Loading...

PODCAST

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

Civics & Coffee delivers bite-sized U.S. history with clear, engaging storytelling — all in the time it takes to drink your morning cup of coffee. Host Alycia brings America’s past to life with well-researched episodes that are approachable, human, and impossible to forget.In 2026, Civics & Coffee dives into the Gilded Age - a transformative era of booming industry, powerful presidents, labor uprisings, immigration waves, inequality, and social reformers. From national crises like the Great

history

All Episodes

40:56

Historical Politics: David Walbert on Stealing...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/10/06

Does the United States really have free and fair elections? In this conversation, voting rights attorney David Walbert discusses his book Stealing Elections American Style, which explores America's contentious electoral history. He highlights the ongoing issues of voter suppression and the historical context of the 1876 election, illustrating how political structures have perpetuated racial inequalities and the challenges faced in achieving true democratic representation. Join us as we highli...

en-us

18:50

Before Hollywood: The History of Vaudeville

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/10/03

If you grew up taping posters of your favorite celebrities on your wall or consider yourself a Swiftie, you can thank Vaudeville. Tune in this week as I explore the early quintessential American mass entertainment medium and its lasting impact on modern culture. Discover how vaudeville shaped celebrity culture, influenced entertainment accessibility, and laid the groundwork for future media. Support the show

en-us

41:44

Courageous Art: Dr. Keri Leigh Merritt on An...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/29

Lillian Smith was a best-selling author whose courageous decision to stand for civil rights in the Jim Crow south led to her erasure from discussions about influential leaders of the movement. Join me as I sit down with historian Keri Leigh Merritt whose insightful biography seeks to pull Smith from the shadows and highlight the ways Smith challenged societal norms and contributed to the early fights against racism. To learn more about Dr. Merritt, visit her website: https://kerile...

en-us

16:23

From Marchers to Consumers: The Origins of Labor Day

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/26

Labor Day was first celebrated during the Gilded Age - amid a growing labor movement seeking recognition. Join me this week as I explore the origins, evolution, and current perceptions of Labor Day in the United States. Learn how Labor Day has transformed from a day of militant labor demonstrations to a more consumer-focused holiday, reflecting broader societal changes and the decline of organized labor's influence. Support the show

en-us

32:07

Bringing Civil War History to Life: Stan Haynes on...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/22

Join me as I sit down with author Stan Haynes to discuss his latest book And Slavery No More - a work of historical fiction that explores the mystery of General Lee's lost order and President Lincoln's evolution on slavery. Tune in to learn about how Haynes came to write historical fiction, the value to reading both fiction and nonfiction, and how he approaches blending creative elements grounded in historical events. To learn more about Stan and his books, visit his website: https...

en-us

18:55

Exclusion or Restriction? The Chinese Exclusion Act

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/19

In 1882, President Chester A Arthur signed legislation barring Chinese laborers from entering the United States for a period of ten years. It went on to become known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, but is that an accurate framing? Join me this week as I explore Chinese immigration and why some historians refer to the 1882 law as the Chinese Restriction Act. Support the show

en-us

27:16

Complex Founders: Jim Rasenberger on A Perfect...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/15

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are two of the most notable men of the founding era - as is their complicated and occasionally fraught relationship. Join me as I sit down with Jim Rasenberger to discuss his latest book A Perfect Coincidence which explores their friendship, political differences, and what lessons we can learn from their reconciliation. To learn more about Jim, check out his website: jimrasenberger.com To grab your copy of A Perfect Coincidence, consider shopping at my af...

en-us

18:39

Lawless Legends: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday & the...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/12

The gunfight at the OK Corral remains one of the most iconic moments of the American West, a whirlwind of chaos that lasted less than a minute but has echoed through history. Learn what led to the fight, why Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were in Tombstone to begin with, and how the battle scarred Earp for the remainder of his days. If all you know about the shootout is what Hollywood showed you, listen up - you're in for a wild ride. Support the show

en-us

30:16

Community History: Jason Green on Too Precious to Lose

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/08

How many of us make time? Join me as I sit with Jason Green to discuss his book Too Precious to Lose, which intertwines memoir and oral history to explore the rich history of a Black community in Maryland. He shares the importance of community, the richness uncovered in oral histories, and how preserving history is a collective responsibility. Green reflects on pivotal moments in his family's history and how these experiences connect to broader themes of hope, responsibility, and the signific...

en-us

18:40

The American Westerner: Wild Bill Hickok

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/05

James "Wild Bill" Hickok is a figure who embodies the spirit of the American frontier. His adventures, often dramatized in tales and folk songs, paint a vivid picture of a man who was both a hero and an outlaw. Tune in this week to learn about the man behind the legend and join me as I explore the life of Wild Bill Hickok; from his early days in Illinois to his rise as a frontier icon and his tragic end in Deadwood. Discover how his story shaped the myth of the American West and the truths be...

en-us

48:16

From Tragedy to Charity: Dr. David Conrad Pérez on...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/09/01

Most know that the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911 swept in massive labor reforms and highlighted the need for workplace safety laws. Yet, this is only part of the story. Join me as I sit down with Dr. David Conrad-Pérez to discuss his book Fire in the Heart of the City which explores the deeper implications of the fire with the rise of modern charity. Learn how critical the New York Times was in shaping public opinion and how it used its platform redirect the narrative after ...

en-us

17:36

Larger than Life: The Mystery of Billy the Kid

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/29

One of the most iconic individuals of the American West, Billy the Kid has dominated pop culture for over a century. Stories about his life are filled with fanciful details and he is described as one of the most dangerous, yet affable outlaws of the frontier. How did a gunslinging youngster from the wrong side of the tracks rise to such fame? And how much of his story is based in reality? Tune in this week to find out. Support the show

en-us

53:31

Healthcare History: John McDonough on America's Wrong...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/25

Healthcare in the United States has a long, complex history. Join me as I sit down with John McDonough, a Harvard professor and healthcare policy expert, to explore the history of the U.S. healthcare system, its intersection with neoliberalism, and potential paths forward. To learn more about this history, be sure to check out McDonough's latest book, America's Wrong Turn. Learn more about John McDonough's scholarship and research here. Save 30% with code HTWN at Johns Hopkins Uni...

en-us

16:18

Demanding Dignity: The 1881 Atlanta Washerwomen Strike

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/22

What did it mean to assert dignity in the former confederate south? For Black washerwomen in Atlanta, it was the act of going on strike. Join me this week as I explore the 1881 Washerwomen Strike and share the motivations behind the strike, how the women organized, and what the end results were. Learn why women who were already in economic precarious positions chose to risk their livelihoods - and their freedom - to demand recognition of their worth. Support the show

en-us

46:56

Visualizing The Past: In Pursuit with Nathaniel...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/18

How do you capture the complex nuances of the American story? And what can a multi-part online series told through America's birthplace tell us about our democratic experiment? In this episode, Andrew Ferrett and Nathaniel Popkin discuss their documentary series 'In Pursuit,' which explores 400 years of American history through the lens of Philadelphia. They delve into the series' approach to storytelling, periodization, and its relevance to understanding America's past and present. Stream av...

en-us

12:36

A White House Without a First Lady: Nell Arthur &...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/15

Entering the White House under less than ideal circumstances, Chester A. Arthur had a lot on his plate - including who would run the mansion's social calendar. Arthur was a man who enjoyed the DC social scene but as Commander in Chief, he knew he would have little time to dedicate to planning the fine details. Still grieving the loss of his wife, Arthur was at a crossroads: who, exactly, should fill the role? Tune in this week to learn about Arthur's wife, Ellen Arthur and the woman he eventu...

en-us

37:55

'The Army's Rosa Parks': Amy Nathan on Sarah Keys...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/11

Joining me this week is author Amy Nathan where we explore the inspiring story of Sarah Keys Evans, a civil rights hero who fought against segregation in transportation. Learn how her legacy sheds light on the long struggle for racial equality in America and why her story isn't better known. To learn more about Amy, check out her website www.amaynathanbooks.com Be sure to grab a copy of Riding into History wherever fine books are sold, or via my bookshop affiliate storefront here. ...

en-us

19:39

‘Making a man President cannot change him’? The Life...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/08

No one voted for Chester A. Arthur to become president of the United States. When James Garfield was shot in July 1881 many doubted whether Arthur could perform the duties of the job well - including Arthur. A man who made his career by playing politics, it was unknown whether Vice President Arthur could stand alone or be an extension of longtime ally Roscoe Conkling. Yet when the time came, Arthur surprised them all. Tune in to learn about the life and administration of Chester A. Arthur.&nb...

en-us

55:08

Understanding the Opposition: Amy Littlefield on...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/04

How did the United States Supreme Court go from the Roe v. Wade in 1973 to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022? Join me as I sit down with Amy Littlefield to discuss her book Killers of Roe which seeks to answer that question and more. In this conversation we explore the history of abortion rights in the U.S., the impact of policies like the Hyde Amendment, and the political strategies behind anti-abortion movements as well as using the past to inform future activism...

en-us

19:15

The Chinese Must Go: The California Workingmen’s...

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast ·

2026/08/01

In 1877 the nation came to a virtual standstill as labor united against the exploitive railroad companies. As workers protested unfair business practices in the east, racial animosity in California mixed with economic precarity led workers down a very different path. Join me as I explore the rise and fall of the Workingmen's Party of California and its impact on anti-Chinese sentiment and federal policy in the late 19th century. Support the show

en-us

375 results

Similar Podcasts

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

pplpod

pplpod

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

This Day in Disney History

ATIS Products

Blues Moments in Time...

The Blues Hotel Collective