History. Rated R.

Francisco Franco was the dictator who couldn't be killed! By time at least. Dude ran the country from the 40's to the 70's. During his reign he also managed to keep Spain out of WWII, which we guess is okay. But more importantly, Argentina's superstar and inspiration for the hit musical, Evita makes a STRONG guest appearance. Much more important than shitty dictator Frank.

One of Hollywood's most famous and important icons (also VIP Gay icon!) Elizabeth Taylor was a woman of many talents and much power in the industry. Known for both her body of work and many, many husbands, let's dive in to the life of a legend. Plus, Craig tells about the time he MET HER!!! And HRR celebrates it's 1 year Anniversary!

The infamous William Randolph Hearst was one of the world's wealthiest and most legendary publishing magnates (and the inspiration for the film Citizen Kane). He also had a longtime mistress in actress and silent film star Marion Davies who arguably was just as important and influential as he was.

The Red Scare had a far reach in the United States, and Mr. Joseph McCarthy had fun dipping his greasy fingers all the way into Hollywood. Hear about some of the infamous "Hollywood Blacklist" writers, who found their careers, politics, and livelihoods threatened by the big bad himself. Also! A fun little story about Judy Holliday, the actress who beat McCarthy at his own game.

Senator Joseph McCarthy is one of history's great legendary villains. Responsible for fueling the Red Scare into a period of persecution of many people, the actual history of how we got to him goes back to World War I. Plus, a reddish fish, learn the history of the Salmon!

it's the holidays! Happy holidays to all and to all a great episode about how the courts defined obscenity as it came to film and pornography. What better way to celebrate the holidays? Plus, a brief history of satanical practices at christmastime including a long lost tradition...dressing in drag for christmas!

We're continuing on our journey through a production code challenged Hollywood. A few films along the way changed the way we look at movies (and collected some Oscars too), directly affecting our rating system and, as we will come to see, going all the way up to the Supreme Court. Plus, a brief history of mulled wine!

We go back to our favorite place of Hollywood to discuss the always controversial and unbelievably strict and stupid Motion Picture Production Code, often referred to as the "Hays Code." Hear a lot of stupid things they wanted to regulate when it came to the eras of the classics, but also how these restrictions may have forced writers to get better, and more clever, to avoid it.

Craig walks us further down our Shakespeare path, discussing the real life histories of two of time's (and ol' Bill's) most iconic figures, Julius Caesar and Macbeth.

It's Will's birthday! Celebrate with us as we listen to an almost 20 year old tape he found of his grandma, Olga Gotto, discussing the history of the 1950's with his sister Lisa for a high school project. We hope you have and have had a happy Thanksgiving. We're thankful to YOU for listening.

We continue our jounrey into the mind of good ol' Bill aka Bill Shakespeare aka Bill Skarsgaard's original form, William Shakespeare. And in this mind we're discussing the real life Kings of history that inspired his many plays aptly titled...those Kings names. Plus, let's unpack that Rancho episode shall we?

History Rated R is coming to you LIVE!...well, pre-recorded technically. But we taped this episode in front of a live studio audience (not really) at the Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach, CA! Craig is a member of the gang there and he's giving us the 411 on the Rancho's history and its impact as an important California Landmark.

We're putting the R in History Rated R today as we talk about the revolutionary, and in many ways controversial, Mahatma Gandhi. Learn about his life and works from your dear old uncle Craig and then also learn from Will about why Gandhi might have hated Will and Craig. It's all fun and games (and some serious sh*t) here!

It's Halloweeeeeeeen!!!! And we're celebrating by talking about...Martin Luther? That's right, the guy who hammered the "95 Theses" to the door of the Catholic Church was the founding father of Protestantism. And he did it on Halloween night! But it wouldn't be a proper holiday episode without a little history of the day itself, and constant interruptions from Will in an attempt to make Luther's sorty a little more...SPOOOOOOKY!!!

We're circling back to the time of Mary Wollstonecraft to talk about one of France's most powerful figures during the revolution, Maximilien Robespierre! From a young age he was on a path to power, going eventually from judge to accused dictator. Plus, the weird history of a random dish from a famous New Orleans restaurant...Steak Robespierre!

It's Craig's birthday! So we're celebrating how the man wants, not by talking about the history of Shakespeare's life but of Craig's favorite plays! Listen to some theater nerds talk about their love for ol' Will. The ONLY other Will we'll tolerate. Plus, hear the history of Shakespeare's favorite drink...ale!

On the heels of Wollstonecraft being an OG feminist, Craig brings us into the 21st Century with several notable and notorious women who furthered and advanced the cause and work of feminism. Plus, in a delayed goodbye to Summer, a brief history of the Margarita!

The rolls are reversed once more as Will regales Craig with the life story of Mary Wollstonecraft, one of feminisms early icons and writers, and the mother of Mary Shelley the author of Frankenstein. Hear the trials and tribulations that led to a life of immense importance in both feminist theory and literature. And are you hungry? Cook up Craig's recipe for Beef Wellington following the below! This is our usual step by step approach.  Make sure you read through and have all the ingredients ready. Step 1. In a heavy sauce pan, boil 1 cup vinegar together with one cup red wine and half a cup of sugar.  Boil it down to about 3/4 cup.  (Set aside.  This will be your sauce for the Wellington.) Step 2. Chop 1and 1/2 pounds of button mushrooms in a blender. Then add the mushroom to a heavy large skillet with 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté, then sprinkle with salt to taste. Step 3. Add 1/4 cup duck or goose liver pate' to the skillet along with l tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme. (You have now created the coating for the fillet log.) Step 4. Take a 3 pound fillet of beef log and lay bacon strips over it in a baking pan.  Then roast the beef at 400 degrees in the oven for 25 minutes.  Set the bacon strips and the drippings aside. Step 5. After the filet rests for ten minutes, cover it all over with the mushroom/pate mix from Step 3). Step 6. Roll out enough puff pastry dough to cover the fillet log. Place the log on the pastry dough and bring the edges up and around the log to cover it.  Seal the seam of the dough with egg white and press together. Step 7. Place the fillet covered log seam down in a baking pan and brush all over with egg white.  Place in the refrigerator for one hour.  Then bring to room temperature. Step 8. Bake the fillet log at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.  Let the fillet rest for 15 minutes, while you re-heat the sauce prepared in Step 1. Step 9. Remove the fillet log to a cutting board.  Carefully cross cut the fillet into 3/4 inch rounds and serve with sauce on the side. This dish is best served with Zinfandel and asparagus or broccoli.

In honor of the Queen, we continue our celebration of British people! Historic British people! Two more iconic and important parliamentary speakers, Edmund Burke became the mentor to James Fox...only to have Fox betray him. Learn how Burke was an early champion of the colonies and was critical of the King for mistreating them. And hear his hurtful final words for his pupil Fox.

God save the queen! Craig gives us a hot quick deep dive (mmm) into the history of the Monarchy and God damn are there a lot of Edwards. And Georges. 3 Charles'. 2 Elizabeths. We're running the gamut here. Plus, learn about a cocktail neither Craig NOR Will would want to drink...the Monarch Martini.

Craig brings us the tale of ever the controversial astronomer, physicist, and engineer Galileo Galilei! How did the man himself up against the Catholic church? What role did the Medici Family play in his fame? Learn how his inventions and beliefs forever changed the way we approach science. Plus, two fan fact checks and reading your reviews!

Craig has a curveball for today as we focus on great Parliamentary speakers of England, how the politics of the UK have often connected with the US', and an important update/request to listeners. Plus, a VERY in depth fan fact check.

Pairs. They're better than singles. Better than unos. You know...they're better than who knows? Well today, Craig knows. He's walking us down another Hollywood memory lane commemorating the most iconic of Hollywood duos. From Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy to Nick and Nora Charles aka William Powell and Myrna Loy, hold our hands and let us walk you down the yellow brick f*cking road to Hollywood!

Craig takes us on a quick overview of George W. Bush and Barack Obama's presidencies to round out and conclude our history of US Presidents. Will couldn't be more relieved. Plus, a quick history on a local Washing DC eatery adored by many, including President Obama, Ben's Chili Bowl!

We're going to the movies! In a slight break from format, Craig and Will are gushing about the history of film and breaking down some problematic, and wonderful, classic films. If you enjoyed this kind of episode, let us know! We'd love to take you to the movies more often, if you know what we mean. Also, famous silent (and later non-silent) actor John Barrymore's favorite cocktail, The Pimm's Cup, is discussed. Serve up one for yourself. 2 oz. Pimm's No. 1 Cup 3/4 oz. Cointreau ¾ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice 3 thin cucumber wheels 6 fresh mint leaves 1 oz. ginger ale

Craig takes us on a journey of the important history leading up to and through the passing of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote, and its key figures among the Suffragists along the way. But it wasn't all progressivism and sunshine and rainbows, just because "women" were allowed the right to vote most all women of color were prevented from doing so for another several decades.

Cate the Great was great for a lot of reasons. She ruled Russia as its Empress for 34 years and got some shit done. She played the long game to get there, but by the time she ame to power, they were kissing the hem of her robes. Also...kind of a sex positivity icon! Speaking of sex positive icons, our old pal Harry Craddock returns as we talk about the Corpse Reviver #2 as given to us by listener Michelle! Shake one up and sip along with us. In a shaker add equal parts gin, lemon juice, cointreau and lillet blanc. Rinse the glass with a dash of absinthe, strain into a chilled glass, and granish with a luxardo cherry. Mazel y'all.

William Jefferson Clinton was the man so many say had charisma and charm, but was also arguably a big f*cking creep who took advantage of several women, most notably the 24 year old White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton was only the second president to be impeached but not removed from office. And he loved cheeseburgers. Hear a VERY brief history of how the "cheeseburger" came to be and how Wily Willy's pervy past was a lot more extensive and problematic than most today seem to recognize.

Conservatives love him. Liberals love to hate him. In the shocked words of Doc Brown, "Ronald Reagan?? The actor!?" Yes, Ronald Reagan the actor became the President of the United States and simutaneously united and divided its people. Looking back on him now, there's much to be said, both negative and positive about the man. The AIDS crisis, Iran Contra, the war on drugs, hear Will and Craig discuss and politely debate. AND! If you want to drink the Gipper's favorite cocktail, shake up OG History Rated R celebrity, Harry Craddock's recipe for the Orange Blosson Cocktail. 1/4 Italian Vermouth 1/4 Cointreau 1/2 Dry Gin Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass and add cherry.

Continuing with Craig's "Forest Gump years," we turn to his time working in the White House as a speechwriter for president Ford. What was the man like, how did he struggle with speeches, and how did Craig land the gig?? Plus, a brief history of his favorite food (Pot Roast) and we get our first NEGATIVE REVIEWWWWWW! Want to cook up a Pot Roast to eat along with us? Try this one from Delishably! 

Considering last week's landmark supreme court decision to do some bullsh*t, we're discussing the history of Roe v. Wade itself, how it came to be, WHY it came to be, and what lead the court to reversing it. (Hint, it has to do with a lot of catholics.) Plus, a very quick history of the word, "cocktail."  Read and follow Will's writing journey on Medium by clicking here! (medium.com/@williamjsterling) 

They call it, "The Greatest Story Ever Told." But what if it was, "The Gayest Story Ever Told?" Bet you didn't know the Bible has its very own queer history, did you? We certainly hope we offend a few people, but mostly that we bring new meaning to terms like "beloved" and "exceed." Plus, in lieu of food or drinks, Craig and Will tell their very different but uplifting stories/histories of coming out. It's just a big queer episode all around!

Mary I of England certainly had a reputation. So strong of a reputation in fact, she became known as "Bloody Mary." Why'd she get this creepy nickname that inspired a ridiculous children's mirror prank? Spoiler alert, it involves a lot of killing. Plus, Craig sings a wonderful tune for Will and an unprompted duet! Want to drink up the less bloody favorite cocktail of Elizabeth II? Follow the recipe below for the Dubonnet Cocktail! 1 1/2 fl oz Dry Gin 2 fl oz Dubonnet Shake or stir all ingrdients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange zest if you're feelin frisky.

We've made it! Arguably the most talked about, drama'ed about, written about, argued about event in American Politics...Watergate! We appreciate your patience in giving so much attention to ol' Dick these past few episodes, so let's learn how the man got taken down. And to celebrate him and his love for the vitality loaf, cook yourself up Pat Nixon's recipe for it! Pat Nixon's Meatloaf2 tablespoons butter1 cup finely chopped onions2 garlic cloves, minced3 slices white bead1 cup milk2 pounds lean ground beef2 eggs, lightly beaten1 teaspoon saltGround black pepper, to taste1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley1/2 teaspoon dried thyme1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram2 tablespoons tomato puree2 tablespoons bread crumbs Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Melt butter in a saute pan, add garlic and saute until just golden -- do not brown. Let cool. Dice bread and soak it in milk. In a large mixing bowl, mix ground beef by hand with sauteed onions and garlic and bread pieces. Add eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme and marjoram and mix by hand in a circular motion. Turn this mixture into the prepared baking pan and pat into a loaf shape, leaving at least one inch of space around the edges to allow fat to run off. Brush the top with the tomato puree and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to penetrate and to firm up the loaf. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake meatloaf on lower shelf of oven for 1 hour, or until meat is cooked through. Pour off accumulated fat several times while baking and after meat is fully c ooked. Let stand on wire rack for five minutes before slicing. Makes 6 servings."

Nixon's road to the Presidency, as we've already seen in the 1960 election, was at times rocky but always steady. And we've officially reached Craig's "Forrest Gump days," in which he encouraged Nixon to run for President against Ronald Reagan. Plus, in lieu of a cocktail history...hear the history of the time Craig had martinis with Nixon!

Arguably the most talked about and controversial figure in American political history, Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th president of the United States and the only president to resign. But how did he get to become THE Richard Nixon? We're breaking down his road to politics and the presidency and his relationship to...his mother. Also, we're talking about the history of beef stroganoff! Follow Craig's recipe below to cook yours up and eat with us. "Ok, podcasters, this week's recipe is going to be a little bit of a challenge but well worth it: Beef Stroganoff for four.   Remember to check that you have all the ingredients before you begin. Step 1. The day before, take a pound and a half of your favorite steak and cut it into two inch by 1/2 inch strips. Put the strips a bowl and lightly salt and pepper them. Put the strips in the fridge over night. Step 2. On the day of the meal, pull bowl of strips out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature, about twenty minutes. Step 3. In a sauce pan, melt one tablespoon of butter then stir in one tablespoon of olive oil.  Then whisk in one tablespoon of flour. (It's called a roux.) Step 4. In a small pot, bring one cup of beef broth to a boil.  Then whisk the broth into the butter flour mix. When it is smooth, whisk in one teaspoon of mustard (Dijon is best). Turn off the heat. Step 5.  Following directions on the package, in a large pot, boil enough pappardelle pasta to serve four. Step 6. In a frying pan melt another tablespoon butter and another tablespoon of olive oil. Add two minced cloves of garlic, a tablespoon of chopped onion, and then the steak strips. Brown the strips to your preferred doneness and remove them from pan to a large bowl. Step 7.  Turn on the heat under the butter/mustard sauce and whisk in three tablespoons of sour cream.  (Takes about 4 minutes at most.). Step 8. Drain the pasta and pour it over the steak strips. Then pour the butter/mustard/broth sauce over the pasta and steak. Toss the sauce, pasta and steak together and serve."

Was JFK really as transformative a President as he gets credit for? He's the reason we started sending troops to Vietnam. And after he was assassinated, his VP and successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, took up the work of much of the important change we credit Kennedy of having done today. Learn more about the man who led the nation after John F. Kennedy. Care to serve up JFK's favorite cocktail while listening along (at brunch time)? Here's Fernard Petiot's original recipe...or so he says. Cover the bottom of the shaker with four large dashes of salt, two dashes of black pepper, two dashes of cayenne pepper, and a layer of worcestershire sauce; then add a dash of lemon juice and some cracked ice, put in two ounces of vodka and two ounces of thick tomato juice, shake, strain, and pour.

It's Part 1 of our deep dive into the Presidency of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Learn about his horribly racist father Joe and his brother Bobby, the pairing of JFK and Lyndon Johnson, and how Robert Nixon was transformed into a ghoul of sorts in his first televized debate with Kennedy. Hungry for pesto? Cook up Craig's recipe and enjoy a little dinner and a pod tonight! Here are the steps to making the perfect pesto with a few options thrown in at the end. As usual read all the way through before you start to be sure you have all the ingredients. Step 1 place three cups of tightly packed fresh basil leaves (no stems) into a food processor. Step 2 add 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts to the food processor. Step 3 add three chopped garlic cloves to the food processor. Step 4 add 1/2 cup ground Parmesan cheese to the food processor. Step 5 add 3/4 cup of olive oil to the food processor. Step 6 add 1/4 cup white wine or dry vermouth to the food processor. Step 7 turn the processor to low speed and blend the ingredients into the consistency of a sauce (add more olive oil if needed).  Place the mix in a sauce pan and cook over low heat stirring regularly for ten minutes. At the same time start... step 8. (Option: to make the mix into cream pesto add 3/4 cup sour cream. You can also add crumbled Italian sausage or chopped chicken to the mix and keep cooking until the sour cream is absorbed and/ or the added meat is cooked. ) Step 9 cook your favorite pasta and drain. Step 10 serve the pasta in a bowl topped with the pesto sauce.

Uh oh. Controversy. Arguably one of the most challenging and debated pieces of American politics is the 2nd Amendment. Hear your uncle Craig breakdown it's pretty simple and straightforward history and explain how we've gotten to our modern interpretation of it today. To read Craig's in depth article "Originalism and the Second Amendment: A Reassessment" click here! It's free to the first 50 people who would like to further educate themselves. If you like weird ass cocktails and have an affinity for apples, mix up your own Apple Toddy and sip along with us. Jerry Thomas' Apple Toddy 1 tea-spoonful of fine white sugar dissolved in a little boiling water 1 wine-glass of cider brandy (apple jack) or apple brandy 1/2 of a baked apple Fill the glass 2/3 full of boiling water, stir, and grate a little nutmeg on top. Serve with a spoon.

We continue our two parter of the hottest couple to ever grace the romantic movement with Mary's husband, infamous poet and controversial firebrand...Percy Bysshe Shelley. Hear Craig's take on him as he goes in depth on his life and writings, and expands on what a jerk Lord Byron continues to be. This week's recipe: Brew some tea to sip you lil Bysshe.

In a special bonus episode, we're flashing back to an episode of Will's old podcast, "The Motivation Report," for an in depth look at the novel, "The Modern Prometheus or Frankenstein." This episode first aired on October 23rd, 2016. If you haven't listened to our episode going in depth on Mary Shelley, do that first as it provides a lot of additional context.

Craig and Will switch seats this episode! Will talks about the author of Frankenstein, arguably literature's most significant romantic, sci-fi, and horror contribution, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Many know her name, few know her husband (yet), and even fewer know just how much her life informed her writing. Learn her tragic and moving life story and how she gave birth to one of literature's most enduring monsters. Also, Craig's taking the reigns up top to discuss the history of lamb as a cuisine and gives a recipe for you to cook along to! From senor Craig: As we learned in the latest podcast, lambs are important in Judeo-Christian history and a favorite food in merry old English. Here's a great recipe for lamb chops of all kinds. (vegans close your eyes). As usual check through all the steps before you begin to be sure you have all the ingredients. Step 1. In a large bowl, mix the juice of one lemon, with half a cup of olive oil, three crushed and chopped garlic cloves, a teaspoon of salt, and a tablespoon of chopped rosemary. Step 2. Coat lamb chops in the marinade and leave over night. Step 3. Light the barbecue or the broiler in your oven. Step 4. Using tongs place the chops on the grill or under the broiler for five minutes. Step 5. Flip the chops and cook for five more minutes. They can be served with your favorite rice or potato recipe.

Cleopatra. She's so high-ey-ai-ay! High above us. But also, she had a storied history with Rome and its many rulers and fighters and politicians and boys. But MOST importantly...she loved wine. Even bathed in it to keep her beautiful. That's why this week's cocktail recipe is likely the easiest ever... Cleopatra's Wine Recipe: Step 1: Buy a botle of wine. Step 2: Open that bottle of wine. Step 3: Drink that wine. Step 4: Finish that bottle bitch. Step 5: Purchase ten gallons of wine and bathe in it you fucking sluts!!!!

President Harry Truman was a lot more progressive than most preisdents when it came to equality, and when we needed someone to get us out of the war. Only it involved nuking Japan, which arguably didn't need to happen at all. But equally as important, Craig is cooking up "coq au vin," a French dish with a history he wants to argue about with Will. But you should cook it up and chow down with us. So cook according to Dr. Smith's recipe: Remember to read through the recipe so you have all the ingredients you need before you start and that you have your timing down: Step 1. The day before you intend to serve the meal prepare a large bowl of brine by mixing half a cup of salt (Kosher is best), with half a cup of season salt in a quart of water. Then pierce your favorite pieces of chicken with a fork and place them in the brine solution. Refrigerate over night. Step 2. Remove the chicken from the brine and allow it to reach room temperature (takes about an hour). Step 3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and/or butter and sear the chicken pieces on all sides. Then set them into a casserole dish, Dutch oven, or pressure cooker. Step 4. Add half a cup sliced onion, two sliced garlic cloves, tablespoon thyme, one cup diced celery, a bay leaf, and two strips of bacon. Step 5. This step is optional, but if you ever watched Julia Child's first cooking episode, you'll remember that at this juncture she poured a quarter cup of cognac over the chicken and ignited it. (She nearly caught the set on fire, so do this carefully.) Step 6. Pour one cup red wine over the chicken. Step. 7. If you are using a casserole dish or a Dutch oven, set your oven to 300 degrees and cook the chicken for two and a half hours.  If you are using a pressure cooker, set it on high pressure for 35 minutes. Let it stand for 15 minutes when the time expires, then release the remaining steam and serve. The Coq au Vin can now be served with boiled potatoes, rice and/or vegetables. When Julia Child tasted her dish at the end of episode one, she looked directly at the camera and said, “I've never tasted better Coq.”  Bien Appetite.

We skipped a bunch of Presidents before we got to FDR so Craig is making up for it with a lightning round, running down US Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover! Want to make a mint julep to toast to Teddy? Here's his controversial recipe: 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves "muddled" (until it resembles paste) with a splash of water and a sugar cube 2 to 3 oz rye whiskey .25 oz brandy 1-2 sprigs fresh mint as a garnish First fill a bar glass* with the muddled mint, then fill the glass generously with finely crushed ice. Top off with the rye, brandy, and mint garnish.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a transformative President to say the least. He also loved to fool around with the ladies. And...he tried to kill Craig's father?? Transformative may he be, he's also not necessarily the peachy keen man history makesw him out to be. Want to cook up a grilled cheese? It's easy! In a skillet, melt a pad of butter. Place 4 slices of break in the melted butter. Lay your cheese of choice on one slice, top it with the other, cook until one side is toasted brown, flip, repeat. Badabing, ya done!

William McKinley was our 25th President and the 3rd to be, spoiler alert, assassinated. But it's okay, they brought in Thomas Edison to try to revive him with his magic? And the democrats couldn't get over their hard on for William Jennings Bryan, despite him being a two time loser. Fool them twice, shame on them. Also! The history of the Gin Rickey. Stir one up and sip with us. The Gin Rickey 2 oz London dry gin 1 oz lime juice Stir in a Collins glass filled with ice. Fill with club soda. Garnic with lime wedge.

We're tackling a handfull of President's this episode, but mostly James Garfield who was, DUN DUN DUN, assassinated! The road to the secret service was a long one, clearly. Plus, Rutherford B. Hayes and James Garfield's favorite food, and the below recipe for "Squirrel Soup" if you wanna be real authentic and cook that up with us. (We're using lamb though...) From The Daily Beast: Wash and quarter three or four good sized squirrels; put them on, with a small tablespoonful of salt, directly after breakfast, in a gallon of cold water. Cover the pot close, and set it on the back part of the stove to simmer gently, not boil. Add vegetables just the same as you do in case of other meat soups in the summer season, but especially good will you find corn, Irish potatoes, tomatoes and Lima beans. Strain the soup through a coarse colander when the meat has boiled to shreds, so as to get rid of the squirrels' troublesome little bones. Then return to the pot, and after boiling a while longer, thicken with a piece of butter rubbed in flour. Celery and parsley leaves chopped up are also considered an improvement by many. Toast two slices of bread, cut them into dice one-half inch square, fry them in butter, put them into the bottom of your tureen, and then pour the soup boiling hot upon them. Notes: The substitution of the rabbit (x1) doesn't change much in terms of cooking as it is also a very lean meat. It also needs to be cooked low and slow. Cook 8 hours on low in a crockpot for best results. Add the veg half way through. Strain and remove bones as instructed above. Add whatever seasonal vegetables you would like.

Daniel Webster, likely one of the OG good dues in US History. A lawyer, statesman, Congressman, and Secretary of State, he was also a mastory orator and wrote some of this country's finest speeches. He also has a fun cocktail named after him...Daniel Webster's Punch! Mix up yours with the recipe below and cheers to the old Webs. Daniel Webster's Punch  INGREDIENTS 3 lemons 1/2 cup sugar 1 bag black tea 1/2 cup lemon juice 3/4 cup cognac 3/4 cup oloroso, dry 3/4 cup Jamaican rum 1 1/2 cups Bordeaux, or any full-bodied red wine champagne, to top   DIRECTIONS Peel the lemons, taking care to avoid as much of the bitter white pith as possible. In a large bowl, combine the sugar with the lemon peels, then lightly muddle and let sit for 20 minutes to allow the citrus oils to infuse with the sugar. Boil 2 cups of water and steep the tea bag in it for 5 minutes, and set aside to cool slightly. To the bowl, add the tea, lemon juice, cognac, sherry, rum and red wine, and stir to combine. Strain out the lemon peels and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Fifteen minutes before serving, add the ice ring (see Editor's Note). Ladle into cups and lightly top each glass with champagne.

Comedian Mateen Stewart joins us to talk about the vital importance of teaching Black history in schools and throughout the world, and not JUST in February. Learn why February became Black history month, the origin of some words you might want to stop using, and the history of his family.

Italian noblewoman who became the Queen of France, Catherine de' Medici and her hubby committed some awful, awful genocides. Nostradamus predicted 3 of her sons would be kings and they were! But she killed a lot of folks. Not cool. Also, the apropos history of Chicken Provençal and Craig's recipe below! Cook yourself up some and sit down and eat with us 'cause when you're here...YOU'RE FAMILY!! Step 1. Bring your favorite pieces of chicken to room temperature.  Set the oven on bake to 375 or convention bake to 350. Step 2. Lightly spray, brush, or otherwise coat the chicken with olive oil. Step 3. Sprinkle herbs de Provence and garlic salt on all sides of the chicken. Step 4. Place the pieces of chicken in a baking pan and add enough dry (white) vermouth to cover the bottom of the baking dish. Step 5. Bake the chicken for 30 to 40 minutes. Step 6. Serve the chicken with your favorite vegetables and white wine.  Small potatoes can be roasted with the chicken. Asparagus sprayed with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic salt compliments the chicken as would any dry white wine.