Best Chris Elmore Podcasts (2025)

1
#336 No Elevator to Everest w/ Will Acuff 1:05:19

5d ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Ben & Bob sit down with friend and community builder Will Acuff for a conversation about how to find the good in life. Will founded the non-profit Corner to Corner, which “co-creates economic participation with underestimated Nashvillians,” alongside his wife Tiffany, and recently published his first book No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive …

1
#335 The Good Friday Agreement and the Future of Ireland w/ Mark Doyle & Greg O’Loughlin 1:00:31

12d ago1:00:31

1:00:31

The Good Friday Agreements of 1998 marked a turning point in Irish history, bringing an end to three decades known as The Troubles and laying a course for a better future for the people of Ireland. In this historian Mark Doyle and Friends of Sinn Féin Executive Director Greg O’Loughlin join us for a conversation about Irish history, the status of I…

1
#334 Eurovision Past & Present w/ Paul Jordan 57:48

20d ago57:48

57:48

A lot of Americans only know Eurovision via Will Farrell’s film, “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” which capture some of Eurovision’s over-the-top aspects, but the history of the annual event actually shines light on some of the biggest cultural, social and political developments in post-World War II European history. In this episo…

1
Charisma and American Politics– Live at Cat’s Cradle w/ Molly Worthen, Doug Heye & Rufus Edmisten 1:05:10

26d ago1:05:10

1:05:10

With our live show in Washington, DC coming up on May 29, we thought it’d be fun to share one of our previous live recordings from Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC w/ guests Molly Worthen, Doug Heye & Rufus Edmisten! Dr. Molly Worthen (Department of History at UNC-Chapel Hill), Doug Heye (CNN/former RNC Communication Director) & Rufus Edmisten (Deputy …

1
#333 John Cale’s Paris 1919 w/ Mark Doyle 53:28

1M ago53:28

53:28

John Cale is probably best known as a founding member of Velvet underground, but the four years he spent alongside Lou Reed represent a small fraction of the influence Cale has had on modern music. In this episode, recorded live at MTSU’s Center for Popular Music, Ben talks to his friend and colleague Mark Doyle about his new book in the 33 1/3 ser…

1
#332 The American Historical Association w/ Sarah Weicksel & Ed Ayers 56:09

1M ago56:09

56:09

The American Historical Association was chartered by Congress in 1884 and has played an essential role in helping foster and spread great historical research. AHA incoming Executive Director Sarah Weicksel and pioneering public historian Ed Ayers join us for a discussion of AHA’s history, its current projects and the damage that recent government p…

1
#331 The Global Economy Past & Present w/ Jari Eloranta 1:14:24

2M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

America’s role in the world is ‘changing’ and as much as things look new, we’ve seen a lot of this before. Economic Historian Jari Eloranta joins us to put NATO military spending, the looming trade war and other recent global developments in historical context. As always, there’s a lot that history can teach us when we pay attention to those who kn…

1
National History Day w/ Cathy Gorn & Don Wildman 57:01

2M ago57:01

57:01

Last week the Trump Administration announced it would be cutting more than a thousand grants to the National Endowment for the Humanities, including grants for every state humanities council. In a letter the administration stated that the NEH would be “repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of President Trump’s agenda…

1
Country Capitalism w/ Bartow Elmore 55:24

2M ago55:24

55:24

RTN is coming to Washington DC on May 29! Join us for a night of stories of murder and mayhem with guests Major Garrett, Margaret Talev, and Doug Heye at the Hamilton Live! You can get tickets and details at RTNpod.me/liveindc – hope to see you there! The “Amazon economy” seems like something new, but it rests on the physical and intellectual infra…

1
#330 Blank Checks w/ Ben & Bob 51:50

2M ago51:50

51:50

With tariffs, the Enemy Alien Act, and politically driven calls for judicial impeachment in the headlines, Ben & Bob decided to sit down and put these developments in historic context. We’ve never been so disappointed to have such a great reason to discuss the history we love! Some recommended readings: The US Constitution Scott Bomboy, “A Brief Hi…

1
The Corruption of Libertarian Philosophy w/ Andrew Koppelman 49:48

3M ago49:48

49:48

Libertarianism has had a tremendous influence on American politics, but according to Andrew Koppelman, its most prominent adherents have stripped libertarian philosophy of its more humane intentions. In this episode, Andrew joins Bob and Ben for a discussion about his book, Burning Down the House: How Libertarian Philosophy Was Corrupted by Delusio…

1
#329 Necropolis: Disease, Power & Capitalism in 19th Century New Orleans w/ Kathryn Olivarius 54:16

3M ago54:16

54:16

Come see us May 29th at the Hamilton Live in DC! Click here for tickets. Kathryn Olivarius joins Bob & Ben to explain the powerful role that Yellow Fever played in shaping all aspects of life in New Orleans during the 19th century. Kathryn is Associate Professor of History at Stanford University and the authorNecropolis: Disease, Power & Capitalism…

1
#328 Protect Democracy w/ Anne Tindall 51:10

3M ago51:10

51:10

Our next live show is in Washington, DC on May 29! Click here for tickets. Anne Tindall is Special Council at the non-partisan group Protect Democracy, where she works to ensure that elections are free and fair, to prevent political violence, and to secure accountability for abuses of power at the federal and state level. In this episode she joins …

1
The Civilian Conservation Corps w/ Neil Maher 52:35

3M ago52:35

52:35

Just announced: The next Road to Now Live is May 29 at The Hamilton Live in Washington, DC! Click here to get your tickets! Between 1933 and 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps enlisted more than three million young men in a project that planted two billion trees, slowed soil erosion on forty million acres of farmland, and enjoyed support across …

1
Traditional Chinese Medicine with Former Model Georgia Gibbs 52:50

3M ago52:50

52:50

Today on Beauty & the Babble, we are excited to introduce Georgia Gibbs, an expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cycle awareness, women’s health, and holistic healing. Georgia offers our audience a unique insight into the world of Eastern medicine, which focuses on healing from the inside out by addressing the root cause of health issues. …

1
Women & American Slavery w/ Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers 47:12

3M ago47:12

47:12

Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers’ is a historian whose work has shed new light on the roles that women played in American slavery. In this episode, she joins Ben and Bob to share some of the significant findings of her work, the sources she’s used to learn more about enslaved people and female slaveowners, and her new project, which reorients our understa…

1
#327 Mark Mustian and the Boy With Wings 49:25

4M ago49:25

49:25

What does it mean to be different? This is the question Bob explores with author and President of the Word of South book and music festival, Mark Mustian, as they discuss his new historical-fiction novel, "The Boy with Wings." Set against the backdrop of a traveling freak show in the American South during the 1930s, the narrative follows the poigna…

1
The History of Denver and the Wild West w/ Dick Kreck 46:30

4M ago46:30

46:30

This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations! During a past trip to Denver, Bob and Ben had the privilege of sitting down with journalist and historian Dick Kreck at the historic Brown Palace Hotel to discuss the fascinating history of Denver and its development in the 19th and early 20th centuries. With more than four decades of e…

1
#326 Politics and Society in Middle Earth: The Lord of the Rings w/ Dr. Scott Huffmon 1:05:56

4M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

This week, we welcome back to the program the Director of the Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at Winthrop University, Dr. Scott Huffmon. We usually have Dr. Huffmon on to discuss the prestigious Winthrop Poll, known as the most reliable and comprehensive poll regarding issues and politics in South Carolina. Today, however, Dr. Huffmon…

1
#325 In Defense of Partisanship w/ Julian Zelizer 51:46

4M ago51:46

51:46

Partisanship. What is it good for? Most people these days would say, “Absolutely nothing.” Julian Zelizer might reply, “Not so fast.” This week on the Road to Now we welcome backt to the show the Malcom Stevenson Forbes Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University, and CNN Political Analyst, Julian Zelizer to discuss his new book…

1
Gerd Schroth: From Child of Nazi Germany to American Citizen 48:39

5M ago48:39

48:39

The Nazi regime that came to power in Germany in 1933 unleashed the most brutal and comprehensive war that humanity has ever seen. The horrors of the Nazis and the destruction they left behind is something most of us learned about in history class, but for Gerd Schroth it is the story of his childhood. Born in Germany in 1938, Gerd came of age on t…

1
#324 Martin Van Buren: America’s First Politician w/ James M Bradley 1:27:27

5M ago1:27:27

1:27:27

Martin Van Buren served just one term as President from 1837 to 1841, but as the architect behind the founding of the Democratic Party, his legacy lives on in the US today. In this episode, we speak with James M. Bradley, author of the new book Martin Van Buren: America’s First Politician, to learn how Van Buren helped reshape politics in the 19th …

1
#323 In With The New (2025) w/ Ben & Bob 48:20

5M ago48:20

48:20

Ben & Bob recap 2024, what they learned this year and what might be in store for 2025. Happy New Year! This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.

1
The History of Santa Claus & Christmas Around the World w/ James Cooper 31:48

5M ago31:48

31:48

It’s Christmas time and this week we’re resharing the original RTN Christmas Classic! Christmas expert James Cooper joins Bob and Ben to explain how Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and other Christmas traditions made their way into popular culture. He also shares stories of lesser known traditions, such as setting fire to the giant Swedish straw goat…

1
It's a Wonderful Life: The Story Behind America's Favorite Christmas Movie w/ Eric Smoodin 1:05:34

6M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

Dr. Eric Smoodin, film historian at the University of California- Davis and author of Regarding Frank Capra: Audience, Celebrity and American Film Studies, 1930-1960, joins Bob and Ben for the history of the people, the industry, and law that made Frank Capra’s 1946 film It’s A Wonderful Life into one of America’s quintessential Christmas films. Th…

1
#322 Mitch McConnell: The Price of Power w/ Michael Tackett 53:08

6M ago53:08

53:08

Journalist Michael Tackett joins Ben & Bob to discuss his new book The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America and Lost his Party (Simon & Schuster, 2024). Tackett, who wrote the biography with McConnell’s consent, was granted unprecedented access to McConnell’s vast personal archives, his staff, and even the Senato…

1
#321 The Circus Continues w/ Mark McKinnon 1:02:22

6M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Mark McKinnon is former chief media advisor to George W. Bush & John McCain, cocreator of Showtime’s The Circus, and current writer at Vanity Fair. In this episode, he joins Ben & Bob to recap the 2024 election and what they think might come next. Click here to read Mark’s “An Open Letter to My Daughter,” published November 6, 2024 in Vanity Fair. …

1
CLEARSTEM: Whole Body Acne Treatment with Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina 35:19

6M ago35:19

35:19

Today on Beauty & the Babble, we have Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina, Founders of CLEARSTEM, a skincare line designed to treat acne holistically by addressing its root causes. CLEARSTEM® takes a whole-body approach, considering factors like mental health, physical well-being, diet, lifestyle, and nutrition. Rather than masking the issue wi…

1
#320 James Armistead Lafayette w/ Stephen Seals 54:33

6M ago54:33

54:33

James Armistead Lafayette lived a remarkable life. After being granted permission by his enslaver to enlist in the cause, James joined up with the Marquis de Lafayette and served as one of the most important spies in the Revolutionary war. After many years of petitioning for his freedom, James eventually gained his freedom and officially changed hi…

1
#319 Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn w/ Christopher Cox 51:24

7M ago51:24

51:24

Did you know that Woodrow Wilson didn’t have a regular job until he was 28 years old? Or that he didn’t complete all the requirements for a PhD? After retiring from politics in 2009, former Congressman and Securities & Exchange Commission Chair Christopher Cox decided to turn to history. The result is his new book, Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdra…

1
#318 Colombia, the US and the War on Drugs w/ Lina Britto 1:25:26

7M ago1:25:26

1:25:26

Most Americans are aware of Colombia’s role in the international drug trade, but we know less about the role that Americans played in the story as consumers, smuggling pioneers, and practitioners of a foreign policy that facilitated the rise of Colombian drug production. In this episode, journalist and historian Lina Britto shares the fascinating s…

1
#317 US Immigration Policy w/ Yael Schacher 1:26:05

7M ago1:26:05

1:26:05

US immigration policy has become one of the most contentious issues in American politics, but there is one point on which most of us agree: our immigration policy is broken. And while the sheer number of interests involved mean that an easy fix is unlikely, the best place to start is with a sound understanding of how we got the immigration system w…

1
The Epidemic Episode 55:48

7M ago55:48

55:48

It’s flu season, so this week on the show, we’re bringing you something seasonal: a history of epidemics in two parts. In part 1, we talk about the 1918 influenza outbreak with John Barry, author of the NY Times Best-seller Seller The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History (Penguin, 2005). And in part 2 we dig into the hist…

1
The Electoral College w/ Edward Foley 52:34

8M ago52:34

52:34

The Constitution empowers the electoral college to select the President, but the process for counting electors’ votes remains in the hands of Congress. In this episode, Constitutional Law Professor Edward Foley explains the origins of the electoral college, how and why the 12th Amendment changed the process for electing Presidents, and the concerns…

1
Unlocking the Subconscious Mind with Peter Crone, The Mind Architect 55:57

8M ago55:57

55:57

In this episode of Beauty & the Babble, we’re joined by Peter Crone, The Mind Architect, whose mission is to help humanity unlock its greatest potential. Peter is an expert in uncovering the limiting beliefs and subconscious narratives that shape every aspect of our lives. With experience guiding everyone from top athletes and famous singers to eve…

1
#316 The Women Who Shaped the White House in the 20th Century w/ Melissa Estes Blair 52:02

8M ago52:02

52:02

Most accounts of women in mid-20th century American politics highlight trailblazers such as Frances Perkins or the handful of women elected to Congress in those years. But women’s participation in politics- both as voters and as party activists- was far more significant than most Americans realize, elevating a group of white middle-class women into…

1
#315 America’s Most Violent Election w/ Dana Bash 53:15

8M ago53:15

53:15

On the surface, the election of 1872 might seem insignificant in US history; Ulysses Grant easily won reelection to the White House and his Republican Party maintained their dominance in both houses of Congress. In the south, however, the violence that followed the election at the state and local level was an ominous sign that the era of Reconstruc…

1
American Ramble w/ Neil King Jr. 50:42

8M ago50:42

50:42

In 2021, Neil King Jr. threw a few basic items into a backpack and walked from his home in Washington, DC to New York City. Over the next 26 days/330 miles, he met new people, uncovered forgotten moments of history, and spent many days thinking about America. In this episode, Neil joins Ben and Bob to discuss his book, American Ramble: A Walk of Me…

1
The 1970s w/ Jefferson Cowie 52:31

9M ago52:31

52:31

For a long time, it seemed like not much happened in the 1970s. Today it seems like so much of what’s happening can be traced back to those same years. The 1970s was a pivotal decade in American history. In a ten-year span, the United States admitted defeat in Vietnam, saw a President (and Vice President) resign in shame, and came face to face with…

1
WTF Does Your Birth Chart Even Mean? Unpacking Astrology with Eric Roberts of THE UNLOCK METHOD 1:01:29

9M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Today on Beauty & the Babble, we are excited to have Eric Roberts, an expert in astrology, human design, and alignment coaching. As the CEO & Founder of THE UNLOCK METHOD, Eric specializes in helping individuals discover their life purpose and achieve alignment in their personal and professional lives. Eric provides his clients with the clarity and…

1
#314 Reflections on Stalinism w/ Lewis Siegelbaum 1:00:32

9M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

The debates over school curricula, banned books, and what educators can teach in their classes have become increasingly polarizing in recent years, but they are nothing new in the US. For those who researched, wrote and taught about the Soviet Union under Stalin during the Cold War, following the evidence to a conclusion that challenged America’s e…

1
#313 How John Adams Defined the Presidency w/ Lindsay Chervinsky 55:20

9M ago55:20

55:20

John Adams’ single term as President has long been cast as a low point in his political career, but Lindsay Chervinsky sees it differently. "George Washington created the Presidency,” she writes in her new book Making the Presidency, “but John Adams defined it.” In this episode, Lindsay joins us to share why she sees Adams as a crucial figure in tr…

1
#312 America’s Worst Vice President w/ Niki Hemmer 57:42

9M ago57:42

57:42

The 2024 Presidential election is in full swing and so is the parade of personal attacks, appeals to emotion and (most important for us) grandiose and unsubstantiated claims about history. And of the many statements that fall in that last category, one stands out as both exceptionally ridiculous and a perfect setup to connect today’s politics to th…

1
Kabbalah and Spirituality with David Ghiyam of Mary Ruth Organics 53:50

10M ago53:50

53:50

Today on Beauty & the Babble, we are excited to have David Ghiyam, a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, co-founder of Mary Ruth Organics, and renowned Kabbalah teacher. David's journey is deeply rooted in spirituality and the teachings of Kabbalah, which have played a significant role in his personal and professional success. In this episode, we delve…

1
Lyndon Baines Johnson’s Legacy w/ Mark Updegrove & Mark A. Lawrence 54:50

10M ago54:50

54:50

With a sitting VP running for President for the first time since Al Gore’s failed bid for the White House in 2000, there’s been a lot of talk about the role the VP plays in government, the impact a VP pick has on a Presidential campaign, and just how much Kamala Harris’ record as VP/relationship to President Joe Biden can show us about her own agen…

1
#311 Lafayette’s Farewell Tour: A 200 Year View w/ Mark Schneider 51:16

10M ago51:16

51:16

On August 15th, 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States for a grand farewell tour. It was his first visit since leaving the US in the late 1780s. The tour was a unifying moment for a deeply divided country. In the wake of a crippling economic downturn, and a fracturing over the Missouri question and the issue of slavery, the na…

1
The History of North Carolina Popular Music w/ David Menconi & Dolph Ramseur 50:17

10M ago50:17

50:17

Journalist David Menconi has documented the people and sounds of North Carolina’s music scene for almost three decades. In this episode, Ben and guest co-host Dolph Ramseur speak with David about his book Step It Up and Go: The Story of North Carolina Popular Music, from Blind Boy Fuller and Doc Watson to Nina Simone and Superchunk, and how the mus…

1
#310 The Stone Pony: An Oral History w/ Nick Corasaniti 51:52

10M ago51:52

51:52

The Stone Pony and its hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey are iconic settings in the story of some of America’s greatest rock musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, and Southside Johnny Lyon. The Pony’s path from high-risk passion project to iconic venue was, however, anything but direct; from its founding in 1974, the club was …

1
Overcoming Addiction with Spiritual Healing and Wellness with Michael Chernow 1:03:15

10M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Join Michael Chernow as he shares his inspiring journey from addiction to wellness and entrepreneurship. Discover how spirituality, discipline, and healthy habits transformed his life and led to the creation of The Meatball Shop, Seamore’s, and Kreatures of Habit. Listen now for insights on overcoming addiction, achieving personal growth, and maint…

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The 2020 Election: A (Revisited) First Draft w/ Robert Costa 57:40

10M ago57:40

57:40

Joe Biden has decided to decline the Democratic nomination for the Presidency in 2024 so today we take a look back at Biden’s path to seek the nomination in 2020 and Ben shares his thoughts on why July 21, 2024 might be the day that secures Biden’s legacy in American history. Our conversation with Robert Costa on his book Peril, which he co-authore…

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