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The Road to Now

RTN Productions
Civil War
American Revolution
It's a Wonderful Life
World War II
Frank Capra
Donald Trump
John Quincy Adams
Cold War
George Washington
Andrew Jackson
Woodrow Wilson
American History
Democratic Party
Soviet Union
Vietnam War
Native American History
Declaration Of Independence
Monroe Doctrine
Voting Rights
Women In Politics

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes490Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for The Road to Now

Latest Episodes

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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Listening to AmericaListening to America

Recent Guests

Lindsey Cormack
Associate Professor of Political Science at Stevens Institute of Technology; author of How to Raise a Citizen; host of Government That Doesn't Suck
Stevens Institute of Technology
Episode: #373 Good Government w/ Lindsey Cormack
Kathryn Olivarius
Author of Necropolis: Disease, Power & Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom
University of
Episode: Necropolis: Disease, Power & Capitalism in 19th Century New Orleans w/ Kathryn Olivarius
Bart Elmore
Author of Citizen Coke, The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism
Episode: Citizen Coke: The History of Coca-Cola w/ Bartow Elmore
Denise Kiernan
Author of Obstinate Daughters
Episode: #372 Obstinate Daughters: Women in the American Revolution w/ Denise Kiernan
Greg Jackson
Author of Been There, Done That, historian
History That Doesn't Suck, Simon & Schuster
Episode: #371 Been There, Done That w/ Greg Jackson
Ted Widmer
Author of The Living Declaration, A Biography of America's Founding Text
Library of America (editorial collaborator)
Episode: #370 The Declaration of Independence: A Biography of America's Founding Text w/ Ted Widmer
Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Investigative journalist and author of The Quartermaster, Montgomery C. Meigs, Lincoln's General, Master Builder of the Union Army
The Washington Post
Episode: Montgomery C. Meigs: Master Builder of the Union Army w/ Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Kristin Jorgensen
Master's in History student and historian focused on Civil War pensions
Past Words History
Episode: #368 Women & the Civil War Pension System w/ Kristin Jorgensen
Dean Kinzer
Coin specialist and founder of Kinzer Coins
Kinzer Coins
Episode: #367 Ancient Coins w/ Dean Kinzer

Hosts

Ben Sawyer
Co-host; historian; frequent host and interviewer on historical topics.
Bob Crawford
Host; musician and historian; adept at guiding historical conversations with guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 867 ratings
  • Great Show

    This show is thoughtful, measured, informative and always interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    royalhinesh
    United States7 months ago
  • Relevant, informational and timely

    Always well researched, informative guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    craig.winchell
    United States7 months ago
  • Intriguing Topics

    I love the intriguing topics and unique ideas I get from the conversations on this podcast. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Srl311rpm
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great listen

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nighttrain007
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not what I thought

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SRusso04
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and hosts are consistently described as knowledgeable and engaging.
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Listeners praise thoughtful, well-researched history and strong guests.
Some reviews note perceived political bias and desire for more neutral historical storytelling.
Feedback highlights the show's ability to connect history to present-day issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#190
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Pursuit of Happiness w/ Jeffrey Rosen
Q: Could you talk about that? (referring to returning to primary sources and the broader sources of happiness in the Founders' context)
Rosen explains how examining primary texts reveals a shared thread: happiness rooted in virtue, self-control, and reason, rather than hedonic gratification, with a cosmopolitan influence from East and West helping to unify the Founders' moral framework.
Necropolis: Disease, Power & Capitalism in 19th Century New Orleans w/ Kathryn Olivarius
Q: Take us through what happens when someone gets yellow fever. What are the symptoms and progression?
The illness can advance rapidly over hours or slowly over weeks; initial nausea and chills give way to intense fever, back pain, weakness, delirium, and in severe cases, black vomit and death. Recovery, when it happens, comes with fever decline and lucid intervals, but many patients die in the final stages, and treatment often involved mercury-based medicines with serious toxic risks.
#373 Good Government w/ Lindsey Cormack
Q: What's the goal of Government That Doesn't Suck, and how is it different from other political discourse?
The goal is to present nonpartisan stories of American government doing things right and to highlight how collective efforts improve lives, while acknowledging missteps, in order to inspire constructive civic engagement.
#372 Obstinate Daughters: Women in the American Revolution w/ Denise Kiernan
Q: What drew you to write about women, enslaved people, and Native Americans in the Revolutionary era?
Kiernan explains that including those groups provides a fuller, more accurate picture of the period, showing how different communities imagined and fought for freedom, and how their everyday actions mattered just as much as battlefield events.
Montgomery C. Meigs: Master Builder of the Union Army w/ Robert O'Harrow Jr.
Q: How did Meigs's approach to logistics revolutionize the Union Army's capabilities?
By organizing cottage industries into a national supply web—boots, uniforms, weapons, and even sewing machines—Meigs created an industrial-scale logistics apparatus that dramatically boosted efficiency and the army's endurance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Road to Now

What is The Road to Now about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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Which podcasts are similar to The Road to Now?

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

How many episodes of The Road to Now are there?

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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What guests have appeared on The Road to Now?

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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