Advertise on podcast: Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements

What can the extinction of the dinosaurs teach us about science, survival and our own place in the history of life?acclaimed paleontologist and science writer Riley Black joins host Pedro Rodriguez on Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements, for an eye opening discussion of the science and new discoveries.Black discusses her award-winning book, The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, the new discoveries transforming our understanding of prehistoric life, the underrepresentation of women and LGBTQ people in paleontology, and the state of science in the United States in 2026.

Media critic and journalist Norman Solomon joins host Pedro Rodriguez to discuss his response to The Economist's recent article criticizing Generation Z's growing support for socialist candidates. Together, they explore why many young Americans are rethinking the country's economic future, how mainstream media frames these debates, and what these political shifts may mean for American democracy.

Did Birthright Citizenship Start With the 14th Amendment? At a moment in 2026 when the U.S. Supreme Court is considering challenges to birthright citizenship, Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements welcomes historian Professor Van Gosse for a timely conversation that asks a provocative question: Did birthright citizenship really begin with the Fourteenth Amendment? Professor Gosse, Professor Emeritus at Franklin & Marshall College and co-chair of Historians for Peace and Democracy, argues that the principle of citizenship by birth has roots that reach far deeper into American history than many people realize. His research explores how debates over race, slavery, immigration, Indigenous sovereignty, and democracy have shaped the meaning of who belongs in America. Host Pedro Rodriguez and Professor Gosse discuss the historical origins of birthright citizenship and why the issue has returned to the center of national debate as the Supreme Court considers challenges stemming from efforts by the Trump Administration to deny automatic citizenship to some children born in the United States.

Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements welcomes renowned historian Marc Stein for a fascinating conversation about his groundbreaking new book, Bicentennial: A Revolutionary History of the 1970s. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Professor Stein takes listeners back to the nation’s 200th birthday in 1976—a celebration remembered for fireworks and patriotic ceremonies, but also a time of intense debate over race, class, gender, sexuality, and the meaning of democracy. Centered on Philadelphia, the birthplace of the American Revolution, Stein reveals how activists, politicians, and ordinary citizens fought to define who belonged in the American story. From Mayor Frank Rizzo and President Richard Nixon to civil rights, feminist, and LGBTQ+ movements, the Bicentennial became a struggle over the nation’s unfinished promises. Marc Stein is Professor of U.S. History and Constitutional Law at San Francisco State University and president of the Organization of American Historians.

What is happening in Cuba today—and why should people in the United States pay close attention? This is a timely and thought-provoking interview with economist and policy analyst Kevin Cashman, a  researcher at Transition Security Project,  US–UK think tank.Cuba is facing one of the most severe crises in its modern history. Rolling blackouts, fuel shortages, food scarcity, and mass migration are placing extraordinary pressure on the island. In our conversation, Cashman explains the roots of Cuba’s energy emergency, the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels through solar and renewable energy projects, and the growing impact of renewed U.S. sanctions. We also examine alarming rhetoric from the Trump Administration, including threats of military action and regime change, and discuss how escalating tensions could harm not only ordinary Cubans but also U.S. taxpayers, regional stability, and American families already burdened by domestic challenges.

A conversation with David Borgenicht, founder of Quirk Books. From a small independent idea to a publisher known for creativity and bold concepts, his story is a reminder that even in a changing world, there’s still space for imagination—and for books that surprise us. Borgenicht is an American publisher, entrepreneur, and co-founder of, he co-created the massively successful Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, which became a publishing phenomenon, selling millions of copies worldwide and helping define a category of smart, giftable nonfiction. Founded in 2002, Quirk Books carved out a niche by blending humor, design, and unconventional concepts—publishing breakout hits like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which helped pioneer the literary mashup trend and became a cultural touchstone. In October of 2025 the company was acquired by Andrews McMeel Publishing, Davidremains as the Publisher. At a time when so much of our attention lives online,conversations like this bring us back to something simple butpowerful: the experience of reading, discovering, and sharing ideas.

Host Pedro Rodriguez speaks with Northwest Philadelphia native and author Seth Tannenbaum about his provocative new book, Bleacher Seats and Luxury Suites. In the book, Tannenbaum examines one of America’s most beloved institutions—Major League Baseball stadiums—and reveals the striking class divisions built into the fan experience. While baseball has long marketed itself as the democratic pastime, open to all, the modern ballpark tells a different story: luxury boxes for the affluent, exclusive clubs for corporate elites, and increasingly distant, expensive bleacher seats for ordinary fans. Born and raised in Northwest Philadelphia, where he played Little League baseball as a child, Tannenbaum brings both personal affection and sharp social analysis to this discussion. His work asks a timely question: when even our leisure spaces are segregated by wealth, what does that say about American democracy itself? Listen to this fascinating conversation about baseball, architecture, inequality, memory, and the hidden class politics of America’s stadiums.

At a time when hard-won rights are being challenged and women across the United States are facing renewed political and cultural backlash, understanding the history—and future—of the feminist movement has never been more urgent. This Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements' episode  presents a powerful and timely conversation with Philadelphia-based feminist, political activist, and community leader Conni Bille. Drawing from decades of organizing in New York, Atlanta  and Philadelphia, Conni reflects on the emergence of the modern feminist movement, the victories that reshaped American society, and the deeper structural challenges that remain unresolved. Together, we explore the forces behind today’s backlash—from legislative rollbacks to cultural resistance—and what they reveal about the unfinished work of gender equity. But this is not just a conversation about the past. It is about strategy, resilience, and the road ahead. What must today’s feminist movement do differently? Where should alliances be strengthened? And how can new generations build power in a rapidly changing political landscape? This episode is both a reflection and a call to action—grounded in lived experience and sharpened by the realities of this moment.

Host Pedro Rodriguez sits down with Dr. Walter Tsou, MD, MPH—a nationally respected physician and public health leader whose career has been defined by a relentless commitment to health equity. Dr. Tsou is President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, a national board advisor for Physicians for a National Health Program, past president of the American Public Health Association, former Philadelphia Health Commissioner, and founding Medical Director of the Montgomery County Health Department. In this compelling interview, Dr. Tsou draws on decades of experience to explain why the United States still lacks universal health care—and what it will take to change that. With clarity and urgency, he breaks down complex systems into terms everyone can understand, connecting policy to real people’s lives. More importantly, he offers insight into what can be done—and how everyday people can be part of the solution.

This episode of Neglected Stories: People, History, Movements brings listeners a powerful and timely conversation on one of Latin America’s most provocative—and overlooked—figures: Servando Teresa de Mier. A Dominican friar, political dissenter, and early voice for Mexican independence, Fray Servando challenged the very foundations of colonial authority. In a bold 1794 sermon, he reinterpreted the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe, arguing that Mexico’s spiritual identity existed before Spanish conquest. The consequences were swift: imprisonment, exile, and persecution. But his ideas endured. Host Pedro Rodriguez is joined by Mexican writer and cultural critic Rafael Toriz to explore the life, contradictions, and lasting impact of this remarkable figure. Together, they examine how faith can become a tool of resistance, how narratives shape national identity, and why Mier’s legacy still resonates today. Toriz and Rodriguez are joined by Mexican Consulate staff member Pedro Rubio who translates some of Mr. Toriz' comments.

Hosted by Pedro Rodriguez, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Professor Kimberly Blockett, a leading scholar of African American literature and Chair of Africana Studies at the University of Delaware. Blockett’s groundbreaking research recovers the life and writings of Zilpha Elaw, a Black woman preacher whose transatlantic ministry challenges conventional narratives of religion, race, and gender in the 19th century. Through archival research and interdisciplinary analysis, Blockett brings forward a powerful story of movement, resistance, and intellectual authority—reshaping how history is written and who is remembered. This episode explores the politics of historical erasure, the role of Black women in religious movements, and the enduring relevance of recovered histories in today’s struggles for justice. Tune in and join the conversation.

Guest Geo Maher, a Philadelphia-based writer, community educator, and organizer who has lived and taught extensively in Venezuela. Maher is Coordinator of the W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition & Reconstruction and the author of five books, including We Created Chávez and Building the Commune. In this episode, we discuss We Created Chávez, which challenges leader-centered narratives by showing how grassroots movements — workers, women, Afro-Venezuelans, Indigenous peoples, students, and former guerrillas — shaped Venezuela’s political transformation long before Chávez took office. The conversation explores what these struggles reveal about power, collective action, and movements today.

John Meyerson’s life has been shaped by a deep, lifelong commitment to social justice. His activism began as a teenager, organizing against the Vietnam War and leading a student sit-in for free expression while still in high school. That early commitment to peace and human rights carried him directly into the labor movement, where he would spend decades organizing workers, building coalitions, and fighting for dignity on the job. Meyerson’s journey—from industrial worker to union organizer to political and legislative leader—offers a rare, ground-level view of how movements are built and sustained. As an organizer and later Director of Legislation and Political Action for UFCW Local 1776, he played leadership roles in campaigns that raised Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, defended public-sector jobs, advanced living-wage standards, and helped secure national health care reform. He has also served in numerous leadership roles across the AFL-CIO, representing more than 100,000 workers across southeastern Pennsylvania. In this episode, Meyerson reflects on community and labor organizing, the challenge of balancing family life with movement work, and the realities—and possibilities—of organizing in the United States in 2026. Drawing on decades of experience, he offers perspective, candor, and lessons for a new generation committed to change. Listen and discover why John Meyerson’s story is a neglected one worth hearing.

We believe the most important stories are often the ones told in unexpected spaces. This week, that space is the intersection of science, art, and public trust. At Penn’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics—ITMAT—researchers are pushing life-saving discoveries forward. But they’re also asking a radical question: How do we make medical science understandable, relatable, and accountable to the people it’s meant to serve? Through ITMAT’s Artist-in-Residence program, ceramicist Marguerite Hagan works alongside scientists, using storytelling, clay, and the metaphor of the “shield” to help young researchers rethink how they communicate with communities. She’s joined by Dr. Carsten Skarke, the physician-scientist who created the program to break down the barriers between labs and real life. This is a conversation about trust, storytelling, and why science needs art more than ever.

Acclaimed journalist and author Scott Anderson’s new book, King of Kings, offers a gripping, deeply reported narrative of the Iranian Revolution—an event that reshaped global politics, yet remains widely misunderstood in the United States. In this conversation, Anderson guides listeners through the complex forces that brought millions into the streets, toppled the Shah, and altered the strategic landscape of the Middle East. His reporting uncovers the human stories behind the upheaval: the activists, clerics, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens who navigated hope, repression, and rapid historical change. For audiences committed to understanding how past movements inform today’s struggles—whether for democracy, civil liberties, or equitable governance—this episode provides a critical lens. Neglected Stories" exists to foreground histories that shape the present, and this interview delivers on that mission with clarity and depth.