Best Madison Schmidt Podcasts (2025)

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057: Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt Part 1: Social Climbing, Scandalous Divorce, and Arranged Marriage; The Complicated Story of One of the Most Notorious Mother Daughter Pairs of the Gilded Age 30:46

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1d ago30:46

30:46

Hello! In this Weeks Episode we are starting our look at Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt, two of teh most well known Gilded Age figures. In thsi first epsiode of teh series we take a look at alva and her childhhod, alva meeting Willie K Vanderbilt, their marriage (and Divorce), and Alvas role in Consuelos marriage. Sources for today's episode include …

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056: Gilded Age Hobbies: A Tour Through Gilded Age Activities and How Leisure Time Was Spent 6:52

8d ago6:52

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Hello! In this weeks episode we are taking a look at what our gilded age ancestors did in their Leisure Time. From activities like walking, atttending sporting events, reading, and traveling, we will take a look at what we used to do for fun. Sources for todays episode include: An article from the Frick Pittsburg museum entitled People at Play: Spo…

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055: The Bicycle Craze of the Gilded Age: The Short Lived Craze That Transformed Women Fashion and Led To Better Road Improvements 7:01

15d ago7:01

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Hello! In this weeks Epsiode of we are going to be taking a look at the Cycling craze that took over the Gilded Age. In this epsiode we will take a look at the progression of the Bicycle and how certain fearures changed the bikes popularity. We will also take a look at how bikes helped to improve road conditions. Sources for todays episode include …

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054: It's a History Podcast's One Year Birthday: Thank You to All Who Listen, What is the Most Popular Episode, and Some Sneak Peaks Into What This Year Has to Bring 4:18

22d ago4:18

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Hello! In this Short and Sweet Epsiode, I am Thanking You!! The Listener! For a Wonderful first year in podcasting. I have had such a great time this year and am looking forward to what teh next year has to offer! Thank you all again! If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at itsah…

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054: Jennie Jerome Churchill Part 4: Jennies Life After Randolph, Her Many Accomplishments, and Her Two Young Husbands 40:54

29d ago40:54

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Hello! In the fourth and final episode in this Jennie Jerome Churchill series we will take a look at Jennies life after Randolph. If anythung, Randolphs death opened many doors for Jennie that would have otehrwise been closed. She was a major player in Winston Churchills climb up teh political ladder, she started. aliterary magazine, wrote two play…

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053: Jennie Jerome Churchill Part 3: The Rise and Fall of Jennie and Randolphs Involvement in Politics, Their Complicated Marriage, and Randolphs Downfall Due to His Syphilis 40:44

1M ago40:44

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Hello! In this weeks episode we take a look at what Jennie and Randolphs married life looked like. Jennie and Randolph, though not the most romantic of partners did make for great political partners. Unfortunatly due to Randolphs increasing difficulty with syphilis, his actions soon became eratic and his career in politcs, once promising began to t…

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052: Jennie Jerome Churchill Part 2: From Three Day's of Courtship to Marriage, The Saga of How The Jerome and Churchill Families Worked Out Jennie and Randolphs Marriage 22:41

1M ago22:41

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Hello! In this weeks episode we are continuing our look at Jennie Jerome Churchill. This weeks epsidose really dives into what exactly happened in the time between Jennnie and Randolph becoming engaged and their wedding. Afterall, they did only have a three day courtship. Sources of today's episode include The Husband Hunters: American Heiresses Wh…

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051: Jennie Jerome Churchill Part 1: Her Early Years, Time in France, and Meeting Lord Randolph Churchill 24:31

2M ago24:31

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Hello! In this weeks episode we start our deep dive into the life of Jennie Jerome Churchill. In todays epsiode we start our look by getting a grasp on her parents seperate fortunes, the time the family spent in Paris France in the court of Empress Euguinie, and the first meeting between Jennie and Randolph that led to very quick marriage. This is …

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050: Vikings in the East: A Conversation with Martyn Whittock about Vikings in Modern Day Ukraine and Russia and How This Link Contributes to the Current Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine 33:42

2M ago33:42

33:42

Hello! Welcome to the 50th Episode of Its A History Podcast! In this episode Martyn Whittock goes into the "Deep Story" surrounding the modern day confilct between Russia and Ukraine. Martyn Links the current conflict to viking age evidence of settlments in the Rus area. We also discuss how impactful the eventual shift to Eastern Orthodox Christian…

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049: Anna Murphy: The Gilded Age Heiress Who Married Charles Wolseley and Maintained Control Of Her Family Money 8:10

2M ago8:10

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Hello! In this Episode of It's a History Podcast, I cover Anna Murphy and her husband Charles Wolseley. Anna had come from a family that was a part of the New Money Scene after making their fortune as the only hardware store in San Fransisco at the start of the Gold Rush. Charles came from a family that was strapped for cash, having came into his t…

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048: Marietta Stevens: A Gilded Age Mother Who Did Whatever Necessary To Climb The Social Ladder 12:17

2M ago12:17

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Hello! In this Episode of It's a History Podcast I take a look at one of the lesser known ladies from the Gilded Age. Marietta Stevens was a woman who started her adult life as a chamber maid in a hotel, who went on to marry the hotel owner and climb her way up the social ladder through some not so typical means. Marietta made a name for herself. S…

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047: The Gilded Age: The Social Season, The Other London, And Living In The Country 13:59

3M ago13:59

13:59

Hello! In today's episode we coninue to look at what the typical heiress might expect while living in Gilded Age. We take a look at the Social Season in London, a breif look at what London would be like for those not in the inner circle, and what the American Dollar Princesses could expect when they moved across the pond with their English Husbands…

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046: The Gilded Age: Mrs. Astor and Her 400, Social Etiquette, and What Makes an American Dollar Princess 21:29

3M ago21:29

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Hello! Welcome to another episode of Its a History Podcast. In todays episode we kick off the patent pending "Guilded Age Summer". Todays episode lays some ground work for what society was like for those in the upper crest of society. The ladies we will talk about in the future would have grown up in this climate and it most definetly shaped how th…

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045: Secrets of The Killing State: A Conversation With Corinna Barrett Lain 32:19

3M ago32:19

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Hello! In this very special episode of Its a History Podcast, I had the oppurtunity to speak with Corinna Barrett Lain about her most recent book "Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection". We discuss the secrecy surrounding Lethal Injection and the morality of having Agents of the State perform this act. Some of the mater…

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044: Easter Eggs: Why We Have Them, Why We Dye Them, and Why a Bunny Delivers Them 11:30

3M ago11:30

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Hello! In todays episode I dive into all things Easter egg. Over the course of todays episode we will discover why eggs are associated with Easter, why we dye them, and just how the Easter Bunny came to be. We also take a look at the Faberge Eggs and the Mall Bunny. Sources for todays episode include: Multiple articles from TIme magazine including:…

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043: The History of Audiobooks: From Vinyl, to Cassette, to CD, to Digital 13:50

4M ago13:50

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Hello! In this Episode of It's a History Podcast, I take a look at the History of Audiobooks. We start all the way back in the 1930's and work our way up to the current state of audiobooks. Mentioned in this episode are two fellow podcasts hosted by some wonderful Librarians. Make sure to Listen to @drinksinthelibrary and @vulgarhistory. Sources fo…

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042: Frederick Douglas: The Face of Many Men: How Frederick Douglas's Image Came to Represent Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner 5:41

4M ago5:41

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Hello! In This weeks episode, though short, we look at why Frederick Douglas's image is used to represent both Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner. Due to an error on my part, I was made aware of this issue and started to look into why. This episode highlights the "Reclaiming Black Faces" Project which is linked below. If you would like to send me any que…

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041: The History of the Sewing Machine: From Clunky to Functional: How the Early Sewing Machines Evolved 12:42

4M ago12:42

12:42

Hello! In this episode of It's a History podcast, We dives into the fascinating history of the sewing machine. Join me as we look at the history of sewing machines from hand-sewing with bone needles to the complex inventions of the 19th century that paved the way for modern sewing machines. Learn about key figures like Barthelemy Timmonnier, Walter…

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040: The Happy Birthday Song: From Origins to Copyright Controversies 10:31

4M ago10:31

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Hello! In this week's episode of It's a History Podcast, join me as we delve into the fascinating history of the Happy Birthday song. In this epsiode we discover the origins of the melody in a song called 'Good Morning to All,' composed by sisters Mildred and Patty Hill. We then learn about the transformation of this simple tune into the globally r…

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039: The History of Arsenic Green and Poisonous Books 9:10

4M ago9:10

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Hello! Welcome to another episode of It's a History podcast! In this episode, we dive into the dark history of arsenic green during the Victorian Age, also known as Paris Green, and how it led to the creation of poisonous books. Starting with the origins and popularity of this bright green color, we explore its widespread use in clothing, wallpaper…

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038: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 3: The Rebellion, the Betrayal, and the Aftermath 22:20

5M ago22:20

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Hello! In this week's episode we conclude the riveting story of Denmark Vesey, a free black man who planned one of the largest slave rebellions in United States history. We delve deep into Vesey's meticulous planning, the eventual collapse of the rebellion, and the severe repercussions for those involved. We explore the societal context, the comple…

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037: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 2: Life After Freedom, Charleston Class Structure, and Religion 18:15

5M ago18:15

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Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, we continue our exploration of Denmark Vesey's life, focusing on his experiences post-freedom. We look into Vesey's attempts to free his wife and start a business in Charleston, South Carolina, revealing the societal challenges and racial hierarchies he faced. We will also discover how Vesey's relat…

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036: The Legacy of Denmark Vesey Part 1: Early Life and Revolutionary Influence 17:51

5M ago17:51

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Hello! In this episode I delve into the life of Denmark Vesey, an enslaved man who planned one of the largest slave rebellions in the United States. We'll explore Vesey's early life, his experiences in the harsh conditions of St. Thomas and St. Domingue, and the impact of the North Atlantic slave trade. Learn how these experiences and the age of re…

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035: The Complex History of Romance Novels: What is a Romance Novel, Their Criticism, and Their Popularity 16:22

5M ago16:22

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In this episode of It's a History Podcast, I delve into the intricate history of romance novels. We explore the controversies surrounding the genre, from accusations of being 'wrong or dirty' to criticisms of anti-feminism. We first covers the origins of the romance genre. Then we discusses how romance novels have primarily been written by women, a…

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034: The First Super Bowl: How the NFL Came to Be and the Championship Game that Joined Two Rival Leagues 24:10

6M ago24:10

24:10

Hello! On this episode of It's a History podcast I explore the fascinating early history of football leading up to the very first Super Bowl. I look at how the game evolved from a blend of soccer and rugby into a cultural phenomenon, and we learn about key figures like Jim Thorpe and the formation of the APFA. We will look into the creation of the …

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033: Franklin's Trees: A conversation With AJ Schenkman About FDR and his love for Trees 28:01

6M ago28:01

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Hello! In this epsiode of It's a History Podcast, I sit down with author AJ Schenkman to discuss his latest children's book, 'Franklin's Trees.' This episode delves into FDR's lifelong love for trees, his experiences with polio, and how these influences shaped one of America's most significant presidents. We also explore the creative process behind…

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032: American Vikings: A Conversation With Martyn Whittock on American Vikings, the Evidence They Were Here, and Popculture 31:36

6M ago31:36

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Hello! In this episode of It's History Podcast I dive into an insightful conversation with author Martyn Whittock about his latest book 'American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America'. We discuss Viking exploration, their impact on America, the evidence supporting their presence, and their portrayal in pop cultur…

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031: Mary Shelley Part 3: A Tragic Accident, Literary Achievements, and Money Problems Galore: Oh My! 33:45

6M ago33:45

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Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, I delve into the third and final part of Mary Shelley's life. Todays episode will explore the trials and tribulations she faced from tragic losses and betrayals to the literary accomplishments that marked the rest of her life. I also cover the challenges that Mary encountered, including her strained…

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030: Mary Shelley Part 2: The Birth of Frankenstein and Never-Ending Tragedy 43:44

7M ago43:44

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Hello! Welcome back to another episode of It's a History Podcast. In this episode, we continue delving into the life of Mary Shelley. Picking up from last week's episode, we explore Mary's fateful journey to Geneva with Percy, Claire, and Lord Byron, leading to the birth of her masterpiece, Frankenstein. This episode covers significant events inclu…

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029: Mary Shelley Part 1: The Early life of Mary Shelley, Meeting Percy Shelley, and Arrival in Geneva 47:25

7M ago47:25

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*Discussion of Suicide Attempts in the Episode* Hello! And Welcome to the Mary Shelley Extravaganza! Join me as we kick off a three-part series diving deep into the life and legacy of Mary Shelley. Best known for her novel 'Frankenstein,' Mary Shelley led a fascinating life filled with remarkable experiences and notable influences. In this episode,…

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028: The History of the Mall Santa: How Santa Got His Home in the Mall and Why We Take Pictures With Him 7:52

7M ago7:52

7:52

Hello! In todays episode I take a look at the Mall Santa. Where did he come from? Why do we take pictures with him? Santa is a part of childhood, and having the chance to see him and tell him what you want for christmas is such a fun memory that a lot of have! In todays epsiode you will hear a first had account of someone who was one of teh first t…

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027: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree: From Humble Beginnings to Extravagant Fanfare; How the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Became a Yearly Tradition 13:07

7M ago13:07

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Hello! In todays episode we look at the history of the Rockefeller Christmas tree! We take a look at the very first tree, various trees throughout the years (including which one was the biggest), and how the current trees are picked. We also venture into what happens to the trees after their time at the center is done. Sources for todays episode in…

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026: The Ferris Wheel: From the Showcase Piece of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair to American Icon 14:52

8M ago14:52

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Hello! In this episode of It's a History Podcast, we delve into the story behind the creation of the iconic Ferris wheel. Learn how the Ferris wheel gained fame following its debut at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, the challenges faced by its creator George Washington Gale Ferris, and the engineering marvels involved in its construction. Despite hu…

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025: The 1893 Chicago World's Fair: How a Fair Goes From Concept to Reality in Just Three Years 25:02

8M ago25:02

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Hello! In todays episode I cover the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. Over the course of todays episode You will hear about Chicago being chosen as "The" host city, how the fairs design concpet came to be, and the many trials and tribulations of building an extravagent exposition in just three years. You will also have to listen to me say "World's Fair" f…

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024: The Eagle and The Turkey: Two Birds; One a National Symbol and One a Thanksgiving Staple 9:42

8M ago9:42

9:42

Hello! And happy Thanksgiving! Coming off the tail end of the Potato Famine, I figured we all needed a little lighthearted episode this week. This week I take a look at the eagle and the turkey, both of these birds are significant to the US but for wildly different reasons. One is a symbol for strength, and one is enjoyed by millions on our day of …

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023: The Irish Potato Famine Part 3: Irish Emigration from Ireland, Famine Ships, and Coffin Ships 16:25

8M ago16:25

16:25

Hello! In this final episode in our three part series on the Irish Potato Famine, I take a look at Irish Emigration out of Ireland. I also take a look at the famine ships and coffine ships that sailed over 3,000 miles from Ireland to north america. This journeys would aften be two months long, if not longer, and for many, they would not survive to …

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022: The Irish Potato Famine Part 2: A Look at how the Famine Started, The English Response, and Effects of Famine on the Irish Population 17:39

8M ago17:39

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Hello! In this weeks epsiode, we go into Part 2 of the Irish Potato Famine. Over the course of todays episode, you will learn just how bad the Bristish repsone to this Humanitarian Crisis actually was. You will also learn how the famine itself was started and the effects of the famine on the Irish population. We also briefly go over workhouses and …

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021: The Irish Potato Famine Part 1: A look at the English Takeover of Ireland, the State of Agriculture, and the Dependence on the Potato 18:05

9M ago18:05

18:05

Hello! In todays episode, we start our first look at the Three Part Special on the Irish Potato Famine. Over the course of this episode, you will learn how the English came to dominate over Ireland starting way back with everyones favorite Henry, Henry VIII. With the help of his two daughters, Ireland would soon be fully under English control. We a…

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020: Jack O' Lanterns and Samhain: A look at How Folk Lore and Tradition Have Shaped Our Halloween Tradtions 10:54

9M ago10:54

10:54

Hello! In todays episode, I take a look at how we got our modern day Jack O' Lanters. From legends such as Stingy Jack to children carving faces into turnips (horrifying), Jack O' Lanters can be traced back to the UK, Ireland, Scotland, and Whales. Upon their arrival to the US, turnips were traded out for Pumpkins and the rest is history. We can al…

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019: H.H. Holmes: The Story of a Manipulative Conman in the Backdrop of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair 34:17

9M ago34:17

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Hello! In todays episode I take a sidestep into true crime, and we take a look at H.H. Holmes. H.H. Holmes was a manipulative Conman, who commmited fraud his whole life. He was also a prolific seriel killer that took the lives of many unsuspecting women in Chicago. After the Great Chicago Fire, rebuilding efforts brought many oppurtunities to young…

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018: Witches: The Basque Trails, The Malleus Maleficarum, The Salem Witch Trails, and Modern Day Salem 21:41

9M ago21:41

21:41

Hello! In this second Halloween Episode for the month of October I discuss Witches! In the first part of todays episode I look at the Basque Witch Trails that happened over in Spain. We take a very brief look at the Spanish Inquisition, and then dive into the Malleus Maleficarum. We round out the epsiode taking a look at the Salem Witch Trails and …

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017: The History of Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours 15:10

10M ago15:10

15:10

Hello! In this epsiode I cover the history of Haunted Houses and Ghost Tours. We cover many things in this epsidoe including Marie Tussands original wax figure exhibit, macbre theater, and the New Jersey Castle Fire. We also take a breif look at our Victorian predecessors and the correlation between Ghost Tours and Historical Preservation. Sources …

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016: The Louisiana Purchase Part 2: The Haitian Revolution, The Purchase Negotiation, and Incorporating Louisiana Into the United States 18:45

10M ago18:45

18:45

Hello! In this episode, I finalize my coverage of the Louisianna Purchase. We go over the Haitian revolution and how that impacted the French ownership of the teritorry. We also dive into the negotiiantion between the US and France in regard to how much money the territory was worth. We then look into the aftermath of the purchase, primarily how th…

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015: The Louisiana Purchase Part 1: A look at the Louisiana Territory and the French and Spanish Claims to the Territory 19:08

10M ago19:08

19:08

Hello! In this episode I discuss the Louisianna Territory, primarily the french and spanish claims to the territory prior to the american purchase. There a quite bit of twist and turns in the story of the Louisianna Territory, so stay tuned for part 2 where the story gets even more interesting. Warning! There are many french and spanish names that …

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014: The History of Voting Age: A Look at how Voting Has Changed Over the Years and It's Impact on Our Lives 11:59

10M ago11:59

11:59

Hello! In this weeks Episode I look at the history of our Voting Age. I was also taken on some small side quests, so I also discuss aspects of voting such as the poll tax and the women's right to vote. I also discuss the changes in the drinking age. Make sure to check out Door Key Pod on all streaming platforms! Sources today include: The President…

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013: BONUS Hannah Mather Crocker: A Special Episode with "Revolutionary Women", Host Emily Nemec 33:45

11M ago33:45

33:45

Hello! In this bonus Episode, Emily from Revolutionary Women tells me about Hannah Mather Crocker! Follow Revolutionary Women on all Podcast Apps!By Madison Schmidt

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012: The Molasses Flood of 1919: Featuring "Revolutionary Women" Host Emily Nemec 26:24

11M ago26:24

26:24

Hello! In todays episode, I am Joined by Emily of Revolutionary Podcast and we discuss the tragedy of the 1919 Molasses Flood. Make sure to head on over to Revolutionary Women and listen to epiosde that I guested on! Sources today include: Dark Tide: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919 by Stephen Puleo, History.com, Britanica, the City of Boston, Time…

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011: The History of Presidential Debates: From Abraham Lincoln to Present Day 9:20

11M ago9:20

9:20

Hello! In this weeks episode, I cover the History of the Presidential Debate. This history is supprisingly short, with debates only being regulated in 1988. In modern times, we loook at the debate as a defining aspect of the presidential race, but it has not always been that way. Sources for todays episode include: How stuff works.com, the Constitu…

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010: American Dollar Princesses and Social Debuts: A look at Mary Leiter Curzon and Jenny Jerome Churchill 17:38

11M ago17:38

17:38

Hello! In today's episode, I cover American Dollar Princesses, more specifically Mary Lieter Curzon and Jenny Jerome Churchill. I also talk about Social Debuts. Who was invited, what went on, and how you were precieved. Sources include: The Johnston Collection, History Extra, Britannica, Nobility.org, At the Lake Magazine, and Wikipedia. If you wou…

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009: The Washingtons and Slavery: A Look at Mount Vernon, the Custis Estate, and the Lives of the Enslaved People Held by the Washingtons 14:43

11M ago14:43

14:43

Hello! In this weeks episode, we take at look at the Washingtons and Slavery. Both George and Martha had slave holdings before they married, but they seeemed to have different understandings about the institution of slavery. If you stay until the end of the episode, I also go over three snippits of the lives of three enslaved people at Mount Vernon…