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

Holley Snaith
  • 5.0 (21)
  • 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. Minnie Pearl and the Hidden History of Nashville: Country Music, Culture, and Legacy with Mary Ellen Pethel

    2d ago

    Minnie Pearl and the Hidden History of Nashville: Country Music, Culture, and Legacy with Mary Ellen Pethel

    For the final episode of Season 3 of Say It With History, author, historian, and educator Mary Ellen Pethel joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Minnie Pearl and the woman behind the beloved persona, Sarah Cannon. Together, they discuss Mary Ellen’s book Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story, Minnie’s rise from small-town performer to Grand Ole Opry icon, the misconceptions surrounding her career, and the lasting impact she had on country music and Nashville’s cultural landscape. Mary Ellen also shares insights into her work with Nashville Sites and reflects on the power of public history to preserve overlooked stories and connect communities to the past. Mary Ellen Pethel Biography Mary Ellen Pethel is an author, historian, and educator at Belmont University, where she directs the Global Honors Program and leads initiatives connecting academic research with public engagement. An award-winning author of six books, her work focuses on women’s leadership, education, and social change. Her latest book, Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story, co-authored with Don Cusic, is the definitive biography of Sarah Cannon. She is also the executive director of Nashville Sites, a nationally recognized digital public history platform bringing Nashville’s stories to life through interactive tours. Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story Throughout her career, Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon skillfully balanced her dual roles as Minnie and Sarah. Whether at the Opry, on the road, or on Hee Haw, Minnie remained a trusted friend and consummate professional. As k.d. lang noted, “Minnie understood where country music needed to go and who it needed to embrace. She was a visionary.” Rich with 155 historic photographs, this definitive biography covers the many chapters of Sarah Cannon’s life. Drawing from archives and interviews with those who knew her, Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story captures not only Cannon’s enduring humor and impact, but also the woman behind the laughter. Connect with Mary Ellen: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story: The University of Tennessee Press | Hardcover | Ebook Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    59 min
  2. Jo van Gogh and Vincent van Gogh: The Woman Who Built an Artist’s Legacy with Joan Fernandez

    Jun 26

    Jo van Gogh and Vincent van Gogh: The Woman Who Built an Artist’s Legacy with Joan Fernandez

    Historical fiction author and speaker Joan Fernandez joins Holley to explore the untold story of Jo van Gogh-Bonger and the making of Vincent van Gogh’s legacy. Together, they challenge the myth of the isolated “mad genius,” examining how Jo’s strategy, resilience, and belief in Vincent’s work transformed him into a global icon. They also discuss how modern concepts like branding, influence, and storytelling shaped his reputation, and what it means to write history with integrity. Joan reflects on her own path from corporate marketing to historical fiction and the importance of uncovering the overlooked figures who change the course of history. Joan Fernandez Biography Joan Fernandez leverages three decades in the corporate marketing trenches to reveal the untold story of the woman who built the Van Gogh legacy. The author of the award-winning Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh (2025), Joan is a leading authority on Jo van Gogh-Bonger, framing her not simply as a widow, but as a brilliant strategist who navigated the demands of single motherhood while disrupting the global art market. Beyond her work as a frequent speaker and founder of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association Historical Fiction affinity group, she explores the intersection of history, marketing, and resilience in her Substack, Digging In with Joan Fernandez. About Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh Based on a true story, in 1891, timid Jo van Gogh Bonger lives safely in the background of her art dealer husband Theo’s passionate work to sell unknown artists, especially his ill-fated dead brother Vincent. When Theo dies unexpectedly, Jo’s brief happiness is shattered. Her inheritance—hundreds of unsold paintings by Vincent—is worthless. Pressured to move to her parents’ home, Jo defies tradition, opening a boarding house to raise her infant son alone, and choosing to promote Vincent’s art herself. But her ingenuity and persistence draw the powerful opposition of a Parisian art dealer who vows to stop her once and for all, and so sink Vincent into obscurity. Connect with Joan: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack Saving Vincent: Paperback | Ebook | Simon & Schuster Books Mentioned: Heroines of Mercy Street by Pamela Toler Paperback | Ebook Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    34 min
  3. Material Culture Explained: How Objects Tell Hidden Histories with Laura Smith

    Jun 19

    Material Culture Explained: How Objects Tell Hidden Histories with Laura Smith

    Historian Laura Smith joins Holley to explore the power of material culture and how objects help us better understand the past. Together, they discuss how everyday items can reveal complex and often overlooked histories, why physical artifacts create deeper human connection than written sources alone, and how museums use objects to spark conversation and reflection. Laura also shares insights from her work at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House and reflects on how learning to “read” objects can change the way we see history and the world around us. Laura Smith Biography Laura Smith is a public historian whose work is focused on material culture as a way to encourage observation, conversation, and connection. A Utah native now based in Northern Virginia, Laura serves as the Program and Collections Assistant at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House. Beyond her museum work, Laura dedicates her time as the Vice Chair of the Manassas Historic Resources Board and contributes to the field through independent writing.  Books Mentioned: History Through Material Culture by Leonie Hannan and Sarah Longair Paperback Connect with Laura: Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House: Website Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    35 min
  4. Women in Historic Preservation: Saving America’s Landmarks and Legacy with Amanda Roper

    Jun 12

    Women in Historic Preservation: Saving America’s Landmarks and Legacy with Amanda Roper

    Public historian Amanda Roper joins Holley to explore the often overlooked role of women in historic preservation. Together, they discuss how women have played a central role in saving places like George Washington’s Mount Vernon, how preservation goes beyond buildings to protect cultural memory and identity, and why these stories remain so important today. Amanda also reflects on her own path into public history and the importance of sharing underrepresented stories. Amanda Roper Biography Amanda Roper is a public historian who has dedicated her career to preserving historic places and sharing stories that have often been underrepresented in the American historical narrative. She holds a degree in history from the College of Charleston and has worked with several leading cultural and preservation institutions, including the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as at historic sites in Charleston, South Carolina, and Alexandria, Virginia. Amanda currently serves on the boards of the Historic House Museum Consortium of Washington, District of Columbia; Japanese American Memorial Pilgrimages; and the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites. She is a 2025–2026 Research Fellow at the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon and is currently researching and writing a book exploring the history of women in historic preservation. About Amanda’s Upcoming Book Saving America’s Past: Women in Preservation explores the vital but often overlooked role women have played in preserving America's historic places—from early localized efforts in the nineteenth century to continued leadership in the modern era. Long before preservation became professionalized, women led the charge to save buildings and landscapes, protect cultural heritage, and shape public memory and civic identity. Women have stewarded some of our most famous historic homes, parks, battlefields, neighborhoods, and cities and served as essential keepers of community stories and material culture. This book will take readers on a journey through America’s preservation history, highlighting key women who worked individually and collectively to save our past. This book traces the various and evolving motivations women had for engaging in this work, revealing how women used their skills, networks, and vision to shape the way American’s remember their own history. Books Mentioned: Black Majority by Peter Wood Paperback | Ebook Connect with Amanda: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn   Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    47 min
  5. Julius Caesar Explained: The Fall of the Roman Republic and the Rise of Empire with Phil Mathew

    Jun 5

    Julius Caesar Explained: The Fall of the Roman Republic and the Rise of Empire with Phil Mathew

    Professor Phil Mathew joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Julius Caesar and the forces that led to the fall of the Roman Republic. Together, they discuss how military power and political ambition shaped Caesar’s rise, the role of loyalty and leadership in his success, and how intelligence and strategy influenced his campaigns. Phil also shares insights into how myth and reality intertwine in ancient sources and reflects on what Caesar’s story reveals about power, leadership, and the fragility of political systems. Phil Mathew Biography Professor Phil Mathew was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He holds a graduate degree in World History from Norwich University in Vermont and teaches history at Joliet Junior College, located just outside of Chicago. His research focuses on the military and political history of Ancient Greece and Rome. In particular, he is interested in the impact of war on society, the relationship between soldiers and their commanders, intelligence gathering in the Roman army, and the life and legacy of Alexander the Great. His broader interests also include the history of the Roman emperors and their imperial dynasties, as well as Roman Britain, Roman Judaea, and Roman Egypt. His graduate capstone examined the use of military intelligence in Julius Caesar’s army during the Gallic War. He is a member of the Association of Ancient Historians and the Society for Classical Studies. Books Mentioned: Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy Paperback | Ebook Connect with Phil: LinkedIn Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    40 min
  6. Classic Hollywood Films Explained: Why They Still Matter Today with Simone O. Elias

    May 29

    Classic Hollywood Films Explained: Why They Still Matter Today with Simone O. Elias

    Writer and cultural critic Simone O. Elias joins Holley to explore the enduring relevance of classic Hollywood and why these films continue to resonate today. Together, they discuss the bold storytelling of the Pre-Code era, the portrayal of women on screen, and how actresses like Judy Holliday and Joan Blondell challenged expectations. Simone also reflects on her perspective as a Gen Z critic and how classic films continue to shape modern culture and conversation. Simone O. Elias Biography  Simone O. Elias is a cultural critic and author whose work has been featured on Turner Classic Movies, Psychology Today, The Forward, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Her writing explores classic Hollywood, feminism, mental health, and Jewish identity. About Old Films, Young Eyes Why would a modern teenager find classic films enthralling? In Old Films, Young Eyes, Simone O. Elias offers an eye-opening exploration of how classic Hollywood movies foreshadowed, influenced, and continue to shape popular culture in surprising ways. From anticipating today’s image-driven social media landscape to helping usher rock music into the mainstream—and even sparking elements of the #MeToo movement—these films remain remarkably relevant. Despite the common belief that old movies are outdated, many classic films boldly confronted issues such as racism, antisemitism, gender roles, and shifting attitudes toward relationships. They also helped shape the cultural foundations behind modern icons like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, while at times even foreshadowing more sobering developments, including the global Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing on her perspective as a Gen Z cultural critic, Elias provides a fresh and thoughtful look at the enduring socio-cultural impact of classic Hollywood and why these films continue to resonate with new generations. Connect with Simone: Website | Instagram | YouTube Old Films, Young Eyes: Bookshop | McFarland Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    39 min
  7. Teaching Critical Thinking: How Students Learn to Think, Not Just Memorize with Keith Pakela

    May 22

    Teaching Critical Thinking: How Students Learn to Think, Not Just Memorize with Keith Pakela

    Educator and historian Keith Pakela joins Holley to explore how civics and history are taught in today’s classroom and why the focus is shifting from memorization to critical thinking. Together, they discuss how students are engaging with questions about democracy and the political system, what gaps educators are seeing in civic understanding, and how classroom discussions can create space for meaningful dialogue. Keith also reflects on the growing role of AI in education, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and why helping students learn how to think rather than what to think is more important than ever. Keith Pakela Biography Keith Pakela is an adjunct professor and AP Government teacher, working with students at both the high school and college level. Connect with Keith: LinkedIn Books Mentioned: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin Paperback | Ebook | Hardcover Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn

    30 min
  8. Anna May Wong and Early Hollywood: Race, Representation, and Asian American History with Katie Gee Salisbury

    May 15

    Anna May Wong and Early Hollywood: Race, Representation, and Asian American History with Katie Gee Salisbury

    Author Katie Gee Salisbury joins Holley to explore the life and legacy of Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star, and the barriers she faced in early film. Together, they discuss Wong’s rise during the Jazz Age, the limitations placed on her by stereotypical roles, and her bold decision to leave Hollywood for Europe in search of greater creative freedom. Katie also reflects on the myths that have shaped Wong’s story, the complexities of representation on screen, and why her legacy continues to resonate today. Katie Gee Salisbury Biography Katie Gee Salisbury is the author of Not Your China Doll, a biography of Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Believer, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, and elsewhere. She was a finalist for the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship in 2021 and gave the TED Talk “As American as Chop Suey.” She also writes the Substack Half-Caste Woman. A fifth-generation Chinese American who hails from Southern California, she now lives in Brooklyn. About Not Your China Doll Nominated for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards in History & Biography PW Weekly Top 10 Memoirs & Biographies for Spring 2024 Entertainment Weekly “Books We Are Excited to Read in 2024” Set against the glittering backdrop of Los Angeles during the gin-soaked Jazz Age and the rise of Hollywood, this debut book brings Anna May Wong—Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star—back into focus, reclaiming her place as a pioneering and often overlooked figure in cinema history. Before Constance Wu, Sandra Oh, Awkwafina, or Lucy Liu, there was Anna May Wong. In her time, she was a celebrated beauty, a witty conversationalist, and a fashion icon. Plucked from her family’s laundry business in Los Angeles, she rose to stardom in Douglas Fairbanks’s blockbuster The Thief of Bagdad. Audiences and the press clamored for more, but as Hollywood continued to confine her to stereotypical roles, she made the bold decision to leave and pursue opportunities abroad. In Europe, Anna May starred in acclaimed films in Berlin, Paris, and London, captivating audiences and moving within elite international circles. When she returned to the United States, she confronted Hollywood directly, speaking out against the industry’s racism and working to break free from limiting roles like the “China doll” and “dragon lady.” In doing so, she helped reshape the possibilities for Asian American representation on screen. Filled with vivid stories of capricious directors, admiring costars, glamorous parties, and far-flung romances, Not Your China Doll captures the vibrant and defiant life of a groundbreaking artist. Connect with Katie: Book Website | Website | Instagram | Anna May Wong Book Instagram | Bluesky | Half-Caste Woman Substack Not Your China Doll: Hardcover | Ebook | Website Recommended Films: Song (1928) Connect with Holley: Buy Me A Coffee | Website | LinkedIn | Bluesky | Instagram | Medium

    46 min
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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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