Why Is Congress So Old? And How Can We Change This?

Was Abortion Always Controversial? From the Pilgrims to Dobbs v. Jackson

For decades, abortion has been one of the most divisive issues in American politics. But was it always that way? Bob calls up Georgetown Law Professor Dr. Michele Goodwin [https://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/michele-goodwin/] to learn about the surprising history of abortion in America. From colonial midwives and herbal remedies to the rise of the Christian Right, Roe v. Wade, and the modern political battle over reproductive rights, this episode explores how abortion went from widely accepted to hugely controversial.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why Is Congress So Old? And How Can We Change This?

The average age of a U.S. Representative is in the 50s. In the Senate, it's in the 60s. Many Congressional members are also white and wealthy. And this is not representative of the country as a whole. So, what's keeping Congress from being more reflective of nation's population, and therefore, actually getting things done? So. Many. Things.  Bob calls up political scientist Maya Kornberg, author of Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress [https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54126/stuck?srsltid=AfmBOorOCOG8K4fHJWYs7wz6jK9n8E3-Oq5onseahbsgfHUPX7VODSLC], to unpack why Congress feels frozen in place ... and how we can fix it.  From campaign money and social media to political violence and the rise of “performative politics,” Maya explains why younger leaders struggle to break through.    See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Pequot War: Native American Diplomacy and Warfare

Maybe we can add another guarantee, besides "death" and "taxes" ... "trade wars."  In the early days of America, Native Nations were fighting over trade and power. And they saw the arrival of the Europeans as a tool to defeat their rivals. It's a period that led to shifting allegiances in a fight for dominance.  And the clearest example of this early diplomacy is The Pequot War of the 1630s.   To learn how this war depicts Native American alliances and shifting allegiances, Bob calls up Kathleen DuVal, author of Native Nations: A Millennium in North America [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575441/native-nations-by-kathleen-duval/].    See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

What was Ellis Island Really Like?

What was it really like to come to America through Ellis Island? For millions of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this little spit of land in New York Harbor was the gateway to a better future … IF they could pass a physical exam. To get the real-life experience of coming through Ellis Island, Bob calls up historian Vincent Cannato (author of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island – A Sweeping Epic of Immigration at the Nation's Landmark Port of Entry [https://www.amazon.com/American-Passage-History-Ellis-Island/dp/0060742747]). From quick and dirty medical exams to some weird name changes, Cannato separates fact from fiction, and explains why Ellis Island is synonymous with American immigration. We’ll also explore how Ellis Island marked a turning point in American immigration policy — with power shifting from the states to the federal government. And why is Ellis Island viewed with such nostalgia while Angel Island in San Francisco Bay is not? We’ve got all that and more in this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Did JFK Save a Man's Life?

You can't spell "hero" without JFK. Ok, so you can. But that doesn't take away from the fact that a young John F. Kennedy saved a man's life in WWII — a war he wasn't even supposed to be in! Bob calls up Alexis Coe, New York Times bestselling presidential historian and author of Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917–1957, to uncover the thrilling true story of JFK towing an injured crew mate through shark infested waters (by his teeth!) to safety.  Alexis also helps us understand why JFK fought so hard to serve in WWII, despite serious health problems and a free pass out of the conflict. It's this bravery and selflessness that made JFK a dreamboat to the ladies and ultimately our 35th president.  GUEST: Alexis Coe, author of Young Jack: A Biography of John F. Kennedy, 1917–1957 [https://www.alexiscoe.com/] (to be released in 2026) See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.