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In 1876, America celebrated its centennial and then plunged into one of the most bitterly disputed presidential elections in its history. Samuel Tilden won the popular vote, Rutherford B. Hayes ultimately secured the presidency, and the struggle over twenty electoral votes exposed a nation still divided by the Civil War. Dave Bowman joins Bill Mick to examine the violence, voter intimidation, competing electoral returns, and political maneuvering behind the Hayes–Tilden contest. From the Hamburg Massacre to the electoral commission’s partisan decisions, the story reaches far beyond the question of who would occupy the White House. At the heart of the episode is Dave’s argument that the settlement surrounding the election amounted to a Faustian bargain. As Reconstruction ended and federal protection of Black citizens’ rights receded, the consequences extended across generations. Through the lens of history and literature, Dave and Bill consider the enduring cost of placing partisan victory above constitutional principles. #DaveDoesHistory #ElectionOf1876 #AmericanHistory #Reconstruction #BillMick For more of Dave on the 1876 election, check out his series, "1876" https://thedavebowmanshow.com/2022/01/10/1876-the-series/

Dave Bowman opens the show from his Silverdale studio with little optimism about tomorrow’s elections. He argues that the real problem runs deeper than expected Republican losses: the erosion of shared American principles. Where parties once differed mainly on how to reach the same goals of individual liberty, honest government, and fiscal responsibility, he now sees one side as actively destructive to those ends—and the other as unwilling or unable to defend them. The episode examines concrete examples. In California, heavily favored Democrat Xavier Becerra is treated as the de facto next governor while floating ideas like a mileage tax under the banner of “everything is on the table,” even as the state campaigns on affordability and continues to struggle with high-speed rail. In Wyoming, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel’s moon-landing conspiracy claims go largely unchallenged by her own side or much of the local media. Bowman also highlights the tension around AI policy, noting Democrats’ vocal warnings about artificial intelligence as an existential threat while Democratic organizations accepted a large donation from Anthropic. A Michigan Democrat who lost a primary and later endorsed the Republican faces party condemnation rather than engagement with her concerns. Bowman is equally critical of Republicans, arguing they were elected to advance specific principles and have largely failed to do so, leaving voters with little more than team loyalty. He rejects the idea that electoral outcomes validate ideas and insists that liberty, self-determination, and critical scrutiny of claims—regardless of the letter after a candidate’s name—remain the standards worth defending. The show closes with a reminder that personal relationships and clear thinking matter more than any single election result.

Star Trek has been part of Dave Bowman’s life since childhood. Remembering Walter Koenig and Patrick Stewart brings him back to the characters, stories, and lessons that stayed with him through Navy service, fatherhood, and decades of watching the Enterprise explore the unknown. A conversation with his son Ben opens a personal reflection on Chekov, Captain Kirk, and Jean-Luc Picard, from the humor of “The Trouble with Tribbles” to the historical warnings woven into the original series. Dave also remembers submarine leaders whose example inspired the same respect Patrick Stewart brought to the captain’s chair. Then, The Next Generation episode “The First Duty” supplies the central question: what happens when loyalty to a team, political party, or personal ambition takes precedence over telling the truth? Dave applies Picard’s lesson to public leadership, voters’ responsibilities, and the Navy’s warning about longer deployments, drawing on his own experience to consider the consequences for sailors and their families. A personal episode about growing older with Star Trek and the responsibility that comes with having the conn. #StarTrek #PatrickStewart #WalterKoenig #Leadership #Navy #PlausiblyLive

Did somebody mistake an Eddie Murphy comedy for a campaign manual? Dave Bowman opens with The Distinguished Gentleman and Alaska’s two Dan Sullivans, examining an alleged election spoiler scheme, Trump’s demands for prosecution, and a similar namesake stunt in Washington state. Deliberately confusing voters deserves scrutiny regardless of which party tries it. Then, baseball’s looming labor showdown has Dave questioning the arguments for a salary cap. With Milwaukee and Tampa Bay reaching the World Series, how convincing is the claim that smaller-market teams cannot compete? A lifelong baseball fan weighs competitive balance, ownership priorities, and the possibility of a lockout disrupting the 2027 season. Finally, a tragic report about a woman who relied on ChatGPT for medication decisions prompts a personal admission: Dave has also sought AI guidance about an injury. His costly experience raises questions about leading prompts, reassuring answers, and the limits of a chatbot’s medical judgment. Politics, baseball, and some hard-earned skepticism on Plausibly Live: The Dave Bowman Show. #AlaskaSenateRace #MLBLockout #ChatGPT #TheDaveBowmanShow #PlausiblyLive

What does government by the people mean when voters approve an initiative and the fight immediately moves to court? On this episode of Plausibly Live: The Dave Bowman Show, Dave examines Washington’s battles over natural gas policy, taxes, girls’ sports, and the possibility of public power in Kitsap County. He explains why election coverage finally drove him to turn off the morning news, while arguing that frustration with the system makes voting more necessary. The scrutiny extends to President Trump’s remarks about higher fuel prices and who actually benefits when Americans pay more at the pump. Drawing on a German journalist’s reflections after World War II, Dave considers the responsibility citizens carry when their own preferred leaders say things that deserve a challenge. From Olympia to Washington, D.C., this episode asks how much authority we surrender when party loyalty takes the place of independent judgment.

By Christmas 1776, George Washington’s army was running out of men and time. Months of defeat had driven the Americans across New Jersey, enlistments were about to expire, and Washington feared the Revolution was nearing its end. His response was an attack that depended on crossing an ice-choked river in a winter storm. In this episode of Dave Does History, Dave Bowman follows Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton, tracing how an exhausted army carried out an offensive after its timetable collapsed and two supporting crossings failed. Along the way, discover why Henry Knox’s artillery and John Glover’s boat crews mattered so much, how future president James Monroe nearly lost his life, and where the familiar story of drunken Hessians departs from the evidence. Beyond the famous painting lies a consequential military gamble, undertaken by people who had no way of knowing whether American independence would survive. Join Dave to explore what happened on December 26, 1776, and why that morning’s victory gave a faltering Revolution another chance. #DaveDoesHistory #AmericanRevolution #GeorgeWashington #BattleOfTrenton #RevolutionaryWar #AmericanHistory #HistoryPodcast

Doctors warned that Bowman’s newborn sister might not survive. Deanna lived for 49 years, becoming a Special Olympian, an enthusiastic storyteller, and a beloved presence whose friendships reached far beyond her family. On this deeply personal episode of Plausibly Live, The Dave Bowman Show, Dave remembers his sister and reflects on Down syndrome, disability, faith, and the worth of every human life. The story begins in Denver in October 1973, where a ten-year-old’s world revolved around the Broncos, fourth grade, and beating a hated youth football rival. While Watergate and the Yom Kippur War dominated the headlines, a telephone call brought news that would change the Bowman family forever. Drawing on Jewish teachings about the soul and the responsibility to help repair the world, Dave considers what makes a life meaningful and why a medical diagnosis cannot measure a person’s potential. A contemporary controversy over a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis gives that reflection particular urgency, but Deanna’s story remains at its heart. “Once upon a time, there was Deanna.” Listen to discover the life behind those words and the memories her family carries forward. #PlausiblyLive #TheDaveBowmanShow #DownSyndrome #DisabilityAwareness #FamilyStories #SpecialOlympics

Ilhan Omar says “Not to my knowledge,” a Scottish museum needs a mummy’s consent, and somebody in Los Angeles thought feeding a coyote was a good idea. Dave Bowman has questions, coffee, and very little patience for the explanations. On this episode of Plausibly Live – The Dave Bowman Show, Dave takes a skeptical look at Omar’s interview, disputed marriage allegations, financial disclosure questions, and fundraising appeal. Does mentioning an older Toyota Camry answer questions about your finances? Dave would like to call the car as a character witness. Meanwhile, Glasgow’s Kelvingrove museum provides an unexpected lesson in posthumous paperwork, and a Los Angeles toddler’s encounter with a coyote brings the discussion back to the consequences of adult judgment. The reported sledgehammer attack on an Iwo Jima statue in Quantico closes the episode with a veteran and historian’s reflection on memorials, historical stewardship, and what gets lost when connections to the past are damaged. Plus: the original satirical song “Not to My Knowledge,” thoughts on AI music, and memories of Navy security duty under Marine supervision. Listen for the satire, stay for the argument about accountability, and follow Plausibly Live for more independent political commentary with Dave Bowman. This episode includes opinion and satire concerning disputed allegations. Omar denies wrongdoing. #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowman #IlhanOmar #PoliticalCommentary #PoliticalSatire

When religious conviction meets political ambition, wheredoes faith end and constitutional responsibility begin? On this October 22, 2026, episode of Plausibly Live,Dave Bowman examines religious liberty, Washington politics, transgenderathletes in girls' sports, and the uncomfortable questions that arise whenpersonal beliefs collide with public policy. The Preacher and the Witch: Washington Republicanlegislative candidate Katy Cornell is facing scrutiny over church sermons describing abortion as murder and suggesting that worship outside Christianity constitutes witchcraft. As a Jewish, politically conservative skeptic, Dave challenges the theological implications of those statements while defending Cornell's First Amendment right to express them. But why did thousands of sermon videos disappear as her political campaign gained attention? And what should voters expect from candidates whose religious convictions may influence their legislative decisions? Initiative 638 and Girls' Sports: Dave discusses hisvote in favor of Washington's I-638 and the controversy surrounding transgender participation in girls' athletics. A recent cross-country competition involving Skyview High School athletes raises questions about competitive fairness, biological differences, Title IX, and opportunities for female athletes. Dave also recalls Manon Rhéaume's historic appearances in men's professional hockey while examining the distinctions between men's and women's athletic competition. UFOs, Angels, and Demons? A provocative Blaze Mediaarticle suggests that unidentified aerial phenomena might actually be supernatural beings described in Scripture. Dave briefly considers the argument from his Jewish perspective and explains why he remains skeptical of extraterrestrialexplanations. The episode also begins with a bizarre report of a ten-foothumanoid wandering near the Poulsbo waterfront and concludes with a personal reflection on veterans' healthcare, his ongoing eye problems, and the importance of seeking medical treatment before complications become moreserious. From the First Amendment to the athletic field, from biblical interpretation to an unexplained sighting in Kitsap County, Dave brings history, constitutional principles, personal experience, and a healthy dose of skepticism to the conversation. Grab your coffee, pull up an iPad, and join the submarine-qualified, well-coffee'd, stuffy elitist history buff for anotheredition of Plausibly Live: The Dave Bowman Show, on the On Air Across America Network. #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowman #WashingtonPolitics#ReligiousLiberty #FirstAmendment #Initiative638 #GirlsSports #TitleIX #TransgenderAthletes #KatyCornell #UFOs #VeteransHealth

Plausibly Live | The Dave Bowman Show | October 21, 2026 France is erupting in violence. North Korea's dictator may be dead. And somehow, the NFL has managed to turn the national anthem into a musical disaster. It's another perfectly ordinary day on Plausibly Live. In France, what began as student protests over education funding has escalated into widespread riots, thousands of arrests, and growing questions about immigration, integration, and political Islam. Dave Bowman examines the Islamic phrase Bismillah appearing in protest slogans, challenges the prevailing media narrative, and considers whether France's current unrest reflects a deeper struggle over national identity. With the French Revolution of 1789 as historical context, he explores what a fundamental political transformation could mean for Europe, NATO, Israel, and France's nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, is Kim Jong-un dead? Unconfirmed reports of a cerebral hemorrhage have raised questions about North Korea's future. Dave examines the Kim dynasty, the possibility of a succession crisis, China's strategic interests, and the dangers of uncertainty surrounding a nuclear-armed dictatorship. As a former Navy submariner, he also considers the implications for nuclear command and control and submarine warfare. Finally, what on earth happened to the national anthem on Monday Night Football? Train frontman Pat Monahan and his son delivered a performance that left NFL fans furious. Dave has some thoughts about artistic freedom, musical talent, patriotic traditions, and why the national anthem shouldn't sound like a rock concert gone terribly wrong. From the streets of Paris to the nuclear submarines of North Korea and the football fields of America, it's history, politics, national security, and cultural absurdity, delivered with Dave Bowman's trademark skepticism, sarcasm, and historical perspective. Grab your coffee cup, pull up an iPad, and join the conversation. Plausibly Live: The Dave Bowman Show, part of the On Air Across America Network. Listen, subscribe, and share. Join the conversation: Call or text 209-565-DAVE (209-565-3283). Website: https://plausiblylive.com French riots and student protests • Political Islam and immigration in France • French Revolution of 1789 • Kim Jong-un death rumors • North Korean succession crisis • Chinese influence in North Korea • Nuclear weapons and submarine security • Pat Monahan and Train • Monday Night Football national anthem controversy • Freedom of expression and American traditions #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowmanShow #FranceProtests #FrenchRiots #PoliticalIslam #KimJongUn #NorthKorea #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity #NFL #MondayNightFootball #NationalAnthem #PoliticalCommentary #History

Thomas Paine's The American Crisis: The Words That Helped Save the American Revolution | Dave Does History “These are the times that try men's souls.” In December 1776, the American Revolution was on the verge of collapse. George Washington's Continental Army had been driven from New York, British forces dominated New Jersey, enlistments were expiring, and Americans were beginning to question whether independence had been a terrible mistake. Then Thomas Paine picked up his pen. His extraordinary essay, The American Crisis, challenged a discouraged nation to confront the true cost of liberty. But could thirteen unforgettable words help sustain a revolution that appeared all but lost? In this episode of Dave Does History, historian Dave Bowman joins Bill Mick to explore Thomas Paine's influence on the American Revolution, the remarkable power of political persuasion, and the enduring significance of his writings as America approaches the 250th anniversary of The American Crisis. How did Paine's words travel through colonial America? Did George Washington really have the essay read to his soldiers before the Battle of Trenton? And what can an eighteenth-century revolutionary teach modern Americans about political communication, patriotism, sacrifice, and the responsibilities of citizenship? The conversation also turns to a provocative contemporary question: Does America have a Thomas Paine today, or have we forgotten how to communicate the principles of liberty? Discover the history behind one of the most influential works of the American Revolution and why its message still matters 250 years later. Listen now to Dave Does History, where the people, decisions, and ideas that shaped America receive the attention they deserve. #DaveDoesHistory #ThomasPaine #TheAmericanCrisis #AmericanRevolution #AmericanHistory #RevolutionaryWar #GeorgeWashington #HistoryPodcast #USHistory #America250

What happens when one political party has occupied the governor's office for more than four decades, the state keeps demanding more money, and even the Republican party starts telling voters to elect Democrats? Welcome to Washington State politics. On this episode of Plausibly Live, Dave Bowman begins with a simple question prompted by a handful of campaign flyers and his morning coffee: After 42 years of Democratic governors, who is actually responsible for Washington's problems? A local legislative race featuring two Democrats, a proposed ethics reform law, and the controversial millionaire income tax raise uncomfortable questions about government accountability, political spending, and whether Washington's voters are being offered meaningful alternatives. Then there's the Seattle SuperSonics. Seattle has a passionate basketball fan base, a modern NBA arena, and decades of unfinished business after losing the Sonics to Oklahoma City. So why is the city's anticipated NBA expansion opportunity suddenly looking less certain? Could Washington's proposed income tax, business taxes, and economic climate influence the NBA's decision? And what happens when Las Vegas and Mexico City enter the conversation? Dave examines the economic questions surrounding Seattle's NBA ambitions, the Republican Party's failure to field candidates in key races, and the growing disconnect between Washington's political leadership and the people paying the bills. There's also a French Revolution connection lurking in the background. Sometimes the most interesting political conversations begin with a cup of coffee and an unexpected change of plans. Forty-two years is a long time to govern. At what point does political leadership become political accountability? Grab your coffee cup, pull up an iPad, and join Dave Bowman for a decidedly opinionated edition of Plausibly Live. Topics: Washington State politics, Democratic control of Washington, Washington income tax, Initiative 645, government spending, political accountability, Seattle SuperSonics, NBA expansion, Seattle economics, Republican Party politics. #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowman #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonState #SeattleSuperSonics #NBAExpansion #IncomeTax #PoliticalAccountability #ConservativeCommentary #PoliticalPodcast

Plausibly Live with Dave Bowman | October 16, 2026 What do a high school cross-country protest, the search forNoah's Ark, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' playoff elimination have in common?They're all raising questions about fairness, tradition, and what we choose tobelieve. On this episode of Plausibly Live, Dave Bowman beginsin Washington State, where female athletes from Camas and Battle Ground highschools walked off a cross-country course in protest over transgenderparticipation in girls' sports. With Initiative 638 on the November ballot,Dave examines the controversy surrounding biological sex, athletic competition,parental rights, and Superintendent Chris Reykdal's response. Is Washingtonfinally approaching a political reckoning over girls' athletics? Then, with the weekly Torah portion turning to Noah, Daveconsiders renewed archaeological investigations near Mount Ararat. Researcherscontinue searching for physical evidence of Noah's Ark, but Jewish traditionoffers a different perspective. Drawing on the Torah, Talmud, Midrash,Josephus, and the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, Dave explores what may havehappened to the Ark and why its spiritual meaning matters more than discoveringits remains. Finally, the Milwaukee Brewers have eliminated the LosAngeles Dodgers, and much of baseball is celebrating. As a lifelong Dodgersfan, Dave isn't particularly happy about the loss, but he's even less impressedby claims that Milwaukee has somehow saved baseball. From the Yankees'free-spending dynasty to the economics of modern Major League Baseball, heargues that the sport's real problems remain unresolved, with a potential laborconfrontation on the horizon. Politics, biblical history, Jewish philosophy, baseball, anda little sarcasm. It's another Friday on Plausibly Live. Listen for independent political commentary, historicalperspective, and conversations about the issues that deserve more than aheadline. Join the conversation:Call or text: 209-565-DAVE (3283)Email: [email protected] Follow Plausibly Live with Dave Bowman on Spotify fornew episodes exploring American politics, constitutional liberty, history,religion, and the occasional baseball argument. #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowman #WashingtonPolitics #GirlsSports#TransgenderAthletes #Initiative638 #NoahsArk #JewishTradition #Dodgers#MilwaukeeBrewers #MLB #PoliticalCommentary

Who decides what's best for your children: You or Ron DeSantis? And why does a man who walked on the Moon believe UFOs are actually demons? On today's Plausibly Live, Dave Bowman examines Florida's controversial social media restrictions for minors and the growing conflict between parental rights, government authority, and personal liberty. Protecting children matters, but shouldn't parents decide when their kids are ready to navigate the digital world? And if social media is so dangerous, why aren't we regulating the harmful practices themselves? Then, Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke claims UFOs are demonic manifestations designed to deceive humanity. Dave is skeptical that extraterrestrial life exists, but does a supernatural explanation make any more sense? From biblical interpretations to scientific evidence, it's a fascinating discussion about faith, skepticism, and what we actually know. Two very different stories connected by questions about authority, evidence, and the freedom to think for ourselves. Plausibly Live: The Dave Bowman Show explores history, politics, culture, and liberty with independent thinking and a healthy dose of skepticism. #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowmanShow #ParentalRights #SocialMedia #FreeSpeech #UFOs

Has the Heisman Trophy Become Meaningless? What happens when two interceptions become more important than an entire football season? Following Oklahoma's 27–24 victory over Texas, Dave Bowman takes aim at the media frenzy surrounding Arch Manning and the Heisman Trophy. Has college football's most prestigious individual award become little more than a publicity contest driven by television networks, betting markets, and manufactured expectations? From NIL deals and the transfer portal to conference realignment and the disappearance of traditional rivalries, Dave examines why it's becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy the college football he grew up loving. Then the conversation turns to Iran, where reports suggest Tehran is deliberately targeting commercial shipping to drive up oil prices and influence the November elections. Dave questions the credibility of those claims, the dangers of military escalation, and the political hypocrisy surrounding gasoline prices and American energy policy. Plus, a morning of technical disasters, Windows 11 frustrations, and the challenges of producing a live radio show when absolutely nothing cooperates. Plausibly Live: The Dave Bowman Show brings history, politics, sports, and common sense together with a healthy dose of skepticism. #PlausiblyLive #DaveBowmanShow #HeismanTrophy #ArchManning #CollegeFootball #OklahomaSooners #RedRiverRivalry #Iran #ElectionInterference #EnergyPolicy