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© 2026 Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
Description
Civics & Coffee delivers bite-sized U.S. history with clear, engaging storytelling — all in the time it takes to drink your morning cup of coffee. Host Alycia brings America’s past to life with well-researched episodes that are approachable, human, and impossible to forget.
In 2026, Civics & Coffee dives into the Gilded Age - a transformative era of booming industry, powerful presidents, labor uprisings, immigration waves, inequality, and social reformers. From national crises like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 to personal stories of figures such as Rutherford B. Hayes, Lucy Webb Hayes, and the Exodusters, each episode uncovers the people, tensions, and turning points that shaped modern America.
Whether you’re a longtime history lover or just history-curious, Civics & Coffee offers context without the homework and storytelling without the fluff. Grab your mug and join the conversation, one cup at a time.
334 Episodes
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Sitting down with me this week is author Shannon McKenna Schmidt to discuss her book You Can't Catch Us: Lady Bird Johnson's Trailblazing 1964 Campaign Train and the Women Who Rode with Her. Our conversation covers the preparation and significance of Johnson's tour, Lady Bird's unique style compared to her husband LBJ, her role as a trailblazer for women, and the security challenges faced during the tour. Tune in to learn about this and so much more - and then snag a copy of the book for...
Settle in as I wrap up my coverage of Charles Guiteau - the infamous presidential assassin of James Garfield. In this episode, I dive into how Guiteau came to the decision that the only way to fix the country's political problems was through murdering the President of the United States, his meticulous planning, and review the trial, The United States v. Charles Guiteau. Support the show
Charles Guiteau is infamous for his role in the assassination of President James Garfield. A man who believed he was destined for greatness and who thought he was on a mission from God, Guiteau was a complicated figure that deserves more analysis. Join me this week as I start to explore the life of the troubled Charles Guiteau - learn about his childhood and time in the Oneida community, as well as how he became a lawyer. Be sure to tune in next week to learn more about the plot to kill Presi...
In this conversation, Dr. Elizabeth Block discusses her book Gilded Age Fashion: More Than 50 Iconic Looks and the Stories Behind Them exploring the intricate relationship between women's fashion and social dynamics during the late 19th century. She highlights how the social calendar dictated fashion choices and the significance of material culture in understanding the era. Dr. Block also delves into the communication aspect of fashion, the fashion faux pas of the time, and the accuracy of co...
Join me for the concluding chapter of President James Garfield. After spending nearly two decades in Congress, James Garfield became the dark horse candidate for the 1880 presidential election. Yet, he would serve only a few months before being struck down by an assassin's bullet - and medical malpractice. Tune into learn about the few achievements of Garfield's brief presidency and the notorious shooting that claimed the life of a president in his prime. Support the show
How did a New York City subway shooting in 1984 normalize white rage and create a media ecosystem that celebrates greed? Join me as I sit down with historian Heather Ann Thompson to discuss her latest book, Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings, and the Rebirth of White Rage. Tune in to learn about what happened that December day in 1984, how the media helped create an alternative narrative, how one mother refused to let her son be turned into a villain, and how...
The Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park is a small but mighty public history site dedicated to honoring the sacrifices and telling the stories of the women on the World War II Homefront. Situated along the Richmond waterfront, this unassuming national park provides a host of educational opportunities for visitors including interviews with real-life Rosies past and present. Join me as I sit down with Rosie Jeanine Gibson to discuss her memories of working as ...
Tune in as I sit down with historian John Garrison Marks to discuss his upcoming book Thy Will Be Done: George Washington's Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory. We explore the complex legacy of George Washington's relationship with slavery and how Washington has been used as a symbol in contemporary debates about race and justice, as well as the myth-making surrounding his legacy. This conversation also touches on the evolution of the interpretations of Washington's legacy in ...
Elected in 1880 in one of the closest contests in American history, twentieth president James Garfield sadly died before he could leave a lasting executive legacy. Largely remembered for how he died, Garfield had an extensive political career, serving in the House of Representatives for nearly two decades. Join me this week as I explore Garfield's early life and career and get to know the president that many Americans have largely forgotten. Support the show
Joining me this week is author Alyson Richman to discuss her latest novel The Missing Pages. Tune in to learn all about what went into developing the world of Titanic victim Harry Elkins Widener, the power of historical fiction in connecting readers to the past, and what it takes to research a historical novel. Learn more about Alyson and her work on her website here. Grab your copy of The Missing Pages anywhere fine books are sold - or through my affiliate link on bookshop.org he...
In 1879, Richard Henry Pratt founded the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the first federally supported off-reservation boarding school for Native American children. Designed to promote assimilation into American society, Carlisle became the model for the broader system of Native American boarding schools that spread across the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In this episode, I explore how Carlisle operated, the federal policies that shaped it, and the la...
Join me as I sit down with author and historian Charles Ferguson to discuss his book Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David, which explores the history of the presidential retreat and the men who've shaped it. Learn about the original name for Camp David, how various presidents have utilized the retreat for relaxation and major policy negotiations, and the retreats lasting legacy in American history. Support the show
The Gilded Age was marked by the rise of powerful industrialists - but four men in particular are known for the power they wielded and the complex legacies they left behind. John D. Rockefeller transformed oil. Andrew Carnegie's steel empire was built on efficiency and reinvestment. Cornelius Vanderbilt revolutionized transportation and railroads in American and J.P. Morgan's financial prowess consolidated entire industries. Together, these men permanently reshaped the American economy for ge...
Before the Great Migration, there was a smaller, yet just as important emigration of Black Americans out of the South. For several months in 1879, thousands of freedmen and their families headed for Kansas, hoping to create a better life for themselves and establish a better future for the children. Learn about the motivation behind this exodus and why it sparked a Senate investigation. Support the show
Join me as I welcome historian and media literacy expert Dr. Vaughn Joy to discuss her book Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy. The book explores the evolution of Christmas films during the post-war era, paying close attention to the years 1945-1961. Join us as we explore the significance of Christmas as a cultural lens, the impact of the HUAC investigations on Hollywood storytelling, and the contrast in career trajectories of two iconic directors Frank Capra ...
Why the U.S. military isn’t supposed to enforce civilian law — and when that rule breaks down. Passed in 1878, the Posse Comitatus Act was designed to limit the federal government’s use of the U.S. military in domestic law enforcement. The law emerged amid the tensions of Reconstruction, when federal troops were regularly deployed to maintain order in the former Confederate states. In this episode, learn why lawmakers drew a sharp line between soldiers and police, what the Posse Comitatus Act...
Over the span of four months, several small bands of Nez Perce tried in vain to escape the clutches of the United States government. Traveling over a one thousand miles, hundreds of Nez Perce outmaneuvered the military, only to be forced into surrender less than one hundred miles from the Canadian border. What brought on the conflict between the two sides? And why does the Nez Perce fly under the radar? Tune in to find out. Support the show
Join me this week as I sit down with Dr. Marion Orr to discuss his book House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr. Learn about how Congressman Diggs brought national attention to the murder trial of Emmett Till, fought against apartheid in South Africa, and pioneered Black political influence in establishing the Congressional Black Caucus. You can pick up a copy of this book by visiting my affiliate shop on bookshop.org...
Entering the White House as women's roles in the United States were rapidly evolving, Lucy Webb Hayes represented a potential bridge for many. Would she be a champion for suffrage and temperance? Would she use her position as First Lady to usher in a new era for the United States? Tune in to find out. Support the show
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 stands as a pivotal moment in American labor history, illustrating the clash between workers' rights and corporate power. Sparked by wage cuts amid an economic depression, this strike transcended its origins, morphing into a widespread social revolution that echoed the frustrations of ordinary Americans across the nation. Tune in to learn all about the causes, lessons, and legacies of the Great Strike of 1877 and how it influenced future labor movements. ...
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