Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia
This Day (An America 250 History Show)
To mark our 250th birthday, “This Day” presents "50 Weeks That Shaped America," a series of deep dives into the stories that brought us to this moment. "This Day" takes you beyond the head-spinning headlines of today and into the unexpected historical moments that have shaped American politics and culture. Hosted by Jody Avirgan (538), and historians Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt), and Kellie Carter Jackson (Wellesley), each episode explores a moment from that day in U.S. political history to uncover its lasting impact. On Sunday episodes, Jody, Niki and Kellie react to current news with their usu...
Author
Jody Avirgan & Radiotopia
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 8, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Ron Paul Bows Out (2012) 14.05.2020 13:25
It’s May 14th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discuss the career of Ron Paul. He ran in several Republican primaries, capturing a part of the electorate that would come to play a big role in future elections on both sides of the aisle. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future to...
The Killer Ds (2003) 12.05.2020 13:00
It’s May 12th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discuss the incident where over 50 Texas legislators fled across the boarder to Oklahoma, to avoid having to vote on a redistricting proposal. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is...
Coya Come Home (1958) 07.05.2020 12:39
It’s May 7th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discuss the “Coya Come Home” letter — a public letter written by the husband of MN representative Coya Knutson, demanding that she leave office and return to domestic life. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want...
The Forgotten Crash (1893) 05.05.2020 11:51
It’s May 5th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the crash of 1893. It was the result of a rapidly changing economy, heavy debt, and slow-footed governmental response. And it ushered in a new era in American politics. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is t...
Bernie Jumps In (2015) 30.04.2020 12:01
It’s April 30th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the moment Bernie Sanders entered the 2016 Democratic primary. He was relatively unknown, but the issues he was championing were already gaining momentum. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.c...
The East Coast Dims Out (1942) 28.04.2020 11:05
It’s April 28th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer talk about the “dim outs” of 1942, when businesses and residents along the east coast were asked to turn off their lights to protect from enemy submarines. It’s a moment of collective effort during WWII that has lots of lessons for today. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ide...
Howard Stern For Governor (1994) 23.04.2020 11:30
It’s April 23rd. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First) discuss when shock-jock Howard Stern secured the Libertarian Party nomination for New York Governor. His platform included just four items. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say...
Adams Doesn't Want To Be VP (1789) 21.04.2020 10:26
It’s April 21st. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First) discuss America’s first Vice President, John Adams. He was inaugurated nine days before George Washington, and was complaining about playing second fiddle from day one. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future...
MLK's Letter from a Birmingham Jail (1963) 16.04.2020 10:11
It’s April 16th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times discuss Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, in which he rejected calls to go slow and appease moderates in his civil rights efforts. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to...
The Lincoln Coup (1865) 14.04.2020 9:52
It’s April 14th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times discuss the assasination of Abraham Lincoln, and what parts of the story history tends not to consider. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Foll...
The Amendment That Changed The Senate (1913) 09.04.2020 9:56
It’s April 9th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times discuss the passage of the 17th amendment. It changed the way that senators are elected, and the fundamental mechanics of our democracy. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Ou...
Obama's "Bitter Clinger" Comments (2008) 07.04.2020 11:03
It’s April 7th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the scandal that erupted after candidate Barack Obama made comments at a fundraiser ahead of the Pennsylvania primary. His remarks about “bitter” voters who “cling to guns and religion,” and the controversy that erupted, in many ways previewed the politics of the next decade. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotop...
Wilson Gets The Flu (1919) 02.04.2020 8:40
It’s April 2nd. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the Influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. In the spring of 1919, President Wilson got sick on his way to Paris for talks to bring a close to World War I. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Foll...
LBJ Isn't Running (1968) 31.03.2020 9:54
It’s March 31st. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss President Johnson’s surprise announcement that he isn’t running for re-election, and how politics can be upended in a tumultuous year like 1968. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Follow...
Why You Should Listen To This Day 23.03.2020 2:41
This Day In Esoteric Political History is hosted by Jody Avirgan, with historians Nicole Hemmer and Kellie Carter Jackson. Our researcher and producer is Jacob Feldman. Find us online at thisdaypod.com. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram @thisdaypod This Day in Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
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