Historical Diversions

History Over Drinks: Episode 13. Dr. Angela Cooper is the Lead Interpreter at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic site. For her it was a dream job that became a reality! In this episode we detail how she became fascinated by Cahokia, how she became an archeologist, studying the Mississippians and Hopewell, and how she became the Lead Interpreter at the Cahokia site! We also discuss the misconception...

Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum is synonymous with legitimate Sasquatch research, but there is much more to his story. In this episode, he details how his interest in Bigfoot began at a young age, how it dovetails into human evolution, how he determines hoaxes vs the genuine article, and how he combats confirmation bias. He also details controversies throughout his career in academia, how he compares teaching...

Craig John was a quartermaster on board the USS John S. McCain from 1993 to 1997, even being part of its commissioning! He details his journey into the Navy, being part of the navigation crew on a destroyer, traveling the world, his life post-service, and much more! Examples of his work as a Principal Architect can be found through Baker Associates, at www.bakermn.com/

Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, but more recently he was a former candidate for Burnsville City Council. In this episode, he tells us about how he became active in local government by serving on the Burnsville Economic and Development Commission, and chairing the Planning Commission in Burnsville. We then discuss his 2022 City Council campaign (and how he enjoyed it),...

Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, and he has fascinating stories to tell. In this episode he details his deployment in 1993-1997 on board the USS Nimitz. He discusses the fallout of the Gulf War, and how the US wasn’t done with Iraq after 1991. What was life on an aircraft carrier like? He tells us all about it! He discusses promotions, living in close quarters, serving...

Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, and he has fascinating stories to tell. We talk with Chris about why he joined the navy during high school, what naval basic training is really like, having a twin brother in the same service (no really!), being literally flat footed, being assigned to the USS Nimitz, and much more! Chris John is also running for Burnsville City Council...

The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it. In this episode he discusses his journey after he “left” Maplewood Mall. We cover his marketing work at By Design, Jumpin Jax, and his own companies: Carver Marketing Concepts and Soletrex. He then comes full circle by picking up his trum...

The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it. In this episode he discusses his typical days (there weren’t any!), a bomb scare, keeping cool while implementing plans on tight timelines, his brief tenure as Marketing Director at Rosedale Mall, and his award winning Friday Family Fun N...

The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it. Jeff Carver was the marketing director for Maplewood Mall in suburban Minnesota from the mid-1980s to mid- 1990s. This was a far cry from his work today as a professional trumpet player! In this episode he discusses his journey from award...

Now we’ve concluded our series on Cahokia, but there’s still more to tell. In this epilogue episode your host discusses the recording process, his adventures to Cahokia and other mound sites, trespassing on private property (?!), the controversies regarding displays of human remains, and even a little astronomy thrown in for good measure. He was also moved greatly by an exhibition at Dickson Mound...

Cahokia is the largest North American city you’ve never heard of. And its builders, the Mississippians, who were they anyway? In Part 2, your host discusses Cahokia’s magnificent woodhenges, the extensive stockade, and the fascinating, yet grisly, Mound 72. In addition, the causes of Cahokia’s fall from grace, 20th century archeology, and what Cahokia’s legacy is today is explored!

Cahokia is the largest North American city you’ve never heard of. And its builders, the Mississippians, who were they anyway? In Part 1, your host discusses the rise of the Mississippians from the cultures that came before, the ascent of Cahokia from a large village into a city with no equal, the stupendous Monk’s Mound, and much more!

In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Jonathon Fury. He is an Iraq war veteran, and old friend of your host. In Part 2, we continue the discussion of life on a military base in Iraq, his mental health struggles coming back to the US after deployment, and his Sports Nerd Podcast! Check out the Sports Nerd Podcast on your favorite podcast app!

In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Jonathon Fury. He is an Iraq war veteran, and old friend of your host. In Part 1, we discuss how he joined the Minnesota National Guard and how the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks changed the world, the ins and outs of military life, and what it was like to serve in the other end of the planet.  Check out the Sports Nerd Podcas...

In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Dr. Ed Barnhart. He is an educator and archeologist with decades of experience in the field. He is also the host of the popular ArchaeoEd podcast. In Part 2, we discuss the conflict between the Maya and the Aztecs pre-European contact, ancient alien theories, archeology education, and his upcoming projects. Please support h...

In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Dr. Ed Barnhart. He is an educator and archeologist with decades of experience in the field. He is also the host of the popular ArchaeoEd podcast. In Part 1, we discuss his journey into archeology, delving into the Mississippians and Cahokia, as well as the Maya. Please support him and his work by checking out the ArchaeoEd...

Who is your host? Why does he want to do this? He takes a long time to do the stuff he wants to do. Why is that?

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