Episodes

  • The Cool History of Air Conditioning
    Aug 27 2024

    Hot enough for you? We can be thankful that we can do something about it, but it hasn't always been this way. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass traces the history of attempts to produce conditioned air, from awnings to fans blowing over ice to the invention of systems that really provided cooler air to homes, businesses, and cars. We hope you enjoy this really cool presentation.

    Read the transcript and find links to additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-cool-history-of-air-conditioning-287


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    17 mins
  • And the Fall of That House Was Great: Richard Nixon and Watergate
    Aug 15 2024

    Richard Nixon resigned the office of president of the United States fifty years ago, on August 9, 1974. This was the result of the Watergate scandal and other failings of the Nixon administration. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass surveys what the scandal involved and how the Nixon presidency unraveled after achieving unprecedented political success.

    Read the transcript and find additional resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/and-the-fall-of-that-house-was-great-richard-nixon-and-watergate-279


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    26 mins
  • Running to Win the Prize: The Story of Eric Liddell
    Jul 23 2024

    As the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, take place this year, we hearken back one hundred years to another Paris Olympics, and the accomplishments of a man of faith, Eric Liddell, both in the Olympics and in his later life. Ray Notgrass shares the remarkable story of this man of Christian conscience who won the race of serving God.

    Read the transcript, see photos, and find resources for further study:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/running-to-win-the-prize-the-story-of-eric-liddell-277


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    15 mins
  • National Political Party Nominating Conventions
    Jul 10 2024

    It’s time for that quadrennial exercise in American democracy, when thousands of people spend millions of dollars and take several days to make a decision that’s already been made. Of course I’m talking about our national political party presidential nominating conventions. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass discusses the history of conventions and how they work today.

    Read the transcript and find links to more resources:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/national-political-nominating-conventions-276



    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    26 mins
  • From Jail to the Supreme Court: The Career and Citizenship of Fred Vinson
    Jun 25 2024

    Fred Vinson's life went from being born in a jailer's house in Eastern Kentucky to serving as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a key player in American government during and after World War II. In this podcast, Ray Notgrass tells Vinson's life story and shows how it encourages all of us to take part in the great story of America.

    Read the episode transcript, see photos, and find links to more resources about Fred Vinson and the Supreme Court:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/from-jail-to-the-supreme-court-the-career-and-citizenship-of-fred-m-vinson-275


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    22 mins
  • Juneteenth: America's Second Independence Day
    Jun 11 2024

    On June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, that all enslaved persons were free. Slavery was ended. On the latest episode of the Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass tells how slavery ended in the United States and how people began to celebrate Juneteenth (June 19th) as America's second Independence Day.

    Visit our website for a transcript, photos, and links to more resources related to Juneteenth:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/juneteenth-america-s-second-independence-day-274


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    23 mins
  • The War (World War II)
    May 28 2024

    June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces invaded Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass explains the causes of World War II, gives a brief history of the war including the significance of D-Day, and tells how the world changed as a result of the war.

    Visit our website for a transcript and a link to resources for further study and exploration:
    https://shop.notgrass.com/blog/exploring-history-podcast-9/the-war-world-war-ii-265


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    49 mins
  • Irving Berlin and "God Bless America"
    May 14 2024

    In 1938, as war clouds built in Europe, the popular American singer Kate Smith debuted a song written by the successful songwriter Irving Berlin. That song was "God Bless America," which has become an American classic. On the latest Exploring History podcast, Ray Notgrass surveys Berlin's life and tells how the song has encouraged generations of Americans, especially during difficult times.


    Homeschool curriculum and resources for all ages: https://notgrass.com/

    Supplemental videos, field trips, and other resources: https://homeschoolhistory.com/

    Encouragement for homeschool moms: https://charlenenotgrass.com/

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    11 mins