Backrow Lessons

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Two history nerds take on real historical concepts and provide their own humorous, wacky telling of what happened hundreds of years ago all around the world.

Paul Davis & Nolan Meschke


    • Jun 2, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 27m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES
    • 2 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from Backrow Lessons

    #2.08 - Less Puritans, More Dudes And Murder! - The Founding of Boston & The Carolina Colony

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 102:23


    Ahoy maties! How goes it? Paul and Nolan here with a brand new episode of the Backrow Lesson Podcast! Hope you brought your basketball shorts, murder plots, and ski masks for robbing banks. We are going in hot...on the history of America's earliest major cities.   Hope you brought your finest wears, ran into your old college friends and most of checked the date to make sure you got the anniversary wrong, its gonna be another wild and educational episode of the Backrow Lessons Podcast!   Also get excited for the visual component of each episode coming on saturdays after each audio episode!   Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.07 - 300 II: Dick Nickel's Revenge - The Capture of New Netherlands & the New Haven Colony

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 91:15


    This week in episode 7 of season 2, just like the british forces we will be following, we make our presence known loud and proud! How do we do this? Powered by the fuel of history and non-canonical direct to video sequels! Don't understand yet? That's ok, just hop on in and find out!   Come with Paul and Nolan as we learn about the origins of things we all thought we knew, like how and why the Pilgrims came to the new world, the surprise attack that took New York by surprise, and why you should never pray you sailors met god before they even leave port.   All that and more, so make sure to tune in for each and every episode as we continue this crazy and hilarious journey on BACKROW LESSONS!!!   Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.06 - Dictator-Head-On-A-Stick (Oliver Cromwell & The Restoration)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 109:28


    This week in episode 6 of season 2, things get really crazy when small disagreements over trade lead from all out war to long, drawn-out trials for people that are already long gone. I promise you, it is even weirder and more dumb than you can already believe. And that is even before you even factor in if they got the right people!! Grab you bird eggs and aim them right at Nolan and Paul as we dive in and connect how 17th century bear wrestlers, hiding in oak trees, and a 450+ year old severed head all play into the story of the founding of America!!! All that and more, so make sure to tune in for each and every episode as we continue this crazy and hilarious journey on BACKROW LESSONS!!!   Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.05 - Peach Trees & Beaver Pelts - Kieft's War & The Fall of New Sweden

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 100:31


    This week in episode 5 of season 2, we jump back & forth across the ocean chasing warfare, but for good reason! Enormous amounts of riches and criminal justice hopefully await us on the other side. Tho make sure the captain knows where we are going.   Come with Nolan as we discover such amazing things as what happens when you sell you plot of land to the producer of Law & Order in the 1600's, the largest and most strict leader in all of New Sweden, but most of all find out if 14,000 beaver sink or swim.    All that and more, so make sure to tune in for each and every episode as we continue this crazy and hilarious journey on BACKROW LESSONS!!!   Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.04 - Secret Agent Midnight - The Purchase of Manhattan Island & the Founding of the New Sweden Colony

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 89:21


    This week in episode 4 of season 2, we follow the life and times of what very well be the first special agent in the history of America...such a special agent he was named it from birth! How is there a secret agent happening in America when there are barely any colonies there you ask; well listen in to this episode and you will find out what I mean!!   Come with Paul and Nolan as we settle the largest city in the world, meet the locals in the area and make some deals, but most of all, come with us as we discover the exact location of...Heaven! It's a lot closer than you'd think!   All that and more, so make sure to tune in for each and every episode as we continue this crazy and hilarious journey on BACKROW LESSONS!!!   Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.03 - Accidentally Colonization - Jamestown & Henry Hudson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2022 88:39


    This week in the 3rd episode of season 2, we get back to our roots; terrible failure and awful tragedies!  Or at least we are going to find the humor in all of these attempts at changing the world! Tag along with Paul and Nolan as we find new and interesting foods in the Americas, accidentally claim a set of islands and discover the truth that Jeffery Dahmer might be a time traveler!! Tune in for each and every episode as we continue this crazy and hilarious journey on BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.02 - Failing Upwards - The Lost Colony of Roanoke Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 92:45


    This week in the 2nd episode of season 2, we continue the tale of the spoooookiest event in the show's history...the Roanoke Colony! Or as we are going to find out, it is a whole lot less scary and a how lot more caused by laziness! Tag along with Paul and Nolan as we find out who was part of that lost colony and what happened to them, explore the lasting effects of the failed colony and talk about what happens when you take away a dignified man's sweet wine monopoly!! Tune in for each and every episode as we continue this crazy and hilarious journey on BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites! https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    #2.01 - Get Stranded On Dude Island - The Lost Colony of Roanoke Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 138:10


    Welcome back and to Season 2!! This week in our season premier we start things out with a bang and jump right into one of the spooooookiest and most talked about failures in history...the Roanoke Colony! However before we can get down to North Carolina, we have to make our way across the ocean and boy is that is a journey in of itself! Tag along with Paul and Nolan as we catch loads of fish in many different ways, learn how to use corn to properly perform your new years resolutions and most of all why bringing a bunch of dudes, and only dudes, across the ocean is a terrible idea! Tune in for each and every episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1. Bonus - The Booty Was Considerable! (Francis Drake‘s Circumnavigation)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 105:52


    This week in a super special end of the year BONUS episode we bridge the gap between Season 1 to Season 2 with a story of one man's quest of worldwide destruction...Francis Drake! We follow this bodacious sailor as he faces off against the likes of witches, the spanish and people with big feet! Come with Paul and Nolan as they laugh their way around the world, ponder naval strategy, learn about trucks & chickens, and give yall a taste of what to expect in the upcoming second season!! We will be back each early next year with a brand new season filled with brand new crazy true stories that come from the history of us all!    Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.13 Shifting Paradigms, Digging Tunnels (Siege of St. Andrews/Death of Henry VIII) SEASON FINALE

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 135:12


    This week in our 13th and final episode of the first season, we bring everything together and culminate it in true Backrow Lessons fashion...a terrible person executes another person and everything gets worse from there! From odd lessons on the roots of golf to debunking oddball theories on how a king died, this episode will not disappoint! All two hours of it will be a fun time filled with off the wall facts! Come with Paul and Nolan as they learn how easy it was to invade a castle, why being a Scottish Cardinal sounds like a pretty sweet life, and why you always have to make sure you are digging tunnels in the right direction! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.12 It Was Us Who Returned The Desk (Burning of Edinburgh)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 90:47


    After a small delay in our 12th episode, we finally bring together our time up in Scotland with the focus on Henry VIII and his tendencies to screw everything up. It seems that this quality reallys runs fully in his entire extended family!!  Come with Paul and cohost Nolan as they discuss the differences between super double peace treaties versus the no peace peace treaty, why trying to marry a baby is a bad idea, and how an art exhibit pushed Scottish Crypto-Fascist Patriots to kidnap and hold a fancy desk for ransom  MUSIC PROVIDED BY NOLAN WATTS (@NOLANWATTS) Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.11 Oh My Spirit (The Life of James V of Scotland)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 93:10


    This week in our 11th episode, we continue our slight detour on James V of Scotland as we see how he deals with problems on his border and how he feels about witches who betray him!! Don't worry tho, we definitely have not forgotten to include yet another total military disaster into the mix!  Come with Paul and cohost Nolan as they follow the travels of a Scottish king sending someone to get married for him, why that one aunt at thanksgiving might be the only thing stopping war and the crazy person Paul found who believes she can talk to the people in our stories!! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about and make fun of! MUSIC PROVIDED BY NOLAN WATTS (@NOLANWATTS) Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.10 Part 2 A Tale of Two Kidnappings (The life of James IV & early life of James V of Scotland)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 74:10


    This week in the 2nd half of our 10th (still counts right?) episode, we continue our break from the scandalous private life of Henry VIII and look at the other king on the isle of Britain that was being dragged down because of a Tudor! We head north to Scotland and look at the closest neighbor and enemy to the England while examining how one son was so desired by his parents and everyone else, battles and kidnappings happen multiple times before he is even a teenager. Come with Paul and Nolan as they appreciate their upbringings a bit more than before, wonder why a kid needed an elite squad to go to the park and awesome it would be if you can make your own restraining orders!  We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.10 Part 1 The Army of Onionheads!! [Charles V's Failed Invasion of Algeria & The Great Debasement of England]

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 51:17


    This week in our 10th episode, we take a break from the scandalous private life of Henry VIII and instead look at the other ways he was a totally incompetent leader! From having too many guns to having too many weddings to printing fake money, we explore the King's immaculate ability to cause chaos for decades after he will die!! From there, we head down south back to Mainland Europe as France and Germany are about to fight again, but first Charles V has to totally shoot himself in the foot and goes a tad bit...overboard one could say!!  Come with Paul and Nolan as they learn how not to commit forgery, revel in awe of how terrible an emperor could be, and finally as we all learn about the economies of onions and slaves!! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.09 - A Post-Execution Potluck! The Execution of Thomas Cromwell & The Marriage and Execution of Catherine Howard

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 102:48


    This week in our 9th episode, we lose our heads over the """trials""" and prompt executions of 5 different people in this episode! From famous last words to what could be considered the worst job reference in recorded history, this week is thick with punishment and sneaky behaviors!  Come with Paul and cohost Nolan as they try their best to see the fatherly bond between King Henry VIII and the last days before his buddy's impending doom approaches, empathize with the queen, but most of all we try and figure out the hardest question we have ever encounter on the series; what do you bring to the potluck after the public execution?  We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about and make fun of! MUSIC PROVIDED BY NOLAN WATTS (@NOLANWATTS) Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.08 - Small Pranks, Big Problems

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 96:18


    This week in our 8th episode, we follow the 4th fuggin marriage of this Henry guy, and boy is it a wild and fast ride! From odd english courtly traditions to the scheming rivals to the queen, the tale in this episode is a can't miss one! Don't worry though, we make sure to talk about some dogs! Come with Paul and cohost Nolan as they dress up along with the king and totally embarrass themselves when they talk about a sport where a bull fights an animal and this caused a diplomatic crisis in England, one of the biggest families we have ever seen, and finally and most importantly, about the details of a large 45 year man's wet dreams! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about and make fun of! MUSIC PROVIDED BY NOLAN WATTS (@NOLANWATTS) Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.03 - How Not To Invade a Kingdom

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 77:01


    This week in our 3rd episode, we finish our time spent with Albuquerque in India and the South Pacific! Following a few different Portuguese military leaders we learn the do's and do not's of trying to invade a foreign land! Number one lesson, if you hear rumors of an ambush...believe them!! They might have war elephants Come with Paul and guest host Nolan as they dive in and talk about the final pieces of the European spice trade, the worst commander in naval history and how awful at speaking other languages Paul truly is! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.02 - The Sea Lion King of the Seas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 68:27


    This week in our 2nd episode, we get into things by looking at the development of the Portuguese Spice Trade! We talk about from the fall of the last remaining parts of the Roman empire in less than a hundred years europeans were conquering all over the planet! How did it happen? Listen here and you will get an introduction to why!! Come with Nolan and Paul as they dive in and talk about the battle of lawnmowers, how Columbus (yeah that one) flicked off the king that inspired Machiavelli's famous work and the prequel to the legendary movie 300! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!!   Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/  

    1.01 Shallow Well Charlie's Lost Treasure

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 92:45


    WELCOME TO BACKROW LESSONS!!!!! This week in our inaugural episode, we look at the earliest found settlement in Australia, find out that Brazil is west of Africa (according to a french man), and explain why the Alligator River is one of the most ironic places in the world! Come with Paul and cohost Nolan as they dive in and talk about a man on some money and in some operas, the underside of the world and how 3 guys found some uranium! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1. Update - 4/13 Backrow Lessons Season 1 Update and Clarification

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 3:45


    Hi there everyone and to all of listeners, Paul and Nolan here! We are uploading this quick semi-bonus update episode to clue everyone in on what the next few weeks and episodes are going to be like as we get more into the podcast! 1. Despite the first few episodes bouncing around in topic we are going to finish up the Tudor kingdom in the coming episodes with Henry's time coming, then his children having some royal fun and then finally finishing the first season with Francis Drake's voyage around the world!! However we need about two weeks to finish our notes for this, so expect a brand new episode in about two weeks from now! 2. In the meantime tho as we research and prepare for the end of season 1, Nolan and I are going to be re-recording our earlier episodes with better mic quality, real music, and Nolan as our cohost for them! The first edition of these re-does (which will be even funnier than the originals) is going up the same day as this update! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.07 - Fugger Has Arrived!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 87:08


    This week in our 7th episode, we find ourselves deep in the sauerkraut and wooden shoe filled world of sixteenth century Germany/Holy Roman Empire as we look at Henry's 4th bride to be and the world around her and how a small duchy in Germany spawned a future English queen! We also take a bit of a detour to talk about what might be the single most overlooked person in history! A man and a family with a name for the ages! Come with Paul and cohost Nolan as they jump right in and talk about the rich mystery man who caused the world to explode into centuries of warfare, how Henry VIII might be a relative of a 90 Day Fiance contestant and finally what could possibly be the earliest attempt in history to stop a person from getting catfished!! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.06 - To Obey and Serve and Get Pregnant

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 67:58


    This week in our 6th episode, we look at the quick and tragic lives of a pair of queens and how their deaths came to greatly influence major events to come after. We ponder the moral question of what is better, a dude to have a child with a young teenager or full out continental warfare. And finally we talk about our newest and most exciting sponsor...weird hats throughout history! Come with Paul and guest host Nolan as they dive in and talk about the royal cockfighting pit of the british monarchy, what to gift a royal leader (hint its a big cat) and how the Ottomans engaged in some hat oneupsmanship! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.05 - Its Always Sunny in London (Henry VIII Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 73:40


    This week in our 5th episode, we continue our look at the most insane family life and the utter chaos of the tudors as Henry embarks on for the sole reason of getting some! We finish up Henry VIII's quest for his perfect wife and seeking a male heir to the english throne, only to run into numerous self made problems on the way. Come with Paul and guest host Nolan as they dive in and talk about the 2nd & 3rd wives of Henry's numerous bridal collection, the most royal spoon in the history of the world and what the heck came before twitter was a thing! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

    1.04 - Every Honeymoon needs a Beheading

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 68:11


    This week in our 4th episode, we start our look at the main subject of the season and the monarchs that ignites the expansion of the English across the world, the Tudors! Well...kinda. Due to the crazy crazy world around us in modern times, this shorter than normal episode will examine the problematic unencumbered father Henry VIII life as he waltzes his way through multiple european diplomatic calamity to meeting his first wife! Come with Paul and guest host Nolan as they dive in and talk about the English royal white trash lifestyle, the romantic honeymoon queens received  & how one horny dude quest for tail fundamentally changed the fabric of the European politically ecosystem for 500 plus years! We will be back each and every tuesday with brand new info, a bundle of fun things to talk about, and an ever increasing quality of recording and intro music! Tune back in next week for the following episode of BACKROW LESSONS!!! Check us out on all the social media sites https://twitter.com/BackrowLessons https://www.facebook.com/BackrowLessons https://backrowlessons.podbean.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Backrowlessons/

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