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In this episode Jen leads Matt through the complex tapestry of Latin American history and the military coups that played a significant role in shaping the political landscape for decades. Why should you care about these events? In this episode, we’ll unpack the dynamics of military coups, focusing on Guatemala and Chile, to reveal what these historical events mean for contemporary society and governance. With insights drawn from personal experiences and academic research, you'll gain a deeper understanding of this critical aspect of history. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V6k7kmgP-J5RJFNYBrLp2P3YjdtmNANa30Ov790487o/edit?usp=sharing

This is a bit of a special episode as we have decided to add an episode to our strategy of tension series based on events that have occurred at the start of 2026. The U.S. is engaging in military incursions and diplomatic interventions  in Venezuela and Cuba respectively. These actions have been justified under what has been called, as of this recording, either the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, or the Trump Doctrine. So, let’s get into the history of the Monroe Doctrine. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gyWQ66dhRAUQoaCu9_LX8HmqHqWI_33_4fIQijpu79Y/edit?usp=sharing

Last week we started our investigation of the strategy of tension in Italy by exploring the overt ways in which far-right groups and NATO secret military forces tried to overtly undermine the center-left governments in Italy in the post World War 2 era. This week Jen and Matt pick back up with the P2 Masonic Lodge, bloody bombings campaigns, the kidnapping and assassination of Aldo Moro, and a conspiracy ripped straight from a screen play. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/168-eWVZhsfj3cGqr-C5iMpCbT2ls8kV9qW_0Zh9gKZA/edit?usp=sharing Works Cited: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wWBlJYbXXbuqbUq6CXZAjXoaYxi7jGT2w3gPrBHsAxk/edit?usp=sharing Years of Lead Timeline: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wrDp5g5NJnDN-aoCFjV3A6Xx8cll9vKcJsa8_8wrptg/edit?usp=sharing

This episode is for the European history heads! Matt and Jen continue their exploration of the strategy of tension, this time by analyzing the Italian Years of Lead. This event is a true implementation of the strategy of tension, a phrase coined to describe the bloody attacks during Italy's "long 1970s".  Join us as we delve into the complex history of the Italian Years of Lead, exploring the intertwining of conspiracy theories, political violence, and the role of NATO and Gladio in shaping Italy's tumultuous past, the Peteano bombing as a pivotal event that exemplifies the manipulation of political narratives, and the use of violence to suppress leftist movements. This episode highlights the historical context of these events, emphasizing the need for thorough research and fact-checking in understanding the past. If you thought the Weathermen were forgotten, wait until you see what we have dug up for you! Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ydU3IyeBhOIhLPtg-t-aT1Hk96SlPeDiCKmATbvfRPs/edit?usp=sharing Works Cited: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wWBlJYbXXbuqbUq6CXZAjXoaYxi7jGT2w3gPrBHsAxk/edit?usp=sharing Years of Lead Timeline: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wrDp5g5NJnDN-aoCFjV3A6Xx8cll9vKcJsa8_8wrptg/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Matt and Jen delve into the Weather Underground's radicalization and violent actions during the 1970s, explore their motivations, analyze the internal dynamics of the group, and the consequences of their actions, including the tragic Greenwich Village explosion. The discussion also touches on the role of COINTELPRO in monitoring and infiltrating radical groups, and the broader implications of political violence in social movements. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12jBXBHhFaBswSmfXU7pSN398xvNtNY9mO0jrYEfS8xI/edit?usp=sharing Works Cited: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UjqOv6_ht-XBrh1vaVncmUjvCwhE0FskMUrFm5ApxbQ/edit?usp=sharing Abington Ridge Collective: https://soundcloud.com/abingtonridge

This week we start a multi-part series on political violence across the 20th century. We are kicking things off here in the U.S. by examining a largely memory holed element of the 1960's counter culture: The Weather Underground. Join us as we dust off those old Bob Dylan records and channel our inner Boomer to tell the story of how "great" things used to be during America’s Days of Rage. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pfls3G-N_uU0tmpoAZsY1sior4JVaaaPxzHNqhtM3xE/edit?usp=sharing Works Cited: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UjqOv6_ht-XBrh1vaVncmUjvCwhE0FskMUrFm5ApxbQ/edit?usp=sharing Abington Ridge Collective Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/abingtonridge

Season 4! We are back, and this week we have a real witches brew going: boredom, religious zealotry, greed, and PTSD all combined to create the chaos that was The Salem Witch Trials. Join us as we conjure one of our most requested stories! Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVERhu9y7zXEbyVbKVBT6B122OT5TUiYPwyec3kgkos/edit?usp=sharing Abington Ridge Collective Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/abingtonridge

In this episode, Jen and Matt are joined by guest Steve Heimler from Heimler's History to dissect the unbelievable story of how greed and cultural misunderstandings led to the Opium Wars and eventually, China’s Century of Humiliation. Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KjKXgudvIKo7nXOQYgSv5VUfSe4A4E5v6mWtwwNRSNM/edit?usp=sharing Heimler's History: https://www.youtube.com/@heimlershistory Abington Ridge Collective Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/tTPBP

In this episode, Jen and Matt revisit China - this time during the Ming Dynasty and the amazing voyages of Zheng He. But first, we FINALLY close out our Mongol series before re-establishing the Middle Kingdom.

In this episode, Matt and Jen go in depth about the different waves of Ska music and why it hasn't always had the best reputation - even though it's such an awesome blend of music. Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TAaMU0o0MWQL0ekRMBcZDFHfJ1u3guns5Yni4pkc-ik/edit?usp=sharing Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ux8AhIwAdxnID8GMdfZrW?si=7a638450a6304fcb Every Noise at Once (ska scatter plot): https://everynoise.com/engenremap-ska.html Abington Ridge Collective Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/tTPBP

In this episode, your hosts Matt and Jen debate whether the positives outweigh the negatives in our (ever increasingly), interconnected world; thanks, globalization? Show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eLEHKyc6fHTVmmmYg-5XUOHeauuAlL8D1FpW1R1MjXw/edit?usp=sharing Abington Ridge Collective Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/tTPBP

In the finale of our three-part series, Matt and Jen wrap up the disastrous Varennes trip that leads to the execution of King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette after a new radical phase of the revolution begins.

In this episode, Jen and Matt continue to the absolutely ridiculously disastrous story of King Louis XVI's attempt to escape from Varennes, where the royal family is captured by the village idiot!

In this episode, Jen and Matt discuss the disastrous first steps of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette as they try to escape from Varennes, and halt the French Revolution.

In this (ZOMBIE!) episode, Jen and Matt trace the origins of Zombies to the Atlantic Slave Trade and enlighten on the impact of zombies on pop culture. Check out the show notes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-OdKtHR3sTKduENFhZRqMWome9JSo2sq5FBFai5Yv6s/ A huge thank you to the Abington Ridge Collective and David for the awesome music, we REALLY appreciate it. Check them out at: https://soundcloud.com/abingtonridge