Best Nelson Alexander Podcasts (2025)

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The Death of Ashely Fallis 1:55:05

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22m ago1:55:05

1:55:05

Episode 206: The Death of Ashley Fallis On New Year's Eve 2011, a party turns deadly in the home of Tom and Ashley Fallis. After Ashley is pronounced dead, her death is quickly ruled a suicide, despite Ashley's Family and many others suspecting that not to be true. After a few years, 48 hours put out an episode that reopened the entire investigatio…

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630. Tchaikovsky: LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall 1:19:28

12m ago1:19:28

1:19:28

What are the complex origins of Russia’s most renowned composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky? What inner conflicts and private contradictions lay behind his romantic music, and how did these struggles shape it? And, what dark secrets lie hidden beneath Tchaikovsky’s sweeping, lyrical melodies…? Join Tom and Dominic at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring …

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From the Hood to the Helm: Building Opportunity Through Strategy with Omar Hernandez 47:26

9h ago47:26

47:26

In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, sit down with longtime friend and entrepreneur Omar Hernandez, President of Global Urban Strategies. Omar shares his powerful journey from growing up in Nickerson Gardens in South C…

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629. WWI: The Christmas Truce 58:42

11h ago58:42

58:42

Did the Christmas Truce - which saw a number of unofficial ceasefires between the combatants of the First World War, during the Christmas of 1914 - really occur, or was it a myth? What is the real story behind this legendary event? And, did German and British soldiers really play football across no-man's land? Join Dominic and Tom as they delve int…

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The Lawson Family Murders 1:09:07

2d ago1:09:07

1:09:07

Episode 205: The Lawson Family Murders Charles “Charlie” Lawson and his wife Fannie married in 1911 and went on to start a large family. In 1929, the Lawsons had a successful tobacco farm and a little cabin that housed their family of 9. For unknown (but debated) reasons, Charlie Lawson murdered 7 of his 8 children on Christmas Day before taking hi…

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Lady Frances Berkeley/Amy Stallings: Bacon’s Rebellion, Colonial Virginia, and First-person Historical Interpretation 31:18

8d ago31:18

31:18

In this episode of Historically Thinking, we begin not with a historian’s voice, but with the voice of a seventeenth-century woman. Lady Frances Culpeper Berkeley—born in England, twice widowed, and married in 1670 to Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia—speaks from the midst of crisis. Jamestown has burned. Nathaniel Bacon’s rebellion has fr…

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Patricia Lockwood Reads Elizabeth Bishop 45:29

3d ago45:29

45:29

Patricia Lockwood joins Kevin Young to read “In the Waiting Room,” by Elizabeth Bishop, and her own poem “Love Poem Like We Used to Write It.” Lockwood is the author of the novels “No One Is Talking About This” and “Will There Ever Be Another You,” along with two poetry collections and a memoir. She has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor and …

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628. Jack The Ripper: The Killer Unmasked (Part 5) 1:35:53

7d ago1:35:53

1:35:53

Who are the prime suspects for the identity of Jack the Ripper? Why did he suddenly halt his hellish killing spree, and never strike again? And, once and for all, who really was Jack the Ripper…? Join Dominic and Tom as they reveal, with shocking melodrama, the true identity of one of the world’s most mysterious serial killers: Jack the Ripper… ___…

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627. Jack The Ripper: From Hell (Part 4) 1:10:08

11d ago1:10:08

1:10:08

Why was Jack the Ripper’s final murder the most appalling of all? Who was the mysterious Mary-Jane Kelly, his unfortunate victim? And, what enduring impact would his crimes have upon the cultural climate of England, and the treatment of women? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the nightmarish crescendo of Victorian London’s darkest days, as Jack t…

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The Party's Interests Come First: Joseph Torigian on the Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping 29:42

10d ago29:42

29:42

According to Chinese Communist official Xi Zhongxun, his first revolutionary act was an attempt to poison one of his school’s administrators when he was 14. He was faithful to the revolution, and the Chinese Communist Party, until his death at age 88 in 2002. In between those ages was a remarkable life. He fought Nationalists and Japanese. He was a…

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The Watts Family Massacre (Part 4) 2:11:10

10d ago2:11:10

2:11:10

Episode 204: The Watts Family Massacre (Part 4) In our fourth and final part covering this case, we conclude our deep dive about the murders of Shanann, Bella and Cece Watts by husband and father Chris Watts. We discuss Chris’ experience in prison, love interests, and recent interviews as well as discuss some of the possible related psychology as i…

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626. Jack The Ripper: The Killer Strikes Again (Part 3) 59:09

10d ago59:09

59:09

How did Jack the Ripper manage to strike twice in the same night without getting caught? Did he have an accomplice? And, what chilling clues did the police discover in the wake of the murder…? Join Dominic and Tom as they decode the next horrific phase of Jack the Ripper’s shocking killing spree, as they seek to reveal his identity once and for all…

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From Poverty to Portfolio Power: The Financial Journey of George Nelson 47:26

19d ago47:26

47:26

In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to welcome lifelong friend and financial advisor George Nelson. George shares his remarkable story — from growing up in deep poverty, surrounded by addiction, instability, and har…

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625. Jack The Ripper: Horror in Whitechapel (Part 2) 1:06:32

18d ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Who was Jack the Ripper’s second victim, and why was their murder considered the true starting point of his terrifying killing spree? How did the police investigation unfold? And, when and how did the Ripper strike again…? Join Dominic and Tom as they travel further into the dark streets of Victorian London and follow Jack the Ripper’s depraved tra…

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Poinsettia Man: Lindsay Schakenbach Regele on Joel Roberts Poinsett, Adventures, Diplomacy, Espionage, Trade, Self-Dealing, South Carolina, and the Paradoxes of American Patriotism 31:33

16d ago31:33

31:33

The red flowered plant that shows up everywhere at this time of year–I saw a forest of them in Wegman’s this morning– is called in Mexico the cuetlaxochitl, or the noche buena; but Americans know it by as the namesake of man who introduced it to the United States: poinsettia. Yet Joel Roberts Poinsett was a more interesting organism than that plant…

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The Beatles: The British Invasion, with Conan O’Brien (Part 2) 55:22

19d ago55:22

55:22

| This episode is available a week early for members of The Rest Is History Club | What happens when fame, drugs, and genius collide? How did the Beatles survive John Lennon’s “more popular than Jesus” interview and the death of Brian Epstein? And, why did the band eventually break up? Conan O’Brien returns with Tom to dive into the Beatles’ final …

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The Watts Family Massacre (Part 3) 1:17:23

17d ago1:17:23

1:17:23

Episode 203: The Watts Family Massacre (Part 3) In part 3 of this series, we unpack what was believed in 2018 to have really happened the day Shanann, Bella, and Cece disappeared up to and including the discovery of their remains. (TW: murder of children, miscarriage, etc.) Tune in to this episode to learn more! Email us at: [email protected] …

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624. Jack The Ripper: History’s Darkest Mystery (Part 1) 1:04:08

17d ago1:04:08

1:04:08

Was Jack the Ripper the first serial killer of all time? Who was his first victim, and why was the murder so shocking? And, what did the Ripper phenomenon reveal about the anxieties of Victorian London? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the darkest days of London’s long history, as Jack the Ripper’s terrible, grisly reign of terror begins... …

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623. The Nazis at War: Churchill’s Finest Hour (Part 4) 1:11:43

27d ago1:11:43

1:11:43

With Adolf Hitler at the apex of his power during the Second World War, how did he move on Britain? How did Winston Churchill respond? And, would Britain’s airforce triumph over Hitler’s Luftwaffe in the legendary Battle of Britain? Join Dominic and Tom as they reach one of the watershed moments of the Second World War, as the Nazis strive to elimi…

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Plato's Letters: Ariel Helfer on the Political Challenges of the Philosophic Life 34:27

23d ago34:27

34:27

The Greek philosopher Plato is famous for writing his teachings in the form of dialogues. But there are additionally a series of seven letters attributed to Plato. Over the centuries much ink has been spilt in arguments over their authenticity. My guest today argues that these letters are actually epistolary philosophical novel which are if nothing…

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The Beatles: The Band that Changed the World, with Conan O’Brien (Part 1) 51:00

22d ago51:00

51:00

How did four Liverpool teenagers become the most influential band on earth? What made their music and charisma irresistible to a generation? And, how did their ambition and timing spark a cultural revolution that still resonates today? In the first of two special episodes, Tom is joined by Conan O’Brien to explore the Beatles’ meteoric rise: the pe…

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The Watts Family Massacre (Part 2) 2:05:38

24d ago2:05:38

2:05:38

Episode 202: The Watts Family Massacre (Part 2) In part 2 of this series, we take a deeper dive into the final months prior to Shanann’s disappearance. Her six week trip to North Carolina to visit family, and what Chris was up to for the five weeks before he joined them. After his family’s disappearance, Chris’ strange behavior set alarm bells off …

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622. The Nazis at War: The Fall of France (Part 3) 1:07:54

24d ago1:07:54

1:07:54

How did the Battle of Dunkirk unfold in 1940? Why was it one of the key turning points of the Second World War for Hitler and his Nazi regime? And, how did the Allies manage to evade the jaws of annihilation at this crucial stage of the Second World War…? Join Dominic and Tom as they march further into the Nazis at war, with Hitler’s forces closing…

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From Hardship to Hospitality: The Entrepreneurial Rise of Sean Tipton 38:42

29d ago38:42

38:42

In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to sit down with lifelong entrepreneur Sean Tipton. Sean shares his journey from a challenging childhood to building a multimillion-dollar healthcare company, and now, developing …

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621. The Nazis at War: Blitzkrieg (Part 2) 1:06:55

28d ago1:06:55

1:06:55

When Hitler’s eye fell on Norway and Denmark, how did he and the Nazis enact their terrible plan of conquest? How did the Allies respond to this western campaign? And, how did the French fare against the furious German attack…? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the next bombastic phase of the Nazis at war. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock t…

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Traci Brimhall Reads Thomas Lux 44:29

29d ago44:29

44:29

Traci Brimhall joins Kevin Young to read “Refrigerator, 1957,” by Thomas Lux, and her own poem “Love Poem Without a Drop of Hyperbole in It.” Brimhall is the author of five poetry collections, including “Love Prodigal” and “Our Lady of the Ruins,” which won the Barnard Women Poets Prize. She has also received fellowships from the National Endowment…

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Vector: Robyn Arianrohd on the Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation 33:06

30d ago33:06

33:06

On October 16, 1843, William Rowan Hamilton was taking a walk with his wife Helen. He was on his way to preside over a meeting of the Royal Irish Academy. As Hamilton came to Broome Bridge, over the Royal Canal, the solution to a vexing problem finally emerged in front of him. He was so excited, and perhaps so afraid that he might forget, that he p…

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Prayable Moments and Other Great Ideas for Grandparents: A Conversation with Jay Payleitner 57:38

1M ago57:38

57:38

In this podcast, author and speaker Jay Payleitner talks with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe about his new book A Grand Way to Live: Faith, Wisdom and Joy for Every Grandparent which contains 90 devotional readings on grandparenting. He gives us a free sample from his book and offers several ideas for grandparents including “Prayable Moments,” a way …

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The Watts Family Massacre (Part 1) 1:37:28

1M ago1:37:28

1:37:28

Episode 201: The Watts Family Massacre (Part 1) Happy Thanksgiving! For Part 1 of a multipart Deep Dive, Abby covers the background and surface information known between Chris, Shanann, Bella and Celeste (“Cece”) Watts. In 2010, Shanann Rzucek met Chris Watts and the couple instantly hit it off. After marrying in the fall of 2012, they soon welcome…

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620. The Nazis at War: Hitler Strikes West (Part 1) 1:12:01

1M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

What was Adolf Hitler’s next move, after occupying Czechoslovakia in March 1939, and brutally invading Poland that September? Why did the Allies fail to act, despite the Nazis shocking offensive? And, would an assassination plot from within Germany itself prove to be Hitler’s undoing? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the Second World War, a…

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619. Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (Part 4) 1:09:26

1M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

How was Elizabeth I finally crowned Queen of England, after long years of perilous waiting? Why was her early reign so fraught with danger? Who was William Cecil, Elizabeth’s new secretary, and the key political player of her rule? And, why was she so determined to remain the unmarried, ‘ Virgin Queen’? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the glorio…

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Oral History: Douglas A. Boyd explains the basics of the oldest—and newest—historical method 43:23

1M ago43:23

43:23

“Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving, and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events.” That is the definition provided by no less an authority than the Oral History Association. And yet this brief, simple, and seemingly authoritative definition is accompanied by so…

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The Murder of Terry Dolowy 1:24:29

1M ago1:24:29

1:24:29

Episode 200: The Murder of Terry Dolowy In 1985, Terry Dolowy was only 24 years old when her decapitated remains were found set ablaze. Investigators combed over the scene and the very little evidence available to them, but her case quickly grew cold. DNA technology was minimal at best, and much of the evidence in her case had to wait decades befor…

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618. Elizabeth I: The Shadow of the Tower (Part 3) 1:12:18

1M ago1:12:18

1:12:18

Why did Elizabeth I’s brother, Henry VIII’s heir, Edward VI, choose his cousin Jane Grey to succeed him, rather than either of his wily Tudor sisters? Later, how did Elizabeth survive the reign of her once dear Catholic sister, “Bloody Mary”, given Mary’s growing resentment? And, while imprisoned in the Tower of London, how did Elizabeth avoid the …

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From New York Nightlife to Nike Basketball: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Alexander Wilson 41:17

1M ago41:17

41:17

In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, welcome longtime entrepreneur and business partner Alexander Wilson. From New York’s private school scene to launching legendary nightclub experiences and eventually building a Nike…

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The Edge of Realism: Where Emotion Meets Technique, Mark Sib’s Artistic Breakthrough 32:38

2M ago32:38

32:38

Mark Sib shares how his artistic journey began during the COVID lockdowns and evolved into a thriving creative career rooted in personal expression, community, and experimentation. From navigating the balance between commercial work and creative freedom, to discovering that his style emerged not from seeking perfection, but from painting how he fel…

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617. Elizabeth I: Anne Boleyn's Bastard (Part 2) 1:01:31

1M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

What happened to the infant Elizabeth I following the bloody execution of her mother Anne Boleyn? How did her father Henry VIII and his next four wives treat her? And, what became of Elizabeth following the death of Henry, and the succession of her protestant brother Edward…? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the next, unsteady phase of the youn…

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Love, War, and Diplomacy: Eric H. Cline on the Discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age World They Revealed 31:32

1M ago31:32

31:32

“Two years and a half years ago, when coming down the Nile in a dahabiah, I stopped at . . . Tel el-Amarna. In the course of my exploration, I noticed . . . the foundations of a large building, which had just been laid bare by the natives. . . . A few months afterwards the natives, still going on with their work of disinterment, discovered among th…

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Introducing the New President and CEO of Legacy Coalition: A Conversation with Dan and Janet Hellige 48:11

1M ago48:11

48:11

The Legacy Coalition recently welcomed former Caterpillar executive Dan Hellige as its new President and CEO. In this casual conversation with John Coulombe and Wayne Rice, Dan and his wife Janet talk about their family, their career history, their grandparents, their grandkids, their marriage, their preferences and much more. If you’ve been blesse…

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Roundtable: The Perfect Neighbor 1:55:21

1M ago1:55:21

1:55:21

Episode 199: Roundtable: The Perfect Neighbor In this episode, we have a chatty roundtable and debrief about the hit Netflix documentary “The Perfect Neighbor” in which Ajike “AJ” Owens is shot and killed by her neighbor Susan Lorincz through a closed door. After more than a year of tension between the two, and several calls made by Susan to 9-1-1 …

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616. Elizabeth I: The Fall of the Axe (Part 1) 1:07:40

2M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

How did Elizabeth I’s tumultuous early life in the court of her wife murdering father, Henry VIII, influence the rest of her life? What was the nature of the Tudor world she was born into? Why did Henry VIII so desperately desire a son? And, why did Henry and Anne’s marriage following his divorce from Catherine of Aragon, change the fate of Britain…

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RIHC: Disney's Legacy, with Bob Iger 33:31

2M ago33:31

33:31

What’s the first question people at Disney ask themselves when they have a great idea? How does Bob Iger view his legacy, and does he think Walt Disney would approve of his record? How did Bob first get into The Rest Is History? And who is his dream dinner party guest from history? Watch Tom and Dominic's tour of Disneyland with Bob: https://www.yo…

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615. Disneyland: The Modern American Utopia 1:23:13

2M ago1:23:13

1:23:13

Why is Disneyland one of the most influential architectural creations of the 21st century? How did the Second World War impact Disney? And, how is Disneyland inextricably intertwined with the history of America? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the magical world of Disneyland, along with the fascinating history of Theme Parks, and the insight t…

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War and Power: Phillips Payson O’Brien on Who Wins Wars and Why 29:15

2M ago29:15

29:15

For at least two centuries, ideas of international relations and grand strategy have been premised on the notion of “great powers.” These were mighty states uniquely able to exert their influence through overwhelming military force. In the words of friend of the podcast Leopold von Ranke, a great power was one who could “maintain itself against all…

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Becoming a Thriving Artist in the Digital Streaming Age with Virg 32:08

2M ago32:08

32:08

Musician Virg pulls back the curtain on the realities of being a modern musician in the digital world. From her childhood discovery of synthesizers to the creation of her Italian single Martini, Virg takes us deep into her creative process, her cultural identity and Italian music, and the powerful role of collaboration in her artistic evolution. Sh…

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Omaima Nelson and the murder of Bill Nelson 1:23:11

2M ago1:23:11

1:23:11

Episode 198: Omaima Nelson and the murder of Bill Nelson Omaima was born in the late 1960s and was raised in Cairo, Egypt as one of 16 children. After her parents divorce, she went with her mother to live in an impoverished part of the country. She moved to America at 18 when she married an American man, but she was divorced and working as a model …

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614. Walt Disney: The Great American Storyteller 1:10:11

2M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

How did Walt Disney come to found the company that still bears his name, and would change the world forever? How did Disney help to establish American culture as the most dominant culture in the world? And, was Mickey Mouse Walt Disney’s greatest invention? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the story behind the wonderful world of Disney, and the…

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Teresita Basa: The Voice from Beyond 1:26:52

2M ago1:26:52

1:26:52

Episode 197: Teresita Basa: The Voice from Beyond In February 1977, the 15th floor of an apartment building on the north side of Chicago filled with smoke. Neighbors called for help and firefighters arrived to the scene, where they found the smoke coming from a single apartment. Once inside, they found a mattress in flames. Once the flames were ext…

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Spartacus and Gladiators, with Mary Beard 10:28

2M ago10:28

10:28

Where did gladiatorial combat originate? Who was Spartacus, the legendary gladiator? How did he come to lead the most famous slave revolt in all Roman history? How did the rebellion unfold? And, what was Spartacus’ fate..? In the grand finale of our thrilling series on four of classical antiquity’s most notorious subjects, Tom is joined by the worl…

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From Lunch Tickets to Lawsuits: The Entrepreneur’s Journey 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, dive deep into what it really takes to survive as an entrepreneur in today’s business climate. With their guest postponed, John and Steve use the time to share real stories, legal l…