry world lost one of its most divisive and beloved yesterday as Amiri Baraka died at the age of 79. Known as the father of the Black Arts movement, Baraka was a controversial figure who helped birth the Black Art movement of the late 1960’s and 70’s. Educated at Howard University, drummed out of the Air Force in 1954 for his communist leanings, Baraka went on to publish Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg at his Totem Publishing house in the Greenwich Village.

As a publisher, poet, and jazz critic, he was a leading figure in the Beat Generation. His works were widely read in the traditionally high brow, New York literary world as the equal of Kerouac and Ginsberg. After the assignation of Malcolm X, Baraka moved quickly away from the Beat poetry that he was publishing at Totem into the growing Black Nationalism movement. There he firmly embedded himself as its poet laureate. Many of his poems centered on urban life in Harlem during the 1960’s and 70’s focusing on the growing frustrations of African Americans. It was during this period that some of his most controversial poems were published

Bigger Than The Game: Maradona's Goals

Often in sports, there comes a game that has deeper significance that just a sporting contest between two teams. It happens often that national pride, religious strife and geopolitical connotations are wrapped up and rolled out on the field of play. These events have transcended time and become not only great sporting events but great historical events. One such game took place in the 1986 FIFA World Cup between Argentina and Great Britain.

The History Podcast #21 - Waffle House Secrets

The History Podcast #21

Download Podcast - Waffle House Secrets


This history podcast is about Waffle House. Mr. Lincoln explains some little no tidbits about the Waffle House. FEMA is a puppet of the Waffle House? You're doing a fine job Waffley!

Degeneration Nation - Check it out

If you like sports, humor, or are basically a dude, you'll enjoy our friends website:

DegenerationNation.com 

Girls will probably like the website as well. I also covers daily fantasy sports, but it does so leisurely. It's more about having a good time. Check out my write up about bike riders. Unless, you're a bike rider; skip that one.

Shaken To Its Core: Riots

Riots

Throughout history, America has gone through cycles in which rioting has been common place. Besides the 1960’s, the Great Depression was perhaps the prolific periods of riots. Where the protests and riots of the 1960’s were based on ideology, those of the Great Depression showed a near primal need of the people to be heard. Cross the country, people took to the streets for want of food, pay, and recognition.

One such example of people taking to the street was in January of 1931 in England, Arkansas. Early in the month, a neighbor of H.C Coney visited concerned about their inability to feed their family.

Coney, unable to help personally, decided that something could be done with the help of the Red Cross. With a loaded truck, Coney drove to the county seat of England. 

The History Podcast #20 - New Jack is the Craziest Wrestler Ever with Special Video

The History Podcast #20

Download Podcast - New Jack



This History Podcast continues our series on crazy moments in pro wrestling. Episode #20 covers probably one of the craziest wrestlers and human beings in America, New Jack. You will not believe half of this.

The History Podcast #19 - Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali with Special Video

The History Podcast #19

Download Podcast - Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali



The world of professional wrestling is filled with colorful stories. In our first story in this series, we focus on Antonio Inoki and his REAL match with Muhammad Ali.

Shaken To Its Core: Father Charles Coughlin

Father Charles Coughlin 

Oh, capitalism shall never again flourish as once it did. Capitalism has been almost taxed out of existence in an effort to meet the coupons and the bonds, in an effort to meet the dole system that is absolutely unnecessary in a country of our wealth. Father Charles Coughlin 1937

 The radicalization of America during the Great Depression is best be encapsulated by the conversion of Father Charles E. Coughlin from zealous Roosevelt supporter to ardent opposers of the New Deal, Roosevelt, capitalism, and democracy. Once deemed by a top government official as “the most dangerous man in America behind John Dillinger,” Coughlin daftly used the medium of radio to spread a gospel that at times more closely resembled the dogmatic speeches of Adolph Hitler, than those of Jesus Christ crowds in the hundreds of thousands. From his early days of railing against the Klu Klux Klan, Coughlin used his charismatic speaking style to attract a loyal following that teetered on cult status.

Shaken To Its Core: Politics

Politics 

Americans have long sought alternatives to the two party system of government. With the economic system in shambles, and growingly distraught public, the political landscape of the Great Depression became ripe with such alternatives. Franklin Roosevelt faced no fewer than six third-party candidates in his first election in 1932. In that election alone, Norman Thomas of the American Socialist party garnered 2.23% of the popular vote. 1936 saw the Presidential pool increase to eight including the ill-fated “Share Our Wealth” party. It is a well documented fact that during times of economic hardships, people flock to groups specifically naming scapegoats or dynamically different systems to those that have failed. While only making small gains in national elections, third political parties grow in membership at the state levels throughout the Great Depression. Perhaps the most popular among third-parties were the German American Bund (or the American Nazi Party), and the Communist League of America which later became the Workers Party of the United States.

Series Launch: Shaken To Its Core

It goes without saying that Great Depression brought about a dramatic change in the American landscape. President Franklin Roosevelt pressed through Congress a series of strikingly liberal legislation know as the New Deal ushering into the American political culture the notion that the public’s welfare was in fact the government’s responsibility. Roosevelt intentionally used his soothing firesides chats, careful manipulation of the media and overtly personable wife as a proxy to create, at least on the surface, a culture of calm. Americans were encouraged to pray, stick together, and most importantly have faith in institutions of government. Yet, the Great Depression was a time wrought with political, spiritual, economic and cultural upheaval. The cocksuredness of the 1920’s was replaced by a radicalism never before seen and an overarching tension that could, and did, erupt into utter chaos. Radical political parties, firebrand personalities, and riots left only a thin veneer of a nation recovering through self reliance and determination. Over the next three posts, The History Podcast will highlight some of the lesser known elements of the Great Depression as we look at the rise of radical political parties, Father Charles Coughlin who Franklin Roosevelt is reportedly to have said to be “the most dangerous man in American” and the food riots that increasingly became common in American cities.

THe History Podcast #18 - The Deadliest day during the Iraq War and No One Knows

The History Podcast #18

Download Podcast -The Deadliest day during the Iraq War and No One Knows

This history podcast discusses the deadliest day during the war in Iraq. There is just one strange thing: hardly in one in America knows that it happened. Nearly one thousand people died in Baghdad on one day, but there is very little media information to explain the circumstances. Find out what happened and why you do not know about this day.

History Podcast #17 - James Otis Jr.

The History Podcast #17

Download Podcast - James Otis, Jr.


The History Podcast explains the beginning of the American Revolution. Most Americans are not aware of the person that ignited the revolution. Therefore, most Americans do not know that our country was started by a crazy person (I suppose the politically correct term would be mentally ill). James Otis Jr. got this whole crazy country started. It's time to know a little more about the guy.

The History Podcast #16 - Sneakers

The History Podcast #16

Download Podcast - Sneakers


In this History Podcast Mr. Lincoln gets a new pair of sneakers. We argue and debate whether sneaker fashion is a culture or a fad. Mr. Lincoln explains how sneakers became an important statement in the urban areas. Mr. Jackson thinks it's all stupid and loses it.

The History Podcast #15 - YouTube Comments, Anonymity, and Vigilantes

The History Podcast #15

Download Podcast - YouTube Comments

This History Podcast dives in to the world of YouTube comments. We debate freedom of speech and the changes being made at major websites. We also look at how China's Human Flesh Search Engine doesn't play games with idiots on the internet. In america, we will suffer a fool, but in China, good luck. The phrase translates differently - the internet knows you're a dog.

The History Podcast #14 - Netflix

The History Podcast #14

Download Podcast - Netflix

This history podcast explores the history of Netflix. Over the last 15 years many experts and consumers have written off Netflix, but here we are today with Netflix trading for over $350 a share. Netflix abandon their business model, cannibalized their loyal consumer base, and began creating their own content. They fought against a superior Blockbuster, changed pricing and plans, and pretty much did what THEY wanted. We were all so certain they would fail with each mistake, but we were wrong; the public usually is. Why has Netflix become so successful?

Book Review - Obama's War by Bob Woodward

When delving into anything written by Bob Woodward, one must give serious credence to his somewhat liberal bent. He is after all the slayer of the un-slayable Conservative Richard Nixon. He has been outspoken in his support of President Obama, and his policies. However, Woodward is still a top rate journalist and is, for the most part able to step off the slant and do his job well. This book is well researched and very well documented. Look not for any “Deep Throat” type sources, but Woodward does interview those that are pertinent to the story at all levels.

I read this book as the combat almost two full years after the last combat troops were pulled out of Iraq, and during the handover to NATO troops in Afghanistan, but the insight to those decisions could not be clearer. Throughout the book, Woodward documents the critical decisions making process taken by the administration, that at times was nearly paralyzed by turf wars and backbiting. 

Early into the book Woodward’s bias is first betrayed. In the first few chapters great pain is taken to describe the pitfalls of the Bush administration’s handling of the war, and the residue of those maneuvers on current events. As the book proceeds, it is easy to see a “us verse them” mentality between military and civilian leaders was very present and well established by the time President Obama takes office. The facts, as presented by Woodward, show the measures taken first by Candidate Obama, President-Elect Obama and finally President Obama to utilize the military. Those measures were soundly rebuffed on all fronts with few exceptions.

Movie Review: Game Change

I recently re-watched Game Change staring Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson. With more time on my hands, and a few more years away from the film, I cannot help but be glad the McCain/Palin ticket did not come out on top.

Those who would defend Palin would cite that she had just recently given birth, had a pregnant teen-age daughter, and a son shipping off to Iraq as distractions from the campaign. Those individually would cripple lesser people, but the hubris shown by Palin only compounded them. Most people understand politics to be a rough and tumble areana that is not for the faint of heart. All who enter the fray under even the best of circumstances are worn down. Palin was even warned about how hard it would be but she waved them off. Simply by denying how hard it would be was but the first of Palin's problems.

The History Podcast #13 - Dixie

The History Podcast #13

Download Podcast - Dixie


This history podcast dives into the history of the song "Dixie." We debate racism and whether the song is still appropriate today.