Talking History with Big Coop

Episode 23: Proxy Wars and Power Plays: The Cold War Heats Up

The Cold War wasn’t just fought in speeches and arms races—it was fought in jungles, deserts, and alleyways, in places most Americans couldn’t find on a map. And it was rarely fought directly. These were proxy wars—covert coups, foreign revolutions, and power plays between superpowers. Join us as we go on a journey into the hot heart of a cold war!

Episode 22: The Age of Anxiety: America at Home in the 1950s

Suburbs, rock n roll, and the "good old days," but also redlining, segregation and the "woman's place." Get ready for a rollicking ride through America in the 1950s, cool tunes and cold wars.

Rebels and Radicals: A Walk Through Greenwich Village

In this episode, Cassady Cooper takes listeners on a walking tour of Greenwich Village, highlighting its rich history as a center of protest, artistic expression, and radical thought. From the iconic Washington Square Park to the legacy of folk musicians and political activists, the conversation explores how this vibrant neighborhood has been a haven for those challenging societal norms and advocating for change. The episode emphasizes the importance of place in understanding history and the ongoing spirit of rebellion that permeates the area. https://www.nps.gov/places/greenwich-village-historic-district.htm [https://www.nps.gov/places/greenwich-village-historic-district.htm] "History's just around the corner." Keywords: Keywords Greenwich Village, history, protest, artistic expression, bohemian, radicalism, Washington Square Park, cultural heritage, social movements, folk music

Episode 21: From Victory to Rivalry

By 1953, the U.S. and Soviet Union had gone from allies to enemies… and the Cold War had its first battlefield in Korea. From Berlin to Hollywood to the 38th parallel, this is how it all began The Cold War Begins (1945–1953) The story of how WWII allies became Cold War enemies in less than a decade.

From California to Kashmir: Control in the Name of Peace

A short comparative episode tying U.S. “law and order” measures to: * India’s use of sedition and protest laws * France’s police surveillance post-yellow vests Repressive tools often rise in democratic and authoritarian regimes alike — especially when power is threatened. America’s trajectory isn’t isolated; it fits a wider pattern of “order politics.”