KALA-FM

Relevant or Irrelevant

History EN ↓ 630 episodes

In this weekly show, hosts John Kealey and Jay Swords examine events of history through the discussion of books, journal articles, papers, and presentations, then historians and history buffs ask the question, what is relevant or irrelevant in today’s world. For more than a decade, this show has aired over-the-air on KALA-FM in the Quad Cities. Now, we're bringing it here to make listening easier than ever!

Author

KALA-FM

Category

History

Podcast website

kalafm885.com

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

Sanford Museum (Cherokee, Iowa) 08.07.2023

Mark Anderson, staff archaeologist at the Sanford Museum, in Cherokee, Iowa, joins the "ROI" group to discuss the museum's exhibits and activities. The host for the 517th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Ed Broders and Terri Toppler. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose Univer...

BONUS: Sanford Museum (Cherokee, Iowa) 08.07.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Mark Anderson, staff archaeologist at the Sanford Museum, in Cherokee, Iowa, joins the "ROI" group to discuss the museum's exhibits and activities. The host for the 517th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Ed Broders and Terri Toppler. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or...

The History Of Ham Radio 01.07.2023

David Baker, general manager of KALA-FM, joins the team from "ROI" to discuss the history of amateur ("ham") radio.   The host for this 516th edition in the series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This program is recorded...

BONUS: The History Of Ham Radio 01.07.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION: David Baker, general manager of KALA-FM, joins the team from "ROI" to discuss the history of amateur ("ham") radio.   The host for this 516th edition in the series is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This p...

A Debate Over The Physics Of Time 24.06.2023

Dr. Tim Maudlin, professor of philosophy at New York University, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss, "A Debate Over The Physics Of Time." The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This pro...

BONUS: A Debate Over The Physics Of Time 24.06.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Dr. Tim Maudlin, professor of philosophy at New York University, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss, "A Debate Over The Physics Of Time." The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose Un...

BONUS: A Sneaky Theory Of Where Language Came From 17.06.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Dr. Oren Kolodny, from The Hebrew University Of Jerusalem, in Israel, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" group to discuss "A Sneaky Theory Of Where Language Came From." The host for this episode is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or...

A Sneaky Theory Of Where Language Came From 17.06.2023

Dr. Oren Kolodny, from The Hebrew University Of Jerusalem, in Israel, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" group to discuss "A Sneaky Theory Of Where Language Came From." The host for this episode is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose Univer...

BONUS: History Of The Chinese 10.06.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Emily Van Waerdhuizen, co-director of collections at The Rock Island (Illinois) Karpelas Manuscript Museum, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss the history of the Chinese. The host for this edition is John Kealey, and history buffs are Ed Broders and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or S...

History Of The Chinese 10.06.2023

Emily Van Waerdhuizen, co-director of collections at The Rock Island (Illinois) Karpelas Manuscript Museum, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss the history of the Chinese. The host for this edition is John Kealey, and history buffs are Ed Broders and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose Universi...

BONUS: Why Did Modern Humans Take So Long To Settle Europe? 03.06.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Dr. Chris Stringer, a research leader in human origins at The British Natural History Museum (Kent, England), joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss, "Why Did Modern Humans Take So Long To Settle Europe?" The host for the 512th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Ed Broders and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of t...

Why Did Modern Humans Take So Long To Settle Europe? 03.06.2023

Dr. Chris Stringer, a research leader in human origins at The British Natural History Museum (Kent, England), joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss, "Why Did Modern Humans Take So Long To Settle Europe?" The host for the 512th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Ed Broders and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the gu...

The Dirty History Of Soap 27.05.2023

Judy Ridner, professor of history at Mississippi State University and co-editor of The Journal Of Early American Studies, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss, "The Dirty History Of Soap." The host for this edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM...

BONUS: The Dirty History Of Soap 27.05.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Judy Ridner, professor of history at Mississippi State University and co-editor of The Journal Of Early American Studies, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss, "The Dirty History Of Soap." The host for this edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessaril...

Women For Women 20.05.2023

Morgen Conn, graduate student at Miami University Of Ohio, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" group to discuss her research paper "Women For Women." The host for the 510th edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This pr...

BONUS: Women For Women 20.05.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Morgen Conn, graduate student at Miami University Of Ohio, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" group to discuss her research paper "Women For Women." The host for the 510th edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose U...

BONUS: Mission And Vision Of The African American Museum Of Iowa 13.05.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  LaNisha Cassell, executive director of The African American Museum Of Iowa, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss "The Mission And Vision Of The African-American Museum Of Iowa." The host for this episode is Jay Swords, and history buffs are Brett Monnard and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-...

Mission And Vision Of The African-American Museum Of Iowa 13.05.2023

LaNisha Cassell, executive director of The African American Museum Of Iowa, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss "The Mission And Vision Of The African-American Museum Of Iowa." The host for this episode is Jay Swords, and history buffs are Brett Monnard and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose U...

BONUS: Can Creativity Save The World? 06.05.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Brett Monnard, CommUniversity instructor at Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois, is the guest for "ROI" episode #508.  The discussion topic is his CommUniversity course content:  "Can Creativity Save The World?" The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Ed Broders. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not nec...

Can Creativity Save The World? 06.05.2023

Brett Monnard, CommUniversity instructor at Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois, is the guest for "ROI" episode #508.  The discussion topic is his CommUniversity course content:  "Can Creativity Save The World?" The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Ed Broders. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of K...

The History Of Bands In Centerville, Iowa 30.04.2023

Tyler Morgan, author and historian, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team on episode #507 to discuss the history of bands in Centerville, Iowa.   The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This progr...

BONUS: The History Of Bands In Centerville, Iowa 29.04.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Tyler Morgan, author and historian, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team on episode #507 to discuss the history of bands in Centerville, Iowa.   The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose Univ...

BONUS: The Theory Of Positive Disintegration 22.04.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Dr. Chris Wells, president and CEO of The Dabarowski Center (Colorado) joins the "ROI" team on episode #506 to discuss, "The Theory Of Positive Disintegration." The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St....

The Theory Of Positive Disintegration 22.04.2023

Dr. Chris Wells, president and CEO of The Dabarowski Center (Colorado) joins the "ROI" team on episode #506 to discuss, "The Theory Of Positive Disintegration." The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University...

BONUS: The Legendary Knoops Hall 15.04.2023

BONUS DISCUSSION:  Ed Broders, "ROI" history buff and retired farmer, joins the group to discuss the legendary Knoops Hall on this edition. The host for "ROI" #505 is John Kealey, and the history buff is Terri Topper. The opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University.  This program is recorded at KALA-FM,...

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