The Professor Liberty Podcast

Mr. Palumbo takes you on a deep dive into the complexities of birthright citizenship and its implications on American identity. In this episode, we unravel the historical and legal intricacies of the 14th Amendment, focusing on the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" and its significance in today's heated immigration debate.  

In this episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast, Mr. Palumbo kicks off a new series called "The Ancients" with a look at the Romans. Our host explores how its geographic advantages, such as its strategic location along the Tiber River and the Seven Hills, contributed to its rise. Through the lens of the founding myth of Romulus and Remus, the episode highlights Rome's success, driven by diplomacy...

In this episode of The Professor Liberty Podcast, Mr. Palumbo takes us back to December of 1776, a time when the American Revolution seemed on the brink of collapse. With General George Washington's army suffering devastating losses, low morale, and dwindling supplies, the Continental Army appeared to be on the verge of disintegration. But Washington, faced with mounting pressure, made a bold and...

In this episode of The Professor Liberty Podcast,  our favorite obscure social studies teacher delves into one of the most significant military confrontations in European history—the Battle of Tours. As part of the ongoing "Important Battles" series, the episode explores how this clash between the Frankish forces, led by Charles Martel, and the advancing Muslim Umayyad Caliphate had profound impli...

In this Veterans Day episode, Mr. Palumbo explores General Smedley Butler's 1935 pamphlet "War Is a Racket", where Butler exposes how wars benefit arms dealers and corporations, not the soldiers who fight them. The episode also reflects on Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex, highlighting its continued relevance. Mr. Palumbo argues that to truly honor veterans, we must end t...

In this episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast called "Emotional Democracy," the hosts tackle the idea of the cult of personality in politics. Our favorite social studies teacher explores how people often vote based on feelings—either loving or hating a candidate—rather than focusing on what those candidates actually do or their voting records. It’s a conversation about the risks of letting emot...

In this episode, we dive into the rich history of Columbia, a personification of the United States that predates iconic figures like Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. We explore Columbia’s origins, tracing her roots back to the age of exploration and the ideals of American nationalism. Named after Christopher Columbus, Columbia symbolizes liberty, democracy, and the emerging American identity. As the 18...

In this episode, Mr. Palumbo dives into the fascinating world of propaganda, starting with its roots in ancient civilizations and bringing us all the way to today’s digital landscape. We break down what propaganda really is—a method of shaping how people think and act—while pointing out some key traits, like its emotional pull and the way it picks and chooses facts.

On this special Saturday edition of the Professor Liberty Podcast we dive into the historical roots of political power and the dangers of unchecked authority. By examining the rise of tyrants in ancient Greece and Rome, we uncover timeless lessons about the fragility of democracy and the importance of maintaining a balance of power. The American framers of the US Constitution were actually more in...

  Buckle up history buffs as we continue our series on important battles with the scorched earth hellscape that was the Battle of Stalingrad.  After Hitler's failed attempt to conquer Russia with Operation Barbarossa, the Nazis launched Operation Blau to capture Soviet oil fields. But there was a roadblock in their path: Stalingrad, a city named after the iron-fisted Joseph Stalin himself. Taking...

On today's episode Mr. Palumbo gives a brief summary of the elements surrounding the American Revolution. In one of the longest episodes of the Professor Liberty Podcast, our favorite obscure social studies teacher dives into multiple topics ranging from the Magna Carta to the Enlightenment. Explaining how the American Revolution began our host discusses history, political philosophy and taxes, al...

On this episode we continue our important battles series as we set sail on the high seas during the Napoleonic Wars. Sometimes in history one bold plan can change the world. Today we analyze Admiral Lord Nelson's actions at the Battle at Trafalgar. 

Continuing with our "Important Battles" series our favorite obscure social studies teacher, Mr. Palumbo dives into ancient history with the Battle at Thermopylae. Looking into the key players, the geography and the lasting impact of this famous battle, you'll be screaming THIS IS SPARTA in no time. 

What does code breaking, surprise attacks, and aircraft carriers have in common? They were all a curical component in the Battle of Midway (1942). We continue our series on important battles in history on today's episode. 

On today's episode our favorite obscure social studies teacher begins a new series discussion important battles in world history. Today's topic is the battle at Shiloh during the American Civil War. 

Some men search for destiny others have destiny hoisted upon them...isn't that a quote from a movie. On this episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast, Mr. Palumbo discusses the life and legacy of President Harry S. Truman. From ending WWII to authorizing the use of nuclear weapons and from addressing civil rights to setting America's vision during the Cold War, President Truman seemed to be in the...

During the opening months of World War II the Nazi war machine using tanks, aircraft and paratroopers unleashed a deadly new offensive strategy known as Blitzkrieg or "Lightning War". Gone were the days of static trench warfare. On today's episode our favorite obscure social studies teacher walks us through the history of this new military strategy, why it worked so well and also why it ultimately...

On this last episode of 2023 Mr. Palumbo dives into American popular culture and attempts to analyze the classic western film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". Our favorite social studies teacher looks into themes like truth versus legend, standing up to bullies and the responsibility that comes with freedom. The discussion also ventures into the challenges and opportunities faced for the people...

On this episode our favorite obscure social studies teacher dives into the history of Thanksgiving. How did it become a national holiday and should we still learn about and honor the pilgrims? Also what are the benefits of being grateful? All that and much more on today's episode, however please beware for those easily offended, the word Indian is used several times. 

On this episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast our favorite obscure social studies teacher tries to explain something all of us who work for a living instinctively understand, that being why our salaries are terrible. The American worker is surrounded on all sides by dark economic forces that seem to only have one objective in mind and that is to make us poor. Having just enough expertise to mak...

After a long hiatus, our favorite social studies teacher dives right into touchy waters by deciding to discuss politics. To soften the blow however, Mr. Palumbo throws in a baseball analogy. Just like a baseball game only makes sense if people understand the rules, so too our governmental system. With all the talk about democracy and citizens having a voice, Mr. Palumbo asks the question: how can...

On this, the 100th episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast our host Mr. Palumbo dives into why is it so popular for people on the left to call others "fascist". What is Fascism? Where did it come from and why are people on the right called fascist? 

We dive into economics today with a discussion on the profit motive, government interaction with the economy and why nearly all the university professors as well as the politicians hate supply side economics. 

Prepare to set sail as your favorite obscure social studies teacher ditches the sail for steel and steam. In other words we'll be discusing BATTLESHIPS on today's podcast. In this episode, Mr. Palumbo dives into the history of the modern Battleship and its role in naval warfare. So let's drink to the foam as we discuss the rise and fall of this iconic piece of naval history.

To celebrate the beginning of summer Mr. Palumbo takes on something outside of his wheelhouse: aviation! Looking at Germany, Great Britain, USA and Japan, our favorite obscure social studies teacher discusses important aircraft of WWII and how they influenced important events of the war.