BackStory with the American History Guys

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BackStory  is a weekly podcast that uses current events in America to take a deep dive into our past. Hosted by noted U.S. historians, Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Peter Onuf, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman, each episode provides listeners with different perspectives on a particular theme or subject – giving you all sides to the story and then some.

Please confirm carriage of evergreen BackStory with the American History Guys episodes by contacting Diana Williams @(434)-924-6894 or dwilliams@virginia.edu.

Moving from current headlines to drill down into U.S. history, each surprising BackStory episode features lively interviews with a diverse roster of scholars, experts, and ordinary citizens from around the country; listener calls; host discussions; and produced pieces. Topics are as diverse as college sports, reenactments, sugar, memorials, domestic terrorism, birthing, homeownership, the post office, philanthropy, protests, privacy, marriage, revivalism, and childhood—all in the context of American history.

BackStory is produced by  Virginia Humanities. Major funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities with additional corporate, foundation, institutional, and individual support.

Please visit our station landing page for upcoming episodes, promotional photos, and other information.

 


Series

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This series is for stations that want to subscribe to Backstory for WEEKLY deliveries using PRX's SubAuto system.

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188 Pieces

A collection of the best stories and features from BackStory, meant for excerpt by programs or stations.

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1 Piece

A collection of one-hour BackStory specials for use in station holiday programming.

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42 Pieces

Promos for stations airing upcoming episodes of BackStory with the American History Guys.

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A special three-part series of hour-long episodes exploring the causes and consequences of the American Civil War.


Pieces

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Sociologist Allan Horwitz discusses psychiatric diagnosis in the late 20th Century, and our changing perceptions of “sadness” and “depression.”

Bought by Radio Newark, PRX Remix, and WEZU


  • Added: Jun 03, 2013
  • Length: 05:44
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: “Attitudes Passionnelles”: woman in a state of hysteria, Credit: (Wikimedia Commons)
The American Psychiatric Association just released its latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) – a manual that says as much about how we vie...

Bought by WUFT, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., KREV-LP, WRPI and more


  • Added: May 31, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: Woman in Hysteria, Credit:  (Wikimedia Commons)
30-second promo for "States of Mind: Mental Illness in America" with 5 second hole for station-specific time/date tag.

Bought by WUFT


  • Added: May 29, 2013
  • Length: :30
  • Purchases: 1
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The American History Guys talk with a listener about how the trend of memorializing lost loved ones on Facebook has historical precedence.

Bought by WRGY, Prairie Public, KSFR, and Radio Newark


  • Added: May 28, 2013
  • Length: 08:28
  • Purchases: 4
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BackStory producers Eric Mennel and Nell Boeschenstein visit Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia to tell the story of a monument in honor of Heyward Shep...

Bought by WABE and Radio Newark


  • Added: May 28, 2013
  • Length: 10:49
  • Purchases: 2
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Host Brian Balogh talks with Teresa Bergman about the evolving film presentations the National Park Service has used to welcome tourists at Mount R...

Bought by Radio Newark and KBRP Community Radio


  • Added: May 28, 2013
  • Length: 10:11
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Proposed Mothers' Memorial by John Geddes, 1922-30, Credit: (Library of Congress).
This is a country awash in monuments. They adorn traffic circles, street corners and, of course, the National Mall. In this special Memorial Day ep...

Bought by Mississippi Public Broadcasting, KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif., WGBH Radio Boston, RadioStPete Florida, KMXT and more


  • Added: May 24, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 99
Caption: Proposed Mothers’ Memorial , Credit:  John Geddes, 1922-30 (LOC)
30-second promo for "Monumental Disagreements: Memorials in America" with 5 second hole for station-specific time/date tag.

Bought by KMXT, WUFT, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and WDSE


  • Added: May 22, 2013
  • Length: :30
  • Purchases: 4
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Host Brian Balough chats with Law professor Chris Sprigman about the intellectual property debates surrounding standup comedy – no joke!

Bought by WABE, PRX Remix, WEZU, Radio Newark, KHNS and more


  • Added: May 20, 2013
  • Length: 10:32
  • Purchases: 6
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BackStory hears from Kembrew McLeod – journalist, professor, and intellectual property “prankster” – on how a system meant to encourage innovation ...

Bought by Louisville Public Media, Radio Newark, and KBRP Community Radio


  • Added: May 20, 2013
  • Length: 02:39
  • Purchases: 3