Jay Gould: Titan or Tyrant?
Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
08/23/25
•19m
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Join me this week as I take a look at the life and legacy of Jay Gould, one of the most talked-about figures of the Gilded Age. From his early years in the tannery business to his rise as a major player in America’s railroad expansion, Gould left a complicated mark on U.S. history.
Learn how he navigated the cutthroat world of 19th-century finance, earned both admiration and criticism, and came to symbolize the era’s fierce capitalism. All in the time it takes to enjoy your morning coffee.
Have a figure or moment from history you'd like to hear about? Send in a listener request — it might just inspire a future episode.
Previous Episode
Charles Sumner was one of the fiercest voices for abolition and racial equality in 19th-century America, but how much do we really know about the man behind the Senate desk? Join me as I sit down with Zaakir Tameez, author of Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation, to explore the radical ideas, bold political stands, and enduring legacy of a leader who challenged a nation to live up to its ideals.
From Sumner’s anti-slavery crusade to his brutal caning on the Senate floor, we discuss key moments in his life, and reflect on what his moral clarity can teach us about today’s political and social struggles. Whether you're a Civil War buff or just curious about one of America's lesser-known visionaries, this conversation brings 19th-century history into sharp focus for the 21st century.
Next Episode
Reconstruction Beyond the South: The Broken Promises to Mexican Americans
August 30, 2025
•16m
Reconstruction is often taught as a Southern story, focused on the political, social, and legal changes that followed the Civil War. But for Mexican Americans living in the American Southwest, this era brought a different set of challenges, betrayals, and broken promises.
Join me as I explore the Mexican American experience during Reconstruction. Learn how laws and treaties meant to protect land rights and citizenship were frequently ignored by both local and federal authorities. From legal battles over property to systemic efforts that erased Mexican American identity, learn how Reconstruction had implications far beyond the South.
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