Exploring how current events are shaped by history.
Each week, Sean Graham will be joined by historians, journalists, and experts to discuss some of the biggest questions in history and how the connect to major policy and cultural decisions being made today.
There's also our 'Historical Headline of the Week' segment, where we look at how old news continues to resonate.
Indigenous History & the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
This week, Sean Graham talks with Cody Groat, author of Always Part of the Land: The Federal Commemoration of Indigenous Histories (https://www.mqup.ca/Books/A/Always-a-Part-of-the-Land). They discuss the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/default_eng.aspx)'s approach to Indigenous history, the role of federal commemorations in colonialism, and the power of commemorations. They also chat about Board members' influence on commemorations, how public servants have shaped the process, and the Board's efforts towards Reconciliation.
Historical Headline of the Week
Chadd Cawson, "Plaque unveiled to honour Coast Salish knitters and the Cowichan sweater (https://nanaimobulletin.com/2026/04/02/plaque-unveiled-to-honour-coast-salish-knitters-and-the-cowichan-sweater/)," Nanaimo Bulletin, April 2, 2026.
29 Jun 2026
The Beach Cure
Sean Graham talks with Meghan Crnic, author of The Beach Cure: A History of Healing on Northeastern Shores (https://uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295753959/the-beach-cure/). They discuss the origins of the beach as a place to get healthy, the conditions in 19th century American cities that led doctors to prescribe the beach, and the logistics of getting to the cost. They also chat about how beach areas were built up, the transformation of space from health to recreation, and the legacy of the 19th century on beach towns.
Historical Headline of the Week
Emma Loewe, "Going to the beach is good for your brain, according to science (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/beach-ocean-mental-health-benefits)," National Geographic, May 22, 2025.
22 Jun 2026
Colonial Newspapers
Sean Graham talks with Shelisa Klassen, author of Imprinting Empire: Land and Settler Colonialism in Manitoba Newspapers (https://uofmpress.ca/books/imprinting-empire). They talk about late 19th century Manitoba newspapers, the audiences both in Manitoba and the rest of Canada, and how the press framed colonial practices. They also discuss how newspapers fit into other commercial projects, what information was included and what was intentionally omitted, and the legacy of the era's newspapers.
Historical Headline of the Week
Clare Hennig and Jean Paetkau, "Digital archive of old B.C. textbooks highlights 'constant dehumanizing of Indigenous people (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/uvic-digitizing-old-b-c-textbooks-with-indigenous-curriculum-beyond-beads-bannock-1.4800944),' CBC.ca, September 4, 2018.
Who has been a guest on What's Old is News
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Ericka Huggins
Paul Kahan
Caitlin Keliiaa
John M Efron
Aidan Forth
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Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100
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