Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast

A weekly history podcast sharing the stories of the people and events the make up America's past - shared in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee. So grab your coffee (or tea) and get ready for some bite sized history!

Episodes

August 9, 2025 16 mins

The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was one of the most powerful reform organizations of the 19th century, but its story goes far beyond banning booze. Sit down with me as I dive into the WTCU's origins, its wide-ranging activism, and the influential women who helped shape its legacy.

From the moral crusades of Frances Willard and her ambitious "Do Everything" policy to the saloon-smashing spectacle of Carrie Natio...

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Veteran screenwriter and producer Rob Edwards (The Princess and the Frog, Treasure Planet) joins the show to discuss his newest project: a graphic novel chronicling the extraordinary life of Robert Smalls, a man born into slavery who became a Civil War hero, ship captain, and U.S. Congressman.

Topics include:

  • The life and legacy of Robert Smalls
  • The creative process behind adapting history into a graphic novel
  • How storytelling can ...
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Sit down with me as I reflect on five years of Civics and Coffee! In this episode I look back on where I started and explain where I would like to go. I also give you an inside look into the rebranding of the show and how I landed on the new name, Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast. 

Help me celebrate five years by subscribing to the podcast's YouTube Channel and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a free book! 

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What do cocktails, hospitals, and the American railroad system have in common? Ice.

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Amy Brady, author of Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks – A Cool History of a Hot Commodity, to explore how something as simple as frozen water reshaped the nation. From 19th-century ice harvesting to the rise of refrigeration and its impact on food, medicine, and leisure, we dive into the chilly history behind one o...

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For over a century, the Colfax Massacre was inaccurately labeled a “race riot.” But in reality, it stands as one of the deadliest instances of racial and political violence during the Reconstruction Era. Join me this episode as I uncover what happened in Colfax, Louisiana in 1873 including why Black citizens were targeted for defending their newly won rights and how the legal aftermath shaped the limits of federal civil rights enfo...

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Join me this week as I sit down with Dr. Hilary Green to discuss her latest book, Unforgettable Sacrifice: How Black Communities Remembered the Civil War. In our conversation we dive into the importance of preserving historical memory, the work of Black women to guard the past, and what we these communities teach us about the Civil War. 

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July 5, 2025 19 mins

In this episode I explore the life and legacy of the man who first established "bossism," William Tweed. Learn about Tweed's early life and his increasing influence while serving in local offices and how it all came crashing down. 

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June 28, 2025 16 mins

Join me this week as I dive into the story of Little Women and its author Louisa May Alcott. Learn all about Alcott's youth and exactly how the story of Little Women got started. 

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Joining me this week is scholar and fellow podcaster Dr. Matthew Brogdon. He is a Political Scientist with an expertise in American Constitutionalism. In this episode, we discuss the history of the 13th and 14th Amendments and how they reshaped American society. We also spent time talking about how the amendments of this period influence our society today. 

Be sure to check out Matthew's podcast, This Constitution, and check ou...

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June 14, 2025 18 mins

Join me this week as I dive into another listener request and tackle the history of Bourbon. In this episode I cover when Bourbon got its start in the United States, how it differs from Scottish Whiskey, and why it is considered America's drink. 

The episode also mentions the Whiskey Rebellion, which you can learn more about by listening to the episode I dedicated to it back in 2021 here. Happy listening! 

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June 7, 2025 48 mins

Join me this week as I chat with Dr. Anita Chan to discuss her latest book, Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future. 

To learn more about Dr. Chan, be sure to visit her website at: https://www.anitachan.org/

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May 31, 2025 17 mins

Join me this week as I sit down and dive into the Panic of 1873. Learn how one man, Jay Cooke, brought the United States economy to the brink and how the panic has connections with the recession of 2008. 

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May 24, 2025 21 mins

Victoria Woodhull is perhaps best known to contemporary audiences for her decision to launch a questionable, and ultimately unsuccessful, bid for the presidency in 1872. But there is much more to Woodhull than her failed political career. Join me this week as I dive into the life and legacy of Victoria Woodhull. 

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May 17, 2025 17 mins

Join me this week as I dive into the cause and legacy of the Great Chicago Fire. What sparked the massive blaze? How did the city recover? And how did the fire inspire new structural technologies? 


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Soon after assuming office, President Grant was overwhelmed with letters from residents telling of the constant reign of terror they faced for exercising their right to vote. Unable to act as forcefully as he wanted, Grant asked Congress for a new law that would provide the necessary tools to combat the racial political violence. Their answer? The Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. Tune in this week as I dive into the law and how it was use...

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May 3, 2025 36 mins

Join me this episode as I sit down with author Robert O'Connor to discuss his historical novel about the Morale Corps during World War II, Jeep Show. 

To learn more about Robert, visit his website at www.jeepshowbook.com

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April 26, 2025 18 mins

Join me this week as I dive into the life and legacy of First Lady Julia Grant. Learn about Grant's early life living in the border state of Missouri, how she met her future husband, and how she impacted the role of First Lady. 

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April 19, 2025 19 mins

This week I wrap up the presidency and legacy of President Ulysses S. Grant. Learn about Grant's time in office, his work to preserve the civil rights of African Americans, and the struggles he faced due to his lack of political experience. 

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April 12, 2025 18 mins

Join me this week as I begin my coverage of the life and legacy of 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. In this episode, I cover Grant's early life including his decision to enroll at the Military Academy at West Point and his experiences during the Civil War. 

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April 5, 2025 47 mins

Join me this week for my conversation with Dr. Anthony Grasso where we discuss his latest book, Dual Justice: America's Divergent Approaches to Street and Corporate Crime. Learn all about how different ideologies influenced the criminal justice system and how they are still impacting carceral policy today. 

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