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Musician, producer, and label owner Peele Wimberley played drums with the Raleigh, North Carolina band The Connells for 15 years before departing for other musical adventures. We talked about his upbringing, how race played and plays a role in his life, and the subjects of Black agency and resilience.

Mike Connell is the principal songwriter, rhythm guitarist, and occasional singer for the band The Connells. They are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of their landmark fifth album "Ring" this year. I'd been wanting to interview him for quite some time, so I was super excited to get this opportunity to sit down with the most humble, self-effacing rock musician you'll ever meet.

The first of a series of episodes about Black agency, resistance, and resilience features an interview with Clemson history professor J. Brent Morris, author of Dismal Freedom: A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp.

After an unexpected and lengthy hiatus, we're back with an interview of Saugus, Massachusetts educator Rick Lavoie, who is doing some amazing work in place-based education in the town best known for its witch trials, but has far more important and interesting history to learn about. Rick talks about his involvement with the National Park Service Teacher Ranger Teacher program and the importance of educators being life-long learners.

Joseph Postell is a professor of political science at Hillsdale College. He is an expert on the history of the United States Congress. Who better to ask about the recent drama over the election of the 55th Speaker of the House? Dr. Postell puts Speaker McCarthy's experience into historical context and shares some compelling and amusing anecdotes about the history of the House of Representatives. This interview is both for Congress nerds and those who don't quite understand the inner workings of the House.

The story of David Ruggles' brief life is nothing short of incredible. The fact that he's not a household name should be considered a crime. Graham Russell Hodges, the director of the National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminar Abolitionism and the Underground Railroad takes his turn at the mic to discuss his book. It's likely the final interview in a seven-part series, and the second time I've had the privilege of talking to this distinguished historian.

Nearly 20 years ago, Kate Clifford Larson blew up what everyone knew -- or thought they knew -- about Harriet Tubman. She discovered a trove of documents helping illuminate Tubman's life, thereby debunking many myths... and ultimately providing an even more incredible story about this indomitable woman. This interview is part of a multi-part series of interviews with historians involved in the National Endowment for the Humanities program on Abolition and the Underground Railroad. 

Marcus Rediker writes "history from below," focusing on the stories of the marginalized and oppressed. His forthcoming book is about freedom seekers who sought liberation by sea. The excerpt of his book and his subsequent talk to the National Endowment for the Humanities program on Abolition and the Underground Railroad will change the way I teach. This is one in a 7- or 8-part series borne out of that program.

I had my handy dandy digital recorder with me, so right after Leigh Fought addressed the National Endowment for the Humanities participants, we sat down and chatted. It was my first time using the device and I made sure it was on, pressed record, and started the interview. About 25 minutes into the interview I thought to check the recorder... and yep, it wasn't actually recording. Running short on time, we rescheduled for the following week. Leigh's book on the women in Frederick Douglass's life serves as a critical reminder that no one is an island and those who achieve greatness are usually supported by a network of incredible people who all make their own contributions. 

Alice L. Baumgartner's South to Freedom simultaneously opens its readers eyes up to the largely unknown south-bound Underground Railroad to Mexico and the pivotal role tensions in Texas and Mexico played in exploding sectionalism and leading us into the Civil War. This interview is part 3 of a mulit-part series for the National Endowment for the Humanities program on Abolition and the Underground Railroad.

Richard Blackett spent 18 years researching his book The Captive's Quest for Freedom: Fugitive Slaves, the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law, and the Politics of Slavery. His work was revelatory for me. This interview is the second part of a multi-part series derived from the National Endowment for the Humanities program on Abolition and the Underground Railroad.

Manisha Sinha is the author of The Slave's Cause: A History of Abolition. After presenting to the National Endowment for the Humanities Abolition and the Underground Railroad program, I was able to spend some time with her. What was intended to be a 20-minute interview ultimately expanded to 35 minutes, and we just scratched the surface of her astounding research. This is the first of a series of at least seven interviews.