From Boomers to Millennials: A Modern US History Podcast

• Episode 20B - Special: German Elections 2025

  This unique, mostly extemporaneous episode is a deep dive into modern European politics. The current United States government has destabilized the political scene by indicating it will reduce military support for NATO, and by having some of its top officials endorse the controversial far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) Party. We profile all of the main German political parties that were contenders in the February 2025 federal parliamentary elections: the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU), the climate-focused Greens, the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), the hard-right AfD, the Die Linke (Left) party, and the populist BSW party. We discuss the dissatisfaction with the status quo under Chancellor Olaf Scholz that led to this disruptive election, and analyze the continued influence of anti-migrant sentiment pulling European politics to the right. Finally, we discuss the election's outcomes, including the victory of the CDU that will make Friedrich Merz the next leader of Germany, the continued rise in support for the right-populist AfD in formerly Communist East Germany, and the surprising revival in the fortunes of the left-wing Die Linke party. We conclude by examining how plans to increase German defense spending reflect a diminished partnership between Europe and the USA.Support the show

  --------  

  1:02:48
• Episode 20A - Roberto Clemente: 10-Minute Profile

  After a brief podcast update, this episode provides the highlights from the life of Roberto Clemente, one of the first Latin American athletes to become a baseball star in the United States. Clemente grew up in Puerto Rico, and in 1955 he moved to the continental USA in order to play for Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. After initially struggling with injuries, the language barrier, & culture shock, Clemente became an All-Star right fielder during the 1960s. He was a standout offensive & defensive player who became a favorite of baseball fans throughout the Western Hemisphere. He also became a major civil rights advocate for his fellow Afro-Latinos. Shortly after leading the Pirates to the 1971 World Series title, Clemente led a relief mission to provide aid to the survivors of an earthquake in Nicaragua. Tragically, a cargo plane carrying supplies for the Nicaraguan people crashed with Clemente on board. Shortly after his premature death, Roberto Clemente was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and he is still widely remembered for his community service & humanitarian efforts.Support the show

  --------  

  13:55
• Ep. 20 – 1962 Part II: The Month the World Almost Ended

  After the Cuban Revolution installed a pro-Soviet Communist regime next door to the USA, American government officials had engaged in attempts at regime change in Cuba, through actions such as the Bay of Pigs invasion & Operation Mongoose. During summer 1962, the Soviets responded by sending nuclear missiles & military forces to Cuba. The North Americans discovered that operational nukes had been installed just 90 miles from US territory during October '62, which set off a panic within the Kennedy Administration. Hard-line US military leaders urged Pres. John F. Kennedy to respond by attacking Cuba with air strikes, followed by an invasion. JFK wisely chose a more cautious option. He announced to the American people that the US Navy would set up a blockade around the island, preventing further Soviet weapons & personnel from reaching Cuba. If the USSR violated the blockade, there would be war. The public breathed a huge sigh of relief when the Soviets turned their ships around. However, the Soviets then shot down an American U-2 plane flying through Cuban airspace, killing the pilot. The superpowers remained on the edge of war until a secret agreement was reached that the Soviets would remove its nukes from Cuba, in exchange for the removal of American nuclear missiles from Turkey. People around the world were greatly relieved that the crisis had been resolved peacefully (with notable exceptions including Cuban dictator Fidel Castro & American general Curtis LeMay). We conclude the episode by examining the psychological & cultural impact the Cuban Missile Crisis had upon American youths of the Baby Boomer generation.Support the show

  --------  

  50:21
• Episode 19B - End of 2024 Special

  In this bonus episode, we look back on the year 2024, providing historical context for its dramatic events. We compare and contrast the various US presidents who have faced an impeachment, and examine its impact upon their subsequent political careers. We consider Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump as the only two presidents in American history to be elected to non-consecutive terms. We review some historic aspects of the 2024 presidential campaign, which featured an incumbent president stepping down as his party's nominee, and two assassination attempts against his challenger. Finally, we briefly consider the current domestic and foreign policy challenges that the US government will face during 2025.Support the show

  --------  

  24:17
• Ep. 19A - Interview Special: Behind the Scenes of "From Boomers to Millennials"

  In this episode, producer Erin Rogers interviews FBTM's host & writer, Logan, about the past and future of the podcast. Topics discussed include: what inspired Logan to start a history podcast; book recommendations for US history fans; how the perspective brought by troubling current events should or shouldn't affect our approach to the show; why Thomas Dewey may be an underrated mid-20th Century moderate Republican, and why Eisenhower is one who is often overrated; what Logan's favorite episodes to write have been; the challenges of covering the turbulent 1960s; a denial that the show has been unreasonably obsessed with the Kennedys; what we do and do not about our show's audience; why Logan is not publicly disclosing his favorite color at this time; and what the future of the rebooted podcast holds.Support the show

  --------  

  57:18

Więcej Historia podcastów

Trendy w podcaście Historia

O From Boomers to Millennials: A Modern US History Podcast