15-Minute History

Welcome to the Pop Quiz! During the summer break, the team still wanted to bring you, our awesome audience, some new content. Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org.

Che Guevara, an iconic revolutionary figure known for his pivotal role in the Cuban Revolution and Marxist beliefs, discusses his enduring impact on social change. He reflects on the contradictions within his revolutionary ideals compared to harsh realities. The conversation covers his radicalization, the legacy of his actions, and the romanticized perceptions versus actual outcomes. Guevara also examines the complexities of Marxism in relation to faith and how personal experiences shape views on wealth.

Welcome to the Pop Quiz! During the summer break, the team still wanted to bring you, our awesome audience, some new content. Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org.

Discover the tumultuous life of Fyodor Dostoevsky, shaped by privilege and poverty. Dive into his transformative experiences in prison and how they influenced his profound literary voice. Engage in a fictional dialogue exploring his thoughts on faith versus science amid 19th-century socio-political turmoil. Uncover the depths of his gambling addiction and its effects on his work, alongside reflections on the allure of socialist ideals and the paradoxical power of suffering in fostering resilience and empathy.

Welcome to the Pop Quiz! During the summer break, the team still wanted to bring you, our awesome audience, some new content. Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org.

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode and discussion on Eisenhower's Farewell Address originally aired on April 24, 2023. ___ The president sat at his desk in the Oval Office as technicians scurried about setting up lights and cameras. He looked down at the speech, his last to the nation he had served for almost a half-century, and his thoughts no doubt turned to the tumultuous events of his life. Two world wars, nations devastated and then reborn, and the constant menace of a new enemy armed with terrible weapons. But perhaps he also thought of the advancements he had witnessed: economic revival and a new standard of living, an unpopular war imperfectly ended, and a world still thriving despite the threat of atomic devastation. His long life was nearing its end, and America’s oldest president would soon hand power to the youngest ever elected. Change was upon the country, and its people deserved one last message from a man who had led it through many dangers. He took a breath and began to speak. “Good evening, my fellow Americans.” Join us as we teach you about Eisenhower's farewell address, the warnings he included, and the impact of what he got right.

Welcome to the Pop Quiz! During the summer break, the team still wanted to bring you, our awesome audience, some new content. Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org.

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode and discussion on J.R.R. Tolkien originally aired on October 10, 2022. ___ Familiar to millions as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien believed that myths used stories of heroes to inspire generations of readers. He began his writing career with a children’s book, and when his publisher asked for a sequel, Tolkien had to give it some thought. For much of his life, he had lamented the fact that much of English mythology had been destroyed by invading armies or imported from abroad. (For example, the most famous English myth, that of King Arthur, was a blend of Scottish and French stories.) On putting pen to paper for the first time on his magnum opus, The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien began to craft an alternate mythology for his homeland that would tell heroic tales that, he believed, were lacking in modern Britain. Join us as we teach you about heroism through the eyes of J.R.R. Tolkien, how he incorporated heroism into stories, and how history influenced his view of heroes in fiction and real life. 

Welcome to a special Pop Quiz! In this longer version of our traditional pop quiz, Joe and Jon discuss the current election and attempted assassination from a historical perspective. As always, we invite you to send us your feedback and questions on this discussion. Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org.

In this enlightening discussion, Adam Smith, known as the 'father of modern economics' and 'the creator of capitalism', delves into the trio of his pivotal concepts: self-interest, division of labor, and the 'invisible hand'. He illustrates how these ideas impact personal decisions and community welfare while highlighting the balance between efficiency and individual growth. The conversation also touches on contemporary corporate ethics, the implications of healthcare rights, and the transparency needed in economic practices, offering a fascinating reflection on Smith’s lasting legacy.