Cross Word Books
Episodes
its a Charlie brown Christmas
20 Dec 2025
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Send us a textMerry Christmas everyone!!! This is a re-run but one of my most popular podcasts about the beloved Charlie Brown. Who doesn't l...
History of German Christmas Markets
19 Dec 2025
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Send us a textIf you love Christmas history, urban culture, or just the glow of a winter night, this conversation will change how you walk a market ...
Wild Lives Among The Graves
12 Dec 2025
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Send us a textA million stories rest under the trees of Père Lachaise, and some of them still move. We sit down with curator and author-photographer ...
One King, Two Kingdoms; A colorful Life
03 Dec 2025
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Send us a textIn this fascinating podcast episode, historian Gareth Russell delves into the riveting life of King James I. Michele McAloon, the host, ...
Rivalry That Built The South
26 Nov 2025
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Send us a textWar Eagel! Roll tide! College game day! The Iron BowlA single game can define a state. We sit down with Yahoo Sports senior writer Jay B...
Inside The Edmund Fitzgerald: What Really Sank America’s Most Famous Freighter
14 Nov 2025
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Send us a textA freighter longer than a skyscraper is tall. Waves four seconds apart that can bend steel. A ballad recorded in a single take that chan...
Angelica Schuyler, Truly Revolutionary
07 Nov 2025
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Send us a textFind out more about Cross Word Books athttps://www.bookclues.com/Professor Beer's website https://mollybeer.netA woman without a r...
Vampire Epidemics Explained
29 Oct 2025
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Send us a textYou can contact Michele at https://www.bookclues.com Have you ever read Dracula??? child's play compared to John Blair's K...
No Wi‑Fi Underwater, Still Plenty Of Drama
20 Oct 2025
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Send us a textConnect with Michele at https://www.bookclues.comWhat if the most important maps we’ll ever draw are hidden under miles of water and t...
Murder in the Cathedral
29 Sep 2025
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Send us a textMichele McAloon is the host. You can find more interviews on her website https://www.bookclues.com.The name Thomas Becket echoes throu...
Russia's Secret Spies
12 Sep 2025
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Send us a textConnect with me on https://www.bookclues.comHave you ever wondered about the real-life inspiration behind shows like "The American...
Beyond the Body: What Defines Our Humanity?
02 Sep 2025
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Send us a textContact the host of Cross Word, Michele McAloon https://www.bookclues.comWhat makes us human? It's a question at the heart of today...
From Kremlin Access to Exile: Surviving Putin's Media Purge
19 Aug 2025
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Send us a textContact Michele at her website https://www.bookclues.comAndrei Soldatov shares his firsthand account of Russia's transformation und...
The Revolutionary War's Global Impact
11 Aug 2025
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Send us a textProfessor John Ferling takes us on a captivating journey through the international dimensions of America's founding conflict in &qu...
Putin Unmasked
25 Jun 2025
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Send us a textAndrew Weiss, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, reveals how Vladimir Putin rose from mediocr...
Bombs and Beasts: The Hidden Battle for Zoo Survival
11 Jun 2025
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Send us a text "World War Zoos: Humans and Other Animals in the Deadliest Conflict of the Modern Age." University of Chicago PressTo find o...
The Secret Truth About Ukraine Nobody is Telling You
02 Jun 2025
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Send us a textMichele McAloon speaks with Olena Tregub, a Ukrainian civil society leader and anti-corruption advocate, about the realities of war in U...
Hollywood's Tribute to Those Who Served Never Gets Old
25 May 2025
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Send us a textThis Memorial Day episode revisits a conversation with Alison Maker about her book "Making the Best Years of Our Lives," explo...
Beyond Catastrophe: How Ancient Societies Thrived Through Change
20 May 2025
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Send us a textWhat if apocalypse doesn't mean the end of everything, but rather a revelation of new possibilities? Archaeologist Lizzie Wade turn...
The End is Near, or Is It?
12 May 2025
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Send us a textDorian Linskey explores humanity's persistent fascination with apocalyptic scenarios through his book "Everything Must Go: The...
From Comedian to President: The Evolution of Ukraine's President
29 Apr 2025
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Send us a textThe extraordinary journey of Volodymyr Zelensky—from Ukraine's most beloved comedian to its wartime president—represents one of...
The Jesuit Legacy: From Ignatius to Francis
25 Apr 2025
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Send us a textDelve into the captivating world of the Jesuits with Dr. Marcus Friedrich, whose monumental work "The Jesuits: A History" illu...
From Fisherman's Ring to Final Resting Place: The Journey After a Pope's Death
21 Apr 2025
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Send us a textThe passing of Pope Francis marks a pivotal moment in Catholic history, triggering ancient protocols that few outside the Vatican unders...
Reliving the Battle of Lexington: A Minuteman's Story
18 Apr 2025
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Send us a textSteve Delity brings history alive as he prepares to portray Daniel Harrington in the 250th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Lexi...
Shots Heard Round the World
18 Apr 2025
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Send us a textThe Battle of Lexington marked the beginning of the American Revolution, with ordinary farmers standing against British troops in an ext...
Change Beyond Limits
15 Apr 2025
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Send us a textJames Arbib and I explore how humanity stands at the threshold of a fundamental paradigm shift from an extractive to a stellar world, an...
The Secret History of the War in Ukraine with Adam Entous
08 Apr 2025
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Send us a textWhat happens when American military expertise meets Ukrainian battlefield determination? The answer lies in one of the most extraordinar...
Paris 1919: Shaping Today's World
22 Mar 2025
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Send us a textProfessor Margaret MacMillan illuminates how decisions made at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919 continue to shape today's geopoli...
Paris 1919: How the Treaty That Ended World War I Continues to Shape Modern Europe
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textLike and subscribe to Crossword on YouTube at Crossword Author Interviews. You can also find us at bookclues.com and follow Michele McAl...
From Kievan Rus to Putin's War: How Russia Manufactured Ukraine's Erasure
14 Mar 2025
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Custodians of Culture
06 Mar 2025
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Send us a textStep into a world where ancient customs still whisper the stories of generations in 'Custodians of Wonder.' In this episode, w...
Unraveling the Middle Ages: Charlemagne's Legacy and the Rise of Medieval Europe
18 Feb 2025
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Secrets of Champagne and Strength
06 Feb 2025
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The Impact of Edwin Meese III on American Constitutional Law and the Rise of Originalism
24 Jan 2025
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Jimmy Lai: A Journey of Resilience and the Fight for Hong Kong's Freedom
13 Jan 2025
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The Enduring Influence of the Bible: A Journey Through History and Culture with Professor Bruce Gordon
11 Dec 2024
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Send us a textHow has the Bible managed to influence cultures across the globe for over two millennia? Join me, Michelle McAloon, as I sit down with P...
Bridging the Gap: Exploring Consciousness, Physics, and AI with George Musser
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat if the mysteries of consciousness and the universe are more connected than we ever imagined? Esteemed physicist and author George M...
Uncovering Thanksgiving: History, Traditions, and Global Impact
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThanksgiving holds a special place in the heart of America, and Melanie Kirkpatrick, author of "Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the He...
Unraveling the Southern Poverty Law Center: From Civil Rights Champion to Controversial Activist
18 Nov 2024
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Send us a textCan a civil rights icon lose its way? That's the provocative question we tackle as we dive deep into the Southern Poverty Law Cente...
Books, Empires, and Ideas Shaping Society
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textJoin me as I engage with the esteemed Professor John M. Ellis, author of "A Short History of Relations Between Peoples: How the Wor...
Unfiltered Politics and the Power of Podcasts
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIs the rise of new media reshaping the future of politics?" Join me, Michelle McElhune, as I sit down with Bradley Devlin, politics...
Decoding Election Season Chaos
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textJoin us for a lively and insightful episode as we explore the theatrical nature of the current election season. With our special guest, ...
Reviving Education: Balancing Digital Distractions with Classical Learning
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDiscover how the digital revolution is reshaping education with insights from Dr. Mark Bauerlein, a senior editor at First Things and En...
From South Boston to Moscow: Ambassador John J. Sullivan's Diplomatic Journey and Insights on Russo-Ukrainian Tensions
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textDiscover the extraordinary journey of Ambassador John J. Sullivan, who navigated his path from South Boston's streets to the high-s...
Navigating the Complexities of Immigration Today
07 Oct 2024
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Send us a textConservative women are reshaping the political narrative, challenging the status quo with boldness and tenacity. Virginia Allen, co-host...
The Administrative State: A Threat to American Liberty and How to Restore Constitutional Intent
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textCould America's administrative state be the greatest threat to liberty today? Ned Ryan, author of "American Leviathan: The Bir...
The Struggle for Affordable Living in America
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textIs America's housing crisis a ticking time bomb? Join us as we welcome James Burling, author of the thought-provoking book "No...
Navigating Divided Berlin in 'The Berlin Apartment' with Bryn Turnbull
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textEver wondered how a city could be divided by more than just a wall? Join me, Michele McAloon, as I sit down with the brilliant Bryn Turn...
Inside the Fall of Kabul: A Firsthand Account from the Last UK Ambassador to Afghanistan
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat happens when the fate of an entire nation hinges on a series of critical, split-second decisions? Sir Laurie Bristow, the last UK a...
Fox or Hedgehog?
24 Jun 2024
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Send us a textLeadership and Common Sense. What did Machiavelli and St Augustine have in common? Can we learn leadership from the failures of Napoleon...
Pagan America
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textHuman rights? Do they exist in a post Christian America? Can democracy even survive in a world without religion? John Daniel Davidson a ...
New Perspectives on Presidential History
01 Jun 2024
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Send us a [email protected] email for Michele McAloonTrump. Presidential history was made this past week whether or not you agree or disag...
Marxism anyone?
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat is really behind the campus protests and possibly all the vocal ills of current society? Didn't Marxism die when the Berli...
Paris- City of Light
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textParis..a charachter in it's own right. Join me in conversation with Professor Mike Rapport Author of City of Light, City of Sha...
Borderland: A journey into Ukraine
29 Apr 2024
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Send us a textAnna Reid, author of Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine writes about the history of Ukraine in a prosaic story of t...
The Last Tsarina and Her Sisters
16 Apr 2024
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Send us a textTwo royal princesses from a small principality in late 19th century German lands marry into the House of the Russian Romanovs. Princes...
Alfred Dreyfus
22 Mar 2024
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Send us a textA French scandal over 125 years ago that still reverberates around the world. Alfred Dreyfus was a captain in the French Army whose fait...
A Nasty Little War
23 Feb 2024
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Send us a textDid you know that American soldiers actually went to war in Russia in 1918? Listen to this discussion with Anna Reid, author of "A ...
"He Left Us So Much"
30 Jan 2024
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Send us a textA conversation with Father Fessio, Founder of Ignatius Press about "He Left Us So Much" A Tribute to Pope Benedict XVI written...
The Book at War
18 Jan 2024
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Send us a textDid you know that Stalin, Hitler and Mao were voracious readers? Where did the paper book pocket book come from? Join me in this conve...
Napoleon Bonaparte
04 Dec 2023
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Send us a text Napoleon Bonaparte was not only a brilliant military strategist but also a master of propaganda. Join me in this conversation with Pro...
It's a Charlie Brown Christmas
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWho has not wondered through the Christmas Tree lot trying to avoid the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree? In 1965 A Charlie Brown Christma...
Its Turkey Time!!
22 Nov 2022
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Send us a textJoin me in conversation with Melanie Kirkpatrick to talk about all things Thanksgiving!! Have a great Thanksgiving!
A Hiker's Guide to Purgatory
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textWhat is purgatory? is it horrible? Does it lack joy? What is it suppose to achieve? Join me in conversation with first time author Micha...
The Legacy of Vatican II
07 Nov 2022
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Send us a textTo some it was a disaster and the ruin of the Roman Catholic Church to others a saving grace..Vatican II from its very inception until t...
Dracula-the original Catholic horror story!
27 Oct 2022
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Send us a textBecause you can never get enough Dracula this time of year. This is a repeat performance! Dracula..the Motherlode of all horror storie...
The Sassoon’s: Global Merchants
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Send us a textThe Sassoon family was one of the richest families in the world in the 19th century, From a Baghdadi Jewish community to the dizzying he...
As I Have Loved You
12 Oct 2022
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Send us a textWant io understand why individualism does not work for human beings, familiies or communities? Want to understand how our individualis...
The Persecuted
06 Oct 2022
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Send us a textCasey Chalk is one of the premier Catholic voices in the US today. Join me in conversation with Casey as we discuss his book, The Pers...
Islam and Christianity
28 Sep 2022
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Send us a textOne of my most interesting conversations yet! Join me as we discuss Islam in view of Christianity , with Dr David Pinault, author of The...
The True England
21 Sep 2022
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Send us a textJoin me in conversation with Joesph Pearce, author of Faith of Our Fathers, A History of True England (Ignatius Press) as we talk abo...
Royalty and Russia
13 Sep 2022
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Send us a textThe family of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is an integral part of the history of Europe. Join me in conversation as we talk about some ...
Extra Terrestrial intelligence and Catholic Theology
16 Aug 2022
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Send us a textIf alien life is discovered on another planet or in another universe how woud they relate to us and God? Would they be marked by o...
Shooting At Heaven's Gate
04 Aug 2022
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Send us a textIn a world without God can suffering and evil be understood? What makes a Mass Shooter? Kaye Park Hinkcley author of Shooting At Heave...
The Jesuits
25 Jul 2022
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Send us a textJuly 31st is the Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. Join me in dicussion with German Professor Markus ...
Andrew Jackson..the Man and The Legend
21 Jul 2022
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Send us a textWho really was this man President Andrew Jackson? Join me in conversation with David S. Brown author of The First Populist; The Defian...
Alexis de Tocqueville..A man who understood Democracy
12 Jul 2022
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Send us a textJuly 14 is Bastille Day. A great way to commenorate this auspicious event is to grab a glass of chmpagne or a good bordeaux and listen t...
Where Cowards Go To Die
05 Jul 2022
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Send us a textHow does a person live with the moral injury of war? Through hope and faith. Benjamin Sledge, combat veteran of the Afghanistan and ...
Tearing Us Apart
30 Jun 2022
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Send us a textJoin me to discuss the hottest topic in the nation with Alexandra Desanctis coauthor of Tearing US Apart; How Abortion Harms Everything ...
Veterans Come Home: Best Years of Our Lives
17 Jun 2022
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Send us a textThe Best Years of Our Lives was a 1946 movie classic. The movie narrates a story of three veterans returning from the front lines of...
The Rifle and The Greatest Generation
09 Jun 2022
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Send us a textIn light of DDay June 6, I have decided to rerun this interview made for Veteran's Day of last year. The M-1 Garand, the stand...
Fierce Valor: The Story of Ronald Speirs
03 Jun 2022
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Send us a textD-Day is June 6. We have all heard of Easy Company, the Band of Brothers and Dick Winters but little has been written of Ronald Speirs, ...
The Greater Reset is not the Great Reset
24 May 2022
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Send us a textBeware of Davos and the World Economic Forum. Join me in conversation with authors Michael D. Greaney and Dawn K. Brohawn as we talk...
Zelensky
17 May 2022
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Send us a text Zelensky: The Unlikely Ukrainian Hero Who Defied Putin and United the World is a compelling account of this fascinating, enigmatic lea...
Charles de Foucauld-A new Saint!!
10 May 2022
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Send us a textOn May 15, 2022 Pope Francis will declare Father Charles de Foucauld a saint. Learn the story of this enigmatic man of the dessert w...
The Dancer and the Devil: Pavlova and Stalin
02 May 2022
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Send us a textThe most beautiful and famous ballerina of the world may have been poisoned by Stalin, the brutish dictator of the USSR. There is an e...
Catholic Literature with Joshua Hren
19 Apr 2022
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Send us a textCatholic literature is on fire these days. Catholic publishing houses, press, and journals are booming. Join me in conversation with...
The Poor Friar Who Prays--PADRE PIO
04 Apr 2022
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Send us a textPadre Pio is a spiritual superstar. In his 80 year life, he bore the wounds of Christ, he could be located in two places at once, foug...
How and How Not To Be happy
29 Mar 2022
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Send us a textYou are designed to be happy and you can be happy. What is Happiness? Why is it important to the Human Experience? How Can you Be Happ...
Unraveling Gender
22 Mar 2022
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Send us a textWhat is the difference between sex and gender? How did these two realities diverge in modern culture? Join me in conversation with D...
Charlie Brown's America
14 Mar 2022
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Send us a textGood Grief Brown! We talk to Dr Blake Ball, author of Charlie Brown's America, The Popular Politics of Peanuts about the social...
President Warren G Harding-A good American
06 Mar 2022
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Send us a textWho was the worst president in US history? Often Warren G Harding is ranked at the bottom but Ryan S Walters author of the The Jazz Ag...
Putin's Playbook; Russia's Secret Plan to Defeat America
28 Feb 2022
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Send us a textWhat are Putin's real intentions? Last Fall I had the opportunity to interview Rebekah Koffler author of Putin's Playbook; R...
Father Gabriel -A Detective Priest
18 Feb 2022
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Send us a textWhat do you get when you mix a fictional history, and a mystery thriller with a touch of humor? The Father Gabriel series written by F...
The City Mother
14 Feb 2022
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Send us a textIn this achingly beautiful book about parenthood, Maya Sinha in her debut novel The City Mother narrates a tale of humanity and salvat...
Ignatius Press Father Fessio
07 Feb 2022
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Send us a textIn this interview with Father Joseph Fessio, president of Ignatius Press, we talk about the publishing industry, books, beer and being a...
Dissolution of the Monasteries; James Clark
31 Jan 2022
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Send us a textFrom 1536-1540 king Henry VIII closed 850 monasteries in England and Wales. The consequences of this decision have reverberated from his...
John Fisher and Thomas More; Men of Truth
24 Jan 2022
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Send us a text John Fisher and Thomas More lived in a time as difficult as ours, but chose to live with truth and fidelity, even at the expense of th...
James Madison: America's First politician
18 Jan 2022
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Send us a textJoin me in a great conversation with Dr Jay Cost, author of James Madison, America's First Politician published by Basic Books. ...
Robert R Reilly: Defending the Founding
10 Jan 2022
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Send us a textHappy New year. we start this year off bigger and bolder than ever! I speak with Robert R Reilly author of America on Trial: A Defense...