Ohio V. The World

Episode 14: “Ohio v. Peace” (Dayton Peace Accords/Bosnian War) Alex tackles the complicated Bosnian War of the 1990s and the peace conference in Dayton, OH that finally brought war to an end in the former Yugoslavia. Alex is joined by OSU Professor of Eastern European history, Theodora Dragostinova, to break down how Ohio ended a war that cost the lives of over 100,000 people. We analyze the turbulent 20th century in the former Yugoslavia, ethnic cleansing and the Dayton Peace Accords at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. GIS specialist, Erick Lobao joins the show to discuss the role of digital mapping in helping the Dayton Peace Accords to cross the finish line (56:30). Only one show left in Season Two! Join us May 13th for the LIVE season finale at the Columbus Podcast Festival, buy your tickets here. www.columbuspodcastfestival.com

Episode 13: “Ohio v. the South” (William Tecumseh Sherman) Alex travels to Lancaster, Ohio to the Sherman House Museum to meet with Frank and Laura Bullock. The Bullocks lay out the life and military career of General William Tecumseh Sherman, the main who conquered the South and ended the Civil War. The interview occurs at the Sherman House in downtown Lancaster, visit the museum (www.shermahouse.org). We discuss Cump’s times in Ohio, his many famous quotes and his famous March to the Sea in 1864-65. Guests include Sarah Marsom of the Young Ohio Preservationists (YOP) to discuss the Rust Belt Takeover weekend in Columbus, Ohio (April 27-29) and historic preservation in general (39:00). We close the episode with the hit song “The South” from our friends Ohio-based, Bummers (www.bummersmusic.com) (1:11:00). Also don’t forget to join us Sunday May 13th at the Columbus Podcast Festival for the Season Two finale of “Ohio v. The World” LIVE!!! Buy your tickets to the whole weekend or just to Sunday’s live show here (www.columbuspodcastfestival.com)

Episode 12: “Ohio v. the ‘60s” Alex is joined by OSU History professor David Steigerwald and author Bill Shkurti to discuss the most turbulent decade of the 20th Century, the 1960s. We discuss the entire decade using Bill’s 2016 book “The Ohio State University in the Sixties” (purchase the book here https://ohiostatepress.org/books/titles/9780814213070.html) as a guide.  We use OSU as a microcosm for the changes in the United States from the early ‘60s to 1970. Even Alex’s mom makes an appearance to discuss when Ohio State is shut down due to a student strike and violent clashes with police in May 1970. Thanks to everyone for voting in the Best of Columbus poll and making “Ohio v. The World” as the 3rd best podcast in Central Ohio, according to the readers of the Columbus Alive newspaper. LIKE OUR SHOW ON FACEBOOK, click here to LIKE https://www.facebook.com/ohiovtheworld/

Episode 11: “Ohio v. the Gilded Age” (John Hay). Alex sits down with award-winning author, John Taliaferro, to discuss the most interesting man of the late 19th Century, John Hay of Cleveland, Ohio. We dive into John’s book, “All the Great Prizes: The Life of John Hay From Lincoln to Roosevelt” (click here to buy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C4GLYP8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1) or download on Audible. From his days at President Lincoln’s side in the White House, his years living on Millionaire’s Row in Cleveland, to his time as Secretary of State under both Presidents McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt, we look at a life well-lived and well-traveled. Appearances by Queen Victoria, Rutherford B. Hayes and many more historic figures of the late 19th/early 20th Century. John Hay is one of the architects of the American Century. John talks about writing a great biography and why Hay is a “biographer’s dream.” Rate and review the show on iTunes and follow us on Instagram @ohiovtheworldpocast.

Episode 10: “Ohio v. Slavery” (the Underground Railroad). Alex looks at the central role of Ohio in the Underground Railroad and the abolition movement to defeat African American slavery and the Fugitive Slave Act in the mid-19th century. We interview Mary Oellerman of the Kelton House, a “station” on the UGRR, in Columbus. (www.keltonhouse.com). Alex travels to the College of Wooster to discuss the UGRR in Northeast Ohio with Hope Nelson, a senior history major at Alex’s alma mater. Learn how Ohioans fought against the national evil of slavery and the bravery of thousands of runaway slaves that traveled through the Buckeye State to freedom. We record live from the historic Kelton House and also discuss historic preservation with Sarah Marsom. Marsom, of the Young Ohio Preservationalists, joins the show (40:00) to discuss the YOP’s Rust Belt Takeover weekend in Columbus, OH from April 27-29, 2018. Click here for info on the event (https://www.facebook.com/events/1588492121268304/). Rate and review the show on iTunes! It really helps grow our show. Thanks for listening!!!

Episode 9: “Ohio v. the Mafia”. Alex interviews Rick Porrello, author of To Kill the Irishman, about the Cleveland Mafia and its downfall at the hands of Danny Greene in the 1970s. We travel to Little Italy on Cleveland’s east side to discuss the history of the Mayfield Road Mob from Prohibition to its demise in the ‘70s. We discuss the Sugar War of the 1930s, the life of Jewish gangster, Shonder Burns, the impact of Danny Greene on the mafia in NE Ohio and find out how Cleveland became “Bomb City USA”. Vote for “Ohio v. The World" as Columbus’ best podcast in the annual Columbus Alive “Best of Columbus” poll by clicking https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T5H2KLC and voting for us (Category #65 “Best Podcast”). Voting closes March 5th. Also, buy Rick Porrello’s awesome novel, To Kill the Irishman, which was made into a feature film in 2011, starring Christopher Walden and Val Kilmer. https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Irishman-that-Crippled-Mafia/dp/0966250893/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_dz_w_U_DSpIAbDB9K4HQ_lm

Episode 8: “Ohio v. Celebrity” (Kate Chase) Alex and author John Oller sit down again to discuss America’s first celebrity, Cincinnati’s Kate Chase. They discuss the Civil War-era “belle of the north” and her decades in the public spotlight during the Gilded Age. Alex discusses John’s 2014 book, American Queen, about the beautiful and well-educated Kate Chase. We look at her years in Cincy, Columbus and her fascinating life in our nation’s capital, where she was known as “Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival.” Appearances by Abraham and Mary Lincoln, James Garfield, her father Salmon P. Chase and her rocky marriage to Senator William Sprague. Enjoy this little-known story of one Ohio woman’s rise to American royalty and her ultimate fall from grace. Rate/review the show on iTunes and email us your thoughts at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com.

Episode 7: “Ohio v. Rock n’ Roll” Alex interviews 4 guests about the history of rock n’ roll in Ohio. We sit down with Jerry Depizzo, of the band OAR, to discuss the birth of rock n’ roll in Cleveland, OH and famous DJ Alan Freed (5:00). We look at the tragic concert by the Who in Cincinnati, OH in 1979 where 11 concertgoers were killed trying to get into Riverfront Coliseum. Our guest, Ross Wagner, was at that show at age 15 (27:30). Vince Tornero, of In The Record Store podcast (www.intherecordstore.com) joins us to discuss the shooting of Dimebag Darrell of Pantera in Columbus in 2004 and his show and magazine dedicated to Ohio music (41:15). We look at the career and state of rock n’ roll radio with CD 102.5’s Randy Malloy. We interview Randy about his journey through the music industry and the independent radio station’s story. Check out his YouTube channel, Randsanity (https://www.youtube.com/randsanity?sub_confirmation=1) (57:00). Lastly, we talk to Jerry again about OAR’s rise to the top of music world from frat parties at the Ohio State University to sold out shows at Madison Square Garden. (1:17:30). Rate and review the show and email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with show ideas.

Ep. 6: “Ohio v. the White Man” (Tecumseh). Alex discusses the heroic life and times of the famous Shawnee Indian Chief, Tecumseh. We sit down with Brady Crytzer, professor, author, TV and podcast host of Battlefield Pennsylvania and WarTime: A History Podcast. (check out WarTime at www.wartimepodcast.com or iTunes). We travel back to the Ohio Country and talk about life on the dangerous frontier of the new United States of America at the turn of the 19th century. We meet Tecumseh’s brother, the Prophet, and his nemesis, William Henry Harrison. Brady walks us through the Shawnee chief’s many wars, faulty land deals, triumphs, failures and ultimately Tecumseh’s death in the War of 1812. We discover just how close Tecumseh was to carving out an independent pan-Indian nation of his own located in the Midwest US. Rate/review the show on iTunes and/or email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com or the visit the show’s website www.ohiovthworldpodcast.com.

Episode 5: “Ohio v. Impeachment” (Ben Wade/Andrew Johnson) Merry XMas!!! Alex sits down with the Bruce Carlson, the host of the amazing show, “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics”, to discuss impeachment and more specifically, the Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson in 1868. We look at the life and career of Senator Benjamin Wade of Ohio and how/why Sen. Wade falls one vote short of being the 18th President of the United States. Alex is also joined by Walt Keys of Land Grant Brewing in Columbus, OH. Walt discuss our beer of the episode, 1862 Ale, (5:00) and the Morrill/Land Grant Act, sponsored by Sen. Wade in 1862 and passed by Congress (37:30). Everyone’s talking about presidential impeachment these days, find out how it works and its history.. Rate/review the show on iTunes. Check out Land Grant Brewing (www.landgrantbrewing.com) and Bruce Carlson’s awesome podcast “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics” at (www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com). Happy New Year, Ohio!!!

Season 2, Episode 4 “Ohio v. Murder 2.0 (Part One)” (Christie Mullins) Alex delves into an infamous murder from Ohio’s history, the murder of 14 year old Columbus girl, Christie Mullins in 1975. Alex interviews author John Oller about the murder and trial detailed in his eBook “All American Murder” (2014). We look at the brutal crime, quick arrest and a dubious confession in the summer of 1975 that shook the Clintonville neighborhood. We look at the trial of Jack Carmen, a slew of suspects and the bungled police investigation with Oller and Mary Mendicino, a fellow student and friend of the murder victim. This is Part 1, don’t forget to check out Part 2 of “Ohio v. Murder 2.0”. Rate and review the show! Email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with show ideas or to say hello.

Season 2, Episode 4 “Ohio v. Murder 2.0 (Part Two)” (Christie Mullins) In Season 2’s true crime episode, Alex interviews author John Oller about how his book and his own investigation solved the cold case murder of Christie Mullins. We speak with Mary Mendicino about how the investigation of her friend’s murder warms up after being a cold case for nearly 40 years. We look at a modern investigation of a 1970s crime and how our guest helped to crack the case open. Rate and review the show! Email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with show ideas.

Season 2, Episode 3: "Ohio v. Espionage" (Agnes Meyer Driscoll). Alex delves into the world of 20th century spycraft and interviews historian Beth Weinhardt about the incredible life of U.S. Navy codebreaker, Agnes Meyer Driscoll. We analyze Miss Aggie's decades at the forefront of the field of cryptology from WWI to WWII into the Cold War. We look at the successes and failures of Madame X during her 40-plus years in codebreaking. Check out the new book, "Code Girls" and rate and review our show (we'll read your review on air!!!) on iTunes or Stitcher.

Season 2, Episode 2: “Ohio v. the State Up North” (The Toledo War): It’s Michigan Week! Alex goes back to the 1830s to uncover the origins of the Michigan-Ohio rivalry. Alex interviews U of M grad and attorney Jon Sherk about how a mistake on an early map of the Northwest Territory set the table for a war between the states, the Toledo War. We see appearances by Robert E. Lee, President Andrew Jackson and the “Boy Governor” Stevens T. Mason of Michigan. O-H-I-O, it’s a border war!!

Season 2, Episode 1: “Ohio v. the Bomb” (Paul Tibbets) WE’RE BACK!!! Season 2 starts with a bang…the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. Alex and his guest, Bruce Carlson, the host of the awesome political history podcast “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics” discuss the mission of Col. Paul Tibbets of Columbus and the decision to drop the atom bomb on the Japanese Empire. We analyze the political realities and the state of the war in the Pacific in the summer of 1945 and the end of World War II. We hear audio from President Truman and Col. Tibbets. Check out Bruce’s popular pod “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics” on iTunes or at www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com. Rate/Review the show and subscribe. Email Alex at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with questions and Season 2 show ideas. Thanks to Jason Lee McCormick for this episode's music check him out at jasonleemccormick.bandcamp.com