Backstage at TENCROW Studios: How the Civil War Could’ve Been Avoided | Part 2 w/ Bob Worden

In this gripping Part 2 of our ongoing podcast series with mediator and historian Bob Worden, we dive deep into one of the most defining and misunderstood chapters in American history: the Civil War.

Using his experience as a mediator and former litigation strategist, Bob approaches history the same way he analyzes lawsuits—dissecting decisions, identifying missed opportunities for resolution, and asking: Could this war have been prevented?

Together with host Mike McCoy—retired Special Operations veteran and co-founder of TENCROW Studios—they explore the conflict not just through the lens of battlefield strategy, but through the deeply human failures of leadership, communication, and compromise.

This conversation is inspired by Bob’s book, How to Stop Wars and Save the World: Lessons in Negotiation, Settlement, and Leadership, available now in print and audiobook formats.

Purchase the book on Amazon at the link below:

https://a.co/d/dhpSJ9E

🔍 Key Themes in This Episode:

• The economic, political, and social forces leading up to the Civil War

• How Southern arrogance and poor risk assessment sealed their fate

• The untold plan for Southern expansion into Latin America

• The real impact of the Fugitive Slave Act and Uncle Tom’s Cabin

• Why the Emancipation Proclamation was both brilliant strategy and deeply controversial

• Robert E. Lee’s pivotal (and fatal) mistake at Gettysburg

• How inflation and bad fiscal decisions crippled the Confederacy

• Parallels between 1860s America and today’s polarized political climate

💡 Why This Matters Today:
History doesn’t repeat itself—but it often rhymes. This episode reveals how leadership failures, tribal thinking, and inflexible ideologies led to catastrophic conflict. As modern America navigates political division, economic strain, and culture wars, the lessons from 1860 are more relevant than ever.

If you’re interested in American history, conflict resolution, leadership, or simply want to understand how we got here—don’t miss this powerful and thought-provoking episode.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.
📘 Learn more about Bob’s book at your favorite audiobook retailer.
📍 Filmed at TENCROW Studios in Jacksonville, NC.
🔗 tencrowstudios.com

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