Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith

Writer Derek Baxter joins Holley to explore the global story behind the American Revolution through his book The Forgotten World War: The American Revolution as a Global Conflict . Together, they discuss how the Revolutionary War extended far beyond the Thirteen Colonies, involving battles, alliances, and political struggles across Europe, the Caribbean, India, and beyond. The conversation highlig...

For the final episode of Season 3 of  Say It With History , author, historian, and educator Mary Ellen Pethel joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Minnie Pearl and the woman behind the beloved persona, Sarah Cannon. Together, they discuss Mary Ellen’s book  Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story , Minnie’s rise from small-town performer to Grand Ole Opry icon, the misconceptions surrounding her c...

Historical fiction author and speaker Joan Fernandez joins Holley to explore the untold story of Jo van Gogh-Bonger and the making of Vincent van Gogh’s legacy. Together, they challenge the myth of the isolated “mad genius,” examining how Jo’s strategy, resilience, and belief in Vincent’s work transformed him into a global icon. They also discuss how modern concepts like branding, influence, and s...

Historian Laura Smith joins Holley to explore the power of material culture and how objects help us better understand the past. Together, they discuss how everyday items can reveal complex and often overlooked histories, why physical artifacts create deeper human connection than written sources alone, and how museums use objects to spark conversation and reflection. Laura also shares insights from...

Public historian Amanda Roper joins Holley to explore the often overlooked role of women in historic preservation. Together, they discuss how women have played a central role in saving places like George Washington’s Mount Vernon, how preservation goes beyond buildings to protect cultural memory and identity, and why these stories remain so important today. Amanda also reflects on her own path int...

Professor Phil Mathew joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Julius Caesar and the forces that led to the fall of the Roman Republic. Together, they discuss how military power and political ambition shaped Caesar’s rise, the role of loyalty and leadership in his success, and how intelligence and strategy influenced his campaigns. Phil also shares insights into how myth and reality intertwi...

Writer and cultural critic Simone O. Elias joins Holley to explore the enduring relevance of classic Hollywood and why these films continue to resonate today. Together, they discuss the bold storytelling of the Pre-Code era, the portrayal of women on screen, and how actresses like Judy Holliday and Joan Blondell challenged expectations. Simone also reflects on her perspective as a Gen Z critic and...

Educator and historian Keith Pakela joins Holley to explore how civics and history are taught in today’s classroom and why the focus is shifting from memorization to critical thinking. Together, they discuss how students are engaging with questions about democracy and the political system, what gaps educators are seeing in civic understanding, and how classroom discussions can create space for mea...

Author Katie Gee Salisbury joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star, and the barriers she faced in early film. Together, they discuss Wong’s rise during the Jazz Age, the limitations placed on her by stereotypical roles, and her bold decision to leave Hollywood for Europe in search of greater creative freedom. Katie also reflects on...

Historian and cultural heritage professional Abby Whitlock joins Holley to explore the myth of the World War I fighter ace and how wartime hero narratives are carefully constructed. Together, they discuss how figures like Arthur Rhys Davids were transformed into symbols of heroism, how social class and media shaped who was remembered, and what these stories reveal about masculinity and national id...

Historian Pamela Toler joins Holley in the first episode of Season 3 to explore the life and legacy of Sigrid Schultz, an American journalist who reported from Nazi Germany during one of the most turbulent periods of the twentieth century. Together, they discuss how Schultz navigated censorship, used a pseudonym to report dangerous truths, and became one of the most influential foreign corresponde...

In the final episode of Season 2, film historian Miles Eady joins Holley to explore how four landmark Hollywood musicals illuminate the shifting moods of twentieth-century America. Their conversation traces the evolution of the genre from Depression-era escapism to wartime unity, postwar disillusionment, and the rebellious energy of the 1960s. Together, they examine how song, spectacle, and storyt...

Community builder Kat Smith joins Holley to explore the enduring legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette and the efforts behind the VA250 and Lafayette Bicentennial celebrations. They discuss Kat’s passion for public history, her work bringing these stories to life online, and how creative digital engagement is helping new generations connect with America’s Revolutionary past. Kat Smith – Biography  Ka...

Historian, educator, and  The History Queen  Madison Givens joins Holley to explore the women of the Black Panther Party—the organizers, educators, and community builders who powered the movement. Their conversation highlights how these women’s leadership, care, and courage redefined what revolution could look like and continue to inspire change today. Madison Givens – Biography  Madison Givens is...

Biographer and film historian Lara Gabrielle joins Holley to uncover the real Marion Davies — the brilliant actress, comedienne, and philanthropist who helped shape Hollywood’s Golden Age. Drawing from years of meticulous research, Lara shares how Davies built her own career, defied the limitations placed on women in early Hollywood, and left behind a legacy of generosity and strength. Their conve...

Author Gigi Berardi joins Holley to explore the world behind  Bianca’s Cure  — a story where science, intrigue, and the hidden corners of Renaissance Florence come vividly to life. Drawing on years of research and her own background in science, Gigi reveals how women like Bianca navigated a world of suspicion, discovery, and power. Their conversation uncovers the real Florence beyond the romantic...

Author and historian Margaret Porter joins Holley to explore the remarkable life of Phyllis Fraser, the young woman who traveled from Oklahoma to 1930s Hollywood and carved out a path uniquely her own. Drawing from her novel  The Limits of Limelight,  Margaret illuminates Phyllis’s early years alongside her cousin Ginger Rogers and her aunt Lela Rogers, her move from aspiring actress to influentia...

Journalist and author Jennifer Barnhill joins Holley to explore the often overlooked world of military family life, as revealed in her powerful new book  The Military Stories You’ve Been Told & the Ones You Need to Hear.  They discuss the hidden challenges faced by military families, the strength and advocacy of women like Sybil Stockdale and the League of Wives, and the importance of preservi...

Podcast host Brandon Davis joins Holley to explore the Golden Age of Broadway and its powerful influence on American culture. Together, they trace how mid-century musicals reshaped storytelling and reflected shifting social values. Brandon discusses iconic shows such as  Oklahoma!  and  West Side Story,  sharing why these productions still resonate today and how they helped define a transformative...

Author and historian Katy Clark joins Holley to explore the powerful stories in  African Women of the Ancient World: Queens, Consorts, and Warriors.  Their conversation highlights the courage, leadership, and resilience of women who shaped African history and continue to inspire generations today. Katy Clark – Biography Katy Clark is a respected historian and author known for her modern approach t...

Author Nina Roosevelt Gibson joins Holley to explore the intimate and inspiring stories behind her memoir  Growing Up Roosevelt . Their conversation offers a rare glimpse into life with Eleanor Roosevelt, from cherished moments at Val-Kill to travels around the world, revealing the warmth, compassion, and quiet strength that defined one of the most influential women of the twentieth century. Throu...

Historian and author Elizabeth Reese joins Holley to explore the complex life of Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth. Their conversation traces his rise as one of America’s greatest Shakespearean actors, his efforts to reclaim his family’s legacy after the Lincoln assassination, and how fame, grief, and redemption intertwined on and off the stage. Elizabeth M. Reese – Biography Elizabeth M....

Author Eliza Knight joins Holley for the first episode of Season 2 to explore the captivating life of Adele Astaire, Fred Astaire’s talented and trailblazing sister. They discuss Adele’s dazzling career on the stage, her enduring bond with Fred, and the remarkable spirit that made her a star of her time and an inspiration for generations to come. Eliza Knight – Biography Eliza Knight is an award-w...

Holley is excited to announce that Season 2 of  Say It With History  will be here on Friday, January 2, 2026. This season, Holley will be exploring a wide range of stories spanning entertainment, political, and military history—from Broadway and Hollywood to Washington, D.C., and Italy. Each Friday, she will bring listeners thoughtful, engaging conversations filled with stories, scholarship, and t...

When we think of welfare history, most accounts center on policy or the experiences of recipients. But the story is much richer—and far more gendered—than we often realize. In this episode, historian Alycia Asai joins me to uncover the overlooked women who built, administered, and shaped America’s social safety net. From early charity work to the emergence of professional social work, we explore h...