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Artwork for The Road to Now

The Road to Now

RTN Productions
It's A Wonderful Life
FBI
Civil Rights Movement
Frank Capra
Stephen Foster
J. Edgar Hoover
Civil War
American Cinema
The Stephen Foster Story
Race Relations
World War II
Masculinity
San Quentin
14th Amendment
My Old Kentucky Home
Blackface Minstrelsy
American Music History
Racial Identity
The New Deal
Red Scare

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes458Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Road to Now

Latest Episodes

Worried about money in American politics? We are too, and Jeff Clements is offering up a solution. Jeff is CEO of American Promise, a non-partisan organization dedicated to passing the For Our Freedom amendment to the Constitution, which would differ... more

It's Christmas time and this week we're resharing the original RTN Christmas Classic!

Christmas expert James Cooper joins Bob and Ben to explain how Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and other Christmas traditions made their way into popular culture. H... more

Anita McBride is one of the foremost experts on the legacy of American first ladies. Colleen Shogan served as the 11thArchivist of the United States. Together, they're bringing forward a new project called In Pursuit, which offers up a series of essa... more

Dr. Eric Smoodin, film historian at the University of California- Davis and author of Regarding Frank Capra: Audience, Celebrity and American Film Studies, 1930-1960, joins Bob and Ben for the history of the people, the industry, and law that made Fr... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Eric Smoodin
Professor in American Studies and Film Studies at UC Davis
UC Davis
Episode: It's a Wonderful Life: The Story Behind America's Favorite Christmas Film w/ Eric Smoodin
Bruce Carlson
Historian and host of My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
Episode: America's First War on Christmas w/ Bruce Carlson
Emmylou Harris
Influential singer-songwriter in Americana music
Episode: Americana w/ Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Rodney Crowell
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for his contributions to Americana and country music
Episode: Americana w/ Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Sarah Botstein
Co-director of Ken Burns' documentary 'The American Revolution'
Episode: #353 The American Revolution w/ Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt
David Schmidt
Co-director of Ken Burns' documentary 'The American Revolution' and returns as a guest after discussing Ben Franklin previously
Episode: #353 The American Revolution w/ Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt
Max Perry Mueller
Author and historian focusing on Native American history and contributions to the American West
None
Episode: #352 Wakara's America w/ Max Perry Mueller
Evan Friss
Author of 'The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore'
Episode: #351 A History of the American Bookstore w/ Evan Friss
Jeffrey Rosen
CEO and Executive Director of the National Constitution Center
National Constitution Center
Episode: #350 The Pursuit of Liberty w/ Jeffrey Rosen

Hosts

Bob Crawford
Co-host of the conversation, bringing his musicianship and perspective from the arts to historical discussions.
Dr. Ben Sawyer
Co-host contributing scholarly insights and historical analysis drawn from his academic background.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 816 ratings
  • 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 States3 months 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 States3 months 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 States4 months ago
  • Great!

    If you’re liberal and want to remain in your echo chamber. If they took to liberal policies, ideas, and politicians the way they do conservative ones, it’d be fair.

    So if you suffer from TDS, you’ll absolutely enjoy this show of everything you don’t agree with is fascist and/or literal Hitler.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nashville Bulldawg
    United States6 months ago
  • American Historical Association episode

    Not only is this podcast geared toward teaching incredibly useful history instead of just fun tidbits, but as a high school history teacher hearing the head of the American Historical Association call secondary history teachers professionals healed something in me after my profession has been vilified so consistently over the last 5 years. Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yorgasol
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the insights from expert guests add significant value and depth to the conversations.
Listeners appreciate the informative and engaging nature of the discussions, highlighting the ability of the hosts to connect historical themes to modern contexts.
There are some critiques regarding perceived political biases influencing the narrative, especially from listeners preferring a more neutral historical approach.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#69
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#165
Switzerland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The History of Santa Claus & Christmas Culture w/ James Cooper
Q: Is there a custom in England to go outside and take a walk no matter the weather after Christmas dinner?
Yes, it is common but not universal; many do take a walk after dinner to make room for desserts, though James admits he doesn't participate.
The History of Santa Claus & Christmas Culture w/ James Cooper
Q: Why is it that Americans say Merry Christmas and British people say Happy Christmas?
Merry Christmas became more associated in the UK during the late Victorian times, whereas Happy Christmas gained popularity later. Historically, Merry was used as early as 1834 in England.
#352 Wakara's America w/ Max Perry Mueller
Q: So what has happened to these horses since?
The horses have become a living mark of history, embodying the connections between Native Americans and settlers, and there is ongoing discussion around their preservation and management.
#352 Wakara's America w/ Max Perry Mueller
Q: Could you kind of give this background story of the arrival of the Mormons, his ascendancy story and why he particularly finds their arrival to be advantageous?
Wakara saw the Mormons as an opportunity for trade and a way to expand his own power, leveraging their arrival to enhance his trade networks and influence.
#351 A History of the American Bookstore w/ Evan Friss
Q: What led you to write this book?
Evan shares that his journey began with his experiences in urban history and working in an independent bookstore which revealed to him the cultural significance of these spaces.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

Conversations hosted by a musician and a history professor explore intersections between past and present through discussions with historians, artists, and other experts. The content covers a wide array of subjects, from pivotal historical events and cultural phenomena to music and literature, emphasizing their relevance to contemporary society. With a focus on storytelling, these exchanges provide listeners with unique insights into how historical narratives continue to shape modern identity and thought, catering to both history enthusiasts and those interested in cultural discussions.

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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. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
2. SmartLess
3. The Consumers
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion

How many episodes of The Road to Now are there?

The Road to Now launched 10 years ago and published 458 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. Dr. Eric Smoodin
2. Bruce Carlson
3. Emmylou Harris
4. Rodney Crowell
5. Sarah Botstein
6. David Schmidt
7. Max Perry Mueller
8. Evan Friss

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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