17 episodes

We can’t navigate safely to the future unless we understand what lies behind us. That’s why the move by cowardly politicians to limit the history we’re taught is so inexcusable. Sanitized hero worship does not move us forward. Enter Mike Vance’s podcast, the irreverent Prick the Balloon. It features Mike, a widely published historian, deflating popular myths and telling history that’s true, complete, impertinent, well-researched and fun. It’s a look at our real past, wherever that might lead us. Learning lasts a lifetime, and it might as well be enjoyable.

Prick The Balloon mikevance324

    • History
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

We can’t navigate safely to the future unless we understand what lies behind us. That’s why the move by cowardly politicians to limit the history we’re taught is so inexcusable. Sanitized hero worship does not move us forward. Enter Mike Vance’s podcast, the irreverent Prick the Balloon. It features Mike, a widely published historian, deflating popular myths and telling history that’s true, complete, impertinent, well-researched and fun. It’s a look at our real past, wherever that might lead us. Learning lasts a lifetime, and it might as well be enjoyable.

    PTB Quickie 1 - WPA Guides

    PTB Quickie 1 - WPA Guides

    The New Deal-era Federal Writers Project produced some wonderfully fun guides to each of the 48 states, plus Alaska and Puerto Rico and several cities. This short episode explains and shares.
    Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

    • 11 min
    Prick the Balloon 16 - Petticoat Affair

    Prick the Balloon 16 - Petticoat Affair

    Petty bickering over a cabinet member's wife tore the Jackson administration apart for two years, but was it really just bitter politics as usual? It all pitted a president against a vice-president topped with name calling and the offer of a duel.
    Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

    • 31 min
    Prick the Balloon 15 - Integrating Sports

    Prick the Balloon 15 - Integrating Sports

    Sports has often led the way in civil rights, so even non sports fan will find great nuggets of both outrage and triumph in this episode. No prior knowledge required. Game on.
    Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

    • 55 min
    Prick the Balloon 14 - Texas Liberals

    Prick the Balloon 14 - Texas Liberals

    We face stereotyping in so many different ways every day, and lumping people and places and things all together is almost always a bad idea. This episode makes the strong case that American liberalism owes its roots to Texas Populists. Seriously, yes - Texas.
    Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

    • 46 min
    Prick the Balloon 13 - Woodrow Wilson Part 2

    Prick the Balloon 13 - Woodrow Wilson Part 2

    The sad and frustrating story of Woodrow Wilson resumes as the U.S. enters WWI. Unfortunately for Wilson, his legacy largely goes downhill from there. It ends with a president unable to perform his duties and some unforgiveable stains to weigh against some real progress.
    Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

    • 55 min
    Prick the Balloon 12 - Woodrow Wilson Part 1

    Prick the Balloon 12 - Woodrow Wilson Part 1

    People are complicated, but few in American history are more confounding than Woodrow Wilson, who hit the extremes of good and bad. He left so much to unpack that it takes two episodes. In this first one, we ride with Woody through reelection in 1916.
    Host Mike Vance Writer is the published author of 11 books with more on the way. He has written, produced and directed eight feature length history documentaries and over 150 short history films, and he sometimes teaches continuing studies in history at one of the country's highest rated private universities. He also headlined comedy clubs across North America for 16 years, so we'll keep things interesting.

    • 45 min

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