Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

Tune in as I go into the history of the first woman in America to earn a living as a writer - one Hannah Adams. Curious and dedicated to learning from a young age, Hannah Adams broke many molds for her time - including remaining single and child-free. She worked tirelessly in producing quality surveys on both history and religion, being the first to provide unbiased accounts of various religious s...

I am back with the second half of the Holmes saga. Join me in this episode as I track Holmes as he goes on the run from his creditors in Chicago, marries yet another woman and commits the murder that would prove his downfall - that of Benjamin Pitezel. Show notes and more information about the show can be found on the website www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the show

This episode comes to you per the request of a longtime fan of the show. I briefly mentioned HH Holmes while covering the history of the World's Fair and one of you asked for a deeper dive on the notorious serial killer. This week starts us off on Holmes' background and his first suspected murders. Come back next week as I wrap up his story and share a little about how he became so infam...

Tune in this week as I discuss the first murder trial in United States history with a full written record - People v. Levi Weeks. Charged with the murder of young Quaker Elma Sands, Levi was defended by the best legal minds in New York: Henry Livingston and political enemies Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. The Manhattan Well Murder, as it is sometimes known, is the first in history to have a pu...

Tune in this week as I discuss some of the early treatment methods and individuals responsible for aiding those living in early America. From Barber Surgeons to Medicine Men, bloodletting to snake oil, getting sick in the nineteenth century was no laughing matter. Prepare yourself for this one - it's a bit gross. For show notes, please visit the website www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the sho...

Join me this week as I dive into the first domestic rebellion faced by the new government. It all started in January 1791 when Congress passed an excise tax on grain alcohol meant to raise revenue to pay off national debts. It culminated in the deployment of 13,000 troops led by the Commander in Chief himself - George Washington. For show notes, please visit www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the sho...

This week's episode comes at you via request from listener Peter. He asked that I do a show all about the history of the death penalty in the U.S. And boy is it a dark - and gruesome - affair. Tune in as I talk about the various methods, how it has evolved and what the Supreme Court has had to say about the matter. For show notes and source material, please see www.civicsandcoffee.com Support...

This week I wrap up the Washington focused episodes by diving into the first presidency of the United States. While the election of George Washington was hardly a surprise, his interpretation of what it meant to be president left an undeniable mark on the institution. There is so much to cover about the man and the myth, so I focused this episode on some of the incredible firsts he achieved and tr...

This week I am diving into the story of the enslaved woman who managed a daring escape from the president's household - Ona Marie Judge Staines. Listen in as I talk about her life, what prompted her escape and how she managed to seek a life of freedom, despite the odds. As always, show notes can be found on the website www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the show

Tune in as I continue my month of Washington based shows.  In this week's episode, I am talking all about our first First Lady, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. We all know her as the first of the firsts, but there is so much more to her story. From outliving all of her children and her two husbands, to her time spent on the fields of battle during the American Revolution, Martha was one i...

Tune in this week as I start on the journey that is the life of Washington. As I mention in the episode, the first president has made several appearances on prior episodes and I think they're worth listening to in preparation to the closing chapter of Washington. Take a listen to the following episodes: Episode 7: First Comes War... Episode 19: The Culper Spy Ring, Part 1 Episode 20: The Culp...

Closing out Women's History Month with a bang ! Tune in as I discuss the infamous Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is known by many as the Notorious RBG, but Ginsburg life is an example of never giving up on your dreams and always fighting for what you believe.   Check out www.civicsandcoffee.com for show notes, source material and how you can support the shot!  Support the show

This week, I am diving into the first of what is known as the U.S / Indian Wars. Looking to protect their land from American settlers, the tribal nations of the Northwest Territory banned together to attempt negotiations with the new United States government. However, the U.S was interested only in further expanding their borders. The result? A series of skirmishes that took place over a decade. L...

Welcome to another bonus round of Civics & Coffee. This week's Wonder Woman Wednesday is dedicated to the activist, academic and infamous FBI Most Wanted, Angela Davis. From her youth trying to survive living in a place known as Dynamite Hill in Alabama to her acquittal of attempted murder in 1972, Davis has lived in an intense life! Come listen as I dive into Dr. Angela Yvonne Davis. For...

This week I dive into the creation and ratification of the Bill of Rights. Did you know that when the Bill of Rights were originally ratified they were only meant to cover federal crimes and limit the federal governments authority? Tune in this week as I explain the history of the document and how it got expanded to state law. For show notes, please check www.civicsandcoffee.com Support the show

Welcome to another bonus episode! This Wonder Woman Wednesday is in tribute to the famed author, essayist and anthropologist, Zora Neale Hurston. Listen in as I discuss her life and legacy and her contributions to American history. Check out my website www.civicsandcoffee.com for show notes and information about how you can support the pod!  Support the show

We have spent a lot of time going over the run up to the constitution and what exactly took place to make the document a whole. And while the gentlemen present at the Constitutional Convention were proud of their achievement, they still had to get the people to agree. And so the real battle began! Listen this week as I talk about the various ratifying conventions and how two opposing sides each ma...

Another bonus episode in celebration of Women's History Month. This week I am diving into the life and presidential run of Shirley Chisholm. Born in Brooklyn during the Great Depression, Shirley would buck convention over and over as she broke barriers and championed women's rights. And while she came back into the conversation during Kamala Harris' presidential run, there is so muc...

I asked - you answered! This week is all about famed scientist, statesmen and printer Benjamin Franklin. Listen to learn all about the amazing accomplishments and achievements this one founding father crammed into his 84 years. From running a newspaper to founding the University of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin can be seen and felt to this day. Sources Used This Episode: Why Is Benjamin Franklin...

Welcome to another bonus episode! This month I am celebrating women and their accomplishments throughout history. All topics showcased on Wednesdays this month are suggestions from you, my listeners! This week I am talking about the history and impact women have made in the field of technology - primarily computers and programming. Did you know that women computers date back to the 1800's? Tu...

This week I am taking a momentary break from covering all the happenings surrounding the constitution and covering a trail blazer: artist, icon and all around bad ass woman, Frida Kahlo. Though this is a United States history focused podcast, Frida made her mark on the United States - and the U.S on her. Some of her most infamous artwork was painted during her time in the United States including H...

This week is all about the document that started it all - the United States Constitution. As much as it is cited in discussions across the country, very few know what it actually says and what powers are stipulated. Come hang with me in a longer episode as I go over the Constitution and cover all seven articles, section by section. Sources Used This Episode:  Article III and the Courts, Judicial L...

This week I am talking all about the debates and compromises that went into writing the Constitution. From James Madison's Virginia Plan to the Three-Fifths Compromise, tune in this week as I dive into how the framers were able to produce a new form of representative government never before seen. Sources In This Episode: The Virgnia Plan, U.S Senate. ( LINK ) These Truths by Jill Lepore Build...

The Articles of Confederation were flawed and in need of a massive rewrite, however support for such an idea was severely lacking. In the newly established country's mind, the tacit partnership agreement found within the articles was the perfect balance of sovereignty and unity. So how did fifty-five delegates manage to get together in Philadelphia over the summer of 1787 and create a brand n...

Very little is known about the first black inventor, scientist and part time surveyor, Benjamin Banneker. However, what is known is infinitely fascinating. This week, I discuss the life of Benjamin Banneker. From growing up on a tobacco farm in Maryland, to partaking in the survey of the newly established capital city, Banneker defied expectations and was one of the first Black Americans to publis...