Best Rhinelander Podcasts (2025)

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187: From the Rhineland to Poland (1935–1939): Annexation, Appeasement, & the Start of World War II 1:08:46

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17d ago1:08:46

1:08:46

“A great war can hardly be avoided any longer.” This is the story of Nazi Germany’s aggressive territorial expansion and the start of WWII. The Treaty of Versailles has long been a thorn in Adolf Hitler’s side. Its troublesome limits on troops and technology pose challenges for a man bent on taking lebensraum and building a Grossdeuschland by any m…

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188: World War II in Europe & The American Response (1939–40): Isolationism vs. Arsenal of Democracy 1:08:05

3d ago1:08:05

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“I have said not once but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war. … I hope the United States will keep out of this war. I believe that it will.” This is the story of the first year of WWII in the European theater and the United States’ response. Since the days of President George Washington, the United States has largely held to George…

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#92 Retrospective: High Medieval Cologne and the Rise of the Citizenry 33:33

2d ago33:33

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From the archbishop’s rule to the rise of civic power in the Middle Ages In this retrospective episode, we explore how medieval Cologne’s citizens gradually challenged the authority of their archbishops, built their own institutions, and laid the foundations for urban independence in the High Middle Ages. Homepage: http://thehistoryofcologne.com/ S…

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654a Best of Bulgaria; Traveling with Disabilities; Chasing the Sun 52:00

5d ago52:00

52:00

Two tour guides from Sofia explain why Bulgaria is one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations (hint: it has a long, fascinating history — and bargain prices). Author Francine Falk-Allen shares know-how and insights for traveling with a physical disability. And author Richard Cohen describes the varied ways human cultures have long celebrat…

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Strange Country Ep. 303: It's Britney, Bitch 1:01:54

6d ago1:01:54

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It’s Strange Country, bitch. Yes, we’re back. Has anything happened? Likely no. In today’s episode cohosts Beth and Kelly tackle the conservatorship saga of pop icon Britney Spears and how gross people were to her much of her life. Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands Cite your sources: Aswad, Jem. “Britney Spears: Full Court Transcrip…

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805 Italy Side-Trip Towns; Overnight; Enjoying Mexico City 52:00

11d ago52:00

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Who's afraid of the dark? Adventurer Dan Richards shines a gentle light on what goes on in our world after sunset. Then an Italy tour guide looks beyond the crowds of Florence, Venice, and Rome to share her favorite side trips that are worth the diversion. And a Mexico City guide clues us in on the multicultural neighborhoods and cosmopolitan vibe …

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The "Spymaster of Los Angeles" and his northern Wisconsin beginnings 3:22

14d ago3:22

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From the iron hills of Hurley, Wisconsin, came a man who waged war not with weapons, but with secrets. Leon Lawrence Lewis, born in Hurley in 1888 to German Jewish immigrants, would one day be called the “spymaster of Los Angeles.”By Kerry Bloedorn

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804 Favorite Hot Springs in Europe; Walk Around the World 52:00

18d ago52:00

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A photojournalist lets us in on her favorite European hot springs to visit, from Iceland to Turkey and points in between. And a man who spent seven years traversing the globe on foot — with his faithful pup alongside him — describes how his adventure helped him learn to embrace the now. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including ep…

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803 Ohio's Ancient Trails; Safeguarding Heritage Sites; How to Land a Plane 52:00

25d ago52:00

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Learn about the Ancient Ohio Trail and its cluster of mysterious geometric earthworks left behind by pre-Columbian mound-builder cultures. Then get an inside look at the World Monuments Fund's biennial selection of endangered archaeological and cultural sites, whose preservation is vital to our heritage. And what goes up, must come down: Pilot Mark…

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186: From Czardom to Stalinism: Building the USSR & the Ascent of Joseph Stalin 1:06:39

1M ago1:06:39

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“Comrade Stalin, now that he is general secretary, has concentrated immense power in his hands, and I am not sure whether he will always be capable of exercising this power with sufficient caution.” This is the story of Joseph Stalin’s path to becoming the dictator of the USSR. Ioseb (Joseph) Jughashvili, or little “Soso,” is a good student. A choi…

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718a Pastas You Should Know; In Sardinia; Gelato 52:00

1M ago52:00

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Italian food expert Fred Plotkin describes some of the unusual varieties of pasta that you can find in Italy — and the reason behind their different shapes. Historian Jeff Biggers explores the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, where sites dating back to the Bronze Age are found across the island. And tour guides from Tuscany and Sicily bring us the…

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802 Ladies of the Louvre; The Roma; American Expats 52:00

1M ago52:00

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Author Elaine Sciolino gives us the history behind the famous women — both artists and subjects — to visit in Paris' grand repository. Then a Romani author shares what it was like growing up in her culture as we trace the lineage and influence of the vibrant Romani people. And the well-traveled Paul Theroux provides aspiring expats a realistic asse…

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Rhinelander’s Wartime Map Paper 2:50

1M ago2:50

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Rhinelander Paper Company, quietly played a vital role in getting our troops the tools they needed to fight and winBy Kerry Bloedorn

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#91 From a Dance in the Streets to Chaos at the City Walls in 1265 40:04

1M ago40:04

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Cologne, 1265 — a city under siege, its streets brimming with unrest and uneasy alliances. When political grudges spill over into the night, strange visions, whispered plots, and a deadly dance leave their mark on the medieval metropolis. In this episode, we follow archbishop Engelbert von Falkenburg who can’t stop picking fights, a city that won’t…

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185: The Early Holocaust: From the “Jewish Question” to Kristallnacht 1:08:59

1M ago1:08:59

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“Being a Jew is not a crime, I am not a dog.” This is the story of the start of the Holocaust. Serving as the scapegoat for everything from a disappearing child to the Black Plague, European Jews are used to “anti-Jewry.” But as the nation state rises in the modern world, it brings the so-called “Jewish Question” to the fore: can one be a faithful …

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801 Museum Matters with Mary Beard; Fascinating Museums; Soul of South Korea 52:00

2M ago52:00

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Beloved English classics scholar Dame Mary Beard offers wisdom on how to tackle the vast collection of the British Museum, and ponders the ethics and responsibility of retaining the cultural antiquities of other lands. Then a cartoonist shares his love of museums and how they transform us by illustrating memorable moments at his favorites across No…

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The Unlikely Union: New Tour Dates 7:53

2M ago7:53

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Professor Greg Jackson is touring the country with a live version of the podcast telling the story of The Unlikely Union of American states. Starting Sep 19, 2025 through July 4, 2026, you can hear the Professor history-tell in person, with video and live musicians. It’s not recorded for the podcast so get your tickets now at ⁠HTDSpodcast.com/live-…

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Strange Country Ep. 302: Candy Darling 54:12

2M ago54:12

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We all know that women and men are monoliths, right? Women like shoes and the government controlling their bodies; men like muscled-up NFTs of Donald Trump and bench-pressing bitcoin. But what if people aren’t on this straight black-and-white binary? Candy Darling, born James Slattery, defied societal expectations and chose to live her life as a su…

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800 British Pub Grub; Travel on $75 a Day; Holland 52:00

2M ago52:00

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Spotted Dick, Eton Mess, Ploughman's Lunch: Two British guides decode the best of England's pub food and explain how far it's come since the days of soggy chips and limp sausages. Then a travel blogger shares tips for exploring the world without breaking the bank. And a pair of Dutch guides illuminate the differences between the fairy-tale province…

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184: The Rise of Adolf Hitler: From Failure to Führer of Nazi Germany or the Third Reich 1:07:14

2M ago1:07:14

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“There will be no more mercy now; anyone who stands in our way will be butchered.” This is the story of Adolf Hitler and the collapse of the Weimar Republic. A dropout. A failed applicant to Vienna’s prestigious Academy of Fine Arts. A decorated but low-ranking soldier who attempts to overthrow the state and is convicted of treason. But only a deca…

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799 Irish Oddities; Viking Sights; Cycling the Silk Road 52:00

2M ago52:00

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Meet an Irishman who scours the Emerald Isle to report on oddities and lesser-known facets of his country's culture. Then learn about the lasting impact of the Viking era in Norway and where to observe it on your next visit. And hear what it's like to bicycle 10,000 miles along the old Silk Road, from Turkey to Tibet. For more information on Travel…

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Strange Country Ep. 301: Dr. Feelgood 57:22

2M ago57:22

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What do you do when you need a little pick-me-up? Exercise? Drink some coffee? Laugh uproariously at Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly? For some, like politicians and celebs that didn’t cut it so instead they went to Dr. Max Jacobson to get a concoction of vitamins, monkey gonads and amphetamines injected into their necks and arms. Jacobson, k…

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#90 Broken Promises - Engelbert II von Falkenburg's War on His Own City 28:48

2M ago28:48

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In 1263, Cologne stood at a crossroads — again. Just a year after forcing Archbishop Engelbert II von Falkenburg into a peace agreement, the city found itself betrayed. Oaths had been made, sealed, and sworn before God. But behind the scenes, the archbishop plotted revenge — aided by papal absolution and secret plans to arrest the city’s leaders. H…

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670a Weekend in Brussels; The Temporary European; My Town 52:00

2M ago52:00

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A Brussels-based tour guide offers his recommendations for making the most of a weekend in the Belgian capital. Then one of Rick's co-authors joins us to explore what it means to become a "temporary local" when traveling, and how it can help you actually relax on your next vacation. And listeners share ideas for enjoying areas they know well, as lo…

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183: The Origin of Fascism: “Il Duce” Benito Mussolini & the Rise of Fascist Italy 1:10:40

2M ago1:10:40

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“Italy, Gentlemen, wants peace, wants quiet, wants work, wants calm; we will give it with love, if that be possible, or with strength, if that be necessary.” This is the story of Italy’s Benito Mussolini’s creation of fascism and rise to power in interwar Italy. Benito starts life the way his father intended—as a socialist—and the often moving, you…

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798 France, North vs. South; Streets of Paris; Loire Valley Chateâu Country 52:00

2M ago52:00

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A trio of Rick's tour guides banter about the nuances of northern and southern France, from climate and demeanor to food and fashion. Then author Susan Cahill describes how wandering the streets of Paris brings to life the stories of the city's artists, writers, and historical figures. And an expert offers recommendations for enjoying the elegant c…

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Strange Country Ep. 300: Streaking 41:54

3M ago41:54

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Dear Dashhounds, have you lost the ability to handle all the things? Enough that you are thinking about bringing back the streaking fad of the 70s? Before you get all hot and bothered and start taking off your clothes in front of strangers, listen to this Strange Country episode #300 about where streaking in ‘Merica originated. If you thought it wa…

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797 Kayaking Manhattan; The Wild Mississippi; Happy Travels 52:00

3M ago52:00

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Journalist Eliot Stein takes us along on the unique adventure of kayaking the perimeter of Manhattan Island and observes some of the pockets of nature that persist within New York's concrete jungle. Then a midwestern author shares his lifelong passion for the Mississippi River and delves into the recreational, ecological, and spiritual facets of Am…

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Rhinelander’s Boom Lake Boat Races 4:26

3M ago4:26

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There was a time when Boom Lake in Rhinelander wasn’t just a quiet, scenic waterway, it was a Northwoods’ racetrack.By Kerry Bloedorn

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182: A Prologue to World War II: US Army Interwar Preparation 45:50

3M ago45:50

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This is the story of interwar preparation–not that the United States realized it was preparing for World War II, new technologies, innovation, and a constant pushing of the limits in the 1930s did indeed help Uncle Sam prepare for the fight to come. To get us into an interwar mindset of praying for peace while preparing for war, Professor Jackson t…