Best Matt Di Francesco Podcasts (2025)

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Jeremy Swist, "Julian Augustus: Platonism, Myth and the Refounding of Rome" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:29:40

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5d ago1:29:40

1:29:40

The Roman emperor Julian (r. 361-363 CE) was a man of action and of letters, which he employed in an effort to return the Empire to the light of the pagan gods, and reverse the Christianization of the empire advanced by his uncle Constantine and the sons of Constantine. This enterprise was inspired and guided by his conversion to the Neoplatonic ph…

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Selena Daly, "Emigrant Soldiers: Mobilising Italians Abroad in the First World War" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 1:03:32

8d ago1:03:32

1:03:32

During the First World War, over 300,000 Italian emigrants returned to Italy from around the world to perform their conscripted military service, a mass mobilisation which was a uniquely Italian phenomenon. But what happened to these men following their arrival and once the war had ended? In Emigrant Soldiers: Mobilising Italians Abroad in the Firs…

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119. ADAS Calibrations Done Right: The Lightning Auto Service Approach with John Voulgarakis 33:32

9d ago33:32

33:32

The collision repair industry is evolving fast—ADAS technology, OEM compliance, and rising safety standards are reshaping how vehicles are repaired and calibrated. But as complexity grows, efficiency and trust have never been more important. In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco talks with John Voulgarakis, co-founder of Lightning Auto Service, about h…

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Lorenzo Castellani, "Alberto Beneduce, Mussolini's Technocrat: Power, Knowledge, and Institutions in Fascist Italy" (Routledge, 2025) 47:27

14d ago47:27

47:27

Should "good" people work for authoritarians? Does their implicit endorsement do more harm than their replacement by someone potentially worse? This was a common debate during Donald Trump's first term in the White House. Less so, during his second as loyalists assume most top positions in the administration. A century ago, this was a central quest…

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Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio, "Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards" (Brepols, 2025) 54:54

15d ago54:54

54:54

Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards (Brepols, 2025) by Dr. Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio focuses on enormous amounts of sculptures moved from Italy to Spain from ca. 1500-1750. An analysis of an important body of unpublished archival documentation regarding the practical issues involved in making and tr…

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Justin Stover and George Woudhuysen, "The Lost History of Sextus Aurelius Victor" (Edinburgh UP, 2023) 1:26:32

19d ago1:26:32

1:26:32

This book rediscovers a lost history of the Roman Empire, written by Sextus Aurelius Victor (ca. 320-390) and demonstrates for the first time both the contemporary and lasting influence of his historical work. Though little regarded today, Victor is the best-attested historian of the later Roman Empire, read by Jerome and Ammianus, honoured with a …

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118. Raising Repair Standards and Shaping the Future with Frank Phillips 33:47

23d ago33:47

33:47

The collision repair industry is transforming—advanced technology, connected cars, and electric vehicles are redefining what it means to “fix it right.” But as the industry evolves, raising repair standards and collaboration remain essential. In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco talks with Frank Phillips, a 35-year industry veteran with experience at …

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Matt Myers, "The Halted March of the European Left: The Working Class in Britain, France, and Italy, 1968-1989" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:13:03

1M ago1:13:03

1:13:03

The European left seemed to be in rude health during the 1970s. Never had so many political parties committed to representing the working class been in power simultaneously across the continent. New forms of mobilisation led by female, immigrant, and young wage-earners seemed to reflect the growing strength of the workers' movement rather than its …

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Francesco Buscemi, "Pasta, Pizza and Propaganda: A Political History of Italian Food TV" (Intellect, 2022) 54:40

1M ago54:40

54:40

The three protagonists of Pasta, Pizza and Propaganda: A Political History of Italian Food TV (Intellect, 2022) are food, television and politics. These are the three main characters that interrelate, collaborate and fight behind the scenes, while in front of the camera the writers, intellectuals and celebrity chefs talk about, prepare or taste the…

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117. Why You Need an Advisor as Conductor of Your Financial Life 16:01

1M ago16:01

16:01

Most shop owners have a CPA, an attorney, and maybe a financial advisor—but without a conductor, progress stalls. That’s why you need someone to act as the conductor, bringing all the pieces together. In this episode, Matt Di Francesco shares how the right advisor can quarterback the process, providing emotional guidance, holistic oversight, strate…

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116. Leadership, Neurochemistry, and Life Beyond the Shop with John Stuef 29:13

2M ago29:13

29:13

The collision industry has evolved from handwritten estimates to automation, but one thing remains constant—people. In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco talks with John Stuef, a 40-year industry veteran, about what decades in business taught him about leadership, human behavior, and motivation. John shares how neurochemistry shapes culture, why balanc…

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115. 5 Important Things You Need To Know About Conference Season 13:19

2M ago13:19

13:19

Going to industry conferences can be one of the most valuable investments you make in your shop’s future. Stepping away during the busy season might feel impossible, but the connections, insights, and strategies you gain at these events often pay dividends long after you return home. In this episode, Matt Di Francesco breaks down why events like th…

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114. Emotional Challenges of Transitioning Your Shop 10:45

3M ago10:45

10:45

Most shop owners spend years building their business—but when it’s time to exit, many are caught off guard by the emotional toll of letting go. In fact, 75% of owners regret their decision within a year, often due to a loss of identity and a lack of purpose after the exit. In this episode, Matt Di Francesco explores the emotional challenges of tran…

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Raffale Bedarida, "Corrado Cagli: Transatlantic Bridges (1938-1947" (Centro Primo Levi, 2023) 1:52:42

3M ago1:52:42

1:52:42

As a Jewish and openly gay artist, Cagli became the target of virulent attacks, especially after Italy promulgated its racial laws in 1938. In response to these hostile conditions, Cagli chose to leave his homeland and seek refuge in the United States. In America, he became an influential figure within the New York émigré artistic scene. He found c…

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Federico Marcon, "Fascism: The History of a Word" (U Chicago Press, 2025) 1:34:03

3M ago1:34:03

1:34:03

The rise and popular support for authoritarianism around the world and within traditional democracies have spurred debates over the meaning of the term “fascist” and when and whether it is appropriate to use it. The landmark study Fascism: The History of a Word (The University of Chicago Press, 2025) takes this debate further by tackling its most f…

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Robert Morstein-Marx, "Julius Caesar and the Roman People" (Cambridge UP, 2021) 1:27:12

3M ago1:27:12

1:27:12

Julius Caesar was no aspiring autocrat seeking to realize the imperial future but an unusually successful republican leader who was measured against the Republic's traditions and its greatest heroes of the past. Catastrophe befell Rome not because Caesar (or anyone else) turned against the Republic, its norms, and institutions, but because Caesar's…

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113. Revolutionizing Tech Support in the Collision Industry with Jason Bartanen 32:27

3M ago32:27

32:27

echnicians are the heartbeat of the collision repair industry, but they’re often underserved when it comes to education, support, and long-term growth. As the demand for skilled labor rises, the need to invest in technician development has never been more urgent. In this episode, Matt Di Francesco talks with Jason Bartanen, founder of Collision Pro…

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Victoria de Grazia, "The Perfect Fascist: A Story of Love, Power, and Morality in Mussolini’s Italy" (Harvard UP, 2020) 1:04:20

3M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

In her new book, The Perfect Fascist: A Story of Love, Power, and Morality in Mussolini’s Italy (Belknap Press), Dr. Victoria de Grazia takes the story of Attilio Teruzzi and explores the social history of fascism. When Attilio Teruzzi, Mussolini’s handsome political enforcer, married a rising young American opera star, his good fortune seemed sett…

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Ignacio G. Galán, "Furnishing Fascism: Modernist Design and Politics in Italy" (U Minnesota Press, 2025) 54:53

4M ago54:53

54:53

Along with the rise of Mussolini’s fascist regime, the interwar years in Italy also saw the widespread development of its modernist interior design and furnishing practices. While the regime’s politics were overtly manifest in monumental government architecture, Furnishing Fascism: Modernist Design and Politics in Italy (University of Minnesota Pre…

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Samuel Kline Cohn, "Popular Protest and Ideals of Democracy in Late Renaissance Italy" (Oxford UP, 2022) 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

Samuel K Cohn, Jr. joins Jana Byars to talk about Popular Protest and the Ideals of Democracy in Late Renaissance Italy (Oxford University Press, 2025). This work, now out in paper, is the first study to analyse popular protest across the Italian peninsula and the Venetian colonies during the early modern period, 1494 to 1559. Drawing on over 100 c…

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112. Exploring the Benefits and Complexities of ESOPs for Collision Shop Owners with Steven Golden 32:07

4M ago32:07

32:07

Collision shop owners exploring succession planning are hearing more about ESOPs—and for good reason. These employee stock ownership plans offer a unique way to create liquidity while keeping the business intact and rewarding the team that helped build it. In this episode, Matt Di Francesco sits down with Steven Golden, ESOP expert and managing dir…

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Bernd Roeck, "The World at First Light: A New History of the Renaissance" (Princeton UP, 2025) 52:00

4M ago52:00

52:00

Today I’m speaking with Bernd Roeck about his book, The World at First Light: A New History of the Renaissance (Princeton University Press, 2025). Bernd is professor of modern history at the University of Zurich and director of the German Centre for Venetian Studies in Venice. Translated by Patrick Baker, The World at First Light is a truly magiste…

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Stefanie Lenk, "Roman Identity and Lived Religion: Baptismal Art in Late Antiquity" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 44:01

5M ago44:01

44:01

Christianity is often considered prevalent when it comes to defining the key values of late antique society, whereas 'feeling connected to the Roman past' is commonly regarded as an add-on for cultivated elites. Roman Identity and Lived Religion: Baptismal Art in Late Antiquity (Cambridge UP, 2025) demonstrates the significant impact of popular Rom…

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111. Challenges and Solutions for Internal Transfer 12:48

5M ago12:48

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Internal transfer of a business might seem like the ideal way to keep your legacy alive—but without a clear plan and the right guidance, things often fall apart. In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco explores one of the most overlooked — and often misunderstood — succession strategies: the internal transfer. Whether to family members or key employees, …

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Camilla Annerfeldt, "Clothing and Identity in Early Modern Rome" (Bloomsbury, 2025) 29:22

5M ago29:22

29:22

Camilla Annerfeldt joins to discuss Clothing and Identity in Early Modern Rome (Bloomsbury, 2025). This is the first book-length exploration of the clothes worn in early modern Rome and provides novel insights into the city of Rome during one of its most fascinating periods. It also challenges the notion – well-established in dress historical resea…

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110. Beyond Wrenches: How ADAS and Advanced Systems Are Reshaping Auto Repair with Pam Oakes 31:05

6M ago31:05

31:05

Repair shop owners today face a new kind of complexity: how to keep up with rapidly advancing vehicle technology without falling behind in training, tools, or talent. As modern vehicles become “computers on wheels,” the pressure to repair them properly is growing. Systems like ADAS and interconnected sensors demand up-to-date knowledge and precise …

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Anna Wainwright, "Widow City: Gender, Emotion, and Community in the Italian Renaissance" (U Delaware Press, 2025) 53:11

6M ago53:11

53:11

Widow City: Gender, Emotion, and Community in Renaissance Italy (University of Delaware Press, 2025) investigates the ever-evolving role of the widow in medieval and early modern Italian literature, from canonical authors such as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, to the numerous widowed writers who rose to prominence in the sixteenth century—includin…

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Miles Pattenden, "Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700" (Oxford UP, 2017) 52:19

6M ago52:19

52:19

Jana Byars talks to Miles Pattenden about his book, Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700 (Oxford UP, 2017), just about to be released in paperback. This study offers a radical reassessment of the history of early modern papacy, constructed through the first major analytical treatment of papal elections in English. Papal elections, wit…

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109. DIY Exit Planning: Why They Fail 14:25

6M ago14:25

14:25

DIY exit planning is a path many independent collision shop owners take—especially when they’re looking to sell to key employees or keep the transition “in-house.” But without the right structure and support, these plans often stall out or fall apart entirely, leaving owners frustrated and without the outcome they hoped for. In this episode, Matt D…

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Cam Grey, "Living with Risk in the Late Roman World" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2025) 1:11:26

6M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Living With Risk in the Late Roman World (U Pennsylvania Press, 2025)explores the ever-present experiences of risk that characterized the daily existence of individuals, communities, and societies in the late Roman world (late third century CE through mid-sixth century CE). Recognizing the vital role of human agency, author Cam Grey bases his argum…

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Annalisa Marzano, "Plants, Politics and Empire in Ancient Rome" (Cambridge UP. 2022) 47:23

6M ago47:23

47:23

Plants, Politics and Empire in Ancient Rome (Cambridge University Press, 2022) by Dr. Annalisa Marzano investigates the cultural and political dimension of Roman arboriculture and the associated movement of plants from one corner of the empire to the other. It uses the convergent perspectives offered by textual and archaeological sources to sketch …

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Eleanor Paynter, "Emergency in Transit: Witnessing Migration in the Colonial Present" (U California Press, 2024) 52:38

6M ago52:38

52:38

Emergency in Transit: Witnessing Migration in the Colonial Present (University of California Press, 2024) by Dr. Eleanor Paynter responds to the crisis framings that dominate migration debates in the global north. This capacious, interdisciplinary open-access study reformulates Europe's so-called "migrant crisis" from a sudden disaster to a site of…

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Giorgio Bertellini, "The Divo and the Duce: Promoting Film Stardom and the Political Leadership in 1920s America" (U California Press, 2019) 58:48

6M ago58:48

58:48

In 1927, the Hollywood stars (and spouses), Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr stood outside their California home, arms raised in fascist salute. The photo’s caption, referencing the couple’s trip to Rome the previous year, informs fans that the couple “greet guests at their beach camp in true Italian style.” How did “America’s sweetheart” an…

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Fernanda Gallo, "Hegel and Italian Political Thought: The Practice of Ideas, 1832-1900" (Cambridge UP, 2024) 46:06

7M ago46:06

46:06

Political Theorist Fernanda Gallo (Homerton College, University of Cambridge) has a fascinating new book, Hegel and Italian Political Thought: The Practice of Ideas, 1832-1900 (Cambridge UP, 2024), about how Georg Hegel’s philosophical thought made its way to Italy and how it was integrated into the various schools of thought within Italy. This is …

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108. ESOPs Unpacked: A Smart Exit Strategy for Business Owners with Kelly Finnell 33:39

7M ago33:39

33:39

Business owners planning their next chapter often face a tough decision: how to exit without compromising their legacy or selling to private equity. As baby boomers age out of ownership, many are turning to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for their unique blend of liquidity, tax benefits, and cultural continuity. Yet, understanding the mecha…

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Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, "The Idea of the City in Late Antiquity: A Study in Resilience" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 1:12:19

7M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

The city was one of the central and defining features of the world of the Greek and Roman Mediterranean. Challenging the idea that the ancient city 'declined and fell', Andrew Wallace-Hadrill argues that memories of the past enabled cities to adapt and remain relevant in the changing post-Roman world. In the new kingdoms in Italy, France and Spain …

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107. Life After the Shop: Answering Key Questions From The Northeast Conference 12:39

7M ago12:39

12:39

Planning for life after shop ownership is something many independent collision shop owners overlook—until they’re already in the process of selling. But without a clear vision, the transition can be overwhelming and leave former owners wondering, “What’s next?” In this episode, Matt DiFrancesco shares insights from the Northeast Conference, where h…

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Enrico Fink, ed., "Shirat Hayam: The Song of the Sea" (Centro Primo Levi, 2023) 1:06:31

7M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Curated by Enrico Fink, Shirat Hayam: The Song of the Sea (Centro Primo Levi, 2023) inaugurates the Erna Finci Viterbi Chàzanut Roundtable, a workshop and program series on Italian Jewish music and liturgy established by Centro Primo Levi in memory of a dear friend and board member whose love for tradition and dedication to learning have profoundly…

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Stephen J. Campbell, "Leonardo da Vinci: An Untraceable Life" (Princeton UP, 2025) 44:44

7M ago44:44

44:44

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) never signed a painting, and none of his supposed self-portraits can be securely ascribed to his hand. He revealed next to nothing about his life in his extensive writings, yet countless pages have been written about him that assign him an identity: genius, entrepreneur, celebrity artist, outsider. Addressing the ethic…

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Loretta Vandi, "Eufrasia Burlamacchi" (Getty Publications, 2025) 45:13

7M ago45:13

45:13

Eufrasia Burlamacchi (Getty Publications, 2025) by Dr. Loretta Vandi is a timely exploration of the skilful illuminated manuscripts of Sister Eufrasia Burlamacchi (1478–1548) demonstrates her artistry within this sometime neglected artistic medium. Within the convent walls of San Domenico in Lucca where she lived and worked, Burlamacchi attained hi…

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Roland Mayer, "The Ruins of Rome: A Cultural History" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 1:13:30

7M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

The beguiling ruins of Rome have a long history of allure. They first engaged the attention of later mediaeval tourists, just as they do today. The interest of travellers was captured in the Renaissance by artists, architects, topographers, antiquarians, archaeologists and writers. Once the ruins were seen to appeal to visitors, and to matter for t…

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Lingua Napoletana and Language Oppression 38:07

7M ago38:07

38:07

Have you ever heard of Lingua Napoletana or Neapolitan, the language of Naples? In this episode of the Language on the Move Podcast, Tazin Abdullah speaks to Massimiliano Canzanella, a Neapolitan language activist. The conversation delves into the history of the Neapolitan language and the interplay of culture, race, and national identity that have…

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106. Addressing the Talent Gap in Collision Repair with Brandon Eckenrode 24:58

8M ago24:58

24:58

Attracting and retaining talent is a persistent challenge in the collision repair industry, and industry engagement plays a critical role in overcoming this issue. The struggle to find skilled technicians and support technical education programs leaves many shop owners feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to bridge the workforce gap. Without a ste…

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Chiara Faggella, "Becoming Couture: The Italian Fashion Industry after the Second World War" (Manchester UP, 2024) 45:01

8M ago45:01

45:01

Becoming couture: The Italian fashion industry after the Second World War (Manchester University Press, 2024) by Dr. Chiara Faggella is the first book to examine the history of the Italian fashion industry during the global transition brought about by the Second World War. It draws on a wide range of primary sources, some of them newly unearthed, t…

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Melissa Vise, "The Unruly Tongue: Speech and Violence in Medieval Italy" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2025) 50:05

8M ago50:05

50:05

The Unruly Tongue: Speech and Violence in Medieval Italy (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2025) by Dr. Melissa Vise, offers a new account of how the power of words changed in Western thought. Despite the association of freedom of speech with the political revolutions of the eighteenth century that ushered in the era of modern democracies, Dr. Vis…

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Exploring Muslim Sicily with Nuha Alshaar and Shainool Jiwa 53:00

8M ago53:00

53:00

In this episode Saeed Khan and Hizer Mir take a trip to Muslim Sicily, via a new book edited by Nuha Alshaar. They are also joined for this conversation by Shainool Jiwa, one of the authors whose work is featured in this edited volume. They discuss the period from around 800 CE to the mid-13th century, one characterised by a large Muslim presence w…

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Maria Kaika and Luca Ruggiero, "Class Meets Land: The Embodied History of Land Financialization" (U California Press, 2024) 1:00:07

8M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Class Meets Land: The Embodied History of Land Financialization (University of California Press, 2024) by Dr. Maria Kaika & Dr. Luca Ruggiero reveals something seemingly counterintuitive: that nineteenth-century class struggles over land are deeply implicated in the transition to twenty-first-century financial capitalism. Challenging our understand…

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Robert C. Austin, "Royal Fraud: The Story of Albania's First and Last King" (Central European UP, 2024) 1:00:17

8M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Listen to this engaging podcast with historian Robert Austin, the author of Royal Fraud: The Story of Albania's First and Last King (Central European UP, 2024). In the book, Austin explains the rise and fall of Albania's first and only monarch, King Zog!. The road to becoming Europe's youngest president in 1925 and king of Albania in 1928 was paved…

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Megan Moran, "Gender and Family Networks in Early Modern Italy" (Amsterdam UP, 2024) 48:56

8M ago48:56

48:56

Women from the Ricasoli and Spinelli families formed a wide variety of social networks within and beyond Florence through their letters as they negotiated interpersonal relationships and lineage concerns to actively contribute to their families in early modern Italy. Women were located at the center of social networks through their work in bridging…

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105. The Power of Education: Helping Collision Shops Thrive with John Shoemaker 39:52

8M ago39:52

39:52

Managing costs and staying profitable is a constant challenge for independent collision shop owners, and education plays a crucial role in overcoming these hurdles. In this episode, John Shoemaker shares his passion for helping shop owners educate themselves and their customers about the value of their services—ensuring they are properly compensate…