
Bob Crawford (The Avett Brothers) & Dr. Ben Sawyer (MTSU History) share conversations with great thinkers from a variety of backgrounds – historians, artists, legal scholars, political figures and more –who help us uncover the many roads that run between past and present. For more information, visit TheRoadToNow.com If you'd like to support our work, join us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheRoadToNow
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 490 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistorySociety & Culture | |||

North Carolina's Research Triangle has been a hub of innovation and economic growth for more than half a century, but the most remarkable invention in the area's history might be the park itself. In this episode, Mack Paul explains how residents of o... more
The inalienable right to "the pursuit of happiness" is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, but what exactly does that phrase mean? While Americans today may associate it with the right to own land, opulence or some other act of acquisition,... more
Ben & Bob catch up for a conversation about bad Ai textooks, new discoveries about precolonial American societies and a new take on the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.
Make sure to catch Bob at his endless book tour for America's Founding Son! Da... more
Ben & Bob talk about the history of the US Senate and why the august body is now under attack from both the Freedom Caucus and the Democratic Socialists of America.
For readings discussed in this episode, check out Michael Trotti's "The Troubling R... more
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This show is thoughtful, measured, informative and always interesting
Always well researched, informative guests.
I love the intriguing topics and unique ideas I get from the conversations on this podcast. Keep up the good work.
I’ve been listening ever since Ben was on the Nate land podcast. This pod is good easy listening full of great information. That is actually interesting.
I have been looking for a good podcast on history that helps explain some of the famous stories a little better but this was not it. Instead it’s just them putting their political spin on everything and that’s not what I was looking for. I just want to hear about the story not why you think all republicans are awful. If you love hearing why being a liberal is right with a little history sprinkled in this is the podcast for you.
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Apple Podcasts | #190 |
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Two history-focused hosts guide conversations with leading thinkers—from professors and authors to journalists and documentary-makers—to illuminate how past ideas and events shape today's politics, culture, and institutions. Episodes often connect deep archival research with contemporary debates, weaving in discussions on democracy, governance, public policy, and the media landscape. A standout trait is the mix of rigorous historical context with accessible storytelling, plus a steady stream of high-profile, multidisciplinary guests that help render complex topics engaging for curious, educated listeners. The show frequently bridges academia and public life, offering practical takeaways for listeners interested in civics, history, and how i... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Road to Now:
1. History That Doesn't Suck
2. This American President
3. Government That Doesn't Suck
4. Listening to America
5. My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
The Road to Now launched 10 years ago and published 490 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Road to Now include:
1. Lindsey Cormack
2. Kathryn Olivarius
3. Bart Elmore
4. Denise Kiernan
5. Greg Jackson
6. Ted Widmer
7. Robert O'Harrow Jr.
8. Kristin Jorgensen
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