BEEF with Bridget Todd

This week on Beef, 19nth century British Prime Ministers William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli battle over policy and progress. Pick up a copy of Prof. Richard Toye's new book ⁠The Churchill Myths. Hosted by ⁠Bridget Todd⁠ Written by James "Sam" Levine Editing, Sound Design & Showrunning by Pete Musto Created by Executive Producer Jeremiah Tittle Find out more about all of Next Chapter Podcasts'...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Adrián Duston-Muñoz chats with retired Air Force General Pete Worden about the rough road of innovation, the importance of never compromising your principles, and the search of intelligent life beyond our world. Dr. S. “Pete” Worden, (Brig Gen, USAF, Ret, PhD) is Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘B...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Max Wolfson interviews cultural historian Evan Lovett about the beautiful diversity of Los Angeles, the problems inherent in its growth into metropolis, and price of greatness. Evan Lovett is a former staff writer for the LA Times and the creator of the show “LA In A Minute,” dedicated to presenting the history and culture of Los Angeles' neighborhoods,...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Adrián Duston-Muñoz interviews his father, physicist Dr. Dwight Duston, about the internal politicals of government agencies, the future of space exploration and innovation's desperate need for rulebreakers. Dr. Dwight Duston has pursued a diversified 35-year professional career as a research scientist, technology manager, university professor, inventor...

Futuristic technology and feuding federal agencies.  This week on Beef, NASA and the U.S Defense Department’s Ballistic Missile Defense Organization fight over the future of space exploration. Check out General Pete Worden's Breakthrough Initiatives Hosted by ⁠⁠Bridget Todd⁠⁠ Written by Adrián Duston-Muñoz Showrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete Musto Produced by James "Sam" Levine Created by...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Dr. Richard Abels travels back the late Medieval period with European religious history scholar Dr. Cecilia Gaposchkin to discuss the structure of the Catholic Church at the time, the legitmacy of power, and egos so big they change the world. Dr. Cecilia Gaposchkin received her Ph. D. from Berkeley in 2001. She works on late medieval cultural history, a...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Max Wolfson dives in the deep end with water expert Dr. Brent Haddad to explore the exploitation of our natural resources, Southern California's shifting relationship to its drinking water, and the possible innovations in resource management that the future may hold. Dr. Brent Haddad has over 20 years of experience in the field of water and wastewater....

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Max Wolfson talks with former professional basketball player turned color commentator Len Elmore about the history of the sport, the changes to it over time, and the what it takes to have an impact long after your career has come to an end. Len Elmore was a center and power forward in the NBA and ABA from 1974 to 1984, playing for such teams as the Indi...

In our latest piece of bonus content, showrunner Pete Musto chats with psychology professor Richard Wiseman about the nature of belief, the mechanics of deception, and the staying power of alternative religious views. Richard Wiseman is a professor of psychology with a PhD from the University of Edinburgh who has written numerous books on the subject. As a young man he performed as street magician...

From the creator of social media mainstay L.A. In a Minute, Evan Lovett invites you along for a personal and intimate ride as he shares interesting facts about all sorts of things you didn’t know you needed to know. Be entertained and informed as Evan brings you into his mind to see the world through his lens. There is history everywhere, as long as you know where to look. Let's get into it! In th...

A group of rural farmers versus a growing city. This week on Beef, the growing metropolis that is 1920s Los Angeles wages war on California’s peacefully bucolic Owens Valley over its most precious resource: water Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bridget Todd⁠⁠⁠⁠Written by Max WolfsonShowrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete MustoProduced by James "Sam" LevineCreated by Executive Producer Jeremiah TittleFind out mo...

Shakespeare’s tragedy about an unwelcome outsider who uses his genius to destroy his enemies before they destroy him. Translated into modern English verse by Migdalia Cruz and set in San Francisco at the height of the Latin Punk movement, directed by Lisa Rothe with original music composition and Sound Design by David Molina and Lindsay Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

On April 28, 1192 the newly elected king of Jerusalem Conrad of Montferrat was assassinated in the streets of the city of Tyre by two Assassins, the name by which the Crusaders knew the Nizari Isma'ili Shi'a sect in Syria.  The killers had acted in obedience to the leader of the Assassins, the Old Man of the Mountain Rashid al-Din Sinan.  That much is known.  On whose behalf the Old Man of the Mou...

Solid face slaps and the separation of Church and State. This week on Beef, the infamous Pope Boniface VIII and France’s King Philip the Fair face off for ultimate power in this world and the hereafter. Follow Dr. Cecilia Gaposchkin's research here! Hosted by ⁠⁠Bridget Todd⁠⁠ Written by Dr. Richard Abels Showrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete Musto Produced by James "Sam" Levine Created by Ex...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Adrián Duston-Muñoz interviews science & technology journalist Jesse Hicks about the early days of chemistry, modern ideas of intellectual property, and the morality behind the things we put in our bodies. Jesse Hicks is a long-time writer and editor who typically focuses on science, healthy, technology, and politics, having published in Vice, Men's Hea...

Dietary alternatives and dubious morals. This week on Beef, chemistry pioneers Ira Remsen and Constantin Fahlberg turn a lab accident into a supposedly safer sugar substitute. Check out Jesse Hicks' writing on his website! Hosted by ⁠Bridget Todd⁠ Written by Adrián Duston-Muñoz Showrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete Musto Produced by James "Sam" Levine Created by Executive Producer Jeremiah T...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Max Wolfson chops it up with comedian Talib Babb about NBA conspiracies, the importance of basketball's pioneers, and the never-ending GOAT conversation. Talib Babb is a Brooklyn-based stand-up comedian, actor, producer and writer for ESPN Creative Works, who's also written for The New Yorker and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Learn more about your...

Basketball innovators and bosom buddies turned enemies. This week on Beef, early NBA superstars Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain bring the ruckus on and off court, changing rules, breaking records and challenging the culture. Learn more about Len Emore's fascinating career from the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. Follow Talib Babb's comedy and writing on Instagram. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠B...

In our latest piece of bonus content, we want to introduce you to recent guest Alex Keledjian's podcast How I Got Greenlit. Season 4 of show launches on YouTube on Thursday, August 21! Alex Keledjian Alex Keledjian is the creator of Project Greenlight, a documentary television series where executive producers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck gave first-time filmmakers a chance to direct their first feat...

Viking ancestors and various forms of preserved fish. This week on Beef, the Nordic nations of Denmark and Sweden share a  centuries-long love-hate relationship involving meatballs, soccer, and a swimming moose. Check out our Danish listener Janni's beautiful artwork on her website! Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bridget Todd⁠⁠⁠⁠ Written by Rebecka Green Showrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete Musto Produced b...

In our latest piece of bonus content, writer Max Wolfson chats with writer-director Alex Keledjian about the sanitization of Hollywood, the volatile nature of creatives, and the loyalty a filmmaker must show to their art. Writer, director, producer Alex Keledjian is the creator of HBO & Bravo's hit indie filmmaking reality TV show Project Greenlight. Alex wrote and directed the 2018 thriller High...

Furious Germans and filmmaking fanaticism. This week on Beef, iconic director Werner Herzog and his unhinged leading man Klaus Kinski go toe-to-toe over the course of five films, creating breathtaking art along the way. Listen to Alex Keledjian's insightful and informative movie-making podcast ⁠How I Got Greenlit⁠ and watch his film ⁠High Voltage⁠. Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠Bridget Todd⁠⁠⁠ Written by Max Wolfs...

In our latest piece of bonus content, showrunner Pete Musto sits down with celebrated stage illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer to discuss performance magic versus charlatanism, the nature of deceit and the power of Harry Houdini's presence. The London Telegraph called Jim Steinmeyer “Broadway’s greatest stage illusionist,” and he’s served as a magic consultant for such legendary acts as Siegfried an...

Paranormal forces and petty grudges. This week on Beef, history’s most famous magician Harry Houdini turns grief into fuel for getting even with the dubious 19th and early 20th century Spiritualist movement, in the conclusion to his obsessive crusade. Learn more about Jim Steinmeyer's incredible career and one-of-kind design work ⁠at his website⁠. And order a copy of Prof. Richard Wiseman's book ⁠...

Magic and mysticism. Spirits and skeptics. This week on Beef, legendary illusionist and escapologist Harry Houdini pulls back the curtain on the psuedo-scientific, semi-religious Spiritualist movement of the 19th century. Learn more about Jim Steinmeyer's incredible career and one-of-kind design work at his website. And order a copy of Prof. Richard Wiseman's book Paranormality: Why We See What Is...