Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

Is the American experiment in democracy undergoing a temporary setback? Or is it undergoing a racial reckoning 400 years in the making? That is what Dr. Kelly Burton explores in her book The Price of Union: Race, Power, and the Make of American Democracy. Join me as I discuss her book and what motivated Dr. Burton's research - and where she thinks the United States goes from here. 

In this conversation, Dr. Burton and I discuss: 

Carving pumpkins, bobbing for apples, and sharing ghost stories are just some of the wholesome Halloween traditions Americans love to enjoy every year, but what were things like during the rapidly changing era known as the Gilded Age? Join me as I explore the festivities of Halloween during the Gilded Age! Learn how the elite used Halloween as another way to celebrate and showcase their wealth and why Spiritualism was a popular religious - and secular - movement. I also highlight the rise of the Ouija board and the pranks that characterized Halloween during this era, prompting cultural shifts...

Education has the power to open doors - and from 1935 to 1965 the New Farmers of America helped introduce rural Black youth to the world. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Bobby J. Smith to discuss his latest book Black Farm Boys: The Untold Story of the New Farmers of America which explores the origins of the organization and traces its impact and legacy on Black youth in agriculture.  

In this conversation, Dr. Smith and I discuss: 

He was one Rhode Island's richest Black entrepreneurs. His death sent shockwaves into the small, coastal community of Newport. Initially ruled a suicide, rumors of family disputes, financial mismanagement, and concerns about a new addition to the household prompted authorities to dive deeper. What they exposed was a horrific story of greed and manipulation. Prepare yourself for the Gilded Age case of Benjamin J. Burton. 

And check out the novel A Harbor of Deceit mentioned during the episode. 

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There has been a lot of talk lately about fascism, communism, and authoritarianism in U.S. politics, but what does the history tell us? Join me as I welcome historian Jackson van Uden to discuss his research on authoritarianism and its long thread through American history. Discover the distinctions between authoritarianism, fascism, and communism, and how these concepts manifest in various political contexts. Our conversation reflects on historical examples, including the founding era, Reconstruction, and the actions of 20th-century presidents, highlighting moments where authoritarian tendencies emerged in American governance. Finally, Jackson shares why he feels it is important to...

Was Alfred Packer a crazed maniac or a desperate man seeking a way to survive? Join me as I launch Civics & Coffee's annual spooky season with a look into the life of the would-be prospector known as the Colorado Cannibal. Learn how the thirst for gold drove Packer and twenty others into the treacherous Colorado mountains in the dead of winter and why his story of abandonment and panic failed to resonate with his fellow residents. 

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Does the United States really have free and fair elections? In this conversation, voting rights attorney David Walbert discusses his book Stealing Elections American Style, which explores America's contentious electoral history. He highlights the ongoing issues of voter suppression and the historical context of the 1876 election, illustrating how political structures have perpetuated racial inequalities and the challenges faced in achieving true democratic representation. Join us as we highlight important moments including the controversial Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case and why Walbert believes civic engagement remains critical to democracy. 

Learn more about David at his website here. 

If you grew up taping posters of your favorite celebrities on your wall or consider yourself a Swiftie, you can thank Vaudeville. Tune in this week as I explore the early quintessential American mass entertainment medium and its lasting impact on modern culture. Discover how vaudeville shaped celebrity culture, influenced entertainment accessibility, and laid the groundwork for future media.

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Lillian Smith was a best-selling author whose courageous decision to stand for civil rights in the Jim Crow south led to her erasure from discussions about influential leaders of the movement. Join me as I sit down with historian Keri Leigh Merritt whose insightful biography seeks to pull Smith from the shadows and highlight the ways Smith challenged societal norms and contributed to the early fights against racism. 

To learn more about Dr. Merritt, visit her website: https://kerileighmerritt.com/

To learn more about the Poor People's Campaign, click here. 

To buy a cop...

Labor Day was first celebrated during the Gilded Age - amid a growing labor movement seeking recognition. Join me this week as I explore the origins, evolution, and current perceptions of Labor Day in the United States. Learn how  Labor Day has transformed from a day of militant labor demonstrations to a more consumer-focused holiday, reflecting broader societal changes and the decline of organized labor's influence.

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Join me as I sit down with author Stan Haynes to discuss his latest book And Slavery No More - a work of historical fiction that explores the mystery of General Lee's lost order and President Lincoln's evolution on slavery. Tune in to learn about how Haynes came to write historical fiction, the value to reading both fiction and nonfiction, and how he approaches blending creative elements grounded in historical events. 

To learn more about Stan and his books, visit his website: https://stanhaynes.com

You can buy And Slavery No More wherever fine books are...

In 1882, President Chester A Arthur signed legislation barring Chinese laborers from entering the United States for a period of ten years. It went on to become known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, but is that an accurate framing? Join me this week as I explore Chinese immigration and why some historians refer to the 1882 law as the Chinese Restriction Act. 

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John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are two of the most notable men of the founding era - as is their complicated and occasionally fraught relationship. Join me as I sit down with Jim Rasenberger to discuss his latest book A Perfect Coincidence which explores their friendship, political differences, and what lessons we can learn from their reconciliation. 

To learn more about Jim, check out his website: jimrasenberger.com

To grab your copy of A Perfect Coincidence, consider shopping at my affiliate link on Bookshop.org here. 

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The gunfight at the OK Corral remains one of the most iconic moments of the American West, a whirlwind of chaos that lasted less than a minute but has echoed through history. Learn what led to the fight, why Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were in Tombstone to begin with, and how the battle scarred Earp for the remainder of his days. If all you know about the shootout is what Hollywood showed you, listen up - you're in for a wild ride. 

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How many of us make time? Join me as I sit with Jason Green to discuss his book Too Precious to Lose, which intertwines memoir and oral history to explore the rich history of a Black community in Maryland. He shares the importance of community, the richness uncovered in oral histories, and how preserving history is a collective responsibility. Green reflects on pivotal moments in his family's history and how these experiences connect to broader themes of hope, responsibility, and the significance of place in historical memory.

To learn more about Jason, visit his website: https://jasongerardgreen...

James "Wild Bill" Hickok is a figure who embodies the spirit of the American frontier. His adventures, often dramatized in tales and folk songs, paint a vivid picture of a man who was both a hero and an outlaw. Tune in this week to learn about the man behind the legend and join me as I explore the life of Wild Bill Hickok; from his early days in Illinois to his rise as a frontier icon and his tragic end in Deadwood. Discover how his story shaped the myth of the American West and the truths behind his legendary...

Most know that the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911 swept in massive labor reforms and highlighted the need for workplace safety laws. Yet, this is only part of the story. Join me as I sit down with Dr. David Conrad-Pérez to discuss his book Fire in the Heart of the City which explores the deeper implications of the fire with the rise of modern charity. Learn how critical the New York Times was in shaping public opinion and how it used its platform redirect the narrative after the fire to promote "professional charity." 

To le...

One of the most iconic individuals of the American West, Billy the Kid has dominated pop culture for over a century. Stories about his life are filled with fanciful details and he is described as one of the most dangerous, yet affable outlaws of the frontier. How did a gunslinging youngster from the wrong side of the tracks rise to such fame? And how much of his story is based in reality? Tune in this week to find out. 

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Healthcare in the United States has a long, complex history. Join me as I sit down with John McDonough, a Harvard professor and healthcare policy expert, to explore the history of the U.S. healthcare system, its intersection with neoliberalism, and potential paths forward. To learn more about this history, be sure to check out McDonough's latest book, America's Wrong Turn. 

Learn more about John McDonough's scholarship and research here. 

Save 30% with code HTWN at Johns Hopkins University Press here. 

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What did it mean to assert dignity in the former confederate south? For Black washerwomen in Atlanta, it was the act of going on strike. Join me this week as I explore the 1881 Washerwomen Strike and share the motivations behind the strike, how the women organized, and what the end results were. Learn why women who were already in economic precarious positions chose to risk their livelihoods - and their freedom - to demand recognition of their worth. 

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How do you capture the complex nuances of the American story? And what can a multi-part online series told through America's birthplace tell us about our democratic experiment?

In this episode, Andrew Ferrett and Nathaniel Popkin discuss their documentary series 'In Pursuit,' which explores 400 years of American history through the lens of Philadelphia. They delve into the series' approach to storytelling, periodization, and its relevance to understanding America's past and present. Stream available episodes now by visiting their website: https://www.inpursuit.tv/ 

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Entering the White House under less than ideal circumstances, Chester A. Arthur had a lot on his plate - including who would run the mansion's social calendar. Arthur was a man who enjoyed the DC social scene but as Commander in Chief, he knew he would have little time to dedicate to planning the fine details. Still grieving the loss of his wife, Arthur was at a crossroads: who, exactly, should fill the role? Tune in this week to learn about Arthur's wife, Ellen Arthur and the woman he eventually asked to take over as White House Hostess, his...

Joining me this week is author Amy Nathan where we explore the inspiring story of Sarah Keys Evans, a civil rights hero who fought against segregation in transportation. Learn how her legacy sheds light on the long struggle for racial equality in America and why her story isn't better known. 

To learn more about Amy, check out her website www.amaynathanbooks.com

Be sure to grab a copy of Riding into History wherever fine books are sold, or via my bookshop affiliate storefront here. 

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No one voted for Chester A. Arthur to become president of the United States. When James Garfield was shot in July 1881 many doubted whether Arthur could perform the duties of the job well - including Arthur. A man who made his career by playing politics, it was unknown whether Vice President Arthur could stand alone or be an extension of longtime ally Roscoe Conkling. Yet when the time came, Arthur surprised them all. Tune in to learn about the life and administration of Chester A. Arthur. 

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How did the United States Supreme Court go from the Roe v. Wade in 1973 to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022? Join me as I sit down with Amy Littlefield to discuss her book Killers of Roe which seeks to answer that question and more. In this conversation we explore the history of abortion rights in the U.S., the impact of policies like the Hyde Amendment, and the political strategies behind anti-abortion movements as well as using the past to inform future activism and policy change.

To learn more about Amy's work, check ou...

In 1877 the nation came to a virtual standstill as labor united against the exploitive railroad companies. As workers protested unfair business practices in the east, racial animosity in California mixed with economic precarity led workers down a very different path. Join me as I explore the rise and fall of the Workingmen's Party of California and its impact on anti-Chinese sentiment and federal policy in the late 19th century. 

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In the final episode the special summer series, I sit down with Dr. James O'Neil Spady to discuss his book Take Freedom, a nuanced history of the 1822 uprising in Charleston, South Carolina. Using new evidence and focused on Black agency, community networks, and resistance, Dr. Spady places the story of the uprising in a new light challenging prior interpretations and powerfully argues just how close Denmark Vesey and others came to overthrowing their enslavers. 

When you are finished with the conversation, be sure grab a copy of the book here. 

To learn more about the ma...

Join me this week as I sit down with Dr. Tim Galsworthy as we explore the influence of Civil War memory on Republican Party identity during the pivotal 1960s and how a political strategy remade the party for generations. Learn how and why the Civil War featured so prominently in campaign rhetoric throughout the 1960s and 1970s - the same era of the Civil Rights Movement and the nations bicentennial - and how it impacts today's political climate. 

Dr. Galsworthy is a historian and the author of The Republican House Divided which traces the GOP's evolution from t...

Ordinary women can do extraordinary things - that is one of the messages historian and author Dr. Elizabeth De Wolfe hopes readers take away from her book, Alias Agnes: The Notorious Tale of a Gilded Age Spy. Join us as we discuss the societal limitations facing women during the Gilded Age and how one court case over breach of promise exposed those double standards. 

Learn more about Dr. De Wolfe at her website: www.elizabethdewolfe.com

Be sure to pick up a copy of Alias Agnes wherever fine books are sold - or through my b...

Join me for the conclusion of my conversation with educator and Early America expert Ethan Healey as we discuss the power of public history, the importance of critically evaluating consumed media, why there can be value in even the flimsiest of historical media, and of course - more books! 

If want to check out any of the books we discussed during our conversation, head over to my bookshop storefront where I have curated a special list just for this conversation. 

To learn more about Ethan, head over to ethanhealey.com

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Happy July 4th, peeps! 

2026 marks 250 years since the founders signed the Declaration of Independence and announced their decision to separate from the crown to establish a new nation - and historians haven't stopped talking about it since! Why does the American Revolution still carry such importance in the historical conversation? And what does it mean to commemorate the revolution during the nation's semiquincentennial? Early American historian and educator Ethan Healey joins me for a wide-ranging discussion that dives into this and more! 

Tune in to hear us discuss how perspectives on this pivotal event have ev...

Sit down with me this week as I wrap up my coverage of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Learn about her and Susan B Anthony's efforts to expand political rights amid the drum beats of war and how they collaborated to establish the American Equal Rights Association. Tune in as I discuss Stanton's exploration of religion and the motivation behind creating the Woman's Bible, and how her complex activism laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment. 

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Elizabeth Cady Stanton is one of the most well known suffragists of the 19th century and spent her life advocating for women's rights - yet most only know the highlights. Join me this week as I begin my exploration of the life and legacy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton including her early childhood, how she got involved in activism, and the early days of her friendship with Susan B. Anthony. 

And when you are done with this episode, be sure to check out my previous episode about the Seneca Falls convention here. 

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American politics feels like it is increasingly polarized with no end in sight - how exactly did we get here, and is there a way out? Joining me this week is Dr. Maya Kornberg, author of Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress. In this episode we explore the history, challenges, and reforms of Congress of the past 50 years and what lessons we can learn from prior freshman classes in pushing future changes. Our conversation also covers the rise in political violence, the influence of campaign finance, and the of civic engagement. 

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This week's episode comes to you thanks to Jeremy, a longtime listener who wanted me to dive into the history of computers. Join me as I explore how the personal computer evolved from the oversized mega machines of the 1940s and 1950s to the handheld devices to know and love today. And don't forget - you too can submit your episode requests via the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com. 

When you are done with this episode, be sure to check out my prior episode: Hidden Computers: Women in Tech. 

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The largest and most influential union of the nineteenth century, the Knights of Labor began as a secret fraternal organization in Philadelphia in 1869. Responding to the ongoing labor unrest with events like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, the Knights enjoyed a brief but significant moment of influence and power, but were ultimately unable to live up to its altruistic claims. Tune in this week as I dive into the rise - and fall - of the Knights of Labor. 

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Join me as I welcome Dr. Gautham Rao to discuss the evolution of policing and its slave and white supremacy origins as expertly outlined in his book White Power: Policing American Slavery. Our conversation explores the legalization and deputization of whiteness, how pivotal the Prigg v. Pennsylvania court case was, how class tensions impacted the enforcement of the Posse Comitatus doctrine, and more!

To learn more about Dr. Rao's amazing scholarship, check out his website: https://gauthamrao.com

You can find a copy of Dr. Rao's book at my bookshop affiliate shop here: https://bookshop...

Have you ever heard about the Ladies Land League? 

Tune in this week to learn how Irish American women joined a land reform movement for their countrymen across the Atlantic and used their platform to challenge gender norms and enter the public sphere - all while maintaining respectability and femininity. Learn about League Leaders Fanny and Anna Parnell and their efforts at mobilizing women throughout the United States and Ireland - and why we do not know more about these trailblazers. 

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Join me this week as I conclude my coverage of the Commodore and Railroad King, Cornelius Vanderbilt. Learn how Vanderbilt aided the Union during the Civil War by offering his steamships and how he got into the industry that sear his name into the minds of Americans for generations: the railroad. 

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Sitting down with me this week is Dr. Nancy Bernhard. She is a historian who recently published her first historical novel The Double Standard Sporting House which explores the women of a high class brothel in Gilded Age New York - and one woman in particular who decides to take on the Tammany Hall criminal syndicate. Join us as we discuss what motivated the story, how women have consistently fought against the limitations of society, and why a work of fiction about the Gilded Age resonates in our current moment. 

When you are done listening, you can l...