The American Tapestry Project

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In the “American Tapestry: We Tell Ourselves Stories”, Andrew Roth explores the post-1968 shattering of the American story by asking “What is the ‘story of America’? Is there such a thing? Is there only one story, or are there many stories? If there are many stories, how are they woven, can they be woven, together to tell the story of America?”

  1. 09/15/2025

    American Pop: Popular Music and the Idea of Home

    This episode of The American Tapestry Project continues our exploration of “Popular Music: A Window Into the Soul of America” It examines the difference between musical categories composers’ music, performers’ music, and traditional music with a focus on the idea of “Home” in American culture from “Home, Sweet to Home” to Carole King’s “So Far Away” to Bruce Springsteen’s “My Home Town.” “All this and more”, as they say on late night TV, on Episode 53 of The American Tapestry Project.

    59 min

  2. 08/11/2025

    American Pop: Popular Music as a Window Into American Culture

    This episode of The American Tapestry Project begins on “Popular Music: A Window Into the Soul of America.” It examines the Top Ten Hits of the 20th Century for cultural insights as it surveys the history of American popular music from 19th century minstrelsy shows to the latest streaming “hit” on the platform of your choice. “American Pop” and the tapestry of America’s many stories. This episode asks, “What was the Top Hit of the 20th century? Spoiler alert” It wasn’t “White Christmas.” “All this and more”, as they say on late night TV, on Episode 52 of The American Tapestry Project.

    59 min

  3. 06/09/2025

    Baseball Music: An American Art Form

    This episode of The American Tapestry Project revisits that uniquely American art form – baseball music. From 1858’s “The Baseball Polka” to the Dropkick Murphy’s 21st century punk rock recreation of the Boston Red Sox’s “Tessie”, we’ll revisit the music and learn the backstory behind some classic American tunes celebrating America’s grand old game – baseball. “All this and more”, as they say on late night TV, on Episode 50 of The American Tapestry Project.

    59 min

  4. 05/12/2025

    May Days

    How many holidays in May? More than you think? Whatever happened to May Day? Once it was a major holiday with dancing round the maypole; now, not so much. Where did “Mayday, mayday, mayday” as a call for help originate? But the big three holidays are Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day. Where did they originate? What’s the Cry of Dolores? Who is Anna Maria Jarvis? And how did Decoration Day morph into Memorial Day. This episode explores the origins and meaning of all three. May Days – more than you think.

    59 min

  5. 03/10/2025

    Four Women Who Changed America

    This ”Classic” episode of The American Tapestry Project celebrates Women’s History Month by telling the stories of four 19th century women who changed America. Tune in and meet Margaret Fuller, Sarah Josepha Hale and Lydia Maria Child. Never heard of them? All the more reason to hear their stories and how they prepared the way for the modern American woman. Fuller, Hale, Stone and Child – four names you need to know! “All this and more”, as they say on late night TV, on this “Classic” episode of The American Tapestry Project.

    59 min

  6. 02/10/2025

    Saints, Sex, Sentiment, and Chocolate: A Short History of Valentine's Day

    Although Valentine's Day is not an official holiday anywhere, it is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other holiday. Where did this rose-hued holiday custom of gift-giving, card sharing, chocolate consuming courtship, and romance originate? Did you know that every February over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold, that the average person spends $164.76 for the day, that approximately one billion cards are exchanged around the world, that $2 billion-plus will be spent on flowers, and that each year approximately 18 percent of women send themselves flowers? Discover the origin and path through history taken to now by this holiday celebrating “saints, sex, sentiment, and chocolate.

    59 min

  7. 01/13/2025

    Happy New Year & Auld Lang Syne

    This episode of The American Tapestry Project continues exploring those things Americans love in common – holidays! In this episode we look at the history of New Year’s celebrations, ask why champagne, where did New Year’s resolutions begin, are there any great New Year’s tunes, who was Robert Burns and what does Auld Lang Syne mean, where did it originate and what is its definitive version? All this and more” on Episode 18AA of The American Tapestry Project.

    59 min

  8. 12/09/2024

    The American Way of Christmas Part Two

    In this Part Two of a two Part Series on the origins of The American Way of Christmas we’ll examine one of America’s most successful efforts at building a common national culture. In this episode, we’ll discover how St. Nicholas evolved into Santa Claus, what the meaning of Yuletide and Christmastide is, the importance of the Twelve Days of Christmas, what Charles Dickens taught everyone about the Christmas spirit, and reprise the Top Ten Christmas Carols of all time and the most popular Christmas song of all time – spoiler alert: it’s not “White Christmas.”

    59 min
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In the “American Tapestry: We Tell Ourselves Stories”, Andrew Roth explores the post-1968 shattering of the American story by asking “What is the ‘story of America’? Is there such a thing? Is there only one story, or are there many stories? If there are many stories, how are they woven, can they be woven, together to tell the story of America?”

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