Goodbye Blogspot!

Whoa! Are you still here? The podcast has moved! We're now www.podcasthistoryofourworld.com!
Ahem...

www.podcasthistoryofourworld.com

I'll keep this blog up for mementos and memories but this will be the last post. Everything has been transferred over to the new web page except (sadly) all the comments in my About Me section. So if you've dropped me a line here to support the podcast, please do so on the new page! It's lonely without the comments!

And that's it for this page! Time to go boldly towards brighter and better things...
-R

Update your bookmarks and set sail!

If you haven't listened to my little update (sorry it wasn't an actual episode!), then allow me to be the first to tell you we're moving! This blog is no longer going to be the home of The Podcast History of Our World, as I'm moving everything on over to www.podcasthistoryofourworld.com

Why the change? Well it's great to have a free website and all here but there are a few limitations that blogspot has. And I concede that it'd be much cooler to have a clean and professional looking site instead. There's so much more I can do with it without clogging up the layout too - maps, embedded stuff, css...code...ugh just one more thing to learn...but it's going to be good. Promise!

The site is up, so you're more than welcome to check it out and see the new spiffy look! I'm still working on it to make it even better but that's just frosting and stuff now.

I'll keep the blog up for a bit now but this is the last update I'll be posting on it! It was fun but onwards, upwards, that sort of thing. I'll probably set it to start redirecting folks soon too, so say bye bye to the blog and hellooooo pretty new website!

So remember www.podcasthistoryofourworld.com



Yes, I tried to register just podcasthistory.com but...it was so expensive...no go I'm afraid.

49 - Empires and Invasions

Then the king said, “Venerable sir, will you discuss with me again?”
“If your majesty will discuss as a scholar, yes; but if you will discuss as a king, no.”
“How is it then that scholars discuss?”
“When scholars discuss there is a summing up and an unravelling; one or other is shown to be in error. He admits his mistake, yet he does not become angry.”
“Then how is it that kings discuss?”
“When a king discusses a matter and advances a point of view, if anyone differs from him on that point he is apt to punish him.”
“Very well then, it is as a scholar that I will discuss. Let your reverence talk without fear.”
from "The Debate of King Milinda"

It's not the normal type of image I use on the blog and I'll explain later!

Episode 49! Our last one in India for a while and we're off to a bold new chapter of Podcast History. Ooo where are we going next? You'll have to listen to find out!

Music: Saraseeruhasana

48 - Ashoka the Great

"Beloved-of-the-Gods speaks thus: Twelve years after my coronation I started to have Dhamma edicts written for the welfare and happiness of the people, and so that not transgressing them they might grow in the Dhamma. Thinking: "How can the welfare and happiness of the people be secured?" I give attention to my relatives, to those dwelling near and those dwelling far, so I can lead them to happiness and then I act accordingly. I do the same for all groups. I have honored all religions with various honors. But I consider it best to meet with people personally."

This Dhamma edict was written twenty-six years after my coronation. 
-Pillar Edict #6 of Ashoka

Err...I promise it will make sense in this episode

India's greatest emperor isn't known for his military conquests or building projects or really anything else other emperors do! What Ashoka has that others don't is a genuine compassion for life and a desire to spread happiness.

Well, I mean, after a youth spent doing the opposite...details, details!

Music: Sahana

47 - Chandragupta Maurya & Son

"A king desirous of expanding his own power shall make use of the six-fold policy. Agreements of peace shall be made with equal and superior kings; and an inferior king shall be attacked. Whoever goes to wage war with a superior king will be reduced to the same condition as that of a foot-soldier opposing an elephant. Just as the collision of an unbaked mud-vessel with a similar vessel is destructive to both, so war with an equal king brings ruin to both."
- Chanakya "The Arthashastra"

Why don't we get the adventures of Chandragupta and Chanakya here in the states?
This has incredible potential!

I initially planned on condensing the Mauryans into one episode but the more I read, the more I realized they're so interesting they need to be split up! If you're playing at home that means Ashoka won't be in this one but his dad and grandpappy are!


Music: Jaijaivanthi

46 - Magadha

"That lord of Mahapadma, King Nanda, will rule over the entire earth just like a second Parashurama (6th avatar of Vishnu), and no one will challenge his authority."
-Bhagavata Purana

It doesn't seem like much, but this site in Rajgir has a pretty morbid history behind it! For the background story you've got to listen!

Ooo an episode within a week of a previous episode? Sounds like I've got some time on my hands! This was supposed to be one large one, but instead I'll release this part first, and spend more time getting into the Mauryan Empire and what came after in the next episode. Enjoy!

Music: Pariyaachakamaa

I'm ready for my close up!

1) Make podcast
2) Appear on TV
3) ?????????????
4) Take over the world!

Well folks it happened. In case you didn't hear about it from my Facebook or Twitter pages, I'm a talking head/guest/history person...guy on the new H2 series United Stuff of America. Not just my voice but me - so if you've ever been inclined to see what I look like, here you go! (Guess I can't hide behind my microphone anymore.) Each episode focuses on a central theme like presidents, or the Mafia, and then highlights nine artifacts, along with their stories. Then a bunch of smart history people talk. Oh, and Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars is in it. No I didn't meet him or ask him to appraise my copy of Battletoads.

I actually really like the show! I'd say that even if I wasn't in it, but because I am in it I'll say I really, REALLY like the show. They understand that history is supposed to be a story - not a bunch of inconsequential facts and dates. And the show has the right mix of specialists and regulars to keep it interesting. Keith Hughes of the YouTube channel HipHughes History and I represent the online peeps, for example, and then there's authors and professors and such.

If you don't have H2 you can always stream the episodes from their website! Support your friendly neighborhood podcaster and give it a watch - I think you'll enjoy it!



New episodes of United Stuff of America air 10PM-11PM ET
United Stuff of America website

45 - Nirvana

"To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him."

- Buddha

Sup snake. Not really wearing any clothes so...just keep your distance

Hey it's been a while! I've been kinda busy wrapping up the school year, searching for jobs...maybe you saw me on TV....

Anyway here's an episode about one fairly well known religious figure, and one not as well known one. Without knowing who they are and what they stand for, you won't understand what happens with a later Indian emperor...trust me!

Music: Kedaragowladesh

44 - The Vedic Age

"I am all-powerful Time which destroys all things, and I have come here to slay these men. Even if thou dost not fight, all the warriors facing thee shall die."
-The Bhagavad Gita 11:32

Arjuna learns the truth. The truth is that his charioteer might be more than he lets on.
Krishna as his Universal Form

An episode in which I try to mispronounce as many languages as possible, and then attempt to reconcile massive historical controversies in just under 20 minutes. Fun!

Music: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11: Visvarupa Darsana Yoga

43 - The Indus Valley Civilization

In the morning they brought to Manu water for washing, just as now also they (are wont to) bring (water) for washing the hands. When he was washing himself, a fish came into his hands.
It spake to him the word, "Rear me, I will save thee!"

He's not getting eaten by the fish, he IS the fish!
(Matsya Avatar saving Manu)

Much like the Greek prehistory episode, there's not a lot of solid content here because nothing was written down. Still, it needs to be discussed, and discuss we shall!
Music Credits: E.Gaayathri Veena - Kaveri Thatavasi - Ratipati Priya

Have you rated and/or reviewed the show on iTunes yet?

BIG thanks to everyone out there who has taken the time to rate and/or review the show on iTunes! Yes, even you haters out there. Jokes on you SUCKAS, any publicity is good publicity!

Anyway, if you listen through iTunes and haven't done so already, please consider rating or reviewing the show! It might not seem like it, but those stars mean a lot to me. Right now I'm setting a goal of 450, but I'd have a meltdown if I hit 500. Also I know it's a longshot, but I figure with the new and improved logo and some new ratings, Apple might even take notice and put us on the featured podcasts page? Eh? Well I'll keep my fingers crossed at least.

Hope you're enjoying episode 42! Check the sidebar for updates on the next one!

42 - Alexander the Great Pt.2

"Kratistos..."

- The supposed last word of Alexander the Great

Actually, a pretty creative reimagining of the Alexander story
(Reign: The Conqueror)

Who says you can't condense the life and adventures of Western Civilization's most famous conqueror into two episodes? We wind up our travels with Alexander in this final episode. 

And this means that we're also done with Greece! It's been a long time but it's time to move on. wouldn't you say? If you don't remember where we're going after, I remind you at the end of the episode. Otherwise you'll have to dig through the website to find out :)

Oh and if you direct your attention to the right sidebar you'll happen to notice the logo at the top with the words "100% - Released!" Basically that space is going to be my way of quickly communicating how far along in the next episode I am. Right now it's in full color, but it'll turn black and white soon enough, and then as I progress, more and more color will be added until poof! Another episode. I realize not everyone is on facebook for my updates and this should be a good solution. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, it'll make sense soon. I assure you!

Ok, see you back here in a while for the next exciting chapter of TPHOOW!

Deuxième Hymne Delphique à Apollon

New logo!

It's a new look for the show! An updated logo courtesy of Mady G. Why the change of scenery? Eh, truthfully I was getting bored with the old one and wanted something to reflect my vision of the show. If you want to see the long version then head over to my Facebook page. 

Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know, in case they looked at their podcast feed and got confused. It's still the same show! Just...new logo. Will I be going back and changing the artwork for each previous episode? I hope it's done automatically...but if it isn't? Err...maybe if I have time...or not...and we'll just look back fondly at the older artwork. 

Episode 42 is being written! I want to get it out as soon as possible so I can start reading these books I got for our next exciting chapter...

41 - Alexander the Great

"Seek another kingdom, my son, that may be worthy of your abilities - for Macedonia is too small for you!"

-Philip II to Alexander, upon watching the boy tame the wild horse Bucephalus

No.

The first of our two-parter on Alexander the Great! Mark it well, because we're almost at the end of our long study of the ancient Greeks!

Featuring a special guest introduction from the man who created an ENTIRE podcast series devoted to Alexander the Great, Jamie Redfern! Seriously, if you want to know more about Alex's life, you have to check it out. 

Hymne au Soleil

Infographics galore!

I love infographics, and I came across this one the other day.  Nice little representation of some battles throughout history, including one we've talked about - the Battle of Marathon. It's a large image, so make sure to click on the "Read more" link!

Or you could go straight to the source website instead!
http://www.onlinemilitaryeducation.org/art-of-war/

40 - Philip II

"Personally I am surprised that none of you, Athenians, is distressed and angry to find that at the beginning of the war our aim was to punish Philip, but at the end it is to escape injury at his hands. But surely it is obvious that he will not stop, unless someone stops him. And is that what we are to wait for? Do you fancy that all is well, if you dispatch an unmanned fleet and the vague hope of some deliverer?"
-Demosthenes, 4th Philippic 

Nobody said you have to be a looker to run a kingdom!
http://zarkobaseski.net/sculpture-philip-macedonian/

You can't talk about Alexander without talking about his dad, Philip II! Without him Macedon wouldn't have all the institutions and military doohickeys that let Alex pretty much go straight to work on the Persians. After this one there's just two more episodes before we say goodbye to the Greeks!

Gregorio Paniagua - Premiere Hymne Delphique a Apollon

39 - Attack of the Philosophers!

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

- Aristotle

If you haven't read the Action Philosophers comic series, well then I say you there! I sit in judgment of you.
http://www.actionphilosophers.com/

It took a lot of self control to not include war, fighting, or any form of soldiers with pointy objects trying to poke other soldiers with pointy objects in this episode! Don't you start falling asleep on me, I ASSURE you it's interesting! And for you history sticklers out there, I'm gonna be up front with you. I'm leaving out the Corinthian War and the March of the 10,000. Why? Because how much carnage do you want in these podcasts!? 

...

Ok but seriously next time we get back to the smashy smashy with Macedon. And if I'm correct with my schedule, we only have 3 more episodes until we leave Ancient Greece! WHOA! Hope you're excited about the beginning of the end!

Gregorio Paniagua - Plaine de Tecmessa

History that's as current as it gets!

Many of you have wondered what will happen when the podcast reaches modern times. Will the show continue going? Or will I retire to the Turks & Caicos with all my internet money? Fear not! I have been enlisted to join in a new podcast we're calling The Mid Atlantic Show. Basically, Roifield Brown, the creator of the fantastic podcast How Jamaica Conquered the World gathers three news topics from the US, UK and the world, and Mic Wright (@brokenbottleboy) and I engage in some friendly and spirited discussions. Plus intro music that I absolutely love. Come and listen to the first episode here: http://midatlanticshow.com/2014/01/20/mid-atlantic-show-1/

Since it's the first episode we're still working through the audio stuff (check out my early episodes and compare them to now to hear how I personally have evolved) but the show sounds good! Lots of background music, news clips and witty banter. We hope to be on iTunes soon too, but for now I hope you enjoy the show!