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.

Down a lonely dirt road outside Whiteville, North Carolina, lies a bridge with a heartbeat. Locals call it Heartbeat Bridge, a place where legend says a masked killer once claimed his victim, cutting out her heart and tossing it into the swamp below. Stop your car on the bridge at midnight, kill the engine, and listen closely, some say you’ll hear a pulse echoing from the darkness.

In this episode of History You Didn't Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the eerie lore of Heartbeat Bridge, explore the swampy landscape that feeds the fear, and uncover why stories like this thrive in rural North Carolina. Is it just the wind and frogs…or something darker keeping time in the woods?

In this spine chilling episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray turn down a dark stretch of Highway 210 in Pender County, North Carolina. One late night in July 2021, a 911 call reported a bleeding man in a Civil War uniform standing by the roadside. But what followed was no ordinary sighting, it was something out of nightmares. Was it a ghost, a bear, or something beyond the natural? Dare to listen…and join us to find out.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Chris and Ray dive into the epic story of the 1916 flood that tore through North Carolina’s mountains destroying bridges, railroads, and entire communities. We also trace the legacy of later storms like Hazel, Matthew, and Hurricane Helene (2024) to show how hurricanes and floods continue to reshape the region and remind us of its ongoing vulnerability to inland flooding.

Tune in for a mix of history, storytelling, and connections to the storms we still face today.

In this episode of History You Didn’t Know But Should, Ray and Chris take a look at the chaotic and transformative year of 1968. From the Vietnam War and civil rights struggles to assassinations and protests in the streets, the presidential election unfolded against a backdrop of division and unrest. We unpack how Richard Nixon’s campaign capitalized on themes of “law and order,” why Hubert Humphrey struggled to unify his party, and the surprising impact of third-party candidate George Wallace.

Most importantly, we connect the lessons of 1968 to our current political environment asking how issues of polarization, protest, and shifting voter coalitions still shape American politics today.

If you think history doesn’t echo itself, 1968 might just prove otherwise.

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!