29 episodes

The Biographers is a deep-dive biography podcast that aims to tell the full and complete stories of history’s most fascinating and influential characters. Join hosts Daniel Newman and Akiva Meola as they take you through the expansive and entertaining stories of various historic figures. If you truly want to understand the present, or indeed yourself, you must begin in the past. Join us as we explore the life-stories of history’s known, unknown, and forgotten characters.

The Biographers The Biographers

    • History
    • 4.4 • 36 Ratings

The Biographers is a deep-dive biography podcast that aims to tell the full and complete stories of history’s most fascinating and influential characters. Join hosts Daniel Newman and Akiva Meola as they take you through the expansive and entertaining stories of various historic figures. If you truly want to understand the present, or indeed yourself, you must begin in the past. Join us as we explore the life-stories of history’s known, unknown, and forgotten characters.

    Jack Daniel Part 5: The Little Guy from Tennessee. - Ep. 029

    Jack Daniel Part 5: The Little Guy from Tennessee. - Ep. 029

    In part five of our series on legendary distiller, Jack Daniel, we finally get to see the little guy from Tennessee enter the spotlight of worldwide fame. But just as he was starting to bask in the spotlight, the United States began to accelerate in the direction of temperance, largely aided by outspoken activists like Carrie Nation. How did the Jacks Daniel's distillery survive such a turbulent time, and was Jack still the leader of the business? Tune in to part five as we continue on with the life of Jack Daniel!

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Jack Daniel Part 4: The Legend of Old No. 7. - Ep. 028

    Jack Daniel Part 4: The Legend of Old No. 7. - Ep. 028

    In part four of our series on American Whiskey maker, Jack Daniel, we uncover the true origins of how Jack labelled his product as "Old No. 7," along with a few alternative tall-tales regarding the name. We also get to see Jack stretch his wings and expand his business in a way we have never seen before, in addition to introducing a new product to the marketplace called "The Belle of Lincoln." But how did Jack manage to keep his business afloat amidst the intense corruption that surrounded the whiskey industry in the United States? Was the Temperance movement still growing, and would it mean the end of distilling in the Appalachian Mountains? Tune in for part four of our series on Jack Daniel to find out more!

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Jack Daniel Part 3: The Duckling Becomes the Swan. - Ep. 027

    Jack Daniel Part 3: The Duckling Becomes the Swan. - Ep. 027

    In part three of our Jack Daniel series, we finally get to see the Boy Distiller become a fully-fledged southern gentleman of bourbon (Tennessee Whiskey, if you want to be precise). But the road ahead would not be as smooth as his whiskey, as the growing Temperance movement in the United States was gaining more and more momentum. How did this affect the young entrepreneur, and would Uncle Sam be a useful shoulder to cry on? Tune in to part three of our series on legendary distiller, Jack Daniel, to find out! 

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Jack Daniel Part 2: The Art of the Still. - Ep. 026

    Jack Daniel Part 2: The Art of the Still. - Ep. 026

    In part two of our series on Jack Daniel, we learn all about the ancient art of whiskey making, and how the young Jack Daniel first discovered the craft. From his affable and charming personality, Jack became a popular figure throughout his community, and earned himself the nickname of The Boy Distiller. But as Jack's reputation and ambitions grew, so did his desire to expand his sales territory. Join us as we learn about Jack Daniel's early days as a prolific salesman, and ambitious whiskey maker. 

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Jack Daniel Part 1: Little Boy Moonshine. - Ep. 025

    Jack Daniel Part 1: Little Boy Moonshine. - Ep. 025

    For this series, we're headed to the Tennessee backcountry to talk about an American icon that many of you probably didn't realize was an actual person: Jack Daniel. But how did Jack Daniel come to distill spirits in the mountains of Appalachia? Is it true that he ran away from home at just 6 years old to pursue his dream of making corn liquor, or is that just an old wives' tale? Growing up during the time of the American Civil War must have been tough, so how did he navigate through such a devastating time in American history? Tune in for part one of this series as we explore the earliest known history of Jack Daniel's life, and how the entire Daniel family came to settle in pre United States America.

    • 59 min
    Abigail Adams Part 5: Goodbye, Mrs. President. - Ep. 024

    Abigail Adams Part 5: Goodbye, Mrs. President. - Ep. 024

    In our final episode on Abigail Adams, we follow her through the final parts of her life, during which she celebrates new grand (and great grand) children, and mourns the loss of many who were close to her. Sharp-witted until the end, Abigail continued to help those around her - particularly her female heirs - even in her death. Join us as we say farewell to the second First Lady of the United States. 

    • 2 hr

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
36 Ratings

36 Ratings

Autopath ,

Overall Enjoyable, but maybe too much “squirrel”

Enjoyable content and charming hosts. I love the historical deep dives on interesting people, and I love that the hosts are old friends. The banter is charming and fun. BUT… sometimes their off-topic “squirrel” aka “shiny object” tangents go on too long and/or happen too frequently, and change from charming to irritating. I would recommend the hosts keep some of it but try to get this under control because we’re all here for the topic being discussed not the nitpicking of word choice or overlong personal anecdotes. Some is good, too much is just too much.

Soccer_mom_1015 ,

Very enjoyable and informative

❤️❤️❤️

Neb688 ,

Organization could help

I saw the Queen Victoria episode and thought it could be interesting. I forwarded through several minutes of “happy talk” which included some jokes that the hosts thought were hilarious. They weren’t bad, but I tuned in for Victoria. One of the hosts talked for a while about a previous episode that I hadn’t listened to. Again… just get to the story. So then they launch into the story of Victoria. They had done research and cited it. The randomness of the podcast got frustrating. One would talk about their spouse knowing or not knowing the subject, the the succession plan, then Prince Harry and King George and then Prince Louis and Wallace Simpson. I think there’s good intent, but this needed organized and edited!

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