Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

Join me this week as I dive into another listener request: the history of the epic music festival, Woodstock. In the summer of 1969, four young men put on what came to be the most memorable music festival of a generation. For four days, thousands of young Americans enjoyed the performances of the artists that came to define sixties: Jefferson Airplane, Credence Clearwater Revival and Jimi Hendrix....

Join me this week as I dive into the history of the Freedom's Journal, the first black owned and operated newspaper in American history. Started by two free men in 1828, The Freedom Journal influenced a generation of writers, editors and artists by providing a platform for black voices. For the first time in history, their newspaper was nonpartisan and strove to provide both sides of an argum...

Welcome to episode 100 peeps! Join me this week as I chat with presidential history podcast host extraordinaire, Kenny Ryan, about John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams. Both men had strikingly similar careers and both go mostly unrecognized in popular culture, despite their immense contributions to history. Kenny Ryan is the host of Abridged Presidential Histories, a podcast dedicated to shari...

John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States, elected in a "corrupt bargain" when the House of Representatives voted him into office, despite Andrew Jackson winning both the popular and electoral votes. Adams' presidency was not one for the record books, but his diplomatic career was one for the ages. Join me this week as I dive into the life and career of John Qui...

Join me as I wrap up the life of Louisa Catherine Adams. In this episode, I explore her time overseas with her husband while he served as Minister to Russia and her efforts to get John Quincy Adams elected president. I also cover her time as First Lady, what her thoughts were about Adams' resurgence in the House of Representatives and her legacy. To view show notes and source material, please...

Often lost in the shadows of the family she married into, Louisa Catherine Adams had a life filled with trials and tribulations. She was the first foreign born First Lady and journeyed throughout Europe, first as a daughter of a wealthy merchant and then as the wife of famed diplomat and future president, John Quincy Adams. Join me as I start the story of the life of Louisa Adams. In this episode,...

Join me this week as I chat with author, historian and educator Dr. Rebecca DeWolf about her analysis of the early development of the Equal Rights Amendment.  Dr. DeWolf wrote about the fight of the ERA in her book, Gendered Citizenship, which was one of my favorite books of 2021. In this episode, we discuss how the right to vote for women via the 19th amendment created a sense of constitutional u...

Join me as I dive into another listener request! This week's topic comes thanks to long time listener Sam, who requested I dive into the history of the California Missions. Those of us who grew up in California likely remember learning about, and potentially even visiting, the Missions spread throughout the state. But what prompted their creation? Who lived in the Missions? And why do they co...

Women have exerted influence in American politics since the country's founding. Though initially through individual acts to bring attention to their cause, they eventually organized into unions and societies who commanded attention and effectuate change. Join me as I jump into the history of women in politics in the United States. For more information about show notes and source material, ple...

Joining me for a special discussion about one of my favorite periods in history, Dr. Einav Rabinovitch-Fox breaks down the Gilded Age in America and specifically how the period shaped the idea of women. If you've been enjoying the HBO series, The Gilded Age, you'll enjoy our conversation as we discuss the era, its impact on the role of women and how material culture impacted the period....

Baseball is often referred to as America's favorite pastime. Millions watch their favorite sports teams battle it out for position and, hopefully, a championship. But why aren't there more women in baseball? Join me this week as I dive into the history of women in baseball. For source material, transcripts and show notes, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the sh...

Happy Women's History Month! Join me this week as I interview historian and author Dr. Tanya Roth about her analysis of women in the United States history, Her Cold War. Roth weaved an engaging and informative story about how women's roles in the military evolved in a post World War II nation and how slowly but surely they worked towards providing an equitable place at the table. Several...

Join me this week as I wrap up the life of famed abolitionist and ex-slave, Frederick Douglass. In this episode, we pick up with Douglass venturing into national politics and announcing his support for women's suffrage. This episode also discusses how Douglass evolved in the aftermath of the Civil War and where he focused his attention once slavery was abolished. For show notes, source materi...

Abolitionist, author, newspaper editor. Frederick Douglass was many things in his 77 years and continues to be a powerful historic figure. Join me this week as I begin a dive into the life of one of the greatest and most respected fighters in history, Fredrick Douglass. You can see source material and show notes on the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the show

Religion has been intertwined in American history since its founding. There have been several religious revivals aimed at increasing church membership and devotion to God. The Second Great Awakening was one of the largest and most consequential religious movements in American history. It was during this movement that revivalism and social activism became part of the religious experience. Join me a...

One of the most forceful voices in the abolitionist movement came from the words of a free man named David Walker. While he may be overshadowed by the likes of Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, Walker left his mark on the push for ending slavery and pulled no punches in his rebuke of the white enslavers who used paternalistic verbiage in excusing their behavior. Walker's life was...

This week I am diving into the first listener request of 2022 - The Filibuster. A complicated and confusing piece of senate procedure, the filibuster has been in the news for the last few years as political pundits discuss why our current Congress seems unable to achieve any legislative progress. What exactly is the filibuster? How did it originate? Tune into this episode to find out. If you would...

The women behind the great men in history are often forgotten and overlooked. No one quite exemplifies this as much as Elizabeth Monroe, the wife of the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe. Join me this week as I discuss her life and her impact - and why her story isn't well known. You can find transcripts and source material on the website www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the s...

The last of the founding era presidents, James Monroe sometimes is seen as somehow less illustrious than his predecessors. However, the fifth president of the United States oversaw a key transition in the country and undoubtedly left his mark on the country. Join me this week as I dive into the presidency of James Monroe. For transcripts, source material and information about supporting the show,...

This week I am finishing up the life of Sojourner Truth. As the country prepared for Civil War, Truth continued in her mission of preaching and advocating for what she believed was right. She became a national figure and was able to meet with several sitting presidents. Truth became a national symbol of abolition, women's suffrage and the ills of slavery. However she was committed to ensuring...

Happy 2022! I wanted to start the year off by sharing the story of a strong woman from history. Born a slave in New York in 1797, Sojourner Truth lived what seems like ten lifetimes. From self emancipation to suing to rectify wrongs, Truth was a woman strong in her convictions and dedicated to her faith. So this week I am starting the life and times of Sojourner Truth. For source material or infor...

Happy Holidays Peeps! Join me this week as I dive into the history of the Christmas in America. From the Candy Cane to the Ugly Sweater, America has plenty of odd and interesting traditions during the holiday season, but where in the heck did they all come from? Tune in and find out! I also took some time in the episode to send love to some of my favorite shows - I hope you check them out. Show no...

Let me just say - I love when you peeps give me topics to dive into! The Battle of the Alamo; likely one of the most iconic events in United States History. Filled with stories of patriotic duty, heroism and fighting against tyranny. Most people know about the thirteen day siege, however there is much more than meets the eye. Grab your cup of coffee and sit back as I chat about The Alamo. Thanks a...

Immigration policy in the United States is a hotly debated and discussed topic. However, as the country who proudly professes to be a nation of immigrants, just how did U.S. Immigration policy develop? This week, I start discussing the evolution go immigration policy in the United States with the passage and impact of the Steerage Act of 1819. For show notes or to request a topic visit www.civicsa...

As the United States continued to be dedicated to expanding its borders and territory, many indigenous and escaped enslaved individuals sought refuge in the Spanish held territory of Florida. Uncomfortable with the alliances made and desperate to attain the landmass to the south, the United States began a dedicated campaign to destroy indigenous settlements and led the Spanish to relinquish their...