

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
Bruce Carlson
Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates. "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 26, 2026 • 48min
LEFTOVER NOTES FROM THE ZACHARY TAYLOR SERIES
A grab bag of untold tales tied to Zachary Taylor's era. Stories include Frederick Douglass’s blistering public letter and its political impact. Accounts of California’s Gold Rush injustices and John Sutter’s coerced labor. Surprising legal twists from the Fugitive Slave laws and landmark court fights. Odd local histories like towns named for Taylor and Rough and Ready’s quirky secession.

Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 24min
ZACHARY TAYLOR - Part 3
It comes down to milk and cherries? Plans change when a nation's hero falls, and historians go to work, reinterpreting the events of 1850. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 15, 2026 • 28min
SHOW UPDATE: Zachary Taylor's VP, Commentary on Recent News
Mostly a pitch for the Patreon. Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 12, 2026 • 48min
ZACHARY TAYLOR PART 2
They thought he was an illiterate frontier colonel. They thought he'd never use the veto. Never comment on issues. Let Congress do the heavy lifting. But he has a plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 6, 2026 • 56min
ZACHARY TAYLOR - Part 1
Explore the whirlwind of emotions as news of President Zachary Taylor's dying spreads through Congress, igniting national grief and stirring eulogies from prominent figures like Lincoln. Discover the dramatic events that marked Taylor's rise to fame as a military hero during the Mexican War and his impact on American politics. Delve into Taylor's Kentucky roots, his careful navigation of sectional crises, and his firm stance against slavery's expansion. Uncover the complexities of his leadership style and the significant decisions he made during his short presidency.

Jan 4, 2026 • 58min
WAR POWERS
Presidents and Congress and use of military. A look at history. Presidents and Congresses, and a specific legislation that applies that is used, ignored, lightly used, skirted, enforced, unenforced and criticized throughout its 53 year history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 11min
EVEN MORE 90's EPHEMERA
CNN confirms that a missile strike hit for the White House, Japanese politics implodes, a grunge music tragedy and strange local traditions make mainstream in our extra episode of leftovers from the previous 1990's ephemera. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 2025 • 47min
NIXON IN FULL: Part 2
A great accomplishment and a historic scandal. And not the scandal you are thinking of, probably. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 22, 2025 • 46min
NIXON IN FULL, Part 1
Nixon - a mix of what you know and what you may not. First part of a 2014 episode. I don't know whether time has changed this cast, or if this cast has more meaning now, or less, that is for the listener to judge.
Sponsored by:
The University of Aberdeen:
https://on.abdn.ac.uk/online-history-courses/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 7, 2025 • 50min
MORE ABOUT THE KEN BURNS AMERICAN REVOLUTION DOCUMENTARY AND BEN FRANKLIN
Deeper dive on Ken Burns documentary and Franklin and Iroquois Confederacy debate. Plus: Iran Iraq war and midterms.
Sponsored by:
The University of Aberdeen:
https://on.abdn.ac.uk/online-history-courses/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


