Bob's Just Asking Bob Fenster

Musician, producer, and label owner Peele Wimberley played drums with the Raleigh, North Carolina band The Connells for 15 years before departing for other musical adventures. We talked about his upbringing, how race played and plays a role in his life, and the subjects of Black agency and resilience.

Mike Connell is the principal songwriter, rhythm guitarist, and occasional singer for the band The Connells. They are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of their landmark fifth album "Ring" this year. I'd been wanting to interview him for quite some time, so I was super excited to get this opportunity to sit down with the most humble, self-effacing rock musician you'll ever meet.

The first of a series of episodes about Black agency, resistance, and resilience features an interview with Clemson history professor J. Brent Morris, author of Dismal Freedom: A History of the Maroons of the Great Dismal Swamp.

After an unexpected and lengthy hiatus, we're back with an interview of Saugus, Massachusetts educator Rick Lavoie, who is doing some amazing work in place-based education in the town best known for its witch trials, but has far more important and interesting history to learn about. Rick talks about his involvement with the National Park Service Teacher Ranger Teacher program and the importance of educators being life-long learners.

Joseph Postell is a professor of political science at Hillsdale College. He is an expert on the history of the United States Congress. Who better to ask about the recent drama over the election of the 55th Speaker of the House? Dr. Postell puts Speaker McCarthy's experience into historical context and shares some compelling and amusing anecdotes about the history of the House of Representatives. This interview is both for Congress nerds and those who don't quite understand the inner workings of the House.

The story of David Ruggles' brief life is nothing short of incredible. The fact that he's not a household name should be considered a crime. Graham Russell Hodges, the director of the National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminar Abolitionism and the Underground Railroad takes his turn at the mic to discuss his book. It's likely the final interview in a seven-part series, and the second time I've had the privilege of talking to this distinguished historian.