

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

Nov 19, 2025 • 51min
CHESTER ARTHUR PART 1: THE EARLY YEARS
He fought for civil rights and nearly saved New York City. But all we remember is his hair. We start our series on President Chester Arthur with a look at his boyhood / young lawyer years.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17, 2025 • 33min
DEATH BY LIGHTNING: My Opinion of the Netflix Series, and Other Thoughts
Well, the 1880's finally has some visual media coverage. That's the good news.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 3, 2025 • 30min
1989 MAYORAL PRIMARY, IN NEW YORK CITY, AND TODAY
Ed Koch is a pretty popular guy in the 1980's. He's come to personify New York. But after 3 terms and two easy victories, he's in the fight of his political life. We talk about it, and why people are comparing it to today's events.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 27min
1990'S EPHEMERA
Push in the drawer of your CD-ROM and enjoy random stories of politics and culture from the 1990's. that did not get much notice since.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2025 • 44min
WONG KIM ARK, BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, THE CHARMING BETSEY AND THE SAND LOT PROTESTS
When it comes to citizenship decided by birth, the story of Wong Kim Ark, a young man born in the US of Chinese descent who was denied entry to his country, should be on a few minds. We tell that story in this episode, along with the Sand Lot protests that led to his change in status, and the 1804 about a ship that helped reinforce their thinking. This and thoughts about early Trump Presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2025 • 58min
TALKING BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S NEBRASKA ALBUM (WITH MUSIC REWIND PODCAST)
In this very special episode we replay Bruce's appearance on Music Rewind Podcast (https://www.musicrewindpodcast.com/) to talk about Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska album. It is now the subject of a movie.
If you like to hear about albums both new and classic, and hear stories about music, listen to Steve's excellent podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 27, 2025 • 49min
THE SURPRISING HISTORY OF RANKED CHOICE VOTING
The very Republican and business-like history of American ranked choice voting and single transferable votes, first used in a major city in the 1920's may surprise some who (may) think it's a new idea.
Initially created to make a Good Government Charter system work, it was used in Cincinnati for 20 years, and was part of a set of changes that lives on today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
1977 NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL RACE
As a blackout, serial killer and budget crisis hits New York City, an election is held. 2 major figures run, but it's the newcomers who steal the show. A governor tries to extract revenge on a mayor. A newspaper baron goes full-in. And a lingering mystery of dubious importance is created. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 13, 2025 • 42min
TRENTON TREND: NJ OFF-YEAR GOVERNOR ELECTIONS
A few good yarns about the Garden State and politics. Does the state always vote against the party in the White House? No. Not when a candidate hustles to buck the Trenton Trend. But it does have a contrarian streak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 9, 2025 • 37min
MOVE MY BILL: A History of Discharge Petitions
Learn about the power of discharge petitions in Congress, how they have been used throughout history to pass important bills, and the resistance they face from committee heads. Explore the rare instances of bipartisan cooperation and the challenges faced by those attempting to bypass committee procedures. Understand the importance of committee review and concerns surrounding the use of discharge petitions. Discover the tactics employed by House leadership to prevent the success of discharge petitions.


