Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith

Civics often feels abstract or overlooked, yet it shapes the very core of how citizens understand democracy and engage in public life. In this episode, Paul Rader—educator, writer, and nonpartisan political analyst—explores the intersections of civics, history, and modern polarization.

Through personal stories, historical reflections, and a call for stronger civic education, Paul sheds light on how understanding our past can he...

Behind every song lies a story of memory, place, and the people who shaped it. In this episode, Melissa Ziobro—historian, curator, and Director of Curatorial Affairs at Monmouth University’s Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music—shares her work preserving and interpreting the Boss’s legacy.

We talk about her path with the Archives, from curating its first traveling exhibit Springsteen: His Hometown to her u...

Every hidden story deserves a voice—and Aly Riley is here to tell it. In this episode, we talk about the overlooked world of female espionage in the American Revolution. Aly, historian and author of She Spies, shares how women shaped the Revolutionary cause through intelligence networks, the enduring mystery of Agent 355, and the challenges of reconstructing lives history tried to forget.

From her beginnings as a graduate stude...

History often feels segmented—political events in one corner, cultural icons in another—but the stories that endure most powerfully are those that reveal unexpected connections. In this episode, historian Matthew Hild explores the Gilded Age’s lasting grip on American imagination and how it resonates through modern pop culture.

From railroads and labor struggles to the lives of Andy Gibb and Olivia Newton-John, we discuss how h...

Pat Nixon’s public image was polished and reserved, but behind the scenes she carried the weight of diplomacy, duty, and personal sacrifice. Too often dismissed as quiet or overlooked, her story reveals a First Lady of resilience, independence, and influence.

In this episode, we explore the hidden depths of Pat Nixon’s life with biographer Heath Lee, author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon. From her Western roots to her role in shaping ...

Behind every neighborhood, there's a story waiting to be told—and someone brave enough to listen.

In this episode, we have a conversation with Shae Corey, a public historian, preservationist, and the creator of the Holy Local Podcast.

We talk about the role of oral history in capturing lived experience, the impact of spiritual activism on D.C. neighborhoods, and how Shae’s work blends archival research, public memory, and digita...

Fame in Classic Hollywood was dazzling, but it rarely came without sacrifice. Beneath the glamour, the studio system demanded perfection—at a high personal cost to the people who lived in its spotlight.

In this episode, we dive into the untold side of Hollywood’s Golden Age with historical fiction author Martin Turnbull. Through his meticulously researched novels, Martin brings to life the emotional truth behind the silver screen—...

Historic preservation is more than saving buildings—it’s about honoring stories, communities, and the legacies that shaped who we are.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of the Eleanor Roosevelt School—the last of the Rosenwald Schools, born from a visionary partnership between philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington.

Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this historic institution was built ...

I am Holley Snaith—historian, writer, and your host. Say It With History is a show about the people, stories, and unexpected threads of the past that shape how we think, create, and connect today.

In each episode, I sit down with authors, artists, podcasters, educators, and creatives whose work is rooted in history—but always speaking to the present. From overlooked historical figures and cultural movements to the way history shows...