Prick The Balloon
We can’t navigate safely to the future unless we understand what lies behind us. That’s why the move by cowardly politicians to limit the history we’re taught is so inexcusable. Sanitized hero worship does not move us forward. Enter Mike Vance’s podcast, the irreverent Prick the Balloon. It features Mike, a widely published historian, deflating popular myths and telling history that’s true, complete, impertinent, well-researched and fun. It’s a look at our real past, wherever that might lead us. Learning lasts a lifetime, and it might as well be enjoyable.
Episodes
Saturday May 04, 2024
Prick the Balloon 16 - Petticoat Affair
Saturday May 04, 2024
Saturday May 04, 2024
Petty bickering over a cabinet member's wife tore the Jackson administration apart for two years, but was it really just bitter politics as usual? It all pitted a president against a vice-president topped with name calling and the offer of a duel.
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.
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Prick the Balloon 15 - Integrating Sports
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Sports has often led the way in civil rights, so even non sports fan will find great nuggets of both outrage and triumph in this episode. No prior knowledge required. Game on.
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.
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Prick the Balloon 14 - Texas Liberals
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
We face stereotyping in so many different ways every day, and lumping people and places and things all together is almost always a bad idea. This episode makes the strong case that American liberalism owes its roots to Texas Populists. Seriously, yes - Texas.
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.
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
Prick the Balloon 13 - Woodrow Wilson Part 2
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
Saturday Mar 16, 2024
The sad and frustrating story of Woodrow Wilson resumes as the U.S. enters WWI. Unfortunately for Wilson, his legacy largely goes downhill from there. It ends with a president unable to perform his duties and some unforgiveable stains to weigh against some real progress.
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.
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Prick the Balloon 12 - Woodrow Wilson Part 1
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
People are complicated, but few in American history are more confounding than Woodrow Wilson, who hit the extremes of good and bad. He left so much to unpack that it takes two episodes. In this first one, we ride with Woody through reelection in 1916.
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.
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
Prick the Balloon 11 - Angry Old Men
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
Saturday Feb 17, 2024
Not all angry old men are men, or even old, but they have definitely obstructed progress in our country over the years. Others just want you to get off their lawn. This episode explores both.
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.
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Prick the Balloon 10 - News Bias
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
Tuesday Jan 30, 2024
One side loves to complain about bias in the news. As always, they fail to understand the history of the topic. We had finally tamped down much of it until the system was blown apart by a conservative icon. This is the timeline of America's news.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 10 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.
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Prick the Balloon 9 - Party of Lincoln My Ass
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Political parties change. What was once a bunch of liberals becomes conservative, and vice versa. The run through of American political parties is fascinating and laugh provoking.
Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 10 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
History belongs to all of us. In order to keep the idiots outside the gates, it helps to know our collective stories. But there's no reason we can't have some fun while we're learning. What could be better than than getting the whole unvarnished story from a guy who became a professional historian after 16 years of being a professional comedian?