Best Rodney Perry Podcasts (2025)

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The History of Santa Claus & Christmas Culture w/ James Cooper 33:05

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3d ago33:05

33:05

It's Christmas time and this week we're resharing the original RTN Christmas Classic! Christmas expert James Cooper joins Bob and Ben to explain how Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and other Christmas traditions made their way into popular culture. He also shares stories of lesser known traditions, such as setting fire to the giant Swedish straw goat…

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#354 In Pursuit w/Anita McBride & Colleen Shogan 46:08

10d ago46:08

46:08

Anita McBride is one of the foremost experts on the legacy of American first ladies. Colleen Shogan served as the 11thArchivist of the United States. Together, they're bringing forward a new project called In Pursuit, which offers up a series of essays on Presidents and First Ladies by some of today's most accomplished historians and political lead…

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Women and Ministry with Rev. Dr. Marsha Brown-Woodard 37:37

14d ago37:37

37:37

Send us a text In this inspiring episode, Dr. Marsha Brown-Woodard shares her remarkable journey as a pastor, educator, and leader in the Church. As President of the Baptist Pastors and Ministers’ Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Director of Christian Education, and assistant pastor, Dr. Woodard brings decades of wisdom shaped by both schol…

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It's a Wonderful Life: The Story Behind America's Favorite Christmas Film w/ Eric Smoodin 1:07:56

17d ago1:07:56

1:07:56

Dr. Eric Smoodin, film historian at the University of California- Davis and author of Regarding Frank Capra: Audience, Celebrity and American Film Studies, 1930-1960, joins Bob and Ben for the history of the people, the industry, and law that made Frank Capra's 1946 film It's A Wonderful Life into one of America's quintessential Christmas films. Th…

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America's First War on Christmas w/ Bruce Carlson 52:32

24d ago52:32

52:32

On December 25, 1776, George Washington and his men celebrated their first post-Declaration of Independence Christmas by crossing a freezing river to mount a surprise attack against their enemies. The plan worked, but almost 250 years later the story of Washington crossing the Delaware might surprise you too. In this episode, RTN favorite Bruce Car…

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How John Adams Defined the Presidency w/ Lindsay Chervinsky 54:08

1M ago54:08

54:08

John Adams' single term as President has long been cast as a low point in his political career, but Lindsay Chervinsky sees it differently. "George Washington created the Presidency," she writes in her new book Making the Presidency, "but John Adams defined it." In this episode, Lindsay joins us to share why she sees Adams as a crucial figure in tr…

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Americana w/ Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell 51:55

1M ago51:55

51:55

What is Americana music? Is it a genre? A community? A refuge? Twenty four years after the founding of the Americana Music Association and thirteen years since the first Grammy was awarded for Best Americana Album, defining "Americana" remains tricky. In our experience, the most common answer has been "you know it when you hear it." However you def…

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George Liele: Pioneer Missionary from the Margins - Rodney Ragwan 18:34

1M ago18:34

18:34

Send us a text In this World Class episode, Rodney Ragwan highlights the remarkable life and legacy of George Liele (1750–1828) — a man born into slavery who became the first Baptist missionary and a pioneer of global mission long before William Carey sailed for India. Through this 25-minute reflection, Rodney explores Liele’s theology of freedom, …

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#353 The American Revolution w/ Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt 55:46

2M ago55:46

55:46

A decade after Ken Burns decided it was time to take on the American Revolution, the film is finished and premieres on your local PBS station on Sunday, November 16! In this episode, we talk with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, who directed the six-part series alongside Burns, to find out more about the stories and process that they used to const…

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#352 Wakara's America w/ Max Perry Mueller 57:58

2M ago57:58

57:58

Wakara was a Ute leader whose power stretched across western North America long before the US claimed the land on which he lived. In this episode, Max Perry Mueller joins us to discuss his new book, Wakara's America: The Life & Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West, and how a story of the west that excludes Native peoples leaves us with a…

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#351 A History of the American Bookstore w/ Evan Friss 1:02:44

2M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

America's bookstores have always been about more than just books, but the role they play in American society has changed over the years. In this episode, Evan Friss joins us for a conversation about his New York Times Bestseller, The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore (Viking, 2023), and the unique place that bookstores – and those who o…

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#350 The Pursuit of Liberty w/ Jeffrey Rosen 55:23

2M ago55:23

55:23

National Constitution Center President & CEO Jeffrey Rosen returns to the show to discuss his new book The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, and the ways that the contrasting visions of the founders live on in our political debates today. Make sure to check out the National Constitution…

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Gen Z and Digital Discipleship with Rev. Sali Emmanuel Vemarathnam 47:06

2M ago47:06

47:06

Send us a text In this episode of World Class, I sit down with Rev. Sali Emmanuel Vemarathnam for an engaging conversation on Gen Z and Digital Discipleship. Together, we explore how today’s generation is navigating faith in a digital age—where screens, social media, and instant connectivity shape identity and community. Rev. Sali brings deep insig…

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#349 Teaching History Roundtable 53:35

2M ago53:35

53:35

Teaching history to a middle schooler is a very different task than teaching a university student, but those doing the teaching have a lot in common (and could probably learn a lot from each other). In this episode, recorded as part of a live event sponsored by the Tennessee Council for History Education, Ben is joined by his MTSU colleague (and fr…

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#348 Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer w/ Jake Tapper 58:21

3M ago58:21

58:21

The War on Terror that followed the 9/11 attacks took place on battlefields across the globe, but it also took place in our legal system. In this episode, CNN's Jake Tapper joins us to discuss his new book, Race Against Terror: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever War, and how dedicated public servants saved countless lives by brin…

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An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War w/ Robert K.D. Colby 1:03:48

3M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

The American Civil War and the end of slavery in the US may seem like one and the same from our modern perspective, but for those living through the conflict, the abolition of human bondage was anything but certain. Even into the last days of the war, slave traders in Confederate-held cities continued to auction off human beings, realizing handsome…

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NextGen Voices: Faith in Action Across the Globe 1:10:42

3M ago1:10:42

1:10:42

Send us a text In this special episode of World Class, I sit down with Gen Z leaders from South Africa, India, Australia, the USA, and the UK to hear their stories of faith, ministry, and making an impact in their communities. These young voices share how they navigate challenges and live out their calling in diverse cultural contexts. I also had t…

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#347 A Graphic History of the Civil War w/ Andrew Fialka & Anderson Carmen 53:43

3M ago53:43

53:43

Guerilla violence in the American Civil War was once considered a fringe topic of study, but the scale of the violence and its impact on society had a tremendous impact on the US during and after the conflict. In this episode, we speak with historian Andrew Fialka and illustrator Anderson Carmen about their new book, Hope Never to See It: A Graphic…

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#346 A Forgotten History of Chinese Life in the United States w/ Beth Lew-Williams 56:49

3M ago56:49

56:49

Chinese immigrants helped establish America's foothold on the western coast, yet few of us know what life looked like for those Chinese people who came to live in the US. In this episode, Beth Lew-Williams joins us to discuss her new book, John Doe Chinaman: A Forgotten History of Chinese Life Under American Racial Law, which blends extensive archi…

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#345 How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong w/ David J. Lynch 57:45

4M ago57:45

57:45

Washington Post Global Economics Correspondent David J. Lynch joins Ben & Bob for a discussion about his new book The World's Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong (and What Would Make it Right) (Public Affairs, 2025). David has a unique perspective on globalization; first as a journalist who has spent the last four decades covering th…

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Nicene Faith – Towards a Contemporary Reformed Reading - Dr. J. Jayakiran Sebastian 1:10:01

4M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

Send us a text In this episode of World Class, Dr. J. Jayakiran Sebastian joins us to reflect on his article “Nicene Faith – Towards a Contemporary Reformed Reading.” Together, we revisit the Council of Nicaea—1700 years ago—and explore why it still matters for the church today. From empire and power shaping theology in the 4th century to the ongoi…

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How the American Dream Became Temporary w/ Louis Hyman 46:35

4M ago46:35

46:35

It's Labor Day, so we're sharing one of our favorite conversations on the history of labor in the US- our 2018 conversation with Louis Hyman on his book Temp: The Real Story of What Happened to Your Salary, Benefits & Job Security. We hope you have a great holiday! This episode originally aired as episode 103 on August 18, 2018. This rebroadcast wa…

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#344 The Last Forty Years of American Politics w/ Joe Lockhart 59:55

4M ago59:55

59:55

Joe Lockhart served as White House Press Secretary for President Bill Clinton from 1998-2000, and played central roles in Presidential campaigns from Walter Mondale to John Kerry. In this episode, Joe joins us to recap how the political landscape has changed since the 1980s and the paths that Democrats might pursue in their efforts to escape the po…

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Mourning the Presidents w/ Lindsay Chervinsky 1:00:11

4M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

A Presidency is defined by the decisions that a person makes while serving as Executive, but a Presidential legacy is about much more than that. In Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture, (UVA Press, 2023)Lindsay Chervinsky and Matthew Costello have brought together a collection of chapters that explore the ways that mourning …

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From Refugee to Missionary: A Journey of Grace and Gritt - Yuree Lembke 1:00:30

4M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Send us a text Yuree Lembke’s From Refugee to Missionary: A Journey of Grace and Grit traces her remarkable path from childhood in Burma, through the hardships of life as a refugee in Thailand, to becoming a missionary. She shares vivid memories of growing up amid political unrest, facing hunger, limited education, and uncertainty as a refugee. Thr…

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Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for a Nation w/ Peter Stark 1:06:12

5M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

The war between the US Army and the Native American confederation during the war of 1812 is a buried story in an often-overlooked event, yet its impact on the history of North America is profound. The leading figures on both sides of the war, Shawnee Chief Tecumseh and US Army General William Henry Harrison, had come of age in the struggles over wh…

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#343 Affordable Housing in Urban America w/ Tom Hanchett 57:57

5M ago57:57

57:57

The affordable housing shortage in many American cities is making urban life more difficult for all of us. But the problem of housing is not a new one, and history has some valuable lessons for those looking for solutions. In this episode, historian Tom Hanchett joins us to talk about his new book, Affordable Housing in Charlotte: What One City's H…

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Season 2: Legacy, Law, and Living Faith - Ashalia Rangiah 31:25

5M ago31:25

31:25

Send us a text In this Season 2 premiere of World Class: Listening. Learning. Living., I sit down with Ashalia Rangiah, a dynamic South African attorney, advocate for justice, and great-great-granddaughter of the pioneering Indian Christian leader, Rev. John Rangiah. In this wide-ranging conversation, Ashalia reflects on the legacy of her forebear,…

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The American Buffalo w/ Dayton Duncan 52:09

5M ago52:09

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In the late 18th century, tens of millions of buffalo lived in North America. By the mid-1880s, they were on the brink of extinction. For the white settlers who sought to "conquer" the American west, and the Native people whose way of life depended on them, the plight of the American Buffalo was more than a story of one species of animal. As Dayton…

Rodney Perry Podcasts

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the Rodney Perry podcast

the Rodney Perry podcast

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World Class - Listening. Learning. Living

Rodney Ragwan

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The Road to Now

RTN Productions

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Urban Legends with the Ghost Brothers

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The History of Santa Claus & Christmas Culture w/ James Cooper 33:05

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#354 In Pursuit w/Anita McBride & Colleen Shogan 46:08

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Women and Ministry with Rev. Dr. Marsha Brown-Woodard 37:37

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It's a Wonderful Life: The Story Behind America's Favorite Christmas Film w/ Eric Smoodin 1:07:56

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America's First War on Christmas w/ Bruce Carlson 52:32

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How John Adams Defined the Presidency w/ Lindsay Chervinsky 54:08

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Americana w/ Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell 51:55

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George Liele: Pioneer Missionary from the Margins - Rodney Ragwan 18:34

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#353 The American Revolution w/ Sarah Botstein & David Schmidt 55:46

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#352 Wakara's America w/ Max Perry Mueller 57:58

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#351 A History of the American Bookstore w/ Evan Friss 1:02:44

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#350 The Pursuit of Liberty w/ Jeffrey Rosen 55:23

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Gen Z and Digital Discipleship with Rev. Sali Emmanuel Vemarathnam 47:06

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#349 Teaching History Roundtable 53:35

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#348 Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer w/ Jake Tapper 58:21

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An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War w/ Robert K.D. Colby 1:03:48

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NextGen Voices: Faith in Action Across the Globe 1:10:42

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#347 A Graphic History of the Civil War w/ Andrew Fialka & Anderson Carmen 53:43

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#346 A Forgotten History of Chinese Life in the United States w/ Beth Lew-Williams 56:49

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#345 How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong w/ David J. Lynch 57:45

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Nicene Faith – Towards a Contemporary Reformed Reading - Dr. J. Jayakiran Sebastian 1:10:01

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How the American Dream Became Temporary w/ Louis Hyman 46:35

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#344 The Last Forty Years of American Politics w/ Joe Lockhart 59:55

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Mourning the Presidents w/ Lindsay Chervinsky 1:00:11

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From Refugee to Missionary: A Journey of Grace and Gritt - Yuree Lembke 1:00:30

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Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for a Nation w/ Peter Stark 1:06:12

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#343 Affordable Housing in Urban America w/ Tom Hanchett 57:57

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Season 2: Legacy, Law, and Living Faith - Ashalia Rangiah 31:25

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The American Buffalo w/ Dayton Duncan 52:09