Curious City - “Living In Gotham City.” How Some Musicians Survived A Shuttered Industry

As Illinois reopens, Chicago area artists Lori Lippitz of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Lynne Jordan of Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, Juan Dies of Sones de Mexico and D2x reflect on what the last 15 months have been like, how the pandemic has shaped their music, and what they’re looking forward to as full capacity crowds come back.

Byzantium And The Crusades - Mongols and Mamluks Episode 3 “The Seventh Crusade: Triumph and Tragedy”

In this episode, we hear how the last major Crusade - the Seventh Crusade - led by King Louis IX of France, achieved outstanding success initially only to fail along the banks of the River Nile.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

Curious City - What’s The History Of Chicago-Style Giardiniera?

Curious City’s Monica Eng investigates the origins of Chicago’s favorite spicy condiment: giardiniera. This humble jar of veggies packed in oil has roots in Sicily, and Monica tracks down at least two different Chicago families who believe they should be credited for the original recipe. Plus, what’s the right way to say it anyway?

Back Bar - Moscow, Inc.

Capitalism made the Moscow Mule - birthed it, shaped it and groomed it into the superstar it is today. But it also left behind a mystery that took 75 years to solve. 

What is the Moscow Mule without the copper mug? That’s a question many people over the years have wrestled with. It’s almost as tricky as the mystery of where the mug came from in the first place. Answering that question involved tracking down a failed vodka salesman, a down on his luck ginger beer brewer and a mysterious Russian immigrant from one hundred years in the past. Special guests this week are Moscow Copper Co. Founder JJ Resnick and “Planet Money” co-host Robert Smith.

Please SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can. Join us every two weeks as we talk about history's favorite drinks and how what we drink shapes history. To see what's coming next follow Greg on instagram @100ProofGreg. #drinkinghistory

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Byzantium And The Crusades - Mongols and Mamluks Episode 2 “Mongols At The Gates”

In the the first half of the thirteenth century, it seemed as if nothing could stop the Mongols. Their empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean. Yet hopes grew in Europe that they would convert to Christianity and unite with the Kings of Europe in the greatest of all Crusades.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

Byzantium And The Crusades - Season 10 Mongols and Mamluks Episode 1 “Genghis Khan”

The last fifty years of the Crusader states were dominated by two new emerging superpowers - the Mongols and the Mamluks. In this episode, we hear the extraordinary story of the man who created the Mongol Empire - Genghis (or Jenghiz) Khan.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

Curious City - Safe At Work: The Life Of Alice Hamilton

Scientist Alice Hamilton’s investigations into toxins in Chicago’s factories led to some of the first workplace safety laws in the country. She was known for her “shoe leather” epidemiology, wearing out the soles of her shoes from all the trips she made to Chicago homes, factories and even saloons to figure out what was making people sick. Reporter Edie Rubinowitz has her story.

Curious City - Safe At Work: The Life Of Alice Hamilton

Scientist Alice Hamilton’s investigations into toxins in Chicago’s factories led to some of the first workplace safety laws in the country. She was known for her “shoe leather” epidemiology, wearing out the soles of her shoes from all the trips she made to Chicago homes, factories and even saloons to figure out what was making people sick. Reporter Edie Rubinowitz has her story.