Dive into the chilling history of the Demon Core, a plutonium sphere that played a pivotal role in World War II and led to fatal criticality accidents. Discover the precarious choices scientists made during nuclear experiments and the tragic stories of Louis Slotin and Harry Dallion Jr. Uncover the lasting impact of these incidents on safety protocols and worker training in nuclear facilities. The narrative highlights the evolution of safety measures that emerged from these dark events, shedding light on the risks of nuclear research.

The podcast delves into the multifaceted legacy of Ely S. Parker, a complex figure in 19th-century history. It explores his role in indigenous assimilation, shedding light on the implications for modern descendants. The discussions highlight pivotal moments like the Appomattox surrender and his connections with Ulysses Grant. Additionally, the speakers reflect on the nuances of leadership within indigenous affairs, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical complexities. Celebration of holiday traditions also weaves its way into the conversation, bringing joy to modern experiences.

While working for the Treasury Department, Ely S. Parker met someone who would become a big part of much of the rest of his life – Ulysses S. Grant. It was through this connection that Parker gained a good deal of power, and cemented a controversial legacy. Research: ·       Adams, James Ring. “The Many Careers of Ely Parker.” National Museum of the American Indian. Fall 2011. ·       Babcock, Barry. “The Story of Donehogawa, First Indian Commissioner of Indian Affairs.” ICT. 9/13/2018. https://ictnews.org/archive/the-story-of-donehogawa-first-indian-commissioner-of-indian-affairs ·       Contrera, Jessica. “The interracial love story that stunned Washington — twice! — in 1867.” Washington Post. 2/13/2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/02/13/interracial-love-story-that-stunned-washington-twice/ ·       DeJong, David H. “Ely S. Parker Commissioner of Indian Affairs (April 26, 1869–July 24,1871).” From Paternalism to Partnership: The Administration of Indian Affairs, 1786–2021. University of Nebraska Press. (2021). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv2cw0sp9.29 ·       Eves, Megan. “Repatriation and Reconciliation: The Seneca Nation, The Buffalo History Museum and the Repatriation of the Red Jacket Peace Medal.” Museum Association of New York. 5/26/2021. https://nysmuseums.org/MANYnews/10559296 ·       Genetin-Pilawa, C. Joseph. “Ely Parker and the Contentious Peace Policy.” Western Historical Quarterly , Vol. 41, No. 2 (Summer 2010). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/westhistquar.41.2.0196 ·       Genetin-Pilawa, C. Joseph. “Ely S. Parker and the Paradox of Reconstruction Politics in Indian Country.” From “The World the Civil War Made. Gregory P. Downs and Kate Masur, editors. University of North Carolina Press. July 2015. ·       Ginder, Jordan and Caitlin Healey. “Biographies: Ely S. Parker.” United States Army National Museum. https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/ely-s-parker/ ·       Hauptman, Laurence M. “On Our Terms: The Tonawanda Seneca Indians, Lewis Henry Morgan, and Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, 1844–1851.” New York History , FALL 2010, Vol. 91, No. 4 (FALL 2010). https://www.jstor.org/stable/23185816 ·       Henderson, Roger C. “The Piikuni and the U.S. Army’s Piegan Expedition.” Montana: The Magazine of Western History. Spring 2018. https://mhs.mt.gov/education/IEFA/HendersonMMWHSpr2018.pdf ·       Hewitt, J.N.B. “The Life of General Ely S. Parker, Last Grand Sachem of the Iroquois and General Grant's Military Secretary.” Review. The American Historical Review, Vol. 25, No. 4 (Jul., 1920). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1834953 ·       Historical Society of the New York Courts. “Blacksmith v. Fellows, 1852.” https://history.nycourts.gov/case/blacksmith-v-fellows/ Historical Society of the New York Courts. “Ely S. Parker.” https://history.nycourts.gov/figure/ely-parker/ ·       Historical Society of the New York Courts. “New York ex rel. Cutler v. Dibble, 1858.” https://history.nycourts.gov/case/cutler-v-dibble/ ·       Hopkins, John Christian. “Ely S. Parker: Determined to Make a Difference.” Native Peoples Magazine, Vol. 17 Issue 6, p78, Sep/Oct2004. ·       Justia. “Fellows v. Blacksmith, 60 U.S. 366 (1856).” https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/60/366/ ·       Michaelsen, Scott. “Ely S. Parker and Amerindian Voices in Ethnography.” American Literary History , Winter, 1996, Vol. 8, No. 4 (Winter, 1996). https://www.jstor.org/stable/490115 ·       Mohawk, John. “Historian Interviews: John Mohawk, PhD.” PBS. Warrior in Two Worlds. https://www.pbs.org/warrior/content/historian/mohawk.html ·       National Parks Service. “Ely Parker.” Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. https://www.nps.gov/people/ely-parker.htm ·       Parker, Arthur C. “The Life of General Ely S. Parker: Last Grand Sachem of the Iroquois and General Grant’s Military Secretary.” Buffalo Historical Society. 1919. ·       Parker, Ely S. “Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.” December 23, 1869. Parker, Ely. Letter to Harriet Converse, 1885. https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/letter-to-harriet-converse/ PBS. “A Warrior in Two Worlds: The Life of Ely Parker.” https://www.pbs.org/warrior/noflash/ ·       Spurling, Ann, producer and writer and Richard Young, director. “Warrior in Two Worlds.” Wes Studi, Narrator. WXXI. 1999. https://www.pbs.org/video/wxxi-documentaries-warrior-two-worlds/ ·       Vergun, David. “Engineer Became Highest Ranking Native American in Union Army.” U.S. Department of Defense. 11/2/2021. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2781759/engineer-became-highest-ranking-native-american-in-union-army/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ely S. Parker was instrumental in the creation of President President Ulysses S. Grant’s “peace policy." Parker was Seneca, and he was the first Indigenous person to be placed in a cabinet-level position in the U.S. and the first Indigenous person to serve as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Research: ·       Adams, James Ring. “The Many Careers of Ely Parker.” National Museum of the American Indian. Fall 2011. ·       Babcock, Barry. “The Story of Donehogawa, First Indian Commissioner of Indian Affairs.” ICT. 9/13/2018. https://ictnews.org/archive/the-story-of-donehogawa-first-indian-commissioner-of-indian-affairs ·       Contrera, Jessica. “The interracial love story that stunned Washington — twice! — in 1867.” Washington Post. 2/13/2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/02/13/interracial-love-story-that-stunned-washington-twice/ ·       DeJong, David H. “Ely S. Parker Commissioner of Indian Affairs (April 26, 1869–July 24,1871).” From Paternalism to Partnership: The Administration of Indian Affairs, 1786–2021. University of Nebraska Press. (2021). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv2cw0sp9.29 ·       Eves, Megan. “Repatriation and Reconciliation: The Seneca Nation, The Buffalo History Museum and the Repatriation of the Red Jacket Peace Medal.” Museum Association of New York. 5/26/2021. https://nysmuseums.org/MANYnews/10559296 ·       Genetin-Pilawa, C. Joseph. “Ely Parker and the Contentious Peace Policy.” Western Historical Quarterly , Vol. 41, No. 2 (Summer 2010). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/westhistquar.41.2.0196 ·       Genetin-Pilawa, C. Joseph. “Ely S. Parker and the Paradox of Reconstruction Politics in Indian Country.” From “The World the Civil War Made. Gregory P. Downs and Kate Masur, editors. University of North Carolina Press. July 2015. ·       Ginder, Jordan and Caitlin Healey. “Biographies: Ely S. Parker.” United States Army National Museum. https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/ely-s-parker/ ·       Hauptman, Laurence M. “On Our Terms: The Tonawanda Seneca Indians, Lewis Henry Morgan, and Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, 1844–1851.” New York History , FALL 2010, Vol. 91, No. 4 (FALL 2010). https://www.jstor.org/stable/23185816 ·       Henderson, Roger C. “The Piikuni and the U.S. Army’s Piegan Expedition.” Montana: The Magazine of Western History. Spring 2018. https://mhs.mt.gov/education/IEFA/HendersonMMWHSpr2018.pdf ·       Hewitt, J.N.B. “The Life of General Ely S. Parker, Last Grand Sachem of the Iroquois and General Grant's Military Secretary.” Review. The American Historical Review, Vol. 25, No. 4 (Jul., 1920). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1834953 ·       Historical Society of the New York Courts. “Blacksmith v. Fellows, 1852.” https://history.nycourts.gov/case/blacksmith-v-fellows/ Historical Society of the New York Courts. “Ely S. Parker.” https://history.nycourts.gov/figure/ely-parker/ ·       Historical Society of the New York Courts. “New York ex rel. Cutler v. Dibble, 1858.” https://history.nycourts.gov/case/cutler-v-dibble/ ·       Hopkins, John Christian. “Ely S. Parker: Determined to Make a Difference.” Native Peoples Magazine, Vol. 17 Issue 6, p78, Sep/Oct2004. ·       Justia. “Fellows v. Blacksmith, 60 U.S. 366 (1856).” https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/60/366/ ·       Michaelsen, Scott. “Ely S. Parker and Amerindian Voices in Ethnography.” American Literary History , Winter, 1996, Vol. 8, No. 4 (Winter, 1996). https://www.jstor.org/stable/490115 ·       Mohawk, John. “Historian Interviews: John Mohawk, PhD.” PBS. Warrior in Two Worlds. https://www.pbs.org/warrior/content/historian/mohawk.html ·       National Parks Service. “Ely Parker.” Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. https://www.nps.gov/people/ely-parker.htm ·       Parker, Arthur C. “The Life of General Ely S. Parker: Last Grand Sachem of the Iroquois and General Grant’s Military Secretary.” Buffalo Historical Society. 1919. ·       Parker, Ely S. “Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.” December 23, 1869. Parker, Ely. Letter to Harriet Converse, 1885. https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/letter-to-harriet-converse/ PBS. “A Warrior in Two Worlds: The Life of Ely Parker.” https://www.pbs.org/warrior/noflash/ ·       Spurling, Ann, producer and writer and Richard Young, director. “Warrior in Two Worlds.” Wes Studi, Narrator. WXXI. 1999. https://www.pbs.org/video/wxxi-documentaries-warrior-two-worlds/ ·       Vergun, David. “Engineer Became Highest Ranking Native American in Union Army.” U.S. Department of Defense. 11/2/2021. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2781759/engineer-became-highest-ranking-native-american-in-union-army/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, has a fascinating history tied to sailors during the Age of Exploration. Symptoms like fatigue and bleeding gums took a toll on long voyages until citrus fruits emerged as a cure. The story dives into early outbreaks, the evolution of our understanding of nutrition, and the pivotal role that vitamin C plays in health. From the British Navy’s nutritional changes to landmark figures in naval medicine, the historical journey of scurvy is both intriguing and enlightening.

Listeners are taken on a journey exploring the fascinating relationship between footwear and culture. The hosts share listener requests while celebrating the impactful legacy of a Black shoe innovator from Lynn, Massachusetts. They dive into the artistry of shoe manufacturing innovation and the personal connections we have with our favorite pairs. With a sprinkle of cocktail-making talk, this episode highlights the joy and creativity tied to both shoes and celebrations, reminding us why these simple objects matter so much.

The shoes you’re wearing today likely were made possible by an invention from the late 19th century. But the inventor of that machine, who had little to no formal education, didn’t really get to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Research: ·     “29c Jan E. Matzeliger single.” Smithsonian National Postal Museum. https://postalmuseum.si.edu/object/npm_1993.2015.160 ·     Biography.com Editors. “Jan Matzeliger Biography.” Biography.com. June 24, 2020. https://www.biography.com/inventors/jan-matzeliger ·     Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Jan Ernst Matzeliger". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jan-Ernst-Matzeliger. ·     “Brockton lasters Strike.” The Daily Item. August 8, 1887. https://www.newspapers.com/image/945617821/?match=1&terms=lasters%20strike ·     Curry, Sheree R. “Jan Ernst Matzeliger Made Modern Footwear Accessible.” USA Today. Feb. 17, 2023. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2023/02/17/jan-ernst-matzeliger-black-shoe-inventor/11154017002/ ·     “Death of Earnest Matzeliger.” The Daily Item. Aug. 26, 1889. https://www.newspapers.com/image/945605665/?match=1&terms=Matzeliger ·     “Jan Ernst Matzeliger.” National Inventors Hall of Fame. https://www.invent.org/inductees/jan-ernst-matzeliger ·     “Jan Matzlieger ‘Lasting Machine.’” Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/jan-matzlieger ·     Kaplan, Sydney. “JAN EARNST MATZELIGER AND THE MAKING OF THE SHOE.” Journal of Negro History. Volume 40, Number 1. January 1955. https://doi.org/10.2307/2715446 ·     Matzeliger, J.E. “Lasting Machine.” U.S. Patent Office. March 20, 1883. https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/0274207 ·     “Matzeliger’s Invention Changed the World.” The Daily Item. Aug. 10, 1999. https://www.newspapers.com/image/948726215/?match=1&terms=Matzeliger ·     Morgan, Stuart. “The birth of the lasting machine.” Satra. https://www.satra.com/bulletin/article.php?id=2501 ·     Smeulders, V.  (2017, May 31). Matzeliger, Jan Ernst. Oxford African American Studies Center. Retrieved 25 Nov. 2024, from https://oxfordaasc.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.001.0001/acref-9780195301731-e-74508 ·     Thompson, Ross. “The Path to Mechanized Shoe Production in the United States.” University of North Carolina Press. 2001.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delve into six lesser-known stories requested by listeners, celebrating remarkable figures like Nellie Cashman, a mining pioneer and philanthropist, and Ela of Salisbury, a 13th-century abbess with powerful influence. Learn about Teenie Harris, whose photography captured Black life in Pittsburgh, and Jane Gauguin, an innovator in knitting literature. Discover Edward A. Carter Jr.'s military journey, navigating racial injustice, and gain insights into the strong women who shaped their communities against societal norms.

Discover the poignant story of the Ko'olau Rebellion, sparked by the enforced quarantine of those with Hansen's disease in Hawaii. Explore the societal impacts of leprosy, the fierce resistance led by a local community, and the emotional struggles faced by families against government orders. Learn about Father Damien's compassionate legacy and the cultural memory surrounding these events as they shaped Hawaiian identity. Uncover the traumatic history of isolation and the ongoing quest for understanding and healing.

Explore the controversial life of Sarah Winnemucca and the complexity of her autobiography. Delve into the struggles of indigenous assimilation, highlighting her legacy in cultural survival. Reflect on the challenges of education amidst colonization and the moral dilemmas faced. Uncover personal narratives from the Mexican-American War, focusing on the significance of language. The discussion also embraces holiday traditions, celebrating the joy and bonding these moments create.