Everything is a Primary Source

Eric Salmonsen

History through Pop CultureJoin social studies teacher, historian and pop culturist Eric Salmonsen as he and his drop-in guests break down pop culture artifacts to see what history can be forged from them.Learn how you can contribute to the conversation at everything-history.com

  1. The Declaration of Independence

    1d ago

    The Declaration of Independence

    America at 250, Episode 1: "We Begin."Historian Jim Ambuske, Ph.D. specializes in 18th Century studies, and the American Revolution specifically, so I could think of no more appropriate guest to have on the podcast to dissect the Declaration of Independence as an artifact of its time and place.This is the first episode of a special season of the Everything is a Primary Source where, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, American pop culture will not only be examined for historical value, but for connection to the founding of the country in July of 1776.Teaching resources and supplements available soon at everything-history.com/america250This episode is brought to you by iCivics and their new educational game, Investigation Declaration. #history #popculture #declarationofindependence #americanrevolution #america250

    51 min
  2. Major Payne (1995)

    Jun 12

    Major Payne (1995)

    S5E35: "No Payne, No Gain: Dissecting 1995's Major Payne as a document of its time."Eric is joined by filmmaker Steven Martini, whose break out role as an actor came as Cadet Alex Stone, the foil for Damon Wayan's title character, to discuss Major Payne as a document of its era.  As you'll hear, the talk about the 1990s movie and Steven's latest projects transform into a discussion on copyright law with a pretty heavy dose of Hollywood History.This is the last episode of Season 5, but don't worry, Season 6 will be starting up in less than a month.  Tune in on the Fourth of July for an episode about the Declaration of Independence which will kick off the special "America at 250" series of oral history through pop culture episodes.everything-history.com/america250#podcast #majorpayne #1995 #movies #history

    35 min
  3. Freedom Quest

    Jun 5

    Freedom Quest

    Debora Masterson is the guest on this episode of the Everything is a Primary Source Podcast, discussing the 1970s band, Freedom Quest, of which she was a member, and her new book, Freedom Quest: A Love Story, and what they both can tell us about time and place. This is fitting as one month from the publication of this podcast, I’ll be wrapping up a Freedom Quest of my own. I’ll be taking the Everything is a Primary Source Podcast from Chicago to Colorado Springs, learning about our country’s long history of independence, freedom, and self expression from the folks I meet along the way.  Learn more at everything-history.com/america250 .   Until then, I hope you enjoy this conversation.#podcast #history #popculture #1970srocknroll #freedomquest

    1h 3m
  4. Kinzua Bridge

    May 22

    Kinzua Bridge

    S5E33: "Bridge to the Past: Kinzua Bridge State Park in Pennsylvania as a Primary Source"This is an interview from 2023 with Professor Kevin Patrick, an active member of the Society for Commercial Archeology, regarding Kinzua Bridge State Park in Western Pennsylvania.  Although on the shorter side, we covered topics that are very relevant as we round out Preservation Month and approach Memorial Day.Learn more about my America at 250 Public History Road Trip here: everything-history.com/america250#podcast #preservation #popculture #history #kinzuabridge

    13 min
  5. Roger Corman's Little Shop of Horrors (1960)

    Apr 21

    Roger Corman's Little Shop of Horrors (1960)

    S5E32: "Somewhere That's Green: 'Little Shop of Horrors' as a primary sourceSince it’s that time of the year again when people begin to plan out their planting for the season, I figured I’d cultivate an episode from a short recording from few years ago about Roger Corman’s 1960 B Horror Comedy Little Shop of Horrors. Let this be a cautionary episode of the Everything is a Primary Source Podcast.#podcast #history #popculture #littleshopofhorrors

    13 min
  6. Lost Moon / Apollo 13

    Apr 13

    Lost Moon / Apollo 13

    S5E31: "Failure is Not an Option: Apollo 13 as a primary source of the mid 1990s"This episode of the Everything is a Primary Source podcast is another clip extracted from the archives, this time a conversation with a drop-in guest named Ted about the 1994 book Lost Moon, which was the basis for the 1995 film, Apollo 13. It may have taken a few years but my guest’s wish is about to come true. I will be beginning my week-long oral history collecting road trip in his native Chicago this June. You’ll be able to catch me at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, and you know there will be plenty of displays, artifacts, and other amazing TV and Radio materials on hand to inspire more conversations about time and place. Check out everything-history.com/america250 to learn more about this and see how you can get involved.

    13 min
  7. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

    Apr 7

    Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

    S5E30: "Greetings from the Jersey Shore: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band as a document of time and place."Melissa Ziobro is the Director of Curatorial Affairs for the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, which is set to open to the public in its brand new building later this Spring.  Melissa is also a native to the Jersey Shore, and therefore the best person to speak with to discuss Springsteen and his E Street band as reflections of that area's heritage and character.Learn more about the Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music on their website, springsteencenter.org and throughout social media.Get details about the Everything is a Primary Source summer oral history road trip at everything-history.com/america250 .#musichistory #brucespringsteen #estreetband #placebasedhistory

    54 min
  8. Historic Preservation in Los Angeles

    Apr 2

    Historic Preservation in Los Angeles

    S5E29: "Back to L.A.: SCA and Historic Preservation in Los Angeles"This episode is a callback to three years ago when I spoke with members of the Society for Commercial Archeology during their conference. One of the top priorities of SCA is historic preservation, particularly of signage and structures along America’s roadways and throughout our developed towns and cities. My summer roadtrip project is in the same vein as I look to capture the stories connected to these landmarks in the same way as this episode depicts.

    17 min
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About

History through Pop CultureJoin social studies teacher, historian and pop culturist Eric Salmonsen as he and his drop-in guests break down pop culture artifacts to see what history can be forged from them.Learn how you can contribute to the conversation at everything-history.com

Information

  • Creator
    Eric Salmonsen
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Eric Salmonsen
  • Show Website
    Everything is a Primary Source