

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
Bruce Carlson
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 19, 2024 • 59min
ARK OF COMMERCE: BLACK MONDAY
What's the stock market crash of 1987 got to do with the price of eggs/ Plenty, in a historical context. We look at the infamous crash of 1987 and how the computers did not save us. Nor did insurance which has a lot do with eggs, and eggs have a lot do with feeding Americans and making Americans a little money, and they have a lot do with needing markets - and sophisticated markets - so we'll talk about that.Those who listened to this series in 2019 may notice that I am changing the order. With time, i've found placing the two stock market crashes together works. In the fourth episode of the revised order, we'll get to the next day of the crash - Terrible Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 36min
THE "ARK" OF COMMERCE - CRASH PARTY 1929
We are replaying our series on American business history with an eye to its inseparable effect on politics. 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

Dec 15, 2024 • 59min
VALLEY FORGE: MYTH AND REALITY - Interview with Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
Valley Forge Myth and Reality - Interview with Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, Authors of Valley Forge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 2, 2024 • 45min
JIMMY CARTER EPHEMERA
Random, yet relevant stories about Jimmy Carter as a candidate, a governor and President Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 2, 2024 • 32min
THEY WILL JUBILATE! - WHAT IT WAS LIKE AFTER CLEVELAND'S SECOND NON-CONSECUTIVE ELECTION, NOV 1892.
Viewing newspapers from November, 1892 we get a sense of what was being said the last time a former president came back and the "ex" was switched from the former President to the current President. From parades to sour notes and recriminations, from stories of how the election was lost, to predictions that it would be a quick 4 years for the winner, to lots of post-election sniping over tariff policy, we find some notes of today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 29, 2024 • 24min
The Forgotten Forage War of 1777: Realities of the Revolution
Did New Jersey Save the Revolutionary Cause? Maybe. Amid a sea of troubles, irregular units fight off the British and make their stay in New Jersey less than hospitable. A bit about George Washington's offensive campaign to be sure that the new nation would not be garrisoned. And it happened in New Jersey (we should be clear with a large contingent of soldiers from all across the Eastern Seaboard).
Sponsored by:
The University of Aberdeen:
https://on.abdn.ac.uk/online-history-courses/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 26, 2024 • 41min
I WAS BORN IN 1869: GENERATIONS IN POLITICS
What was it like to be born in 1869?
A generation defined by a technology that shook off the yoke of their parent's Civil War and took on the world, and took over the country by the turn of the century. This cast, which was previously recorded. It is as he reveals, Bruce's own favorite cast that he recorded in the show's 12-year history. Music from Lee Rosevere and KieLoKaz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 10, 2024 • 32min
WHAT I SAID BACK IN 2016 ABOUT THAT ELECTION: SEEMS SUPRISINGLY RELEVANT?
A reflective re-listen to Bruce’s 2016 take on that presidential result and why it still matters. He digs into overlooked 2008 details and the history of popular-vote losers. State-by-state geography, Maine’s split vote, and Lichtman’s prediction model get clear breakdowns. He also discusses polling framing, immediate presidential actions, and strategic dilemmas for the opposing party.

Oct 31, 2024 • 21min
HISTORY OF SHUTDOWNS (from 2013)
Lyndon Johnson wouldn't have been familiar with a shutdown. Grant might have, but it didn't work out the way modern ones do during his time. No, all that we've been experiencing comes down to an obscure ruling from the 1970s, and quickly put in action in 1981. Most hoped it wouldn't be seen again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 27, 2024 • 1h 21min
THE MYSTERY OF IMPEACHMENT - HOW IT WORKS, WHAT HAPPENED in 1868 AND MORE
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


