Plausibly Live! - The Official Podcast Of The Dave Bowman Show

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we confront one of the darkest and most overlooked chapters of Reconstruction—the Colfax Massacre of 1873. Over a hundred Black men were killed defending their right to vote and hold office in a small Louisiana parish. Their killers walked free. We dig into the political chaos, the brutal events of Easter Sunday, and the Supreme Court decision that crippled federal civil rights enforcement for generations. This is not just history—it is a warning. Join us as we tell the story of Colfax, where democracy was murdered and justice never came.

Washington's gone bonkers, folks—Rabbi Dave and Friar Rod are back to unpack the madness! In this episode of What the Frock?, the duo tackles Washington State’s bizarre new tax on dating apps (yes, they’re taxing “thingy”), the philosophical tug-of-war between divine will and prayer, and why you should never cook a steak in the office microwave. Plus, Rabbi Dave reveals plans for a cross-country move, and Rod confronts being outperformed by AI Rod. It’s thoughtful, irreverent, and just the right amount of frocked up. Tune in, laugh hard, and maybe start packing for South Carolina. This one’s a wild ride!

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we fire up the rockets and revisit one of the boldest gambles in American spaceflight: the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 in April 1981. This was not a test run—it was the first flight of a brand-new spacecraft with astronauts aboard. We will meet Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen, unpack the mission’s high-stakes challenges, and explore how Columbia changed the game for NASA. Strap in as we journey through triumph, tension, and the legacy of a ship that flew to orbit like a rocket and landed like a dream.

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we journey back to April 9, 1865 — the day the guns finally fell silent at Appomattox Court House. It wasn’t just the end of a war; it was the beginning of reconciliation. We’ll walk the weary roads with Lee’s starving army, sit inside the McLean House where Grant offered mercy, and witness the quiet dignity that defined one of America’s most powerful moments. This is the story of how a nation tore itself apart—and how, in a single afternoon, it began the long road toward healing. Available now on Spotify, iHeart Radio, and iTunes.

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we explore the bizarre moment when the United States nearly claimed part of Greenland—based on a map that turned out to be wrong. Dave unpacks the story of Arctic explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen, who risked everything in 1909 to recover lost maps, prove the U.S. claim false, and confirm Greenland belonged to Denmark. Abandoned, stranded, and forced to survive two brutal winters, Mikkelsen’s mission became a legend. Tune in for maps, mistakes, and the kind of bravery that history too often forgets. It’s the tale of how a nation almost owned Greenland—by accident.

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we uncover the oily roots of America’s first major political scandal: Teapot Dome. Long before Watergate, this 1920s tale of secret deals, bribes, and backroom betrayals rocked the nation and shook public trust in government. Join Dave as he explores how a dusty Wyoming oil field, a red-faced Cabinet secretary, and a few well-connected oil barons brought shame to the Harding administration. From Navy fuel reserves to Senate showdowns, this scandal has it all. Subscribe now on Spotify, iHeart Radio, or iTunes and dig into the corruption that changed American politics forever.

This week on *What The Frock?*, Friar Rod returns from Gatlinburg with tales of divine donuts and suspiciously foreign MAGA hats, while Rabbi Dave battles a 6mm kidney stone with nothing but prayer, pacing, and Costco water. The holy duo also weigh in on the upcoming *Naked Gun* reboot starring Liam Neeson—can it live up to the deadpan glory of Leslie Nielsen, or is it best streamed under sedation? With spiritual snack sermons and sharp political jabs, this episode is glazed with humor and filled with the kind of wisdom only a rabbi and a friar can serve.

Join *Dave Does History* as we explore the life and legacy of Renaissance master Raphael—born in 1483 in the cultured court of Urbino, and destined to become one of the most beloved painters in Western art. In this episode, we uncover how Raphael rose from orphaned prodigy to the Pope’s favorite artist, creating timeless masterpieces like *The School of Athens* and the iconic Madonnas. With insight, warmth, and a touch of humor, we dive into the world of beauty, balance, and brushstrokes that shaped the High Renaissance—and left a legacy that still resonates today. Raphael did not roar—he sang.

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we shine a long-overdue spotlight on Benjamin Harrison V—Founding Father, Virginia governor, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Born into privilege at Berkeley Plantation, Harrison stood tall—literally and politically—among the giants of his age. He helped shape the birth of America, raised a future president, and left behind a legacy that still echoes today. Join us as we uncover the life, wit, grit, and patriotism of a man who helped light the fire of liberty—and whose descendants kept that flame burning in the White House. Available now on Spotify, iHeartRadio, and iTunes.

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we turn our gaze to ancient Rome and the stormy life of Emperor Caracalla—warrior, builder, butcher, and the man behind one of the bloodiest family feuds in imperial history. Born into power and raised on ambition, Caracalla ruled an empire with a sword in one hand and a scowl carved into marble. From the grandeur of the Baths of Caracalla to the chilling murder of his own brother, this episode dives into the legacy of a ruler both feared and fascinating. Subscribe now on Spotify, iTunes, or iHeart Radio—history like Rome, never dull.

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we saddle up and gallop into one of the most iconic yet short-lived chapters of the American West—the Pony Express. Born out of urgency and ambition in 1860, this daring mail service bridged nearly 2,000 miles of rugged terrain, linking East to West in just ten days. Though it ran for only 18 months, its legend endures. We’ll explore the facts, the folklore, and the fearless riders—including my own great-grandfather, Francis Marion Holt—who carried the nation's hopes on horseback, even as the telegraph wires closed in. This is the true ride of the Pony Express.

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we dive into one of the most pivotal speeches in American history—President Woodrow Wilson’s April 2, 1917 address to Congress, calling for a declaration of war against Germany. With a nation divided and neutrality hanging by a thread, Wilson laid out his case in moral and measured tones. Why did America finally join the Great War? What tipped the scales—from sunken ships to secret telegrams? Join us as we explore the speech, the drama in Congress, and the lasting legacy of Wilson’s words. History is calling—and this time, it declared war.

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we journey back to March 31, 1870—one day after the Fifteenth Amendment was certified. In a small town called Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a man named Thomas Mundy Peterson quietly made history. Born to an enslaved mother and a free father, Peterson became the first African American to cast a vote under the new constitutional protections of the Fifteenth Amendment. His vote may have been cast in a local election, but its impact echoed across a divided nation. This is the story of a single ballot that helped redefine American democracy.

Rabbi Dave is battling a kidney stone, Friar Rod is broadcasting from a borrowed headset in Georgia, and somehow the show still goes on! This week, the frocked duo tackles the government’s Signal app scandal, the anime art explosion sparked by Studio Ghibli AI filters, and a minor league baseball logo that’s... a bit too anatomical. From tech paranoia to baseball blasphemy, it’s a wild ride through everything ridiculous, real, and rib-splitting. Buckle up, adjust your filters, and join us for another unforgettable episode of *What The Frock?*—where the only thing predictable is the laughter.

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we turn our attention to a man many have forgotten—but whose actions echo through every peaceful transfer of presidential power in American history. John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States, never won the office by vote, yet he forever changed the presidency. From Virginia aristocrat to accidental Commander-in-Chief, Tyler’s term was riddled with political isolation, constitutional crisis, and bold action. So buckle up as we explore the life, rise, and legacy of a president dubbed “His Accidency”—but who may just have been one of the most consequential leaders we rarely remember.

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we turn our attention to a man many have forgotten—but whose actions echo through every peaceful transfer of presidential power in American history. John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States, never won the office by vote, yet he forever changed the presidency. From Virginia aristocrat to accidental Commander-in-Chief, Tyler’s term was riddled with political isolation, constitutional crisis, and bold action. So buckle up as we explore the life, rise, and legacy of a president dubbed “His Accidency”—but who may just have been one of the most consequential leaders we rarely remember.

In this episode of *Dave Does History*, we saddle up and ride west—far west—to the rugged terrain of New Mexico in 1862. While most folks picture Civil War battles back east, there was a fiery clash in the high desert that proved just as pivotal. Known as the “Gettysburg of the West,” the Battle of Glorieta Pass was a bold Confederate gamble to seize the Southwest—and its gold. But what unfolded in those narrow canyons changed the course of the war out west. Join us as we uncover the forgotten fight that ended Dixie’s dreams of a desert empire.

In the wake of the Civil War, America faced a new battle—not for territory, but for the soul of the republic. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to secure basic rights for newly freed African Americans, but President Andrew Johnson had other ideas. His veto of the bill ignited a fierce showdown with Congress, laying bare the deep rifts in post-war America. This article explores the Act’s introduction, Johnson’s controversial veto, the unprecedented congressional override, and the legacy that still echoes today. At Dave Does History, we dig into the clash that redefined Reconstruction—and the presidency itself.

On this episode of *Dave Does History*, we are heading back to 1351 for one of the most curious, chivalrous, and downright cinematic episodes of the Hundred Years’ War—the Combat of the Thirty. Picture it: thirty knights loyal to England, thirty to France, meeting under a lone oak tree in Brittany for a fight to the death—not for land, not for gold, but for honor. Or so the story goes. Was it a noble duel or a public relations stunt wrapped in chainmail? Join me as we pull back the curtain on a battle that became legend—bloody, bold, and unforgettable.