Places and Profiles Podcast with Adam Camac

Wess Harris, a sociologist, miner, union organizer, author, and editor, joins host Adam Camac to discuss key figures, issues, and events from the West Virginia Mine Wars and the history of coal mining in West Virginia.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/26.

1:25 - The guest’s background and interest in the West Virginia Mine Wars, the guest’s experiences and background as a mine...

Christopher Goscha, professor in the Department of History at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) and author of "Vietnam: A New History" and "The Road to Dien Bien Phu: A History of the First War for Vietnam," joins host Adam Camac to discuss key events, figures, and influences from the history of Vietnam.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/25.

1:18 - The guest’s interest...

Sarah Beth Cox, Lead Park Ranger Interpreter at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the history and significance of Mount Rushmore.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/24.

1:23 - The origins of the idea for Mount Rushmore

2:25 - How Mount Rushmore ended up being the location that was chosen for the carving

3:33 - Where th...

Tracey Laird, Professor of Music at Agnes Scott College and author of several books about country music, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the history and cultural significance of country music, key figures and themes in country music history, and how country music has changed and grown over the decades.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/23.

1:31 - What is country music?  When...

Margaret George, author of "The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers: A Novel," joins host Adam Camac to discuss the life, legacy, controversies, accomplishments, wives, advisors, and kids of King Henry VIII of England.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/22.

1:26 - The guest’s interest in King Henry VIII and her decision to write a book about him

Salvador Rueda, Director of the National Museum of History at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, joins host Adam Camac to discuss key figures, issues, and events from the history of Mexico.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/21.

1:26 - The history of Chapultepec Castle

5:43 - What is covered at the National Museum of History at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City

Peter Alter, Chief Historian at the Chicago History Museum, joins host Adam Camac to discuss key figures, issues, and events from the history of Chicago.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/20.

1:15 - The origins of the city of Chicago, where the name Chicago comes from, the founding of the city of Chicago

5:03 - The initial growth of Chicago, what Chicago looked l...

Dr. Paul Reeve, Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Utah, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the origins and history of Mormonism in Utah, how life in Utah has been shaped by Mormonism, and how the influence of Mormonism can be seen in Utah today.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/19.

1:32 - The founding of Mormonism, Mormonism as it developed in upstate New Yo...

Rachel Helvering, Executive Director of The President James K. Polk Home and Museum, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the life and legacy of President James K. Polk.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/18.

1:20 - The guest’s background and connection to President James K. Polk, why the guest has an interest in President Polk

2:41 - Early life and family background ...

Dr. Bill Barry, former NASA Chief Historian, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the history of NASA and the US space program, including the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs.  The future of NASA and of space travel is also discussed.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/17.

1:12 - Space research in the US before NASA, the establishment of NASA

8:07 -...

Chris Merritt, an archaeologist who is Utah’s historic preservation officer, joins host Adam Camac to discuss the legacy of Chinese railroad workers on the transcontinental railroad in Utah and what we are learning about their work through archaeological investigation.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/16.

1:28 - Overview of the work of the guest (Chris Merritt) and his inter...

Kainoa Daines, Senior Director, Destination Education at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, joins host Adam Camac to discuss Hawaiian history and culture with a focus on Maui.  The show notes page for this episode can be found at placesandprofiles.com/15.

1:32 - Brief overview of Hawaii, key figures, key historical events,

and unique characteristics

5:22 - Hawaii as an independent ki...

John Dinges, Professor Emeritus of International Journalism at Columbia University and author of "The Condor Years: How Pinochet and His Allies Brought Terrorism to Three Continents" and "Death and the Revolution," joins host Adam Camac to discuss the illegality, torture, secret prisons, and tragedies of Operation Condor in Chile and across South America.  We also discuss Salvador Allende, Augusto Pinochet, the 1973 Chilean coup, C...