An Impossible Interview III: JD Huitt, History Underground

Summary: <p>In this newest entry into the Impossible Interview series, I had a chance to sit down (via Zoom) with the incredibly talented and generous-with-his time J.D. Huitt, the brains behind and face of History Underground and the excellent History Traveler series on YouTube (remember: LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!). He ranks among the top three history content creators that I diligently follow on YouTube for his excellent-quality videos exploring famous (and not-so-famous-but-should-be-famous) historical locations, ranging from Arlington Cemetery to the beaches of Normandy to Ford's Theater to a German U-boat housed in a museum I somehow missed while living in Chicago. It's a little overwhelming at first due to the sheer volume of content, but it's all top-notch and I was glad to get to know a fellow history fan a little better (and keep in mind: J.D. is fighting the good fight working as a high school history teacher and from the sounds of it, doing it very well).</p> <p>This was more of a two-way interview since it both appears here in glorious audio form and on YouTube in video form, but it turned into a very interesting conversation both about History Impossible's process and History Underground's process, as well as the psychological approach to history, the consequences and realities of COVID-19, the weaponization of history, and even our stories of encountering political extremists. It was a fun time for both of us and I think it'll be a fun time for all of you as you wait for the next installment of the West Meets East trilogy.</p> <p>And quick note before anyone corrects me: I called J.D. the first history teacher I've managed to interview for the podcast, by which I meant the first HIGH SCHOOL history teacher I've gotten to interview. My previous two conversations with Daniele Bolelli and CJ Kilmer were indeed conversations with history teachers, but they are operating at the college level, so I'd be more inclined to call them professors. Semantics aside, enjoy the show!</p> <p>History Impossible has been made possible by the following generous supporters on Patreon and PayPal:</p> <ul> <li>Tony Androsky</li> <li>Elias Borota</li> <li>Matthew Dakus</li> <li>Gavin Edwards</li> <li>Peter Hauck</li> <li>Jose Martinez</li> <li>Judy McCoid</li> <li>Kostas Moros</li> <li>Molly Pan</li> <li>John Pisano</li> <li>PJ Rader</li> <li>Martin Reddin</li> <li>Mark Reed</li> <li>Stephen Roblem</li> <li>Sam</li> <li>Emily Schmidt</li> <li>Ricky Worthey</li> <li>Steve Uhler</li> </ul>