In our first episode, Mary, Gary, and Eryn break down the frenzy in a colonial Massachusetts town that left nineteen people dead. Approaching the subject on both a micro and a macro level, they trace the origin story, discover motives of accusers and authority figures, and discuss the broader cultural implications.

Join Mary, Gary, and Eryn as they choose to go to the moon. They'll discuss the true motivations behind the famous "space race," the future of humans in space, and reveal which one of them would make a terrible lab partner in the process.

Mary, Eryn, and guest Kirk will discuss who exactly the bearded presidents of the late 1800s were and why they are largely forgotten today. They'll tie facial hair to a broader question of how appearance in our leaders has changed throughout the years, and what it says about society.

In the final episode of season one, Mary, Gary, and Eryn travel back in time to the 1960s and listen to some of the most iconic songs from the period. They'll discuss how music and protest influenced each other during these pivotal years in American history, and how those involved in social change use music to convey their messages. What about this music made it so powerful back then and continues to inspire people today?

The 4th has many different meanings for many different groups in America. Some see it as a time to celebrate with barbecues, others ask deep questions about the prevalence of slavery conflicting with the ideas of freedom for all presented in the Declaration of Independence, many do both! Mary, Gary, and Eryn explore these themes and more.

Join Mary, Gary, and Eryn as they celebrate and reflect on the fascinating life of Amelia Earhart, a true American trailblazer. They’ll delve into the famed aviator’s cultural influence as a pioneering female figure, as well as the mysterious—and still unresolved—circumstances surrounding her disappearance in 1937, in the midst of a daring effort to circumnavigate the globe.

We hear the phrase "The American Dream" all the time, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of Fabric of History, Mary, Gary, and Eryn explore this question by tracing the origins of one of the most successful families in American history, the Vanderbilts. What do the legacies of some of its most prominent members teach us about integrity and human nature?

With the Democratic and Republican National Conventions fast approaching, Mary, Gary, and Eryn take a look at the history behind these pivotal electoral systems. From the elitist presidential nominating processes that defined much of the 19th and 20th centuries, to the more inclusive systems of the modern era, the roles of party caucuses, primaries, and conventions have shifted considerably over time. How have today’s elections come to represent the voice of the people?

To continue our celebration of the 19th Amendment's ratification, Mary, Gary, and Eryn discuss the seminal works of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter, Mary Shelley. They’ll explore how both women were icons in their own rights, as Wollstonecraft famously advocated for enhanced female education in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, while Shelley authored the sci-fi classic, Frankenstein. Learn how this mother-daughter pair proved to be an empowering force in the early struggle for women’s rights and equality!

For our first ever Fabric of History interview, Mary brings fellow BRI staff member Tony Williams on to discuss his book The Pox and the Covenant, a fascinating look at Boston’s 1721 smallpox epidemic and the far-reaching effects it had on colonial society and the relationship between science and religion. How did Puritan minister Cotton Mather and others employ new scientific methods to mitigate the epidemic? And what unlikely role did a young Benjamin Franklin have in response to them?

The start of the school year prompts Mary, Gary, and Eryn to reflect on the broader concept of education and how schooling has evolved throughout history. They'll explore how educational structures reflected the times during which they were implemented and what modern-day schooling says about our values today. Has the purpose of education changed over time? And what should the future of education look like?

Gary, Mary, and Eryn reflect on a particularly important moment in the civil rights movement, the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. They'll explore how the events of Selma fit into the bigger picture of the civil rights movement and the passage of the Voting Rights Act. What can this march teach us about the significance of turning points in a movement? And what lessons from it are still very relevant today?

Why do certain moments in time stand out to us? Today, Mary, Gary, Eryn, and special guest Joshua Schmid explore this question by tracing the sinking of the Lusitania and how it fit into the complicated state of foreign affairs in 1915. Was the German U-boat torpedo of the British ocean liner an act of evil or of defense? With two years separating the tragedy and America’s entrance into World War I, was this really a turning point in the war?

In a world of Zoom, Netflix, and automation, technology is all around us. This week, Mary, Gary, and Eryn take a look at the most significant technological changes across history—from the wheel to the Dot-com era—to understand human reaction to change. Does technological change always equal progress, or does it present new challenges? What happens to those who don’t want to adapt?

Disney World, Disney+, Donald Duck. The legacy of Walt Disney is all around us, but what do we actually know about the creator of the multi-industry empire we have all grown up with? In our last episode of 2020, Mary, Gary, and Eryn, are joined by special guest Tracey Downey, teacher and long-time Disney World cast member, to examine the relationship between the entrepreneur Walt Disney and his company today. What can Tracy's unique insider perspective teach us about the thoughtfulness that goes into the Disney experience? How important is Walt's vision to the present-day company?

Does democracy always foster moral success, or can the systems in place actually help those with devious intentions? To kick off our first episode of season three, Mary, Gary, and Eryn explore these questions by examining the life of Boss Tweed and why the backdrop of Gilded Age New York City was a perfect setup for the corrupt politician to seize power. How did Tweed manipulate each sector of society--from the police to groups of immigrants--to control an entire city?

They say to “never let a crisis go to waste,” but does that include war? Embodied in characters like “Daddy Warbucks” from the musical Annie, war profiteering has been an integral part of American history since the Civil War. In this episode, Mary, Gary, and Eryn discuss the history of war profiteering and its implications today. What is the difference between supporting a war effort and profiting from it? What challenges does this age-old business pose to democracy?

What was the seminal moment in the votes for women movement? Join Mary and special guest Dr. Emily Krichbaum, History Department Chair at the Columbus School for Girls and founder of Remember The Ladies, as they delve into women’s progression of rights, ultimately leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment. What many roles did women have in advancing their right to vote? What methods of protest made Alice Paul different from her contemporaries? Check out more episodes at https://billofrightsinstitute.org/podcast

What does prohibition tell us about the balance between personal freedom and regulation? Join Mary, Gary, and Eryn as they discuss how one of the Constitution's limited amendments led to prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors." What was it about the culmination of the temperance movement that allowed prohibition to become an amendment to the Constitution? Why was turning to policy the approach to address the problem?

While “fake news” has become a concern in recent years, America has seen its periods of untrustworthiness in media before. In this episode, Mary, Gary, and Eryn explore the agendas of media tycoons like Pulitzer and Hearst during the age of “yellow journalism.” Did these big players overstep their boundaries by reporting rumors over facts to drive sales? How should we as a culture balance the rights of the First Amendment while also being truthful, responsible agents?

If you lived around the time of the Revolutionary War, where would you go to stay informed? Odds are it would have been the local pub. Join Mary, Gary, and Eryn as they discuss the impacts pubs and other public gathering places had on American discourse. Why were these places so pivotal for the discussion of ideas? Where do Americans gather today for their discussions?

From James Bond to Jason Bourne, we are culturally obsessed with spies. But are our perceptions of American spies and intelligence agencies true to life? Join Mary, Eryn, and special guest Vince Houghton, Director of the National Cryptologic Museum and former Historian and Curator at the International Spy Museum, as they explore spying's evolution through American history. How do we ensure the intelligence community is responsible while also having the autonomy to do its job effectively?

Is yesterday history? What about last week? At some point, the past eventually becomes history, but where exactly do we draw the line? Join Mary, Gary, Eryn, and special guest Matthew Housiaux, Reporter on the White House and State and Local Governments at The Kiplinger Letter, as they discuss the complex relationship between history and journalism. What does "good journalism" mean, and how does a diligent approach to consuming and recording current events help future historians?

They say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and they are probably right. Join Gary, Eryn, and guest Kirk as they explore the many varieties of amusement Americans have enjoyed throughout the centuries, from Vaudeville to sports. What role does leisure time have in our everyday lives? Does amusement serve a grander purpose that affects other areas of our lives? BRI's YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3xmvV1O

Do your rights end at the schoolhouse door? In a special episode of Fabric of History, Mary and Gary are joined by Nick Capodice, co-host and Education Outreach Producer for Civics 101, the podcast refresher course on the basics of how democracy works. What do the decisions of cases like Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. teach us about the relationship between students’ rights and schools’ ability to enforce protocol? And what exactly is the difference between on-campus and off-campus speech? Listening Guide: https://bit.ly/CDLpodcast

Do you believe in ghosts? To kick off season four with spirit, Mary and Gary examine haunting tales—both fiction and nonfiction—to discover larger revelations about our own humanity. Ghosts, spirits, phantoms, and apparitions: why do they have such a prominent role in our past and present?

They always say “learn from the past,” but looking at the vastness of history, this is a daunting task. This week, Gary is joined by guest Kirk, Director of Content, to look at the decisions of Benedict Arnold, a prominent American Revolutionary military hero who defected to the British side in 1780. How can looking at Arnold’s own virtues and vices teach us how we can make good decisions?

We keep hearing about the Freemasons in pop culture movies and books, but how much do we actually know about how they fit into U.S. history? This episode, Gary and Haley are joined by Brad Kohanke, Freemason historian and author, to discuss insights on the Free Mason’s values and origins up through the present. Where do we see Masonic symbols around us, and what do they mean?

How much of the Pilgrims' story is a myth, and what exactly is important to remember about the meal they shared with local Native Americans? Mary is joined by Tony and Kirk to delve into the Pilgrims' harrowing journey to Plymouth and first winter to understand and appreciate the larger themes of what we commemorate as Thanksgiving today.

Baseball has always been a central part of American culture, but did you know that it has an integral part in American history as well? From civil rights to globalization, elements of baseball have mirrored and even led these movements through time. Today, Mary is joined by Adam Cushing, BRI's COO and self-proclaimed baseball aficionado, and Dr. Vincent Cannato, professor of history at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, to discuss some of the most important movements reflected in baseball and America’s love of the game.

Lizzie Borden, the famous woman from Fall River, Massachusetts, who went to trial for brutally murdering her father and step-mother, was acquitted, so why does the age-old rhyme vividly describe her wielding an ax, and why do so many of us believe she did it? In this episode, Mary, Kirk, and Haley break down the facts of the murders and explore why a century-old case captures our imagination in such a profound way. Why did the trial create a media frenzy across the country and bring a city to a standstill? How did it reflect important social issues of the time like women’s rights and classism?

BRI Staff share their memories of Gary Colletti, cherished friend and colleague, who passed away on November 5, 2021.

Lawless bandits, high sea adventure, and buried treasure! When we dress up as pirates on Halloween, do our humorous sayings and elaborate costumes bear any resemblance to the real pirates that once terrorized North America? In this episode of Fabric of History, Mary, Kirk, and Haley discuss piracy's rise and fall in the Mediterranean and American Colonies, Blackbeard’s fierce tactics, pirate havens, and more. Why did so many choose this rough life and why do we romanticize pirates today?

It’s uncommon to look at the front page of any newspaper and not see an article about impending Supreme Court nominations and debates. But was this always the case? Were proceedings of the Supreme Court as publicized throughout American history as they are now? In this week’s episode of Fabric of History, Mary, Kirk, and Haley explore what the Constitution actually says about the Supreme Court and how history has interpreted and evolved its role ever since.

What is Hollywood to you? Is it watching a movie that transports you to another world, a tabloid full of colorful celebrity stories, or the larger-than-life neighborhood in Los Angeles? In this episode of Fabric of History, Mary, Kirk, and Haley go back to the very beginning of show business in the once sleepy backwater of California to discover why Hollywood has endured and thrived in American culture.

What do a piece of art, a medical record, and a top 40 song have in common? They can all be NFTs. In this episode, Mary, Kirk, and Haley, break down what exactly NFTs, or non-fungible tokens are, and their real-life applications outside of enthusiast communities. Why are NFTs so revolutionary, and how are they changing concepts of ownership and social interaction?

As an American in the 21st century, it’s incredibly easy to look back on the Revolutionary War and joke about the "redcoats," but would you really have been a patriot if you lived at that time? In a special episode of Fabric of History, Mary is joined by Dr. Rebecca Brannon, Associate Professor of History and Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and author of "From Revolution to Reunion: The Reintegration of the South Carolina Loyalists," to take a closer look at the reasons why people chose to side as patriots or loyalists, or why they may have decided to walk the challenging tightrope of neutrality. What are some examples of regular citizens navigating this difficult time, and what happened to them after the Revolution? What unique challenges did the Revolution pose for minorities and women?

What happens when a pop culture depiction of history is better known than the history itself? The well-known Oregon Trail computer game created in the 1970s brings players on a tumultuous journey from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon in the mid-1800s, but how accurate to history is it? In this special episode of Fabric of History, Mary is joined by Dr. Andrew Fisher, author and Associate Professor of History at the College of William and Mary, to shed light on how accurate the game's challenges were. Why did so many Americans choose to go West in the mid-1800s? What were the impacts of pioneers interacting with Native Americans and their territory as they moved West?

As Emma Watson says in the HBO special “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” “there’s something about Harry Potter that makes life richer.” In this episode of Fabric of History, Mary, Kirk, and Haley explore the meaning of this phrase and why Harry Potter has had such a lasting impact on so many people’s lives. What is it about the human themes set in a magical world that makes the series and the way we engage with it so unique?

Although Theodore Roosevelt’s energetic personality is remembered today by most Americans as almost larger than life, who really was Roosevelt the person, not the legend? In our last episode of Season 5, Mary and Kirk are joined by Tony Williams, BRI Senior Teaching Fellow, to explore Roosevelt’s personal and professional life and what it is about him that continues to fascinate us today. How did Roosevelt overcome the death of both his wife and daughter by traveling west? What is his legacy of American imperialism that still exists today?