Best And Louis ReedWood Podcasts (2026)

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9 - Watching T.O. History: Goin' Down the Road (1970) 1:05:31

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15d ago1:05:31

1:05:31

In today's episode, we discuss the classic Canadian movie Goin' Down the Road! Released in 1970, this movie tells the story of two Maritimers who come to Toronto looking for better pay and good times. We chat about the how the movie portrays Toronto at the time, and how that portrayal compares to other historical sources. For those interested in le…

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8 - The Great Stacks Debate: When Undergraduates Wanted IN to Robarts Library, 1972 1:15:41

3M ago1:15:41

1:15:41

On today's episode, we discuss student activism at the University of Toronto in the 1960s and '70s, with a specific focus on a conflict over who was allowed to access the stacks at Robarts Library. It’s also a chance to talk about how the university changed from the late nineteenth century, the last time we covered its history, to the 1970s! For th…

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Mini 3 - Toronto and the History of Federal Elections 25:57

6M ago25:57

25:57

In today's mini, we talk about how Toronto has voted in Canada's federal elections of the past. Here are some resources for those interested in learning more about the history of Toronto and federal elections, or the history of Canadian federal elections more generally: Stephen Clarkson, The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian…

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Mini 2 - The Rise and Fall of Tory Toronto in Provincial Elections 19:17

8M ago19:17

19:17

In today's mini, we discuss the history of Toronto in Ontario provincial elections. If you'd like to explore for yourself the results of Ontario's elections throughout the province's post-Confederation history, check out this database: https://results.elections.on.ca/en/data-explorer?fromYear=1867&toYear=2025! -- Listening T.O. History is created a…

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Mini 1 - Tariffs and Trade in Toronto History: The Toronto Eighteen 23:18

10M ago23:18

23:18

In our first-ever Listening T.O. Mini, we discuss the history of free trade and tariffs in Canada's and Toronto's history. In particular, we focus on 1911, when a group of Toronto elites who had supported the Liberal Party broke with it over the party's pursuit of a free trade agreement with the United States. We also discuss the federal election h…

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7 - Getting Around Toronto, Part 1: When Public Transit was Private 58:34

11M ago58:34

58:34

This episode is the first of a two-part series on the history of the TTC, and particularly streetcars, in Toronto! In these two episodes, we get into how Toronto's streetcar system came to be, why it moved from private business to a municipal agency, why the city kept using streetcars when other cities got rid of them, and how streetcars have shape…

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6 - U of T is History: The 1895 Student Strike 1:07:19

1y ago1:07:19

1:07:19

When you think about student protest movements, you probably don’t think about the Victorian era. But maybe you should—because in 1895, University of Toronto students challenged the university’s administration by going on strike! In this episode, we discuss what led to this protest, what happened during the strike, and campus life/culture in the ni…

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5 - Gangs of Fort York: The Orange Order in Toronto 1:02:21

1+ y ago1:02:21

1:02:21

For over a hundred years, Toronto was a stronghold of the Orange Order—a fraternal society founded on principles of militant Protestantism and loyalty to the British Crown—and Toronto's many Orangemen worked to marginalize the city's Irish Catholic population. In an episode that takes us from riots in the streets all the way to City Hall, we talk a…

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4 - Why is There an 1885 Statue at Queen’s Park? Toronto's Role in Settler Colonialism on the Prairies 59:06

1+ y ago59:06

59:06

In 1885, more than 500 Torontonians headed to the Northwest to defend settler colonialism against a Métis resistance led by Louis Riel. In this episode, we wonder why a monument to these volunteers sits at Queen’s Park, why Toronto became so interested in the prairies in the mid-nineteenth century, and what role Toronto had in settler colonialism …

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3 - William Lyon Mackenzie: Rebel, Mayor, Crank 1:04:04

1+ y ago1:04:04

1:04:04

In this episode, we discuss the career of one of history’s most famous Torontonians, William Lyon Mackenzie. Those of you who know your Canadian history have probably heard of Mackenzie; in the late 1830s he famously led a failed rebellion against the government of Upper Canada. Less well known about Mackenzie, though, is that just a few years befo…

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2 - The Rise of British Toronto 1:01:16

1+ y ago1:01:16

1:01:16

In this episode, we discuss how the initial establishment of Toronto (at the time, York) was part of a British imperial project. We also look into how decision-makers inscribed Britishness on Toronto's landscape through naming practices. We also address how this dynamic continued (but in some ways changed) over time, and how it compares to elsewher…

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New Podcast Announcement and Trailer - Listening T.O. History! 4:59

2y ago4:59

4:59

I have a new podcast, Listening T.O. History! Here's a quick announcement about it and the trailer. Check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/show/17OnQyM5pOXgcflZbBBlno.By Louis Reed-Wood

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1 - What We Acknowledge 1:09:30

2y ago1:09:30

1:09:30

In this episode, we look into the history behind Toronto’s land acknowledgements! Who are the Indigenous nations and confederacies alluded to by the acknowledgements, and what are the histories of the various treaties that are referenced? We discuss all this and more in our very first episode! Some additional resources related to today’s topics: Ta…

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Trailer - What is Listening T.O. History? 4:08

2y ago4:08

4:08

Hello and welcome to Listening T.O. History, the podcast all about the histories that made Toronto! In this short trailer, we introduce ourselves and what this podcast is all about. Be sure to check out our first episode, coming very soon! -- Listening T.O. History is created and hosted by Steve Penfold and Louis Reed-Wood. Our artwork was made by …

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Episode 29 - Suburbia’s Past, Present, and Future with Hana Suckstorff 1:31:25

3y ago1:31:25

1:31:25

Today we’re digging into the history of urban planning in twentieth-century Canada and the US! Particularly, we discuss why our cities came to be oriented around car-dependent suburbs, and what consequences that style of design has for our lives today. In this episode, I’m joined by fellow Torontonian and historian, Dr. Hana Suckstorff. Our convers…

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Episode 28 - Chatting about Historical Movies with Kevin Winterhalt 56:47

3y ago56:47

56:47

On today’s episode, we chat about all things historical movies! I’m joined by Kevin Winterhalt, previous Off-Campus History alumnus and PhD Candidate at the University of Colorado-Boulder. His research examines the intersection of professional sports and politics in the modern United States. It’s a bit more of an informal chat today as we dive into…

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Episode 27 - Nitro and Heritage Minutes with Melanie Ng 1:03:00

3y ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Today we’re discussing the 1992 Heritage Minute “Nitro” and its depiction of Chinese Canadian history, as well as Heritage Minutes more generally! For those unfamiliar, Heritage Minutes are a series of 60-second short films intended to depict major moments in Canadian history. “Nitro” introduces viewers to the experiences of Chinese workers who bui…

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Episode 26 - Kimathi at War with Julie MacArthur 1:17:45

3y ago1:17:45

1:17:45

On today’s episode, we dig into the history of the Mau Mau Rebellion with someone working on a film about it! I’m joined by Julie MacArthur, Associate Professor of History at the University of Toronto, to discuss a feature film she is presently co-writing. The film, currently with a working title of Kimathi at War, will centre on the experiences of…

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Episode 25 - The Founder with Steve Penfold 1:23:06

3y ago1:23:06

1:23:06

On today’s episode, we’re talking about the history of fast food! Specifically, our conversation today focuses on the 2016 film The Founder. The film follows the early years of McDonald’s as a fast food chain in the 1950s, with Ray Kroc employing cutthroat business tactics to transform the restaurant into a huge chain and achieve what he views as s…

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Episode 24 - Hester Street with Miriam Borden 1:05:45

3y ago1:05:45

1:05:45

On today's episode, we’re discussing the 1975 film Hester Street and its depiction of Jewish immigration to the United States at the turn of the twentieth century! Hester Street is based on an 1896 novella by Abraham Cahan named called Yekl: A Tale of the New York Ghetto. The film follows a Jewish immigrant family in 1890s New York who come into co…

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Episode 23 - The Last of the Mohicans with Jonathan Bayer 49:15

3+ y ago49:15

49:15

On today's episode, we’re discussing 1992’s The Last of the Mohicans. This epic adventure film stars Daniel Day-Lewis and was adapted from an 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper. The film is set during the Seven Years War—sometimes known in the United States as the French and Indian War. The story centres on Hawkeye, the adopted son of a Mohican ch…

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Episode 22 - Historical Board Games with Benjamin Hoy 1:13:44

3+ y ago1:13:44

1:13:44

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Professor Benjamin Hoy to discuss teaching history through board games, with a specific focus on the 2013 game Lewis & Clark: The Expedition as well as board game portrayals of Indigenous history. Lewis & Clark is based on—you guessed it—the Lewis & Clark expedition of 1804 to 1806 that was sent by US President Tho…

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Episode 21 - ’71 with Nick Baker 1:20:49

3+ y ago1:20:49

1:20:49

Today we’re discussing the 2014 film ’71 and its depiction of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. For those who aren’t familiar, the Troubles was a period from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. The Troubles saw significant political unrest and violence waged by paramilitary organizations and British forces over the status of Northern Ireland. The maj…

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Episode 20 - Dallas Buyers Club with Elio Colavito 1:03:14

3+ y ago1:03:14

1:03:14

Today we’re discussing the 2013 film Dallas Buyers Club and its depiction of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Dallas Buyers Club is based on a true story and follows Ron Woodroof, a straight, homophobic cowboy who contracts AIDS. In hospital, Woodroof meets a queer person who also has contracted AIDS named Rayon. The two of them start a business calle…

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Episode 19 - Making History Podcasts with Sean Graham 1:23:57

3+ y ago1:23:57

1:23:57

Today we’re having a very meta discussion about history podcasts! As anyone listening to this right now can attest to, podcasting has become an important medium through which people learn about history, and enjoy history-focused entertainment. Shows ranging from Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History to Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History to Leah-Simone …

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Episode 18 - Our Flag Means Death with Chris Baldwin 1:14:48

3+ y ago1:14:48

1:14:48

On today’s podcast, we’re discussing the brand-new television series Our Flag Means Death! (Spoilers ahead!) Our Flag Means Death is a romantic comedy about pirates in the early eighteenth century. The story follows Stede Bonnet (played by Rhys Darby), a landed gentleman who abandons his comfortable lifestyle and family to become a pirate. Unfortun…

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Episode 17 - Ken Burns’s The National Parks with Jessica DeWitt 1:17:55

3+ y ago1:17:55

1:17:55

On today’s podcast, we’re discussing the 2009 PBS documentary series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea! As you may have guessed from the title, this series covers the history of the national park system in the United States. The series was directed by Ken Burns, who I think is fair to say is the most celebrated maker of American history docum…

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Episode 16 - The Revenant with Sam Derksen 56:14

3+ y ago56:14

56:14

On today’s podcast, we’re talking about the 2015 film The Revenant! This movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass, a fur trader in the western United States in the early 1820s who goes on an epic quest for revenge. The movie saw significant financial and critical success; it grossed over $530 million USD worldwide, and was nominated for 12 Acade…

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Episode 15 - Wonder Woman with Melissa Wing 1:13:37

4y ago1:13:37

1:13:37

On today’s podcast, we’re talking about the 2017 film Wonder Woman! This first entry in the new Wonder Woman film series stars Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana. The movie revises Diana’s origin story from the Second World War to the First World War, representing a relatively rare portrayal of World War One in a major American motion picture. And a l…

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Episode 14 - The Lighthouse with Kate Bauer 53:15

4y ago53:15

53:15

On today’s podcast, we’re talking about the 2019 film The Lighthouse! This movie stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe as two lighthouse keepers stationed on a remote island off the coast of New England in the 1890s. At least one, if not both, of the characters are driven increasingly mad by the isolation of their post. Inspired by an unfinished …

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Episode 13 - The Last Dance with Kevin Winterhalt 1:03:08

4y ago1:03:08

1:03:08

On today’s episode, we’re applying an academic eye to sports history! We’re discussing The Last Dance, a 2020 documentary series about Michael Jordan and the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls in the 1980s and 90s. For those unfamiliar, Jordan is frequently considered the greatest basketball player of all time, and became one of the mo…

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Episode 12 - Stand! with Nick Fast 1:02:54

4y ago1:02:54

1:02:54

On today’s episode, we’re discussing the Winnipeg General Strike’s depiction in the 2019 film Stand! Stand! is a Canadian musical about two Romeo and Juliet-like recent immigrants whose families disapprove of their relationship due to their different backgrounds. The two of them become involved in the Winnipeg General Strike during their love story…

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Episode 11 - The Green Knight with Morgan Moore 1:29:44

4y ago1:29:44

1:29:44

On today’s episode, we’re discussing the 2021 film The Green Knight! The Green Knight is a 2021 film directed and written by David Lowery. The film is based on the Arthurian tale “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” which was first recorded as a poem in a fourteenth-century English manuscript. In both the original poem and the film, the story follows…

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Episode 10 - The Diefenbunker with Erin Isaac 1:06:58

4y ago1:06:58

1:06:58

On today’s episode, we have a very special crossover episode! We're taking shelter and visiting the Diefenbunker with Erin Isaac, host of Historia Nostra. Officially styled Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, the Diefenbunker is a museum and historic site housed in a Cold War era nuclear bunker a little outside Ottawa, Canada. In 1959, the Cana…

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Episode 9 - Richard III with Ariana Ellis 54:06

4y ago54:06

54:06

On today’s episode, we’re talking about one of Shakespeare’s plays as a representation of history. Specifically, we’re talking about Richard III, and even more specifically, we’re talking about the BBC’s 2016 production as part of The Hollow Crown series. Richard III ruled England from 1483 to 1485, and is probably most famous for imprisoning (and …

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Episode 8 - Fragments of Epic Memory with Carlie Manners 49:46

4y ago49:46

49:46

For today’s episode, we dig into a new exhibition interpreting the history of the Caribbean, and talk about how we can use art to interpret history. We’re discussing a new exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Fragments of Epic Memory. Fragments of Epic Memory is an exploration of the history and culture of the Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora fro…

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Episode 7 - Assassin‘s Creed II with Éric Pecile 1:02:21

4y ago1:02:21

1:02:21

On today’s episode, we’re chatting about Assassin’s Creed II! Released by Ubisoft in 2009, this incredibly popular video game sold over 9 million copies and helped solidify the Assassin’s Creed franchise into the juggernaut of gaming that it is today. History is a big part of this franchise’s appeal, and AC2 is no different. The game takes place in…

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Episode 6 - Hamilton with Hana Suckstorff 1:05:34

4+ y ago1:05:34

1:05:34

On today’s episode, we’re not throwing away our shot. We’re talking Hamilton: An American Musical! This Broadway sensation, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, focuses on the life of Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father and the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. In doing so, the musical also offers an interpretation of the American R…

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Episode 5 - Canada: A People's History with Hannah Cooley 58:31

4+ y ago58:31

58:31

For today’s episode, we’re watching some Canada: A People’s History! This monumental documentary series launched in 2000 will be familiar to Canadian history buffs. The original run of the series, made by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, featured 17 episodes with about 32 hours of content, documenting Canadian history from 15,000 BC all the w…

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Episode 4 - Renaissance Tourism with Graeme Sutherland 1:00:29

4+ y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

On today’s episode, we take a much-needed vacation. …Okay, not really. But we’re talking about tourism and the history of tourism in Florence, Italy! Much of the city’s identity (not to mention its economy) revolves around its connection to the Renaissance. Today, the city’s galleries, museums, and buildings housing Renaissance-era artifacts and wo…

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Episode 3 - The Western Development Museum with Tyla Betke 1:01:03

4+ y ago1:01:03

1:01:03

On today’s episode of Off-Campus History, we look to the west. We’re talking about the Western Development Museum, one of the most important public history institutions in Saskatchewan, Canada. The WDM is actually a network of four museums, though our episode focuses on its largest branch in Saskatoon. Established in 1949, the WDM was originally de…

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Episode 2 - Hearts of Iron IV with Sid Sridhar 1:12:32

4+ y ago1:12:32

1:12:32

On today’s episode of Off-Campus History, we get strategic. We’re playing Hearts of Iron IV, an incredibly detailed grand strategy video game set during the Second World War. In particular, we’re playing as the British Raj—a colony that in the mid-1930s included present-day India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, among other places—to see how the…

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Episode 1 - The Fernald Preserve with Steven Langlois 46:42

4+ y ago46:42

46:42

Today on Off-Campus History, we talk about a place with a toxic history. No, I literally mean toxic. On our very first episode, we’re talking about the Fernald Preserve, a nature park built on the site of a former Cold War-era uranium processing facility for nuclear weapons. From the 1950s to the 1980s, this facility outside Cincinnati, Ohio churne…

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Trailer 2:42

4+ y ago2:42

2:42

A short introduction to the podcast. The first full episode will be published the week of July 5! -- Logo by instagram.com/nethkariaBy Louis Reed-Wood