This month on the Substack: August marks 30 years since President Clinton signed the bill to "end welfare as we know it." Did it actually accomplish what he set out to do? And how did welfare get such a bad rap to begin with? Read, subscribe, and share today.

How did the U.S. Supreme Court go from Roe v. Wade to Dobbs? Join me as I sit down with Amy Littlefield, author of Killers of Roe, to answer that question and more. Our conversation explores the history of abortion rights in the U.S., the impact of policies like the Hyde Amendment... 1/2

We are in the final stretch! I can’t wait to see everyone this weekend at History Camp in Boston! Grab your cup of coffee - let’s DO THIS! ☕️

Happy Birthday, James Baldwin, who was born today in 1924. Baldwin was a writer and activist who was known for his work exploring race in America. I covered his life and legacy on the show in 2023 - check it out if you haven’t yet!

Another wonderful Sunday to enjoy public scholar thanks to @americanstudier.bsky.social 💗☕️

Ben Railton@americanstudier.bsky.social · 4d ago

August is here, & with it my 287th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more below, please share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️ + blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

In 1877 the nation came to a virtual standstill as labor united against the exploitive railroad companies. As workers protested unfair business practices in the east, racial animosity in California mixed with economic precarity led workers down a very different path. 1/2

One of the greatest privileges of the show is the chance to talk to scholars about their work & sharing it with you. Over the next few weeks my Friday book recommendations will again highlight these fine folks & their work. This week: a few who helped me get started with interviews on C&C.

The Gilded Age is BACK! Join me this weekend as I resume my normal coverage. Here is a big hint for the episode - what do you think I am covering? Let me know!

Countdown to Six! A few more of my favorite episodes include Louisa Adams, Frederick Douglass, and women in the federal workforce! Each of these were rich research rabbit holes that enhanced what I thought I knew - and inspired deeper discovery! What is your favorite of the three?

Counting down to six! One of my favorite early episodes came from a listener request! My two-episodes dedicated to HH Holmes were a wild ride and I learned a lot! It is one of the MANY reasons I love getting your ideas! Have you listened to the episode? What did you think?

August marks SIX YEARS of Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast. This week I am reflecting on the early days of the show and sharing some of my favorite memories. First up - a look at where the podcast started and I got here!

In just a couple of weeks, I am making my solo in-person debut at History Camp in Boston! Can’t wait! Hope to see you there!

Review: Happy 90th birthday, Buddy Guy — you still set the standard for getting the blues

Review: Happy 90th birthday, Buddy Guy — you still set the standard for getting the blues

chicagotribune.com

Just sitting down with my coffee. Perfect time to catch up on all I missed this week thanks to @americanstudier.bsky.social 💗

Ben Railton@americanstudier.bsky.social · 2w ago

+ featuring contributions from @ericfalquero.bsky.social @inverting-vision.bsky.social @spectrum.ieee.org @ginsbergpoem.bsky.social @contingent-mag.bsky.social @nichecanada.bsky.social @ageofrevolutions.bsky.social @pghreviewofbooks.bsky.social @literaryhub.bsky.social @olibasciano.bsky.social +

In the final episode the special summer series, I sit down with Dr. James O'Neil Spady to discuss his book Take Freedom, a nuanced history of the 1822 uprising in Charleston, South Carolina. Using new evidence and focused on Black agency, community networks, and resistance… 1/2

I’m published in The Atlantic.

The Atlantic@theatlantic.com · 2w ago

An updated exhibit in Philadelphia offers a misleading interpretation of George Washington’s history with slavery—and deprives “Americans from encountering history’s full complexity at the site where it happened,” John Garrison Marks argues.

Today's book recommendations spotlight my research interests: the history of the social safety net in the United States. What are you reading this weekend?

In the final episode in my summer series I sit down with Dr. James O'Neil Spady to discuss the power of community in demanding freedom in the antebellum south. It is a powerful conversation and one you won't want to miss!

I wasn't planning to see The Odyssey because I was so mad about how egregiously Nolan explored similar themes in Oppenheimer, but my best friend (a Classics prof) encouraged me to see it, and I'm so glad she did. I loved it, and I finally realized why I hated Opp so much, so I wrote about both:

A Classicist-Turned-Film-Scholar's Take on The Odyssey (2026) – Black and White and Read All Over

A Disciplinary Approach to The Odyssey (2026)

blackwhiteandread.com

Civics & Coffee is turning SIX! Next month marks six years of Civics & Coffee and I remain incredibly grateful to all of you for your continued support. To celebrate, I'll be launching a TON of episodes in August - and perhaps a give away? Stay tuned!

Given the events in DC today, I feel the need to say: historians are NOT the enemy and the Smithsonian is one of the country’s greatest national treasures. So much so that it inspired an episode of the show: www.civicsandcoffee.com/the-smithson...

The Smithsonian

The largest museum complex in the world, The Smithsonian boasts over twenty museums, a zoo, and several archives open to scholars and researchers. But how did t…

civicsandcoffee.com

Born today, 1951: Robin Williams. A comedian & actor known for his physical stand-up, Williams started in the 1970s before moving into TV & film. Open about his struggles with depression, we lost Williams too soon in 2014 to suicide after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Need help? Call 988.

Today in history, 1969: Neil Armstrong lands on the moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. The flight was possible thanks to the work of women like Katherine Johnson (pictured) whose mathematical calculations were pivotal to the early success of the space program.

As always, a lovely way to start your Sunday - a lot of fantastic public scholarship thanks to @americanstudier.bsky.social ☕️

Ben Railton@americanstudier.bsky.social · 3w ago

Here it is, my 285th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the last week. Add more below, please share as widely as possible, & enjoy, all! 🗃️ + blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

Today in history, 1848: the Seneca Falls Convention begins. The first women’s rights convention held in the United States, the event was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Lucretia Mott and welcomed nearly 200 women. 1/2

Join me this week as I sit down with Dr. Tim Galsworthy to explore the influence of Civil War memory on Republican Party identity during the pivotal 1960s & how a political strategy remade the party for generations. Learn how & why the Civil War featured so prominently in campaign rhetoric… 1/2

I am thinking of John Lewis today; not only because of the anniversary of his passing, but because of his commitment to ensuring that every American had equal access to the franchise. His memoir reminds us of how recent the battle for voting rights was, how precarious those rights are, &… 1/2

Get your coffee prepped and tune into an insightful conversation about politics and historical memory as I sit down with Dr. Tim Galsworthy to discuss the influence of Civil War memory on Republican politics in the 1960s. It's an episode you won't want to miss!

Now available on the Patreon: I jumped on the bandwagon and shared my choices for the books I think peeps should read to fully understand the nation's 250 years. Join today!

Today in history, 1798: the Sedition Act becomes law. Signed by second President John Adams, it was part of a series of acts known as the Alien & Sedition Acts passed during escalating tensions with France & made it illegal to print “false” or… 1/2