HISTORY This Week cover image

HISTORY This Week

Latest episodes

undefined
Mar 10, 2025 • 41min

Six Men, Two Bombs, One Grave Injustice

March 14, 1991. The Birmingham Six have been in prison for 16 years. Each of these six Irishmen was found guilty of 21 counts of murder back in 1975 – held responsible for bombs detonated at two popular pubs in Birmingham, England. They were accused of being part of an IRA terror campaign, but have maintained their innocence since the moment they were arrested. It turns out... they were telling the truth.Today, the Birmingham Six will be set free. How were they imprisoned for a crime they never committed? And why have the actual bombers never been brought to justice?Special thanks to Ed Barlow, producer at the BBC and creator of the podcast series In Detail: The Pub Bombings. To stay updated: historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
undefined
Mar 6, 2025 • 12min

Introducing: Campus Files

College holds a mythic place in American culture, but behind the polished campus tours and glossy brochures lies a far more complicated reality. Each episode of Campus Files uncovers a new story that rocked a college or university. Consider this your unofficial campus tour. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
undefined
Mar 3, 2025 • 39min

Freud & Jung: The Original Dream Team

In this engaging discussion, guests Satya Doyle Byock, a Jungian psychotherapist and author, and George Makari, a psychiatrist and historian, delve into the complex relationship between Freud and Jung. They explore their groundbreaking meeting in 1907, revealing how their theories about the unconscious shaped modern psychology. The conversation highlights the tensions that emerged over differing views on dreams and the collective unconscious, illuminating how their once strong friendship crumbled under philosophical disagreements.
undefined
7 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 37min

Hitler Stands Trial

Peter Ross Range, author of "1924: The Year That Made Hitler," delves into Adolf Hitler's early political journey during his infamous 1923 coup attempt. They explore the chaos and violence of that fateful night, showcasing how Hitler narrowly escaped death. The discussion highlights how his trial transformed him from a failed coup leader into a patriotic hero, shaping his public image. Range reveals the strategic exploitation of courtroom drama that launched Hitler's political ambitions, setting the stage for his rise to power.
undefined
Feb 24, 2025 • 42min

Tesla Electrifies the World

In this discussion, Mark Seifer, author of "Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla," shares captivating insights about Nikola Tesla's groundbreaking 1893 demonstration at the Franklin Institute, where he showcased wireless power. The podcast delves into Tesla's fierce rivalry with Thomas Edison and highlights his ambitious plans for wireless energy transmission. Seifer also explores Tesla's visionary ideas, such as remote-controlled technology and his belief in extraterrestrial signals, framing Tesla as a misunderstood genius whose impact is felt even today.
undefined
Feb 17, 2025 • 35min

America’s Restaurants Meet the Michelin Man

Kathleen Squires, a seasoned food and travel writer for top publications, joins to discuss the Michelin Guide's historic debut in New York City. She shares the electrifying atmosphere of the launch night, where chefs oscillated between hope and anxiety. The conversation delves into how Michelin stars have reshaped American dining culture, the intense pressure on chefs, and the complex emotions tied to accolades. Squires also touches on the impact of Michelin ratings on culinary tourism and the broader implications for the restaurant industry.
undefined
Feb 10, 2025 • 36min

When America Almost Had Universal Healthcare

In this engaging discussion, Marcella Alsan, a Harvard professor specializing in public policy and health, delves into a pivotal moment in 1935 when the American Medical Association faced off against the prospect of universal healthcare proposed by FDR. Topics include the AMA's innovative tactics to combat government involvement in healthcare, the widespread public push for national insurance in the mid-20th century, and the long-lasting effects of the AMA's fear-based messaging on public perception and policy. A fascinating journey through America's healthcare history!
undefined
9 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 45min

Anatomy of a Campus Heist

In this captivating discussion, BJ Gooch, a retired librarian with a passion for rare books, and Eric Borsuk, one of the young masterminds behind a notorious book heist, share their unique perspectives. They delve into the audacious planning that led to the theft of $750,000 worth of rare manuscripts and the moral dilemmas they faced. Eric recaps the chaos of the FBI raid, while BJ reflects on the emotional impact of the crime on the preservation of cultural artifacts. Their stories intertwine, revealing the complexities of passion, crime, and consequence.
undefined
8 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 42min

Could the Challenger Disaster Have Been Prevented?

Adam Higginbotham, author of "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space," dives deep into the tragic Challenger disaster of 1986. He highlights how engineers warned about the dangers of launching in frigid temperatures but were overridden by managerial pressure. The discussion sheds light on the flawed O-rings that failed under extreme cold, transforming what was meant to be a monumental flight into a devastating tragedy just seconds after liftoff. Higginbotham reveals both the heroism and culpability surrounding this pivotal moment in space history.
undefined
Jan 23, 2025 • 32min

MLK Bonus: The Civil Rights Children's Crusade

To further celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we're re-releasing our classic episode about the Children's Crusade, an effort to bring the youth of Birmingham, Alabama into the Civil Rights Movement in order to affect change across the country.April 20, 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. walks out of Alabama’s Birmingham Jail after being held for a week for peacefully protesting. He spent most of that time writing a letter that passionately defends the civil rights movement’s nonviolent tactics. But despite King’s passion, the movement’s progress has stalled. King needs a major victory in Birmingham, but he’s running out of people willing to risk their livelihoods and safety for this cause. So a new tactic starts taking shape: recruiting young people to protest. After all, kids have the least to lose and the most to gain from a more equal future. But King says the risk is too high. So what changes his mind about putting kids on the front lines? And how did the Children’s March shift Americans’ support of civil rights?Special thanks to our guests: Children’s Crusade participants Jessie Shepherd, Janice Wesley Kelsey, and Charles Avery. And Ahmad Ward, former head of education at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and current Executive Director at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.To stay updated: historythisweekpodcast.com** This episode originally aired April 17, 2023. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode