x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

history music history

All Episodes

16:45

How Election Rules Transformed California Senate Results

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Changing the rules of an election can completely transform the outcomes, and California discovered this through a dramatic shift in its Senate election procedures. In this episode of pplpod, we examine how electoral rules shape political results, using California's experience to illuminate the powerful effects of procedural change. From ballot design to voting methods, this episode shows how what we might consider technical matters actually determine who wins office. Understand how rules remake

en

16:13

Power shifts in West Virginia Senate history

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

West Virginia's Senate history reflects the dramatic power shifts that transformed a state from one political coalition to another. In this episode of pplpod, we trace how the state's representation changed with its economic fortunes and demographic evolution, exploring the connection between material conditions and political realignment. From coal country to modern diversification, this is a story of how changing circumstances reshape political loyalties. Discover what West Virginia's journey

en

19:04

The Senate Committee Controlling All Federal Spending

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

One Senate committee controls the power of the purse over all federal spending—a responsibility that makes certain senators extraordinarily influential. In this episode of pplpod, we examine the Appropriations Committee and how control over federal funds becomes control over policy. From infrastructure projects to military spending, this committee shapes what America actually does. Discover how a handful of senators on this committee wield influence that extends far beyond their visible legislative

en

20:11

Vengeance and empty seats in Iowa

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Vengeance and empty seats in Iowa's history reveal how personal conflicts and political disputes can create surprising institutional consequences. In this episode of pplpod, we explore how Iowa's Senate representation became marked by absences and absences that reflected broader patterns of political conflict. From deliberate non-appointment to contested succession, this episode examines how emotion and strategy intersect in political institutions. Discover what Iowa's dramatic history reveals about

en

18:26

How MAGA Became a Global Phenomenon

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

A slogan born in American politics became a global phenomenon, spreading across continents and transforming into something its originators might not have anticipated. In this episode of pplpod, we trace how "MAGA" moved from national politics into international consciousness, examining what this global diffusion reveals about modern communication and political influence. From Asia to Europe, this slogan acquired new meanings and associations. Discover how American political messaging reshapes global

en

20:26

How the Majority Leader runs the Senate

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

How does the Senate Majority Leader run the institution? In this episode of pplpod, we explore the daily mechanics of Senate leadership, examining how one person orchestrates the behavior of 100 senators. From setting the agenda to managing disputes, the Majority Leader shapes what the Senate accomplishes. This episode reveals the specific tools and tactics that make Senate leadership possible. Understand how formal authority combines with negotiation and persuasion to create legislative

en

17:49

The 22 Senators Controlling American Law

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Twenty-two senators may effectively control the direction of American law, a concentration of power that raises profound questions about democracy and representation. In this episode of pplpod, we investigate how such a small number of individuals can wield such outsized influence, examining the Senate structures and procedures that enable this concentration. From committee leadership to seniority, this episode explores the mechanisms that make legislative power so unequal. Discover what this power

en

15:41

Arkansas Senate shifts from Jacksonians to Republicans

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Arkansas has experienced a dramatic political transformation in its Senate representation, shifting from a Jacksonian coalition to Republican dominance. In this episode of pplpod, we trace this century-long realignment, examining how the state's politics fundamentally changed across generations. From agricultural populism to modern conservatism, this is a story of how political identity can shift while institutional continuity persists. Discover what Arkansas's transformation reveals about broader

en

17:27

Evolution of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Veterans have a particular advocate in the Senate, a committee dedicated to their concerns and needs. In this episode of pplpod, we examine how the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee evolved from its origins into its modern form, understanding how it became a powerful institutional force for veterans' interests. From healthcare to benefits, this committee shapes critical policy affecting millions of Americans. Discover how specialized committees create advocacy within Congress.Key Topics

en

22:34

The Neighborhood Behind the Capitol Dome

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Behind the Capitol Dome lies a historic neighborhood with stories all its own. In this episode of pplpod, we explore the architecture, residents, and history of the community adjacent to America's seat of power. From townhouses to government workers, from cultural institutions to living spaces, this neighborhood embodies the intersection of political authority and human habitation. Discover what the Capitol's neighborhood reveals about power, community, and the physical spaces where politics

en

19:03

Vinyl Bolted to Industrial Saw Blades

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Vinyl bolted to industrial saw blades creates an unusual object at the intersection of music and machinery. In this episode of pplpod, we investigate this strange combination and what it reveals about creativity, repurposing, and unconventional thinking. From industrial processes to artistic expression, this episode explores how unexpected combinations can produce surprising results. Discover what this unusual object tells us about human ingenuity and the boundaries between different domains of

en

20:39

Mad Jack Churchill and the Broadsword

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Mad Jack Churchill stands out even among the colorful characters of military history. In this episode of pplpod, we examine the eccentric officer who brought a broadsword to modern warfare, challenging conventional expectations about weapons and strategy. From a Scottish warrior in the twentieth century to legendary status, Churchill's story is one of unconventional thinking and personal audacity. Discover what this remarkable individual reveals about military culture and personal agency.Key Topics

en

18:35

The architecture of a blank Wikipedia search

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

What does it mean when a Wikipedia search returns nothing? In this episode of pplpod, we explore the fascinating gaps in one of the world's largest reference works, examining what the architecture of Wikipedia reveals about knowledge, power, and what gets documented. From missing articles to incomplete coverage, this episode uses Wikipedia's structure to understand broader patterns about what gets remembered and what gets forgotten. Discover what blank searches tell us about information and

en

17:28

Inside the Senate s Original Pressure Cooker

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

The Senate has its own pressure cooker, a place where intense negotiations occur in close quarters. In this episode of pplpod, we examine the original mechanisms and spaces where Senate leadership developed, understanding how particular rooms and relationships created the conditions for concentrated power. From physical location to institutional tradition, this episode explores how places and practices combine to create political pressure. Discover what the Senate's pressure cooker reveals about how

en

21:01

The Politics of Making the Desert Bloom

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Making the desert bloom has long captivated human imagination, a vision that combines environmental transformation with political ambition. In this episode of pplpod, we examine projects to reclaim and develop desert lands, understanding the political, economic, and environmental dimensions of these grand visions. From irrigation schemes to population resettlement, this episode explores how societies attempt to remake their physical environment. Discover what these desert transformation projects

en

23:56

The Hidden Rules of Senate Power

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Power operates according to unwritten rules that shape Senate behavior as much as formal procedures do. In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the hidden rules governing Senate interactions, from informal norms to unspoken agreements that structure how senators treat each other. These rules remain invisible to outsiders but determine what's possible and what's forbidden within the chamber. Discover how informal institutions determine the actual functioning of the Senate.Key Topics Covered:Formal

en

21:16

The Senate s Trillion Dollar Defense Engine

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

The Senate oversees a massive defense establishment that spends trillions of dollars, making it one of the world's largest institutions. In this episode of pplpod, we examine how the Senate's role in defense appropriations makes it central to America's military power and global posture. From weapons systems to personnel costs, the Senate's budgetary decisions determine American military capacity. Discover how legislative oversight operates in the realm of massive defense spending.Key Topics

en

18:37

Eight senators and Alaska s political frontier

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Alaska's political frontier has been shaped by a succession of individual senators who left distinctive marks on American politics. In this episode of pplpod, we examine eight senators who represented Alaska and what their careers reveal about frontier politics, regional representation, and the construction of political power in America's largest state. From pioneering figures to modern politicians, these senators tell Alaska's story. Discover how individual senators shaped a state's political

en

21:33

How Senate Leaders Consolidate Power

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

Senate leaders don't simply inherit power; they actively consolidate and build it through strategic action. In this episode of pplpod, we examine the specific tactics that Senate leaders use to accumulate authority and control over their colleagues. From committee assignments to campaign support, leaders deploy diverse tools to consolidate their position. This episode reveals the mechanics of power consolidation within the Senate. Discover how leaders move from formal position to actual

en

17:41

Why the 1970s turned us inward

pplpod ·

2026/03/05

The 1970s marked a turning point in American consciousness and culture, a moment when outward expansion gave way to inward reflection. In this episode of pplpod, we explore what turned America inward during this turbulent decade, examining the social movements, political events, and cultural shifts that reshaped national priorities. From Vietnam to Watergate, from environmental consciousness to personal psychology, this episode examines the forces that made introspection a national preoccupation

en

7,536 results

Similar Podcasts

The History on Film Podcast

Ross Lennon

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

pplpod

pplpod

Based on a True Story

Dan LeFebvre