The Living Past: Current events explained through history.

From high school rumors to political parties, California, Cuba, and Vietnam, this episode explores how narratives take on a life of their own. Once a story becomes accepted as reality, facts often stop changing minds—and start serving the narrative instead. The result can shape elections, public opinion, and even international relations for generations. Subscribe to be notified when the next episo...

From high school rumors to political parties, California, Cuba, and Vietnam, this episode explores how narratives take on a life of their own. Once a story becomes accepted as reality, facts often stop changing minds—and start serving the narrative instead. The result can shape elections, public opinion, and even international relations for generations. Subscribe to be notified when the next episo...

Let's explore how we can still value cultural icons who vote differently than we do? This podcast explores the "flattening" of human identity, where icons like Hulk Hogan and Taylor Swift are reduced to simple political labels. By examining the "cultural hysteria" of McCarthyism and the Dixie Chicks controversy, we investigate why politics now functions as a totalizing mora...

Can we still value cultural icons who vote differently than we do? This podcast explores the "flattening" of human identity, where icons like Hulk Hogan and Taylor Swift are reduced to simple political labels. By examining the "cultural hysteria" of McCarthyism and the Dixie Chicks controversy, we investigate why politics now functions as a totalizing moral identity . Join us a...

We're back from our short summer break and ready to dive into yet another topic that runs deep in our society. As the World Cup brings millions of people to the United States, many are discovering a paradox: the country often portrayed as aggressive, divided, and domineering is filled with remarkably friendly, generous, and welcoming people. In this episode, Herman Forwood explores the gap between...

The United States has become the world's functional infrastructure , making it "too big to fail". From the dominance of the U.S. dollar to the global impact of Federal Reserve decisions, the international system is built to depend on American stability. However, rising domestic volatility now forces other nations to absorb massive shocks with no "Plan B" currently available...

Preview of the upcoming episode: The United States has become the world's functional infrastructure , making it "too big to fail". From the dominance of the U.S. dollar to the global impact of Federal Reserve decisions, the international system is built to depend on American stability. However, rising domestic volatility now forces other nations to absorb massive shocks with no &quot...

In this episode, we delve into Herman Forwood’s compelling argument that while America claims to value integrity, its actual "social theology" dictates that the only truly unforgivable sin is financial failure. Forwood explores how wealth acts as a "moral proof" of worthiness, allowing society to rebrand personal vices—like aggression and manipulation—as celebrated professional...

In this podcast preview, we delve into Herman Forwood’s compelling argument that while America claims to value integrity, its actual "social theology" dictates that the only truly unforgivable sin is financial failure . Forwood explores how wealth acts as a "moral proof" of worthiness, allowing society to rebrand personal vices—like aggression and manipulation—as celebrated pro...

Anyone can swing a hammer, but it takes true strength to build something durable. This podcast explores the thin line between raw force and true leadership, challenging the misconception that aggression equals resolve. By analyzing the "internal rot" of empires like Rome and the Soviet Union alongside modern examples of "bullying" through trade wars and unilateral interventions...

Preview: Anyone can swing a hammer, but it takes true strength to build something durable. This podcast explores the thin line between raw force and true leadership, challenging the misconception that aggression equals resolve. By analyzing the "internal rot" of empires like Rome and the Soviet Union alongside modern examples of "bullying" through trade wars and unilateral interventions, we examin...

In light of the spat between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the upcoming podcast explores the historical reality that, for most of human history, church and state were inseparable . While we often view their separation as a norm, the upcoming episode will explore it is actually a radical departure from a long-standing model of consolidated power. Subscribe to be notified when the next episode i...

Episode preview: In light of the spat between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the upcoming podcast explores the historical reality that, for most of human history, church and state were inseparable . While we often view their separation as a norm, the upcoming episode will explore it is actually a radical departure from a long-standing model of consolidated power. Subscribe to be notified when t...

In this episode we dive deep into the concept of scapegoating—the populist's tool for simplifying complex crises into a single, convenient culprit. We explain how scapegoating acts as the "glue of false unity," providing a sense of empowerment to a frustrated public by telling them, "You’re not the problem. They are" This episode serves as a warning about the escalation of...

Preview of Charles Lindbergh, National Hero, Nazi Sympathizer, Populist… and Something Darker. Explore the hidden, darker side of the "golden boy of aviation" This episode reveals how Lindbergh’s populism, Nazi sympathies, and belief in eugenics tarnished his American hero image. From the infamous 1941 Des Moines speech to the shocking discovery of his secret parallel lives in Germany, w...

This preview introduces the concept of scapegoating—the populist's tool for simplifying complex crises into a single, convenient culpritIt briefly explains how scapegoating acts as the "glue of false unity," providing a sense of empowerment to a frustrated public by telling them, " You’re not the problem. They are"The upcoming episode serves as a warning about the escalatio...

Explore the hidden, darker side of the "golden boy of aviation" This episode reveals how Lindbergh’s populism, Nazi sympathies, and belief in eugenics tarnished his American hero image. From the infamous 1941 Des Moines speech to the shocking discovery of his secret parallel lives in Germany, we dive into the disturbing reality behind an American icon. It should. Because populism always...

Stop asking if you're Left or Right. Writer Herman Forwood argues this framing is "misleading and dangerous". In this episode, we explore Forwood’s "Circle Model" to show how the extremes actually meet at a shared point of rage. We dive into the "populist trap" and the vital question for our time: are you a builder trying to improve the system, or a burner ready t...