About Historical Diversions:
The goal of the Historical Diversions podcast is to cover subjects that you wouldn’t normally think of as “history”, and to also cover subjects you might have learned about in school from a different angle.
About History Over Drinks:
History is also about those who lived it. Many experiences will never get written down and could be lost forever. The goal of History Over Drinks is to bring those stories to light. Interviews with experts and those who have a story to tell are on tap, and drinks might be served!
Who knows? Maybe we’ll even learn something…
History Over Drinks: Episode 13.
Dr. Angela Cooper is the Lead Interpreter at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic site. For her it was a dream job that became a reality!
In this episode we detail how she became fascinated by Cahokia, how she became an archeologist, studying the Mississippians and Hopewell, and how she became the Lead Interpreter at the Cahokia site! We also discuss the misconceptions that people have of Cahokia, and the necessity of a broad and contextual education about Native American sites.
Check out the Cahokia official website and social media pages for the latest happenings and research that goes on at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site!
2 Apr 2024
Episode 12: Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum
Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum is synonymous with legitimate Sasquatch research, but there is much more to his story.
In this episode, he details how his interest in Bigfoot began at a young age, how it dovetails into human evolution, how he determines hoaxes vs the genuine article, and how he combats confirmation bias.
He also details controversies throughout his career in academia, how he compares teaching with fieldwork, and much more!
Check out his book for a popular audience, Sasquatch: Where Legend Meets Science, and the scholarly journal, The Relict Hominoid Inquiry.
1 Mar 2024
Episode 11: Craig John
Craig John was a quartermaster on board the USS John S. McCain from 1993 to 1997, even being part of its commissioning!
He details his journey into the Navy, being part of the navigation crew on a destroyer, traveling the world, his life post-service, and much more!
Examples of his work as a Principal Architect can be found through Baker Associates, at www.bakermn.com/
15 Dec 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 10: Chris John, Part 3
Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, but more recently he was a former candidate for Burnsville City Council.
In this episode, he tells us about how he became active in local government by serving on the Burnsville Economic and Development Commission, and chairing the Planning Commission in Burnsville.
We then discuss his 2022 City Council campaign (and how he enjoyed it), and his future plans to run in 2024.
He also talks about the differences between local and federal government, misconceptions that many of us have about local government, and answers some tough questions from your host!
Chris John’s platform can be found on his website at www.chrisjohn4burnsville.com
1 Dec 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 09: Chris John, Part 2
Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, and he has fascinating stories to tell.
In this episode he details his deployment in 1993-1997 on board the USS Nimitz. He discusses the fallout of the Gulf War, and how the US wasn’t done with Iraq after 1991. What was life on an aircraft carrier like? He tells us all about it!
He discusses promotions, living in close quarters, serving on a ship with women on board (what?!), never getting to Australia, and how the Nimitz Carrier Group got sent to Taiwan as a show of force to China! He also talks his one Navy regret, why he left active duty, and what it was like for him after leaving the service.
Chris John is also running for Burnsville City Council in 2024; check out his platform on his website at www.chrisjohn4burnsville.com
16 Nov 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 08: Chris John, Part 1
Chris John was a torpedoman on the USS Nimitz in the 1990’s, and he has fascinating stories to tell.
We talk with Chris about why he joined the navy during high school, what naval basic training is really like, having a twin brother in the same service (no really!), being literally flat footed, being assigned to the USS Nimitz, and much more!
Chris John is also running for Burnsville City Council in 2024; check out his platform on his website at www.chrisjohn4burnsville.com
1 Nov 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 07: Jeff Carver, Part 3
The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it.
In this episode he discusses his journey after he “left” Maplewood Mall. We cover his marketing work at By Design, Jumpin Jax, and his own companies: Carver Marketing Concepts and Soletrex. He then comes full circle by picking up his trumpet again, and working to become the musician he is today!
We also get philosophical with the importance of being aware, how his experiences shaped his worldview, and how many businesses may be causing their own demise.
Support Jeff Carver by visiting his website at www.jeffcarvermusic.com (https://www.jeffcarver.com/) and checking him out when he performs live!
15 Oct 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 06: Jeff Carver, Part 2
The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it.
In this episode he discusses his typical days (there weren’t any!), a bomb scare, keeping cool while implementing plans on tight timelines, his brief tenure as Marketing Director at Rosedale Mall, and his award winning Friday Family Fun Night program!
He also discusses the importance of catering to families, the pitfalls of company models, the importance of training, and the opening of the Mall of America!
Support Jeff Carver by visiting his website at www.jeffcarvermusic.com (https://www.jeffcarver.com/) and checking him out when he performs live!
1 Oct 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 05: Jeff Carver, Part 1
The American shopping mall was as American as apple pie in the late 20th century. The shopping mall was the place to be, and Jeff Carver was in the middle of it.
Jeff Carver was the marketing director for Maplewood Mall in suburban Minnesota from the mid-1980s to mid- 1990s. This was a far cry from his work today as a professional trumpet player!
In this episode he discusses his journey from award-winning High School Band Director, to his starting roles at Maplewood Mall. He needed to find out how to balance the needs of customers, merchant associations, and owners. He also tells of those who helped him along the way.
Support Jeff Carver by visiting his website at www.jeffcarvermusic.com (https://www.jeffcarver.com/) and checking him out when he performs live!
15 Sept 2023
Historical Diversions Episode 03: Cahokia and the Mississippians; Epilogue
Now we’ve concluded our series on Cahokia, but there’s still more to tell. In this epilogue episode your host discusses the recording process, his adventures to Cahokia and other mound sites, trespassing on private property (?!), the controversies regarding displays of human remains, and even a little astronomy thrown in for good measure. He was also moved greatly by an exhibition at Dickson Mounds that he didn’t anticipate.
Join us as we finish up Cahokia and the Mississippians!
1 Sept 2023
Historical Diversions Episode 02: Cahokia and the Mississippians; Part 2
Cahokia is the largest North American city you’ve never heard of. And its builders, the Mississippians, who were they anyway?
In Part 2, your host discusses Cahokia’s magnificent woodhenges, the extensive stockade, and the fascinating, yet grisly, Mound 72. In addition, the causes of Cahokia’s fall from grace, 20th century archeology, and what Cahokia’s legacy is today is explored!
15 Aug 2023
Historical Diversions Episode 01: Cahokia and the Mississippians; Part 1
Cahokia is the largest North American city you’ve never heard of. And its builders, the Mississippians, who were they anyway?
In Part 1, your host discusses the rise of the Mississippians from the cultures that came before, the ascent of Cahokia from a large village into a city with no equal, the stupendous Monk’s Mound, and much more!
15 Aug 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 04: John Fury, Part 2
In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Jonathon Fury. He is an Iraq war veteran, and old friend of your host.
In Part 2, we continue the discussion of life on a military base in Iraq, his mental health struggles coming back to the US after deployment, and his Sports Nerd Podcast!
Check out the Sports Nerd Podcast on your favorite podcast app!
1 Aug 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 03: John Fury, Part 1
In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Jonathon Fury. He is an Iraq war veteran, and old friend of your host.
In Part 1, we discuss how he joined the Minnesota National Guard and how the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks changed the world, the ins and outs of military life, and what it was like to serve in the other end of the planet.
Check out the Sports Nerd Podcast on your favorite podcast app!
15 Jul 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 02: Dr. Ed Barnhart, Part 2
In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Dr. Ed Barnhart. He is an educator and archeologist with decades of experience in the field. He is also the host of the popular ArchaeoEd podcast.
In Part 2, we discuss the conflict between the Maya and the Aztecs pre-European contact, ancient alien theories, archeology education, and his upcoming projects.
Please support him and his work by checking out the ArchaeoEd Podcast, www.archaeoed.com, and The Maya Exploration Center!
1 Jul 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 01: Dr. Ed Barnhart, Part 1
In this episode of Historical Diversions: History Over Drinks, we speak to Dr. Ed Barnhart. He is an educator and archeologist with decades of experience in the field. He is also the host of the popular ArchaeoEd podcast.
In Part 1, we discuss his journey into archeology, delving into the Mississippians and Cahokia, as well as the Maya.
Please support him and his work by checking out the ArchaeoEd Podcast, www.archaeoed.com, and The Maya Exploration Center!
30 Jun 2023
History Over Drinks Episode 00: Your Host
Who is your host? Why does he want to do this? He takes a long time to do the stuff he wants to do. Why is that?
30 Jun 2023
Historical Diversions Episode 00: Preview
An introduction to the podcast. Join us, won’t you?
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