The Dave Bowman Show

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we journey back to April 25, 404 BCE—the day the mighty city of Athens fell and the Peloponnesian War came to a crushing end. After nearly thirty years of conflict, starvation, and political chaos, Sparta stood triumphant and Athens bowed to a brutal new order. We will explore the final moves of the war, the rise of Lysander, and the long-term fallout for Gr...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we mark the birthday of James Buchanan—America’s only bachelor president and, many say, its most ineffectual. Born April 23, 1791, Buchanan entered office with unmatched experience and left it as the nation shattered into civil war. What went wrong? Was he a victim of circumstance or a man who mistook inaction for wisdom? Join us as we explore Buchanan’s tra...

Pope Francis has died, and the world now turns its eyes to the smoke above the Sistine Chapel. In this episode of *Dave Does History*, Dave Bowman joins Bill Mick to break down the ancient—and often misunderstood—process of the papal conclave. From medieval roof removals to modern-day power plays, Dave explores the rituals, rules, and raw politics of picking the next pope. Was it always this secre...

Today on *Dave Does History*, we journey back to the sacred soil of the Palatine Hill for the story that launched an empire. From the flames of Troy to the she-wolf’s lair on the banks of the Tiber, discover how Aeneas, Romulus, and Remus forged the foundations of Rome—not just as myth, but as history, taught and believed by the American Founding Fathers. Join Dave as he channels Livy, pierces the...

In this week's episode of *What The Frock?*, Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod set their sights on Hungary—yes, the land of goulash, Rubik’s Cubes, and oddly aggressive water polo. Discover why two-thirds of Hungarians are podcast addicts, why paprika is practically a religion, and why clinking beer glasses might start a diplomatic incident. With classic banter, a belly-rubbing statue, and Rabbi Dave's fig...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we dive into the fiery moment that launched America onto the global stage—the 1898 declaration of war against Spain. From the mysterious explosion of the USS *Maine* to the explosive headlines of Hearst and Pulitzer, we explore how media, politics, and patriotism collided to send the United States into war. Was it a fight for Cuban freedom—or the birth of an...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we travel back to April 19, 1775, and the misty morning on Lexington Green where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. But we are not just talking about battles—we are talking about people. Join Dave as he shares the story of Ebenezer Bowman, a seventeen-year-old Minute Man who stood his ground, witnessed the opening volleys of war, and late...

On this episode of Dave Does History, we salute one of America’s greatest unsung heroes—Joe Foss. From dust-choked South Dakota fields to the war-torn skies over Guadalcanal, Foss became a WWII flying ace, Medal of Honor recipient, governor, football commissioner, and NRA president. His story is not just about dogfights and medals—it is about grit, service, and what it truly means to be an America...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we journey to the windswept heights of Masada, where nearly two thousand years ago, Jewish rebels made their final, fateful stand against the Roman Empire. Was it mass suicide, martyrdom, or myth? Host Dave unpacks the powerful story passed down from Josephus, explores the archaeological evidence, and examines how Masada became a national symbol—and a cautio...

In 1561, the skies over Nuremberg erupted in what witnesses described as a celestial battle—spheres, rods, crosses, and a massive black spear appeared above the city at dawn. Was it divine warning, extraterrestrial war, or misunderstood natural phenomenon? This week on *Dave Does History*, we explore Hans Glaser’s famous broadsheet, the Reformation-era mindset behind it, and how this event morphed...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we confront one of the darkest and most overlooked chapters of Reconstruction—the Colfax Massacre of 1873. Over a hundred Black men were killed defending their right to vote and hold office in a small Louisiana parish. Their killers walked free. We dig into the political chaos, the brutal events of Easter Sunday, and the Supreme Court decision that crippled...

Washington's gone bonkers, folks—Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod are back to unpack the madness! In this episode of What the Frock?, the duo tackles Washington State’s bizarre new tax on dating apps (yes, they’re taxing “thingy”), the philosophical tug-of-war between divine will and prayer, and why you should never cook a steak in the office microwave. Plus, Rabbi Dave reveals plans for a cross-country m...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we fire up the rockets and revisit one of the boldest gambles in American spaceflight: the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. This was not a test run—it was the first flight of a brand-new spacecraft with astronauts aboard. We will meet Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen, unpack the mission’s high-stakes challenges, and explo...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we journey back to April 9, 1865 — the day the guns finally fell silent at Appomattox Court House. It wasn’t just the end of a war; it was the beginning of reconciliation. We’ll walk the weary roads with Lee’s starving army, sit inside the McLean House where Grant offered mercy, and witness the quiet dignity that defined one of America’s most powerful moment...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we explore the bizarre moment when the United States nearly claimed part of Greenland—based on a map that turned out to be wrong. Dave unpacks the story of Arctic explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen, who risked everything in 1909 to recover lost maps, prove the U.S. claim false, and confirm Greenland belonged to Denmark. Abandoned, stranded, and forced to survive two b...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we uncover the oily roots of America’s first major political scandal: Teapot Dome. Long before Watergate, this 1920s tale of secret deals, bribes, and backroom betrayals rocked the nation and shook public trust in government. Join Dave as he explores how a dusty Wyoming oil field, a red-faced Cabinet secretary, and a few well-connected oil barons brought sha...

This week on *What The Frock?*, Friar Rod returns from Gatlinburg with tales of divine donuts and suspiciously foreign MAGA hats, while Rabbi Dave battles a 6mm kidney stone with nothing but prayer, pacing, and Costco water. The holy duo also weigh in on the upcoming *Naked Gun* reboot starring Liam Neeson—can it live up to the deadpan glory of Leslie Nielsen, or is it best streamed under sedation...

Join *Dave Does History* as we explore the life and legacy of Renaissance master Raphael—born in 1483 in the cultured court of Urbino, and destined to become one of the most beloved painters in Western art. In this episode, we uncover how Raphael rose from orphaned prodigy to the Pope’s favorite artist, creating timeless masterpieces like *The School of Athens* and the iconic Madonnas. With insigh...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we shine a long-overdue spotlight on Benjamin Harrison V—Founding Father, Virginia governor, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Born into privilege at Berkeley Plantation, Harrison stood tall—literally and politically—among the giants of his age. He helped shape the birth of America, raised a future president, and left behind a legacy that still...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we turn our gaze to ancient Rome and the stormy life of Emperor Caracalla—warrior, builder, butcher, and the man behind one of the bloodiest family feuds in imperial history. Born into power and raised on ambition, Caracalla ruled an empire with a sword in one hand and a scowl carved into marble. From the grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla to the chilling mu...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we saddle up and gallop into one of the most iconic yet short-lived chapters of the American West—the Pony Express. Born out of urgency and ambition in 1860, this daring mail service bridged nearly 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, linking East to West in just ten days. Though it ran for only 18 months, its legend endures. We’ll explore the facts, the folklore,...

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we dive into one of the most pivotal speeches in American history—President Woodrow Wilson’s April 2, 1917 address to Congress, calling for a declaration of war against Germany. With a nation divided and neutrality hanging by a thread, Wilson laid out his case in moral and measured tones. Why did America finally join the Great War? What tipped the scales—fro...

🎙️ **Dave Does History: Boskin Day (April Fools’ Day)** April 1st isn't just for pranksters—it's for historians with a wicked sense of humor. In this episode, Dave peels back the glittery nonsense of April Fools’ Day to uncover its shadowy (and often fictional) past. From Chaucer’s chicken to a Flemish prank poem, and the legendary hoax that duped the Associated Press, it all leads to one irresist...

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we journey back to March 31, 1870—one day after the Fifteenth Amendment was certified. In a small town called Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a man named Thomas Mundy Peterson quietly made history. Born to an enslaved mother and a free father, Peterson became the first African American to cast a vote under the new constitutional protections of the Fifteenth Amendme...

Rabbi Dave is battling a kidney stone, Friar Rod is broadcasting from a borrowed headset in Georgia, and somehow the show still goes on! This week, the frocked duo tackles the government’s Signal app scandal, the anime art explosion sparked by Studio Ghibli AI filters, and a minor league baseball logo that’s... a bit too anatomical. From tech paranoia to baseball blasphemy, it’s a wild ride throug...