Say It With History Podcast
Say It With History is my history podcast, where I interview authors and experts about the people and events that shaped the past. Each episode looks at history through stories that still resonate today. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Saving the Eleanor Roosevelt School: A Conversation with Voncher Walker
Historic preservation is about more than buildings—it’s about protecting the stories that matter. In this first episode of Season 1, I speak with Voncher Walker about the legacy of the Eleanor Roosevelt School, the last Rosenwald School, and her efforts to preserve this vital piece of Black history. Listen now to learn why this story still resonates today.
The Hidden Costs of Fame: A Conversation with Martin Turnbull
Classic Hollywood glamour often came at a high personal cost. In this episode, I’m joined by Martin Turnbull, who reveals the emotional truths behind Hollywood’s Golden Age through his meticulously researched novels. Listen now to explore the hidden sacrifices behind the silver screen.
Every Community Has a Story: A Conversation on Storytelling with Public Historian Shae Corey
Local history begins with listening. In this episode, I talk with Shae Corey, a public historian and the creator of The Holy Local Podcast, about oral history, community memory, and preserving everyday voices. Listen now to discover how local stories can reshape how we understand the past and present.
The Enigmatic First Lady: A Conversation on Pat Nixon with Heath Hardage Lee
Pat Nixon is often remembered as reserved, but her life reveals resilience, independence, and quiet influence. In this episode, I speak with Heath Lee, author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon, about the overlooked legacy of Pat Nixon and her role in diplomacy and women’s rights. Listen now to discover the woman behind the public image.
From the Gilded Age to Pop Culture: A Conversation with Matthew Hild
History is often divided into neat categories, but its most powerful stories reveal unexpected connections. In this episode, I talk with Matthew Hild about the Gilded Age’s lasting influence and how his work bridges academic history with popular culture—from railroads and labor to Andy Gibb and Olivia Newton-John. Listen now to discover how the past continues to shape the stories we tell today.
Unveiling Hidden Histories: A Conversation with Aly Riley on Female Spies of the Revolution
Hidden stories deserve a voice. In this episode, I speak with Aly Riley, author of She Spies, about the overlooked role of women in Revolutionary War espionage and the mysteries history tried to erase. Listen now to uncover the women who helped shape the American Revolution from the shadows.
Springsteen, Memory, and Vietnam: A Conversation with Melissa Ziobro
Behind every song is a story of memory, place, and the people who shaped it. In this episode, I talk with Melissa Ziobro, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, about preserving Springsteen’s legacy and the powerful ties between music, history, and memory. Listen now to explore how songs help us remember who we are and where we come from.
Civics, Polarization, and Democracy: A Conversation with Paul Rader
Civics shapes how we understand democracy—even when it’s overlooked. In this episode, I talk with Paul Rader, creator of Politics with Paul, about civic education, polarization, and how history can help bridge today’s divides. Listen now to explore how a deeper understanding of civics can strengthen our democracy.
Ancient Egypt Beyond the Pyramids: A Conversation with Melissa in De Nile
Ancient Egypt is more than pharaohs and pyramids. In this episode, I talk with Melissa in De Nile, an Egyptologist and museum educator, about everyday life in Ancient Egypt, popular myths, and making history accessible beyond academia. Listen now to discover a richer, more human side of the ancient world.
The Forgotten Women of Welfare History: A Conversation with Alycia Asai
The history of welfare is richer—and more gendered—than we often realize. In this episode, I speak with Alycia Asai about the overlooked women who built America’s social safety net, from early charity work to professional social work, including trailblazers like Frances Perkins. Listen now to discover how these women shaped debates that still resonate today.
Starring Adele Astaire and the World of Grace and Glamour: A Conversation with Author Eliza Knight
The first episode of Season 2 kicks off with author Eliza Knight joining me to discuss her novel Starring Adele Astaire and explore the captivating life of Adele Astaire, Fred Astaire’s trailblazing sister. We talk about Adele’s dazzling stage career, her bond with Fred, and the remarkable spirit that made her a star of her time. Listen now to rediscover a woman who deserves her place in history.
Edwin Booth and the Theatre of Grief: A Conversation with Historian and Author Elizabeth Reese
Historian and author Elizabeth Reese joins me to explore the complex life of Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth. We trace Edwin’s rise to theatrical fame, his struggle to reclaim his family’s legacy after Lincoln’s assassination, and the interplay of grief, fame, and redemption on and off the stage. Listen now to uncover one of the most compelling lives in American theater history.
Growing Up Roosevelt: A Conversation with Author Nina Roosevelt Gibson
Author Nina Roosevelt Gibson joins me to discuss her memoir Growing Up Roosevelt and to explore life with Eleanor Roosevelt as both history and family. We trace Nina’s childhood at Val-Kill, her travels alongside her grandmother, and the everyday practices of compassion and service that shaped Eleanor Roosevelt’s private life as much as her public legacy. Listen now for an intimate and thoughtful look at one of the most influential figures in American history, seen through the eyes of her granddaughter.
African Women of the Ancient World: A Conversation with Historian Katy Clark
Historian Katy Clark joins me to discuss her debut book African Women of the Ancient World and the powerful women who shaped politics, warfare, and leadership across the ancient world. We explore how these queens and warriors defied empires, challenged assumptions about women’s power, and left legacies that still resonate today. Listen now for a thoughtful conversation that reconsiders the ancient past through the lives of extraordinary women.
Broadway’s Golden Age and the American Story: A Conversation with Podcast Host Brandon Davis
Podcast host Brandon Davis joins me to discuss the Golden Age of the Broadway musical and its powerful influence on American culture. We explore how mid-century productions transformed storytelling, reflected social change, and helped define Broadway as one of the twentieth century’s most influential cultural institutions. Listen now for a thoughtful conversation on why these classic musicals still resonate today.
The Military Stories You’ve Been Told & the Ones You Need to Hear: A Conversation with Journalist and Author Jennifer Barnhill
Journalist and author Jennifer Barnhill joins me to discuss the untold stories of military families and their powerful role in shaping American history. We explore how voices often left out of official narratives deepen our understanding of service, sacrifice, and advocacy, from the legacy of the League of Wives to the continuing impact of military family storytelling. Listen now for a thoughtful conversation on why these stories matter and how they continue to shape our nation today.