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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
San Quentin
Masculinity
World War II
14th Amendment
American Music History
My Old Kentucky Home
Racial Identity
Blackface Minstrelsy
Red Scare
The New Deal

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes470Founded10 years ago
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Society & CultureHistory

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Artwork for The Road to Now

Latest Episodes

Ben & Bob took a trip to the home of Andrew Jackson, so they took the opportunity to record an episode on their impressions of the Hermitage and why Bob doubts they'll ever have a copy of America's Founding Son in the bookstore. They also talk about ... more

Did you know that the Boston Tea Party was sparked by a corporate tax cut? Or that during the explosive post-WWII economic boom, the highest tax bracket in the US was about 90%? Or that the more democratic a country is, the more taxes its citizens te... more

Directors Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers join us to discuss their new film, Ken Burns Presents: Henry David Thoreau. Erik & Christopher talk about their rediscovery of Thoreau's place in American history, their process for capturing his story, ... more

Martin Van Buren served just one term as President from 1837 to 1841, but as the architect behind the founding of the Democratic Party, his legacy lives on in the US today. In this episode, we speak with James M. Bradley, author of the new book Marti... more

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Recent Guests

Vanessa S. Williamson
Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and Senior Fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
Brookings Institution
Episode: #365 Taxes: An American History w/ Vanessa S. Williamson
Erik Ewers
Director, Ken Burns Presents Henry David Thoreau
Florentine Films / Ken Burns Presents
Episode: #364 Henry David Thoreau w/ Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers
Christopher Loren Ewers
Director, Ken Burns Presents Henry David Thoreau
Florentine Films / Ken Burns Presents
Episode: #364 Henry David Thoreau w/ Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers
James Bradley
Author of Martin Van Buren, America's First Politician
Oxford University Press
Episode: Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician w/ James M Bradley
Hans Zeigler
President of the Jack Miller Center
Jack Miller Center
Episode: #363 What are America's Founding Principles? w/ Hans Zeiger
Bob Crawford
Author of the book Americas Founding Son: John Quincy Adams from President to Political Maverick
Zando Press
Episode: #362 America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams w/ Bob Crawford
Monica Sandler
Historian and Oscar-Industry expert
Independent researcher / academic
Episode: #361 The Oscars: A History of the Academy Awards w/ Monica Sandler
Dr. Lina Britto
Associate Professor of History specializing in Colombian history and the history of the international drug trade.
Northwestern University
Episode: Colombia, the US and the War on Drugs w/ Lina Britto
Mary Clare Jalonick
Capitol Hill reporter for the Associated Press
Associated Press
Episode: #358 Storm at the Capitol w/ Mary Clare Jalonick

Hosts

Bob Crawford
Host of The Road to Now; co-host; musician and public figure.
Dr. Ben Sawyer
Co-host and historian; educator with a focus on history.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 827 ratings
  • Great Show

    This show is thoughtful, measured, informative and always interesting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    royalhinesh
    United States2 months ago
  • Relevant, informational and timely

    Always well researched, informative guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    craig.winchell
    United States3 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 States6 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 States7 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 States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews note perceived ideological bias and requests for more balanced framing.
Thoughtful, insightful discussions with top-tier guests are the show's hallmark.
Listeners appreciate the depth and breadth of topics, from presidential history to cultural movements.
Overall, feedback highlights strong research, engaging hosts, and high-quality guest selections.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#215
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#20
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#364 Henry David Thoreau w/ Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers
Q: What makes Thoreau's life story relevant today, given the modern context of change and anxiety?
Thoreau's insistence on grounding lofty ideals in concrete action, his willingness to challenge prevailing norms, and his integration of nature with social justice offer a blueprint for thinking clearly about personal responsibility and collective action in uncertain times.
#364 Henry David Thoreau w/ Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers
Q: Could you talk about how Emerson's relationship with Thoreau began and how it evolved over time?
Emerson was immediately intrigued by Thoreau and helped him through college, becoming a mentor early on. Over time, as Thoreau sought his own voice and a different writing path, their relationship grew more complex and contentious, though grounded in mutual respect.
#363 What are America's Founding Principles? w/ Hans Zeiger
Q: What are the founding principles that Jack Miller Center focuses on teaching?
They start with the equality of all people, rights inherent to individuals, and the social contract; they emphasize reading and debating foundational documents like the Declaration and Constitution to understand the responsibilities of citizenship.
The Stone Pony w/ Nick Corasaniti
Q: Is it a misnomer that he defined himself at the Stone Pony, or had he already defined himself and then came to the Spirit Stone Pony?
Corasaniti explains that while Springsteen is closely associated with the venue, he had already built his career and was more connected to the upstage club.
The Stone Pony w/ Nick Corasaniti
Q: How did this book come to be? What made you want to write this book as your first book?
Corasaniti describes his connection to Asbury Park through the New Jersey punk scene in the late 90s and how it evolved over time, reflecting on the cultural significance of the venue.

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?

A history-forward show that pairs two longtime hosts with leading thinkers from academia, journalism, law, and the arts to explore how past events shape today's world. Episodes frequently center on big ideas in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, cultural history, and political dynamics, colored by fresh interview voices—from presidential historians and policy researchers to historians of music and culture—with a knack for tying historical threads to contemporary issues. A standout element is the diverse guest slate, which often includes prominent academics, journalists, and public figures, plus notable musicians who illuminate cultural movements; this blend creates thoughtful conversations that are accessible to curious listeners who want cl... 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. My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
2. Throughline
3. Fresh Air
4. Pod Save America
5. Listening to America

How many episodes of The Road to Now are there?

The Road to Now launched 10 years ago and published 470 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. Vanessa S. Williamson
2. Erik Ewers
3. Christopher Loren Ewers
4. James Bradley
5. Hans Zeigler
6. Bob Crawford
7. Monica Sandler
8. Dr. Lina Britto

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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