On this episode of BackStory, Ed and guest host Lindsay Graham of the American History Tellers podcast explore the career of Abraham Lincoln the lawyer.
54 Min
Nov 9, 2018
Even though her life was a short one, Anne Frank's account of her turbulent times has provided inspiration for millions of people all over the world.
137 Min
Nov 9, 2018
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne consider the origins of illegal immigration and look at how the government’s deportation powers have grown over time.
37 Min
Nov 2, 2018
On this episode of BackStory, Brian and Nathan reflect on how, 100 years later, “the war to end all wars” is still with Americans.
48 Min
Oct 26, 2018
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne discover that the path to American citizenship has never been easy.
53 Min
Oct 19, 2018
Jane's life of far-reaching social service and her work for peace didn't prevent her from being called "America's most dangerous woman."
74 Min
Oct 13, 2018
On this episode of BackStory, Ed joins Brian, Nathan and Joanne as they continue to explore the history of America’s relationship to the largest marine mammals.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne explore the history of America’s relationship to the largest marine mammals.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne reflect on the history of prison labor and learn more about the challenges facing those behind bars.
Later known as "The Mother of Social Work", Jane Addams took a circuitous route to find her life's calling.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Brian, and Ed discuss things in the sky we can’t explain - unidentified flying objects.
On this episode of Backstory, Ed, Nathan and Brian explore the iconic figure of the American Millionaire.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Ed and Nathan take a look at the historical relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Brian and Joanne talk about our past understanding of climate and weather and how the invention of air conditioning changed America forever.
On this week’s episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne and Ed talk atomic power, and the indelible mark it left on American culture.
Georgia O'Keeffe is known as the mother of Modernism; she created a vast body of work, always finding a novel way to express what she wanted to say through her art.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Nathan and Joanne explore the central questions of the Reconstruction era.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian talks to "Past Present" podcast host Nicole Hemmer about her six-part series, "A12," a reflection on the one-year anniversary of the "Summer of Hate." You'll also hear part 6 of "A12" in this show.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne and Brian explore the history of filling SCOTUS seats, the connections between Sherlock Holmes and U.S. presidents, and consider how Dr. Spock's book changed America.
Grainne Ui Mhaille (Grace O'Malley) was a terror of the open seas; living her life on her own terms during a turbulent time in her country. Her meeting with Queen Elizabeth in 1593 cemented her place in history.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan wrestle with a long-running tension in our country’s history: what it means to assimilate and “become American.”
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne, and Brian dip their toes into four tales from America’s shoreline.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Nathan and Brian explore stories of superstition and the surprising roles the number 13 has played across American history.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Ed and Nathan talk about the people who decided to take it upon themselves to collect stuff they knew people would care about someday -- even if others thought they were weird.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Ed, Joanne and special guests share their recommendations of the history page turners you should pack for the beach.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne and Brian look at the early days of photography and learn if photos should be trusted at all.
Mary Pickford was so much more than an adorable head of hair. She was a hard-headed businesswoman who broke new ground in a brand new industry - the movies.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Nathan and Joanne discuss the importance of honor throughout American history.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Ed, and Nathan explore the ways Americans have spent their time off.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Brian, Joanne & Ed talk about how Americans remember and reckon with systematic violence, and how we keep this difficult history alive and in the public eye.
We take a look back at one of our most delightful subjects with a remastered classic episode.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian, and Joanne look at the long history and political impact of Americans marrying royals.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Ed, and Nathan explore the grounds of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne and Nathan explore some of the many meanings Americans have attached to hair.
The story of a Chinese concubine who rose to power from behind a curtain of yellow silk.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne talks about letters written to FDR and #twitterstorians. We also hear from a man who reflects on his family's experience of slavery.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Joanne, and Brian look at the deep roots of advocacy in journalism.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Brian & Ed talk about the role young people have played in American politics.
Louisa May Alcott fictionalized (and sanitized) her childhood reality in her novel Little Women; she left out life in a commune, starvation, 19th century action thriller stories, and becoming the family breadwinner at a young age.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Ed and Brian look at America's long history with opioids - like opium, morphine and heroin.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian, Nathan and Joanne explore the legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. 50 years after his death.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan and Joanne look at the interrogation that led to the landmark Supreme Court case "Miranda v. Arizona."
On this special St. Patrick’s Day episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne and Nathan explore Irish American culture and identity.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Peter, and Ed unpack the origins of college sports.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan explore some of the stories Americans tell about our past and find the kernels of truth that lie at the heart of a few American legends.
Jackie's life was far from over after her husband's assassination; in some ways, it had only just begun.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian, Nathan and Joanne look at the influence of the late Billy Graham, the parallels between “Black Panther” and Haitian history and, in a new First Draft segment, evaluate the reputation of Thomas Edison.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Brian, and Nathan honor President’s Day by exploring the ‘afterlives’ of U.S. presidents.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian and Nathan explore American Catholicism—recounting the struggles, triumphs, and unique impact of Catholics on the history of the United States.
Jackie Kennedy changed the cultural outlook of the United States during her brief role as First Lady.
The U.S. is in the grips of the worst flu season in nearly a decade, with hospitals full across the country. But it’s nothing compared to the flu season one hundred years ago, when a nationwide pandemic killed over half a million Americans.
This year’s Winter Olympics have already seen their share of drama and political jockeying and the games haven’t even begun. So, BackStory is digging into the history of the power of international sports.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne, and Nathan delve into what happened in California after gold was found and some of the lasting impacts of the Gold Rush.
Introducing The Walk, a new immersive fiction podcast from Panoply, created by award-winning author Naomi Alderman
We're celebrating our 100th full-length episode and our 7th year by taking a trip back to visit some women and moments that we will never forget.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne, and Brian focus on three stories in the news.
The Walk - a new immersive fiction podcast from Panoply, created by award-winning author Naomi Alderman. Subscribe in itunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-walk/id1334736440?mt=2
On this episode of BackStory, Brian and Ed explore the 51 day siege at Waco and explore what the Branch Davidians actually believed.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Ed, Joanne and Nathan look back at the stories we produced in 2017.
Pocahontas did save lives... just not the way (or the one) that you've been taught.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Ed, and Nathan explore Americans’ fascination with wild places
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan discuss some of America’s many homegrown culinary traditions and what the food we eat says about American identity.
Once upon a time, Santa was a bachelor. But over the years, the folklore included his wife, a beloved character of modern Christmas.
On this episode of BackStory, we're featuring "Man of the People" an episode from the podcast "Reply All" that first aired January 19, 2017.
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel not only reinvented women's clothing and accessories, she reinvented herself, too.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne, Nathan and Brian focus on three stories in the news.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan look at how Americans have wrestled with political corruption.
Brian sits down with Ed to talk about his new book "The Thin Light of Freedom: The Civil War and Emancipation in the Heart of America."
She was the first Queen to rule and the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, but Queen Lili'uokalani's story is the story of Hawaii.
100 years ago, the Bolshevik Party seized power in Russia. Brian, Joanne, and Nathan explore how that distant revolution had an immediate impact in the U.S.
The blood-soaked finale to season two. The rebel army, under General Qulan, prepares to march on the city where Gregor, struggling to decide where his loyalties lie, comes face to face with his past.
On this episode, Ed, Brian and Joanne explore when and why Americans signed up to fight for other countries’ causes.
Manel goes to the swamps in search of her father, General Qulan, who had been sent there as a prisoner to work on the great dam. Back in Tumanbay, the young sultan Madu comes out of hiding for a secret rendezvous with a long-lost lover.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Brian and Ed discuss things in the sky we can’t explain - unidentified flying objects.
Manel must prove her commitment to the rebel cause by undertaking a dangerous mission - one that will bring her face to face with a deadly secret at the heart of this fanatical regime.
Accused of hoarding heretical text, Ibn the slave trader must face trial by the regime’s religious courts. Despite news of a threat of plague, the Inquisitor Barakat, continues his mission to cleanse the city of heretics. He chooses Gregor to assist him.
She was a slave, a freewoman, a preacher, a speaker, an abolitionist and a women's rights advocate in the Civil War era United States. Like a lot of women's history, Sojourner's truth may have been edited in history, but we can help to set it right.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian, Nathan, and Joanne tackle three stories that have been in the news recently.
Gregor’s niece, Manel, is sent by her rebel comrades into the desert on a mission to assassinate a doctor believed to be collaborating with the new regime.
Whilst Gregor attempts to survive by collaborating with the new regime, his niece Manel is drawn to the rebel cause. But treachery lurks at every corner and both are playing a deadly game.
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Nathan and Brian explore stories of superstition and the surprising roles the number 13 has played across American history.
Tumanbay has been conquered by a brutal religious regime. As refugees scramble to escape the city, Gregor, previously the Sultan’s spymaster, has sworn an oath to the new rulers.
The final chapter in season one of this epic saga of revenge, betrayal and deception. As the people of Tumanbay await news of the Sultan’s great victory, the brilliant and ruthless spymaster, Gregor discovers he has been deceived.
In this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Ed, and Nathan dip into the BackStory archive to look at four rulings that shaped public life in America.
Convinced of victory by the prophesies of a child, the Sultan prepares to march out and destroy the rebellious provincial leader, Maya. His nephew Madu has only one desire – to escape the city with his lover Daniel.
Increasingly insecure and fearful for his life, the Sultan begins a purge of the palace. Slave trader Ibn is reunited with the daughter he thought he had lost. And her slave companion finally comes face to face with the man who stole his kingdom.
Hypatia was a mathematician, philosopher and astronomer who transcended gender barriers in the waning years of the Roman Empire.
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Brian, and Nathan look at how America has dealt with our adversaries across time.
Whilst the Sultan dreams of victory against the mysterious Maya and her followers, Gregor is in pursuit of missing slave-girl Sarah and must venture into the catacombs beneath the city, haven to those who wish to escape the brutality of the city above.
There has been a murder in the palace. Gregor, the Sultan's spymaster, attempts to unlock the secret to the missing reliquary and discover why it is worth killing for. In the desert, Heaven and her slave companion are held captive by a nomadic tribe.
In this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne, and Ed discuss the history behind 3 stories in the news
General Qulan arrives in the provinces to gather the armies of empire and defeat the rebel forces led by the mysterious self-proclaimed "queen" Maya.
Shajar, the Sultan’s chief wife, has taken something of value from the Hafiz, a drunk, self-pitying religious figure-head. Gregor, the Sultan's spymaster, is determined to find out what it is and what mischief she is planning.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Joanne, and Nathan wrestle with a long-running tension in our country’s history: what it means to assimilate and “become American.”