Time Tellers

In 1872, the unimaginable occurred—a sitting U.S. president was arrested right in the heart of Washington, D.C., for speeding. This episode takes you through the tale of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president and Civil War hero, who found himself in a unique position—being held to account by an ordinary patrol officer. Discover the narrative of duty, law, and humility as Officer William H. West, a Black Union Army veteran, stopped th...

Dive deep into the soulful origins of the blues in this evocative episode of Time Tellers. Join hosts Dan and Renee as they embark on a melodic journey from the heart-wrenching field hollers of the enslaved to the electrifying urban beats that reshaped modern music. Discover the enduring power of music born from pain and the indomitable spirit of those who sang not for applause but to survive.

Explore the Mississippi Delta, the hal...

Delve into the compelling narrative of Operation Paperclip, a clandestine U.S. intelligence program that ferried over 1,600 German scientists, engineers, and technicians to American soil following World War II. This episode unveils the intricate web of ethical dilemmas and the profound impact these individuals had on shaping America's technological supremacy during the Cold War era.

Join us as we journey back to the end of World W...

In this episode of Time Tellers, join Dan and Renee as they delve into the historical narrative of Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the belated announcement of emancipation to enslaved individuals in Texas. It's a story of a freedom that was declared yet delayed, and the long journey towards recognition and celebration.

Discover the tense backdrop of the Civil War and how Union troops marched into Galveston, Texas, in June 1865,...

In the shadows of World War II, at the dawn of the atomic age, the world found itself at an intersection of destruction and creativity. Operation Plowshare was born from this juxtaposition, a U.S. program attempting to transform the terrifying power of nuclear explosions into instruments of peace and progress. As atomic optimism soared, ambitions to carve canals and construct harbors using nuclear detonations took center stage, bra...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Time Tellers where we journey into the lesser-known narratives of June 14th—Flag Day. Hosts Renee and Dan peel back the layers of patriotism, protest, and profound symbolic significance tied to the American flag.

From its inaugural resolution by the Continental Congress in 1777 to the Supreme Court drama of Texas v. Johnson, the story of the flag is anything but simple. We dive into how th...

Welcome to "Time Tellers" where we unravel the forgotten chapters of history. In this compelling episode, join hosts Dan and [Co-host Name] as they journey back to 1932, a time when American veterans, once hailed as heroes, found themselves abandoned by the country they served. This is the story of the Bonus Army March, a poignant reminder of broken promises and the desperate struggle for justice during the Great Depression.

Step i...

Join us on this captivating journey as we delve deep into the intriguing history of how the Northeastern states in the U.S. got their distinctive shapes. This episode isn't just about cartography; it's a vivid narrative of colonial ambitions, revolutionary fervor, and the relentless pursuit of identity that defined a nation.

We'll unravel the stories behind state lines, exploring the legacies of the Revolutionary War, geographic c...

On May 31, 1985, the serene town of Albion, Pennsylvania, was jolted awake by an unexpected force of nature, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of local history. As we approach the 40th anniversary of this devastating event, join us on Time Tellers as Renee and Dan unravel the harrowing tales from that day—stories of courage and resilience in the face of one of nature's most fearsome shows of power.

Witness these unfolding ev...

Dive into the fascinating history of Memorial Day, a day that transcends its modern image of barbecues and sales, to reveal its deep roots in American history. Initially known as Decoration Day, this commemorative holiday emerged in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, reflecting a nation’s effort to honor its fallen soldiers.

Explore the early ceremonies, including a significant but often overlooked event organized by freed ...

Join hosts Renee and Dan on another riveting exploration in "Time Tellers," as they unravel one of America's most peculiar military experiments—the U.S. Camel Corps. This fascinating tale unfolds amid the dusty deserts of the American Southwest, where camels became an unexpected asset in the mid-19th century military logistics.

As the nation expanded westward, traditional modes of transport faltered in the harsh climate, leading v...

Welcome to Time Tellers, where pivotal moments in history reshape our present. In this episode, we journey through the fascinating narrative of the United States Interstate Highway System. Once muddy trails and fragmented paths, American roads transformed into veins of commerce and mobility.

Experience a young Dwight D. Eisenhower's mud-caked nightmare during a grueling 62-day Army convoy, a journey sparking a future president’s c...

Welcome to Time Tellers, where history is not just remembered but re-examined. In this riveting episode, we delve into one of the most controversial chapters of American protest history: the rise and radicalism of the Weather Underground Organization. This radical group, born from the anti-war movement of the 1960s, left an indelible mark on the nation's consciousness with their audacious bombing campaigns across major U.S. cities.

Join Dan and Renee on an enthralling journey into the heart of one of the most secretive and oldest elections in the world: the Papal Conclave. Discover how the Catholic Church elects a new pope through a blend of solemn traditions and surprising quirks that date back centuries.

Delve into the fascinating process involving secret ballots, smoke signals, and the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals decide the future l...

Join hosts Renee and Dan in this gripping episode of Time Tellers as they take you on a heart-pounding journey back to the early ’90s, a time when America confronted one of its most unforgettable reckonings. Explore the turbulent events surrounding Rodney King, whose brutal beating by LAPD officers was captured on video and swiftly unleashed a storm of national outrage.

Dive into the courtroom drama that followed, where the quest ...

Join your host Renee on this cosmic episode of Time Tellers, as we dive into the fascinating origins of Star Wars Day, celebrated every May 4th. What began as a simple pun in British politics evolved into a beloved fan holiday, embraced by millions across the globe. Discover the intriguing history behind "May the Fourth be with you," a celebration that wasn't birthed by George Lucas or the Jedi council but forged in the fires of fa...

Welcome back to Timetellers, where the past has a voice and the echoes of history guide us forward. I'm one of your hosts, Renee, and today we're diving into one of the most turbulent chapters of the 20th century, a time when helicopters lifted off the U.S. Embassy rooftop in Saigon and a president in the White House listened to his downfall one tape at a time. This is the story of the U.S. Withdrawal from Vietnam, the release of t...

Step back in time with us to April 29, 1945, a pivotal day in World War II marked by seismic shifts on multiple fronts. In this riveting episode, we unravel the tapestry of events leading to the collapse of the Nazi regime in Europe. From the solemn surrender negotiations in Italy to the harrowing liberation of Dachau, where the true horrors of the Nazi atrocities were laid bare, we delve into the final moments of a crumbling empir...

Step into a time machine with us as we journey back to April 1896, when the ancient tradition of the Olympic Games was reborn in Athens, Greece. Join host Renee and sidekick Dan as they bring to life the excitement of the first modern Olympic Games, a monumental event intertwining history, culture, and athletics into an unforgettable narrative.

In this episode, we unravel the passion of Pierre de Coubertin, whose dream of reviving ...