Ohio V. The World

We're back! Season 8 of Ohio v. the World drops on March 5, 2024. Thanks for being patient through our 2023 hiatus but Season 8 is in production and on its way to your ears. Go back and listen to all of our 99 episodes on the Evergreen Podcast Network https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ohio-v-the-world Email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with show ideas or to get an OvTW t-shirt. Free shipping and free bumper stickers with every order. See you in March! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FyreFest, Altamont, Woodstock '99, Astroworld are some of the biggest festival disasters in American history, today we'll look at some of the most flawed festivals in Ohio history in our Season 7 Finale. We start with BalloonFest '86 a fatally flawed world record setting balloon release festival in Downtown Cleveland. We relive the ecological disaster and dangerous consequences of the City of Cleveland's releasing of 1.5 million balloons in September 1986. We're joined by Cleveland sports personality and Twitter legend Chris McNeill, better known as Reflog_18 on Twitter to discuss 1980s Cleveland and the ill-fated BalloonFest '86. We'll also talk about Chris McNeill's leading role in the "Perfect Season Parade" to protest the Cleveland Browns winless 2017 NFL season. Follow Reflog_18 on Twitter and check out his Ohio-based weekly sports show, the BIGPLAY Reflog Show here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjqGMjGtAUKxlthtZ7hXt7Q Next we revisit the economic disaster that was AmeriFlora '92 in Columbus, Ohio. This horticultural exhibition was everything and nothing. Part theme park, part flower show, part mixed message branding nightmare. This $95 million boondoggle projected some 5+ million visitors but fell way short of those numbers. Tim Trad, the creator of onlyincbus, details the big swing and miss that was AmeriFlora '92. Follow @onlyincbus on Instagram and check out Tim's incredibly interesting content here www.onlyincbus.com We go all the way back to the 1950s for one of the first failed music festivals in American history. We replay an interview from a previous episode with Jerry DePizzo of the famous Ohio rock band O.A.R. about 1952's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland. The rock n' roll show hosted by the famous DJ Alan Freed, the man created with popularizing the phrase rock n' roll music. We follow Alan Freed's career and his disastrous event at the Cleveland Arena in March 1952, regarded by many as the first rock festival in the United States. Lastly, we sit down with friend of the show Vince Tornero to discuss the wildly successful concert series the World Series of Rock in Cleveland during the 1970s. We hear clips from his great new podcast season for the Evergreen Podcast Network show PrOHfiles called The Wrath of the Buzzard. His show documents the meteoric rise and fall of 100.7 WMMS - the iconic Cleveland FM rock station that proved to be one of the most influential radio stations of all time. We also discuss the disasterous 1979 World Series of Rock that resulted in violence and even the breakup of the famous band Aerosmith following their headlining performance at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Check out The Wrath of the Buzzard here https://evergreenpodcasts.com/prohfiles We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Thanks for listening to Season 7, we'll see you all again in 2023 for Season 8. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the penultimate episode of Season 7, Alex travels back to the Gilded Age to uncover the forgotten story of the greatest con woman of the era, Cleveland's Cassie Chadwick. In the second part of a two-part con artist series, Alex tells the story of how Cassie defrauded some $60 million from banks using her alleged connection to America's richest man, Andrew Carnegie. We're joined by two great guests to tell us the immigrant stories of Cassie Chadwick and Andrew Carnegie in the Gilded Age. Author William Hazelwood joins the program to discuss his new book Greed in the Gilded Age: The Brilliant Con of Cassie Chadwick (2022). Hazelwood brings Cassie's story back to life from her humble petty criminal days in Canada to her many scams in her new home in Cleveland, Ohio. Buy William's book here. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/greed-in-the-gilded-age-william-elliott-hazelgrove/1139927521 Our second guest and our favorite recurring guest is Bruce Carlson from the podcast My History Can Beat Up Your Politics rejoins the show to discuss the rise of Andrew Carnegie from Scottish immigrant child laborer to steel magnate to the richest man in America. It's Cassie's claim that she's Carnegie's illegitimate daughter that sparks her greatest con that would lead to her con story captivating the entire country in 1905 and landed her behind bars. Check out Bruce's amazing podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. https://myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.wordpress.com We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Rate and Review the show on iTunes and we'll read your review on the air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex tells the story of John Spano, the con man who managed to buy a National Hockey League team despite having almost no money. Spano's ill-fated purchase of the New York Islanders in 1997 is examined with the journalist who lead the investigation that exposed one of the biggest scams in American sports history. Alex is joined by John Valenti of Newsday on the 25th Anniversary of the the con man who nearly brought down an NHL franchise and the league's commissioner. Spano, an Ohio native, had lied about nearly everything and still managed to purchase and control the storied Islanders franchise for more than 3 months. We look at his youth near Ashtabula, Ohio, where he played football with Urban Meyer. Spano was only 32 when he duped the Islanders and the NHL into selling him the team. John Valenti walks us through the fraud and the staggering lack of due diligence done on Spano's finances. As his many and unbelievable excuses for his non-payment build, our guest, John Valenti, begins to investigate John Spano and quickly exposes Spano as a con artist. When the NHL finally removes him and federal investigators close in it takes Valenti to track down Spano when he skips town to the Caribbean. Valenti recalls the Newsday team's investigation, that he led, and its role in bringing down Spano and ultimately sending him to federal prison for fraud. We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Rate and Review the show on iTunes and we'll read your review on the air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An actual episode summary to follow shortly...sorry I'm tired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Church Terrell was born in 1863 the year of the Emancipation Proclamation and died months after the landmark Brown v. the Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954. Over four generations, she was involved in fighting for African American rights on the front lines. A truly remarkable life. Her story is too little told but there's so much to get to. We're joined by four guests to discuss her 90 years of struggle against injustice, including her formative years in the Buckeye State. Joan Quigley, author and attorney, discusses Mary's battles from suffrage, founding the NACW and the NAACP, anti-lynching legislation and her victory in the US Supreme Court to desegregate Washington DC. Joan's book about MCT, Just Another Southern City (2016) is a fantastic read and you can buy it here. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-another-southern-town-joan-quigley/1121877528 Alison Parker, professor of history at the University of Delaware and author of Unceasing Militant (2020), a new biography of Mary Church Terrell joins the show. We discuss Molly Church's life: born into slavery, her lifelong love of education and the many social justice issues she addressed in her incredible life. Give Alison's book, Unceasing Militant, a read by clicking link here https://www.amazon.com/Unceasing-Militant-Terrell-Franklin-American/dp/1469659387/ We also head to historic Oberlin College, Mary's alma mater and meet with Ken Grossi, archivist and Eboni Johnson from the Mary Church Terrell Library. Ken and Eboni discuss her years in Ohio from her early childhood through her graduation at Oberlin in 1884. We analyze her time in Ohio and the influence of Oberlin, one of the first co-educational and mutli-racial, colleges in America at its founding in 1833. Check out the excellent digital exhibit from Oberlin on their famous alum, Mary Church Terrell here https://terrell.oberlincollegelibrary.org/scalar/mct/index We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Rate and Review the show on iTunes and we'll read your review on the air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back from summer break for the 2nd half of Season 7! We're locked and loaded over the skies of Midway Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for the biggest and most consequential battle in US Naval history: the Battle of Midway. Fought by air and sea on June 4, 1942, the United States defeated Imperial Japan and turned the tide of World War II forever. We explore the key contribution by US Navy code breaker, Joe Rochefort, from Dayton, Ohio that lead to the American's successful ambush of the Japanese fleet. We're joined by two excellent military historians: Trent Hone and Dr. Peter Mansoor, Colonel, US Army (Ret.). to discuss all things Midway. From Pearl Harbor to Doolittle's Raid, Col. Mansoor takes us through the US military's string of losses in the first six months of the Pacific War. Trent Hone, author of the upcoming book Mastering the Art of Command, about Admiral Chester Nimitz, explains the most analyzed naval battle in US history with aplomb and clarity. Buy Trent's new book here when it's released on September 15 by the US Naval Institute. https://www.usni.org/press/books/mastering-art-command Both guests help us discovery the unsung hero of WWII, Joe Rochefort, naval officer and cryptanalyst that cracked the Japanese code and set up the American surprise attack at the Battle of Midway. We go through the intelligence and how Rochefort tricked the Japanese into giving away the time and place of their big attack. Rochefort, born in Dayton, Ohio, sadly did not receive the credit he deserved for decades following Midway. Dr. Peter Mansoor, the General Raymond E.Mason Jr. Chair of Military History at the Ohio State University joins the show for the first time and discusses the battle in real time as the US sinks 4 Japanese aircraft carriers to turn the tide of the Pacific War. Trent Hone discusses the most consequential 15 minutes in American military history to that time. We also are joined by a previous guest, Beth Weinhardt, retired historian of the Westerville Public Library, from an interview about Rochefort's mentor, Agnes Mayer Driscoll. Driscoll, of Westerville, broke the early Japanese codes and taught Rochefort everything she knew about cryptography and played a role in the victory at Midway. Listen to our episode from 2017 about Aggie's groundbreaking career here...https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ohio-v-the-world/id1210853919?i=1000395313820 We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Rate and Review the show on iTunes and we'll read your review on the air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex dives into the biggest medical experiment of the 20th Century: the development of the polio vaccines and the story of rivalry between its creators, Drs. Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk. A disease that was terrorizing parents all over the United States, the polio virus changed American medical history. We sit down with four amazing medical experts to discuss the polio crusade and its lessons for our current vaccine debates while analyzing the efforts of Dr. Albert Sabin from Cincinnati, Ohio and his oral polio vaccine that helps to nearly rid the world of this terrible virus. Dr. Paul Offit joins the show to discuss the terror that was the polio epidemic in the first half of the 20th Century and how America ultimately took the experimental vaccines in overwhelming numbers. Offit, from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the FDA's Vaccine Advisory Board has written extensively on the polio virus. Dr. Offit's new book You Bet Your Life (2021) discusses how there's inherent and very real risk involved in all medical innovations in our history. Polio and COVID-19 are no exception. Paul discusses the "Cutter Incident" in 1955, which stopped the polio vaccination process and his thoughts on vaccine skepticism in modern times. Buy Dr. Offit's new book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S3DL19Y We're joined by Brandy Schillace, science historian and author, to discuss the rivalry between Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk and why polio becomes such a problem for middle class America in the 1950s. Brandy teaches us about the importance of the messaging in the success of the polio vaccine rollout and its stark differences as a case study compared to the COVID vaccine rollout. Brandy's new book Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher (Simon & Schuster 2021) can be purchased here and it's a truly fantastic read. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Mr-Humble-and-Dr-Butcher/Brandy-Schillace/9781982113780 Michael Flamm, professor of history at Ohio Wesleyan University, joins the program for the first and likely not the last time. Professor Flamm is the creator of How 1954 Changed the World on Audible.com and he joins the program to discuss "the greatest public health experiment" in US history up until that time. Professor Flamm highlights the careers of Sabin and Salk, their epic rivalry and how the Greatest Generation embraced the polio vaccine despite the uncertainties. Dr. Randy Sharma joins the program to discuss the effects of the polio virus on its child victims in the 1940s and 50s, things like the terrible solitude of the "iron lungs" and Sabin's early vaccine trials in Chillicothe and Cincinnati, Ohio. We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don't hesitate to reach out to Alex by email at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with a future show idea or to buy one of our great Ohio v. the World t-shirts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An episode we've been waiting to do for a long while, Alex examines the consequential life of Cincinnati's own, Salmon P. Chase. Chase, the namesake for Chase Bank, served as a Senator and Governor from Ohio, the Secretary of the Treasury during the Lincoln Administration and the 6th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. We sit down with award-winning historian and biographer Walter Stahr to discuss the impact of Salmon P. Chase's important life, Chase's passionate leadership of the country that helped bring an end to slavery and Walter's new book Salmon P. Chase: Lincoln's Vital Rival (Simon & Schuster, 2021). Click the link below to purchase this great new book. https://walterstahr.com/books/salmon-p-chase/ We follow Chase's story from his arrival as a child to the new State of Ohio, his early career in DC to his successful legal career in Cincinnati. Chase's unorthodox path to power does not follow the normal two-party system, from his leaving the Whig Party in 1840 to the joining of little known Liberty and Free Soil parties. We experience pre-war racial strife in the border metropolis of Cincinnati as the Queen City's straddling of the Mason-Dixon Line molds Chase into a leading anti-slavery political figure in the North. Walter takes us through the tumultuous 1850s in the Senate, Governor Chase's two terms in Columbus (1856-1860) and the historic 1860 Election campaign in which Lincoln won the nomination of the new Republican Party over Chase. Walter shares with our audience Secretary Chase's deft stewardship of the nation's economy during the Civil War, his multiple failed attempts to win the presidency and his important 9 years as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during Reconstruction. We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don't hesitate to reach out to Alex by email at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with a future show idea or to buy one of our great Ohio v. the World t-shirts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend of the show, Vince Tornero, joins the show to preview the 2nd Season of his Evergreen Podcast Network show PROHFILES: "The Wrath of the Buzzard." Season two (6 episodes) will be titled “THE WRATH OF THE BUZZARD” and will document the meteoric rise and fall of 100.7 WMMS - the iconic Cleveland FM rock station that proved to be one of the most influential radio stations of all time. Alex sits down with Vince to discuss the show and share clips of authentic station audio, unearthed after collecting nearly half a century worth of dust, sending you right back to the glory days of The Buzzard. The podcast will tell the 30-year story that music and radio fans have been waiting for, including how Cleveland became the home of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. Hear the first two episodes starting June 10. Experience “PROHFILES - THE WRATH OF THE BUZZARD” at www.prohfiles.com or subscribe on platforms like: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and more. Or go to Evergreen www.evergreenpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Beatles arrived on US soil in February 1964 the music world and social norms in this country changed forever. And nowhere did Beatlemania have more of an effect than on the Baby Boomers in the Buckeye State. By analyzing their touring years in the States (1964-66) and their four Ohio live shows we see just how crazy it was to be in the Fab Four. In Episode 3, "Ohio v. the Beatles," Alex sits down with four Beatles experts to discuss their meteoric rise to the top of the entertainment world and why they ultimately stopped touring after 196 We're joined by author Dave Schwensen to discuss his books Beatles in Cleveland and The Beatles at Shea Stadium. Dave shares his insight to why Paul, George, John and Ringo matter so much and how crazy they drove his generation. Dave shares inside stories and antidotes of the Beatles touring years, including their riotous shows in Cleveland in 1964 and 1966. Dave was at the infamous 1966 concert at Cleveland Municipal Stadium as a kid. Buy Dave's excellent Beatles books here...https://www.amazon.com/Dave-Schwensen/e/B001JS4SFK We sit down Janice Mitchell, the biggest Beatle fan in the Buckeye State in 1964. Janice tells us how as a 16 year old in Cleveland Heights, Ohio she was consumed by Beatlemania and ran away to go find them in London. She walks us through the plan and how she became the target of an international manhunt where even the Beatles were said to be looking for her. Janice also describes the mayhem that stopped the 1964 Beatles show in Cleveland that she witnessed from the front row. Janice's great new book My Ticket to Ride (2021) is available for purchase here https://www.grayco.com/product/my-ticket-to-ride/ Author and historian, Jeff Suess, joins the show to talk about the Beatles two appearances in Cincinnati. One of which was said to be the only show the Beatles had to cancel, only to play the gig the next day at Crosley Field. Jeff is the librarian at the Cincinnati Enquirer and a wealth of knowledge on the history of the Queen City but also a big Beatles aficionado. Lastly, Alex talks with musician, Joe Peppercorn about the Beatles music and his amazing annual Beatles Marathon his band plays in Columbus every December. Known as Sgt. Peppercorn's Marathon, they expertly perform every Beatles song in chronological order. It is a can't miss annual event in the Capital City. Click here for more information and special thanks to Joe for chatting with us about the Beatles, we had a blast. https://www.facebook.com/sgtpeppercornmarathon We're proud to be part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Share this show with the Beatles fans in your life and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don't hesitate to reach out to Alex by email at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with a future show idea or to buy one of our great Ohio v. the World t-shirts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1989, the United States went to war with Panama and their military dictator, Manuel Noriega in what is called Operation Just Cause. In "Ohio v. Panama" Alex explores the complex history between the US and the isthmus of Panama since the the country's birth in 1903. This Memorial Day we will honor the legacy of PFC James Markwell (1968-1989), the fallen Army Ranger from Cincinnati, Ohio. We speak with Markwell's mother, Sandee Rouse, about her son's life and legacy and how his ultimate sacrifice lead to a 25 year between Sandee and our 41st President, George H.W. Bush. We sit down with CSM (Ret.) Michael Hall of Lorain County, OH about his combat service Operation Just Cause as an Army Ranger. Mike Hall tells us about his missions in the war, including the opening raid on the airport outside Panama City that would take the life of Private First Class Jimmy Markwell. We're joined also by historians Juan Santamarina and Dr. Orlando Perez, from the University of Dayton and University of North Texas-Dallas, respectively. Juan tells us about the history of the comprehensive American role and presence in the isthmus of Panama during the 20th Century. Professor Santamarina discusses President Theodore Roosevelt's role in the creation of the country of Panama and the completion of the all-important Panama Canal. The rocky relationship between the Americans and Panamanians that lead to the Torrijos-Carter Panama Canal Treaty in 1977. Dr. Perez discusses the rise and fall of General Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian military dictator at the center of this war. From his possible role in a presidential assassination, the War on Drugs, the Contras and his eventual downfall and surrender to American authorities in the first weeks of the War. We also look at the controversy that surrounded Operation Just Cause over the last 30+ years and the state of the isthmus of Panama following the war. This Memorial Day weekend we salute those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the United States of America. Ohio v. the World: an American History Podcast is part of the Evergreen Podcast Network www.evergreenpodcasts.com Check out all or old shows there. Please rate/review the show as well on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Have questions? Want an Ohio v. the World t-shirt or bumper sticker? Email Alex at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Season 7 premiere episode, Alex tells the story of George Koval, the Manhattan Project spy that got away. We're joined by author Ann Hagedorn to discuss her excellent book, Sleeper Agent (Simon & Schuster, 2021) about Koval's journey from normal Midwestern kid to celebrated Russian spy that brought the atom bomb to the Soviet Union. Click the link below to purchase Sleeper Agent.  We detail the Manhattan Project from the discovery of nuclear fission to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. We sit down with Ray Smith the historian at Oak Ridge to discuss the atom bomb project and the secrecy of this massive operation. Our episode journeys to Dayton, Ohio to discuss the Dayton Project and the Buckeye State's role in the Manhattan Project.  Buy Ann Hagedorn's best selling book Sleeper Agent here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleeper-agent-ann-hagedorn/1137938152 Ann's tireless research has uncovered this previously little known story of the Russian spy with the most access to the most secretive US government project of the 20th Century. The role of George Koval in his work on the bomb at Oak Ridge and Dayton has only recently come to light following Vladimir Putin's giving him the Hero of the Russian Federation award. We also find out why Koval made the ultimate sleeper agent and how he was able to get away back to the Soviet Union.  Ohio v. the World is so excited to be back for another season. Ohio v. the World: an American History Podcast is part of the Evergreen Podcast Network www.evergreenpodcasts.com Check out all or old shows there. Please rate/review the show as well on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the Season 6 Finale and we saved our best for last. Powered by interviews from a proposed documentary we give an oral history of the infamous Ten Cent Beer Night in Cleveland, Ohio on June 4, 1974. We hear from the people who were there that muggy night on Lake Erie when a baseball game became a beer-fueled riot. Special thanks to our friends John and Seth from Grey Lodge Productions for sharing over 7 hours of their interviews with those who lived through Ten Cent Beer Night. Ten Cent Beer Night, the misguided promotional idea by the Cleveland Indians turned violent as over-served Clevelanders stormed the field and attacked the players. We hear the story told through the words of the players, announcers, umpires, journalists, photographers and even the son of the Indians Executive VP. Mike Hargrove, first baseman that night for the visiting Texas Rangers, shares his story of that night on the field at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, two decades before he became the Cleveland Indians manager. We sit down with filmmaker Seth Moherman about the ridiculous scene that night in Downtown Cleveland when the Cleveland Indians decided to sell beer for 10 cents a cup. We look at the economic and political troubles that defined the summer of 1974: the oil crisis, Watergate, stagflation and high unemployment numbers. We also discuss the deteriorating situation in the City of Cleveland in the 1970s and how the money problems of the Cleveland Indians led to this event happening in the first place. Also, we analyze the career and antics of the Rangers manager, Billy Martin, and his role in Ten Cent Beer Night. You can learn more about Martin and just how wild 1970s baseball was in our guest Mike Shropshire's excellent book Seasons in Hell. Buy Mike's book here...https://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Hell-Baseball-History-1973-1975/dp/0803292775 We'll be back next year with Season 7 with our friends at Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com for our show and dozens of other great podcasts. Share this show with your Cleveland sports fan friends and family, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don't hesitate to reach out to Alex by email at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with a future show idea or to buy one of our great Ohio v. the World t-shirts. See you in 2022! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the penultimate episode of Season 6 Alex dives into the history of America's First War on Terror against a new white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan in the 1870s. We study the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) following the Civil War and the ultimate failure to reconcile the country and the races. Charles Lane, author and Washington Post columnist and editorial board member, joins the show to talk about his great 2019 book Freedom's Detective: The Secret Service, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Man Who Masterminded America's First War on Terror. Lane's protagonist is an Ohioan and a complicated anti-hero, Hiram C. Whitley. We follow Whitley's winding career from an Ohio farm boy to the second Director of the Secret Service. Whitley finds himself on the frontlines of a war against domestic terrorists, the newly formed and shadowy organization the Ku Klux Klan. Chuck Lane takes us through Whitley and his agents covert efforts to combat the KKK. The Secret Service helps to arrest hundreds of members in the South during Reconstruction. Buy Freedom's Detective here...https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079S8XK5Q/ Alex is rejoined by Steven Walters and Erik Archilla the co-creators of the great history podcast, 1865. They sit down to discuss Season 2 of 1865, which focuses on the war with the KKK and the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Grant, an Ohio native, joins the fight against the Klan and its violent tactics with the full force of the federal government. We look at his response to the killings and terror in the South and how his administration ultimately falls short of their goal of equality between black and white Americans. Go listen to 1865 Podcast from the fine folks at the Wondery podcast network. It's one of our absolute favorite shows. Both Season 1 about the crazy days after the Lincoln assassination and the end of the Civil War. And check out Season 2 which follows the story of Reconstruction in the 1870s. Listen here and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. https://wondery.com/shows/1865/ Only one episode left in Season 6 of Ohio v. the World. Thanks to our friends at the Evergreen Podcast Network. All of our old episodes are available at Evergreen and check out their entire history network here https://evergreenpodcasts.com/history-podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the chaotic end to the War in Afghanistan, Alex & Co. revisit America's first Asian counterinsurgency war, the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). America's quest for empire is met with stiff resistance on the Philippine Islands as well as on the homefront. We follow the bloody conflict and political upheaval through the decisions and careers of President William McKinley of Canton, Ohio and two future presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and Cincinnati's William Howard Taft. We're joined by historian and podcast host Richard Lim from the fellow Evergreen Podcast Network show, This American President. Richard discusses the US Navy and Admiral Dewey's smashing victory at Manila Bay in 1898 as part of the Spanish-American War. This American President, one of our favorite US history pods, has a two-part episode on the Span-Am War and the perils of American imperialism entitled "Will and Ted's Excellent Adventure" click here to listen. https://www.thisamericanpresident.com/episodes/ Author Gregg Jones, an Asian history expert and author of Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines and the Rise and Fall of America's Imperial Dream, joins the show to discuss America's most forgotten war. The Philippine rebel leader Emilio Aguinaldo, President Roosevelt and the famous Ohioans at the center of the war including Gen. Fred Funston and General Jacob H. Smith are discussed in depth. Gregg shares his excellent book from 2012 and the political consequences of US military misconduct at the turn of the century. Buy Honor in the Dust here...https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/303658/honor-in-the-dust-by-gregg-jones/ Cornell University professor and author David Silbey sits down to discuss the guerrilla war and counterinsurgency strategy that defines the Philippine-American War. Professor Silbey the author of two great books about the epic Battle of Manila and the Philippine American War, details the similarities between this conflict and our recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Buy David's newest book, The Other Face of Battle here. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-other-face-of-battle-9780190920647 Lastly, Erik Archilla, writer/creator on 2 of 2020's most popular history podcasts, American Elections: Wicked Game and 1865 Podcast rejoins the program. Erik comes on to discuss the explosion of the USS Maine and how it sparks war with the Spanish Empire in 1898. Erik shares the popular dissent movement known as the Anti-Imperialist League and the debate on the homefront about America's occupation of the Philippines and expansionist policies of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Erik and Alex discuss the similarities between the Philippine-American War and the War on Terror and the Iraq War 100 years later. Check out American Elections: Wicked Game and this episode written by Erik about the Election of 1900 (click to listen). https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1900-mckinley-vs-bryan-the-rise-and-fall-of-empires/id1481254566?i=1000471424969 Only 2 episodes left in Season Two! Don't forget to visit Ohio v. the World at evergreenpodcasts.com. For all of our past episodes and other great history podcasts from our friends at the Evergreen Podcast Network. Please rate/review the show and you can reach out to us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex travels to the Sunshine State to discover the story of Henry Flagler, the Cleveland native, known as "the Father of Modern Florida." We analyze Flagler's career at Standard Oil and his close relationship with John D. Rockefeller during their years building the oil giant in Cleveland, Ohio. We follow Flagler's second act as a railroad tycoon and developer in cities like St. Augustine, Palm Beach and Miami. The Florida that Flagler builds during the 1920s grows exponentially. But the economic boom goes bust and perhaps even sparks the Great Depression. Kevin Callahan, trustee from the Western Reserve Historical Society, rejoins the show to share Henry Flagler's rise from failed businessman to one of the co-founder's of Standard Oil. The oil company, which started in Cleveland, with Rockefeller and Flagler becomes one of the most successful and despised companies in American history. We follow Flagler's journey south to Florida in the 1880s, Leslee Keys from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida shares the history of the Ancient City and Flagler's landmark resort the Hotel Ponce de Leon. Professor Keys discusses the new empire that Henry Flagler begins to behind along Florida's Atlantic Coast. Check out Leslee's book, Hotel Ponce de Leon: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Flagler's Gilded Age Palace. https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813061498 Finally, we sit down with Dr. Paul George from the History Miami Museum and discuss the Roaring Twenties in Florida. Dr. George outlines Henry Flagler's final achievement, the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad, completed in 1912. We discuss the historic Florida real estate boom of the 1920s that transforms the state to the hot new destination for America's fortune seekers. We meet the incomparable developer of Miami Beach, Carl Fisher as his rise and fall mirror that of the entire state in the 1920s. Lastly, we ponder the role of the Sunshine State in two of America's most infamous financial crises, the Great Depression and the Great Recession of 2008. Visit the History Miami Museum next time you're in South Beach. https://www.historymiami.org Don't forget to go and read our book recommendation from this episode Christopher Knowlton's most excellent 2020 book Bubble in the Sun. Buy it here...https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bubble-in-the-Sun/Christopher-Knowlton/9781982128388 Don't forget to visit Ohio v. the World at evergreenpodcasts.com. For all of our past episodes and other great history podcasts from our friends at the Evergreen Podcast Network. Please rate/review the show and you can reach out to us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of a 2-part episode, Alex concludes the fascinating saga of the American Comandante, William Alexander Morgan of Toledo, Ohio and how his central role in the Cuban Revolution and its aftermath changed world history. If you haven't listened to Part One from last week go back and do that, we'll wait...ok, good, you're caught up. We are joined again by author and journalist Michael Sallah to discuss William Morgan's rise to international fame following his thrilling turn as a double agent for Castro to thwart an international coup attempt. William Morgan's rise to fame occurs at the same time as the Castro government turns towards socialism and an alliance with the Soviet Union. Morgan, an avowed anti-communist, moves against Castro and begins raising his own army only to be discovered. We discuss Michael's excellent book Yankee Comandante: The Untold Story of Courage, Passion and One American's Fight to Liberate Cuba (2019). Michael details William's demise and the fallout of his downfall to his rebel wife, Olga. Buy Michael's book here, a truly fantastic read. https://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Comandante-Courage-Americans-Liberate/dp/0762792876 We're rejoined by writer and historian Tony Perrottet. Tony, who writes for Smithsonian Magazine is the author of the great book Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History (2019). Tony takes us inside Fidel Castro's initially warm reception by Americans and his trip to the States to his turn as villain when he aligns with the Soviets leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis and over 60 years as an enemy of the United States. We discuss his many trips to Cuba, his great podcast "History Unzipped" and the failed foreign policies of the US in the 1950s. Buy Cuba Libre! here. http://tonyperrottet.com/cubalibre/ University of Dayton history professor and Cuban filmmaker Juan Santamarina joins to analyze Castro's Machiavellian decision making process following the Cuban Revolution and the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. Juan shares with us his thoughts on the current protests in Cuba and their significance in Cuban history and American politics. Ohio v. the World: an American History Podcast is part of the Evergreen Podcast Network www.evergreenpodcasts.com Check out all or old shows there. Please rate/review the show as well on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Few stories we've done are more tailor made for a blockbuster Hollywood production than the story of William Morgan, the Yankee Comandante. You can email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with show ideas and to reach out to Alex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of a 2-part episode, Alex reveals the fascinating story of the American Comandante, William Alexander Morgan of Toledo, Ohio and how his unlikely service in the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s changed world history. We look at the story of the Cuban Revolution of Fidel Castro on the whole and the improbable victory of the Cuban rebels over the dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. This story was too good to fit into one episode and Part 2 of “Ohio v. Revolution” will come out next Tuesday August 10, 2021.  We are joined by author and journalist Michael Sallah to discuss William Morgan's crazy life story and Michael's excellent book Yankee Comandante: The Untold Story of Courage, Passion and One American's Fight to Liberate Cuba (2019). Michael details William's privileged youth and juvenile delinquency in “The Glass City”. From jumping off roofs, to running away to join the circus, even going AWOL while in the Army, to being an associate of the Toledo mafia. There's not a more unlikely revolutionary leader in the Cuban War for Independence. Buy Michael's book here, a truly fantastic read. https://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Comandante-Courage-Americans-Liberate/dp/0762792876 Our second guest Juan Santamarina, professor of history at the University of Dayton. Born in Cuba shortly after the Revolution, Juan takes us through the history of Cuba-American relations in the first half of the 20th Century leading to Castro and Morgan's separate guerrilla movements in the mountains of Cuba. Professor Santamarina shares the story of the brutal dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista and his surprising resignation on New Years Eve 1958.  Lastly, we're joined by Australian writer and historian Tony Perrottet. Tony, who writes for Smithsonian Magazine is the author of the great book Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History (2019). Tony takes us inside Fidel Castro's revolutionary movement in the Sierra Maestra Mountains in Eastern Cuba from his disastrous landing in 1956 to their stunning victory in 1959. Castro was not a communist during the war but we begin to see that shift in the year following his successful revolution and taking power as Prime Minister of Cuba. He would remain in power for nearly 50 years. Buy Cuba Libre! here. http://tonyperrottet.com/cubalibre/ Ohio v. the World: an American History Podcast is part of the Evergreen Podcast Network www.evergreenpodcasts.com Check out all or old shows there. Please rate/review the show as well on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back with the conclusion of this story next week in Episode 8: Ohio v. Revolution (Part Two). That's when things really get crazy for William Morgan and the Cuban Revolution. You can email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Japanese American incarceration during World War II is a policy decision that will live in infamy. Alex analyzes why did FDR and the American government forcible remove 120,000 Japanese Americans to 10 camps across the American West? We speak with three experts about this complicated and fateful decision that remains a stain on US history. We sit down with Shirley Ann Higuchi, the Chair of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation. Heart Mountain was one of the 10 camps and where we spend the majority of our time in this episode. You can visit them online at www.heartmountain.org. Shirley's family was confined to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center during the War and she tells the story in her excellent new book, Setsuko's Secret: Heart Mountain and the Legacy of Japanese American Incarceration (2020). You can buy the book here. https://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/5799.htm Author and journalist Bradford Pearson joins the show to discuss why this decision was made, what were the consequences for the incarcerees and the legacy of Japanese American incarceration. Brad's hit new book from Simon & Schuster, The Eagles of Heart Mountain: A True Story of Football, Incarceration and Resistance in World War II America (2021). We discuss the war time hysteria that gripped the nation following the Pearl Harbor attack, Executive Order 9066 and the resistance to this treatment by Japanese Americans. And how does football play such a big role in the Heart Mountain story? Buy Brad's great book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Eagles-of-Heart-Mountain/Bradford-Pearson/9781982107031 We check in with Karen Robertson of the Ohio History Connection about the connection to the Buckeye State in this episode. She tells us the tragic story of Mae and Kingo Takasugi, a young married couple in Alliance, Ohio that is wrongly incarcerated at the Tule Lake camp in California. Karen is the author of the fun book, Little Ohio, about 100 small towns in Ohio. Check it out here. https://www.amazon.com/Little-Ohio-Nostalgic-Buckeye-Smallest/dp/159193849X Don't forget to visit Ohio v. the World at evergreenpodcasts.com. For all of our past episodes and other great history podcasts from our friends at the Evergreen Podcast Network. Please rate/review the show and you can reach out to us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex tells the story of the most famous lawyer in American history, Clarence Darrow. We welcome an all-star cast of guests to discuss the sterling career of "the Attorney for the Damned." We go through Darrow's life and legal career and how the issues he tackled 100 years ago are still problems in modern America. Alex looks at Darrow's three most famous cases in depth to reveal why many still consider Clarence Darrow to be America's greatest defense attorney. We welcome Pulitzer Prize winner, Ed Larson, author of Summer for the Gods, to discuss Darrow's rise to fame from a small town, country lawyer in Northeast Ohio to the preeminent lawyer for the explosive labor movement. We discuss Ed's award-winning book about Darrow's most famous case, the Scopes Monkey Trial. Larson helps us understood why the case was so important in America's continuing struggle between science and religion. Ed also discusses the landmark murder case of Leopold and Loeb, as Darrow battles against his lifelong nemesis, the death penalty. Buy Ed's amazing book Summer for the Gods here https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Gods-Americas-Continuing-Religion/dp/046507510X We sit down with Nadine Strossen, the former President of the American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008) about the birth of the ACLU and Darrow's fight for Americans' civil liberties. Nadine talks to us about the evolving nature of our Constitutional right to free speech in Darrow's time and the ACLU's role in the Scopes trial. Go buy Nadine's wonderful book HATE: Why We Should Resist It With Free Speech, Not Censorship. https://www.amazon.com/HATE-Should-Resist-Censorship-Inalienable-ebook/dp/B07BH3LYZ1 Alex has a riveting discussion with Kevin Boyle about Darrow's representation of the African American Dr. Ossian Sweet, accused of murder in Detroit in 1925. Kevin talks us through the system of Northern segregation that leads to the killing and how Darrow takes on the issues of white supremacy and racial justice in America. Kevin won the National Book Award for Non-fiction in 2004 for his book Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights and Murder in the Jazz Age, an absolute must read. Please purchase Arc of Justice here...https://www.amazon.com/Arc-Justice-Civil-Rights-Murder/dp/0805079335 Lastly we are joined by friend of the show and excellent criminal defense attorney, Jon Saia from Columbus, Ohio. Jon joins the show to talk about Darrow's early years as an attorney in Ohio, his eccentric lifestyle and the LA Times Bombing Case in 1911 that leads to Darrow being tried for allegedly attempting to bribe a jury. Don't forget Ohio v. the World is now part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Check out all our past shows and the other great shows on their history channel by clicking https://evergreenpodcasts.com/history-podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex speaks with four experts on the black Civil War experience from emancipation to the post-war years. We're celebrating Juneteenth with a comprehensive look at the history of the battles, the struggles and the ultimate triumph of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), as they were known during the Civil War. From the battle of Fort Wagner to the disaster of the Battle of the Crater and the Union victory at Fort Fisher that accelerated the end of the Confederacy. Alex analyzes the too often overlooked contributions of black soldiers that helped win the Civl War.. We sit down with Doug Egerton, author of the definitive book about the black soldiers in the Civil War, Thunder at the Gates (2016). Doug speaks to us about the pioneering 54th and 55th Massachusetts regiments, the first two all-black regiments in the Union Army. We look at the life and service of Ohioan, James Monroe Trotter in the 55th and his rise to being one of the first African American army officers in US History. Doug takes us through the importance of the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863 and how it shatters the racist image of the black soldier. Buy Thunder at the Gates here... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKC3PJT We look at the experiences and bravery of the 5th and 27th USCT, the all-black Ohio USCT regiments. We're joined by authors and historians, Kelly Mezurek of Walsh University and Verb Washington from the University of Dayton. Both scholars take us inside the life of an all-black Civil War infantry regiment. The inequalities they faced when compared to the their white counterparts and their thrilling achievements on the battlefield from 1863-65. Both share the stories of two black Medal of Honor winners from Ohio, Robert Pinn and Milton Holland. As well as the black soldiers struggles and their impact on the broader civil rights battles of the 19th century. Buy Verb's book, Eagles On the Buttons here...https://www.amazon.com/Eagles-Their-Buttons-Infantry-Regiment/dp/0826212344/ Buy Kelly's book For the Own Cause here https://www.amazon.com/Their-Own-Cause-United-Colored-ebook/dp/B01LX3PLKY/ We also welcome Emmanuel Dabney, museum curator of the Petersburg National Battlefield Park in Virginia, to tell us about the catastrophic Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864. This infamous battle is one of the most fascinating and disastrous days in the Union Army's history. Emmanuel looks at how the change of the battle plan involving black troops may have affected the outcome of the battle. Ohio v. the World: An American History podcast is now part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to www.evergreenpodcasts.com to check out all our past episodes and dozens of other great podcasts. Don't forget to rate and review our show and we'll read your reviews on the air in a future episode. Also you can email Alex at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Treason has been a popular topic in 2021 and Alex looks at two of the most infamous treason trials in American History w/Ohio connections: the Aaron Burr Conspiracy and the trial of Axis Sally. We sit down with one of our favorite historians, David O. Stewart, to discuss the long forgotten Burr Conspiracy of 1806-07. David sharers insight into Burr's life after he shoots and kills Alexander Hamilton while serving as the Vice President. We follow Burr into the West and his travels to Marietta, Ohio and nearby Blennerhassett Island. Did Burr really try to start a new country in the Western US with him as its leader? David Stewart, the author of the excellent book American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America (Simon & Schuster, 2012) walks us through the ill-fated Burr Conspiracy and the country's first "Trial of the Century" as the former VP and founding father is tried for treason. Buy David's book about Aaron Burr here: https://www.amazon.com/American-Emperor-Challenge-Jeffersons-America/dp/1439157200 We also visit with Bill Reynolds, historian from Marietta, Ohio's River Museum and Campus Martius Museum about Burr's activities in the Ohio settlement. Visit Marietta's great two museums online here www.mariettamuseums.org. Also Craig Pyles, the Superintendent of Blennerhassett Island State Park takes us to the shady happenings on this historic island in the Ohio River. We analyze the conspiracy between Burr and his financier on the island, Harman Blennerhassett. The Burr Conspiracy comes unraveled in spectacular fashion and both Burr and Blennershassett are arrested. Take a boat and tour the island this summer, a great day trip. https://wvstateparks.com/park/blennerhassett-island-historical-state-park/ In the second part of the episode we travel to Nazi Germany to hear the story of Mildred Gillars, aka Axis Sally, the American voice of Nazi Germany. Author Richard Lucas describes the transformation of a struggling Ohio actress to the top Nazi propagandist on Nazi radio. Lucas' biography of Axis Sally broke new ground on one of the most hated women in American History. His book, Axis Sally: the American Voice of Nazi Germany is available here:https://www.amazon.com/Axis-Sally-American-Voice-Germany/dp/1935149431 We follow Mildred's rise from theatre student at Ohio Wesleyan University to one of the Third Reich's most prized radio propagandists. Richard leads us through her infamous treason trial in 1949, which is the subject of the new Al Pacino movie "American Traitor." Lucas and Alex also uncover just how much she knew about the atrocities of the Nazi regime and her quiet life in Columbus, Ohio decades after her treasonous activity. Ohio v. the World: An American History podcast is now part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to https://evergreenpodcasts.com to check out all our past episodes and dozens of other great podcasts. Don't forget to rate and review our show and we'll read your reviews on the air in a future episode. Also you can email Alex at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lions, tigers and bears...oh my! Alex travels to Eastern Ohio and the city of Zanesville to tell the story of one of the craziest and most dangerous events in Ohio history: the Zanesville Zoo Escape. When Terry Thompson released 50 of the world's most exotic and deadly animals on his hometown and then took his own life in October 2011. Alex relives the events of that surreal night with writers and even an animal activist that was on the ground in Zanesville. We tell the crazy true story of exotic animal ownership in the United States, it's bizarre history from Jack Hanna to Joe Exotic: the Tiger King. Alex is joined by Tim Harrison, Executive Director of Outreach for Animals to discuss his first hand experience of the Zanesville Zoo Escape and the continuing problem of exotic animal ownership and exploitation in America. Please donate to Tim's great organization Outreach for Animals by clicking here. https://outreachforanimals.org/175-2/ We sit down with award-winning journalist and author, Rachel Nuwer, to discuss the story of Terry Thompson and her excellent book, Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking (2018). Rachel discusses the rise of exotic pet numbers in the US, the role of reality TV and the lack of laws in place prior to the Zanesville Zoo Escape. Also, check out Rachel's podcast from 2020, "Cat People". Buy her book Poached here http://www.rachelnuwer.com/poached Our third guest, Matt Tullis, professor at Fairfield University and former Columbus Dispatch zoo reporter joins us to talk about the life and shocking death of Terry Thompson and the details surrounding his release of his dozens of exotic animals in October 2011. Matt also talks with us about Jack Hanna, former Columbus Zoo director and television start. We chat about his career and his role in the tragic Zanesville Zoo Escape. Check out Matt's great podcast "Gangrey" about narrative journalism and his interviews with our nation's finest reporters. Ohio v. the World: An American History podcast is now part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to https://evergreenpodcasts.com to check out all our past episodes and dozens of other great podcasts. Don't forget to rate and review our show and we'll read your reviews on the air in a future episode. Also you can email Alex at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 2 of Season 6, Alex analyzes the rise and fall of Senator Joseph McCarthy and McCarthyism's effect on the country and Ohio during the 2nd Red Scare of the 1950s. We study how America's love affair with bullies and how a paranoid nation briefly lost its way during the early years of the Cold War. We're joined by best selling author Larry Tye to discuss his book Demagogue, the definitive account of Senator Joe McCarthy from 2020. Buy Larry's book here https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/demagogue/9781328959720 Larry talks about McCarthy's meteoric rise in American politics and his equally rapid descent from the top of the political world. McCarthy's crusade against Communism at home shakes the very foundation of the country and divides the nation in half. Lives are ruined by McCarthy's baseless attacks on the Constitutional rights of Americans and we analyze how he was enabled by his political party, the media and even the President of the United States. The Second Red Scare cast its long shadow on Ohio and Ohioans as well. We sit down with University of Akron professor, Greg Wilson, about McCarthyism's effect on the Buckeye State. From the halls of the Ohio Statehouse, the Ohio UnAmerican Activities Committee wields its inquisition into suspected communists and subversives throughout the state. Greg walks us through 1950s Ohio and the Cold War stories of Ohioans persecuted by its own government. Don't forget to buy Greg's book Ohio: the History of the Buckeye State, the most comprehensive book on Ohio history on the market today. Buy his book co-authored by Kevin Kern here: https://www.amazon.com/Ohio-History-Kevin-F-Kern/dp/1118548434 Ohio v. the World: An American History podcast is now part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to https://evergreenpodcasts.com to check out all our past episodes and dozens of other great podcasts. Don't forget to rate and review our show and we'll read your reviews on the air in a future episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back! In the Season 6 premiere episode Alex looks at the extraordinary life of Akron, Ohio native NASA astronaut, Judy Resnik. We analyze the causes behind her tragic death in the Challenger Disaster on Jan. 28, 1986. On this 35th anniversary we take a fresh look at Judy's career and NASA's role in the loss of Challenger. Our guests include Helene Norin, Judy's cousin to discuss the Resnik family, Judy's youth in Akron and her journey to becoming the 2nd American female astronaut in space. Steven Leckart joins the show to talk about his excellent Netflix documentary, Challenger: The Final Flight. The 2020 documentary brings the Challenger crew and the controversy surrounding its final flight to millions of viewers. Lastly, we sat down with author and Columbia University professor Dr. Diane Vaughan to debunk some of the myths surrounding Challenger and her 1996 book Challenger Launch Decision. Click here to buy her award-winning book. https://www.amazon.com/Challenger-Launch-Decision-Technology-Deviance/dp/0226851761 This episode is in honor of Judy Resnik and Allan McDonald who passed away before we could complete our interview earlier this year. Allan was the "whistleblower" when it comes to the Challenger Disaster. We play some of Allan's testimony to the Rogers Commission following the accident and discuss his role in exposing the cover-up by some NASA administrators. Special thanks as well to friend of the show, Eric Hall, guitarist for the great Ohio band Red Wanting Blue. The music from today's episode was from Eric's new side project, Tick Tick Tick. Check out their debut EP at https://tick-tick-tick.bandcamp.com Ohio v. the World: An American History podcast is now part of the Evergreen Podcast Network. Go to https://evergreenpodcasts.com to check out all our past episodes and dozens of other great podcasts. Don't forget to rate and review our show and we'll read your reviews on the air in a future episode. We'll be releasing episodes every other Tuesday this season, great to be back and thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Episode: Ohio v the Presidency. Alex sits down with Vince Tornero the host of “This is Wessler Media” on 610am WTVN in Columbus, Ohio. Alex discusses Ohio’s 8 presidents and how their terms in office show that history really does repeat itself. This interview aired back on October 31, 2020 and serves as a great recap for Season 5 on Ohio and the Presidency. Special thanks to Vince and the team at Wessler Media. If you’re looking to do a podcast of your own give Vince a shout. https://www.wesslermedia.com Thanks for listening this season. Go back and check out Season 5 about Ohio and the Presidency, our favorite season of the show thus far. We’ll be back with Season 6 in March 2021.

Episode 13: “William Howard Taft v. the World”. The Season 5 finale is here and we end our season on Ohio and the Presidency in a big way. Alex travels to Cincinnati, Ohio to bring you the story of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States. The only person to be the Chief Executive and the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. We examine why Taft is an overlooked and underrated Commander in Chief in the early 20th Century. Alex speaks with Taft biographer, Jeffrey Rosen about the fascinating life and career of Will Taft. Rosen, the CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philiadelphia, is the author of the 2018 biography, William Howard Taft. An awesome book in the American Presidents Series, buy Jeffrey’s book here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805069549 Or get the audiobook on Audible https://www.audible.com/pd/William-Howard-Taft-Audiobook/B07CTT1974. Jeffrey discusses the mixed results of Taft’s presidency, his decade as Chief Justice and what President Taft would think of our chaotic politics today. Alex visits the William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati and meets with Reggie Murray and Paula Marett to discuss Taft’s years as a student and judge in the Queen City. We chat about Taft’s years in the White House as a trustbuster and conservationist as well as his complicated relationship with Theodore Roosevelt. Visit the Taft Historic Site in Cincinnati at https://www.nps.gov/wiho/index.htm. Lastly we’re joined by historians Jim Robenalt and Bruce Carlson to discuss Taft’s presidency and the unprecedented 1912 presidential election. They walk us through Taft’s infamous rift with former President Roosevelt and TR’s 3rd party bid for the White House against Taft in 1912. Bruce, host of the excellent podcast, My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, discusses the ultimate “October Surprise” when Roosevelt is nearly assassinated just before the election. An election that Taft would lose in historic fashion, only garnering 8 electoral votes. This might be our last episode of 2020 but we’ll still be very active and have new content during our break. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram (ohiovtheworldpodcast) and Twitter @ohiovtheworld. You can email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with your show ideas or to order an Ohio v. the World t-shirt ($15 free shipping) to support the show. We’ll see everybody in 2021 for Season 6!

Episode 12: Ohio v. First Ladies. Alex travels to Canton to the National First Ladies and Historic Site to speak with President and CEO Jennifer Highfield about Ohio’s 1st Ladies. We look at all 8 spouses of Ohio’s presidents and the evolution of the role of the First Lady. Visit the museum and library at www.firstladies.org in downtown Canton. Jennie shares the stories of Canton’s own Ida Saxton McKinley and Ohio’s last first lady, Florence Harding Alex is joined by author and historian Cormac O’Brien to discuss his fun and informative book, The Secret Lives of the First Ladies. Cormac leads our discussion on the fascinating Nellie Herron Taft and her life that seemed destined to live in the White House. Cormac also highlights the trailblazing Caroline Harrison and her tragic death in the White House in 1892. Buy Cormac’s awesome book here: http://www.cormachobrien.com/secret_lives_of_the_first_ladies__strange_stories_and_shocking_trivia_from_inside_.htm We also discuss Ohio’s other First Ladies: Lucretia Garfield, Anna Harrison, Lucy Hayes and the wife of an Ohio President, Julia Grant and her awkward dinner with Queen Victoria in London. Many guests from earlier in the season join us to share stories about Ohio’s First Ladies in our penultimate episode of Season 5: Ohio and the Presidency. Don’t forget to email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com and rate and review us on iTunes.

Episode 11: Ohio v Debates. It’s presidential debate season! As Trump and Biden prepare to square off this week in Cleveland at the 1st presidential debate of 2020, Alex looks back at the top 5 debates in presidential (and VP) debate history. We also look at the two previous debates that have taken place in the Buckeye State prior to Trump-Biden, Part 1. We are joined by author, professor and debate expert Alan Schroeder to discuss the history of presidential debates. Schroeder, author of Presidential Debates: 50 Years of High Risk TV, discusses the huge ratings of debates in the US and around the world. He helps us break down all the debates that have occurred in Ohio, including an interesting night in 2015 during the Republican primary. Alan shares his expertise on our top 5 debates of all time. Buy his fantastic book here. http://cup.columbia.edu/book/presidential-debates/9780231141055 Former guests and historians, Jim Robenalt and Bruce Carlson, rejoin the show to talk about two debates from Ohio: the 1980 presidential debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter and the 2004 VP debate between Sen. John Edwards and VP Dick Cheney. Both taking place in Cleveland. Our other debates from the top 5 include the 1st televised presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon from 1960, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter’s battle from 1976, George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis from 1988 and the infamous VP debate from that same year between Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle. Only two shows left in Season 5: Ohio and the Presidency, thanks so much for listening to Ohio v. the Wold this year. Have fun watching the Trump-Biden debate in Cleveland this week and make sure you vote this fall. Email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com and don’t forget to rate/review us on iTunes.

Episode 10: Benjamin Harrison v. the World. Alex goes to 4 different areas of the country to tell the story of one of America’s most forgotten Presidents, Benjamin Harrison. Our 23rd President was raised and educated in Ohio before moving to Indianapolis in his 20s and is claimed by both states. We discover that Harrison was a strong advocate for African American equality, an early environmentalist and a fantastic public speaker. He even stopped a pandemic as President before it could spread and kill Americans. Those qualities are compared to some of his failings as well. He was a one-term President and the country fell into a terrible depression shortly after he left the White House. Charles Hyde, President and CEO of the Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, IN joins the show to discuss his youth in Ohio, his career in Indiana and his rise to General in the Union Army during the Civil War. Visit their excellent museum and check out their 3-D collection at www.bhpsite.org. Alexandra Petri, columnist at the Washington Post and self-proclaimed “Harrison enthusiast” talks about her love of the 23rd President and all of the important things that happened during his Presidency from 1889-1893. Alexandra discusses his cold nature in person, his narrow election win in 1888 and the introduction of electricity by the Harrisons to the White House. Follow Alexandra on Twitter @petridishes and check her hilarious new book Nothing is Wrong and Here is Why. Click link to purchase: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324006459 Returning guests Zak Taylor from Georgia Tech University and Bruce Carlson of the podcast “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics” come on to discuss the Presidency of Benjamin Harrison. Zak discusses Harrison’s career, how his economic policies lead to the Panic of 1893 and the Cholera Scare of 1892. Bruce joins the show again and looks at Harrison’s campaign, the near war with Chile, the admission of a record 6 states into the Union and why Harrison is considered the “father of the modern navy.” Dont’ forget to rate and review the show on iTunes and you buy an Ohio v. the World t-shirt by emailing the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Also, check out the PBS documentary “A President at the Crossroads”. Click here to stream https://www.pbs.org/show/president-crossroads/ Only 3 shows left in Season 5: Ohio v. the Presidency!

Episode 9: “Warren G. Harding v. the World”. Alex gives the 29th President, Warren G. Harding, a thorough reevalutation 100 years after his election. You might be surprised with what he found. Harding, from Marion, OH, is always ranked near the bottom of the presidential rankings. After our research, we have to ask why? There’s scandals but there’s also some huge successes. We visit Harding’s hometown of Marion and meet with Sherry Hall, site manager of the Harding Home and soon to be open Harding Presidential Center. Sherry discusses his early years, 1st Lady Florence Harding and Harding’s rise to power. Sherry walks us through the front porch campaign of 1920, his election to Presidential and his 2.5 years in the White House. Sherry discusses President Harding’s “Return to Normalcy.” Visit https://www.hardinghome.org for more information about the Harding Home and Memorial. As well as the Harding Presidential Center, opening in March to mark the 100 year anniversary of the inauguration. We are also joined once again by Jim Robenalt, author of The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage During the Great War. Buy a copy of that great book about President Harding here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780230609648. Jim discusses why Harding is an underrated President and sheds light on some of the personal and political scandals that have dogged Harding’s legacy for a century. Two other former guests join us to discuss Harding as well. Kyle Kondik, political analyst from the Virginia Center for Politics comes on to discuss Harding’s landslide win in the 1920 election over Ohio Governor James Cox. Yes, there were two Ohioans running for President in 1920. Political scientist, Zak Taylor from Georgia Tech joins us to discuss Harding’s excellent economic record and helping the country bounce back from a serious economic downturn following World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic. We are on the back stretch of Season 5: Ohio and the Presidency. Thanks so much for listening. Don’t forget to go buy Jim Robenalt’s amazing book about Warren G. Harding: The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage During the Great War. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780230609648.

Episode 8: “Ohio v. Conventions”. Alex visits the convention hall floor and the smoke-filled rooms of America’s past political conventions in Ohio. Political conventions are going to look very different in 2020 but usually they’re the Super Bowl for political junkies. We breakdown all six major party political conventions that have taken place in Ohio in American history. We focus on the first convention to be held in the Buckeye State: the 1856 Democratic Convention in Cincinnati. This first Ohio convention nominates our 15th President, James Buchanan. Journalist and author, Robert Strauss joins us to discuss his book about Buchanan, Worst. President. Ever. Robert shares how Buchanan got the nomination in Cincinnati, won the election and why many historians consider him our worst president. Buy Robert’s book Worst. President. Ever. here https://www.amazon.com/Worst-President-Ever-Buchanan-Presidents/dp/1493030590 We hit two conventions in Cincinnati in 1876 and 1880 with former guests Mike Allbritain, Todd Arrington and Dustin McLochlin. They walk us through the unlikely nomination of Ohioan Rutherford B. Hayes at the 1876 Republican Convention and Winfield Scott Hancock’s almost presidency as the nominee at the 1880 Democratic National Convention. We are joined by former guest and history professor at Case Western Reserve University, John Grabowski, to discuss the 1924 and 1936 Republican Conventions in Cleveland, OH. The successful presidential run of Calvin Coolidge is discussed as well as why a total of 3 political conventions were held on the shores of Lake Erie in 1924. We visit Depression-era Cleveland and the ill-fated nomination of Alf Landon at the 1936 Republican Convention. John and Alex look at life in Cleveland in the midst of the Great Depression and discuss the reasons behind Landon’s landslide defeat to FDR. Lastly, we go back to 2016 and the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The unlikely nomination of Donald Trump is analyzed with author and political analyst, Kyle Kondik. Kyle was at the convention in 2016 and discusses Trump’s speech and the mood in the convention hall. We also look forward to President Trump’s re-election bid in 2020 in the ultimate swing state of Ohio.

Episode 7: Ohio v. the Contenders. Alex catches “presidential fever” with 4 Ohioans who attempted to capture the highest office in the land. We sit down with the co-creators of “1865”, Steven Walters and Erik Archilla, to discuss the presidency and impeachment of Andrew Johnson. We discuss their 1865 Podcast, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson and the near presidency of Ohioan Benjamin Wade. Listen to 1865 here, my favorite podcast from 2019. https://wondery.com/shows/1865/ Erik and Steven discuss their excellent show and answer the question: why is Andrew Johnson our worst President ever? Bruce Carlson from the excellent “My History Can Beat Up Your Politics” podcast rejoins the show to discuss Senator Ben Wade. We discuss how close Sen. Wade came to becoming the 18th President of the United States. Alex also revisits the story of the first woman to run for President, Victoria Woodhull. Woodhull, from Homer, Ohio, is what Alex calls “the most interesting woman in the world.” We follow Woodhull’s brief time in the woman’s suffrage movement, her run as the presidential candidate of the Equal Rights Party in the 1872 Election and her arrest just days before that election. We replay our interview with Lisa Wood from the Ohio History Connection. Alex also discusses two more modern contenders: John Glenn in 1984 and John Kasich in 2016. Bruce rejoins us to discuss Glenn’s failed run at the Democratic nomination and the similarities between the crowded ’84 field and the two dozen Democratic candidates in 2020. Political analyst Kyle Kondik joins the show again to discuss the failed presidential campaign of Ohio Governor John Kasich in 2016. We look at the crazy 2016 Republican primary campaign and Kasich’s attempted run as the moderate Republican candidate vs. Donald Trump. Stop what you’re doing and go listen to the 1865 Podcast from our guests Steven Walter and Erik Archilla. https://wondery.com/shows/1865/ It’s my favorite history podcast from 2019 hands down. Also check out their great new show, American Election: Wicked Game. They breakdown the drama and the politics surrounding every US presidential election. https://wondery.com/shows/american-elections-wicked-game/

Episode 6: Rutherford B. Hayes v. the World. Alex and his guests take a deep dive on Central Ohio’s only President and the most controversial election in US history. It’s time to talk some Rutherford B. Hayes, our 19th President (1877-1881). We visit the Hayes Presidential Museum & Library in Fremont, Ohio to discuss Rud’s career and his childhood in Delaware, Ohio. From Civil War general to Congressman and Governor to his run for the White House in 1876 we chat with Dustin McLochlin, historian from the Hayes Museum. Author Roy Morris, Jr. joins the show to explain the most complicated and controversial election in American history: the Election of 1876. Did Hayes actually lose the election against Democrat Samuel Tilden? Roy discuss his excellent book about the election, Fraud of the Century (Simon & Schuster, 2003). Buy the book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Fraud-of-the-Century/Roy-Jr-Morris/9780743255523 We’re also joined by Zak Taylor, political scientist and professor at Georgia Tech, to discuss why Hayes’ presidency is vastly underrated and how the Hayes administration brought the country out of the Panic of 1873 and set the U.S. on a path for 50 years of economic growth. David Simmons joins to discuss Hayes’ central role in the founding of the Ohio State University as the Governor of Ohio in 1870 and later in post-presidency years as a Trustee of the University. We focus on the “stolen” election of 1876 and why President Hayes was known as “Rutherfraud” B. Hayes during his early years in the White House. But also discover that Hayes was a much better President than historians realize. Also, we study Hayes’ often criticized role in ending Reconstruction in the South and why the popular belief that he was singlehandedly responsible for the end of the Reconstruction Era is incorrect. Roy Morris lays out the striking similarities between the Election of 1876 and the more recent controversial Election of 2000 (Bush v. Gore). Rate/review the show on iTunes and email us ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Don’t forget to go visit Dustin McLochlin at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum in Fremont, OH. www.rbhayes.org.

Episode 5: William Henry Harrison v. The World. Alex jumps in the way, way back machine to the Campaign of 1840 to tell the story of the election of Ohio’s 1st President, William Henry Harrison. We learn why 1840 is truly the first modern presidential campaign from journalist and historian, Ron Shafer, as he walks us through the exciting campaign of “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” Go buy Ron’s great book, The Carnival Campaign, click here. https://www.amazon.com/Carnival-Campaign-Rollicking-Tippecanoe-Presidential/dp/1613735405 The 1840 Campaign between North Bend, Ohio’s General Harrison and incumbent President Martin Van Buren was the source of numerous “firsts” in presidential campaign history. From popularizing the word Buckeye to the first presidential campaign speech and almost all of this incredible history happened here in Ohio. Mud throwing, huge campaign rallies and even the first President to die in office, this election had it all. Historian, podcast host and Harrison enthusiast, Jerry Landry, join us to talk about the election of Harrison and his untimely death only one month into office. Jerry produced the William Henry Harrison Podcast and now hosts the history show, The Presidencies of the United States. We discuss what exactly is the Whig Party, as Harrison was the 1st Whig to be President. Jerry helps us finally debunk the old theory that Harrison died from pneumonia caused by giving the longest ever inaugural speech in the cold. So much of what we see in 21st Century presidential elections got its start 180 years ago in the “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” campaign. Thanks to Ron Shafer for joining us to discuss this transformative moment in Ohio and presidential history. Click the link below to buy his book, The Carnival Campaign: How the Rollicking 1840 Campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" Changed Presidential Elections Forever. https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/carnival-campaign--the-products-9781613735404.php Don’t forget to rate and review the show and you can always email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

EPISODE 4: “OHIO v. THE CAMPAIGN”. Alex takes a break from Ohio’s presidents to go on the campaign trail through the history of presidential elections in the Buckeye State. We focus on the Ohio campaigns of four famous chief executives: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt and Barack Obama. We visit the Ohio Statehouse to talk with Chris Matheney, the historic site manager of the Ohio Statehouse, about Abraham Lincoln’s three visits to “The People’s House” in downtown Columbus from 1859-1865. Alex also sits down with author and historian Jim Robenalt to discuss Teddy Roosevelt’s famous visit to Ohio in 1912 to declare his candidacy for the Republican nomination against incumbent Republican President, William Howard Taft. Robenalt takes us to both Cleveland and Columbus to lay out when Roosevelt “threw his hat in the ring” for another bid for the White House. Kyle Kondik, author of The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the President, joins us from his home at the Univ. of Virginia Center for Politics to relive the 1932 and 1940 campaigns of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Ohio. Hear from FDR himself on the stump in Ohio and buy Kyle’s awesome book, The Bellwether. It’s the ultimate book on presidential elections in Ohio, click link here to buy it. https://www.ohioswallow.com/book/The+Bellwether Lastly, Alex sits down with two friends both named Mike to discuss the 2008 campaign between Barack Obama and John McCain. Alex visits with Defiance, OH native Mike O’Neil, former special assistant to President Obama, to discuss Senator Obama’s victorious campaigns in Ohio in ’08 and ’12. It was one of the most fun interviews we’ve done on Ohio v. the World. We also welcome back to the show Mike Allbritain to discuss McCain’s announcement of Sarah Palin as VP in Dayton, Ohio. Mike and Alex also talk about the role of Toledo, Ohio native, “Joe the Plumber”, in the historic 2008 campaign. Don’t forget to rate/review the show on iTunes and don’t hesitate to reach out to Alex about the show and future show ideas at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com.

Episode 3: James Garfield v. the World. Alex tells a story he’s waited years to share, the improbable rise and tragic death of our 20th President, Cleveland’s own James Garfield. We’re joined by one of Alex’s favorite authors and historians, the incomparable Candice Millard. Millard, the Ohio native, is the author of the award-winning book Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President (2012). BUY THIS BOOK here, you won’t be sorry. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/114423/destiny-of-the-republic-by-candice-millard/ Alex goes to Garfield’s home in Mentor, OH and meets with Todd Arrington, site manager of the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Todd and Alex discuss Garfield’s humble beginnings in NE Ohio, his brilliance in all disciplines, rise to General in the Union Army and his career in the US Congress. We also discuss his dark horse nomination and narrow election to the Presidency in 1880. We encourage you to visit the National Park Service’s site that Todd manages in Mentor. http://www.nps.gov/jaga Lastly, we met with Sarah Chase, graduate of Garfield’s alma mater Hiram College in NE Ohio and producer of the awesome podcast, Clear and Vivid w/ Alan Alda. https://alanalda.com We focus on Garfield’s unlikely election in 1880 and his short presidency. His rivalry with powerful Senator Roscoe Conkling and their battle over civil service reform dominates his healthy months in office. Candice introduces us to his assassin, the deranged office seeker, Charles Guiteau. She takes us through the medical malpractice that dooms the President’s recovery and the political fallout of his slow and agonizing death. Don’t forget to rate and review the show and you can always email us ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@ohiovtheworld) and Instagram.

Episode 2: Ulysses S. Grant v. the World. Alex is back with the story of one of the most famous Ohioans of all time, our 18th President Ulysses S. Grant of Georgetown, Ohio. We explain why Grant, the hero of the Civil War, is one of America’s most underrated Presidents. In fact no President is rising faster in 21st Century presidential rankings than US Grant. Our episode will focus on Grant’s youth near the Ohio River in Georgetown, OH and his presidency from 1869-77. We’ll leave his Civil War heroics for a different show. Or just go watch the new mini-series, GRANT, out Memorial Day 2020 on the History Channel. Alex is joined by biographer and historian, Dr. Ronald C. White, Jr., to discuss his New York Times bestseller, American Ulysses (2016). This incredible biography of General Grant helped to spark a new analysis among historians of President Grant’s administration and his standing in presidential rankings. Buy Ron’s book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/200282/american-ulysses-by-ronald-c-white/ Alex is also joined Lee Schweickart from the US Grant Homestead Association. Lee joined us to discuss Ulysses’ youth in SW Ohio, his time at West Point and how he got the name Ulysses S. Grant, because that’s not his given name at his birth in April 1822 in Pt. Pleasant, OH. You can visit the historical sites in Georgetown, Ohio at: www.usgrantboyhoodhome.org. Lastly, Alex sits down with Ryan Semmes from the US Grant President Presidential Library. This beautiful new building dedicated to Grant and the era of Reconstruction is located on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. Ryan joins to talk about the Grant Administration’s major foreign policy initiatives, his 1872 reelection and his eventful post presidential years. Don’t forget to Subscribe to the show on iTunes. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (ohiovttheworldpodcast) and Twitter (@ohiovtheworld). Or just email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Happy Memorial Day!

EP. 1: William McKinley v. the World (Part 1). We’re back and ready to get presidential in 2020. We kickoff Season 5 with a two-part episode on our 25th President, William McKinley from Canton, OH. Part One examines McKinley’s childhood in NE Ohio, Civil War service (he was the final Civil War vet to be POTUS), rise in Ohio and national politics and his election to the White House in 1896 against the Democrat challenger, William Jennings Bryan. We are joined in Part One by Robert Merry, author of the book President McKinley: Architect of the American Century (Simon&Schuster, 2017). Buy that book! It’s fantastic. Here’s a link: https://www.amazon.com/President-McKinley-Architect-American-Century/dp/1451625448 Robert will let us know just how President McKinley became the architect of the American Century with his understated style of leadership and why that has lead to his distinguished career to be too often forgotten in American history. Alex also speaks with University of Akron history professor Kevin Kern about McKinley’s career and life in Ohio and in Congress in the 19th century. We meet with Amber Farris, the museum director at the McKinley Birthplace Museum in Niles, OH about the Will McKinley’s early years in the Youngstown area, his Civil War years and his move to Canton, OH. Visit that great museum online (for now) at https://mckinleybirthplacemuseum.org. It’s great to be back for our 5th season which will focus on Ohio and the Presidency. Don’t forget to listen to the exciting conclusion of Episode One in Part 2 of “William McKinley v. the World” which is always out now! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (@ohiovtheworldpodcast) and Twitter (@ohiovtheworld). You can reach us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com as well.

EP. 1: William McKinley v. the World (Part 2). Thanks for listening to the exciting conclusion of our Season 5 premiere. We discuss with our guests McKinley’s relationship with Theodore Roosevelt, the “Splendid Little War” known as the Spanish American War, the economic boom of the McKinley years and his tragic assassination in Buffalo, NY in 1901. We are joined in Part One by Robert Merry, author of the book President McKinley: Architect of the American Century (Simon&Schuster, 2017). Buy that book! It’s fantastic. Here’s a link: https://www.amazon.com/President-McKinley-Architect-American-Century/dp/1451625448 Robert helps us breakdown how the United States became a world power and an empire in McKinley’s 4.5 years as Commander in Chief. We look at the success of the Spanish American War and McKinley’s complicated legacy following his death. Alex also speaks again with University of Akron history professor Kevin Kern about McKinley’s foreign policy successes, the humanitarian crisis in Cuba that lead to the Spanish American War and the President’s assassin, Leon Czolgosz. We are also joined by Anthony Greco from the Buffalo History Museum to discuss the McKinley’s tragic killing at the Pan American Exposition in 1901. Visit the great Buffalo History Museum (online for now) at www.buffalohistory.org. Make sure you listen to Part 1 of “William McKinley v. the World” before enjoying Part 2 of our Season 5 premiere episode. Thanks for joining us in 2020 for our season on Ohio and the Presidency. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (@ohiovtheworldpodcast) and Twitter (@ohiovtheworld). You can reach us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com as well.

Season 5 Preview: We’ll preview Season 5 of Ohio v. the World with clips and sneak peaks of all 13 episodes for our election year season. We’re calling Season 5: “Ohio v. the Presidency.” From President Monroe to President Trump we’ll relive all the famous presidents and presidential moments from the history of the Buckeye State. Episode 1: William McKinley v. the World will premiere on Sunday May 10th. It’a two-part episode on our 25th President from Canton, Ohio. New episodes come out every other Sunday all the way up until Election Day 2020. 
Subscribe to the pod on iTunes, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram (ohiovtheworldpodcast) and Twitter (@ohiovtheworld). Email the show directly at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com and check out our website www.ohiovtheworldpodcast.com.

Episode 12: Ohio v. Segregation (Tuskegee Airmen). Our Season 4 finale celebrates Black History Month 2020 by studying the trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Alex meets with Dr. Anthony Milburn and Warren Mott to discuss the segregation of the US military and the courage of the “Red Tails” as well as their years in the Buckeye State following the war. We learn how the Tuskegee Airmen’s service helped accelerate the long-stagnant civil rights movement. Dr. Milburn, a professor of history and the chairman of the Humanities Dept. at Ohio’s Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio shares the proud history of African American service in the military and the racism and discrimination faced by the pilots at Tuskegee. Alex and Dr. Milburn discuss the journey to full desegregation of the armed forces and the impact of the Harlem Hellfighters, Eleanor Roosevelt, William Hastie and the complicated roles of FDR and President Truman.  Warren Mott, Director of Mott’s Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio, shares his favorite stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and his personal relationships with late Red Tails. A number of Tuskegee Airmen from Ohio are discussed as well as their years following the war stationed at Lockbourne Air Base in Central Ohio. Go visit Mott’s Military Museum, a true hidden gem of US military history. www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org Thanks for listening to Season 4 of Ohio v. The World. Stay tuned to our website www.ohiovtheworldpodcast.com and our Facebook page for updates on Season 5: The Presidents coming in May 2020. Don’t hesitate to email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com and please rate/review the show on iTunes.

Episode 11: “Ohio v. Water” (Mark Hanna). Alex discovers the important life and even more important death of Cleveland’s Mark Hanna. The political kingmaker’s rise to the top of American politics is analyzed with Case Western Reserve Univ. professor, John Grabowski. We also discuss the dangerous history of drinking water in the United States and how Hanna’s death in 1904 led to a comprehensive change and improvement in water treatment known as the “Great Columbus Experiment.” We talk about water with author and former Columbus Dept. of Water manager, Conrade Hinds and his excellent book, “The Great Columbus Experiment of 1908: Waterworks That Changed the World.” Click link to purchase. https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781609497798/The-Great-Columbus-Experiment-of-1908-Waterworks-that-Changed-the-World Alex travels to Case Western to learn about Mark Hanna’s meteoric rise from middle class everyman to Gilded Age robber baron and his ultimate ascension to the top of the political world through his support of Ohio’s leading politicians. John and Alex discuss Hanna’s invaluable campaign managing of Ohio legends: James Garfield, John Sherman and William McKinley. His role in McKinley’s famous 1896 presidential victory is discussed and how it made the most powerful man in not just Ohio but Washington DC as well. Conrade Hinds leads us through the history of drinking water in the US in the 19th Century. We discuss how Hanna’s untimely death was blamed on an illness caused by Columbus’ tainted water supply. Hinds shows us how Hanna’s death helped to spark a giant civic effort in Columbus to transform and modernize their water treatment process. This “experiment” would become the model of the world and it’s Mark Hanna’s shocking death the helped to change the world forever. The future of water is also discussed in the ever-changing 21st Century. Rate and review the show and don’t forget to email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with thoughts and show ideas. Only one episode left in Season 4! Buy Conrade’s book and get a much deeper dive into how Columbus’ water changed the world. https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781609497798/The-Great-Columbus-Experiment-of-1908-Waterworks-that-Changed-the-World

Episode 10: “Ohio v. the Copperheads” (Clement Vallandigham). Alex talks with US Air Force Academy Professor of History, Jennifer Weber, about the copperhead political movement in the North during the Civil War. We travel back to the homefront in Ohio and the Midwest during the war and find out millions of Americans were against the war effort and President Lincoln. We discuss the life of leading Copperhead politician, Clement Vallandigham, from Dayton, Ohio and Jennifer Weber’s great book: Copperheads: the Rise and Fall of Lincoln’s Opponents in the North. https://www.amazon.com/Copperheads-Rise-Lincolns-Opponents-North-dp-0195306686/dp/0195306686/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= Alex and Jennifer analyze the rise of the Peace Democrats in American Civil War politics and their ultimate collapse after the fall of Atlanta and the 1864 re-election of Lincoln. Events such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the suspension of Habeas Corpus and the New York City Draft Riots are discussed as the Copperheads nearly ascend to the White House where they would surely sue for peace from the South. We follow the arrest, exile and eventual gubernatorial run of Vallandigham in the State of Ohio in 1863 and his ultimate banishment from the history books. We look at the misguided political movement of Copperheadism and come to realize just how close this country was to giving up on the Civil War and officially recognizing the Confederate States of America. We follow Clement Vallandigham from Capitol Hill to Mount Vernon, OH to behind Confederate lines to exile in Canada and back to Ohio and his death in Lebanon, Ohio in 1871. Special thanks to Jenny Weber and go buy this book! It’s ground-breaking and a real page turner. https://www.amazon.com/Copperheads-Rise-Lincolns-Opponents-North-dp-0195306686/dp/0195306686/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= Disclaimer: *Everything Jennifer discussed was her opinion and not the position of the US Air Force Academy or the Department of Defense*

Episode 9: “Ohio v. Annexation” (Hawaii). Mele kalikimaka and happy holidays! Alex journeys to the Aloha State to discover the story of the overthrow of the Hawaii Kingdom in the 1890s by a group of mostly American businessmen. We sit down with Australian author and historian, Stephen Dando-Collins, to discuss his book Taking Hawaii: How 13 Honolulu Businessmen Overthrew the Queen of Hawaii in 1893, With A Bluff. Purchase this awesome book here: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Hawaii-Thirteen-Businessmen-Overthrew/dp/B00RYB6WWS Alex follows the life of one of those 13 businessmen from the “Committee of Safety” that led the coup of the Hawaiian kingdom, Cincinnati, Ohio’s own, John Emmuluth. Our story tracks the history from the arrival of American missionaries in 1820 to the eventual annexation of Hawaii in 1898 and its later addition to become the 50th state in 1959. Stephen Dando-Collins leads us through the “bluff” pulled off by Emmuluth and his co-conspirators to dethrone Queen Liliuokalani on January 17, 1893 in a mostly bloodless coup. “Ohio v. Annexation” analyzes the rise of American business interests and the political machinations of these sugar barons and business elites into taking over Hawaii for their own political and financial gain. This was only possible with the help of the American ambassador and military stationed just offshore. Thanks to Stephen for his help in explaining this convoluted and tragic story during the US’ imperial past. Buy Stephen’s excellent book Taking Hawaii here: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Hawaii-Thirteen-Businessmen-Overthrew/dp/B00RYB6WWS Also, his new book is available and I’m throughly enjoying it, Caligula: The Mad Emperor of Rome. Link here: https://www.amazon.com/Caligula-Emperor-Rome-Stephen-Dando-Collins/dp/1684422868 Special thanks to Matt Crumpton for his assistance on the original music used for this episode and don’t forget to email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with show ideas comments, etc. Also rate and review the show and we will read it on air. Happy New Year…see you all in the Twenties.

Episode 8: “Ohio v. Organized Crime” (Black Hand Society). Alex meets up with co-authors William Oldfield and Victoria Bruce to discuss the first major Italian organized crime ring and their subsequent trial. This little-known piece of Ohio and American history is the story behind Bill and Vicki’s hit book Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society (Simon & Schuster, 2018). Buy your copy of this best seller here. https://www.amazon.com/Inspector-Oldfield-Black-Hand-Society/dp/1501171208 This episode focuses on the life of Inspector Frank Oldfield, the great grandfather of our guest, William Oldfield. Oldfield reveals this 100 year old family story of his great grandpa’s investigation and the first conviction of a Sicilian/Italian organized crime family, known as the "Society of the Banana.” We discuss the massive influx of Italian immigrants to America at the turn of the 20th century and the impact of the criminal element of those immigrants to the difficult assimilation of Italian Americans. This story takes place in cities all over Ohio, big and small, such as: Columbus, Toledo, Marion, Bellefontaine, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Athens and Dennison, Ohio. We follow the investigation and trial of the Black Hand Society members and its leader Sam Lima of Marion, Ohio. We dive into the investigation of US Postal Inspector Frank Oldfield and his effort to take down this secretive criminal society in Ohio. This interesting story and great research is thanks to our guests’ amazing book, Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society (Simon and Schuster, 2018). Buy the book here! https://www.amazon.com/Inspector-Oldfield-Black-Hand-Society/dp/1501171208 Ohio v. the World is the world’s ONLY Ohio history podcast. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram (@ohiovtheworldpodcast) and Twitter @ohiovtheworld. Email us with episode ideas at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Go Bucks!

Episode 7: “Ohio v. Abolitionists” (John Brown/Harriet Beecher Stowe): Alex travels to Hudson, OH, Cincinnati and Harpers Ferry, WV in this in depth investigation of two of U.S.’s most most famous abolitionists, John Brown and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The abolition movement to end slavery in the mid-19th Century was the most important political and social movement of its time. We travel back to the turbulent decade of the 1850s to explore how Brown and Stowe changed millions of minds on the subject of slavery, one by the sword and one by the pen, respectively to help spark the Civil War. Alex journeys to Hudson, Ohio the hometown of John Brown to meet with Gwendolyn Mayer of the Hudson Library and Historical Society. Alex and Gwen discuss Hudson’s long abolitionist history and the early years of John Brown. Gwen oversees one of the country’s largest collections of John Brown writings and artifacts. We then travel to the Queen City of Cincinnati, Ohio to the Stowe House to meet with Christina Hartlieb, the Executive Director of the Stowe House Museum. www.stowehousecincy.org. We learn about the famous author and activist Harriet Beecher Stowe. Christina lays out how Harriet’s experience of living in Cincy lead her to write the classic novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Christina and Alex discuss the importance of that book and how it helped to accelerate the Civil War. Lastly, we met with Dennis Frye, author and former Chief Historian at Harper’s Ferry National Park. Dennis describes in detail John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859. Frye, the author of Confluence: Harper’s Ferry as Destiny is a wealth of knowledge about Brown’s attempt to spark a Southern slave uprising. We follow Brown’s mission from Bleeding Kansas to his eventual martyrdom and his execution in Virgina following the failed raid. Buy his awesome book here: https://www.harpersferryhistory.org/product/confluence-harpers-ferry-destiny Join us in the 1850s as we discuss the roles of Harriet and John in the lead up to the Civil War. We’ll discuss the Fugitive Slave Act, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Caning of Sen. Charles Sumner, the Dred Scott decision, Brown’s relationship with Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman and ultimately the start of the Civil War. Happy Thanksgiving and don’t forget to email the show or order your Ohio v. the World t-shirts by reaching us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com. Rate and review the show and share our podcast over the Thanksgiving dinner table with your family and friends.

EPISODE 6: "Ohio v. War Crimes” (John Demjanjuk). Alex delves into the mystery of who is John Demjanjuk? Is he the kindly Cleveland grandpa that’s a victim of mistaken identity? Or is he the infamous and sadistic Nazi death camp guard, Ivan the Terrible? Or something else entirely... Our guest is author and professor Lawrence Douglas who helps us understand this convoluted and disturbing story. Douglas the author of the incredible 2016 book, The Right Wrong Man breaks down the nearly 40 year legal odyssey to determine one simple question: who was John Demjanjuk during World War II? Buy Lawrence’s book The Right Wrong Man. https://www.amazon.com/Right-Wrong-Man-Demjanjuk-Crimes-ebook/dp/B00U7OQMCE This episode examines Demjanjuk’s legal battles in the US, Israel and Germany. Demjanjuk is the only person to twice lose his American citizenship. We also look back at previous Nazi war crime trials, Nuremberg and the trial of Adolf Eichmann. We relive the Holocaust and the people who perpatrated the most heinous crime of the 20th century. Don’t forget to check out the new Netflix series “The Devil Next Door” which also focuses on Demjanjuk’s trial in Israel. Rate/review the show and don’t forget to email the show at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com.

Episode 5: “Ohio v. Invention” (Garrett Morgan). Alex travels to Cleveland to meet with Sandra Morgan, the granddaughter of one of most important inventors in U.S. history, Garrett A. Morgan. We discuss his prolific ability to invent things like: the modern traffic light, hair relaxer and the gas mask. Sandra talks about her grandpa, the son of Kentucky slaves, and his journey to overcome racism and discrimination to be known as the “Black Edison” in Cleveland, Ohio. Alex and Sandra discuss famous events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, the first use of chemical weapons in World War I and the Lake Erie Crib Disaster in 1916 and Garrett Morgan’s role in all those transformative and tragic events.  Don’t forget to rate/review the show and email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com with your thoughts and future show ideas.

Ep. 4: “Jerrie Mock v. the World”. Alex travels to Newark, Ohio to discover the little known story of hometown girl and record-setting pilot, Jerrie Mock. Mock was the first female to ever fly solo around the world in 1964. We sit down with Mock’s sister, Susan Reid, and publisher Wendy Hollinger and pilot Dale Ratcliff to discuss Jerrie’s life and her epic journey,  Known as “the Flying Housewife”, Alex and his guests follow Jerrie’s close calls, the competition with another female aviatrix and Jerrie’s triumph as the first woman to circumnavigate the Earth.  We follow her flight from Columbus, Ohio to all points around the world.  We also analyze the famous disappearance of Amelia Earhart during her attempt to be the first to fly around the Globe in 1937.  Susan Reid, Mock’s sister, shares her 1st hand experience of Mock’s trip. Wendy Hollinger and Dale Ratcliff discuss their re-issuance of Mock’s autobiography, Three Eight Charlie and getting to know Jerrie in her later years. Buy Three Eight Charlie here: https://38charlie.com. The interviews were conducted at the Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology in Downtown Newark, Ohio. Visit the museum at https://attheworks.org and check out the replica of Jerrie's plane, statue and permanent exhibit at the Works.  Rate and review the show and we might read your review on the air for our next show. Our beer for the episode Altura, from our friends at Endeavor Brewing Company. Check out that latin lager and their other beers from around the world at www.endeavorbrewing.com