Imagine that you're a young 4 or 5-year-old again. The TV is playing in the other room as you play with your toys. Then all of a sudden you hear the sound of a piano and you realize that one of your favorite shows is on. You run to the living room just in time to see a man walk through a door as he sings, "it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.." Mr. Rogers was one of the most beloved childrens' TV characters in the country. How did he create such a fan base and become a star amongst preschoolers? Join us as we take a breath of dead air with Fred Rogers.

Sources -

King, Maxwell. The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers. Abrams Press, an Imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 2019.

Rogers, Fred. You Are Special: Words of Wisdom from America’s Most Beloved Neighbor. Viking, 1994.

“Mister Rogers Neighborhood Full Episodes (1979-2001).” YouTube, YouTube, youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXw6bhFJGPfSdxefZqOqIGcodBuapJUai&feature=shared. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

“May 1, 1969: Fred Rogers Testifies before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7ljRr0AA. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Fireworks, Christmas miracles, fun traditions, and more are shared in this fun filled Christmas episode of Dead Air Time. Stories from you, our listeners, are shared in this special episode.

Father Frost, Sinter Klaas, Kris Kringle, Saint Nick, and Santa Claus are just a few of the names for the international superstar of December. Many cultures have traditions associated with this figure. But how did this all begin? Today we’ll quite literally discuss the man, the myth, and the legend as we take a breath of dead air with jolly old Saint Nicholas.

Sources -

Alleyne, Caleigh. “20 Unique Christmas Traditions Around the World That May Surprise You.” Country Living, 28 Nov. 2022, www.countryliving.com/entertaining/g4933/christmas-traditions-around-the-world/.

Ayo, Nicholas. Saint Nicholas in America: Christmas Holy Day and Holiday. Corby Books, 2006.

Bahn, Micaela. “25 Christmas Traditions Around the World That Will Surprise and Delight You.” The Pioneer Woman, 11 Sept. 2023, www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g41466285/christmas-traditions-around-world/.

Edwards, Rosy. “This Unique Christmas Tradition of Roller Skating Is about to Die Out.” Metro, 4 Dec. 2024, metro.co.uk/2017/12/20/christmas-around-the-world-why-venezuelans-roller-skate-to-mass-on-christmas-eve-7018407/.

Lakbaypinas. “Ultimate Guide to Giant Lantern Festival 2024.” LakbayPinas, 5 Nov. 2024, lakbaypinas.com/giant-lantern-festival-2024-san-fernando-pampanga/.

Wallace, Carey. Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage. Illustrated by Nick Thornborrow, Workman Publishing, 2020.

Voted the most admired man alive in a national poll taken in the 1940s, Bing Crosby was more than a well-beloved singer. He was a father, a friend, a husband, actor, and an example of goodness to many then and now.. depending on who you ask. Not a Christmas season goes by without hearing him sing the familiar tune of “White Christmas”. Join us as we take a breath of dead air with the singer Bing Crosby.

Sources -

“Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams, The Early Years 1903-1940” by Gary Giddins

“18 Holes with Bing: Golf, Life, and Lessons From Dad” by Nathaniel Crosby and John Strege

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/20-best-selling-singles-all-time/

https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/inventions-and-discoveries-of-the-twentieth-century/inventions-1900-to-1990/

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bing-crosby-introduces-white-christmas-to-the-world

Although she was famous, perhaps one the of most well-known people from the 17th century, there is much controversy and speculation about the life of Pocahontas. What is true and what is not?

Sources -

Custalow, Linwood, and Angela L. Daniel. The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History. Tantor Media Inc., 2023.

Fritz, Jean. The Double Life of Pocahontas. Blackstone Publishing, 2007.

“Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 4 Sept. 2022, www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/pocahontas-her-life-and-legend.htm.

Honor our veterans with us as we share veteran stories from the creators themselves, along with our first listener story. Plane crashes, close calls, and some who never returned.

Sources -

Arlington National Cemetery. “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.” https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier

Brallier, Jess M. The Unknown Soldier. Illustrated by Jamie Peterson. Charlesbridge, 2022.

"It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we the whole people.." This was said by none other than the pioneer of women's suffrage herself - Susan B. Anthony. She and many others dedicated their work and lives for the promise of a better future, one that allowed women to vote. How did it happen? Listen to this week's episode to find out.

Sources -

“Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony’’ by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/susan-b-anthony

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/-failure-is-impossible-the-battle-for-the-ballot.htm

https://www.history.com/news/night-terror-brutality-suffragists-19th-amendment

https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/happy-birthday-sue-b/#:~:text=University%20of%20Rochester.-,Susan%20B.,of%20her%20life%20insurance%20policy.

https://susanb.org/the-trial-of-susan-b-anthony/2023/06/17/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAll%20of%20my%20prosecutors%E2%80%94from,to%20the%20jury%2C%20as%20was

Join us as we venture into the life of artist José Guadalupe Posada, his contributions to Mexican culture, and the history behind Dia de Los Muertos. After all, what could be a more fitting holiday to celebrate on this podcast than the Day of the Dead?

Sources -

Archie, Ayana. “How to Make an Ofrenda for Día de Los Muertos.” NPR, NPR, 1 Nov. 2022, www.npr.org/2022/11/01/1133041841/dia-de-los-muertos-ofrenda-altar.

“The Best Books on the Day of the Dead.” Five Books, Five Books, 16 Oct. 2022, fivebooks.com/best-books/regina-marchi-on-the-day-of-the-dead/.

Carmichael, Elizabeth, and Chloë Sayer. The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. University of Texas Press, 1992, Internet Archive, https://archive.org/details/skeletonatfeastd00carm .

“José Guadalupe Posada: Symbols, Skeletons, and Satire opens at The Clark Art Institute on July 16, 2022.” The Clark, The Clark Art Institute, 29 June 2022, www.clarkart.edu/About/Press-Room/Press-Room-Archives/2022-Archives/Jose-Guadalupe-Posada-Symbols,-Skeletons,-and-Sati.

Posada, José Guadalupe. “José Guadalupe Posada: Broadsheet Relating to Sad Lament of Those Exiled to the Prison on the Islas Marias, Corrido in the Bottom Section.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1 Jan. 1970, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/717471.

Posada Art Foundation. “About Posada.” Posada Art Foundation, 2014, www.posada-art-foundation.com/about-posada.

Román, Iván. “Day of the Dead: How Ancient Traditions Grew into a Global Holiday.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2020, www.history.com/news/day-dead-dia-de-muertos-origins.

Tonatiuh, Duncan. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras. ABRAMS, 2015.