Christmas during the Civil War wasn’t just about battles paused and soldiers in camp, it was about families, faith, longing, and a country in transition. In this episode of History You Didn't Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore how Americans actually experienced Christmas in the 1860s: at home, in churches, and far from loved ones. They look at how traditions were changing, how faith and sentiment shaped the holiday, and how the foundations of our modern Christmas were quietly taking form amid war, loss, and hope.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray sit down with Dr. Denver Brunsman, Department Chair and Associate Professor of History at The George Washington University. We explore how George Washington approached executive power and how his character, military experience, and political instincts shaped the presidency. Dr. Brunsman also considers whether Washington unintentionally set the stage for what some call the imperial presidency. He shares insights from his forthcoming book George Washington and His World. It is an insightful and energizing conversation with one of the leading scholars of early America.

On this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray head into the mountains of North Carolina to chase the legend of Grandfather Mountain’s Phantom Hiker, the silent, ghostly figure who passes travelers on the trail before fading into the trees. Along the way, they follow the breadcrumbs of other ghostly wanderers, from prophetic vanishing hitchhikers warning that “Jesus is coming” to lone spirits keeping to their favorite paths long after death. Pull up a chair and settle in. This one’s a spooky good time.