Best Consortium For History Of Science Podcasts (2025)

1
BtB: What's an OSR? 53:54

Play Pause

1d ago53:54

53:54

In this episode of Tales & Tactics: Beyond the Book, we dive into the Old School Renaissance—better known as the OSR. What began in the mid-2000s as a fan-driven effort to keep early D&D alive through retroclones like OSRIC and Labyrinth Lord quickly grew into a design movement emphasizing rulings over rules, player agency, and lethal, sandbox-styl…

1
Early Careers Workshop #7: Grant Writing Master Class 1:34:00

1d ago1:34:00

1:34:00

Topics: Think big questions and frame them well; crafting your grant; personal experience.Speakers: Gerardo Ienna is postdoctoral researcher at the University of Verona, Italy, and a Marie Curie global fellow (Grant Number 101026146). Simone Turchetti is Professor in history of science and technology at the Manchester University, UK, and PI of the …

1
Early Careers Workshop #6: Content and Submission of Book Proposals 1:26:00

1d ago1:26:00

1:26:00

Topics: Should I turn my dissertation into a book?; How to find the right press; how to approach editors; how to outline a book proposal; collective authorship and editing; why book series.Speaker: W. Patrick McCray is Professor at the History Department at the University of California Santa Barbara, USA, and a series editor for Johns Hopkins Unive…

1
Early Careers Workshop #5: Roundtable Discussion on Collaborative Research & Writing 39:46

1d ago39:46

39:46

Topics: Best practice in communication in teams; different ways of collaboration; are virtual tools a game changer; national styles; are we moving towards “big history”?Discussants: Olival Freire Jr. is Professor in history of science at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, and Director of the National Council for Scientific and Technological D…

1
Early Careers Workshop #4: Career Diversity 24:13

1d ago24:13

24:13

Topics: Academic vs non-academic jobs; Work-life balance; gender; transition out of academia.Speaker: Arwen Mohun is Professor in history at the University of Delaware, United States. Mohun has coordinated a working group on career diversity at the Consortium for History of Science Technology and Medicine.Recorded on April 10, 2025For more informat…

1
DHST Early Career Workshop #1: Introduction in Writing Good & Fair Book Reviews 42:52

1d ago42:52

42:52

Topics include: The nuts and bolts; communication with editors; deadlines; the balance of criticism; how to connect the book-under-review to previous work; why are novel disciplinary perspectives relevant?Speaker: Gleb Albert is Assistant Professor in General and Eastern European History at the University of Luzerne, Switzerland, and experienced bo…

1
Jackpot! 51:57

6d ago51:57

51:57

It’s football season, baby! And that means big upsets, impossible comebacks, nail biting finishes - plus sports betting ads… lots and lots of sports betting ads. Brendan Dwyer studies how this new era of sports betting is changing how we watch games.Later in the show: Virginia legalized casino gaming in 2019 and now there are three operational casi…

1
RaW: Classic Dungeons & Dragons 1:00:46

8d ago1:00:46

1:00:46

This episode we’re cracking open the classic B/X and BECMI editions of Dungeons & Dragons, the boxed sets that taught millions how to play. We’ll break down how Moldvay’s Basic rules streamlined OD&D into a clean, accessible framework, why Cook & Marsh’s Expert set expanded the game into wilderness and domain play, and how Mentzer’s BECMI line push…

1
Lafayette's Return 51:56

13d ago51:56

51:56

Lafayette was just 19 when he sailed to America from France and fought alongside George Washington in the Revolutionary War. David Marsich says 50 years later the Feenchman toured all 24 states and was greeted by adoring hordes wherever he went. Plus: A Creek Indian was falsely blamed for the brutal slaying of a band of Cherokees just outside Charl…

1
BtB: Gaming Groups 55:40

15d ago55:40

55:40

In this episode of Tales and Tactics: Beyond the Book, we take a step off the battlefield and into the community halls, hobby stores, and living rooms where great games begin: the world of gaming groups, RPG parties, leagues, and tournament scenes. We dive into what makes a thriving tabletop group—how to find one, how to join with success, and what…

1
REPLAY: Melting Futures 51:57

20d ago51:57

51:57

Polar bears are no one’s prey, except for climate change itself. John Whiteman says our human fate is tied up with the fate of the polar bears. And: Birds have an unusual predator. Windows. Karen Powers says that an $8 pack of window decals could be lifesaving. Later in the show: We’ve all killed a spider or sprayed weeds in the garden. Todd Tupper…

1
RaW: Midgard Heroic Battles 59:57

22d ago59:57

59:57

In this episode of Tales and Tactics, we charge into the mist-shrouded clash of myth and history with a discussion on Midgard Heroic Battles, the ancients and fantasy wargame by James Morris. Designed for epic-scale conflicts with a heroic twist, Midgard blends large unit warfare with streamlined mechanics that encourage sweeping flanks, last stand…

1
Corn Tortillas and Harvest-Your-Own Oysters 51:58

27d ago51:58

51:58

This week we’re returning to Virginia’s Eastern Shore with Virginia Folklife Director Katy Clune. She explores how newcomers to the Shore are adopting and adapting traditional foodways. From gorditas and Haitian plantains to oysters and fresh jams, we get a closer look at the Eastern Shore’s vibrant food culture.Later in the show: Daniel Morales di…

1
We Are Lady Parts 1:15:57

28d ago1:15:57

1:15:57

This week on Papaganda, Shannon and Tashmica dive into We Are Lady Parts, the brilliant British sitcom about an all-Muslim punk band that has captured hearts with its humor, complexity, and radical tenderness. From awkward first gigs to the band’s unapologetic “villain era,” we explore themes of friendship, family, self-determination, and joy in cl…

1
BtB: Character Traits 1:01:51

29d ago1:01:51

1:01:51

In this Beyond the Book, we tackle one of the most enduring design debates in tabletop gaming: traits, talents, feats, edges, advantages—whatever a system calls them, do they add real depth or just make things unbalanced and confusing? We’ll look at how different games implement them, from the granular feat chains of D&D to the broad strokes of nar…

1
Pop Culture Chisme 2025 59:09

1M ago59:09

59:09

What if you could sit in on our group chat—unedited, unfiltered, and supported by a quick check-in with Daddy Google? In our 2nd annual Pop Culture Chisme episode, we unpack the messiness of reality TV, the chokehold The Pit had on us, and the power of Alex Cooper naming abuse in sports. This time, we edit nothing—no cuts, lots of “ums,” and even m…

1
Education for Everyone 51:58

1M ago51:58

51:58

They say around 20% of students in K-12 schools are considered gifted. But identifying giftedness isn’t exactly a precise science. Chandra Floyd breaks down the inequities in gifted education. Plus: Learning to read is one of those magical childhood experiences. Once you figure it out, it’s like a whole new world opens up! Sean McDonald studies lit…

1
RaW: MechWarrior 1st Edition 1:05:53

1M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

In this episode of Tales & Tactics: Rules as Written, we strap into the cockpit and dive into MechWarrior 1st Edition—the gritty 1986 RPG that brought life outside the 'Mech to the BattleTech universe. We explore its 2d6-based skill system, point-buy character creation, and how it bridges personal-scale action with hex-based warfare. From dueling n…

1
Barbie's Plastic World 51:58

1M ago51:58

51:58

Margot Robbie brought Barbie to life with the 2023 Barbie movie. It was successfully “femvertised” to women and girls across generations. And not only did they go see the movie, but they made sure that they were seen being a part of Barbie’s world. They bought a lot of pink, fast fashion pieces to wear to the theatre and film content with and then,…

1
BtB: Arts & Crafts 1:01:50

1M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

This episode, we step away from rules and dice to talk about the hands-on heart of the hobby—miniature modelling, painting, and terrain building. From kitbashing heroes to crafting battlefields, we explore the creative side that brings our tabletop worlds to life.By Neonlithic

1
Christa Kuljian - Our Science, Ourselves 24:12

1M ago24:12

24:12

Christa Kuljian discusses her book, Our Science, Ourselves: How Gender, Race, and Social Movements Shaped the Study of Science. Focusing on a network of female scientists who began to examine women in science, gender and science, and sexism and racism in the institutions of science, Kuljian helps to uncover the early days of feminist science studie…

1
Mapping the New World 51:56

2M ago51:56

51:56

After the long French and Indian War, British surveyors fanned out to create maps of their new frontier territories so they could better control the unruly colonists. Max Edelson is author of The New Map of Empire. Plus: A spin through early American Cartographic History by Cassandra Farrell. She describes one map created by Captain John Smith and …

1
DiY: The Consortium 56:44

2M ago56:44

56:44

In this episode, we dive into The Consortium, an indie fantasy miniatures game that blends skirmish-level tactics with the heart of a narrative-driven campaign. Built for flexibility and creativity, The Consortium hands players the tools to forge their own heroes, battle monstrous threats, and tell stories in a world where Guild politics and ancien…

1
DHST Early Career Workshop #3: Roundtable Discussion on Journals as a Means of Shaping the Production & Dissemination of Knowledge 1:06:03

2M ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Topics include: How to find suitable journals; how to respond to reviews; the role of journals in acdemic discourse; the policies and politics of journals.Discussants: Silvia Figueirôa is Professor at the University of Campinas, Brazil, and has edited several collective volumes. Joseph D. Martin is Associate Professor at Durham University, UK, chai…

1
DHST Early Career Scholars Workshop #2: Best Practice in Oral History Interview and Analysis 55:29

2M ago55:29

55:29

Topics include: What is oral history; limits and (dis-)advantages; biases; lessons from the practice; what to consider when producing and analyzing interviews; good technologies.Speakers: David Zierler is the Ronald and Maxine Linde Director of the Caltech Heritage Project, USA. Previously, David directed the Oral History Program at the American In…

1
REPLAY: Winning NIL 51:57

2M ago51:57

51:57

NIL sent shockwaves through college athletics when it was signed into law in 2021. Now student-athletes could earn money off of their name, image, and likeness. But there weren’t any guide-rails to help student-athletes navigate the new NIL landscape. Enter Kim Whitler. She co-wrote Athlete Brands: How to Benefit from Your Name, Image and Likeness.…

1
ToL: The Golden Age of Science Fiction 59:46

2M ago59:46

59:46

In this Tales of Lore, we explore the Golden Age of Science Fiction, a transformative era when pulp adventure gave way to intellectually rigorous, scientifically grounded storytelling. From Hugo Gernsback’s “scientifiction” experiments to the editorial revolution led by John W. Campbell at Astounding Science Fiction, we trace how authors like Asimo…

1
Fatherhood 51:58

2M ago51:58

51:58

George Tzamaras fancies himself as a “connoisseur of fine dad jokes.” I have him rate a few of my own dad jokes as a rite of passage as I start my journey into fatherhood. His new book is called It’s Dad Joke Friday: The Collection (2018-2025). Also: Being a dad is a huge responsibility. And as my wife and I get closer to our due date, I’m starting…

1
RaW: Classic Traveller 1:01:05

2M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

We journey back to the far future of 1977 to explore Classic Traveller—the minimalist, lethal, and oddly beautiful science-fiction RPG that helped define the genre and set the standard for sandbox roleplaying. With its stark presentation and open-ended design, Traveller offered something radically different from the fantasy games of its time: a har…

1
Sinners: Black History, Biracial Hauntings, and the Horrors of White Supremacy Culture 1:33:04

2M ago1:33:04

1:33:04

What do you get when you mix juke joint resistance, supernatural horror, and a masterclass in Black storytelling? Sinners—Ryan Coogler’s 2025 genre-defying masterpiece—sets the Mississippi Delta on fire, and The Popaganda Podcast is here for that Smoke (and Stack). In this episode, co-hosts Shannon Perez-Darby and Tashmica Torok sink their teeth in…

1
A Saint's Song 51:58

2M ago51:58

51:58

What makes Taylor Swift one of the most compelling songwriters of our time? Chelsea Hamm says it's her relatability. With bright, upbeat pop anthems like “22” and “Anti-Hero” that are both fun and reflective, Swift’s music engages audiences across generations. Also: The K-Pop band BTS regularly mobilizes their fans, the BTS Army, to support causes …

1
BtB: Editionitis 1:01:00

2M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

In this episode of Tales and Tactics: Beyond the Book, we turn the page to a topic every tabletop gamer eventually confronts: new editions. We unpack when and why revising a ruleset can breathe new life into a game—and when it might just cause frustration, fragmentation, or fatigue. From the carefully considered updates that refine a system’s core …

1
Corporate Greenwashing 51:58

3M ago51:58

51:58

From 2009-2015 Volkswagen cheated on emissions tests to convince customers to buy 11 million VW cars they thought burned clean diesel. Kimberley Kinsley says “Dieselgate” was the largest ever case of corporate greenwashing. Also: Big tech companies often boast they’re using technologies that can save the planet. But Jesse Goldstein argues that the …

1
RaW: Chain of Command 2 1:03:08

3M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

In this episode of Tales and Tactics, we hit the front lines with Chain of Command 2, the much-anticipated second edition of the acclaimed WWII platoon-level miniatures game. After nine full games in the field, we bring you a hands-on review of the updated mechanics, streamlined systems, and fresh tactical nuances that make this edition shine. We d…

1
REPLAY: Banned Summer Reading 51:58

3M ago51:58

51:58

Summer is here and with it comes our annual With Good Reason summer reading list. From the hills and hollers of Appalachia to Egypt, we’ve got so much to keep your pages turning. Jessica Mullens Fullen, Vic Sizemore, Sarah Rifky and Maynard Scales share some of their favorite reads.By With Good Reason

1
ToL: Warhammer Fantasy 1:01:49

3M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Welcome to a world where the end times are always looming, the gods demand your fear, and the nobility become rich, while the peasants toil. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the grim, gothic, and grotesquely hilarious setting of Warhammer Fantasy. From its roots in 1980s British punk satire, folk horror, and post-imperial cynicism, to its …

1
Mow Lawn, Mo' Problems 52:00

3M ago52:00

52:00

What if a well-manicured lawn isn’t the end all be all? What if it’s actually harming the local habitat? Doug Tallamy is the co-founder of Home Grown National Park. It’s a non-profit that urges property owners to reduce their lawns and plant native plants. He shares all the little things we can do to help restore functioning ecosystems and mitigate…