Leading By History

In this episode of Leading by History , we sit down with Dr. Mary Isibor , Nigerian historian and scholar, for a powerful conversation on African scholarship and the vital role of diasporic connection in reshaping global historical narratives. Dr. Isibor reflects on her early academic journey before guiding us into a broader discussion of African and African American intellectual traditions. Toget...

In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with the Shockoe Institute's President and CEO Marland Buckner. The Shockoe Institute is a national organization based in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to uncovering and understanding the lasting impact of racial slavery on the American experience. We discuss the Institute’s powerful mission, the challenges of truth-telling in public histo...

In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks with Regina Chaney of HOMEVA (Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc.). HOMEVA was born out of the necessity to enforce the Fair Housing Act. As long as discriminatory practices prevent access to housing, HOMEVA is there to protect the rights of all Virginians. They tackle systemically divisive housing practices through fair housing en...

In this fun and insightful episode, ending the recent series on Jewish history, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with inspirational speaker and Kosher rapper Zechariya Levine aka L'Chaim OG. They discuss practical Torah as a lifestyle, making Aliyah to Israel and how to pursue one's goals in spite of the odds. This inspiring episode will make you laugh as well as reflect on what's really importan...

In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul continues his dialogue with historian and colleague Dr. Adam Ewing about Marcus Garvey and Black Spirituality. Discussing Garvey's influence on religious movements in the Americas, the duo discuss their views of Garvey and the power of his movement to spark the flame of critical thinking about Blackness and spirituality.

In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul engages in a dialogue with historian and colleague Dr. Adam Ewing about Marcus Garvey and Black Spirituality. Discussing Garvey's influence on religious movements in the Americas, the duo discuss their views of Garvey and the power of his movement to spark the flame of critical thinking about Blackness and spirituality. This is just pa...

In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Michael Miller to discuss Jewish Mysticism and African Hebrew Israelite Theodicy. Are you interested in the seemingly elusive mysterious ideas of "inner Judaism"? From Kabbala to Zohar to Masonry, this long-awaited episode is set to provide great insight for the listener. Welcome back to LBH!

In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Micha Perry from the University of Haifa in Israel to discuss the Medieval world and the impact of literacy and writing on religious communities. Covering topics like Eldad the Danite, the Babylonian Talmud and the Book of Eli film, this episode is a nice teaser for the newly initiated into this area of history. Have you ever wondered...

In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Rachel McMillian to discuss her work in Black education and critical prison studies. In this dialogue they discuss their personal experiences with those in prison and address a broken criminal system of punishment that leads to recidivism and not progressive change. It is important to remember those who are trapped behind bars and to...

In this first episode of the season, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Lauren Henley at the University of Richmond to discuss the little known but highly interesting story of Sarah Rector. Dubbed "The Richest Black Girl in America", Rector's story is one of blessing, fear, courage and resilience. Rector was the daughter of Black farmers whose ancestors had been enslaved by the Creek tribe...

In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Michael Robison to discuss his book, " The Lost White Tribe ". In his text, Robinson traces the rise and fall of "the Hamitic Hypothesis." In addition to recounting Stanley's "discovery," Robinson shows how it influenced encounters with the Ainu in Japan; Vilhjalmur Stefansson's tribe of "blo...

In this episode of Leading By History Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a talk with author and mental health advocate Andrea "Drea" Williams in order to discuss suicide prevention. Drea is a survivor of multiple suicide attempts and has dedicated herself to the mission of helping and supporting those struggling with ideas of death and suicidal ideations. Drea is a firm believer that...

In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Ms. Jeannine Cook to discuss her journey from street vendor to brick n' mortar business woman and the power of literacy to transform a city. The conversation is engaging, insightful and inspiring. The Philadelphia Citizen rated Jeannine as one of the city’s most dynamic change-makers. If you want to hear a story...

In this episode, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Lucas Morel to discuss his persuasive work of intellectual history. Morel argues that the most important influence on Abraham Lincoln’s political thought and practice was what he learned from the leading figures of and documents from the birth of the United States. In this discussion Morel and Isra-Ul  discuss how Lincoln can be understo...

In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Battalora to discuss her research on the origins of racially-based hierarchies in America, starting with the first Virginia Colony. This is a DEEP DIVE into the origin of race in the American colonies and how "catch-all" terms were invented in order to separate and discriminate privilege access among residents...

In this long awaited episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a chat with Dr. Evyn Le Espiritu Gandhi. In this dialogue there is a discussion of Dr. Gandhi's book (read free here-> Archipelago of Resettlement Vietnamese Refugee Settlers and Decolonization across Guam and Israel-Palestine - PROMO 13W0801 in discount coupon when ordering from University of California Press...

In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks by phone with 52 Blocks Farisi (instructor) Daniel Marks. This is a rare interview as Farisi Marks does not regularly communicate with outside media about this art. Having its roots centuries old Africa, this indigenous warrior art was adapted for inner-city survival. Making its modern home in Brooklyn, New York, this form of fighti...

This is a brief introduction to our series on Indigenous Warrior Arts. In this series we will speak with three teachers and masters of their specific art and hear about how they started, their personal philosophies and how we, as the audience, can draw knowledge and understanding from their respective practices. You don't have to be a Bruce Lee fan to enjoy this! Let's get started!

In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Vince Bantu to discuss his research into ancient African Christian liturgical languages and his perspectives on Christianity for African Americans today. While LBH is not a religious podcast, this show seeks to transcend dogmatic religious views in favor of discovering a rich African religious culture steeped in some of...

In this discussion, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Christina Proenza-Coles to discuss the process and products of history and the development and defense of New World settlements by Black people who "undermined slavery, and championed freedom throughout the hemisphere". While conventional history tends to reduce the roles of African Americans to antebellum slavery and the civil rights move...

In this episode, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with astrophysicist Dr. Gibor Basri to discuss AstroPhysics, Religion and the Universe. The discussion is candid, intriguing and notable. From discussing the beginning of the universe and the creation of the moon to the Nation of Islam and the Dogon of Mali, this conversation is chock-full of interesting niche musings. It is the duty of every person t...

In this episode of Leading By History, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks with Hemp farmer and co-owner of Virginia Hemp Commodities. Bill speaks with Ma'asehyahu about his work with Hemp and explains the difference between this plant and the often confused Cannabis Sativa. From daily uses of Hemp fibers to medicinal properties in the plant, this conversation enlightens those looking to understand th...

In this long anticipated new season of LBH, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul kicks off the new season with Mo Peach from #WhatWeWatch to discuss the purpose and power of movie review and reflection. In the first half of the show they tackle heavy content like ethnocentrism and marginalization in film. In the second half of the show they show clips from their Top 4 favorite films while walking the audience thro...

In this final episode of Season 3, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul retraces the steps of season 3 and prepares the listener for SEASON 4! There has been a lot going on this year and we have been able to make history with some of our most recent episodes. Be sure to go back and listen to any episodes you missed by listening to the episode numbers and descriptions. We are excited for you and thank you for your...

In this episode of the Leading By History podcast, host Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks with public historian and Executive Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation - Christy Coleman. The discussion is centered in Living History and the complicated role that historical reenactments play in historical education. Should classroom simulations address the historical realities of slavery and racism or...