This week on Dave Does History, Dave is out, but the show rolls on with Lena Marlowe and Graham Calder in the host chairs. Together, they tackle one of the thorniest questions in American public life: should the National Guard be used to police our cities? Chicago often takes center stage in this debate, with violent crime making national headlines and sparking calls for action beyond what local law enforcement can manage. But bringing in the Guard isn’t as simple as it sounds. From the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 to the Insurrection Act and beyond, the legal and historical backdrop is a minefield. Lena and Graham weigh the potential benefits of increased manpower and order against the dangers of militarizing our neighborhoods and blurring the lines between soldier and police officer. Stay tuned, because this is one conversation that reaches far beyond Chicago.

What do Achilles, Odysseus, and the Founding Fathers have in common?

In this episode we explore how flawed heroes—from mythic battlefields to the halls of Independence—can still shape the world. Drawing from Stephen Fry’s Troy, we unpack the pride, grief, and imperfection of ancient warriors and connect them to the real, complicated men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin—none of them were saints. But like the heroes of legend, they carried heavy contradictions while laying the foundation for liberty.

As we launch the Liberty – 250 series in the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday, we are not polishing halos—we are pulling back the curtain on greatness born from imperfection.

Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we ask the big question: Can flawed men still forge freedom?

#Liberty250 #DaveDoesHistory #AmericanFounding #Troy #StephenFry #FoundingFathers #FlawedHeroes

Pope Francis has died, and the world now turns its eyes to the smoke above the Sistine Chapel.

In this episode of Dave Does History, Dave Bowman joins Bill Mick to break down the ancient—and often misunderstood—process of the papal conclave.

From medieval roof removals to modern-day power plays, Dave explores the rituals, rules, and raw politics of picking the next pope. Was it always this secretive? (Yes.) Was it always this messy? (Also yes.)

Tune in for history, humor, and maybe a few holy surprises. It’s “Game of Thrones,” but with incense and Latin.

In this episode of Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, we head north—way north—to uncover the bizarre moment when the United States almost claimed part of Greenland.

It started with a bad map, involved a lost Danish expedition, and ended with two frostbitten heroes proving the truth. From mistaken geography to geopolitical consequences, Dave unpacks how a simple cartographic error nearly redrew the Arctic.

Join us as we explore survival, sovereignty, and the enduring value of getting your facts straight—even when they’re buried under two feet of ice.

Catch it now on Spotify, iTunes, and the iHeart Radio app.

April 1st isn't just for pranksters—it's for historians with a wicked sense of humor.

In this episode, Dave peels back the glittery nonsense of April Fools’ Day to uncover its shadowy (and often fictional) past. From Chaucer’s chicken to a Flemish prank poem, and the legendary hoax that duped the Associated Press, it all leads to one irresistible conclusion: we should be calling it Boskin Day.

Tune in for history, hilarity, and a few paper fish stuck to your back. Trust nothing. Laugh anyway.

Today on Dave does History on Bill Mick Live, we head back to 1805 for one of the most dramatic courtroom showdowns in American history—except this trial did not involve a criminal, it involved a Supreme Court Justice.

Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration and a fiery Federalist, was impeached by Jefferson’s allies for turning his courtroom into a political soapbox. Was it a righteous reckoning or a political hit job?

We unpack the politics, the personalities, and the precedent that his acquittal set—one that still protects the bench from becoming a branch of partisan payback.

Today on Dave Does History on Bill Mick Live, we’re diving into the life, legacy, and legend of one of America’s most peculiar presidents—Grover Cleveland.

You might not think much about the man who was both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, but Cleveland was one of the most unique and controversial figures to ever occupy the White House.

Born on this day in 1837, he was the first president to serve two nonconsecutive terms—booted out of office in 1888, only to claw his way back four years later. But his presidency was more than just an interesting footnote in history books.

Celebrating Florida Day!