Podcast Episodes

192: A Conversation with Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein: The American Revolution and WWII

Professor Greg Jackson sits down with legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and his co-producer Sarah Botstein to discuss their newest film series, The American Revolution plus a conversation abo…

Published on 6 hours ago

Bonus: Eleanor Roosevelt "Over Our Coffee Cups"

Today Professor Jackson tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt’s “Over Our Coffee Cups” weekly radio show. Starting in the fall of 1941, the First Lady took to the airwaves with this cafe-style program…

Published on 1 week ago

191: Halloween Special V: “The War of the Worlds” on the Radio

“No more defenses. Our army is wiped out—artillery, air force, everything wiped out.”

This is the story of the invasion of New Jersey.

“The War of the Worlds” is a 1938 radio adaptation of an 1897 sc…

Published on 3 weeks ago

190: An Epilogue to US Pre-WW2 Turn from Isolationism to Interventionism and the Influential Americans in London Who Brokered the FDR-Churchill Bromance

Professor Jackson takes a step back to review themes from episodes 187 through 189 (War in Europe and America’s Response), specifically the slow turn from isolationism to aid via Lend-Lease, and even…

Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago

189: World War II in Europe & the American Response (1941): Production & Preparation

"At long last, Mr. President.”—Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill

This is the story of the second year of WWII and the United States’ response. 

As the war enters its second full year, things are l…

Published on 1 month ago

The Unlikely Union: "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

Professor Greg Jackson shares a personal message about our politically divided times and announces more tour dates for his live show: The Unlikely Union. 

This show is not recorded for the podcast. G…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

188: World War II in Europe & The American Response (1939–40): Isolationism vs. Arsenal of Democracy

“I have said not once but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war. … I hope the United States will keep out of this war. I believe that it will.”

This is the story of the first year of W…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Introducing Star Trek: Khan

The next episode of HTDS drops Sept 22nd. Prof. Jackson will begin the story of World War II in the European Theater and see the United States’ reaction. We’ll witness the fall of France, see the Roy…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

187: From the Rhineland to Poland (1935–1939): Annexation, Appeasement, & the Start of World War II

“A great war can hardly be avoided any longer.”

This is the story of Nazi Germany’s aggressive territorial expansion and the start of WWII.  

The Treaty of Versailles has long been a thorn in Adolf H…

Published on 2 months ago

186: From Czardom to Stalinism: Building the USSR & the Ascent of Joseph Stalin

“Comrade Stalin, now that he is general secretary, has concentrated immense power in his hands, and I am not sure whether he will always be capable of exercising this power with sufficient caution.”

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago