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Description

A podcast originally created in Spring 2020 as part of a shift of education to online in the wake of COVID-19. Dr. Melissa Esmacher is an associate professor of History at El Paso Community College in El Paso, Texas. She holds degrees from University of Hawaii at Manoa, Texas A&M University, and Lone Star College. She teaches U.S. History and World History survey courses, and her research specialties include 20th century U.S. history, popular culture, race and ethnicity, violence, labor, and feminism.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Dr. Esmacher's History Podcast podcast

World War II and American Food Culture: Project Wrap-Up

2026/05/29

In this episode, Dr. Esmacher and Jaime discuss the research process, what they learned, and where they'd like to take this project in the future. This episode is part of "World War II and American Food Culture," researched, written, and produced by Dr. Melissa Esmacher (History Professor, El Paso Community College) and student research assistant Jaime Sparks. This project was part of the EPCC-UTEP Mellon Humanities Collaborative, 2025-26, funded by the Mellon Foundation.

World War II and American Food Culture Episode 3: "How Does Your (Victory) Garden Grow?"

2026/05/29

This episode covers the phenomenon of victory gardens, which encouraged Americans to grow and eat their own food during World War II. This episode is part of "World War II and American Food Culture," researched, written, and produced by Dr. Melissa Esmacher (History Professor, El Paso Community College) and student research assistant Jaime Sparks. This project was part of the EPCC-UTEP Mellon Humanities Collaborative, 2025-26, funded by the Mellon Foundation.

World War II and American Food Culture Episode 2: "Food Is Fuel"

2026/05/29

In this episode, the issue of nutrition is the main focus. The field of nutrition science grew in the interwar period and impacted American ability to fight and win World War II. This episode is part of "World War II and American Food Culture," researched, written, and produced by Dr. Melissa Esmacher (History Professor, El Paso Community College) and student research assistant Jaime Sparks. This project was part of the EPCC-UTEP Mellon Humanities Collaborative, 2025-26, funded by the Mellon Foundation.

World War II and American Food Culture Episode 1: "Food Will Win the War"

2026/05/29

In this episode, U.S. entry into World War II in 1941 sparks rationing of food. How much did the U.S. have to worry about food in comparison to the other countries at war? This episode is part of "World War II and American Food Culture," researched, written, and produced by Dr. Melissa Esmacher (History Professor, El Paso Community College) and student research assistant Jaime Sparks. This project was part of the EPCC-UTEP Mellon Humanities Collaborative, 2025-26, funded by the Mellon Foundation.

Introduction: World War II and American Food Culture

2026/05/29

This teaser introduces the project "World War II and American Food Culture," researched, written, and produced by Dr. Melissa Esmacher (History Professor, El Paso Community College) and student research assistant Jaime Sparks. This project was part of the EPCC-UTEP Mellon Humanities Collaborative, 2025-26, funded by the Mellon Foundation.