Now & Then

Now & Then

CAFE

How can the past help inform today’s most pressing challenges? Every Wednesday, award-winning historians Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman use their encyclopedic knowledge of US history to bring the past to life. Together, they make sense of the week in news by discussing the people, ideas, and events that got us here today. Now and Then is produced by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Stay Tuned 8/1: Elections, Now & Then (with Joanne Freeman)

Stay Tuned 8/1: Elections, Now & Then (with Joanne Freeman)

Former Now & Then co-host Joanne Freeman joins Preet Bharara on Stay Tuned with Preet. They discuss Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, how Democrats have embraced Vice President Kamala Harris, what to expect in the November election, & more.Listen to the full episode: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/joanne-freeman-elections-kamala-harris-biden-trump-violence-democracy/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2024 • 11:45

Heather Cox Richardson on Stay Tuned with Preet

Heather Cox Richardson on Stay Tuned with Preet

Heather Cox Richardson, host of Now & Then, joins Stay Tuned with Preet to discuss her new book, “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America.” They talk about the origins of the terms “liberal” and “conservative,” a 1937 anti-FDR manifesto that presaged today’s GOP, and the ways in which the nation might move beyond the chaos of the Trump years.  Head to the Stay Tuned feed to listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 28, 2023 • 0:41

Then...and Now

Then...and Now

On this finale episode of Now & Then, Heather and Joanne are joined by the show’s production team to discuss behind-the-scenes reflections and favorite memories from the series. Editorial Producers David Kurlander and Sam Ozer-Staton, Executive Producer Tamara Sepper, and Audio Producer Matthew Billy celebrate history, democracy, and friendship with the historians. For references & supplemental materials, head to: https://cafe.com/now-and-then/then-and-now/Now & Then is pres

Sep 13, 2023 • 59:17

Looking Ahead: A Viewers’ Guide to Presidential Debates

Looking Ahead: A Viewers’ Guide to Presidential Debates

How do political debates help and hurt American democracy? Heather and Joanne reflect on the recent Republican primary debate and discuss the long legacy of the institution, from Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s proto-debates with voters during the contentious 1800 election, to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates, to the iconic 1960 televised debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Heather and Joanne discuss their own experiences participating in debates in the “Backstage” po

Sep 6, 2023 • 53:29

Looking Ahead to 2024: Conventions, Caucuses, and the Balance of Democracy

Looking Ahead to 2024: Conventions, Caucuses, and the Balance of Democracy

What can we expect from the 2024 Conventions? Heather and Joanne look at the role of political conventions in American life, from the “King Caucus” era of the early 1800s, to President Lincoln’s ascendance at the 1860 RNC, to the impact of the 1968 DNC on the political process.  Heather and Joanne discuss the power of political history in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage segments and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history. Now & Then is e

Aug 30, 2023 • 54:23

Pardons: Politics & Power

Pardons: Politics & Power

Can former President Trump pardon himself? Heather and Joanne explore the history of the pardon power, from constitutional debates, to President Andrew Johnson’s controversial Confederate pardons, to the corrupt Georgia pardon practices that precipitated the very relevant Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles.  Heather and Joanne discuss what pardons have in common with extensions and other professorial acts of clemency in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage

Aug 23, 2023 • 50:07

The Women’s World Cup, Title IX, and Power

The Women’s World Cup, Title IX, and Power

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team recently faced significant backlash after its World Cup defeat. Heather and Joanne explore how the team’s triumphs and losses fit into the history of women’s team sports, from the emergence of women’s basketball at Smith College in the 1890s, to the impact of Title IX, to the expansion of the Women’s World Cup in the 1990s.  Heather and Joanne also share their personal experiences playing sports in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. To get access

Aug 16, 2023 • 49:49

Telling Tales of History: The Florida Problem

Telling Tales of History: The Florida Problem

What can the controversy over Florida’s new Black history standards tell us about the politics of distorting the past? Heather and Joanne analyze the claims and framing of the standards and connect the curricular mandates to a century-old effort by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to control how Southern history was taught.  How have Heather and Joanne sought to teach accurate American history in their own classes? They share more of their thoughts in a special “Backstage” segment of the

Aug 9, 2023 • 48:14

Unions, Strikes, and the Public: What Matters?

Unions, Strikes, and the Public: What Matters?

How should we make sense of the current labor activism in transportation and entertainment? Heather and Joanne explain how the fault lines in the UPS contract negotiation can be seen in the 1894 Pullman Strike. And they compare the WGA and SAG-AFTRA “double strike” in Hollywood to a similar walkout in 1960, led by none other than Ronald Reagan.  How do Heather and Joanne feel about the future of AI in their workplaces? And how do these feelings connect to worker protections and labor activism?

Aug 2, 2023 • 53:40

Barbie, G.I. Joe, and the Gang: Dolls Are Us

Barbie, G.I. Joe, and the Gang: Dolls Are Us

What can the success of Barbie tell us about America? Heather and Joanne put the blockbuster film into context with other impactful dolls, from Raggedy Ann to G.I. Joe., exploring what these iconic playthings can show about U.S. debates over gender, race, and consumerism. How did Heather and Joanne feel about dolls as young people? They share more of their thoughts in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. Become a member of CAFE Insider and get access to Backstage episodes and o

Jul 26, 2023 • 52:35

The Third Party Problem

The Third Party Problem

Heather and Joanne respond to the presidential candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy and the hype surrounding the No Labels political organization by looking at two past third-party bids that changed the nation: the 1844 presidential candidacy of James G. Birney’s anti-slavery Liberty Party and the 1912 campaign of Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Party.  How can third party candidacies reflect the values of the nation? How can they backfire? And how should Americans balance their interest in presiden

Jul 19, 2023 • 49:26

The Titan, the Sea, and What We See

The Titan, the Sea, and What We See

Heather and Joanne compare the national response to the implosion of the Titan submersible to two high-profile historical sea calamities: the 1813 ocean vanishing of Theodosia Burr and the 1872 Mary Celeste “ghost ship” drama.  How do Americans react to tragedies on the high seas? What can these mysterious and painful incidents tell us about our national anxieties and values?  How have Heather and Joanne processed sea dangers in their own lives? They share their experience in a special “Backst

Jul 12, 2023 • 45:11

The American Nation and Indigenous Nations: Sovereignty & Struggle

The American Nation and Indigenous Nations: Sovereignty & Struggle

Heather and Joanne reflect on the recent Haaland v. Brackeen Supreme Court decision, which upholds the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act. They put the case into context with past struggles by indigenous communities to define their place in the American story, from Tenskwatawa’s 1800s quest for representation, to the consequences of the 1887 Dawes Act, to the 1960s origins of the American Indian Movement.  How is the challenge of teaching indigenous history different from teaching other historical t

Jun 28, 2023 • 46:55

Presidential Lawyer Problems

Presidential Lawyer Problems

How can personal lawyers help and hurt embattled presidents?  Heather and Joanne use the current chaos engulfing former President Trump’s legal team to explore the blurry roles of private presidential attorneys in American history. They explore conservative Unionist lawyer Reverdy Johnson’s effective role in helping President Lincoln to find legal rationale for escalations in the Civil War. And they compare Johnson’s role to the not-so-effective counsel of Nixon’s lawyer-fundraiser Herb Kalmbac

Jun 21, 2023 • 47:28

There's Something in the Water

There's Something in the Water

What can past struggles over American water access tell us about national power and politics?  Heather and Joanne place state and federal government responses to the Southwest’s current megadrought in the tangled history of water management, from Aaron Burr’s duplicitous scheme to give New York clean water, to William Mulholland’s Los Angeles “water wars,” to the proliferation of New Deal dams.  What were Heather and Joanne’s different experiences of water in the 1970s? Join CAFE Insider to li

Jun 14, 2023 • 57:36

Texas Tall-Tales, Ken Paxton…and Us

Texas Tall-Tales, Ken Paxton…and Us

What can the contested and often-mythological history of Texas show us about America today? Heather and Joanne use the current impeachment drama surrounding Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as a window into the dramatic and ever-shifting legacies of the Alamo and the Texas oil boom. What have been Heather and Joanne's personal experiences of Texas? Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode.

Jun 7, 2023 • 55:43

Encore: Women Warriors: Ukraine & Beyond

Encore: Women Warriors: Ukraine & Beyond

Stories of remarkable heroism by women in Ukraine have captured the imagination of the world over the past 15 months. How have women warriors shaped conversations over gender, violence, and heroism over the course of United States history?  In this Memorial Day-inspired encore presentation of a March 2022 episode, Heather and Joanne discuss the Revolutionary War figures Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson, Harriet Tubman’s Civil War spying raids, and Ukrainian sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s 1942 t

May 31, 2023 • 45:38

The American Wellness Continuum: Alternative Medicine

The American Wellness Continuum: Alternative Medicine

In the concluding episode of a two-part series, Heather and Joanne discuss alternative approaches to medicine throughout American history, and place them in the context of today’s non-traditional remedies, like psychedelic therapy and wellness brands.They talk through the 19th century diet movements of Sylvester Graham and John Kellogg, the popularity of cross-cultural practices like acupuncture, yoga, and Reiki, and the 1960s rise of psychedelic drugs. What are Heather and Joanne’s own

May 24, 2023 • 50:08

The American Wellness Continuum: Traditional Medicine

The American Wellness Continuum: Traditional Medicine

In the first episode of a two-part series, Heather and Joanne look at how the traditional American medical establishment has conceived of mental health over our national history. What can these designations say about the pandemic-associated mental health crises we currently face? How have powerful Americans defined “normalcy” and “abnormalcy” at various points? They explore the pioneering and controversial Philadelphia physician Benjamin Rush, the rise and fall of the “neurasthenia” diagnosis,

May 17, 2023 • 46:29

Veep: The Real Story

Veep: The Real Story

What is the role of the Vice President in American political history? What is the road ahead for VP Kamala Harris? Heather and Joanne break down the evolving role of the VP, from John Adams’s frustrated tenure, to Chester A. Arthur’s transition from corruption to reform, to Walter Mondale’s close partnership with President Jimmy Carter.  Have Heather and Joanne ever felt like Vice Presidents? Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes

May 10, 2023 • 48:40

Not a Joke: Humor as Politics

Not a Joke: Humor as Politics

How can humor be used as a political weapon? Heather and Joanne discuss the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner and the power of American comedy. They explore Seba Smith and his iconic Jack Downing character, Alice Duer Miller’s poetic suffragist satire, and Dick Gregory’s truth-telling on issues of race and class.  What do comedians and historians have in common? Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed

May 3, 2023 • 49:16

Supreme Court Scandals: A Story of Justice

Supreme Court Scandals: A Story of Justice

Heather and Joanne discuss the contentious issue of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s financial ties to billionaire and conservative activist Harlan Crow. They also look at three earlier conflict-of-interest controversies involving Supreme Court justices: Samuel Chase’s 1804 impeachment over his pronounced Federalist leanings, Stephen J. Field’s 1880s relationships with railroad magnates, and Abe Fortas’ 1969 resignation following the revelation of his acceptance of consulting fees from a

Apr 26, 2023 • 1:00:53

Expulsions and Ousters: The Threat in Tennessee

Expulsions and Ousters: The Threat in Tennessee

Heather and Joanne discuss the political climate surrounding the dramatic expulsion and reinstatement of Tennessee legislators Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. They also place the controversy within the history of state legislative expulsions, from the White Supremacist 1875 Mississippi Plan, to the 1920 attacks on New York State Socialist politicians, to the failed 1986 GOP quest to oust anti-war activist Tom Hayden from the California State Assembly.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage

Apr 19, 2023 • 55:30

Hostages as Messages

Hostages as Messages

President Biden has formally declared that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is being wrongfully detained in Russia. Heather and Joanne reflect on Gershkovich’s plight and look at three other political detainments in American history: the 1776 arrest by the British of Continental Army Major General Charles Lee, the 1861 Confederate capture of New York Congressman Alfred Ely, and the 1974 abduction by the Symbionese Liberation Army of California heiress Patty Hearst.  Join CAFE Insid

Apr 12, 2023 • 55:09

Canada and the One-Way Mirror

Canada and the One-Way Mirror

President Biden recently met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reaffirming the U.S.-Canada relationship and announcing the countries’ joint efforts at tackling a range of issues, from immigration to climate change. Heather and Joanne use the meeting as a springboard to discuss the ups and downs of America’s relationship with its Northern neighbor, from Revolutionary War attempts by colonists to draft Canada into the War, to Secretary of State William Henry Seward’s 1860s quest to annex British

Apr 5, 2023 • 50:29

District Attorneys: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

District Attorneys: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg remains in the spotlight amid a widely expected indictment by his office of former President Donald Trump. Heather and Joanne place DA Bragg’s unprecedented position in the history of New York County District Attorneys, from 1800s duellists to the patrician Robert Morgenthau. How have past DAs balanced the pursuit of justice against the pressure of partisan politics?Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat ea

Mar 29, 2023 • 52:08

Why Americans Hate (and Love) Banks

Why Americans Hate (and Love) Banks

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has sparked a larger conversation about the role of financial institutions in American life. Heather and Joanne reflect on the cultural and aesthetic history of banks, from the Greek Revival-influenced Second Bank of the United States, to the robberies of express trains in the late 1800s, to the emergence of ornate Art Deco banks during the high-flying 1920s.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdo

Mar 22, 2023 • 58:31

Now & Then Backstage 3/15: Women Journalists and Their Fight to Be Heard

Now & Then Backstage 3/15: Women Journalists and Their Fight to Be Heard

This week, we are making Backstage, usually only available to members of CAFE Insider, available for all Now & Then listeners. Backstage is where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the ideas that formed the episode.  During the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed four pioneering women journalists. In Backstage, they reflect on the barriers they have faced as women historians.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to more installments of “Backstage,” and get access to all the excl

Mar 17, 2023 • 14:32

Women Journalists and Their Fight to Be Heard

Women Journalists and Their Fight to Be Heard

Heather and Joanne discuss the increased visibility–and resultant online abuse–of women journalists in 2023, and reflect on four pioneering voices: Anne Royall, Martha Gellhorn, Ethel Payne, and Lisa Olson. What barriers have American women climbed over to have a voice in reporting the nation’s news?  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history Listen to “Up Against The Mob:

Mar 15, 2023 • 53:30

Trash and Pollution: Who Pays?

Trash and Pollution: Who Pays?

Heather and Joanne discuss how the aftermath of the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio resembles past American debates over the handling of waste. They talk about New York City’s 19th century sanitation pigs, the rise of the “Garbage Ladies” in Progressive Era Chicago, and the long shadow of the 1978 Love Canal crisis.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history

Mar 8, 2023 • 54:33

Women Change Makers: Three Legal Battles

Women Change Makers: Three Legal Battles

To honor the beginning of Women’s History Month, Heather and Joanne tell the stories of three women who changed the American legal tapestry: Martha Bradstreet and her fight against coverture, Josephine Goldmark and her quest for labor justice, and Rosa Parks and her battle to to find accountability for victims of rape and sexual assault. Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: caf

Mar 1, 2023 • 54:28

What UFOs Say About Us

What UFOs Say About Us

With the recent spate of UFO shootdowns by the U.S. Air Force, Heather and Joanne discuss America’s historical fascination with aerial mysteries, from John Winthrop and Increase Mather’s colonial reports of sightings, to the 1890s “Mystery Airship” craze, to the 1942 “Battle of Los Angeles," to the 1970s pop cultural UFO moment.  What can UFOs tell us about American hopes and fears?  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ide

Feb 22, 2023 • 55:30

Congressional Committees…and Power

Congressional Committees…and Power

In light of the new Republican House majority’s denial of committee seats to Representatives Ilhan Omar, Eric Swalwell, and Adam Schiff, Heather and Joanne discuss the history and functioning of committees, from early debates over committee secrecy, to the role of the crucial 1890s role of the House Committee on Ways and Means, to the development of the Ethics and Intelligence Committees.  How can congressional committees help us to understand the politics and culture of Washington?  Join CAFE

Feb 15, 2023 • 52:42

Asian American Identities: A National Story (with Mary Lui)

Asian American Identities: A National Story (with Mary Lui)

In the aftermath of two mass shootings involving AAPI populations, Mary Lui, a professor of History and American Studies at Yale, joins Heather and Joanne to discuss the influence of Asian Americans on the nation’s trajectory, from the origins of the “Old China Trade,” to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, to the 1960s protest movements that fought for Asian American rights in the academy and beyond. Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about

Feb 8, 2023 • 50:28

Advisors and Chiefs of Staff: The Powers of the President’s People

Advisors and Chiefs of Staff: The Powers of the President’s People

Following the announcement that Chief of Staff Ron Klain is leaving his position and Jeff Zients is taking over, Heather and Joanne look back at the history of unelected and unconfirmed presidential advisors, from Andrew Jackson’s Kitchen Cabinet, to the transformative work of early 1900s White House mainstay George B. Cortelyou, to the rise and fall of Eisenhower Chief of Staff Sherman Adams.  How have these figures communicated with the chief executive over the course of American history? How

Feb 1, 2023 • 51:36

The 'Constitutional Sheriff' Myth

The 'Constitutional Sheriff' Myth

Why are some American sheriffs resisting government policies, including gun safety laws and even the peaceful transition of presidential power, while claiming constitutional authority? And how has the role of the sheriff impacted our national life?  Heather and Joanne discuss how sheriffs have enforced and defied laws throughout U.S. history, from the emergence of the office in colonial America, to the frontier violence of the 1892 Johnson County War, to 1960s standoffs with segregationist sher

Jan 25, 2023 • 1:01:55

Horses, Cats, and Chickens: Animal Power and Us

Horses, Cats, and Chickens: Animal Power and Us

How have animals influenced the American economy over the course of the nation’s history? And why have we seen such a sizable pandemic pet boom?  Heather and Joanne discuss three moments where animals shaped national culture and financial health: the rise of the frontier cat in the mid-1800s, the decline of the urban horse in the early 1900s, and the brief craze in backyard chicken coops that accompanied both World Wars.  Now & Then has won the inaugural Signal Award for Best History Podcast!

Jan 18, 2023 • 46:07

Things Are Looking Up? A New Year’s Show

Things Are Looking Up? A New Year’s Show

Could the arrival of a new Congress and the more hopeful national tone be the start of a new era in American life?Heather and Joanne discuss past transitions between national epochs, from the advent of the Era of Good Feelings, to the rise of the Progressive Era, to the sea change triggered by the 1964 arrival of The Beatles. Now & Then has won the inaugural Gold and Listener's Choice Signal Awards for Best History Podcast! Thank you so much for voting for us! Join CAFE Insider to l

Jan 11, 2023 • 55:30

Encore: From Monopoly to Mystery Date

Encore: From Monopoly to Mystery Date

How do board games reflect America? How do debates over politics and identity show up in popular games? And how have these games shifted along with the nation? In this holiday encore presentation of an August episode, Heather and Joanne discuss the development of the American board game, from the influence of the Game of the Goose in Early America, to the pre-Civil War origins of the Checkered Game of Life, to several impactful 1960s games.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where He

Dec 28, 2022 • 52:38

Georgia (Voting Rights) On My Mind (with Carol Anderson)

Georgia (Voting Rights) On My Mind (with Carol Anderson)

How have marginalized Georgians fought for voting rights and equality over the course of the state’s history?  Emory University African American Studies Professor Carol Anderson joins Heather and Joanne for a special year-end episode to discuss the pain and promise of the quest for equality in Georgia, from the 1868 Camilla Massacre, to the 1966 struggle to seat Black state legislator Julian Bond, to Senator Rafael Warnock’s recent victory.  Vote for Now & Then in the Best History Podcast cate

Dec 21, 2022 • 56:10

Why "Terminating" the Constitution Matters

Why "Terminating" the Constitution Matters

Former President Trump has called for the termination of the Constitution and the overturning of the 2020 election. What makes Trump’s comments so dangerous? When has the Constitution been under siege before? And how can we protect the document that undergirds our democracy? Heather and Joanne discuss early constitutional debates, the rocky passage of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the 1970s rise of “originalism” as a theory of constitutional interpretation.  Vote for Now & Then in t

Dec 14, 2022 • 55:01

FTX, Con Men, and the Power of Grift

FTX, Con Men, and the Power of Grift

Following the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX and the undoing of its CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, Heather and Joanne discuss the businesspeople and money-makers who have fallen hardest throughout American history. How do we find the line between the “con man” and the capitalist? Heather and Joanne talk about the mid-1800s origins of the “con man,” the loss of belief in financiers during the Great Depression, and the Keating Five scandal of the late 1980s. Vote for Now & Then

Dec 7, 2022 • 54:07

Encore: Speakers of the House: Velvet Gloves and Iron Fists

Encore: Speakers of the House: Velvet Gloves and Iron Fists

How did the Speaker of the House become such a crucial role in Washington? How do Speakers balance control with collaboration? And how can iconic Speakers from the past help to contextualize Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s tenure? On this encore presentation of an October 2021 episode of Now & Then, Heather and Joanne discuss significant Speakers of the House, from Henry Clay, to Thomas Brackett Reed, to Tip O’Neill. They also offer new insight on the significance and success of Pelosi’s spe

Nov 30, 2022 • 1:00:05

Now & Then Live! The Unsung Voices Episode

Now & Then Live! The Unsung Voices Episode

Now & Then presents a conversation between Heather and Joanne from last Thursday, November 17th, recorded live at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston.  Heather and Joanne highlighted five objects in the Society’s collection that shed light on unsung brave Americans who made a difference with their art and activism–from an intrepid cheese engineer, to a group of imprisoned indigenous illustrators, to a defiant Harlem Renaissance sculptor.  The talk was in conjunction with Heather and

Nov 23, 2022 • 49:41

The Power of the Youth Vote

The Power of the Youth Vote

How did the youth impact last week’s midterm elections? And how have young people fought for representative democracy in American history?  Heather and Joanne discuss the history of the youth vote in America, from the 1860 “Wide Awake” movement, to the “virgin vote,” to the long quest for the 26th Amendment.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history and get 50% off a CAFE

Nov 16, 2022 • 51:14

Power, Polling, & Public Opinion

Power, Polling, & Public Opinion

What should we make of political polls? Are they to be trusted? And why are Americans so interested in measuring public opinion? This week on Now & Then, Heather and Joanne discuss the history of polling in the United States, from the informal tavern visits by allies of Washington and Hamilton, to the rise of George Gallup, to the current polling discourse surrounding the midterm elections.Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the

Nov 8, 2022 • 47:17

Fascism: Meanings and Methods

Fascism: Meanings and Methods

The term 'fascism' is often invoked these days from voices on both the Left and the Right. Heather and Joanne start by defining the term and and have a conversation firmly rooted in history, from the proto-fascism of Southern enslavement, to the fascist playbooks established by Mussolini and Hitler, to the current risks for the normalization of fascist ideology and tropes in the United States.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdot

Nov 2, 2022 • 51:03

Fat Cats and Hidden Hands in Politics

Fat Cats and Hidden Hands in Politics

Why is there so much dark money in politics? How have political funders concealed their identities and motivations? And how does this sleight of hand damage American democracy? This week on Now & Then, Heather and Joanne discuss the role of capital in political maneuvering, from Thomas Jefferson’s 1791 funding of an anti-Federalist newspaper, to department store magnate John Wanamaker’s 1888 herding of Republican businessmen, to Richard Viguerie’s 1970s direct mail campaigns. Join C

Oct 26, 2022 • 48:46

Educating a Nation: Higher Ed in Peril (with Will Bunch)

Educating a Nation: Higher Ed in Peril (with Will Bunch)

How did college become so expensive? Why is higher education the subject of so much political and cultural division? And how can we restore a sense of equality to learning?  This week on Now & Then, Philadelphia Inquirer national columnist Will Bunch joins Heather and Joanne to discuss the history of higher education and his new book, After the Ivory Tower Falls: How College Broke the American Dream and Blew Up Our Politics―and How to Fix It.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where

Oct 19, 2022 • 51:35

The Meaning of Madison’s Flute: Who Owns Music?

The Meaning of Madison’s Flute: Who Owns Music?

What can American instruments teach us about democracy? What does the controversy over Lizzo’s playing of James Madison’s crystal flute tell us about racism, representation, and the roots of our current cultural moment? Heather and Joanne discuss the evolution of the banjo, the popularity of the steel drum, and the 1970s development of hip-hop and rap production.NOTE: Starting this week, Now & Then will be releasing new episodes on Wednesday mornings.Join CAFE Insider to listen to “

Oct 12, 2022 • 52:30

Puerto Rico Has Stories to Tell

Puerto Rico Has Stories to Tell

How has Puerto Rico shaped American history? How does the national response to Hurricane Fiona reflect the complex relationship between Puerto Rico and the rest of the United States? Heather and Joanne discuss Puerto Rico’s historical trajectory, from Spanish colonization, to the 1900s Insular Cases, to the cultural impact of Rafael Hernández Marín’s music and West Side Story.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas tha

Oct 4, 2022 • 50:10

Immigration: Defining ‘Us’ and ‘Them’

Immigration: Defining ‘Us’ and ‘Them’

How has American immigration policy shifted over our national history? What can these changes show about how the U.S. defines “us” and “them”?  Heather and Joanne discuss the politics and prejudices surrounding the two 1790s Naturalization Laws, the Immigration Act of 1924, the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, and the current Republican rhetoric about migrants at the Southern border.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that fo

Sep 27, 2022 • 46:32

Mad About Monarchy

Mad About Monarchy

How do Americans view the British monarchy? What role have England’s Kings and Queens played in helping to define democracy in the United States? And what can the stateside reaction to Queen Elizabeth II’s death tell us about America and the United Kingdom today? Heather and Joanne discuss moments from the reigns of the three longest-serving British monarchs: King George III, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II. Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each

Sep 20, 2022 • 50:33

When Parties Push Back

When Parties Push Back

When have American leaders confronted particularly hostile political opposition? How can fighting back against an unjust party help the nation? And what might the history of these back-and-forths say about the recent vibe shift in the Democratic Party?  Heather and Joanne discuss other moments where politicians pushed back, from Massachusetts Representative Anson Burlingame’s willingness to duel South Carolina's Preston Brooks after the caning of Charles Sumner in 1856, to FDR’s 1936 “I Welcome

Sep 13, 2022 • 50:36

Forgiving (and Unforgiving) Debts

Forgiving (and Unforgiving) Debts

How have Americans viewed personal debt over the course of history? What can the morality and functionality of debt tell us about the debate over President Bident’s student loan forgiveness program?  Heather and Joanne discuss the history of debtors’ prisons in early America, the rise of bankruptcy laws after the Civil War, and the Cold War origins of federal student loans.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that f

Sep 6, 2022 • 45:01

Encore: Abortion: Whose Choice?

Encore: Abortion: Whose Choice?

Who gets to decide the future of reproductive rights?  In this encore presentation of a Now & Then episode originally broadcast in September 2021, Heather and Joanne discuss the history of abortion from the colonial period to the present: the surprising availability of abortion until the mid-19th century, the physician-led campaign to ban abortion, and the GOP’s decision in the early 1970s to embrace the “pro-life” movement.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne

Aug 30, 2022 • 45:49

Vacation Nation

Vacation Nation

How have vacations shaped American democracy? What can travel reveal about identity and national culture? And how does the history of tourism reflect the uncertainty of travel today? Heather and Joanne discuss the Grand Tour in early America, the rise of the post-Civil War “See America First” movement, and the efforts by Black motorists to remain safe during the mid-20th century. Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and

Aug 23, 2022 • 49:20

From Monopoly to Mystery Date

From Monopoly to Mystery Date

How do board games reflect America? How do debates over politics and identity show up in popular games? And how have these games shifted along with the nation? Heather and Joanne discuss the development of the American board game, from the influence of the Game of the Goose in Early America, to the pre-Civil War origins of the Checkered Game of Life, to several impactful 1960s games.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and id

Aug 16, 2022 • 51:21

Does Anyone Love Taxes?

Does Anyone Love Taxes?

How do Americans respond to taxation? What do trends around taxation say about American culture and values? And how can the history of tax policy help us to understand the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act?  Heather and Joanne discuss the legacies of the 1765 Stamp Act, the introduction of the income tax during the Civil War, and the tax-slashing ideology of 1920s Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about

Aug 9, 2022 • 51:44

Tracking History's Mysteries

Tracking History's Mysteries

What happens when there are gaps in the historical records of some of America’s most seismic political events? How do historians try to piece together those mysteries? And how might these question marks help to contextualize the missing Secret Service texts from January 6th?  Heather and Joanne discuss the mysteries surrounding the 1804 Burr-Hamilton Duel, the 1865 Hampton Roads Conference, and the 1920 Wall Street bombing.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne

Aug 2, 2022 • 49:40

Gastropod: The Milk of Life

Gastropod: The Milk of Life

Heather and Joanne are off this week, so we’re showcasing an episode from another Vox Media Podcast Network show: “The Milk of Life,” from Gastropod. On Gastropod, hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley explore the history and science behind everyday foods. Past episodes have examined everything from the evolution of the cookie to the surprising impact the coffee bean has had on world history. In this installment, originally aired on June 21st, Cynthia and Nicola use the ongoing baby formula s

Jul 26, 2022 • 53:55

Militia Movements

Militia Movements

How have American militias shaped the nation? And why do ‘militia movements’ keep returning to the fore of our national politics?  On Now & Then, Heather and Joanne discuss the role of militias in the 1786 Shays’ Rebellion, during the tumultuous Reconstruction years, and in the 1990s ‘Modern Militia Movement.’  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history For more historical

Jul 19, 2022 • 50:52

Racism and the Second Amendment (with Carol Anderson)

Racism and the Second Amendment (with Carol Anderson)

What are the origins of the Second Amendment? And what can America’s painful racial history illuminate about our national relationship to guns?  On this special Live Taping of Now & Then, Heather and Joanne talk to Carol Anderson, professor of African American Studies at Emory University and author of The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America.  The trio discuss how the recent spate of mass shootings — and Supreme Court decisions striking down gun control measures in liberal-leanin

Jul 12, 2022 • 46:14

Alcohol in American Politics

Alcohol in American Politics

Following the news of Rudy Giuliani’s inebriated advice to Donald Trump on election night, Heather and Joanne dive into the historical role of alcohol in American politics. How have the norms around alcohol shifted — and how has that impacted our history? Heather and Joanne cover Franklin Pierce’s alcoholism, Warren Harding’s Prohibition-era hypocrisy, and the 1970s reckonings over alcohol in Congress.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the

Jul 5, 2022 • 46:22

Processing Roe’s Reversal in Real Time

Processing Roe’s Reversal in Real Time

Heather and Joanne react to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. How did we get here? What does the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs signal for the future of women’s reproductive rights and broader civil rights in America? What kind of unique perspective do women historians bring to understanding this moment? Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history For more historical analysis

Jun 25, 2022 • 37:15

Encore: Investigating Democracy

Encore: Investigating Democracy

On this encore episode of Now & Then, originally aired in June 2021 amid a Republican filibuster of an independent commission investigating January 6th, Heather and Joanne discuss the history of congressional commissions, from the investigation of the 1856 caning of Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, to the 1871 Ku Klux Klan hearings, to 1954 back-and-forth between Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Army.  We’ll be back with a new episode next Tuesday!  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstag

Jun 21, 2022 • 47:46

Nostalgia & Political Power

Nostalgia & Political Power

What are the political purposes of nostalgia? Why does the GOP idealize the American past? And what can this backward-looking perspective give or take away from our collective future?On Now & Then, Heather and Joanne discuss the role of nostalgia in American political history, from Puritan Jeremiads, to the 1913 Gettysburg and Fort Wagner reunions, to the emergence in the 1970s of a cultural obsession with the 1950s. Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joan

Jun 14, 2022 • 52:59

The Mirage of Money (or, NFTs, WTF?)

The Mirage of Money (or, NFTs, WTF?)

Why have NFTs captured the American imagination? What can the recent instability in the NFT market tell us about the history of speculative bubbles?  Heather and Joanne put the NFT craze in context with other American financial booms & busts, from the Panic of 1792, to the 1890s Yukon Gold Rush, to the late 1990s dot-com bubble.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history

Jun 7, 2022 • 49:44

Free Speech: What IS Cancel Culture?

Free Speech: What IS Cancel Culture?

Why are Americans so preoccupied with so-called “cancel culture”? What are the lines between accountability and cancellation? And what drives citizens to stand against objectionable statements? On this final episode in a three-part series on free speech, Heather and Joanne discuss the fall from grace of Loyalist politician Thomas Hutchinson during the Revolutionary period, the suppression of the German language during World War I, and the 2003 controversy over The Chicks’ public condemnation of

May 31, 2022 • 56:53

Free Speech: The Power of an Independent Press

Free Speech: The Power of an Independent Press

What have been the gravest threats to a free press over the nation’s history? And how can the past tell us how to safeguard our access to information today?  On this second episode in a three-part series on free speech, Heather and Joanne discuss the 1837 murder of abolitionist journalist Elijah P. Lovejoy, the role of Joseph Pulitzer in the creation of the independent press, and the rise and fall of the Fairness Doctrine.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne c

May 24, 2022 • 56:32

Free Speech: The Government and Us

Free Speech: The Government and Us

How has the federal government limited and protected free speech rights over the course of American history? How have citizens responded when Washington has limited their speech rights? And what can Elon Musk’s commentary on online free speech tell us about the difficult lines between free speech, disinformation, and political power? In this first installment of a three-episode series on free speech, censorship, and so-called cancel culture, Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman exp

May 17, 2022 • 49:09

The Weeds: How the 1918 Flu Pandemic Ended

The Weeds: How the 1918 Flu Pandemic Ended

Heather and Joanne are off this week, so we’re showcasing an episode from another Vox Media Podcast Network show: “How the 1918 Flu Pandemic Ended,” from The Weeds. Hosts Dara Lind and Dylan Matthews often explore the roots of our current political issues, from healthcare, to immigration, to housing.   In this installment, originally aired in January, host and Senior Vox Correspondent Dylan Matthews talks with historian John Barry, who wrote an authoritative account of the 1918 flu pandemic, “T

May 10, 2022 • 38:40

A Disability Discourse

A Disability Discourse

How has America historically defined physical disabilities? How have disability rights activists achieved hard-fought wins? And how does the current debate over mask mandates and pandemic restrictions leave out those with disabilities or chronic illness?  Heather and Joanne discuss the impact of pensions for disabled war veterans in the Revolutionary and Civil War periods, the interlocking histories of racism, sexism, and ableism, and the impact of the 1970s disability rights movement.  Join C

May 3, 2022 • 51:37

American Jews and the American Story

American Jews and the American Story

How have Jewish Americans fought for their identities? And how have other American groups used Jews to define themselves? White House celebrations of the recent Passover holiday have sparked conversations over how Jewish identity interacts with broader American self-definitions.  Heather and Joanne discuss the early American contention that indigenous Americans were the Lost Tribes of Israel, the controversy over Ulysses S. Grant’s treatment of Jewish Americans during the Civil War, and

Apr 26, 2022 • 54:28

Tax Dollars and Tech Dollars: Who Supports Society?

Tax Dollars and Tech Dollars: Who Supports Society?

Who should support the needy in American society? The news is filled with controversies over the use and misuse of philanthropy, from Mackenzie Scott’s giving drive, to Elon Musk tax avoidance claims, to GoFundMe campaigns. Heather and Joanne look at historical debates over philanthropy, from colonial community support and “warning out” laws, to Carnegie’s “Gospel of Wealth,” to the relationship between nonprofits and President Johnson’s Great Society.Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Bac

Apr 19, 2022 • 45:27

Don’t Say Gay: A Queer History

Don’t Say Gay: A Queer History

State lawmakers have proposed almost 250 anti-LGBTQ laws in 2022 alone. Why are we seeing such a virulent political backlash to sexual identity? And what can the current vitriol tell us about the entwinement of sexual orientation and politics in American history?  Heather and Joanne discuss the history of categorizing sexual preference, from the relative fluidity of early American sexual choices, to the rise of “Boston Marriages” and New York’s gay culture, to the McCarthy-led 1950s Lavender Sc

Apr 12, 2022 • 48:03

Ketanji Brown Jackson, Criminal Justice, & Public Defense

Ketanji Brown Jackson, Criminal Justice, & Public Defense

Senate Republicans have attacked Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson for her past public defense work. How have defense attorneys elicited criticism and praise through American history? Why is the right to counsel so important to democracy?  Heather and Joanne discuss past moments of transition for legal counsel, from John Adams’s representation of British soldiers implicated in the Boston Massacre, to Clarence Darrow’s plea for the lives of Leopold and Loeb, to the impact of the 1963 S

Apr 5, 2022 • 44:00

War Crimes & War Codes

War Crimes & War Codes

The State Department and President Biden have both declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed war crimes in Ukraine. What are the rules of war? What constitutes a war crime? And what consequences might Putin face for the brutality of his invasion?Heather and Joanne look back at the centuries-long quest by world leaders and humanitarians to regulate violence in wartime, from General George Washington’s rules of civility during the Revolutionary War, to Abraham Lincoln’s

Mar 29, 2022 • 46:21

Statecraft, Secrets, and Lies

Statecraft, Secrets, and Lies

What information should a president keep secret? Recently, we’ve seen revelations about former President Trump’s removal of classified materials and a tense exchange about the Biden administration’s handling of intel on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  Heather and Joanne connect these current controversies to historical debates about the balance between statecraft and transparency, from President Adams’ disclosure of the XYZ Affair, to President Grant’s ill-fated play to annex San Domingo, to Pre

Mar 22, 2022 • 1:02:04

Women Warriors: Ukraine & Beyond

Women Warriors: Ukraine & Beyond

Stories of remarkable heroism by women in Ukraine have captured the imagination of the world over the past few weeks. How have women warriors shaped conversations over gender, violence, and heroism over the course of United States history?  Heather and Joanne discuss the Revolutionary War figures Molly Pitcher and Deborah Sampson, Harriet Tubman’s Civil War spying raids, and Ukrainian sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s 1942 tour of the U.S.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather

Mar 15, 2022 • 45:48

Avatars of Democracy: Zelensky & More

Avatars of Democracy: Zelensky & More

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has become a symbol of democracy around the world. What does this mean for the United States? This week, Heather and Joanne look at past foreign and international figures who’ve fought fervently for democratic values and have compelled and challenged Americans.  Heather and Joanne discuss how Zelensky’s current battle against Russia evokes the quests of the French-born Revolutionary War hero Lafayette, the Latin American liberator Simón Bolívar, and South

Mar 8, 2022 • 54:21

Heather Cox Richardson's Interview with President Biden

Heather Cox Richardson's Interview with President Biden

Historian Heather Cox Richardson sat down with President Biden last week in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court.  Heather posted the interview on her Facebook and Substack profiles and is sharing it here for the CAFE and Vox Media audience.  Listen to this timely conversation between a historian and a president during a time of great upheaval, and as always, send us your thoughts and questions to lett

Mar 4, 2022 • 31:26

Defining the State of the Union

Defining the State of the Union

How do small and extreme groups take over the American political conversation? In this final installment of a three-part series on educating citizens, Heather and Joanne look at how reactionary movements utilize bullying tactics to wrest control from the majority. Heather and Joanne offer a comparison between the path to secession at the start of the Civil War, the rise of American Nazi-sympathizing groups in the 1930s, and the current reactionary movements around COVID-19 protocols and the edu

Mar 1, 2022 • 49:55

Bans, Schools, & Power: False Majorities

Bans, Schools, & Power: False Majorities

How do small and extreme groups take over the American political conversation? In this final installment of a three-part series on educating citizens, Heather and Joanne look at how reactionary movements utilize bullying tactics to wrest control from the majority. Heather and Joanne offer a comparison between the path to secession at the start of the Civil War, the rise of American Nazi-sympathizing groups in the 1930s, and the current reactionary movements around COVID-19 protocols and the edu

Feb 22, 2022 • 52:27

Bans, Schools, & Power: Public Education

Bans, Schools, & Power: Public Education

Why have public schools become a setting for heated political debates? In this second installment of a special three-part series, Heather and Joanne weigh in on the current nationwide tensions over censorship and parental control in American public schools. Heather and Joanne look back on the founding concepts of American education, the rise of school reformers in the late 19th century, and the development of segregation academies during the 1960s.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,”

Feb 15, 2022 • 47:36

Bans, Schools, & Power: Book Panics

Bans, Schools, & Power: Book Panics

Book bans are back. What’s causing this resurgence? What have similar acts of censorship meant throughout American history? And how should concerned citizens respond? In this first installment of a special three-part series, “Bans, Schools, & Power: Book Panics,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss three past book panics: the political uproar over Hinton Helper’s 1857 The Impending Crisis of the South, the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial over the teaching of evolution, and th

Feb 8, 2022 • 51:16

The Culture of Cash

The Culture of Cash

What has money meant in American society? On this episode of Now & Then, “The Culture of Cash,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman look at the culture of American currency & capital. They examine attempts in the early republic to create a viable national coinage system, the introduction of greenbacks during the Civil War, the success of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1933 bank holiday, and the songs and films that defined national conversations about money in the 2

Feb 1, 2022 • 55:35

CAFE Insider Special 1/27: Breyer Retires

CAFE Insider Special 1/27: Breyer Retires

In a special episode of CAFE Insider, former U.S. Attorneys Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement from the Supreme Court, and reflect on his legacy. President Biden now faces the tough question of nominating Breyer’s replacement. Who will it be? What will the confirmation process look like? And what does it mean for the Court?To listen to the full episode for free, head to cafe.com/breyer and sign up to receive an email with the link to the show.Stay

Jan 27, 2022 • 0:57

When Americans Can't Turn Away

When Americans Can't Turn Away

What kinds of events have inspired Americans to become activists? On this episode of Now & Then, “When Americans Can’t Turn Away,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman highlight moments where everyday people have spoken up to defend their rights and those of their neighbors. Heather and Joanne look at the catalyzing effects of the 1779 Battle of New Haven, John Quincy Adams’s 1840s crusade against the Gag Rule, and the 1946 blinding of Black World War II veteran Isaac Woodard.

Jan 25, 2022 • 48:03

Restitution & Reparations

Restitution & Reparations

How should the American government take responsibility for past actions that have caused significant harm? On this episode of Now & Then, “Restitution & Reparations,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the tangled history of restitution, with a specific focus on how the federal government wronged certain classes of people. They talk through the early debates over slavery reparations, the late-19th century indemnity payments to Italian and Mexican victims of vigilante violence, and

Jan 18, 2022 • 45:57

The Lure of Political Outsiders

The Lure of Political Outsiders

How have outsider legislators changed American history? On this episode of Now & Then, “The Lure of Political Outsiders,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the history of the eccentric and anti-establishment members of Congress, from the frontier politics of Jackson-era Tennessee Representative Davy Crockett, to the conspiratorial works of post-Civil War Illinois Representative Ignatius Donnelly, to the headstrong socialism of World War I-era Wisconsin Representative Victor Berge

Jan 11, 2022 • 1:02:36

Historians Have Their Heroes

Historians Have Their Heroes

Who are the most relevant and inspiring heroes from American history? On this year-end episode of Now & Then, “Historians Have Their Heroes,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss their definitions of American heroism and the figures–from Ida B. Wells, to Sitting Bull, to Pete Seeger–who they most admire. What attributes do these political and cultural leaders share? What is the point of having heroes? And how can we honor those who most deserve recognition? This week, H

Dec 21, 2021 • 52:19

God & Morality in American Politics

God & Morality in American Politics

How have religion and morality shaped the United States? On this episode of Now & Then, “God & Morality in American Politics,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss how politicians and reformers have interacted with faith systems, from Thomas Jefferson’s push for religious liberty, to the 19th-century move for a Christian constitutional amendment, to the rise of the Moral Majority and the religious right. What are the roots of recent calls to bring religion into our

Dec 14, 2021 • 59:15

Disinformation and Democracy

Disinformation and Democracy

What damage does disinformation cause our body politic? On this episode of Now & Then, “Disinformation and Democracy,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman trace the history of disinformation in America, with an emphasis on how technology has fueled the rise of misleading and outright false political news. They discuss the role of the partisan press in shaping early American disinformation, the development of the telegraph in 19th century information warfare, and the rise of GO

Dec 7, 2021 • 57:39

Encore: Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth

Encore: Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth

As we come out of Thanksgiving and welcome in Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Years, we revisit Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman’s look at the American debates that accompanied the creations of July 4th, Columbus Day, and Election Day. Why do Americans celebrate? Why do we fight about our holidays? And what role have economics, popular culture, and governmental politics contoured our national festivities? NOTE: This episode was originally released on July 6th, 2021. Join CAFE In

Nov 30, 2021 • 53:48

Thanksgiving Wars

Thanksgiving Wars

How have Americans fought over Thanksgiving? And what can the holiday tell us about democracy and national styles of celebration? On this episode of Now & Then, “Thanksgiving Wars,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman explore past debates over the holiday, from early congressional disputes during the Washington administration, to writer Sarah Josephus Hale’s advocacy to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, to the various 20th-century battles over the cultural placement of Tha

Nov 23, 2021 • 50:50

 Mill ‘Girls,’ Company Men, & the Great Resignation

Mill ‘Girls,’ Company Men, & the Great Resignation

How have American experiences of work changed throughout our history? On this episode of Now & Then, “Mill ‘Girls,’ Company Men, & the Great Resignation,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the evolution of American work, from the emergence of industrial labor, to the development of welfare capitalism, to the current “Great Resignation” and shifting contemporary expectations for labor. How has work reflected American democracy? How has the nature of national labor changed the way

Nov 16, 2021 • 42:42

Associations: From the Masons to the Mob

Associations: From the Masons to the Mob

What’s the history of associations and powerful internal groups in American life? On this episode of Now & Then, “Associations: From the Masons to the Mob,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the popularity of the Freemasons and other secret clubs among the early national elite, the growth of political machines like Tammany Hall during the 1800s, and the development of organized crime during Prohibition. Then, Elie Honig, the host of Up Against the Mob and a former mafia prosecuto

Nov 9, 2021 • 1:04:47

Democracy Is In the Mail

Democracy Is In the Mail

On this episode of Now & Then, “Democracy Is In the Mail,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman talk about the development of the post office in American culture. They explain why the Framers believed so deeply in a government-backed mail service, trace how Western expansion changed the culture and organizational structure of the Post Office Department, and recount the 1970 postal strike and the impact of the resultant Postal Reorganization Plan. How has the mail bolstered democracy? Should

Nov 2, 2021 • 46:05

Gastropod: Trick or Treat: Soul Cakes, Candy Corn, and Sugar Skulls Galore!

Gastropod: Trick or Treat: Soul Cakes, Candy Corn, and Sugar Skulls Galore!

This week, Heather and Joanne appeared on the food podcast Gastropod, hosted by journalists Cynthia Graber and Nicky Twilley, to discuss the history of Halloween candy, trick-or-treating, and poison candy paranoia. Listen and subscribe to Gastropod at gastropod.com or wherever you get podcasts! Happy Halloween! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 29, 2021 • 53:02

Voting Rights: The Big Picture (ft. Carol Anderson)

Voting Rights: The Big Picture (ft. Carol Anderson)

On this episode of Now & Then, “Voting Rights: The Big Picture,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman talk about the history of voter suppression with Carol Anderson, professor of African American Studies at Emory University and author of One Person No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy and The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. The trio discuss the concept of the “consent of the governed” during the founding period, the emergence of Jim Crow laws after

Oct 26, 2021 • 48:03

The Rise of Bully Politics

The Rise of Bully Politics

On this episode of Now & Then, “The Rise of Bully Politics,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman revisit the 1980 presidential election between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. They reflect on how the rancorous contest signaled a rise in partisan aggression and dominance politics in American life. They also tie the type of bullying that emerged in full force in 1980 back to the 1850s and the violence that preceded the Civil War. How did Reagan’s extreme comments during the campaign hearken

Oct 19, 2021 • 46:54

Speakers of the House: Velvet Gloves and Iron Fists

Speakers of the House: Velvet Gloves and Iron Fists

On this episode of Now & Then, “Speakers of the House: Velvet Gloves and Iron Fists,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman revisit significant Speakers of the House and the development of the role in American politics. They reflect on legendary Speakers Henry Clay, Thomas Brackett Reed, and Tip O’Neill. In the process, they examine how Speakers leverage their influence over the legislative process and the culture of congress. How did the Speakership become such a crucial role in Washington?

Oct 12, 2021 • 52:55

Split Party Politics

Split Party Politics

On this episode of Now & Then, “Split Party Politics,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss cycles of in-fighting, tension and collapse in American political parties. They begin with the Federalists and their ill-fated Hartford Convention, explain the reconstitution of both the Democrats and Republicans during the early 1880s, and talk through the current political battles and demographic shifts affecting the Republican Party. Why do political parties collapse? How does partisan dys

Oct 5, 2021 • 49:51

Government Debt Roulette

Government Debt Roulette

On this episode of Now & Then, “Government Debt Roulette,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the dynamics of the current political battle over raising the debt ceiling. Then, they offer an overview of debt in American history, from Alexander Hamilton’s belief in using debt to build the country, to how President Lincoln offset Civil War debt, to the politicization of the debt ceiling by Republicans over the last 30 years. What can debt accomplish? What can debt damage? And how hav

Sep 28, 2021 • 48:26

New York, New York

New York, New York

On this episode of Now & Then, “New York, New York,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the 20th anniversary of September 11th, 2001 attacks and the larger role of New York over the course of American history. How did the Dutch help lend the Big Apple its economic and cultural identity? Why isn’t New York the U.S. capital? How did newspapers transform NYC’s political power? Why are there so many apocalyptic movies set in New York? And what has made the city such a resilient and po

Sep 21, 2021 • 51:32

Abortion: Whose Choice?

Abortion: Whose Choice?

On this episode of Now & Then, “Abortion: Whose Choice?” Heather and Joanne discuss Texas’ Senate Bill 8, one of several controversial new “heartbeat” laws that limit access to abortion. They also talk about the history of abortion from the colonial period to the present: the surprising availability of abortion until the mid-19th century, the physician-led campaign to ban abortion, and the GOP’s decision in the early 1970s to embrace the “pro-life” movement. Who gets to decide the future of repr

Sep 14, 2021 • 45:42

Climate Control

Climate Control

On this episode of Now & Then, “Climate Control,” Heather and Joanne discuss the climate crisis and moments of political conflict over the environment throughout American history. They talk about the impact of climate on colonists, the 19th-century origins of the National Park Service, the causes and effects of the Dust Bowl, and the post-World War II emergence of the environmental movement — from Rachel Carson, to nuclear fall-out fears, to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sep 7, 2021 • 48:25

Attacking and Defending Voting Rights

Attacking and Defending Voting Rights

On this episode of Now & Then, “Attacking and Defending Voting Rights,” Heather and Joanne discuss the history of American voting rights and the antecedents to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021. They look at New Jersey’s surprising history of female voting, the violence of the Know-Nothing Party, and the long congressional struggle to secure full suffrage for all Americans. Who has worked to deny the vote to marginalized populations? Which laws have been most effe

Aug 31, 2021 • 55:20

Afghanistan & American Styles of War

Afghanistan & American Styles of War

On this episode of Now & Then, “Afghanistan & American Styles of War,” Heather and Joanne discuss the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the history of how America creates narratives around wars. They look at the divergent framings of the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, and World War II. How does a democratic society based on consent utilize force? Which wars receive widespread approval? And how do concepts of national interest affect collective identity and the quest for consensus?  Join CA

Aug 24, 2021 • 55:57

Treason(ish)

Treason(ish)

On this episode of Now & Then, “Treason(ish),” Heather and Joanne discuss the competing political narratives over accountability and punishment for the January 6th insurrection. They look back at past moments of conflict and examine the disparate ways in which former combatants integrated into American society: the Loyalists after the Revolutionary War, the Confederates after the Civil War, and a group of Nazi scientists who joined the American quest to reach the moon.  Join CAFE Insider to list

Aug 17, 2021 • 52:15

A Backstage Peek

A Backstage Peek

On this special episode of Now & Then, “A Backstage Peek,” listeners can hear Heather and Joanne’s conversations that are usually part of the CAFE Insider membership. “Backstage” is a special weekly bonus portion of the podcast where the hosts offer personal reflections on their historical scholarship and behind-the-scenes anecdotes of how each Now & Then episode comes together.  In the first installment, released in conjunction with last week’s episode, “Projecting America at the Olympics,” Hea

Aug 10, 2021 • 26:44

Projecting America at the Olympics

Projecting America at the Olympics

On this episode of Now & Then, “Projecting America at the Olympics,” Heather and Joanne frame the current Tokyo Olympics alongside historical examples of American cultural diplomacy. They trace efforts to appeal to France in the Revolutionary Period, the rise of World’s Fairs, and the controversies that accompanied Jesse Owens’ 1936 Olympics dominance in Berlin and the 1968 Black Power salute by medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos. What do these earlier negotiations say about Ame

Aug 3, 2021 • 55:08

The Human Toll of Infrastructure

The Human Toll of Infrastructure

On this episode of Now & Then, “The Human Toll of Infrastructure,” Heather and Joanne discuss the historical precedents for President Biden’s infrastructure proposals. What role did river infrastructure play in spurring the Constitutional Convention? What was the revolutionary impact of the Transcontinental Railroad and President Eisenhower’s championing of the Interstate highway system? What were the consequences of the Nixon administration’s veto of national childcare legislation? And turning

Jul 27, 2021 • 54:11

Culture Wars

Culture Wars

On this episode of Now & Then, “Culture Wars,” Heather and Joanne discuss moments of dramatic cultural change in American history: pre-Civil War abolitionism, early 20th-century individualism, to our current reckoning over police brutality and history education. How do our pop cultural artifacts, from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, to P.T. Barnum’s problematic attractions, to Gone with the Wind, show the ways American self-identity and priorities have evolved over time? This episode was recorded before a li

Jul 20, 2021 • 45:33

Judging the Supreme Court

Judging the Supreme Court

On this episode of Now & Then, “Judging the Supreme Court,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the recently-concluded Supreme Court term, and they place the Roberts Court in the context of other consequential Supreme Courts throughout American history, from the Marshall Court of the early 19th century, to the Taney Court and its infamous Dred Scott decision of 1857, to the progressive Warren Court of the mid 20th century, and finally to the modern era. Join CAFE Insid

Jul 13, 2021 • 51:17

Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth

Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth

On this episode of Now & Then, “Creating Federal Holidays, July 4th to Juneteenth,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the recent debate over making Juneteenth a Federal holiday. Then, Heather and Joanne look at the earlier debates that accompanied the creations of July 4th, Columbus Day, and Election Day, with a focus on the economic, moral, and political considerations that went into the formations of these iconic American celebrations.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage

Jul 6, 2021 • 54:05

Corrupting the Commonwealth

Corrupting the Commonwealth

On this episode of Now & Then, “Corrupting the Commonwealth,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss recent reporting that the Trump Department of Justice subpoenaed the metadata of journalists and members of Congress. Heather and Joanne then look at three past reckonings over accusations of presidential corruption: Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson’s back-and-forth over the First Bank of the United States, the break in the 1870s Republican Party over President Grant’s enforceme

Jun 29, 2021 • 48:21

QAnon, Cults, and Cutlery

QAnon, Cults, and Cutlery

On the fourth episode of Now & Then, “QAnon, Cults, and Cutlery,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the recent FBI assessment of QAnon as a violent domestic terrorism threat. They also reflect on the historical relationship between cults and the government, from the Salem Witch Trials, to the utopian Oneida Community, to the tragic saga of Jonestown.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the

Jun 22, 2021 • 46:42

Battling Over Critical Race Theory

Battling Over Critical Race Theory

On the third episode of Now & Then, “Battling Over Critical Race Theory,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the current debate over Critical Race Theory and the development of American historical scholarship, from Parson Weems’s fables, to George Washington Williams’ pioneering histories of Black America, to Reagan-era controversies over “Western Civilization” courses, to the influential work of Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw. Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heathe

Jun 15, 2021 • 59:42

Investigating Democracy

Investigating Democracy

On the second episode of Now & Then, “Investigating Democracy,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the history of congressional commissions, following the Senate Republican filibuster of the proposed commission to investigate the January 6th insurrection. Heather and Joanne look back on investigations of the 1856 caning of Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, the 1871 Ku Klux Klan hearings, and the 1954 back-and-forth between Senator Joseph McCarthy and the Army. In the process,

Jun 8, 2021 • 47:17

Entangling Alliances

Entangling Alliances

On this first episode of Now & Then, “Entangling Alliances,” Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman discuss the emerging Biden Doctrine and the relationship between foreign and domestic policy throughout American history. Heather and Joanne focus on the French Revolution, Teddy Roosevelt’s progressive turn, and the cultural legacies of the Vietnam War as three moments from “then” that can particularly inform this transitional moment for America’s role in the world.  Join CAFE Insider to list

Jun 1, 2021 • 49:27

Introducing Now & Then

Introducing Now & Then

Now & Then is a new podcast from CAFE hosted by historians Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman. Each Tuesday, they will break down the week in news and look back at historical parallels to help us understand our present. Along the way, they’ll introduce us to history’s influential and often-forgotten characters. New episodes drop every Tuesday starting June 1st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 14, 2021 • 2:22

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