Louisiana Voodoo: Untangling the Myths, the Magic, and the History
Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
10/04/25
•14m
About
Comments
Featured In
Join me this week as I dig into the real story behind Louisiana Voodoo — a spiritual tradition shaped by West African roots, Haitian resistance, and the streets of New Orleans. Discover how the Haitian Revolution sent shockwaves across the Atlantic, bringing people, beliefs, and tensions into the heart of Louisiana. Hear the story of Betsey Toledano, a name often left out of the textbooks, and unravel the legend of Marie Laveau.
Voodoo in America has long been distorted by fear and folklore. It's time to set the record straight.
Previous Episode
White Man’s Law Rules the Country: The Modoc War
September 27, 2025
•20m
One of the costliest conflicts launched in opposition of Indigenous Americans, the Modoc War pitted the United States Army against a dwindling band of Modoc. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Modoc fighters successfully defended their post for six months. Yet the Modoc War remains one of the least known conflicts in history.
Tune in to learn about the Modoc and what drove them to war.
Next Episode
Diamond in the Rough: The Murder of Bessie Moore
October 11, 2025
•15m
In 1877, the body of a woman was found near a twisted oak tree in Jefferson, Texas—dressed in fine clothes, shot in the head, and missing a diamond ring. Her name was Bessie Moore, better known as Diamond Bessie. What followed was one of the most sensational murder trials in Texas history.
Join me as I dive into the tangled story behind her death and the man accused of killing her—Abraham Rothschild, a wealthy Cincinnati heir with powerful family connections.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted