56 episodes

Hosted by Dr. Karen Bellinger, the Working Over Time podcast examines society through the lens of work, over time and across cultures.  If you‘re a fellow time traveler who loves history and epic storytelling, you‘ve found the right time machine. Produced by LittleFire, Past Preservers, and Dr. Karen Bellinger. Follow us on Twitter @WorkingOTSeries. We‘re also on Patreon: www.patreon.com/workingovertime

Working Over Time LittleFire

    • History

Hosted by Dr. Karen Bellinger, the Working Over Time podcast examines society through the lens of work, over time and across cultures.  If you‘re a fellow time traveler who loves history and epic storytelling, you‘ve found the right time machine. Produced by LittleFire, Past Preservers, and Dr. Karen Bellinger. Follow us on Twitter @WorkingOTSeries. We‘re also on Patreon: www.patreon.com/workingovertime

    ”If Stones Could Speak” - Life on an Ancient Egyptian Construction Site

    ”If Stones Could Speak” - Life on an Ancient Egyptian Construction Site

    This episode's topic is so literally monumental, we brought in three experts to help us bring it to life. We’re going back more than 3,000 years, to New Kingdom Egypt, to visit two of the job sites that contributed to the production of some of the ancient world’s most iconic monuments. We start with the dynamic duo of Dr Maria Nilsson and John Ward, Nat Geo Explorers and archaeologists who have spent over ten years uncovering the secrets of Gebel el Silsila, the little-known quarry site that supplied the stone for pretty much every major temple you’d see along a ‘hit parade’ Nile River tour. Then, joined by Egyptologist Sofia Aziz, we zero in on the Valley of the Kings site, Deir el Medina, where extraordinarily detailed archaeological and historical records reveal the lives of one group of ancient Egyptian construction workers in astonishing detail. Think worker strikes and social media are a modern phenomenon? Think again. As with so many things, it seems the Egyptians did it first. So, let’s tread the dust of two of their most prolific building sites. Like an Egyptian, of course.

    • 1 hr 15 min
    ”Building Blocks” - The Medieval Foundations of Modern Stonemasonry

    ”Building Blocks” - The Medieval Foundations of Modern Stonemasonry

    In this episode, Karen talks with Master Mason Brad Steele about the ancient craft of building in stone, from its ancient origins through the medieval guilds which continue to provide fraternal and educational support to ensure its survival into the future.
     

    • 1 hr 13 min
    ”From The Mouse to Tudor Modern” - The Business of Branding & Licensing Heritage IP

    ”From The Mouse to Tudor Modern” - The Business of Branding & Licensing Heritage IP

    Karen explores the history and evolution of licensed brands and “intellectual property,” and hears about the latest IP trends in heritage attractions and art museums. Join the conversation with guest Georgina Dorothy, archaeologist and historian turned heritage IP executive at ARTiSTORY.

    • 51 min
    “Profanely Sacred” - The Dual Face of European Medieval Theatre

    “Profanely Sacred” - The Dual Face of European Medieval Theatre

    In this episode, Karen talks with actor, director, and theatre historian, Dr Kyle A Thomas. Join us for a peek behind the curtain of European theatre in the Middle Ages. Spoiler alert: piety wasn’t the only value on display in medieval relgious dramas!

    • 1 hr 26 min
    Holiday Classics Rewind - Mall Santas - The Industry of Holiday Joy

    Holiday Classics Rewind - Mall Santas - The Industry of Holiday Joy

    As we move through some holiday down time, celebrate with this WoT classic episode. It’s the story of the department store, or mall, Santa - the origins of the job, who were the big players, and its lasting legacy on the industry of holiday joy. Join us as we talk with Dr. Sheila Hoffman, and hear the tale of the very first Department Store/Mall Santa, in a fireside story with Working Over Time Producer/Writer Aidan Laliberte. (recorded over zoom)

    • 54 min
    ”Around The Forge” - (Part 1) Blacksmith Folklore & Legends

    ”Around The Forge” - (Part 1) Blacksmith Folklore & Legends

    In today’s episode, which is Part I of II, we examine blacksmithing from the perspectives of the legends and folklore forged from the same fires as the revolutionary iron tools that so fundamentally shaped human experience. What better way to dive into this topic than with our guest, Mark Norman, whose own podcast, The Folklore Podcast, has enjoyed over 1.25 million downloads to date, fueled by compelling content and, of course, a stellar host. With that, let’s gather around the forge.
     

    • 50 min