Bringing History to Life: Rob Edwards on Robert Smalls in Defiant
Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
08/05/25
•29m
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Veteran screenwriter and producer Rob Edwards (The Princess and the Frog, Treasure Planet) joins the show to discuss his newest project: a graphic novel chronicling the extraordinary life of Robert Smalls, a man born into slavery who became a Civil War hero, ship captain, and U.S. Congressman.
Topics include:
- The life and legacy of Robert Smalls
- The creative process behind adapting history into a graphic novel
- How storytelling can preserve and elevate overlooked historical figures
- Why Smalls’ bravery and political achievements still matter today
A must-listen for fans of U.S. history, Black history, and historical storytelling through art.
Previous Episode
Five Years of Civics & Coffee: Welcome to the New Era!
August 2, 2025
•16m
Sit down with me as I reflect on five years of Civics and Coffee! In this episode I look back on where I started and explain where I would like to go. I also give you an inside look into the rebranding of the show and how I landed on the new name, Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast.
Help me celebrate five years by subscribing to the podcast's YouTube Channel and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a free book!
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Axes, Activism, and Abstinence: The WCTU and the Fight for Temperance
August 9, 2025
•16m
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was one of the most powerful reform organizations of the 19th century, but its story goes far beyond banning booze. Sit down with me as I dive into the WTCU's origins, its wide-ranging activism, and the influential women who helped shape its legacy.
From the moral crusades of Frances Willard and her ambitious "Do Everything" policy to the saloon-smashing spectacle of Carrie Nation, learn how temperance became a launchpad for broader social change, including suffrage and education reform.
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