225 episodes

How can the past help inform today’s most pressing challenges? Every Wednesday, award-winning historians Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman use their encyclopedic knowledge of US history to bring the past to life. Together, they make sense of the week in news by discussing the people, ideas, and events that got us here today. Now and Then is produced by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Now & Then CAFE Studios

    • History
    • 4.9 • 3.6K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

How can the past help inform today’s most pressing challenges? Every Wednesday, award-winning historians Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman use their encyclopedic knowledge of US history to bring the past to life. Together, they make sense of the week in news by discussing the people, ideas, and events that got us here today. Now and Then is produced by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Heather Cox Richardson on Stay Tuned with Preet

    Heather Cox Richardson on Stay Tuned with Preet

    Heather Cox Richardson, host of Now & Then, joins Stay Tuned with Preet to discuss her new book, “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America.” They talk about the origins of the terms “liberal” and “conservative,” a 1937 anti-FDR manifesto that presaged today’s GOP, and the ways in which the nation might move beyond the chaos of the Trump years. 

    Head to the Stay Tuned feed to listen.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 41 sec
    Then...and Now

    Then...and Now

    On this finale episode of Now & Then, Heather and Joanne are joined by the show’s production team to discuss behind-the-scenes reflections and favorite memories from the series. Editorial Producers David Kurlander and Sam Ozer-Staton, Executive Producer Tamara Sepper, and Audio Producer Matthew Billy celebrate history, democracy, and friendship with the historians. 

    For references & supplemental materials, head to: https://cafe.com/now-and-then/then-and-now/

    Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 59 min
    Looking Ahead: A Viewers’ Guide to the Presidential Debates

    Looking Ahead: A Viewers’ Guide to the Presidential Debates

    How do political debates help and hurt American democracy? Heather and Joanne reflect on the recent Republican primary debate and discuss the long legacy of the institution, from Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s proto-debates with voters during the contentious 1800 election, to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates, to the iconic 1960 televised debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. 

    Heather and Joanne discuss their own experiences participating in debates in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage segments and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history.

    Now & Then is ending on September 13th. Leave us a voicemail with your favorite moment from the show at 669-247-7338 or write to us at letters@cafe.com.

    For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/looking-ahead-a-viewers-guide-to-presidential-debates/

    Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 53 min
    Now & Then Backstage 9/6: Looking Ahead: A Viewers’ Guide to Presidential Debates

    Now & Then Backstage 9/6: Looking Ahead: A Viewers’ Guide to Presidential Debates

    In the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed the history of presidential debates.

    In Backstage, they talk about their own experiences participating in debates.

    “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.

    For more analysis of politics and history, sign up for the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter: cafe.com/brief

    Looking Ahead to 2024: Conventions, Caucuses, and the Balance of Democracy

    Looking Ahead to 2024: Conventions, Caucuses, and the Balance of Democracy

    What can we expect from the 2024 Conventions? Heather and Joanne look at the role of political conventions in American life, from the “King Caucus” era of the early 1800s, to President Lincoln’s ascendance at the 1860 RNC, to the impact of the 1968 DNC on the political process. 

    Heather and Joanne discuss the power of political history in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage segments and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history.

    Now & Then is ending on September 13th. Leave us a voicemail with your favorite moment from the show at 669-247-7338 or write to us at letters@cafe.com.

    For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/looking-ahead-to-2024-conventions-caucuses-and-the-balance-of-democracy/

    Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 54 min
    Now & Then Backstage 8/30: Looking Ahead to 2024: Conventions, Caucuses, and the Balance of Democracy

    Now & Then Backstage 8/30: Looking Ahead to 2024: Conventions, Caucuses, and the Balance of Democracy

    In the main Now & Then episode, Heather and Joanne discussed the history of political conventions.

    In Backstage, they talk about the unique power of political history.

    “Backstage” is a special segment of Now & Then exclusively for members of CAFE Insider. Thank you for being a member.

    For more analysis of politics and history, sign up for the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter: cafe.com/brief

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
3.6K Ratings

3.6K Ratings

NPR-affectionado ,

I know genius when I see it

I’m not worthy to make this review because I’m merely a science professor, who is also a Sufi priest. Be that as it May I have been teaching both meditation and human anatomy and physiology for a long time. I’m 75 now and as a long time teacher, I know genius when I see it. This is a podcast to savor. Something to sip slowly and bring it into your meditation. When Heather corrects Preet’s historical understanding, it’s a pretty special moment. I like listening to these podcasts multiple times as I begin reading and rereading Democracy Awakening.

ULP87 ,

Why end it?

This was one of the best podcasts ever, why did they decide to end it? A light has gone out of my life …

Penny4books ,

One of the best podcasts EVER

This podcast relates history to our current situation. Each topic is interesting, & as history is applicable to our current times. Drs Freeman & Richardson provide a wealth of knowledge in an easily understandable presentation. They are not above humor & fun! WHY is it ending? That is a travesty!

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