Bruce Carlson

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

History EN ↓ 347 episodes

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates.  "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

Author

Bruce Carlson

Category

History

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

THE ARK OF COMMERCE: SHOPPING WITH MRS. LINCOLN 06.01.2025

The history of American retail, from Mrs. Lincoln's shopping trips and the innovator who accommodated her, to the price salvationists and tea servers, and finally the Socialist concept that gets the shopping mall going, and the possible death of the shopping mall. Plus the movies, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ARK OF COMMERCE: LOCO -A HISTORY OF LAND COMMERCE 03.01.2025

A mysterious crash. A strange contraption. A fateful race, an outbreak of violent activity and a crafty watch-seller. A look at the railroad history of America and the changes the railroad brought. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE ARK OF COMMERCE: TERRIBLE TUESDAY 1987 ("It Was Almost as Bad as Black Monday") THE ARK OF COMMERCE 27.12.2024

For Wall Street Insiders, Black Monday was not the worst day. The next day, Terrible Tuesday was an agonizing test of the financial system. As part of our series on the commercial history of the United States, we examine the events of Tuesday the 20th. And we look at the history of insurance in America, the reasons there is a stock market, what was learned and not learned from 1987 and a few other...

THE ARK OF COMMERCE - IF BY SEA 23.12.2024

Water commerce. A unique boat is built to overcome a powerful challenge in interstate water commerce. a revolution is fed by fish. A writer turns commerce into words.  A well known Revolutionary figure finds an agreeable industry, while young workers take a stand.  A new high tech monopoly is broken, and a young boy gets his dream.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ARK OF COMMERCE: BLACK MONDAY 19.12.2024

What's the stock market crash of 1987 got to do with the price of eggs/ Plenty, in a historical context. We look at the infamous crash of 1987 and how the computers did not save us. Nor did insurance which has a lot do with eggs, and eggs have a lot do with feeding Americans and making Americans a little money, and they have a lot do with needing markets - and sophisticated markets - so we'll talk...

THE "ARK" OF COMMERCE - CRASH PARTY 1929 17.12.2024

We are replaying our series on American business history with an eye to its inseparable effect on politics. In this look at American commercial history we discuss the Black Thursday Stock market crash, the early career of Thomas Edison, how a popular game evolved from a anticorporate activist, and how Wall Street was once in Philadelphia, so to speak.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

VALLEY FORGE: MYTH AND REALITY - Interview with Bob Drury and Tom Clavin 15.12.2024

Valley Forge Myth and Reality - Interview with Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, Authors of Valley Forge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JIMMY CARTER EPHEMERA 02.12.2024

Random, yet relevant stories about Jimmy Carter as a candidate, a governor and President Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THEY WILL JUBILATE! - WHAT IT WAS LIKE AFTER CLEVELAND'S SECOND NON-CONSECUTIVE ELECTION, NOV 1892. 02.12.2024

Viewing newspapers from November, 1892 we get a sense of what was being said the last time a former president came back and the "ex" was switched from the former President to the current President. From parades to sour notes and recriminations, from stories of how the election was lost, to predictions that it would be a quick 4 years for the winner, to lots of post-election sniping over tariff pol...

The Forgotten Forage War of 1777: Realities of the Revolution 29.11.2024

Did New Jersey Save the Revolutionary Cause? Maybe. Amid a sea of troubles, irregular units fight off the British and make their stay in New Jersey less than hospitable. A bit about George Washington's offensive campaign to be sure that the new nation would not be garrisoned. And it happened in New Jersey (we should be clear with a large contingent of soldiers from all across the Eastern Seaboard)...

WHAT I SAID BACK IN 2016 ABOUT THAT ELECTION: SEEMS SUPRISINGLY RELEVANT? 10.11.2024

In case it's interesting, here's some of what Bruce said back in 2016 when President Trump won his first full term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HISTORY OF SHUTDOWNS (from 2013) 31.10.2024

Lyndon Johnson wouldn't have been familiar with a shutdown. Grant might have, but it didn't work out the way modern ones do during his time. No, all that we've been experiencing comes down to an obscure ruling from the 1970s, and quickly put in action in 1981. Most hoped it wouldn't be seen again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE MYSTERY OF IMPEACHMENT - HOW IT WORKS, WHAT HAPPENED in 1868 AND MORE 27.10.2024

We look at the Chase, Clinton and Johnson precedents for attempted impeachment, we attempt to answer questions about this oft-discussed, rarely used, and perhaps, poorly understood Constitutional function. Why is impeachment so rarely used? Why does the Senate try the President? Does the Senate become a Court when it does, or stay the Senate? What is a High "Misdemeanor?" And what does Aaron Burr...

VICE PRESIDENTS AS CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT: A LOOK AT HISTORY WITH DAVID PRIESS OF CHATTER PODCAST 24.10.2024

As we discuss with David Priess of Chatter Podcast (and the author of books on national security and presidential history) - it's tough to run for President when you are the sitting VP. It hasn't worked that often. Just twice since the 12th Amendment changed the election rules surrounding VPs, a vice president has won the big job. David goes into why this worked. And why on many other occasions, i...

THE 1848 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: PART 2 - PENNSYLVANIA IS THE "BONE AND SINEW" 21.10.2024

The "bone and sinew" in Pennsylvania, the voters there, would determine the election of Zachary Taylor or Cass. So said the candidate Zachary Taylor himself. In the final part of our two-party series on the 1848 Presidential Election, we look at stump speeches, the third party Free Soilers, Stephen Douglas speaking for Democratic candidate Lewis Cass and Abraham Lincoln touting Zachary Taylor. We...

THE 1848 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: PART 1- RUN, ROUGH AND READY 14.10.2024

In Part 1 of our two-parter on the 1848 election, American politics is experiencing its greatest tumult. To long-time politicos the world is upside down as Whigs are working with Democrats, Democrats with Whigs. Writers are declaring a new Young America and an out with the old. America's territory is about to expand greatly, and there's arguments about how. Into this mix, almost as a relief to Whi...

GROVER CLEVELAND'S NON-CONSECUTIVE SECOND TERM: Undeniably Un-consecutive, The Election of 1892 07.10.2024

Only one person has been elected President twice in non-consecutive terms. But it was not easy. To do it Grover Cleveland had to pass a few difficult tests. From Goody-Goodies to Anti-Snappers, to Anti-Egoists and Scarecrow Festivals; from entering opposing party contests in secret ways to placing bets for your own candidate, to pretending to run in states and letting a third party win, to taking...

INFLATION VS. SPACE: How The Cost of Things Limited the Space Program 01.10.2024

When President Kennedy inspired the nation to put a man on the Moon, he did so at a time when the word "inflation" was not on the mind of most Americans. Why should it have been, the rate was a paltry 1.1%. And we needed to beat the Soviets to the Moon. Once we did, and as the cost of goods, materials and rocket fuel rose over time, The United State's space dreams were limited. Inflation didn't ki...

DRINKING WITH FDR 25.09.2024

From his bamboo shaker to his views on prohibition, all about Franklin Roosevelt and drinking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS, DISINFORMATION and Other Things That Have Been Around a While. Also- 25th Amendment and Other Points 23.09.2024

Bruce gets into how many elections in American history have been conducted not with high debate but rather, a netherworld of disinformation and unimportant issues. Related, celebrity or religious endorsements were part of elections past. We also answer some questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OVER NIAGARA IN A PICKLE BARREL, TALKING BIRDS AND HIDDEN SUBWAYS - Bruce on Useless Information Podcast 30.08.2024

Bruce was on the Useless Information Podcast Fascinating True Stories from the Flip Side of History go subscribe to Useless Information Podcast and visit its website for more stories at - https://uselessinformation.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION and America with Will Clark of "Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon Podcast" 30.08.2024

In this episode, I talk to fellow Airwave Media podcaster Will Clark of Grey History about the French Revolution and how it shaped American history, how American politicians reacted to it at the time, 100 years ago, and today. We also get into 'grey areas' of the French Revolution: things that we think about it that may be wrong, exaggerated, or even right on target. ABOUT GREY HISTORY Grey Histor...

WHAT WOULD CICERO SAY? Interview with Professor Rob Goodman of Ryerson University on Speech Issues, Modern and Ancient 30.08.2024

Through most of American history, calling someone a Cicero was the highest democratic honor. John Adams wrote of the Roman orator, that “as all the ages of the world have not produced a greater statesman and philosopher united in the same character, his authority should have great weight.” Thomas Jefferson said Cicero was “the father of eloquence and philosophy” John Quincy Adams dramatically said...

100 YEARS AGO TODAY - A Look at 1924 With Jon Blackwell 14.08.2024

With Jon Blackwell, Wall Street Journal Editor and creator of the Twitter handle 100 Years Ago News, we discuss significant news stories of 1924 that have meaning for today - especially Tea Pot Dome, Coolidge, The 103-Ballot Democratic Convention, and the Klan. Jon is also the author of Notorious New Jersey.  Follow Jon on Twitter at - @100YearsAgoNews Support the Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.c...

TRUMAN VS. STARK PRIMARY 04.08.2024

We almost had no Harry S. Truman as President, except that he was able to beat a tough opponent in a primary, with his typical outworking handshaking and self-driving campaign. Head to https://www.homeaglow.com/MYHIST to get your first 3 hours of cleaning for only $19. Thanks so much to Homeaglow for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to the My History Can Beat Up Your Politics podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.