Episodes

  • Exploring America’s Enduring Struggle with Violence in Politics
    Sep 13 2025

    On this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into America’s long, unsettling history with political violence. From presidential assassinations to modern tragedies like the killing of Charlie Kirk, we ask: is political violence woven into our nation’s story and if so, can it ever be stopped?

    🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation!

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Why Looking Broader Changes How We See the Past
    Sep 7 2025

    In this episode of History You Didn't Know But Should, Chris and Ray talk about why history isn’t just about memorizing dates and names. It’s about perspective. Too often, we focus on the same stories and the same people. But when we broaden our view, looking at events and individuals from fresh angles, we begin to see connections, consequences, and hidden details that change everything. Whether it’s rethinking a well-known figure or uncovering overlooked voices, history becomes more alive when we see it through different lenses.

    If you love discovering stories that make you think, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

    Listen now and let’s look at history in a whole new way!

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Harriet Jacobs: The Slave Who Refused to Be Broken
    Aug 16 2025

    In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore the remarkable life of Harriet Jacobs. Born into slavery in Edenton, North Carolina, Jacobs endured unimaginable hardship yet refused to surrender her spirit. Her story highlights the struggles enslaved people faced and the many ways they resisted bondage, holding onto hope and determination in the face of oppression.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Tippecanoe and the Hard Cider Crew: The Wild Election of 1840
    Aug 1 2025

    In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into one of the most colorful and modern-feeling elections in American history, the 1840 contest between President Martin Van Buren and the log cabin war hero William Henry Harrison. We unpack the over-the-top campaign strategies, the use of catchy slogans and mass political marketing, and why this election set the stage for future presidential image making. What made “Old Kinderhook” struggle while “Tippecanoe” triumphed? You’ll learn the backstory behind the hard cider barrels, parades, and the birth of political spectacle.

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Roanoke Revisited 2025
    Jul 28 2025

    The Lost Colony has never been more intriguing. In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the enduring mystery of Roanoke: what really happened to the settlers, why the story still captivates us, and what recent archaeological findings could finally give weight to one of the most debated theories. This isn't just a history lesson, it's a detective story centuries in the making. Don't miss it.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Juneteenth: Celebrating Progress, Confronting the Past
    Jun 19 2025

    In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the story behind Juneteenth, what it really commemorates, how it became a national holiday, and why it matters. From its origins in Galveston, Texas to its broader significance in the long struggle for civil rights, this conversation reminds us that progress is worth celebrating, even when the road is long.

    Whether you're new to Juneteenth or want a deeper look at its meaning, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover the history you didn’t know, but definitely should.

    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
  • Marching for Freedom: The Stono Rebellion of 1739
    Jun 9 2025

    What do drums, freedom, and rebellion have in common? In this powerful episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray uncover the gripping story of the Stono Rebellion—, n explosive 1739 uprising where enslaved Africans marched for liberty and left a legacy that still echoes today.

    🎧 Hit play, learn something that you may have forgotten from history class, and if it sparks your curiosity, like, share, and pass it on. This is history that hits different.

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • When Presidents Got Sick—and No One Told You
    May 28 2025

    In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray explore a lesser-known pattern in presidential history, covering up serious health issues at the highest levels of power. In light of former President Joe Biden’s advanced prostate cancer diagnosis, we revisit the hidden illnesses of past presidents: Chester Arthur’s kidney disease, FDR’s paralysis, JFK’s secret health cocktail, Woodrow Wilson’s battle with the Spanish Flu, and Ronald Reagan’s gunshot injuries.

    We uncover the health secrets they didn’t want you to know...but should.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins