Best Jim Daws Podcasts (2025)

1
David St. John Reads Larry Levis 41:30

9d ago41:30

41:30

David St. John joins Kevin Young to read “Picking Grapes in an Abandoned Vineyard,” by Larry Levis, and his own poem “The Shore.” St. John is the author of many poetry collections and the recipient of honors including the Rome Fellowship and an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the O. B. Hardison Prize from the Folg…

1
Ashley Whitehead Luskey of Civil War Institute 9:18

11d ago9:18

9:18

In a mini-podcast, historian Ashley Whitehead Luskey — assistant director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College — chats with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks. On April 12, 2025, she was among the speakers at the Maryland Campaign Symposium at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Pa. It also included historians S…

1
Jon-Erik Gilot on Maryland Campaign Symposium 13:24

13d ago13:24

13:24

In a mini-podcast, Jon Erik-Gilot — curator at the Thomas Espy Post at the Andrew Carnegie (Pa.) Free Library And Music Hall — dishes with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks on the recently held Maryland Campaign Symposium he organized. It featured historians Scott Harwig ("I Dread The Thought Of The Place"), Dennis Frye, Harry Smeltzer, John Hop…

1
Antietam potluck: Historian Scott Hartwig, more 1:00:06

21d ago1:00:06

1:00:06

In a freewheeling Episode 34 — taped before an audience at the Maryland Campaign Symposium at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Pa. — historians Scott Hartwig (I Dread The Thought Of The Place), Kevin Pawlak and Harry Smeltzer, as well as Dana Shoaf and Melissa Hacker Winn of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Fre…

1
Edward Hirsch Reads Gerald Stern 31:05

1M ago31:05

31:05

Edward Hirsch joins Kevin Young to read, “96 Vandam,” by Gerald Stern, and his own poem “Man on a Fire Escape.” Hirsch's honors include a MacArthur Fellowship, a National Book Critics Circle Award, the Pablo Neruda International Presidential Medal of Honor, and a National Jewish Book Award. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Antietam hero Rufus Dawes of the Iron Brigade 49:29

1M ago49:29

49:29

In a freewheeling Episode 33, podcast hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks discuss Iron Brigade officer Rufus Dawes, who endured despite losing his best friend at Antietam. Plus, Tom dishes on his upcoming book, The Year That Made America, and John talks about staring into Ben Franklin's privy in Philadelphia and a post-Gettysburg battlefield tramping…

1
Artillery expert Jim Rosebrock 54:05

2M ago54:05

54:05

On Episode 32, Antietam battlefield guide and author Jim Rosebrock — a retired U.S. Army officer and Department of Justice employee — talks with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about all things artillery at the Battle of Antietam. Plus, he dishes on two seldom-visited sites on the field and shares an unforgettable story about the horses of Ant…

1
Jericho Brown Reads Elizabeth Alexander 36:29

2M ago36:29

36:29

Jericho Brown joins Kevin Young to read, “When,” by Elizabeth Alexander, and his own poem, “Colosseum.” Jericho Brown, who received the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in poetry for his collection “The Tradition.” He’s a 2024 MacArthur Fellow and a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
Historian Rich Condon 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

On Episode 31, historian Rich Condon — editor of the Civil War Pittsburgh web site — talks with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about Robert Gould Shaw's role at Antietam, the Emancipation Proclamation and another terrible event that occurred Sept. 17, 1862. Plus, he dishes on Robert Smalls, whose life story merits a Hollywood-produced move. (…

1
Grammy Award winner Taylor Agan 47:22

3M ago47:22

47:22

On Episode 30, 2025 Grammy Award winner Taylor Agan, who has, like, one billion Civil War soldier ancestors, talks with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about his deep interest in the Civil War period and researching his ancestry. At the Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862, John Francis Agan of the 23rd Georgia — Taylor's great great great gra…

1
Kevin Young and Deborah Garrison Discuss “A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker” 35:48

3M ago35:48

35:48

This year, The New Yorker turns one hundred years old, and, to celebrate the occasion, we’re publishing an anthology: “A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker, 1925-2025.” Deborah Garrison, a poet and an editor at Knopf, who worked closely with The New Yorker on this exciting project, joins Kevin Young to discuss the anthology. Learn about your ad ch…

1
Author Chris Bryan on 12th Corps 57:20

3M ago57:20

57:20

On Episode 29, Chris Bryan — author of Cedar Mountain to Antietam: A Civil War Campaign History of the Union XII Corps, July-September 1862 — dives deep into the corps' role at Antietam with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks. Bryan dishes on General Joseph Mansfield, right flank-left flank aspects of the fighting on Sept. 17, 1862, and on his do…

1
Brad Gottfried, Antietam guide/mapmaker/author 55:03

4M ago55:03

55:03

On Episode 28, Brad Gottfried — Antietam battlefield guide and Antietam Institute board member — talks about his Civil War map books, including The Maps Of Antietam, with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks. Gottfried also dishes on what he enjoys about being a guide, his favorite out-of-the-way battlefield site, the Antietam Institute and much mo…

1
Dobby Gibson Reads Diane Seuss 29:49

4M ago29:49

29:49

Dobby Gibson joins Kevin Young to read “I have slept in many places, for years on mattresses that entered,” by Diane Seuss, and his own poem “This Is a Test of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Wireless Warning System.” Gibson is the author of five poetry collections, including, most recently, “Hold Everything.” He’s also the recipient of fel…

1
Finding calm in the chaos with 10% Happier’s Dan Harris 1:19:36

5M ago1:19:36

1:19:36

Dan Harris, podcast host, author of 10% Happier and former ABC News anchor, shares his journey from covering war zones to discovering mindfulness and meditation. He discusses the toll of high-stress journalism on mental health, including his on-air panic attack, and how meditation became a transformative tool. Harris also addresses misconceptions a…

1
Dr. Mike Nickerson on Battle of Shepherdstown 51:04

5M ago51:04

51:04

On Episode 27, Dr. Mike Nickerson — president of the Shepherdstown (W.Va.) Battlefield Preservation Association — dives into the fascinating final battle of the Maryland Campaign with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks. Nickerson dishes on relics found on the battlefield and a musket discovered in the Potomac River. Plus, he tells the story of a …

1
Prioritizing people, well-being and resilience in journalism with API’s Samantha Ragland 1:35:03

5M ago1:35:03

1:35:03

Samantha Ragland, vice president of journalism programs at the American Press Institute, shares practical strategies for fostering mental health and well-being in newsrooms. She highlights how prioritizing people can lead to exceptional journalism and stronger newsroom culture. Ragland explores the balance between leadership and care, offering insi…

1
Tackling burnout in journalism with RJI’s Randy Picht and SmithGeiger’s Andrew Finlayson 1:16:33

5M ago1:16:33

1:16:33

Randy Picht, executive director of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, and Andrew Finlayson, executive vice president of digital and AI strategies at SmithGeiger, share insights from their landmark study on burnout in journalism. They discuss why 80% of journalists see burnout as a critical issue, how it's driving attrition and the solutio…

1
Rae Armantrout Reads Dorothea Lasky 28:58

5M ago28:58

28:58

Rae Armantrout joins Kevin Young to read “Mother,” by Dorothea Lasky, and her own poem “Finally.” Armantrout’s many books include “Go Figure,” “Finalists,” “Conjure,” and “Wobble.” Her collection “Versed” won a National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
From “fried and frozen” to thriving: Helping local newsrooms serve communities with COLab’s Laura Frank 1:38:33

5M ago1:38:33

1:38:33

Laura Frank, head of the Colorado News Collaborative (COLab), shares insights into sustaining local journalism through collaboration, innovation, and addressing critical challenges. She highlights COLab’s role in supporting over 180 Colorado newsrooms with reporting, engagement, revenue models, and resource sharing, while addressing the “fried and …

1
Antietam guide Jim Smith 52:04

5M ago52:04

52:04

In a freewheeling Episode 26, Antietam guide Jim Smith visits with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about his longtime interest in the battlefield (psst — it involves ballparks and Rush, the rock band). Plus, he highlights notable human interest stories and takes us (virtually) to two out-of-the-way battlefield sites you may never have visited.…

1
Slowing down and training the next generation of storytellers with Lede New Orleans’ Jennifer Larino 1:31:56

5M ago1:31:56

1:31:56

Jennifer Larino, executive director of Lede New Orleans, shares how her organization is reshaping local journalism by training young BIPOC storytellers to address community information needs. She discusses the origins of Lede New Orleans, the challenges of building an inclusive newsroom, and the importance of creating trusted spaces where community…

1
Bay City News’ unconventional model to serve newsrooms and communities with Katherine Ann Rowlands 1:08:02

6M ago1:08:02

1:08:02

Katherine Ann Rowlands, owner and publisher of Bay City News, shares insights into the unique hybrid model of her organization, which has served the San Francisco Bay Area with round-the-clock news coverage for 45 years. She discusses Bay City News’ evolution from a pure newswire service into a dual operation that includes the nonprofit site Local …

1
Inside O'Rourke Media Group’s community-first approach with Jim O’Rourke 1:27:41

6M ago1:27:41

1:27:41

Jim O'Rourke, CEO and founder of O'Rourke Media Group, shares his journey in local media, from delivering newspapers as a kid to founding a rapidly growing digital-first publishing chain. O'Rourke discusses his approach to acquiring and revitalizing local newspapers, investing in local talent and growing the digital business. He outlines the strate…

1
Antietam NPS ranger Keith Snyder 51:02

6M ago51:02

51:02

On the one-year anniversary of "The Antietam And Beyond Podcast," longtime National Park Service ranger Keith B. Snyder — chief of resource education at the battlefield — visits with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about the new Antietam movie to be shown to public for the first time on Veterans Day and educates us about U.S. Marines Corps' ex…

1
Evolving the business model for community news with Reviving Rural News’ Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci 1:04:44

6M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

Teri Finneman, Nick Mathews and Pat Ferrucci, authors of Reviving Rural News: Finding a Sustainable Future for Community Journalism, explore the unique challenges facing rural newspapers in the wake of the local news industry's financial crisis. They discuss their yearlong experiment with a Kansas newspaper, offering insights into how small communi…

1
Jim Moore Reads Jane Mead 23:12

6M ago23:12

23:12

Jim Moore joins Kevin Young to read “I wonder if I will miss the moss,” by Jane Mead, and his own poem “Mother.” Moore has published eight poetry collections, including, most recently, “Prognosis.” He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and multiple Minnesota Book Awards. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
The fight for local news in the world’s media capital with THE CITY’s Nic Dawes 56:06

6M ago56:06

56:06

Nic Dawes, executive director of THE CITY, discusses the vital role nonprofit journalism plays in New York’s shrinking local news ecosystem. He explains how his organization fills coverage gaps left by retrenching legacy media, focusing on investigative reporting and service journalism to meet the needs of New Yorkers across all boroughs. Dawes als…

1
Antietam guide Michael Hill 57:50

7M ago57:50

57:50

In a freewheeling Episode 24, Antietam guide Michael Hill talks with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about the ins and outs of becoming a battlefield guide, his favorite spot on the field — it's on the southern end! — and his journey from Lost Cause devotee to the present day. Plus, these three ink-stained wretches contemplate starting an "Old…

1
Strengthening democracy through local journalism and collaboration with Allison Taylor Levine of Delaware’s Local Journalism Initiative 1:00:04

7M ago1:00:04

1:00:04

Allison Taylor Levine, founder and CEO of the Local Journalism Initiative, shares her insights into building a nonprofit collaborative newsroom and the importance of local news to democracy. She discusses the challenges of launching the initiative in Delaware, from creating internship programs to fostering collaboration among local newsrooms. Levin…

1
Rethinking local news for BIPOC communities in rural America with Black by God’s Crystal Good 56:55

7M ago56:55

56:55

Crystal Good, founder and publisher of Black by God | The West Virginian, discusses her journey from poet and advocate to media entrepreneur, building a publication that centers on Black voices and stories in Central Appalachia. She shares her approach to rural journalism, blending reported news, features, and community writing to serve a populatio…

1
Fostering civic participation and community resilience through journalism with Baltimore Beat’s Lisa Snowden 1:06:20

7M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Lisa Snowden, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Baltimore Beat, shares her journey from being a reporter to running a Black-led newsroom dedicated to covering Baltimore’s diverse communities. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of sustaining a nonprofit news outlet, supported by a seven-figure donation that helped stabilize the Beat afte…

1
Antietam guide Kevin Pawlak 51:46

7M ago51:46

51:46

In Episode 23, battlefield guide Kevin Pawlak talks with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about the Antietam Institute's epic tour of the 40-Acre Cornfield and elsewhere on the southern end of the battlefield. Plus, Kevin, John and Tom begin their campaign for a Congressional Medal of Honor for 118th Pennsylvania officer Lemuel Crocker, whose h…

1
Amber Tamblyn Reads Didi Jackson 31:21

7M ago31:21

31:21

Amber Tamblyn joins Kevin Young to read “The Dahlias,” by Didi Jackson, and her own poem “This Living.” Tamblyn, a writer, director, and actor, is the creator of the newsletter “Listening in the Dark” and the editor of an anthology of the same title. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices…

1
It’s going to take a multifaceted approach to save informed communities with INN’s Karen Rundlet 1:00:34

8M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Karen Rundlet, CEO and executive director of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), discusses the increasing importance of philanthropy in sustaining local journalism. She shares insights from her time at Knight Foundation, where she helped launch initiatives like NewsMatch and Press Forward, and explores how nonprofit newsrooms can diversify reve…

1
Anniversary edition soldier stories 53:44

8M ago53:44

53:44

In this special 162nd battle anniversary edition of the podcast, co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks dive into some of their favorite soldier stories — from the United States soldier who carved his name into a window sill at the Dunker Church to four soldiers who wrote to loved ones as they lay mortally wounded on the battlefield and others. "7 AM…

1
The path to sustainability through innovation, collaboration and infrastructure with Knight Foundation’s Jim Brady 1:09:03

8M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Jim Brady, vice president of journalism at Knight Foundation, shares his insights into the current state of local journalism and the quest for sustainability. He discusses Press Forward, a $500 million-plus national initiative aimed at supporting local news. Drawing on his extensive experience in digital media, Jim reflects on the challenges and op…

1
Antietam Institute president Chris Vincent 49:30

8M ago49:30

49:30

On Episode 21 of "The Antietam And Beyond Podcast," Antietam Institute president Chris Vincent visits with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about battlefield farmsteads, his 132nd Pennsylvania ancestor, The Final Attack Trail, the upcoming Institute fall conference and much more. Vincent and his wife, Amy, own the historic Jacob Rohrbach Inn be…

1
Reinventing local journalism with community at its core: Exit interview with Candice Fortman 1:03:58

8M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

Candice Fortman, former executive director of Outlier Media, shares her journey transforming local journalism in Detroit. She reflects on the innovative service journalism model she helped build, which focuses on filling critical information gaps for underserved communities. Candice discusses how Outlier evolved from a scrappy startup into a well-r…

1
Equity-driven journalism with Resolve Philly’s Jean Friedman-Rudovsky 1:09:38

8M ago1:09:38

1:09:38

Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, executive director of Resolve Philly, delves into the evolution of the nonprofit newsroom and its mission to address the information needs of underserved communities in Philadelphia. She discusses the critical role of equity in journalism, sharing how Resolve Philly has integrated this principle into both its internal practi…

1
Bob Kalasky, Antietam photo expert 34:01

9M ago34:01

34:01

On Episode 20 of "The Antietam And Beyond Podcast," Bob Kalasky, author of Shadows of Antietam, talks with co-host John Banks about his groundbreaking photographic work on the battlefield. (Co-host Tom McMillan is on vacation in Ireland.) Kalasky — “The Shadow King” — is a leader in a unique subset of Civil War buffs and historians: the photo nerd.…

1
Dana Shoaf of National Museum of Civil War Medicine 54:05

9M ago54:05

54:05

In a freewheeling discussion, Dana Shoaf talks with co-hosts (and fellow Pittsburghers) Tom McMillan and John Banks about Dr. Jonathan Letterman, medical services at Antietam, Civil War ambulances and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Md., where he serves as director of interpretation. Shoaf, the former editor for Civil War Ti…

1
Valzhyna Mort Reads Victoria Amelina and Wisława Szymborska 43:31

9M ago43:31

43:31

Valzhyna Mort joins Kevin Young to read “Testimonies” by Victoria Amelina, which Mort translated from the Ukrainian, and “Map,” by Wisława Szymborska, which was translated, from the Polish, by Clare Cavanagh. Mort’s collection “Music for the Dead and Resurrected” won the 2021 International Griffin Poetry Prize and the 2022 UNT Rilke Prize. Her othe…

1
Brian Downey, Antietam On The Web creator 58:50

10M ago58:50

58:50

On Episode 18 of "The Antietam And Beyond Podcast," Antietam On The Web creator Brian Downey talks with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about his remarkable web site on the battle. Downey's longtime labor of love features bios and roughly 2,000 photos of soldiers who fought at Antietam, a searchable database, battle maps, a blog and much more.…

1
Reimagining local election coverage for community trust with NYU’s Jay Rosen 1:10:36

10M ago1:10:36

1:10:36

Jay Rosen, a prominent media theorist and professor of journalism at New York University, discusses the critical role of local election coverage and the Citizens Agenda model as an alternative to the traditional horse race approach. He emphasizes the need for local journalists to ground election coverage in the concerns of their communities, addres…

1
The rise and evolution of nonprofit news: Exit interview with INN's Sue Cross 1:06:16

10M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

Sue Cross, the recently retired executive director of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), shares her insights on the remarkable growth and impact of nonprofit news. She highlights the evolving landscape of newsroom founders, the crucial role of community support, and strategies to maintain journalistic independence from funders. Cross also addr…

1
Tom McMillan, John Banks talk Antietam, writing 51:22

10M ago51:22

51:22

In a freewheeling Episode 17 of "The Antietam And Beyond Podcast," co-hosts and published authors John Banks and Tom McMillan talk about approaches to writing about history, Confederate Brig. Gen. Lewis Armistead at Antietam, what motivates them to return to the battlefield again and again and much more. The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails…

1
Raymond Antrobus Reads John Lee Clark 39:41

10M ago39:41

39:41

Raymond Antrobus joins Kevin Young to read “A Protactile Version of ‘Tintern Abbey,’ ” by John Lee Clark, and his own poem “Signs, Music.” Antrobus has received the Rathbones Folio Prize, the Ted Hughes Award from the Poetry Society, the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, the Lucille Clifton Legacy Award, and a Somerset Maugham Award, amo…

1
Building a Nonprofit News Powerhouse with Mississippi Today’s Mary Margaret White 52:52

10M ago52:52

52:52

Mary Margaret White, CEO and executive director of Mississippi Today, discusses her journey in helping readers and philanthropy understand the value of journalism as a civic good. She shares insights on the history and growth of Mississippi Today, which launched in 2016 to fill a need for Capitol reporting and has since expanded to cover a wide ran…

1
Carving out new lanes for early-stage news startups with Tiny News Collective’s Amy Kovac-Ashley 1:02:59

12M ago1:02:59

1:02:59

Amy Kovac-Ashley, the executive director of Tiny News Collective shares insights on how Tiny News Collective supports early-stage news founders, particularly those from traditionally excluded communities, by providing resources, tools, and a supportive community. The discussion covers the importance of diverse voices in local journalism, the challe…

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Jim Daws Podcasts

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