Civics & Coffee

Join me this week as I dive into the mysterious story of America's first female serial killer, Belle Gunness. Learn how her meager beginnings in Norway motivated her to seek prosperity in the United States, why she took in children, and how she managed to escape punishment for her crimes.

Join me this week as I sit down with authors Andrea Balis and Elizabeth Levy to discuss their new book, With Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare.

In the earliest months of Reconstruction, several Black Americans were elected to political offices throughout the south. The first man to serve in the Senate, Hiram Revels, hailed from the state of Mississippi. Join me this week as I dive into the life of Hiram Revels.

What was the Freedmen's Bureau, and how did it shape the post-Civil War South? Join me this week as I dive into the triumphs and trials of this historic agency. Learn how the Freedmen's Bureau worked to provide support and equality for newly freed African Americans and learn about its pivotal role in education, attempted land distribution, and legal assistance.

As the dust settled in the aftermath of the Civil War, the United States had several challenges to address. How should formerly seceded states be reintroduced to the Union? What punishment, if any, should former Confederate officials face? And what did freedom for Black Americans mean?Reconstruction is a complicated, nuanced period in American history. Join me this week as I introduce Reconstruction and what you all can expect over the next several weeks.

Joining me this week is Dan Slater. He is an author whose work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and GQ. Slater recently wrote the book The Incorruptibles: A True Story of Kingpins, Crime Busters, and the Birth of the American Underworld which tells the story of the origins of the Jewish criminal underworld in the early twentieth century. To learn more about Dan, head over to his instagram at: bydanslater

As news of end of the Civil War spread, officials made arrangements to get former POWs home. For union men, this meant traveling via steamship. A frequent method of travel, steamships had a reputation for bad accidents. A reputation that would prove true with the Sultana. Join me this week as I dive into one of the most devastating maritime disasters in U.S. history: the sinking of the Sultana. Overloaded and plagued by a critical flaw, this steamboat’s final voyage ended in catastrophic...

As the Union continued to rack up military victories deep in Confederate territory, there was a sense the end of the war was near. Despite hopeful sentiments, Abraham Lincoln remained stoic and cautious in his second inaugural address in early March. Little did anyone know that surrender would be in hand just over a month later when General Robert E. Lee requested to speak with General Ulysses S. Grant. What happened during their conversation? Tune in to find out.

For the final bonus episode in celebration of FOUR YEARS of Civics & Coffee, I am so excited to share a preview of a NEW bonus show I am hosting on Patreon: Civics & Cocktails! By joining the Civics & Coffee Patreon on community, you will get historical goodies like stickers, and access to the Civics & Cocktails RSS feed. Each month, I will welcome a guest (or two!) to chat about history over a delicious cocktail. You'll get the same great history, but with an adult twist!&nbs...

Joining me this week is historian and author Dr. Anthony Gregory. Dr. Gregory specializes in the intersection of liberal political theory and carceral studies. In this episode, we discuss his latest book, New Deal Law and Order: How the War on Crime Built the Modern Liberal State. You can learn more about Dr. Gregory by visiting his website at www.anthonygregory.com

The first Black woman to represent the state of Texas since Reconstruction, Barbara Jordan was a thoughtful, pragmatic politician. She rose to national prominence during the 1974 impeachment hearings of President Richard Nixon when her remarks outlined in stark detail the reasons for pursuing impeachment. Join me on this bonus episode as I dive into the life and career of Barbara Jordan. And if you need a refresher about the Watergate Scandal, be sure to check out the episode I did with the l...

In the late summer of 1968, thousands of protestors joined politicians, party leaders, and the media in Chicago to attend the Democratic National Convention. The convention is known as one of the most chaotic and violent conventions in history and led to significant changes in the party nominating process. Tune in as I dive into what happened and why so many are comparing 1968 to 2024.

Joining me this week is educator and historian Kristin Kessinger. In this episode, we discuss her scholarship analyzing the southern paternalistic justifications for slavery in Missouri and how important it is to understand our past. You can follow Kristin on instagram through her handle: rockthekessbah.

In the final months of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln focused his attention on securing the passage of a constitutional amendment banning slavery. But why, if he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, was an amendment necessary?Tune in this week to find out.

James Baldwin was a writer, activist, and world traveler who dedicated his life to understanding his identity and how it fit within American society. His writing deftly explore these topics and sheds a light on the Black experience in the twentieth century.Joining me for this bonus episode is past guest Ethan Healey. Healey shares his research about Baldwin's search for identity, how it influenced his activism, and why Baldwin's work still resonates today.