Best Minnesota Historical Society | Pod People Podcasts (2025)

1
Rivers of History 1:04:23

13d ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Rivers loom large in our past and present – as places for community connection, routes for trading and spaces for recreation. They carry an untold number of stories about the people, the water, and animals that call Minnesota home. But how do we go about learning these stories? In this episode, historian and host Dr. Chantel Rodríguez dives into th…

1
History on Two Wheels: Bicycles and Bike Paths in Minnesota 53:43

23d ago53:43

53:43

Many places around the world are famous for their love of cycling—think Amsterdam in the Netherlands, or Portland, Oregon. But head to Como Lake in St. Paul, or the Mill Towns Trail in Northfield on a sunny spring day, and you’ll find flocks of cyclists taking advantage of the weather and the well-loved bike paths. How did biking find a place in th…

1
SoulForce: Black, Brown, and Red Power in the Twin Cities 1:06:35

1M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

America in the 1960s was a landmark decade for civil rights. But the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965) neither completely, nor immediately, addressed the issues facing diverse communities throughout the country. The Black Power Movement—as well as empowerment movements in the Mexican American and Native America…

1
Meatpacking in Minnesota: How Migration and Labor Transformed Worthington 54:20

2M ago54:20

54:20

Driving through the rural expanse of southwestern Minnesota, there are a lot of things you might expect to see, such as corn fields, cattle, and the quaint main streets of small town America. But, if you find yourself in Worthington, Minnesota, you might be surprised to find the warehouse-sized footprint of a meatpacking facility, along with a rain…

1
Leon Belmont: Gender and Celebrity in Minneapolis in 1880 45:42

3M ago45:42

45:42

In 1880, a court case rocked Minneapolis society, and ruled the newspaper headlines. It was the case of Leon Belmont, a man accused of fraud. Authorities claimed that he was a woman wearing men’s clothing, passing herself off as a man. Why so much uproar over this particular case? And was it for the reasons we’d expect? Historian and host Dr. Chant…

1
Logging the Northwoods: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji 48:30

3M ago48:30

48:30

The Midwest—and Minnesota in particular—is known for its roadside attractions, from the world’s biggest ball of twine (made by one person) to the world’s largest boot. But drive through the Northwoods town of Bemidji, Minnesota, and you’ll find towering statues of a legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his pal— Babe the Blue Ox—looking over the lak…

1
Enduring Connections: Native Community and Basketball 44:34

3M ago44:34

44:34

Women’s basketball is having a moment in the United States—in fact, Minnesota’s own WNBA team, the Lynx, have won four championships and even made it to the finals in 2024. But while sports have empowered women in modern society, the history of basketball—not unlike the history of women in this country—is, well, complicated. Peek into the far corne…

1
Part Two: Bringing Bison Home 42:05

4M ago42:05

42:05

Buffalo once roamed across Minnesota in the thousands. Now, the Minnesota Bison Collaborative is working to bring them back. It’s a trickier proposition than you might think. It requires community involvement, prairie restoration, and careful monitoring of it all. This episode, host Dr. Chantel Rodriguez talks with natural resource manager Ferin Da…

1
Part One: Searching for Bison in Minnesota History 36:30

5M ago36:30

36:30

Think “buffalo” and you probably think “Wild West,” “Yellowstone”, or “Great Plains.” In this two-part episode, historian and host Dr. Chantel Rodriguez uncovers why you should also think “Minnesota”. The history of bison in the North Star State is a long one, but not one that’s well-known. Through conversations with Native natural resource manager…

1
Measuring Up: Better Baby Contests at the State Fair 37:02

5M ago37:02

37:02

Hot dogs, deep fried oreos, and thrill rides – all things you can find at Minnesota’s State Fair. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find stories more interesting than the latest food on a stick. Tucked in the History and Heritage Center are two placards highlighting “baby competitions” that once took place on the fairgrounds. This episode, histor…

1
Life Underground: Fallout Shelters in Minnesota 43:19

6M ago43:19

43:19

Dotted throughout the Twin Cities are fallout shelter signs. Chances are you’ve seen one of these black and yellow signs attached to a very sturdy building. Have you wondered: What purpose did they serve? Why were fallout shelters needed to begin with? What was it like to live in the atomic age? For this second episode of MN Unraveled, historian an…

1
Museum of the Streets: Muralismo in St. Paul 38:46

6M ago38:46

38:46

If you’re in the West Side of St. Paul, there’s a chance a splash of color will catch your eye – one of the neighborhood’s many murals. Where did they all come from? Do they have a shared heritage? And who are the artists behind them? For this first episode of Minnesota Unraveled, historian and host Dr. Chantel Rodriguez delves into the West Side’s…

1
Introducing Minnesota Unraveled: Pulling the Threads of Minnesota History 2:09

7M ago2:09

2:09

Introducing Minnesota Unraveled, a new podcast from the Minnesota Historical Society. Each episode, historian and host Dr. Chantel Rodriguez uses her training to investigate unsung stories of Minnesota history, and how that history plays out for Minnesotans each and every day.By Minnesota Historical Society | Pod People

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Minnesota Historical Society | Pod People Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Minnesota Unraveled: Pulling on the Threads of Minnesota History

Minnesota Historical Society | Pod People

1
Rivers of History 1:04:23

1
History on Two Wheels: Bicycles and Bike Paths in Minnesota 53:43

1
SoulForce: Black, Brown, and Red Power in the Twin Cities 1:06:35

1
Meatpacking in Minnesota: How Migration and Labor Transformed Worthington 54:20

1
Leon Belmont: Gender and Celebrity in Minneapolis in 1880 45:42

1
Logging the Northwoods: Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji 48:30

1
Enduring Connections: Native Community and Basketball 44:34

1
Part Two: Bringing Bison Home 42:05

1
Part One: Searching for Bison in Minnesota History 36:30

1
Measuring Up: Better Baby Contests at the State Fair 37:02

1
Life Underground: Fallout Shelters in Minnesota 43:19

1
Museum of the Streets: Muralismo in St. Paul 38:46

1
Introducing Minnesota Unraveled: Pulling the Threads of Minnesota History 2:09