Prick The Balloon

Prick the Balloon 22 - Rutherford B Hayes

The first in an occasional subseries about somewhat underrated presidents looks at Rutherford B Hayes. Certainly not a great commander in chief, but maybe one who deserves a little more respect than he gets these days.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 13 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Prick the Balloon 21 - Foreign Policy Mistakes

The US has had some glaring mistakes in foreign policy throughout our history, though we've gotten things right more than we've gotten them wrong. The "Containment Policy" created under Truman but beefed up by Eisenhower's foreign policy gurus, the Dulles Brothers, may have hurt us the most.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 13 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Prick the Balloon 20 - Women's Rights

As the current Supreme Court dismantles decades of precedent, no one should consider their rights to be safe. That is especially true for the rights of American women. How did we reach the gains that are now in peril, and what could put minds more at ease?
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 13 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Prick the Balloon 19 - American Rebellions

There have been a handful of times over the last 450 years when a group of Americans felt aggrieved enough to take up arms. Other than the combined colonists in 1775 (and American-Mexicans and some Tejano allies in 1836) they never succeeded. This is the interesting story of several American Rebellions. Hopefully it is also a reminder that we should always settle our differences peacefully.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 12 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Prick the Balloon 18 - Art Donors

The wealthy Americans who have gifted artwork to the nation's museums are a total mixed bag. They come from all ends of the political spectrum, and, aside from their donations, some lived more admirable lives than others. It makes for fascinating, non-partisan history to keep in mind next time you visit the museum.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 12 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

Prick the Balloon 17 - Americans Abroad

A recap of vacation leads to the recent and not so recent history of certain US foreign relations and how that impacts what everyday citizens of other countries think about Americans in general. Our internal politics can sometimes produce a rough reception for us when we go abroad.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 12 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

PTB Quickie 2 - Post Civil War Voting Rights

The Voting Rights Act exists for a very important reason. Here's a quickie (relatively) about a murderous and violent overthrow of an election for reals. Not the totally fabricated nonsense currently being slung before swine.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

PTB Quickie 1 - WPA Guides

The New Deal-era Federal Writers Project produced some wonderfully fun guides to each of the 48 states, plus Alaska and Puerto Rico and several cities. This short episode explains and shares.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.