BackStory
Summary: BackStory is a weekly public podcast hosted by U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman. We're based in Charlottesville, Va. at Virginia Humanities. There’s the history you had to learn, and the history you want to learn - that’s where BackStory comes in. Each week BackStory takes a topic that people are talking about and explores it through the lens of American history. Through stories, interviews, and conversations with our listeners, BackStory makes history engaging and fun.
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Podcasts:
On this episode, Joanne brings you a sampling of some of our spookiest segments just in time for Halloween.
On this episode of BackStory, Brian, Nathan and Joanne dig into the little known history of white women and white supremacy.
In this excerpt from the 2014 episode "States of Mind," sociologist Jonathan Metzl talks with Brian about the rise of black protest in the 1960s and 70s, and how it was increasingly redefined in psychiatric terms.
On this episode, Ed sits down with Eric Foner to talk about public perceptions of Reconstruction, the landmark amendments to the Constitution and how they have the power to change the country today.
In this segment from BackStory’s 2015 show, “Where There's Smoke: A History of Fire,” host emeritus Peter Onuf presents a story by reporter Chelsea Davis about how San Francisco’s thriving Chinatown emerged from the ashes of the 1906 Earthquake and the fires that followed, despite efforts to suppress it.
American Elections: Wicked Game is a new podcast from the host of Wondery’s American History Tellers (Lindsay Graham) that will explore all 58 presidential elections, leading up to the big day in November 2020. From the inevitable election of George Washington in 1789, to Donald Trump’s surprise electoral victory in 2016, we’ll attempt to discover if there ever was a “good ol’ days,” or if presidential politics have always been played dirty. Listen now at wondery.fm/backstory
On this episode of BackStory, Brian and Nathan explore the history of bison in America.
Joanne, Brian, and Nathan explore the ‘afterlives’ of presidents: what do they do with their time once they’re out of office — and how do we remember them once they’re gone?
On this episode of BackStory, Joanne, Nathan and Brian talk about impeachment in the past, present and (possibly) future of American history.
Check out Lost at the Smithsonian, a new podcast from Stitcher! Comedian and pop culture fanatic Aasif Mandvi gets up close and personal with the most iconic artifacts at the National Museum of American History. Join Aasif and his guests as they explore how vintage clothing, ratty furniture, and mismatched shoes transformed into Fonzie's leather jacket, Archie Bunker's chair, and Dorothy's ruby slippers and became defining symbols of American culture along the way. Lost at the Smithsonian is out NOW - listen wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to Lost at the Smithsonian in Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-at-the-smithsonian-with-aasif-mandvi/id1478 968631
On this episode of BackStory, Ed, Joanne, and Nathan explore how people are repurposing plantations and engaging with the sites' nuanced histories.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan, Brian and Ed discuss the things in the sky we struggle to explain – unidentified flying objects.
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.
In this segment from BackStory’s 2015 show, “They Might Be Giants: China and the U.S.,” host emeritus Peter Onuf talks to historian John Haddad about how Americans smuggling opium into China during the 19th century led the Chinese to crack down on trade that was already very restrictive.
On this episode of BackStory, Nathan talks with historian and activist Nick Estes about his experience at Standing Rock, the history of Indigenous resistance, and the current state of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
