The Right to Drink - F*ck True, We Swear On Our Brews

Arrogant Bastard. Raging Bitch. Big Red Coq. Edgy and offensive beer labels are everywhere. They’ve become a part of the craft beer movement. They are accompanied by boundary-pushing illustrations and drawings, too. But sometimes the government says: No way. Welcome to the litigious world of swear words, suds, and free speech.

Follow Jarrett Dieterle on Twitter @JarrettDieterle

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Crusade Episode 3 “Fiasco”

In this episode, we hear about the disastrous conclusion of the Second Crusade, which stands in complete contrast to the spectacular success of the First Crusade. It also marked a turning point for both the Crusaders and the Byzantines, as their mutual hostility grew amidst the rising tide of Islamic power.

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 - How Accountable Is The Mayor For Police Misconduct?

For the last couple of months, we’ve been bringing you stories from our archive as we experiment with some new formats. Now, we wanted to share one of the stories we’ve been working on. As protests continue over police brutality and systemic racism in the justice system, WBEZ Criminal Justice Reporter Patrick Smith breaks down how the police accountability system works in Chicago, how these decisions are made— and what power the mayor holds in cases of police misconduct.

If you want to share feedback on this episode, send us comments to curiouscity@wbez.org.

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Crusade Episode 2 “The Road to Defeat”

In this episode, we look at the passage of the Second Crusade through the Byzantine Empire and on into Anatolia which was a major war zone between the Byzantines and the Turks. Hopes were high for the Second Crusade, led by the two greatest Kings of Europe, Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany. But a cruel fate awaited them.

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.

The Right to Drink - Why Your Craft Cocktail Should Cost $4

Why is your craft beer and favorite cocktail so dang expensive? What does this have to do with America’s only mother-daughter distilling duo? Join host Jarrett Dieterle, author of Give Me Liberty & Give Me A Drink (Artisan Books), as he exposes the long-running battle between booze producers and government and explains why your drink costs more than it should.

Foley courtesy of freesfx.co.uk.

Curious City - What A Murder In My Family Reveals About Chicago’s Chinese Gangs

The inaugural citywide Curious City Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Eats Edition is coming to an end, so we’re capping off the past month of unlocking clues by revisiting a family mystery. In this episode from 2018, reporter Monica Eng digs into her family’s past to answer a listener’s question about the history of Chinese gangs in Chicago — and make sure to stick around for an update at the end of the story.

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Crusade Episode 1 “The Gathering of the Kings”

In this episode, after the fall of Edessa to Zengi in 1144, the Kingdom of Jerusalem appeals to Pope Eugenius III for help. The great preacher, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux gives an electrifying sermon in France, calling for a new Crusade to save the Franks in the East. The West is again set alight with crusading fervour, just as it had been with the First Crusade in 1095, and two huge armies, led by the Kings of France and Germany, march East.

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 - Why Did So Many Chicago Bars Disappear?

While our recent episodes have been taking you to different neighborhoods throughout the city, this week we’re visiting a Chicago neighborhood institution: the tavern. Recently, there have been a lot of debates surrounding whether to keep bars open during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to do so safely. And some of Chicago’s bars have struggled to stay in business. But even before the pandemic, bars have been disappearing.

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Kingdom of Jerusalem Episode 6 “The Fall of Edessa”

In this episode, we hear how King Fulk of Jerusalem died leaving the Kingdom of Jerusalem to his widow, Queen Melisende, and how the Crusaders' most feared enemy, Imad al-Din Zengi used this as an opportunity to launch an attack on the County of Edessa. The result would change the crusading world forever.

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.