Best Northern Indiana Podcasts (2025)

1
Toby Lincoln, "An Urban History of China" (Cambridge UP, 2021) 1:31:18

7h ago1:31:18

1:31:18

In An Urban History of China (Cambridge UP, 2021), Toby Lincoln offers the first history of Chinese cities from their origins to the present. Despite being an agricultural society for thousands of years, China had an imperial urban civilization. Over the last century, this urban civilization has been transformed into the world's largest modern urba…

1
Murad Idris, "War for Peace: Genealogies of a Violent Ideal in Western and Islamic Thought" (Oxford UP, 2019) 1:06:01

3h ago1:06:01

1:06:01

Murad Idris, a political theorist in the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics at the University of Virginia, explores the concept of peace, the term itself and the way that it has been considered and analyzed in western and Islamic political thought. War for Peace: Genealogies of a Violent Ideal in Western and Islamic Thought (Oxford University Pr…

1
Tricia Starks, "Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia" (Cornell UP, 2018) 1:00:09

2d ago1:00:09

1:00:09

How and when did Russia become a country of smokers? Why did makhorka and papirosy become ubiquitous products of tobacco consumption? Tricia Starks explores these themes as well as the connections between tobacco, gender, and empire in her latest monograph, Smoking Under the Tsars: A History of Tobacco in Imperial Russia (Cornell University Press, …

1
David Chaffetz, "Raiders, Rulers, and Traders: The Horse and the Rise of Empires" (Norton, 2025) 47:19

1d ago47:19

47:19

No animal is so entangled in human history as the horse. The thread starts in prehistory, with a slight, shy animal, hunted for food. Domesticating the horse allowed early humans to settle the vast Eurasian steppe; later, their horses enabled new forms of warfare, encouraged long-distance trade routes, and ended up acquiring deep cultural and relig…

1
Alexander Douglas, "Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self" (Random House, 2025) 1:10:43

1d ago1:10:43

1:10:43

In Against Identity, philosopher Alexander Douglas seeks an alternative wisdom. Searching the work of three thinkers – ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi, Dutch Enlightenment thinker Benedict de Spinoza, and 20th Century French theorist René Girard – he explores how identity can be a spiritual violence that leads us away from truth. Through their…

1
William Marx, "Libraries of the Mind" (Princeton UP, 2025) 1:05:38

1d ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Erich Auerbach wrote his classic work Mimesis, a history of narrative from Homer to Proust, based largely on his memory of past reading. Having left his physical library behind when he fled to Istanbul to escape the Nazis, he was forced to rely on the invisible library of his mind. Each of us has such a library—if not as extensive as Auerbach’s—eve…

1
Dan Reiter, "Untied Hands: How States Avoid the Wrong Wars" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 43:57

1d ago43:57

43:57

How do states advance their national security interests? Conventional wisdom holds that states must court the risk of catastrophic war by “tying their hands” to credibly protect their interests. Dan Reiter overturns this perspective with the compelling argument that states craft flexible foreign policies to avoid unwanted wars. Through a comprehens…

1
Y. Kokosalakis and F. J. Leira-Castiñeira, "Violence and Propaganda in European Civil Wars" (Routledge, 2025) 54:19

3d ago54:19

54:19

Violence and Propaganda in European Civil Wars explores the complex interplay between violence and propaganda during the continent's major civil conflicts in the first half of the 20th century. The book, edited by Yiannis Kokosalakis and Francisco J. Leira Castiñeira, uses a multidisciplinary approach to analyze how propaganda both reflected and fu…

1
Chris Washington, "Nonbinary Jane Austen" (U Minnesota Press, 2025) 1:11:55

2d ago1:11:55

1:11:55

In Nonbinary Jane Austen, Chris Washington theorizes how Jane Austen envisions a nonbinary future that traverses the two-sex model of gender that we can supposedly see solidifying in the eighteenth century. Arguing that her writing works to abolish gender exclusivity altogether, Washington shows how she establishes a politics that ushers in a futur…

1
Hanno Sauer, "The Invention of Good and Evil: A World History of Morality " (Oxford UP, 2024) 1:13:03

2d ago1:13:03

1:13:03

In this sweeping new history of humanity, told through the prism of our ever-changing moral norms and values, Hanno Sauer shows how modern society is just the latest step in the long evolution of good and evil and everything in between. What makes us moral beings? How do we decide what is good and what is evil? And has it always been that way? Hann…

1
Philip Cunliffe, "The National Interest: Politics After Globalization" (Polity Press, 2025) 58:28

2d ago58:28

58:28

Globalization is over. With US president Donald Trump pursuing an 'America First' agenda in trade and foreign policy, everyone now recognises the urgency of defending their own country's national interest. But what is the national interest and why did it disappear from the political agenda? Will Trump restore American national interests, or will he…

1
Somehow Cinema 1:03:20

3d ago1:03:20

1:03:20

To kick off our fifth season, Marc and Ivy sit down in person with Tim Richardson and Michael Kouroubetes. These local filmmakers are the brains behind the parody epics 'Dork of the Rings', 'Harvey Putter and the ridiculous premise', and the simply titled 'Dr. Spiderwack's Mind-Boggling Compendium of Fantastic Urban Beasts'. *There are some unfortu…

1
Sarah VanVactor - Founder and CEO of SoVan Media 26:47

3d ago26:47

26:47

Send us a text If you have always wanted to be an internet influencer, Sarah will tell you how to do it. She will also talk about why social media is such an important component for your company, and if you are not utilizing it to promote your business, you should be. And how, at such a young age, Sarah has risen so fast in her career, what was her…

1
John Givens, "The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak" (Northern Illinois UP, 2018) 1:08:36

3d ago1:08:36

1:08:36

In The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak (Northern Illinois University Press, 2018), Dr. John Givens of the University of Rochester discusses classics of Russian literature such as The Brothers Karamazov and Dr. Zhivago, as well as texts of less renown to English-speaking audiences, such as Tolstoy’s Re…

1
Martin Shuster, "Critical Theory: The Basics" (Routledge, 2024) 44:37

4d ago44:37

44:37

Why does critical theory matter today? In Critical Theory: The Basics (Routledge, 2024), Martin Shuster, a Professor of Philosophy and the Isaac Swift Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, explores the history, thought and legacy of the Frankfurt School to demonstrate the urgency of critical the…

1
The Nomadic Origin of the State 1:15:26

4d ago1:15:26

1:15:26

Contemporary, commonly-accepted understandings of the history of Chinese state formation see the nomadic pastoralists of the Eurasian steppe as peripheral appendages to a centralized, agriculturalist empire. In his work, Lhamsuren Munkh-Erdene argues against what he calls “the Sinocentric paradigm” in favor of an interpretation of nomadic pastorali…

1
The 25 Year Winter Episode 4: The cheating episode 1:09:59

5d ago1:09:59

1:09:59

It's finally here, the episode of The 25 Year Winter where we get into the South's (sometimes alleged, sometimes well-documented) rule-breaking as it took over college football. But it's not just that. In Episode 4 of our five-part series, Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis are dissecting attitudes: what fueled the South as it so cavalierly pushed the…

1
Thomas M. Kemple, "Marx's Wager: Das Kapital and Classical Sociology" (Palgrave MacMillan, 2022) 1:12:00

4d ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Marx’s Capital looms large today, a century and a half after first publication, a massive tome that attempts to document and map out the dynamics of a society consumed by capital accumulation. The complexity and scope, as well as its voluminous incompleteness upon his death, have left many readers perplexed, looking for a ‘royal road’ to comprehens…

1
Heisman Draft from Jeremiah Smith to Arch Manning to Jeremiyah Love | Young QBs vs. Veteran QBs 1:59:43

5d ago1:59:43

1:59:43

It's a draft of Heisman Trophy contenders on Kings of the North, as Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis are joined by Ari Wasserman and Andy Staples of On3 to pick 12 Heisman contenders. Each of the four drafters picks two favorites, one medium long shot and one big long shot, while discussing the most important players and teams heading into the 2025 …

1
‘We Had to Start from Scratch’ – Nicholette Prill on UX Design for Digital Tools in Manufacturing 51:09

6d ago51:09

51:09

In this episode of Landings, Camille sits down with Nicholette Prill, Lead UX Designer at Viewrail, to talk about what it’s been like to stand up a UX practice inside a fast-moving manufacturing company in the Midwest. Nicholette shares how her background in development, QA, and information architecture led to her transition into UX—and how she’s s…

1
Scott Pearce, "Northern Wei (386-534): A New Form of Empire in East Asia" (Oxford UP, 2023) 1:16:11

6d ago1:16:11

1:16:11

Emerging from collapse of the Han empire, the founders of Northern Wei had come south from the grasslands of Inner Asia to conquer the rich farmlands of the Yellow River plains. Northern Wei was, in fact, the first of the so-called "conquest dynasties" complex states seen repeatedly in East Asian history in which Inner Asian peoples ruled parts of …

1
Jeremy DeWaal, "Geographies of Renewal: Heimat and Democracy in West Germany, 1945-1990" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 50:28

5d ago50:28

50:28

The term “Heimat,” referring to a local sense of home and belonging, has been the subject of much scholarly and popular debate following the fall of the Third Reich. Countering the persistent myth that Heimat was a taboo and unusable term immediately after 1945, Geographies of Renewal uncovers overlooked efforts in the aftermath of the Second World…

1
The 25 Year Winter Episode 3: North leaks talent, South reaps advantages as SEC asserts dominance 56:48

7d ago56:48

56:48

As the SEC took control of college football, demographic shifts helped fuel that dominance by ensuring the region was flush with a large percentage of the country's best high school football prospects. To compound the issue, the North started leaking too much of its best talent. What did it amount to? Sustained success for the South. In Episode 3 o…

1
Aline Nardo, "Evolutionary Theory and Education" (Brill, 2025) 1:08:16

7d ago1:08:16

1:08:16

How has evolutionary theory shaped educational thinking over the past two centuries? ‘Evolutionary Theory and Education: The Influence of Evolutionary Thinking on Educational Theory and Philosophy’ (Brill, 2025) explores the considerable but under-appreciated influence of evolutionary ideas on educational theory and the philosophy of education. The…

1
Book Talk 67 : The Knowledge Machine: How Irrationality Created Modern Science 1:10:01

7d ago1:10:01

1:10:01

What is reliable knowledge? Listen to philosopher Michael Strevens, author of The Knowledge Machine: How Irrationality Created Modern Science, to understand how science discovers the truth. At the current moment, when expertise is under attack and the idea of truth is contested from all sides, Strevens explains the remarkable success of science’s “…

1
Christopher Ocker, "Luther, Conflict, and Christendom: Reformation Europe and Christianity in the West" (Cambridge UP, 2018) 38:34

7d ago38:34

38:34

Martin Luther - monk, priest, intellectual, or revolutionary - has been a controversial figure since the sixteenth century. Most studies of Luther stress his personality, his ideas, and his ambitions as a church reformer. In Luther, Conflict, and Christendom: Reformation Europe and Christianity in the West (Cambridge UP, 2018), Christopher Ocker br…

1
Bands Across America: Northern California (Grateful Dead & Journey) 45:51

7d ago45:51

45:51

Bands Across America: Northern California Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead (1970) & Journey – Frontiers (1983) Our journey lands in Northern California—home of counterculture trailblazers, iconic inventions, and musical legends. We spotlight two classic albums from Bay Area giants and dig into what makes the region an endless well for music lovers…

1
Why Nebraska, USC, Michigan make Big Ten deeper than ever | 8-way battle for playoff contention 1:49:39

7d ago1:49:39

1:49:39

How deep is the Big Ten this season? Maybe deeper than it has ever been? On this Kings of the North, Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis dive into what they think will be an 8-way battle in the middle of the conference behind expected Big Ten leaders Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon. What will separate the next eight teams? Who has the easiest schedul…

1
Christy Pichichero, "The Military Enlightenment: War and Culture in the French Empire from Louis XIV to Napoleon" (Cornell UP, 2018) 1:05:30

8d ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Covering the pivotal period from the mid-seventeenth century through the era of the French Revolution, Christy Pichichero's The Military Enlightenment: War and Culture in the French Empire from Louis XIV to Napoleon (Cornell University Press, 2018; paperback ed. 2020) is a fascinating interdisciplinary study that pushes us to rethink our ideas abou…

1
Richard W. Harrison, "The Soviet Army's High Commands in War and Peace, 1941–1992" (Casemate Academic, 2022) 1:46:21

8d ago1:46:21

1:46:21

Richard W. Harrison's The Soviet Army's High Commands in War and Peace, 1941-1992 (Casemate Academic, 2022) is the first full treatment of the unique phenomenon of High Commands in the Soviet Army during World War II and the Cold War. The war on the Eastern Front during 1941–45 was an immense struggle, running from the Barents Sea to the Caucasus M…

1
John Givens, "The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak" (Northern Illinois UP, 2018) 1:08:36

9d ago1:08:36

1:08:36

In The Image of Christ in Russian Literature: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Bulgakov, Pasternak (Northern Illinois University Press, 2018), Dr. John Givens of the University of Rochester discusses classics of Russian literature such as The Brothers Karamazov and Dr. Zhivago, as well as texts of less renown to English-speaking audiences, such as Tolstoy’s Re…

1
Marion Bower, "The Life and Work of Joan Riviere: Freud, Klein and Female Sexuality" (Routledge, 2018) 1:00:08

9d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Joan Riviere (1883-1962) is best known for her role in promoting the ideas of others. She came to prominence in the world of psychoanalysis as Freud’s favorite translator and Melanie Klein’s earliest and most loyal supporter. In her new book The Life and Work of Joan Riviere: Freud, Klein and Female Sexuality (Routledge, 2018), Marion Bower puts Jo…

1
Ian Johnson, "The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao" (Pantheon, 2017) 1:16:16

10d ago1:16:16

1:16:16

Ian Johnson’s new book, The Souls of China: The Return of Religion After Mao (Pantheon, 2017), was called "a masterpiece of observation and empathy" by The New York Review of Books, and The Economist, who included the book on its Best of 2017 list, said the book, "Shows how a resurgence of faith is quietly changing the country." The Guardian said t…

1
Christopher Marquis and Kunyuan Qiao, "Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise" (Yale UP, 2022) 49:21

10d ago49:21

49:21

Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise (Yale University Press, 2022) by Dr. Christopher Marquis & Dr. Kunyuan Qiao presents a thoroughly researched assessment of how China’s economic success continues to be shaped by the communist ideology of Chairman Mao It was long assumed that as China embraced open markets and private enterp…

1
Kevin Park | Sales Manager, Leatherman Supply 21:08

10d ago21:08

21:08

Send us a text Kevin will tell us what Leatherman Supply is and why the Goshen-based company made a significant investment in St. Joseph County by opening a beautiful showroom in Mishawaka. Kevin will tell us how he attracts and retains his top talent, and how a long-time educator found his way into the cabinets and countertops world, having zero k…

1
The 25 Year Winter Episode 2: Nick Saban, Urban Meyer leave the North and ignite Southern dominance 1:02:47

11d ago1:02:47

1:02:47

One of the edges for the South over the North in their dominant era of college football? Coaching. Nick Saban and Urban Meyer drove a new era of SEC excellence -- as natives of the North who spent much of their careers coaching in cold weather before turning around Alabama and Florida. How did the Big Ten let these Northern sons get away? Lacking s…

1
The Michigan mystery of 2025: Bryce Underwood, NCAA questions and rivalry dominance 45:37

11d ago45:37

45:37

Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis wrap up Kings of the North's coverage from Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas with a discussion about Michigan. How should we be thinking about the Wolverines in 2025? What impact will Bryce Underwood have? That and more from our final show from Las Vegas. Thanks for watching.…

1
An angry Oregon title run | Big Ten dark horses Washington & Minnesota | Day 2 from Las Vegas 1:46:51

11d ago1:46:51

1:46:51

Oregon won the Big Ten last season, went undefeated through the regular season -- and then the Ducks saw their season end in their first College Football Playoff game against Ohio State. Yeah, the Ducks are angry about that. On this Kings of the North from Las Vegas, Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis talk with three Oregon players and dive into how t…

1
Will Penn State live up to 2025 expectations? | Big Ten Media Days reaction 37:05

12d ago37:05

37:05

Penn State is the preseason favorite in the Big Ten, according to KOTN poll. Will the Nittany Lions live up to the expectations? How are they handling them? Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis check in from Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas to discuss.By Bleav + THE Media LLC

1
Ohio State's test | Curt Cignetti vs. SEC | Illinois-Indiana showdown | Inside Big Ten Media Days 1:51:43

12d ago1:51:43

1:51:43

Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Maryland and Rutgers kicked off the first day of Big Ten Media Days, and Kings of the North was there in Las Vegas to dive into all of them. Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis run through all six teams, while interviewing Ryan Day, Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs, Luke Altmyer and Athan Kaliakmanis among others. In…

1
‘There’s Always Another Step You Can Take’ - Kyle Klimek on Digital Transformation in Manufacturing 35:03

13d ago35:03

35:03

In this episode of Landings, Camille Zyniewicz sits down with Kyle Klimek, Chief Digital Officer at Viewrail, to unpack his journey from engineering student to tech executive—and why he left the world of consulting to go deep with one company. Kyle shares about his South Bend roots, how a serendipitous introduction brought him to Viewrail, and what…

1
Regina Kazyulina, "Women Under Suspicion: Fraternization, Espionage, and Punishment in the Soviet Union During World War II" (U Wisconsin Press, 2025) 49:04

13d ago49:04

49:04

Officially, women in the Soviet Union enjoyed a degree of equality unknown elsewhere in Allied countries at the time. However, long-standing norms of gendered behavior and stereotypes that cast women as morally weak, politically fallible, and sexually tempting meant that women in the army or living behind enemy lines were viewed with skepticism, se…

1
Christopher T. Fleming, "Equity and Trusts in Sanskrit Jurisprudence" (British Academy, 2025) 58:38

13d ago58:38

58:38

This monograph outlines the core principles of equity and trusts in Sanskrit jurisprudence (Dharmaśāstra) and traces their application in the practical legal administration of religious and charitable endowments throughout Indian history. Dharmaśāstra describes phenomena that, in Anglo-American jurisprudence, are associated with courts of equity: t…

1
Tony Petitti touts Big Ten strength, lays out playoff model | Nicole Auerbach joins: Day 1 Reaction 32:58

13d ago32:58

32:58

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti opened conference media days touting the strength of a league that's had the last two national champions, and why he thinks his College Football Playoff model is the right direction for the sport. Doug Lesmerises and Bill Landis give their takes on Petitti's comments, and then welcome Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports …

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