Say It With History: Conversations That Shaped The Past with Holley Snaith

Holley Snaith
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  • History
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From unsung trailblazers to cultural icons, Say It with History explores how the past shapes the stories we tell—and the lives we lead. Hosted by historian Holley Snaith, who has worked at two presidential libraries, a nonprofit honoring a beloved First Lady, and published numerous pieces on influential historical figures, each episode offers engaging, insightful, and often surprising journeys through time. Whether you’re a lifelong history lover or simply curious about the stories behind the past, this show brings history to life in fresh and meaningful ways.

  1. 4d ago

    The Myth of the Hollywood War Hero: Lew Ayres, Conscience, and World War II with Lesley Coffin

    Author Lesley L. Coffin joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Lew Ayres, a lesser known yet fascinating figure in classic Hollywood. Together, they discuss Lesley’s newly reprinted book Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector, tracing his rise to fame in All Quiet on the Western Front and the ways that role shaped both his career and public image. They also examine the misconceptions surrounding his decision to become a conscientious objector during World War II, the insights revealed through his letters and unpublished writings, and his deep intellectual and spiritual curiosity, including the documentary he considered his most important work. Lesley reflects on the challenges of writing against established narratives and what Ayres’s story reveals about celebrity, public perception, and the enduring power of myth in popular culture. Lesley Coffin Biography Lesley L. Coffin is a film scholar with a master’s degree in star studies from New York University. In addition to her work online as a journalist, interviewer, and critic, she is author of Hitchcock’s Stars: Alfred Hitchcock and the Hollywood Studio System and Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector, the latter published by University Press of Mississippi. About Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector Lew Ayres (1908–1996) became known to the public when he portrayed the leading character in the epic war film All Quiet on the Western Front. The role made him a household name, introduced him to his closest friends, brought him to the attention of his first two wives, and would ultimately overshadow the rest of his career. Becoming a movie star had been his first and only ambition as a child, but once he achieved it, he was never fully satisfied with his choice of profession. Although lacking a formal education, Ayres spent the rest of his life pursuing a wide range of intellectual studies, interests, and hobbies. He even considered ending his acting career after just a few years to pursue what he saw as a more “respectable and fulfilling” path as a director. Ayres was given not one but two comeback opportunities, in 1938 and 1945. He was cast in the Dr. Kildare film series, where he demonstrated both his skill in comedy and his unique ability to bring sincerity to even the most outlandish or idealistic characters. Yet he was willing to give up his star status to follow his moral compass—first as a conscientious objector and ultimately as a noncombat medic during World War II. To the surprise of many, he was welcomed back to Hollywood with open arms and offered new opportunities despite his objector status. Connect with Lesley: LinkedIn Lew Ayres: Hollywood’s Conscientious Objector: University Press of Mississippi | Bookshop Ebook Books Mentioned: The Stars Appear by Richard Dyer Maccann Bookshop Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    The Myth of the Hollywood War Hero: Lew Ayres, Conscience, and World War II with Lesley Coffin

  2. Sep 4

    Unit 731 and the Cover-Up of Wartime Atrocities: War Crimes and Hidden History with Jenny Chan

    Historian Jenny Chan joins Holley to explore the hidden history of Unit 731 and the role the American government played in the aftermath of World War II. Together, they discuss Japan’s secret biological warfare program, why these wartime atrocities remained largely unknown in the West for decades, and how media narratives shape public memory of the war. Jenny also shares insights from her archival research through Pacific Atrocities Education, highlighting the importance of preserving difficult histories and challenging simplified narratives about World War II. Jenny Chan Biography Jenny Chan is the director of Pacific Atrocities Education (PAE), a nonprofit that researches World War II atrocities in the Asia-Pacific region, such as the invasion of Manchuria, Nanjing Massacre, Unit 731, and the "comfort women" system, through books, videos, and digitized archives, engaging over 800,000 online visitors annually. Under her leadership, PAE's internship program—offering opportunities in research, community outreach, digital archiving, and oral history—has profoundly shaped participants' careers, with several former interns advancing to become professors and scholars. Connect with Jenny: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube Books Mentioned: Marutas of Unit 731 by Jenny Chan Paperback  Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    Unit 731 and the Cover-Up of Wartime Atrocities: War Crimes and Hidden History with Jenny Chan

  3. Aug 28

    The Man Behind the Legend: Joe DiMaggio, Fame, and American Memory with Kelly Lacroix

    Author and researcher Kelly Lacroix joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Joe DiMaggio, one of the most iconic and misunderstood figures in American culture. Together, they discuss Joe’s rise from baseball star to cultural symbol, his complicated relationship with fame and the press, and the enduring fascination surrounding his marriage to Marilyn Monroe. Kelly also shares insights from her ongoing Finding Joe DiMaggio project, challenging long-standing myths and offering a more layered perspective on the man behind the legend. Blending sports history, Hollywood history, and cultural memory, this conversation examines how public figures are remembered—and what can emerge when we look beyond the myth. Kelly Lacroix Biography Kelly Lacroix is a French-born researcher and film professional based in the United Kingdom. Trained in European Law, she later pursued a career in film and works as a trailer editor. With a longstanding interest in classic Hollywood cinema, she has spent the past five years researching Joe DiMaggio, exploring the gap between public myth and the man himself. Her work brings a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic and often misunderstood figures of twentieth-century American culture. Connect with Kelly: Instagram | Threads | Facebook Items from the Estate of Joe DiMaggio—Hunt Auction House: View Lots Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    The Man Behind the Legend: Joe DiMaggio, Fame, and American Memory with Kelly Lacroix

  4. Aug 21

    The Power Behind the American Founding: Elizabeth Willing Powel and Women’s Influence in Early America with Samantha Snyder

    Research librarian and historian Samantha Snyder joins Holley Snaith to explore the life and influence of Elizabeth Willing Powel, one of the most fascinating yet overlooked women of the American founding. Together, they discuss Powel’s role within the political and social world of early Philadelphia, her relationships with figures such as George Washington and John Adams, and the ways women shaped political culture through conversation, correspondence, hospitality, and social networks. Samantha also shares insights from her forthcoming book, A Remarkable Woman: Elizabeth Willing Powel and the Founding of the American Republic, challenging long-standing misconceptions and offering a fresh perspective on women’s influence during the founding era. Samantha Snyder Biography Samantha Snyder is a Research Librarian at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. She first encountered Elizabeth Willing Powel through George Washington’s papers and has spent nearly a decade researching her life, bringing together archival research, public history, and narrative biography to recover one of the most compelling women of the founding era. About Samantha’s Forthcoming Book, A Remarkable Woman: Elizabeth Willing Powel and the Founding of the American Republic This vivid, deeply researched biography places Elizabeth Willing Powel at the center of the American founding, revealing her as a political influencer, astute businesswoman, and a key figure in shaping elite Philadelphia society. Through rich archival detail and compelling narrative, the book challenges long-held assumptions and restores Powel’s place as an essential voice in the early republic. Connect with Samantha: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    The Power Behind the American Founding: Elizabeth Willing Powel and Women’s Influence in Early America with Samantha Snyder

  5. Aug 14

    Lauren Bacall: The Making of a Hollywood Legend with Anthony Uzarowski

    Author and film historian Anthony Uzarowski joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Lauren Bacall through his book Lauren Bacall: The Queen of Cool. Together, they discuss Bacall’s rise to fame, the image that defined her, and the career she built beyond her relationship with Humphrey Bogart. The conversation also highlights her longevity in Hollywood, the challenges she faced as an actress over time, and the deeper personal and cultural dimensions of her story, offering a fresh perspective on a true icon of the golden age. Anthony Uzarowski Biography Anthony Uzarowski is a film historian and author. His books include the acclaimed biographies Jessica Lange: An Adventurer’s Heart and Ava Gardner: A Life in Movies. He has also written numerous articles on cinema and the arts, with his work appearing in publications such as The Guardian, Turner Classic Movies, Film International, Gay Times, and more. About Lauren Bacall: The Queen of Cool Lauren Bacall (1924–2014), or Betty, as she was known to friends, was one of the last great movie stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her career spanned seven decades and was one of the longest and most distinguished in the history of show business. Yet it was not without its challenges. After becoming a star at nineteen with her first film, To Have and Have Not (1944), she joked there was nowhere for her to go but down. She became an icon of film noir before the term was even coined. A cool, sophisticated, sexy, and ultramodern woman, she projected confidence and independence. Lauren Bacall: The Queen of Cool is the first book to bring together all aspects of the legendary star’s life and career, exploring her iconic style, her extensive body of work, and her friendships and relationships with some of the most famous figures of the twentieth century. Her relationship with Humphrey Bogart is the stuff of legend—the most beloved pairing of classical Hollywood, a perfect blend of romance, glamour, and cinematic glory. When Bogart died in 1957, Bacall was just thirty-three years old, and for the rest of her life she wrestled with the legend of her late husband, striving to prove to the industry that she was more than the most famous widow in Hollywood. She ultimately succeeded, becoming a two-time Tony Award–winning Broadway star and bestselling author, and continuing a successful, though at times rocky, screen career that brought her an Academy Award nomination in 1996 and an Honorary Oscar in 2009. Combining meticulous research with stunning photographs, author Anthony Uzarowski presents a multidimensional portrait of both the woman and the star that was Lauren Bacall. Connect with Anthony: Instagram Lauren Bacall: The Queen of Cool: Hardcover | Ebook | University Press of Mississippi Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    Lauren Bacall: The Making of a Hollywood Legend with Anthony Uzarowski

  6. Aug 7

    Family History Research: How Documents and Archives Reveal the Past with Ben Robinson

    Author Ben Robinson joins Holley to explore the power of family history and the stories hidden within letters, photographs, and archival records. Together, they discuss the journey of turning Ben’s great-grandmother Charlotte’s life into Finding Charlotte, a sweeping family saga shaped by war, resilience, and survival across the twentieth century. They also examine the importance of moving beyond names and dates to uncover fuller, more human stories of the past, the role of women’s voices in family history, and the connections between past and present. Ben reflects on the emotional impact of preserving overlooked stories and the research process that brought his family’s history to life. Ben Robinson Biography Ben Robinson is a writer, educator, and the author of the part-fictionalized historical memoir novel Finding Charlotte. He grew up in Scarborough, England, and has lived across Yorkshire before settling in Newcastle upon Tyne. Drawing on a rich collection of family letters and photographs, Robinson crafted Finding Charlotte, a sweeping family saga that spans more than a century and explores the realities of wartime during one of the most transformative periods in modern history. In recent years, he has channeled his passion for family history into this deeply personal project. Robinson has also written for UK-based publications including NARC Magazine and RADGE Magazine and currently serves as a columnist for York-based Your Local Link Magazine. Finding Charlotte is available internationally for readers interested in history and storytelling. About Finding Charlotte Finding Charlotte is a part-fictionalized historical memoir and the debut novel of Northern writer Ben Robinson. The book follows Charlotte Smith, the author’s great-grandmother, and those around her as they navigate a tumultuous and war-torn era in European history, including both World War I and World War II. Drawing on more than 100 documents and letters from archives and Charlotte’s personal collections, the narrative blends historical memoir with elements of fiction to bring these lives vividly to the page. From Charlotte’s parents to her sisters and wider circle, Finding Charlotte unfolds as a sweeping family saga, revealing not just one life, but the shared experiences of a family shaped by an era that transformed the modern world. Centered in Yorkshire during the first half of the twentieth century, the story also extends beyond England, tracing experiences in London and Norfolk as well as international settings including New Zealand, Myanmar, and Singapore. Connect with Ben: Instagram Finding Charlotte: Books-A-Million | Amazon Shows Mentioned: The Narrow Road to the Deep North (2025) Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    Family History Research: How Documents and Archives Reveal the Past with Ben Robinson

  7. Jul 31

    The Power Behind the Presidency: Missy LeHand and Martha Washington with Kathryn Smith

    Author and history speaker Kathryn Smith joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Marguerite “Missy” LeHand and the overlooked women who shaped power behind the presidency. Together, they discuss Kathryn’s book The Gatekeeper: Missy LeHand, FDR, and the Partnership that Defined a Presidency, the misconceptions surrounding Missy’s role in the Roosevelt White House, the significance of Warm Springs, and the parallels between Missy and Martha Washington as influential women working behind the scenes of history. Kathryn also reflects on portraying both women in performance and why history can be surprising, entertaining, and deeply human. Kathryn Smith Biography Kathryn Smith is a journalist who turned her writing talents to history after careers as a newspaper editor and nonprofit leader. Her book The Gatekeeper: Missy LeHand, FDR, and the Partnership that Defined a Presidency was published by a Simon & Schuster imprint in 2016. She followed this with Gertie, a biography of South Carolina adventuress Gertrude Sanford Legendre, as well as two books on Prohibition in the South, Baptists and Bootleggers and Methodists and Moonshiners. Kathryn publishes daily on Substack at bootleggers.substack.com, focusing on personal diaries from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s and the history of that era. She also co-authors the Missy LeHand Mystery series with Kelly Durham. The Gatekeeper: Paperback | Ebook Connect with Kathryn: Website | Facebook | Substack Explore Kathryn’s Other Works: Evening Post Books Books Mentioned: The Washingtons by Flora Fraser Paperback | Ebook Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    The Power Behind the Presidency: Missy LeHand and Martha Washington with Kathryn Smith

  8. Jul 24

    Palm Springs History: How O’Donnell Golf Club Shaped the Desert City with Alexandra Phillips

    Alexandra Phillips, MBA, PGA, CMAA, joins Holley to explore the remarkable history of O’Donnell Golf Club and its role in shaping Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Founded in 1929, O’Donnell is one of only three nationally historically designated golf courses in the United States and has been connected to figures including Gene Sarazen, Bob Hope, and Harold Matzner. Together, they discuss the rise of golf culture in Palm Springs, the history behind Inspiration Point and the Easter Sunrise tradition, and the club’s ongoing role as a community and cultural landmark. Alexandra also reflects on stewardship, preservation, and her vision for O’Donnell’s future as a historic space at the heart of Palm Springs. Alexandra Phillips, MBA, PGA, CMAA Biography Alexandra Phillips serves as the General Manager of the historic O’Donnell Golf Club in downtown Palm Springs. Founded in 1929, O’Donnell is the oldest golf club in the Coachella Valley, blending a rich legacy with a dynamic and evolving membership experience. Alexandra leads the club with a deep respect for its history and a clear vision for its future. A former professional golfer, Alexandra began her career competing at a high level, gaining a lifelong understanding of the game from the player’s perspective. She later returned to academia to earn her MBA, combining executive-level business training with her PGA professional credentials to shape the business side of the sport. Today, Alexandra is the only female country club General Manager in the United States to hold both an MBA and PGA designation—an achievement that reflects her commitment to leadership, innovation, and the continued evolution of the club industry. Connect with O’Donnell Golf Club: Website | Instagram Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn Listen on YouTube: Channel

    Palm Springs History: How O’Donnell Golf Club Shaped the Desert City with Alexandra Phillips
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From unsung trailblazers to cultural icons, Say It with History explores how the past shapes the stories we tell—and the lives we lead. Hosted by historian Holley Snaith, who has worked at two presidential libraries, a nonprofit honoring a beloved First Lady, and published numerous pieces on influential historical figures, each episode offers engaging, insightful, and often surprising journeys through time. Whether you’re a lifelong history lover or simply curious about the stories behind the past, this show brings history to life in fresh and meaningful ways.

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