Everything is a Primary Source

America at 250 Episode 13: "Making F*R*I*E*N*D*S All Around the World: American TV and movies as cultural ambassadors."Maya met with me as the last guest of my day podcasting in Chicago this summer.  She works at the Museum of Broadcast Communication, a position helped along by her extensive experience teaching English all over the world.  She learned very quickly through her students just how much of a cultural impact American TV shows and feature films have made all around the globe.Maya and I discuss the How and Why of certain media resonating with audiences around the globe, be it Seventh Heaven, Breaking Bad, Forrest Gump, Shawshank Redemption, or Family Guy.  We also look into how these shows can create a certain image of our country in the minds of people who have never been to the USA, contributing to what one of her friends from Italy once said, "America is like a movie." This is the thirteenth episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture is examined for historical value and for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250#podcast #popculture #TV #movies #globalization

America at 250 Episode 12: "We the Viewers:  How TV advertising is a reflection of different eras and places."Brent is a volunteer docent at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, which is a perfect spot for him as he has spent most of his life connected to television production in one way or another.  As an ad man on Michigan Avenue--Chicago's answer to Madison Avenue-- Brent witnessed and took part in the evolution of marketing that responded to TV programming and viewing practices.Although I'm releasing these episodes in the order I recorded them, this one lands well for Constitution Day.  Much of this conversation involves examples from the history of American commerce, something that would have looked very different had it not been for the structure of the US Constitution, particularly Article I, section 8.This is the twelfth episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture is examined for historical value and for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250#podcast #popculture #TV #TVadvertising #constitution

America at 250 Episode 11: "Voice of the People: the democratization of media and its reflection of time and place."Having spent fifteen years working as a reporter and news anchor for different news affiliates around the country, Shawn Patrick Floss knows a thing or two about the power of cameras and microphones when placed in reach of ordinary people.   We met at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago and had an enlightening conversation about how people on the outside of the media world have had their say. Shawn was happy to share insights on what inspired him to pursue a career in TV news, and how rewarding his job was when he could give a "voice to the voiceless."  We also discuss the many ways people of all ages can share their thoughts and ideas in a constantly evolving and democratizing media landscape.This is the eleventh episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture is examined for historical value and for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250#podcast #popculture #TV #localaffiliate #tvnews

America at 250 Episode 10: "Staying in the Loop: Chicago's WLUP radio as an example of terrestrial radio's role in civic life." The Museum of Broadcast Communications has a special exhibit dedicated to its hometown Rock n roll radio station, 97.7 FM, WLUP.  Starting in 1977, "The Loop" immediately secured its place in the everyday life of Chicagoans like my guest, Luke, who grew up listening to its lineup of boundary-pushing DJs through the 80s and 90s.Our conversation highlights the role of radio stations-- of all formats --and their role in supporting strong civics in the range of their signal, something that has declined over the last 30 years due to corporate take over of local stations, satellite radio, and rise (ironically) of on-demand audio.This is the tenth episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture is examined for historical value and for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250This episode is brought to you by iCivics and their new educational game, Investigation Declaration.#podcast #popculture #chicago #TheLoop #radio

America at 250 Episode 9: "Sweepin' the Clouds Away: Sesame Street as a product of, and contributor to, American culture."  Mary Cay carries a lifelong adoration of Sesame Street and is quite familiar with its place on the pantheon of both children's educational TV and public broadcasting.  We had a wonderful conversation about how the show came to achieve that status at a hall of honor, the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago.I recognize that Sesame Street takes place in New York and not Chicago, but one of the many great points my guest in the Second City makes about the pioneering children's program is that it had an urban setting, something not very common for the era in which it first entered households. This is the ninth episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture is examined for historical value and for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.**As it occasionally happens when you discuss history on the fly, I make a misstatement in this episode. 1990 is the year of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but I link it to the Bicentennial, 1976.  However, legislation typically is the result of many years of work, and in the case of the ADA, much of that promotion began in the mid 1970s.**Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250This episode is brought to you by iCivics and their new educational game, Investigation Declaration.#podcast #popculture #sesamestreet #pbs