Podcasts about Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead's ascent in the literary world has seemed, like much of what he does, impressively effortless. Though he's best known for “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys”—both of which were awarded Pulitzer Prizes—his œuvre also includes a mystery set amid rival schools of elevator inspectors, a zombie novel, and an autobiographical coming-of-age story. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz survey Whitehead's wide-ranging body of work. The hosts are joined by their fellow staff writer Julian Lucas, who recently profiled Whitehead for The New Yorker. Together, they discuss three central works: “The Underground Railroad,” which catapulted its author from literary darling to mainstream celebrity; “Sag Harbor,” which fictionalizes, barely, Whitehead's summers in the Hamptons and the family dramas that played out there; and “Harlem Shuffle,” the first installment of the crime trilogy that concluded this month, with the publication of “Cool Machine.” On the page, Whitehead is a true Gen X ironist, transmitting heavy histories and themes with levity. Despite the occasional darkness of his subject matter, he's also one of our funniest novelists. “He has this way of, almost like a standup comedian, drawing you into this playful patter,” Lucas says. “Then your defenses go down, and that's when he hits you with something that grabs you emotionally, or that pulls you into a story.” Read, watch, and listen with the critics: “The Elusive Promise of the First Person” (The New Yorker) “The Nickel Boys,” by Colson Whitehead “Colson Whitehead's Big Score,” by Julian Lucas (The New Yorker) “The Colossus of New York,” by Colson Whitehead “The Underground Railroad,” by Colson Whitehead “Sag Harbor,” by Colson Whitehead “Harlem Shuffle,” by Colson Whitehead “Cool Machine,” by Colson Whitehead “Why Bother?” by Jonathan Franzen (Harper's) “The Odyssey” (2026) “Who Owns the Odyssey?” (The New Yorker) “Don't Use A.I. to Do This,” by Colson Whitehead (The New York Times) “John Henry Days,” by Colson Whitehead New episodes drop every Thursday. Follow Critics at Large wherever you get your podcasts.Critics at Large is a weekly discussion from The New Yorker which explores the latest trends in books, television, film, and more. Join us every Thursday as we make unexpected connections between classic texts and pop culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An almost extinct Pennsylvania beer, brought back from the brink! The Pennsylvania Swankey is a beer I've heard about for 30 years, but I never go to taste one until last week, when I interviewed Taylor Strein of Rosko's Brew House and William Wingfield of John Ryan Brewery, two small and excellent brewpubs in Williamsport. They collaborated on a batch of A Night at the Rosk-bury, a rare example of this unique Pennsylvania farm brew.  We'll talk about that, and their two breweries, about the brothers that own them, and the Penn Tech brewing science program they both attended, and their love for classic beer styles that, well, to be honest, makes both of these places top visits for me.  Of course you'll get some Williamsport history, including the Adena people who used this area as a continent-spanning trade route a thousand years ago, the way lumber transformed the city and the area, and its history on the Underground Railroad. Then we'll talk about the history of Pennsylvania Swankey, including input from PA Dutch scholar Doug Madenford (who lives a few valleys over and hosts the Doug's Front Porch podcast I appeared on in 2024), and the weirdly similar but distinctly different Cornish Swanky!  I've got a month's worth of Williamsport beer events for you, including the Bullfrog Brewery 30th anniversary party on September 19th, a tease of a Finger Lakes cornucopia episode that's been long a-building, the latest on the new book, and a neat Elk Creek Cafe singalong event.  What I'm Drinking Today is another of the Wheatland Spring Farm Brewery beers I picked up back in March, their Duration Sour Red Ale, a 9% beauty that really puts everything together. Cathy's not a sour fan, and she liked this one.  Next episode is once again up in the air; it's getting really close to my son's wedding and my time is splashed to the four winds. I'll have something for you, never fear! Oh, and YES, we have a new sponsor! I'll announce that in the next episode!  See you in two weeks! Until then? TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST! This episode uses these sounds under the following license: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0   https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ "Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au  Music promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

"I wasn't just collecting artifacts—I was protecting the evidence that Black people have always defined ourselves." That reflection from Dr. Khalid el-Hakim anchors one of the most profound conversations ever recorded on Detroit is Different. Long before earning his doctorate, Dr. el-Hakim was rescuing books, photographs, newspapers, flyers, artwork, and priceless artifacts that many dismissed as ordinary, understanding that every item carried the story of Black people determined to define themselves. In this expansive interview, he traces his family's journey from Virginia through the Underground Railroad into Canada and Detroit, the influence of his grandparents' activism, Great Lakes Mutual Insurance, People's Community Church, Carter G. Woodson's visit to Detroit, and the library that first awakened his love for history. He shares how schools like Mumford High, African-centered educators like Mama Shushana (Ms. Taliaferro), and Detroit's rich political and cultural legacy shaped his life's work. Now, with the scholarship of a Ph.D. reinforcing decades of grassroots preservation, Dr. el-Hakim explains not only 'what' he collected, but 'why' context is the true treasure—connecting every artifact to the larger struggle, brilliance, resistance, and imagination of Black people. This episode is a masterclass on cultural preservation, proving that safeguarding our history is not nostalgia; it is a strategy for community empowerment, historical truth, and building a future where our children inherit knowledge instead of erasure. To discover more about the work of Dr. Khalid el-Hakim visit www.blackhistorymobilemuseum.com today. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

For 185 years, some of the most important chapters of American history have unfolded on a few blocks of Buffalo's East Side. In the third episode of our four-part Unpacked by Afar series, we walk the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, the beating heart of Buffalo Black history, with the man who has made preserving it his life's work. Executive director Terry Alford grew up on these streets and is now leading their revival. He guides host Aislyn Greene through 185 years of Buffalo Black history: a church that was one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad, the home where the Niagara Movement was born, the club where jazz greats jammed until dawn because they weren't allowed to sleep in the hotels they had just played, and the radio station that became the megaphone of the Civil Rights movement. Then he shares how urban renewal nearly erased it all, and how he is fighting to bring it back, guided by the Ghanaian principle of Sankofa: move forward, but never forget where you came from. This is cultural travel at its most moving, a piece of American travel culture far too few people know. It is also one of the most powerful travel stories we have told, and a lesson in responsible travel: how to visit a place and honor the people whose stories made it. If Buffalo Black history is not yet on your list of American travel destinations, this episode, and this corridor, will change that. Meet this week's guest Terry Alford, executive director of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Chapters 00:00 Buffalo's Black History 04:19 Underground Railroad to Jazz 10:02 Loss and Revival 13:42 A Vision for 2030 Where to go to explore Buffalo's Black history Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor — Start at the visitor center and tour the anchor sites, all just steps apart. Michigan Street Baptist Church — Built in 1845, one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad, with a newly restored interior. Nash House Museum — The preserved home of Rev. J. Edward Nash and Frances Nash, plus the Frances Nash community garden and Tuesday farmers market. The Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum — The only continuously running, all-Black-owned club in the U.S., with Sunday night jam sessions and a jazz museum. WUFO Black Radio History Collective — The historic voice of Buffalo's Civil Rights movement. The Freedom Wall — The AKG's 28-portrait mural of Black Civil Rights figures, at the corridor's northern entrance. Read more in Afar's guide to Buffalo's Black history along the Michigan Street corridor, and plan your trip with our Buffalo travel guide. This is episode three of a four-part series. Next week, we explore Buffalo's astonishing architecture, one of the best-kept design secrets in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York City is a food mecca, and the neighborhood of Flushing in Queens has become a hot spot for Asian cuisine. With the largest concentration of Chinese-born people in America, Flushing is home to hundreds of authentic and delicious Asian restaurants.This quick guide will cover:Where Flushing is located & how to get thereInteresting history in FlushingOur favorite restaurants in Flushing, QueensFlushing is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens and is most easily accessible via the furthest stop on the 7 train.Flushing's DemographicsToday, there are over 70,000 Chinese residents in Flushing, of whom more than 30,000 were born in China. New York City has the largest population of Chinese people outside of China, and Flushing is seen as the epicenter of NYC's Chinese culture.Flushing has the highest population of Chinese-born people outside of China in the entire world, and roughly 70% of Flushing's population is Asian.History & Museums in FlushingWhile we most often go to Flushing for the food experience, there are some unique historical homes and museums in the neighborhood.Lewis Latimer House MuseumLewis Latimer was an African American inventor who made improvements to the lightbulb, air conditioner, bathrooms on trains, and many other inventions and patents. His historical home has been turned into a museum, free for self-guided visits or guided tours for $15 (as of July 2026).Bowne MuseumBowne House is a family's historical home built in 1661 in Flushing. The Bowne family fought for religious freedom in early America, abolition, and participated in the Underground Railroad.The museum offers tours for $10 (as of July 2026).The Flushing Queens Food Scene, Top PicksBeyond the area's history lies a bustling food scene with hundreds of options covering numerous Asian cuisines. Many restaurants on our favorites list are cash only, so plan accordingly.While there are hundreds of food options, here are some of our favorite restaurants in Flushing:Nan Xian Soup DumplingsWhite Bear Peking Duck Sandwich StallHappy Lamb Hot Pot Xing Fu TangChung MooNew World MallYou can find all of these, with notes, in our handy Ramen, Sushi & Asian Food Google Maps list. Access this and dozens more curated lists for loads of cuisines and locations in NYC when you sign up for our newsletter.You'll Have to Check It Out - MalaparteHigh-quality dishes in a no-frills, non-pretentious setting in the West Village• Large selection of outdoor seating• Watermelon salad, great bread with high-quality olive oil, cappellacci were all deliciousCheck out Malaparte in the West Village.

July 28, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR's Director of Community Affairs and News discusses Michigan's role in the Underground Railroad. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From the vengeful Bell Witch to the lingering spirits of Gettysburg, America is packed with haunted spots that refuse to let go of their ghosts – whether it's eerie voices in old asylums, shadowy figures in historic mansions, or phantom footsteps in forgotten graveyards. If you're looking for a brush with the supernatural, these legendary (and lesser-known) locations won't disappoint.EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/HauntedAmericaREAD or DOWNLOAD the full transcript of this episode: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/36de8fpnLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other podcast apps. Get a list of free listening apps here: https://weirddarkness.com/wdapps*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“America's Most Haunted Places” by Troy Taylor and April Slaughter for AmericanHauntingsInk.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/582mh58k (used with permission)“America's Not-So-Famous Haunted Houses” by Troy Taylor for AmericanHauntingsInk.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p979tsv (used with permission)(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: January, 2022Weird Darkness tours fifteen haunted American locations, starting with the ones every ghost hunter already knows. The Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee, where a spirit claiming to be the witch of Kate Batts tormented the Bell family for years and, some say, retreated into a cave near the Red River. Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, where tuberculosis patients died in numbers large enough to require a body chute running down the hill and out of sight. The Myrtles Plantation, whose most famous ghost stories turn out to be false, though the apparitions on the grounds keep getting reported anyway. The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, where four members of one brewing family took their own lives across five decades. Gettysburg's Devil's Den, the Stanley Hotel that inspired Stephen King, the Winchester Mystery House with its staircases to nowhere, Bachelor's Grove Cemetery outside Chicago, Yorktown Memorial Hospital in Texas, and the Villisca Ax Murder House in Iowa, where eight people were killed in their beds in June of 1912 and no one was ever convicted.Then the show turns to the houses that never made the lists. Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, built on the site of a French and Indian War garrison and later a stop on the Underground Railroad. Tinker Swiss Cottage in Rockford, Illinois, a twenty-seven-room Swiss-style home on a limestone bluff where children's laughter is heard by staff who came in as skeptics. The McCune Mansion in Salt Lake City, where a little girl walks in and out of a mirror. Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin, where a fired servant locked seven people in Frank Lloyd Wright's home in August of 1914, set it on fire, and killed them with a hatchet as they tried to escape. And Prospect Place in Trinway, Ohio, built by an abolitionist who used a cupola signal light to tell escaping slaves that food and shelter waited inside — some of whom never left.

Summer Break! Pennsylvania Oddities will return on September 1!Born on Christmas Day of 1856 to George and Mary Brown, Mary E. Brown spent her youth in the Chester County Quaker community of Ercildoun, an important stop on the Underground Railroad and an early center of the American abolitionist movement. There she lived until the day she met a laborer named George Toogood and fell in love. They were soon married.After being deserted by her husband, Mary settled in West Chester, operating a boardinghouse situated in Pyle's Alley. Known throughout town as Mamie Toogood, Mary was a jovial woman with a big heart who opened her home to any of the local black population who needed a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.Unfortunately for Mamie, her kindness began to attract the wrong sort of characters and gradually her reputation began to tarnish. And then, in February of 1906, there occurred an unfortunate event that forever altered her fortunes. This is the story of Mamie Toogood, a Foundational Black American woman who played a role in one of the strangest mysteries in West Chester history.

This week, before emancipation, Appalachia provided pathways to freedom for enslaved people trying to escape bondage. A new project identifies more than two dozen previously unknown underground railroad sites. Also, the Fly Around Music & Arts Festival in North Carolina was inspired by the hard work that followed Hurricane Helene. And, a ballad about floods recorded a generation ago still provides solace for people today.You'll hear these stories and more, Inside Appalachia. 

On this West Virginia Morning, not much has been known about Appalachia's contributions to the Underground Railroad, but a Marshall University historian is documenting that history. The post The Underground Railroad’s Route Through Appalachia, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This week, Jack begins the strange saga of John Murray Spear: Universalist preacher, abolitionist, prison reformer, anti-death-penalty agitator, spiritual medium, and eventual would-be midwife to a “mechanical messiah.” Before Spear tried to build the “New Motor” (a living machine meant to channel divine electricity and inaugurate a new age) he spent decades pursuing radical reform in 19th-century New England. Jack traces Spear's working-class childhood, his years in the Universalist movement, his “missions of love” to prisoners and the poor, his work against capital punishment, his involvement with abolitionism and the Underground Railroad, and the mob beating that nearly killed him in Portland. Then things get weirder. Enter the unfortunately-named Andrew Jackson Davis, Emanuel Swedenborg, the Fox Sisters, mesmeric trances, automatic writing, spirit healing, Benjamin Franklin from beyond the grave, psychometry, sulfur springs, and the “Association of Electricizers.” By the end of Part 1 of our story, Spear has been selected by a committee of dead reformers, scientists, and Founding Fathers to help remake the world through electricity, spirit communication, and one very important machine in a tower in Lynn, Massachusetts. Next week: Jack tells the tale of Spear's mechanical messiah. Subscribe for $5 a month to get all the premium episodes: www.patreon.com/qaa Check out our new podcast series network Cursed Media! All episodes of Spectral Voyager Season 2 are out now! Binge the entirety of Truly Tradly Deeply by Annie Kelly and Megan Kelly as well as Science in Transition by Liv Agar and Spencer Barrows: cursedmedia.net Produced by Liv Agar & Corey Klotz. Theme by Nick Sena. Additional music by Pontus Berghe and Jake Rockatansky. Theme Vocals by THEY/LIVE (instagram.com/theyylivve / sptfy.com/QrDm). Cover Art by Pedro Correa: (pedrocorrea.com) qaapodcast.com QAA was known as the QAnon Anonymous podcast.

To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, USA TODAY sent reporters out on the road, and into history, to follow the journeys that built America – from the Underground Railroad and Route 66 to Paul Revere's midnight ride and beyond. USA TODAY reporters Trevor Hughes, Sarah D. Wire and Karissa Waddick join The Excerpt to share what they saw and what those stories tell us about our history and where the country might be headed in its next 250 years.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. Related USA 250 stories: American Flag, Oregon Trail, Space Race, Mississippi River, Paul Revere, Route 66, Underground RailroadEpisode transcript available here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1858, when a bounty hunter came to Oberlin, Ohio, to capture an enslaved man who had fled from Kentucky via the Underground Railroad, the staunchly abolitionist townspeople of Oberlin had something to say about it. Join John Bradshaw on location in Ohio for the story of John Price's bid for freedom and the people who stood up to injustice on his behalf.

How do we fight back? This week on Gaslit Nation, Tad Stoermer, author of A Resistance History of the United States, explains how true resistance is built by communities like ours. Looking at the Underground Railroad and the French Resistance, Stoermer digs deep on what Gaslit Nation has said for years: grassroots power is the most reliable power we have left. Small acts of individual resistance compound into collective awakening.  Today's localized protests against ICE in Minneapolis and Delaney Hall are the true making of a great America. Our story is a story of progress, and white reactionary blood lust. MAGA are the vampires that have long sucked on human flesh. They're back in the forms of Big Tech wannabe-cyborgs and craven weirdos. Simply put, they're slimy creepers, the strongmen who have always lived by spilling blood.  We have grassroots power, but now we need to build political power through elected officials who meet the moment, not take money from AIPAC and crypto trust funds. There is no substitute for political power. Communities like Gaslit Nation build together.  That's our Declaration of Independence. This week's bonus show, out Thursday, will look at Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's crypto threat to our country as she enriches her family like a corrupt Russian politician. We'll also demand justice for the Prairieland Defendants – activists sentenced to 30 to 100 years in prison for protesting. Harsh sentences to punish the people ignited our Founding Fathers to build militias. Demand unconditional pardons for our Prairieland Defendants – we must reverse and heal the damage of Trump fascism.  Join our Gaslit Nation community on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com – get bonus shows, ad free listening, exclusive events, and more. Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you. Show Notes: Opening clip: AOC on MSNow https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Nxb-JLE0WZY EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack! The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack! Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack! Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack! Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack! Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack!    

  HAH DISCORD - https://discord.com/invite/bJdbpH3hQm   YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/@HauntedAmericanHistory   TikTok - @hah_podcast hauntedamericanhistory.com   Patreon- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/hauntedamericanhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   LINKS FOR MY DEBUT NOVEL, THE FORGOTTEN BOROUGH   Barnes and Noble -   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-forgotten-borough-christopher-feinstein/1148274794?ean=9798319693334 AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQPQD68S Ebook GOOGLE: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=S5WCEQAAQBAJ&pli=1 KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-forgotten-borough-2?sId=a10cf8af-5fbd-475e-97c4-76966ec87994&ssId=DX3jihH_5_2bUeP1xoje_ SMASHWORD: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1853316   !! DISTURB ME !! APPLE - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disturb-me/id1841532090 SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/show/3eFv2CKKGwdQa3X2CkwkZ5?si=faOUZ54fT_KG-BaZOBiTiQ YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@DisturbMePodcast www.disturbmepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this Newsbuzz episode, IPR's Gavin McGough joins to discuss a new gas power plant that was approved by the Cedar Falls City Council this week, and IPR's Rachel Cramer shares how Iowa's landfills are filling up fast. Cami Koons of Iowa Capital Dispatch reports on a multistate research project that held a panel of rural Iowans Tuesday, and we hear about the U.S. losing ground in the higher education space as Iowa State University and University of Iowa continue to slip in university rankings. Humans for Racial Justice hosts their second annual Juneteenth event which tours local Underground Railroad sites in Cedar County, and IPR Studio One's Nick Brunner grooves us into the weekend.

Episode DescriptionAs America prepares to commemorate Juneteenth, Jason Herbert sits down with legendary actor Ben Vereen and breakout star Amethyst Davis for a powerful conversation about The Grey House—the Civil War-era drama that explores freedom, resistance, and the unfinished legacy of slavery. Drawing on their experiences bringing the series to life, Vereen and Davis reflect on portraying Black Americans during Reconstruction, the importance of telling stories that many would rather forget, and why history remains a battleground today.The conversation moves beyond filmmaking to explore Black liberation, historical memory, women's leadership during the Underground Railroad, and the resilience that carried generations through slavery and beyond. Vereen shares why America still needs "another slave story," while Davis discusses portraying an educated, formerly enslaved Black heroine whose intelligence and courage challenge long-held stereotypes. Together, they reflect on filming in Romania, working with director Roland Joffé, the emotional weight of key scenes, and why Juneteenth should become a day for families to gather and honor their ancestors.This is more than a conversation about television—it's a discussion about why history matters, why these stories must continue to be told, and how remembering the past offers hope for the future.

Happy Juneteenth! In this episode, we discuss the history and importance of the Underground Railroad!

Rochester was a noted stop on the Underground Railroad, and now, you can be part of an event retracing a route from Maryland to Canada. #FreedomWalk2026 is passing through Rochester this week. Participants making the 750-mile journey stop in various communities to collect narratives from the people who live there. In advance of Juneteenth — and on the 250th anniversary of American independence — our guests from Freedom Walk help us understand what we can learn about the history of abolition, Rochester's role in the fight for freedom, and what it all means in 2026. In studio: Anthony Cohen, historian and founder for Freedom Walk Judy Wellman, executive director of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Norm Strothers, tour guide with AKWAABA: The Heritage Associates Inc.  Christine L. Ridarsky, historian for Rochester and Monroe County ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

The history of Juneteenth and how Milwaukee celebrates. The Underground Railroad's connections in Wisconsin – and what it says about our history. Bubbler Talk looks at Milwaukee's Public Natatorium.

6/18/26 (Host – Buz Eisenberg) Dr. Kathy Bullock Singer & Professor Emerita of Music Berea College: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation Tour” a multi-state concert tour and musical pilgrimage retracing the paths of the Underground Railroad At Bombyx Sun June 21 Concert: 4:00pm Extra Extra with DHG & Gfld Recorder Executive Editor Dan Crowley: Neal cancels debate appearance, no to data centers in Holyoke, & man not found not guilty after 28 years in prison. Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, and Rocker June Millington on her upcoming performance at The Green River Festival Friday at 545 & Saturday at 430 All That Jazz w/ Ruth Griggs, Pres of the Northampton Jazz Festival, & Jennifer Schantz, Exec Dir of The Eric Carle Museum Of Picture Book Art & Brian Pinkney, Illustrator of children's books: Jerry Pinkney exhibit opening; Sunset Thursdays, and jazz and art collaboration at The Eric Carle Museum in Amherst.

This Friday is Juneteenth, a holiday marking the date that some of the last enslaved people in the Confederacy received word that they were free. Juneteenth celebrations date back to the 1860s, but it didn't become a federal holiday in 2021. Now, communities across our region mark Juneteenth with storytelling events, speaker series, community meals and music.The Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro will host Singing a Journey of Freedom: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation on Friday. The program began as a research project by Mat Callahan, a musician and author currently residing in Bern, Switzerland. He uncovered songs composed and sung by enslaved people and abolitionists that had been buried by history. Callahan then teamed up with Dr. Kathy Bullock to bring this music to life. Bullock is a visiting professor of music at Bennington College, as well as a singer, arranger and choral conductor specializing in gospel, spirituals and classical works by composers from the African diaspora. We are also joined by Rev. Leon Dunkley, an ethnomusicologist and a minister at the North Chapel in Woodstock.Then, Joan Gorman of the Rokeby Museum in Ferrisburgh shares the history of the museum, which used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad. 

Tonight on GhostBox Radio with Greg Bakun, Greg talks with Author Jennifer Shortridge about her book, “Ghosts of the Underground Railroad” and discuss the blending history and the paranormal. Don't forget to check out https://ghostboxradio.com/ghostbox-book-club/ to pick up this book and books by other authors we've had on the show. E-mail: comment@ghostboxradio.com Listen Live Streaming:… The post GhostBox Radio – Ghosts of the Underground Railroad w/ Jennifer Shortridge 6.16.26 first appeared on AM 950.

For many Americans, Harriet Tubman can seem more like a character out of myth than a flesh-and-blood historical figure. Many know of Tubman's escape from slavery and her brave work on the Underground Railroad, but little more about her life and personal experiences. In this interview with David M. Rubenstein, prizewinning author Tiya Miles delves into the real woman, from Tubman's birth as “Minty Ross” to her activism and beyond, to offer a clearer image of the American hero.Recorded on June 21, 2025

My interview with Harriet Gaston, well-known historian who has painstakingly researched the history of the African American presence in this region of Pennsylvania. Harriet has worked as the DUS academic advisor at Penn States Altoona Campus for several years and has become a well-known lecturer on the history she has compiled. In this episode, Harriet shares her journey of exploring and uncovering the rich history of African American history in Blair County Pennsylvania. From early migration stories to the Underground Railroad and influential community leaders, Harriet reveals how her discoveries reshape local history and identity.if you wish to follow Harriet Gaston please go to her Facebook page, or follow Blair County African American Heritage Project, also on Face Book

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOBefore it became a sprawling 12,000-square-foot estate, the Cheney Mansion in Jerseyville, Illinois, began as the humble Red House in 1827. Built as the area's first frame house, it stood with just two rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs. Yet even in its early days, the property became more than just a family home. It served as a stagecoach stop for weary travelers, a lively tavern, a doctor's office, and even a bank. Most remarkably, its cistern is believed to have hidden enslaved people seeking freedom along the Underground Railroad—adding a powerful layer of human history to its walls.Over the decades, the Red House grew into the Cheney Mansion, a place of grandeur and prominence in Jerseyville. Thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers, it remains in remarkable condition today. But some believe that its well-preserved beauty is only part of the story. Many say the spirits of former residents and visitors never left. Among them is P.D. Cheney himself, whose presence is often felt within the mansion's historic halls. Reports of unexplained sounds, mysterious figures, and an undeniable energy have convinced many that the mansion is still very much alive with ghostly activity.From stagecoach guests who never checked out to long-past owners still keeping watch, the Cheney Mansion is a site where history and the paranormal intertwine.Today on The Grave Talks, we sit down with Roger Scheffel to explore the incredible history and chilling hauntings of this Illinois landmark.#HauntedHouse #HauntedIllinois #TheGraveTalks #GhostStories #HauntedHistory #HauntedMansion #UndergroundRailroad #HistoricHauntings #HauntedPlaces #UnexplainedPhenomenaLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Before it became a sprawling 12,000-square-foot estate, the Cheney Mansion in Jerseyville, Illinois, began as the humble Red House in 1827. Built as the area's first frame house, it stood with just two rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs. Yet even in its early days, the property became more than just a family home. It served as a stagecoach stop for weary travelers, a lively tavern, a doctor's office, and even a bank. Most remarkably, its cistern is believed to have hidden enslaved people seeking freedom along the Underground Railroad—adding a powerful layer of human history to its walls.Over the decades, the Red House grew into the Cheney Mansion, a place of grandeur and prominence in Jerseyville. Thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers, it remains in remarkable condition today. But some believe that its well-preserved beauty is only part of the story. Many say the spirits of former residents and visitors never left. Among them is P.D. Cheney himself, whose presence is often felt within the mansion's historic halls. Reports of unexplained sounds, mysterious figures, and an undeniable energy have convinced many that the mansion is still very much alive with ghostly activity.From stagecoach guests who never checked out to long-past owners still keeping watch, the Cheney Mansion is a site where history and the paranormal intertwine.Today on The Grave Talks, we sit down with Roger Scheffel to explore the incredible history and chilling hauntings of this Illinois landmark.#HauntedHouse #HauntedIllinois #TheGraveTalks #GhostStories #HauntedHistory #HauntedMansion #UndergroundRailroad #HistoricHauntings #HauntedPlaces #UnexplainedPhenomenaLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

While the term “Underground Railroad” is probably most associated with enslaved people fleeing to free northern states and Canada in the 19th century, there was actually a less formal southern-bound route and destination centuries earlier. We learn about this overlooked aspect of North American history with a woman who gives talks through the Florida Humanities Speakers Bureau. She'll be giving a talk on this topic on Thursday, June 18 in Fort Lauderdale.

Peter Miele, Senior Project Leader with the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, joins the show to explore how the region's natural landscapes, waterways, and historic communities are preserved and shared with the public. He discusses the mission of the Heritage Area, highlighting efforts to connect people with the Susquehanna River's environmental, cultural, and historical significance.In his new book White Care: The Impact of Race on American Infrastructure, Prof. Cotten Seiler examines a provocative argument: the decline of U.S. infrastructure isn't just about cost—it's about who benefits. He explores how, beginning in the mid-20th century, white Americans withdrew support from public systems like schools, parks, and transportation as those systems became more racially integrated.

Colson Whitehead is one the few novelists, and the only still alive, to win two Pulitzer Prizes for Fiction—for “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys.” Whitehead's protagonist in the Harlem trilogy is Ray Carney, a small-time crook who fences stolen goods while working as a furniture salesman. Ray first appeared in “Harlem Shuffle,” and the final book of the trilogy, “Cool Machine,” will be published in July. David Remnick and Whitehead discuss the trilogy's second book, “Crook Manifesto,” and how David Bowie inspired Whitehead's genre-hopping approach to fiction. This segment originally aired on July 21, 2023. Further reading and listening:  “The Theresa Job,” by Colson Whitehead “Colson Whitehead on Historical Heists,” by Deborah Treisman “The Match,” by Colson Whitehead   New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Step into the pages of American history in this fascinating conversation with retired Brigadier General, historian, and author David Deputy. What began as the purchase of an old Delaware mill house turned into a decades-long investigation that uncovered remarkable connections to some of the most significant events in American history.In this episode, David shares the incredible story of the Spring Grove Mill House, a historic property with roots stretching back to the colonial era and the American Revolution. We explore the site's connection to General George Washington's Philadelphia Campaign and the pivotal 1777 skirmish known as General Weedon's Foray, an event that helped Washington track British movements before the Battle of Brandywine. David also discusses how his research uncovered layers of history tied to early industry, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Underground Railroad, and other defining moments in America's past.Through detective work, historical documents, and a passion for preserving the past, David demonstrates how one seemingly ordinary property can reveal extraordinary stories hidden in plain sight. Whether you're a history enthusiast, genealogy buff, or simply love uncovering forgotten stories, this episode offers a captivating look at how history lives on through the places around us.Subscribe to The Raw Vibe and join us for this unforgettable journey through American history, hidden connections, and the remarkable discoveries behind the Spring Grove Mill House.visit: https://www.springgrovemillhouse.com/00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:04 The Discovery of the House's True Age03:37 Historical Significance and Key Events07:11 Connections to the Revolutionary War11:00 Uncovering the House's Revolutionary Roots15:10 The Battle of 1777 and Its Impact17:55 Historical Artifacts and Evidence19:54 Preservation and Sharing of History25:31 The Book: Spring Grove Millhouse25:59 Future Projects and Audio Book Plansvisit: www.TheRawVibe.comvisit: https://www.springgrovemillhouse.com/

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell reflects on her time as Ontario's lieutenant governor and what defines the province she served for nearly a decade. Then, more than 60 years after Canada adopted the Maple Leaf and Ontario unveiled its own flag, why didn't everyone rally around these new symbols? #onpoli's John Michael McGrath explains. And we visit Salem Chapel in St. Catharines, where Harriet Tubman once worshipped and where the legacy of the Underground Railroad and the fight for civil rights still resonates today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harriet Tubman was a heroic abolitionist in the cause to end chattel slavery. She was also an excellent astronomer and naturalist — and an expert birder. She mastered the hoot of the Barred Owl, using it as a signal throughout the Underground Railroad to let freedom seekers know she had arrived. This week is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate in Black Birders Week here and by following #BlackBirdersWeek on social media. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim Field visits with Laura Keyes about her portrayal of Lucy Pettengill, a station operator on the Underground Railroad. Laura will be part of the VIP Connections series at the Atlantic Public Library on June 9 at 10:30 am.

Birder and naturalist Marcus Rosten loves to watch the American Herring Gulls that flock to Freedom Park in Buffalo, New York. Once a final stop for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, the park is also known for supporting birds that face an uncertain future. For Black Birders Week, Marcus reflects on what we lose when species of conservation concern — like American Herring Gulls – are overlooked and underappreciated.   This is Black Birders Week! Learn how to participate by following the hashtag #BlackBirders Week on social media and checking out the full schedule here.  More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks.  BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode our civics teacher and neighborhood political strategist L. Joy debuts a brand-new series: The Porch Light. Drawing inspiration from the simple yet powerful tradition of leaving a light on for loved ones, L. Joy frames democracy itself as a light—something that offers guidance, protection, and hope in uncertain times. This episode lays out the foundation for the Porch Light series, a syllabus that will run through the end of the year. She takes listeners on a journey through history, memory, and symbolism, reminding us how light has always signaled safety and freedom, from lanterns in the windows of the Underground Railroad to the North Star guiding the enslaved toward liberation.

In Tuesday's primary election, all eyes were on District 3's congressional race, where progressive candidate Chris Rabb won over candidates backed by major Philadelphia Democrats. We hear about that and the broader election results in the Commonwealth, plus a battle in Lower Merion over laptop use in classrooms, and a fire that burned down a Delaware church with ties to the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement. 00:00 Intro 02:00 Chris Rabb's win demonstrates that Philly voters want change 07:30 Shapiro-backed Democrats win primaries in PA swing districts 14:56 Mother African Union Church destroyed by fire 19:55 Lower Merion parents protest “excessive” screen use in class 25:42 Shootings are at all-time low in Philadelphia 30:28 What's doing on down the shore this summer Listen to The Week in Philly every Saturday at 5am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 9pm.

In this episode of Horse First, Lockie Phillips sits down with long-time collaborator and now teaching team member, Lori Halliday. This conversation explores a shift happening quietly within horsemanship—a movement that is less visible, less performative, and increasingly happening beneath the surface. Together, they discuss what it means to carry forward work that challenges traditional systems, and why meaningful change often doesn't happen in the spotlight. Using the idea of an “underground railroad” of horsemanship, this episode looks at how people are being guided—sometimes gently, sometimes reluctantly—out of dominance-based approaches and into something more honest, more humane, and more sustainable for the horse. They also explore the responsibility of teaching within this space, how to avoid guru dynamics as the work grows, and what it means to develop real authority without losing independence of thought. This is a conversation about quiet influence, long-term change, and the kind of work that doesn't need to announce itself to be effective. Because not all progress is visible. But it is happening. BOOK IN WITH LORI HALLIDAY HERE: https://emotionalhorsemanship.com/lessons-and-coaching Connect with Lori's Non-Profit Ranch here:  https://www.horseandheart.org/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Going back ten years to 2016, Sarah and Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide) dive into the annual Bookish Time Capsule episode and revisit the book world from that year. They cover big bookish highlights — from the buzziest books of the year to the award winners — along with what was happening in the wider world at the time. They also look back at their own reading from 2016, including their favorite releases, and share a quick round-up of listener-submitted favorites. This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR!   This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights The big news that was going on outside the book world Book stories and trends that dominated 2016 The 2016 books that have had staying power Big books and award winners for the year Reading in the blog years before the Rock Your Reading Tracker Sarah's and Catherine's personal 2016 reading stats Listener-submitted favorites from 2016 2016 Bookish Time Capsule [1:45] The World Beyond Books Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (2018)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:09]  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [4:59]  My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [5:11] Ferrante's true identity has never been confirmed, despite multiple attempts by journalists and various theories pointing to different people. Book Industry Sales and Trends Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:02] The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:10] Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:21] A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:36] Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:40]  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:45]  All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:57]  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:12]  Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:16]  StrengthsFinder 2.0 from Gallup (2007) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:20]  When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:30] The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:33] After You by Jojo Moyes (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:49] The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:52] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:59] Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter (2016)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:36] Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:49] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:04]  Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:05] The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (English Translation, 2015) | Amazon| Bookshop.org  [13:32] My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman (English Translation, 2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:39] In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:51]  Big Books of 2016 It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:47] A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) by Sarah J. Maas (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [16:28]   Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [17:25] Pines (Wayward Pines, 1) by Blake Crouch (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:57] Recursion by Blake Crouch (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:17] A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[18:34] Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:58] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:29] James by Percival Everett (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:42] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:51]  Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:10] When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:28] Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:46] Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [23:19] Award Winners of 2016 The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:54] The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:06] Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:35] The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:51] Let Me Die In His Footsteps by Lori Roy (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:50] Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [25:56] All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:05] Catherine's Top Books Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [27:46]  A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:11] The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [28:35]  The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:03]  Before the Wind by Jim Lynch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:57] Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:57] Miss Jane by Brad Watson (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:48]   Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:57] Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:08]  Adnan's Story by Rabia Chaudry (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:40]  Sarah's Top Books Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:45] Shelter by Jung Yun (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:58]   All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:06]  The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:16]  My Name Is Lucy Barton (Amgash, 1) by Elizabeth Strout (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:22] Oh William! (Amgash, 3) by Elizabeth Strout (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:38] Tell Me Everything (Amgash, 5) by Elizabeth Strout (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:47]   Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:05]  Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:30] Tender by Belinda McKeon (US Release, 2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:44] The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:03]  When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[42:05] The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:31]  Listeners' Top Books A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[44:14] The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:19] A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) by Sarah J. Maas (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:35]   Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:47] Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:01]  Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:24] Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:30] Beartown by Fredrik Backman (English Translation, 2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:32] Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:40]  The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:45] Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:58] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:00] The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:16] 

A creepy old house. A terrifying basement. A hidden Underground Railroad tunnel beneath the floor. And one frightened boy who makes the worst possible choice: he decides to see where it leads.In this terrifying episode of Weekly Spooky, Curtis Tucker is afraid of the unfinished basement in his family's old home — the cold concrete, the rotting doors, the flickering light, and the strange wooden shed tucked away in the corner. When his father reveals that the shed hides a tunnel once used as part of the Underground Railroad, Curtis's fear turns into obsession.One rainy night, unable to sleep and desperate to conquer his nightmares, Curtis creeps downstairs with a flashlight and opens the shed. What begins as a child's attempt to face his fear becomes a claustrophobic crawl through dark underground passages… and ends in a place far worse than anything he imagined.If you love basement horror, hidden room stories, secret tunnels, old house horror, serial killer fiction, creepy kid horror, and scary stories with a brutal twist ending, this one will make you think twice before opening any door you were never meant to find.Turn out the lights, my spookies… but maybe leave the basement door locked.Come On In — by Morgan Moore

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!In the small town of Trinway, Ohio, the grand Prospect Place Estate has stood since 1856. Built by abolitionist George Willison Adams, the 29-room mansion once served as a symbol of freedom and progress, playing a role in the history of the Underground Railroad.Today, the estate is known for something else—its reputation as one of Ohio's most haunted locations.Amy Green of the G.W. Adams Educational Center joins us to explore the remarkable history of Prospect Place and the chilling encounters reported by visitors and investigators alike. Shadow figures, disembodied voices, ghostly laughter, and even the lingering scent of cigar smoke have all been experienced within its walls.But who—or what—still remains at Prospect Place?#ProspectPlace #ProspectPlaceEstate #HauntedOhio #TheGraveTalks #UndergroundRailroad #HauntedMansion #ParanormalPodcast #GhostEncounters #HistoricHauntings #ParanormalInvestigation #OhioGhosts #SupernaturalStoriesLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOIn the small town of Trinway, Ohio, the grand Prospect Place Estate has stood since 1856. Built by abolitionist George Willison Adams, the 29-room mansion once served as a symbol of freedom and progress, playing a role in the history of the Underground Railroad.Today, the estate is known for something else—its reputation as one of Ohio's most haunted locations.Amy Green of the G.W. Adams Educational Center joins us to explore the remarkable history of Prospect Place and the chilling encounters reported by visitors and investigators alike. Shadow figures, disembodied voices, ghostly laughter, and even the lingering scent of cigar smoke have all been experienced within its walls.But who—or what—still remains at Prospect Place?#ProspectPlace #ProspectPlaceEstate #HauntedOhio #TheGraveTalks #UndergroundRailroad #HauntedMansion #ParanormalPodcast #GhostEncounters #HistoricHauntings #ParanormalInvestigation #OhioGhosts #SupernaturalStoriesLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

- Guest: Mistah Coles - Artist/Educator/ Community ActivistFollow/Contact on YouTube ​⁠​⁠ On IG , Fb @MistahColes —OneMicNite Podcast with Marcos Luis** -In this powerful and historically grounded episode, host Marcos Luis sits down with artist, educator, and community activist Mistah Coles to discuss #FreedomWalk—an upcoming cultural event tracing the chronological pathway of the Underground Railroad and honoring the legacy of Harriet Tubman, one of the most courageous freedom fighters in American history. -Together, they explore how art, activism, and historical memory intersect to keep this essential story alive for new generations.

What would you do if a single letter revealed that everything you thought you knew about your family was only half the story? Scott Pratt walked into a historic Brooklyn church as part of Ancestry's powerful documentary Railroad Ties expecting to find some connection to his Scottish colonial roots. Instead he discovered that he's a descendant of enslaved people who escaped to freedom on the Underground Railroad. In this deeply moving conversation, Scott and I trace the extraordinary arc of his family tree: from Sophia, the light-skinned Black woman who fled slavery through Brooklyn, to her grandson Frank, a silent film star who kept a journal about passing for white that now sits in the Harvard Library. Scott's story is about so much more than genealogical discovery. It's about the grief of lost stories, the complexity of inherited identity, and the fierce resilience that echoes across generations when we finally let ourselves claim the whole truth of who we are.〰️

“If Hamilton is an Obama-era hope musical, we are a Trump-era protest musical," said Nygel D. Robinson, co-creator of “Mexodus.” “Mexodus,” a high-energy Off-Broadway show that explores a lesser-known part of U.S. history: the Underground Railroad, south into Mexico. In the 1800s, thousands of enslaved Black people fled to Mexico, where slavery had been abolished decades before the United States. Maria Hinojosa speaks with “Mexodus” co-creators and stars, Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, about what they hope their hit show can teach audiences today about cross-racial and cross-border solidarity. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube. Subscribe to our newsletter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

[REBROADCAST FROM March 25, 2026] "Mexodus," the musical about the Underground Railroad that lead south to Mexico, has returned to the Off-Broadway stage. Stars and creators Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson return to WNYC to discuss the show, and perform songs live in our studio. 'Mexodous' is the most-nominated production at the 2026 Lucille Lortel Awards. Photo by Thomas Mundell

One of the most celebrated stories from the Underground Railroad is that of Henry Box Brown, the man who mailed himself to freedom. In 1849 Henry Brown successfully had himself shipped out of slavery in a packing crate from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brown's ingenious and audacious escape from slavery immediately caught the attention of abolitionists all over the country. The story of his escape was not only exciting, it was deeply symbolic, and proved a powerful tool that could draw people into the anti-slavery movement. Box Brown soon became one the most sought after speakers on the abolitionist lecture circuit. However, Henry Brown was not content to remain a typical anti-slavery lecturer. He was soon creating elaborate multimedia shows that incorporated music, moving panoramas, and stage magic. His on-stage swagger and flashy style eventually put him at odds with much of the mainstream abolitionist community. Was Henry Box Brown too "glam" for solemn and sober activists who had once been his allies? Tune-in and find out how wombs, tombs, Tricky Sam, and the King of All Mesmerizers all play a role in the story.Check out the merch at out T-Public store HERE!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!In the small town of Trinway, Ohio, the grand Prospect Place Estate has stood since 1856. Built by abolitionist George Willison Adams, the 29-room mansion once served as a symbol of freedom and progress, playing a role in the history of the Underground Railroad.Today, the estate is known for something else—its reputation as one of Ohio's most haunted locations.Amy Green of the G.W. Adams Educational Center joins us to explore the remarkable history of Prospect Place and the chilling encounters reported by visitors and investigators alike. Shadow figures, disembodied voices, ghostly laughter, and even the lingering scent of cigar smoke have all been experienced within its walls.But who—or what—still remains at Prospect Place?#ProspectPlace #ProspectPlaceEstate #HauntedOhio #TheGraveTalks #UndergroundRailroad #HauntedMansion #ParanormalPodcast #GhostEncounters #HistoricHauntings #ParanormalInvestigation #OhioGhosts #SupernaturalStoriesLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOIn the small town of Trinway, Ohio, the grand Prospect Place Estate has stood since 1856. Built by abolitionist George Willison Adams, the 29-room mansion once served as a symbol of freedom and progress, playing a role in the history of the Underground Railroad.Today, the estate is known for something else—its reputation as one of Ohio's most haunted locations.Amy Green of the G.W. Adams Educational Center joins us to explore the remarkable history of Prospect Place and the chilling encounters reported by visitors and investigators alike. Shadow figures, disembodied voices, ghostly laughter, and even the lingering scent of cigar smoke have all been experienced within its walls.But who—or what—still remains at Prospect Place?#ProspectPlace #ProspectPlaceEstate #HauntedOhio #TheGraveTalks #UndergroundRailroad #HauntedMansion #ParanormalPodcast #GhostEncounters #HistoricHauntings #ParanormalInvestigation #OhioGhosts #SupernaturalStoriesLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

It's The Stacks Book Club day, and we're joined by New York Times bestselling romance novelist Jasmine Guillory to discuss Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. Set in 1858, this book follows Hester Wyatt, a conductor on Michigan's Underground Railroad, who is tasked with protecting Galen Vachon, a vital member of the Northern network. As he recovers from his injuries, their initial clash gives way to a deepening romance, forcing them to navigate their relationship while fighting for freedom. Today, we go through the book, plot point by plot point, to discuss how Beverly Jenkins skillfully infuses history into the narrative, the book's tropes, and the relationship between the author and reader in romance novels.There are spoilers in this episode.Make sure you listen to the end to hear what our March book club pick will be!You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks website: https://www.thestackspodcast.com/2026/2/25/ep-413-indigoConnect with Jasmine Guillory: Website | Instagram | Threads | Twitter/XConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Threads | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Youtube | SubscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.