History for Cocktail Parties

Thornton Kennedy and James M. Ottley

Welcome to History for Cocktail Parties, the podcast where two Atlanta natives bring American history to life one compelling story and one good drink at a time. Whether you’re sipping bourbon, coffee or sweet tea, join us as we dive into the people, moments and movements that shaped the nation. With a mix of sharp insights, lively debate and a dash of southern charm, we make history as engaging as your favorite pour. So pull up a chair, raise a glass and let’s talk history.

  1. 11h ago

    The Revolutionary War History You Didn't Learn in School, Eps. 1: How America Really Reached Revolution

    Explore the lesser-known stories behind the American Revolution, focusing on Georgia's unique role, George Washington's early military career, and the pivotal rice boat crisis that marked Georgia's independence. Key Topics Georgia's initial reluctance to join the revolution George Washington's early military career and mistakes The rice boat crisis and Georgia's independence The impact of the French and Indian War on colonial debt The role of Georgia in the Continental Congress Titles Georgia's Reluctance and the Rice Boat Crisis: Hidden Stories of the American Revolution How George Washington's Early Mistakes Sparked a Global War Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Hidden Stories of the American Revolution 01:57 Georgia's Initial Reluctance to Join the Revolution 08:01 George Washington's Early Military Adventures 11:49 The Incident at Jumonville Glen and Fort Necessity 16:03 The Impact of the French and Indian War on Colonial Debt 22:09 The Rice Boat Crisis and Georgia's Independence 26:49 The Significance of Georgia's Break from British Rule 28:04 Conclusion and Next Steps in American History Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Revolutionary War History You Didn't Learn in School, Eps. 1: How America Really Reached Revolution

  2. Jul 9

    Building Sea Island, Eps. 2: From Failure to Fortune

    Howard Coffin may have dreamed big, but he wasn't the first person to envision Sea Island as a world-class destination. In this episode, Thornton and James trace the fascinating early history of Sea Island and St. Simons Island, from failed resorts and ambitious land schemes to the vision that ultimately created one of America's most exclusive coastal retreats. Along the way, they uncover forgotten stories of entrepreneurs, aviators and dreamers who helped shape Georgia's Golden Isles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Building Sea Island, Eps. 2: From Failure to Fortune

  3. Jun 26

    Building Sea Island, Eps. 1: The Forgotten Story of Howard Coffin

    Georgia's barrier islands have attracted the famous and the infamous for more than a century. During the Gilded Age, wealthy Northern industrialists flocked to Jekyll Island for world-class hunting and unparalleled privacy. Aaron Burr reportedly sought refuge on St. Simons Island after his infamous duel with Alexander Hamilton. Presidents, celebrities and business titans have long retreated to Sea Island, while John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette chose the seclusion of Cumberland Island for their wedding. Today, only four of Georgia's Golden Isles are accessible by car, so most visitors experience Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island or, if they have an invitation and a healthy bank account, Sea Island. In this episode, hack historians Thornton and James tell the remarkable story of the unlikely visionary behind Sea Island and St. Simons. Few people realize that the architect of Georgia's premier coastal destination was an Ohio farm boy with a knack for engineering who helped design the Hudson automobile and founded a small regional airline that eventually became United Airlines. It's one of the most fascinating — and least-known — stories in Southern history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Building Sea Island, Eps. 1: The Forgotten Story of Howard Coffin

  4. Jun 11

    Kitty Hawk and the Birth of Flight Episode 2

    Why did two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, travel more than 700 miles to a remote stretch of sand dunes they had never seen? In this episode, James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy follow Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, including Wilbur's harrowing first journey to the Outer Banks and the challenges that nearly ended the experiment before it began. They also explore one of the Wright brothers' most important breakthroughs — the movable rudder that helped solve the problem of controlled flight — and examine how fiercely they protected the patents behind their invention. It's the story of persistence, innovation, and the long road to the first successful airplane. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Kitty Hawk and the Birth of Flight Episode 2

  5. May 28

    Kitty Hawk and the Birth of Flight Episode 1

    Two brothers from Dayton looked at birds and decided mankind ought to do the same thing. In this episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy dive into the Wright Brothers’ obsession with flight, the coin toss that decided who would attempt history’s first powered flight, and why it was always Wilbur and Orville together — never one without the other. Along the way, we unpack the surprisingly simple principles that unlocked modern aviation, the control systems every airplane still uses today, and the brutal hockey injury that may have changed history forever. It’s the story of bicycles, busted gliders and the moment humanity learned to ride the wind. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Kitty Hawk and the Birth of Flight Episode 1

  6. May 15

    JFK Assassination: The Evidence That Still Haunts America Part II

    Thornton Kennedy and James Ottley dig deeper into the evidentiary inconsistencies surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the findings of the Warren Commission. From disputed fingerprints on the Carcano rifle and witnesses who reported seeing an Oswald look-alike, to the mysterious Nash Rambler sightings and the troubling fate of witnesses whose accounts conflicted with the FBI’s narrative, the episode explores questions that have fueled debate for decades. Kennedy and Ottley separate documented fact from speculation while examining why so many elements of the investigation still fail to neatly align. For listeners fascinated by history’s unresolved mysteries, this is an episode difficult to turn off. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    JFK Assassination: The Evidence That Still Haunts America Part II

  7. May 7

    JFK Assassination: The Evidence That Still Haunts America

    In the latest episode of History for Cocktail Parties, hosts James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy dive into the lingering evidentiary inconsistencies surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the conclusions of the Warren Commission. From Lee Harvey Oswald’s movements inside the Texas School Book Depository to conflicting witness testimony and the mysterious second-floor encounter with Officer Marrion Baker, the questions begin almost immediately after the shots rang out in Dealey Plaza. More than sixty years later, the official narrative remains fiercely debated by historians, investigators, and the public alike. If you think you know the JFK story, this episode may change your mind. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    JFK Assassination: The Evidence That Still Haunts America

  8. Apr 23

    The Louisiana Purchase & the Battle for New Orleans: The Making of New Orleans Eps. 2

    In their second episode on New Orleans history, James Ottley and Thornton Kennedy unpack the high-stakes drama of the Louisiana Purchase and the clash that followed at the Battle of New Orleans. They trace how Thomas Jefferson wrestled with constitutional limits before seizing a once-in-a-generation deal that doubled the young nation’s size and secured the Mississippi River. The conversation moves from diplomacy to gunpowder, exploring how the Purchase set the stage for war and how Andrew Jackson turned a late-breaking battle into a defining American victory. As always, it’s history with a pour; big decisions, bigger consequences, and the city that sits at the center of it all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Louisiana Purchase & the Battle for New Orleans: The Making of New Orleans Eps. 2
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4.9
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

Welcome to History for Cocktail Parties, the podcast where two Atlanta natives bring American history to life one compelling story and one good drink at a time. Whether you’re sipping bourbon, coffee or sweet tea, join us as we dive into the people, moments and movements that shaped the nation. With a mix of sharp insights, lively debate and a dash of southern charm, we make history as engaging as your favorite pour. So pull up a chair, raise a glass and let’s talk history.

Information

  • Creator
    Thornton Kennedy and James M. Ottley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thornton Kennedy and James M. Ottley
  • Show Website
    History for Cocktail Parties

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