History Told Forward: The Stories That Shape Who We Are

Why do so many Americans struggle to understand how their government actually works? In this episode of History Told Forward , host Donald Dunn sits down with Marine Corps veteran and civic educator Carl Abel, founder of Crayon Box Politics , to discuss the real issue behind America’s political divide: civic confusion. After two decades in the United States Marine Corps, Carl Abel began questionin...

What really happens when a government insider decides to speak out? In this episode of History Told Forward , former CIA officer John Kiriakou shares the story that reshaped his life and ignited a global debate. After spending 15 years inside the Central Intelligence Agency as a Middle East analyst and counterterrorism operative, Kiriakou became the first U.S. official to publicly confirm the CIA’...

What do New Yorkers really think about Andrew Cuomo, politics, and the culture surrounding power and accountability? In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Sara Alessandrini , creator of the documentary miniseries This Is What New Yorkers Say , to unpack the real conversations happening on the streets of New York. Filmed over five years, her project captures unfiltered public opinion during a...

Tracy Smith takes us on an adventurous journey of self-discovery in this episode, highlighting how she found her identity by getting lost—literally and metaphorically. At 49, she booked a one-way ticket to Iceland, realizing that the life she had built no longer resonated with her. This leap of faith sparked her memoir, *The Purpose of Getting Lost*, which emphasizes that you don’t truly find your...

The discourse presented in this podcast meticulously examines the myriad complexities surrounding socialism, with a particular focus on its inherent failures. I engage in a profound dialogue with our esteemed guest, Doug Cardell, an expert in economic policy, who elucidates the fundamental reasons socialism often falters in practice, despite its theoretical allure. Drawing upon extensive research...

What if the thing blocking your book isn’t craft, time, or talent—but identity? In this episode of Authors After Action , bestselling author and transformational coach Nina Amir reveals why most writers fail long before page one—and how inner alignment is the real publishing advantage. Nina shares her journey from childhood horse stories to magazine journalism, book editing, and ultimately walking...

This podcast episode delves into the profound narrative captured within Jack Maher bestselling novel, "Poppy," which illuminates a neglected facet of Colorado's history, specifically focusing on Native American art. The narrative revolves around Jack’s grandfather, Eric Douglas, a pivotal figure who championed Native American artists and their creations, undertaking extensive journeys across the S...

In this episode of The Healing Side , we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories , deep conversations , and the evolving human experience of growth and healing. We sit down with Len May—genetics pioneer, CEO of EndoDNA, and human optimization advocate—whose personal journey began with an ADHD diagnosis and evolved into redefining what potential truly means. L...

In this episode of History Told Forward , we deliver a powerful storytelling podcast experience rooted in real life stories , deep conversations , and the living memory of the human experience . We sit down with author and podcast creator Laura Van Wormer to explore what it was truly like to grow up in America during the early nineteen seventies—a time before cell phones, before seatbelts, before...

History Told Forward is a conversational podcast that explores history through storytelling and reflection. Each episode features authors, historians, educators, and storytellers discussing moments from the past and why they continue to matter today. Rather than focusing on dates and memorization, the show centers on people, decisions, and the lasting impact of historical events. Episodes are audi...