Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage

Author and historian Dr. Kathyrn E. Braund joins the team at the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in Auburn, Alabama, to discuss her illustrious career and her research. Braund has spent her life studying Creek Indian history, the Creek War of 1812-14, and gender roles within the Creek Nation. Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wi...

On this week's episode of Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage, Rebecca Todd Minder and Susan Reynolds hit the road to visit with historian Cartledge W. Blackwell III to learn more about Mobile's fascinating history with Carnival season. Blackwell is the curator for the Mobile Carnival Museum and serves on the Friends of Alabama Heritage Board of Directors. Brimming with expertis...

In this episode of  Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage , we sit down with Dr. Matthew Downs—historian, editor of  The Alabama Review , and current president of the Alabama Historical Association. Downs shares his passion for uncovering Alabama's past, from the vibrant history of Mobile to the complexities of Prohibition-era Birmingham. We also chat about his new leadership role...

Alabama Heritage magazine's editor, Susan Reynolds, sits down with Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage to discuss the latest issue of the magazine.  The Summer 2025 Issue highlights the artistry of quilter Yvonne Wells, the story of Big Sam Dale, women's suffrage in LaFayette, Alabama, and reforestation efforts in the Tennessee River Valley during the mid-1900s.  Coffee & Histor...

Bert Hitchcock, a respected author and historian in Alabama, joins the Coffee & History team in Auburn to discuss his literary career, what it means to be a Southern Gentleman, and the lore of Marengo Jake.  Hitchcock is the professor emeritus of the English Department at Auburn University. Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the P...

On this week's episode of Coffee & History, we sit down with Hiztorical Vision Productions' founder Theo Moore II to discuss his role in sharing Black history within the community, the founding of his nonprofit, and why Alabama's Black History Matters.  In honor of Juneteenth, Alabama Heritage invites you to learn more about our state's Black history by visiting alabamaheritage.com for exclusive #...

Jim Baggett, author and former archivist with the Birmingham Public Library, talks about the legacy of Birmingham's madam Louise Wooster, politician Bull Connor, and the mysterious black bears in Mentone. Baggett's most recent article, Birmingham's Milk Wars , is in Issue 156 of Alabama Heritage magazine. Brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.  Subscribe to Alabama...

Dr. Dianne Bragg joins the Coffee & History team to share her passion for teaching history to college students, the lasting impact of her neighbor, Mrs. Brannon, and her day-to-day life. Bragg is an associate professor of journalism and creative media at the University of Alabama. Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Cree...

Mike Bunn, director of the Historic Blakeley State Park, joins  Coffee & History at the annual Alabama Historical Association's meeting in Opelika, Alabama. Bunn, who is quickly becoming the most prolific writer for Alabama Heritage, shares his tales of understanding the Mississippi Delta and its impact on the state, as well as other memories of his journeys.  Coffee & History: A Conversation with...

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage catches up with Maiben Beard at the 2025 Alabama Historical Association's annual meeting. Maiben details her journey into the historical community, what it's like to be the secretary for the Alabama Historical Association, and her committment to preserving Alabama's history. Maiben has been with Auburn University's Caroline Marshall Draughon C...

This week on Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage, we sit down with former Alabama Historical Association President Ben Severance to discuss the short-lived Know-Nothing Party, his service to our country, and his claim to fame with the hit TV show "Severance." Severance is a professor of history at Auburn University at Montgomery. This episode was recorded at the Alabama Historic...

Dr. Marty Olliff is the voice behind the Alabama History Podcast . For more than a decade he has been sharing Alabama's history, talking with historians and archivists, and even hosted our director, Rebecca Todd Minder. Olliff's podcast was part of the inspiration for Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage . Olliff is a professor at Troy University. He has written several articles...

Alabama Heritage sits down with UAPD Officer Marshall Wade and K-9 Kenny, who are making history in the newly formed Community-Oriented Policing Division. Kenny creates opportunities for UAPD officers to build relationships and foster trust among the students at the University of Alabama. This program is one of just a handful in the country, with UA expanding the initiative in the coming years. Br...

Editor Susan Reynolds and Marketing Manager Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie chat about the Spring 2025 issue of Alabama Heritage magazine. This minisode highlights the stories of Alabama that educate, inspire, and entertain. To order a copy of this edition of Alabama Heritage or to subscribe, visit AlabamaHeritage.com. Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Cree...

Avery Leopard, manager of the Tuscaloosa-based independent bookstore Ernest & Hadley Booksellers, talks about the community difference with a smaller bookstore, author events, and book clubs with Alabama Heritage . Leopard is helping build a community bookstore where local residents help select books for the shelf. Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Cr...

Sharony Green, a professor of history at the University of Alabama joins Alabama Heritage to discuss her illustrious career, her passion for art, Zora Neale Hurston, and teaching public history. Green, a member of the Friends of Alabama Heritage board, shines a light into Alabama's history and its influences on modern day. Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by...

Wayne Fl y nt meets with Alabama Heritage to discuss his southern upbringing , his pivotal time at Howard College, and how his views on class, religion, and race have shaped his love for Southern culture . Fl y nt is an acclaimed and award-winning historian of Southern politics and religion, and in this episode, he takes listeners on a journey through his personal Southern identity and experiences...

Laura Newland Hill joins Alabama Heritage to discuss all things Alabama League of Women Voters, Saxon the suffragist's mascot, her work at the Encyclopedia of Alabama, and the travels of her stuffed friend, Willadean. Hill is the communications manager for Encyclopedia of Alabama, an avid contributing writer to Alabama Heritage magazine, and is an active member of the Alabama Historical Associatio...

Editor Susan Reynolds and Director Rebecca Minder discuss the features found in the Winter 2025 Issue 155. To order a copy of this edition of  Alabama Heritage  or to subscribe, visit AlabamaHeritage.com. Coffee & History: A Conversation with  Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

Scotty E. Kirkland, an award-winning writer and historian, joins Alabama Heritage to discuss all things John L. LeFlore, his work at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, and the historical markers project he has been spearheading. Kirkland also talks about being Alabama Heritage 's most prolific contributing writer and what it means to be a part of Alabama's history.   Coffee & History:...

In our inaugural episode, get to know the voices behind the microphone. Rebecca, Susan, and Caroline share fun facts, details, and more about the state of Alabama.