[RERUN] EPISODE 89: The Marquis de Lafayette: A Conversation with Mike Duncan

“Marat posed a difficult challenge for Lafayette—a difficult challenge for any free society. Lafayette was committed to the principle of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, but here was a journalist using fanatical lies and scurrilous accusations to incite the population to mass murder.” Mike Duncan

“Lafayette’s unique position at the center of the action meant, as Paris polarized, his attempt to hold the center offended everyone.” Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan is one of the godfathers of historical podcasting. He began podcasting before most people had any clue what the podcasting medium even entailed. His History of Rome and Revolutions are among the most popular historical podcasts ever created. And when he is not recording, Mike is busy writing best-selling books such as The Storm Before the Storm and Hero of Two Worlds. In this whirlwind of productivity, Mike was gracious enough to find some time to sit with me for a conversation about the life of Gilbert du Motier, better known as Marquis de Lafayette.

Lafayette is a rather wild historical figure, since he played a key role in two of the main revolutions that changed the destiny of the West—the American and the French revolutions. Rather than trying to summarize his eventful life in a few lines, I’ll invite you to join in to listen to this discussion breaking down what makes Lafayette such a fascinating character.

If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ to access plenty of bonus content. 

All the links to History on Fire social media can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠:

My daughter’s links: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/isabellahanbolelli⁠⁠⁠

Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started ⁠⁠⁠Purest Mushrooms⁠⁠⁠ where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.

Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dakota Pure Bison⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout.

My friend James Pieratt is one of the world’s top functional training experts, and a record-breaking hybrid athlete. Use the code WH25 for a 25% discount on all of his training programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wild Hunt Conditioning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

EPISODE 120: A Lynching, Columbus Day and Italian Immigration

“[Italians are]… of questionable value from a mental, moral, or physical standpoint.” Anthropologist George Dorsey writing for the Chicago Tribune in 1910.

“[Italians are]… biologically incapable of rising either now or through their descendants above the mentality of a 12-year-old child.” David Starr Jordan, president of Stanford University.

“If the tall, big-boned, blue-eyed, old-fashioned ‘white’ American is not to be bred out entirely by little dark peoples, Uncle Sam must not simply continue the temporary quota law in operation, but must make its provisions much more stringent.” Current Opinion Magazine in 1923

Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, millions of Italians migrated to the United States. In 1891, a mob—including a future governor of Louisiana and a future mayor—stormed a prison in New Orleans, dragged out eleven Italian-Americans, and lynched them.  A diplomatic crisis ensued. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation to establish the first national celebration of Columbus Day. Sprinkle in the mix so-called “scientific” racism, the Sacco and Vanzetti case, The Godfather movies, The Sopranos’ episode about Columbus Day, Italians somehow “becoming” white over time, and much more. This episode is quite a ride. Buckle up.

If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ to access plenty of bonus content. 

All the links to History on Fire social media can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠:

JAPAN TOUR! Let’s head out to Japan in Oct 2026. All the details at ⁠Geek Nation Tours⁠.

My daughter’s links: https://linktr.ee/isabellahanbolelli 

Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started ⁠⁠⁠Purest Mushrooms⁠⁠⁠ where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.

Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dakota Pure Bison⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout.

This episode is supported by Arizona State University. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life.

My friend James Pieratt is one of the world’s top functional training experts, and a record-breaking hybrid athlete. Use the code WH25 for a 25% discount on all of his training programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wild Hunt Conditioning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

EPISODE 119: The History of Duels

“Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split.” Robert E. Howard.

 "If he had shot me through the brain, sir, I should still have killed him." Andrew Jackson

Since the dawn of time, human beings have killed each other in all kinds of ways for all kinds of reasons. One of the most peculiar forms of violence humans have engaged in is the duel.

Far from being the most effective way to dispose of one’s enemies, the duel has been tied to issues of reputation and honor. At its core, it’s a form of highly ritualized violence that served deep cultural purposes.

In this episode, we dive deep into the history of duels, trials by combat, and jousting.

From the pages of the Old Testament to tales from Roman history, from Miyamoto Musashi to Benito Mussolini, from Germanic tribal customs to French knights invoking God’s judgment while slaughtering rivals, the vice-president of the United States killing the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, German university students and their facial scars, Caravaggio, Andrew Jackson, the death of one the greatest Russian poets, and much more.

If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ to access plenty of bonus content. 

All the links to History on Fire social media can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠:

JAPAN TOUR! Let’s head out to Japan in Oct 2026. All the details at ⁠Geek Nation Tours⁠.

My daughter’s links: https://linktr.ee/isabellahanbolelli 

Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started ⁠⁠⁠Purest Mushrooms⁠⁠⁠ where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.

Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dakota Pure Bison⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout.

This episode is supported by Arizona State University. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life.

My friend James Pieratt is one of the world’s top functional training experts, and a record-breaking hybrid athlete. Use the code WH25 for a 25% discount on all of his training programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wild Hunt Conditioning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

[FEED DROP]: We The Founders (The Constitution) | Government That Doesn’t Suck

Government That Doesn't Suck is a Rewind Studios original podcast from the creators of History That Doesn't Suck, hosted by Professors Lindsey Cormack and Greg Jackson. Each episode digs into the surprising story of an American institution — from the origins of the internet, to the National Park Service, to the GI Bill, and so much more. You'll hear the stories behind them, plus a conversation with an expert who knows it inside and out. New episodes release every other Monday. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes.

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[RERUN] EPISODE 88: The Red Wedding

“I ask you why we must tear ourselves apart for this small question of religion?” from the movie Elizabeth

Once upon a time Game of Thrones was the most watched show on earth, and I could freely make references to it knowing my listeners would get them. Then came the last season that was so universally reviled that I’m thinking I may get rotten tomatoes thrown at me for even bringing it up. But A. this is a podcast, not a live event, so I hope to stay safe from the spoiled tomatoes. And B. I’d hope you’d be so kind as to let me slide one Game of Thrones reference—at least in a case like this when it’s very pertinent. One of the most shocking episodes in a series that was built on shocking viewers was the Red Wedding. What begins as a joyful celebration for a wedding quickly turns into a bloody massacre. Well… what we are going to play with today in this episode makes Game of Thrones look tame. This is the Red Wedding to the 10th power. The year was 1572, and a royal wedding between the Catholic sister of the King of France and a Protestant prince was supposed to bring an end to the French Wars of Religion. So, thousands of sworn enemies converged on Paris for the wedding. What could possibly go wrong…

Lots of people have weddings where things don’t work out perfectly. Some have truly unlucky, bad weddings. But unless your wedding led to the massacre of thousands of people, you probably had a better one than Margaret of Valois and Henry of Navarre.

If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠ to access plenty of bonus content. 

All the links to History on Fire social media can be found ⁠⁠here⁠⁠:

JAPAN TOUR! Let’s head out to Japan in Oct 2026. All the details at ⁠Geek Nation Tours⁠.

Please check out this month’s sponsor, Rula, for affordable, accessible therapy and mental health care.

Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started ⁠⁠⁠Purest Mushrooms⁠⁠⁠ where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.

Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dakota Pure Bison⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout.

This episode is supported by Arizona State University. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life.

My friend James Pieratt is one of the world’s top functional training experts, and a record-breaking hybrid athlete. Use the code WH25 for a 25% discount on all of his training programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wild Hunt Conditioning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.