DayStrider: Tales from a Time Traveler

History's most celebrated playwright isn't who you think he is. 

Forget the stuffy portrait of Shakespeare you suffered through in high school - turns out the Bard was tracking audience reactions like a Netflix algorithm, surviving political dangers that got his colleagues executed, and running Renaissance London's most savvy multimedia enterprise. Welcome to "Shakespeare 360°" – where what you learned in En...

How long would it take to watch every video on YouTube? (Spoiler: it's mind-boggling!) Our digital landscape, beverage choices, and literary understanding would look dramatically different without the plot twists of April 23rd. Join us for three tales of pivots, blunders, and centuries-old mysteries that prove sometimes the most brilliant successes start with spectacular failures!

• YouTube turns 20 today! Follow the incredib...

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes!  Some hold communities together when tragedy strikes - while others flex their 24 inch biceps!  Either way, our world would be a whole lot different without the heroics that took place on March 27th.  Today’s stories prove that strength and staying power come from the most unexpected places!

• When North America’s biggest earthquake struck, Genie Chance transformed from a part-time radio report...

Stubbornness has a funny way of changing history!  Our world would look - and taste -  a lot different without the sweet successes of March 3rd.  Get ready for a triple dose of determination as today’s heroes turn 'no way' into 'my way' as they reveal how failure, family feuds, and frostbite became unexpected pathways to sweet success!

• The Iditarod dog sled race is a showcase of determined mushers and their f...

What happens when you combine 16 high-energy dogs, a sleep-deprived human, and 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness? Hallucinated rock concerts, near-death ice rescues, and a man who lost 45 pounds in 11 days while chasing the ultimate mushing dream. Meet Bailey Vitello, who's been commanding dog teams since age two and now tackles the legendary Iditarod with nothing but determination, his canine family, and—shockingly—zero caffe...

Before February 12th - the innards of the baseball were out of control, ice skating was seasonal and the shape of our nation would look completely different!

• But along came Albert Spalding - who standardized that ball and invented a few other shapes you are familiar with!
• And year-round ice became a thing at the Madison Square Garden - reshaping the future of the sport of ice skating.
• A few of the largest memorials in the country ...

Welcome to another DayStrider Bonus Episode.  Battlefield tour guide Steve Smith and I sneak behind enemy lines, and he shares the fascinating stories about the night the Germans began bombing the British with zeppelins!  You’ll hear the truth - but also - you will hear some myths about those first raids.  If you like learning about The Great War, these stories will be right up your alley!  Find a quiet place where you can relax wh...

When you think of delivery routes - you probably think of news papers.  But that’s not epic!  January 19th has epic deliveries that you won’t want to miss!

• Like the time a guy named Chickie delivered Pabst Blue Ribbon beers to his buddies in a war zone!
• Or the time the biggest route ever raced on a bike was invented - because of scandal and rivalries.
• How ‘bout the routes taken by zeppelin bombers that took over the British skies ...

Welcome to another DayStrider Bonus Episode.  Former Radio City Music Hall tour guide Joyce Hancock and I sneak behind the curtains, and she shares some fun stories about her tours - and you can tell, she really admires that building!  She tells a neat story about a Rockette when she was 10 years old - you gotta check that out!  

If you like learning about how places like a theater can create awe and inspiration, you are s...

Did you know that the powerful forces of creativity and curiosity are what makes December 27th an amazing day?  Whether you dream of adventure, love solving life’s mysteries, or simply crave a little magic, December 27th is here to deliver!

• In the early 1900’s Peter Pan and Neverland itself were magically created and took the world by a storm of pixie dust!
• In the 1830’s, aboard a sailing ship in the uncharted waters of the Galap...

October 21st is no ordinary day - it’s one that rewrote the rules and where the future took shape in a flash of brilliance.  Whether it’s that bolt of inspiration or the result of grit and grind, October 21st is a showcase of how sparks of genius can change everything!

• In the late 1800’s, a single flick of a switch banished darkness once and for all
• In the early 1940’s a humble late lunch sparked a revolution in restaurants and b...

Did you know that courage and resilience is what makes September 25th special? Courage to go where none has gone before and resilience to do so repeatedly when others want you to just . . . go away. This day in the past has it all.  

• 500 years ago today in Panama, an amazing discovery took place!
• 70 years ago today in Little Rock, the craziest first day of school ever will shock you!
• Today is One Hit Wonder Day - hear about some o...

Let Freedom Ring on September 1st!  Political freedoms?  Check!  Stereotype freedoms?  Check!  Even gravitational freedoms?  Yep!  Check that too!  September 1st has all kinds of freedoms to celebrate. 

• The Liberty Bell landed on the docks of Philly today - wanna guess what happened on the very first ring?
• The third female living in America became a published author on this day - but you may be surprised as to which young lady ha...

Did you know that I have a name for people just like you?  

If you’re naturally curious and enjoy learning new things, I’d call you a knowledge seeker!  If you’re also a tad nostalgic and love hearing stories, you are definitely a DayStrider!

Everyday has an amazing story to tell!  So join me, Truman Pastworthy, as we stride through them all. 

Each episode has three fun stories - all about what happened on this day in the past.  Some ...

August 16th is a day to celebrate many remarkable achievements!  Do you like stories about triumph and glory?  Todays tales have that and more - especially if you love sports: 

• Sports Illustrated was born today - and turned 70 this year.  Did the magazine grow because of America’s love of sports?  Or was it the other way around?
• The “Fastest Man Alive” set a speed record on this day that may never be broken.  Do you believe that?
• ...

Welcome to another DayStrider Bonus Episode.  Curator Ilona Regulski and I explore the ancient secrets of Egyptian Hieroglyphs, and she shares some interesting stories about the Rosetta Stone!  She shares her favorite hieroglyph from the past and helps me come up with the symbol for a podcaster - you gotta check that out!  If you like learning about the ancient past, you are sure to be entertained!  Find a quiet place where you can...

July 15th is a great day to unlock some of the hidden truths from the past!  You thought you knew them - but are you sure?  Today’s stories include: 

• Some unsettling mistakes that lead to the worst disaster in marine history
• Celebrating I Love Horses Day and a surprising truth about the American mustangs
• How the Rosetta Stone unlocked the secrets of a 5,000 year old language   

If it's a special day for you or for someone...

June 25th is a Bucket List Triple Threat because of the fun things and interesting places that originated on this day in history! Today’s stories include: 

• A celebration of Catfish Day - do you know what “Catfish Noodling” is?
• How the diary ponderings of a newly minted teenager became an international symbol, inspiring millions of readers
• Celebrating the birth of a world famous architect and his iconic masterpiece   

If it&apo...

Welcome to another DayStrider Bonus Episode.  Podcaster Muddy Grimes and I get in depth about Hot Rod Day, and he shares some fun stories about how he was tinkering with cars from a very young age!  He also shares the story of how he got that unique nickname (his real name is Brett Miller).  You are sure to be entertained - so grab an adult beverage of your choice and find a comfy seat in the back yard or deck and enjoy!

C...