Category Archives: Podcasts

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind The Battleship Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage (Part One)

 

Admiral Gunther Lutjens
Hitler on naval inspection tour of the “Deutschland,” in 1934.
Crew of Bismarck on deck, its 15 inch guns visible
Spitfire reconnaissance photo near Bergen, Norway.
Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage

Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler’s rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind The Battleship Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage (Part Two)

Captain Ernst Lindemann
HMS Prince of Wales
Admiral John Tovey on the deck of the George V
Swordfish Torpedo dive bomber
Swordfish returning to the Ark Royal after attacking the Bismarck
Ark Royal and Renown from HMS Sheffield
Bismarck survivors being rescued by the Dorsetshire
Hitler and Raeder, 1943

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage

Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler’s rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.

The Enigmatic Legacy of Jan Vermeer: From Obscurity to Artistic Mastery (Part One)

Today, no more than thirty-seven paintings are attributed to Jan Vermeer. Still, he remains one of the greatest artists who ever lived.

 

Burial Marker for Vermeer, Oude Kirk, Delft
The Astronomer in the Altaussee salt mine
Two paintings at 2023 Rijksmuseum exhibit
St. Praxedes
Diana and her Companions
Christ in the House of Mary and Martha
The Procuress
A Girl Asleep
A Girl Reading a Letter by an Open Window, before restoration
A Girl Reading a Letter, restored
Cavalier and Young Woman
The Milkmaid
The Glass of Wine
Girl Interrupted in her Music
Young Woman With A Wine Glass
The Little Street
View of Delft

This podcast explores the life and works of Dutch master Jan Vermeer. It delves into Vermeer’s enigmatic biography, his meticulous artistic process, and the rediscovery of his genius centuries after his death. The episode covers Vermeer’s early life in Delft, his marriage, and his struggle to support a large family through art and dealing. It traces the journey of several of Vermeer’s most famous paintings, including “The Milkmaid” and “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” through history and various collections. The podcast also touches on the impact of historical events like wars on the fate of Vermeer’s works and the artist’s enduring legacy in the art world.

0:00 Intro: Jan Vermeer’s enigmatic life and legacy

5:30 Vermeer’s early life and artistic beginnings

16:45 Vermeer’s artistic style and meticulous process

28:05 St. Praxedis: Vermeer’s earliest surviving work

33:45 The Procuress: Vermeer’s dramatic stylistic shift

39:20 A Girl Asleep: Symbolism in everyday scenes

44:55 The Milkmaid: Dutch appreciation for Vermeer

50:35 Landscapes: The Little Street and View of Delft

The Falcon and the Snowman: Unraveling America’s Cold War Espionage Scandal (Part One)

Christopher Boyce on Australian 60 Minutes
Christopher Boyce, after his rearrest in the state of Washington.
Timothy Hutton, who played Boyce in “The Falcon and the Snowman.”
Sean Penn, who played Daulton Lee in the “The Falcon and the Snowman.”

Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce’s subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news.  Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars.

This podcast episode delves into the story of Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, known as the Falcon and the Snowman. It explores their backgrounds in affluent Southern California and how they became involved in selling classified information to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The episode details Boyce’s work at TRW, a defense contractor, and Lee’s drug-dealing activities. It recounts their initial contact with Soviet officials in Mexico City and the development of their espionage operation. The podcast highlights the contrast between their privileged upbringings and their descent into criminal activities, offering insights into the motivations and circumstances that led to their infamous espionage case.

The Falcon and the Snowman: Unraveling America’s Cold War Espionage Scandal (Part Two)

 

Christopher Boyce, testifying before Congress, 1985
Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
Kathleen “Cait” Mills Boyce, 2003
Recent photo of Boyce in Oregon
Cait and Chris Boyce on CNN, 2014

Arrested for selling secrets to the Russians, their incarceration and Christopher Boyce’s subsequent escape from a Federal prison was headline news.  Ultimately, the Falcon and the Snowman spent decades behind bars.

This podcast episode delves into the story of Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee, known as the Falcon and the Snowman. It explores their backgrounds in affluent Southern California and how they became involved in selling classified information to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The episode details Boyce’s work at TRW, a defense contractor, and Lee’s drug-dealing activities. It recounts their initial contact with Soviet officials in Mexico City and the development of their espionage operation. The podcast highlights the contrast between their privileged upbringings and their descent into criminal activities, offering insights into the motivations and circumstances that led to their infamous espionage case.

Theodore Roosevelt – From New York Reformer to America’s Youngest President (Part One)

 

Theodore Roosevelt as a young man
Campaign literature, 1900
Leon Czolgosz, McKinley assassin
Roosevelt ranch house, South Dakota
Roosevelt’s first wife, Alice
Roosevelt’s second wife, Edith
Roosevelt with his family
Roosevelt in Rough Rider uniform
Roosevelt, in store bought frontier wardrobe with Tiffany silver knife

Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena.

This podcast explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It covers his early years as a sickly child, his transformation into a robust young man, and his rapid political ascent. The episode details Roosevelt’s roles as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. It highlights his progressive policies as Governor of New York and his unexpected path to the presidency following William McKinley’s assassination. The podcast paints a vivid picture of Roosevelt’s boundless energy, reform-minded approach to politics, and his impact on shaping America’s role as a global power at the turn of the 20th century.

Theodore Roosevelt – From New York Reformer to America’s Youngest President (Part Two)

 

Theodore Roosevelt Home known as Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, NY
Roosevelt speaking in 1910
Roosevelt in safari garb in Africa
Photo from the book African Game Trails
Roosevelt visiting Cambridge
Roosevelt assassin, John Schrank, under arrest
Mount Rushmore
Theodore Roosevelt Grave, Oyster Bay, Long Island

Theodore Roosevelt: Nobel Laureate, Medal of Honor Winner, Political Progressive, Executor of the Panama Canal, Best Selling Author, Conservationist and always the Man in the Arena.

This podcast explores the life of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It covers his early years as a sickly child, his transformation into a robust young man, and his rapid political ascent. The episode details Roosevelt’s roles as New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. It highlights his progressive policies as Governor of New York and his unexpected path to the presidency following William McKinley’s assassination. The podcast paints a vivid picture of Roosevelt’s boundless energy, reform-minded approach to politics, and his impact on shaping America’s role as a global power at the turn of the 20th century.

The Brief and Tragic Reign of Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico. (Part One)

Carlota, Empress of Mexico
Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico
Schoenbrunn, Hapsburg palace, Vienna and Maximillian’s boyhood home
Maximillian and Charlotte, newlyweds
Franz Josef, 1865
Miramare, Trieste
The Novara
Maximillian as Emperor
Benito Juarez

Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution.

This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian’s journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires.

The Brief and Tragic Reign Of Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico. (Part Two)

 

Carlota, in Mexican garb
Pope Pius IX
Napoleon III and his wife, the Empress Eugenie, 1865
The chapel built on the Hill of the Bells, Maximillian’s execution site in Queretaro
Eduard Manet’s, “Execution of the Emperor Maximillian,” inaccurately depicting Maximillian in the center, wearing a sombrero. His executioners are symbolically wearing French infantry uniforms and the soldier loading his rifle is similar in appearance to Napoleon III. The painting was publicly banned in France.
Maximillian’s sarcophagus in the Hapsburg Imperial Crypt, Vienna.
Maximillian I, death mask.
Maximillian’s embalmed corpse, photographed in Mexico.
Carlota, 1914
Bouchout Castle, Belgium. Final home of Carlota.

Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution.

This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian’s journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires. Like, subscribe, and explore more fascinating figures you thought you knew – or never knew existed!

Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers: The True Story of the Alcatraz Escape (Part One)

Frank Morris
John Anglin
Clarence Anglin
Allen West
Ralph Roe
Theodore Cole
Doc Barker

The true story Of Frank Morris, John and Clarence Anglin and their remarkable escape from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.

Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers orchestrated one of the most daring prison escapes in history from Alcatraz, the notorious “escape-proof” island fortress. This episode delves into the fascinating backstories of these cunning inmates and the intricate planning behind their audacious 1962 breakout attempt. Discover how they exploited Alcatraz’s weakening infrastructure, crafted makeshift tools, and devised an ingenious plan to fool guards with dummy heads. Uncover the untold story of how these determined convicts challenged the myth of Alcatraz’s impenetrability and sparked a manhunt that continues to captivate the public imagination decades later. Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, history buff, or simply love tales of incredible ingenuity, this gripping account of the escape from Alcatraz will leave you spellbound. Don’t miss this thrilling journey into one of America’s most enduring mysteries!