Roots of Reality
A podcast by historian Ben Baumann that uses history from the formation of the universe to the present, illustrating how our world came to be. The podcast provides brief historical summaries of various subjects and features oral history interviews with guest experts who have lived experiences related to the topics discussed. "Billions of years led to you."
Episodes
July 11, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode of Roots of Reality Experiences, historian Ben Baumann speaks with astrophysicist Dr. Ethan Siegel about the origins of the universe, why scientific skepticism matters, and how our understanding of the cosmos may evolve in the future.
Website- https://www.startswithabang.com/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/startswithabang
Twitter- https://x.com/startswithabang?lang=en
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/et...
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July 9, 2025 • 5 mins
Historian Ben Baumann explores the timeless question of why the universe exists, challenging the belief in certainties, and encouraging listeners to embrace the unknown by creating their own meaning in a mysterious cosmos.
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Facebook- www.facebook.com/Roots-of-Reality…=admin_todo_tour
Twitter- twitter.com/_RootsofReality
Instagram- www.instagram.com/rootsofreality/...
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June 6, 2025 • 10 mins
In this episode, Ben Baumann discusses the transformative power of learning history, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical context rather than memorizing random facts and dates. He critiques the prevalence of pseudohistory and the influence of unqualified individuals on historical narratives. Baumann advocates for a comprehensive approach to learning history, including big history and personal ancestry, to empower ...
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April 26, 2025 • 41 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Jason Paige about his work producing commercial jingles, his iconic performance of the Pokémon theme song, and the impact of the musical "Rent" on his life and career.
Website- https://jasonpaige.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop5iBDC3lZpLjjFj6PNFHEfeIO6lYk1pGnsufKQIdXVeHnFRGdq
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/jasonpaige/
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/j...
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April 25, 2025 • 8 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the history of popular television theme songs from the 1960s to the 2000s and how they impacted audiences.
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If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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March 20, 2025 • 60 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann interviews the lead singer of Black Lab, Paul Durham, about his humble journey to becoming a professional musician, his experiences overcoming challenges in his career, and his work on the Spider-Man soundtrack.
Website- https://www.blacklabworld.com/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/paulblacklab/?hl=en
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/blacklabband/
Subs...
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March 19, 2025 • 13 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about 2000s pop culture and what 2000s kids remember from the era.
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If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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Facebook- www.facebook.com/Roots-of-Reality…=admin_todo_tour
Twitter-...
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February 14, 2025 • 53 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann interviews Sporting KC legend Matt Besler about the origins and evolution of professional soccer in Kansas City, his career with Sporting KC, and more.
Website- https://www.captainssoccerclub.com/
X- https://x.com/MattBesler
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mattbesler/?hl=en
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MattBesler/
Subscribe for email notifications- ...
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February 13, 2025 • 5 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the history of the US soccer team, the development of professional soccer in America, and how far the sport has come in the United States.
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Subscribe for email notifications- rootsofreality.com/podcast/
If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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January 20, 2025 • 6 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the history of language and why so many languages are going extinct today.
Follow Roots of Reality on Substack: rootsofreality.com/substack/
Subscribe for email notifications- rootsofreality.com/podcast/
If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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Facebook- www.facebook.com/Roots-of-Reality…=admin_todo_...
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January 19, 2025 • 50 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Prof. Will Lamb about the origins of Scottish Gaelic, its historic decline, and the modern efforts to save it.
Bio- https://edwebprofiles.ed.ac.uk/profile/william-lamb
X- https://x.com/uilleamuan?lang=fr
Book- https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Gaelic-Comprehensive-Routledge-Grammars/dp/0367189186
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November 28, 2024 • 59 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Rob O'Gara about Yale University's hockey national championship team, how college hockey has changed, and Rob's journey to the NHL.
Bio- https://yalebulldogs.com/staff-directory/rob-o-gara/523
X- https://x.com/Rob_OG15
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/robog15/
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November 28, 2024 • 8 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the origins of ice hockey, the beginning of the NHL, and the greatest players ever.
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If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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October 29, 2024 • 44 mins
Historian Ben Baumann on what to make of the 2024 US Presidential Election.
Follow Roots of Reality on Substack: rootsofreality.com/substack/
Subscribe for email notifications- rootsofreality.com/podcast/
If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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Facebook- www.facebook.com/Roots-of-Reality…=admin_todo_tour
Twitter- twitter.com/_Roots...
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October 28, 2024 • 65 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Dr. Jason Schlude about why ancient history is relevant, how ancient history influenced the founding fathers, and the ancient political challenges that American democracy faces today.
Bio- https://www.csbsju.edu/languages-and-cultures/person/jason-schlude/
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-schlude-5717401b/
Book- https://www.amazon.com/Part...
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October 28, 2024 • 18 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the various ways authoritarians have attacked democracies throughout history and why these examples should serve as a warning to American democracy today.
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If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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October 24, 2024 • 49 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with Reed Galen about his work to help protect American democracy and the dangers posed to it this election.
Twitter- https://twitter.com/reedgalen
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/reed_galenusa/
Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-home-front/id1765927918
Substack- https://reedgalen.substack.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaASHQhC8w2E4...
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October 21, 2024 • 6 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the historical tests to American democracy and the test facing the nation today.
Follow Roots of Reality on Substack: rootsofreality.com/substack/
Subscribe for email notifications- rootsofreality.com/podcast/
If you like the podcast, leave a review at: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/root…ty/id1466338710
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Facebook- www.facebook.com/Roots-of-Reality…=admin...
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October 15, 2024 • 53 mins
In this Roots of Reality Experiences episode, historian Ben Baumann speaks with former Rep. Susan Molinari about how politics has changed, how Donald Trump took over the Republican Party, and the potential consequences of this election.
Bio- https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M000843
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/suemolinari
Support Roots of Reality on Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=65707335
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October 14, 2024 • 9 mins
Historian Ben Baumann talks about the recent surge in political opportunism in America and the people that went from being very critical of President Donald Trump to very supportive of him.
Support Roots of Reality on Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=65707335
Follow Roots of Reality on Substack: rootsofreality.com/substack/
Subscribe for email notifications- rootsofreality.com/podcast/
If you like the podcast, leave a review at: pod...
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