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You likely know historian Heather Cox Richardson from her Substack, “Letters from an American,” where she puts the news of the day into historical context. Now Cox Richardson has a new book out, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, where she looks at the crossroads we’re at as a country, how we got here, and where we could go from here. Today we spend the hour with Heather Cox Richardson as she helps us make sense of the latest news and the state of our democracy.

GUESTS: 
Heather Cox Richardson: Historian, Professor of History at Boston College, and author of the “Letters from an American” Substack. Her new book is "Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America"

Join the conversation onFacebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. 

Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.

You likely know historian Heather Cox Richardson from her Substack, “Letters from an American,” where she puts the news of the day into historical context. Now Cox Richardson has a new book out, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, where she looks at the crossroads we’re at as a country, how we got here, and where we could go from here. Today we spend the hour with Heather Cox Richardson as she helps us make sense of the latest news and the state of our democracy.
GUESTS: 
<ul>
<li>Heather Cox Richardson: Historian, Professor of History at Boston College, and author of the “<a href="https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/" data-cms-ai="0">Letters from an American</a>” Substack. Her new book is "<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717588/democracy-awakening-by-heather-cox-richardson/" data-cms-ai="0">Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America"</a></li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow" data-cms-ai="0">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow" data-cms-ai="0">Twitter</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters" data-cms-ai="0">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884" data-cms-ai="0">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p" data-cms-ai="0">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxLzcxZGM0YTBmLWU4Y2EtNDAyMS1hZWM5LWFhMDMwMDI2MDQyZC9iNjk1Y2I4Ny1mNmE5LTRjNzYtOGYxMS1hYTAzMDAyNjA0M2IvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M" data-cms-ai="0">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show" data-cms-ai="0">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/" data-cms-ai="0">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/" data-cms-ai="0">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode. 
Colin McEnroe and Cat Pastor contributed to this show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

Heather Cox Richardson helps us make sense of this moment in American history

Rope has been foundational to so much of human civilization. It's made sailing, hunting, building, and so much more, possible. This hour, we look at the history and utility and future of rope.

GUESTS:


Tim Queeney: Author of Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization, among other books


Manuel Medrano: A PhD candidate in Harvard’s History Department, who studies quipus


Tahira Reid Smith: Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Design and the Director of the REID Lab at Penn State. She is also the patented inventor of the Automatic Double Dutch Machine, and the founder of Jump Dreams, Inc.

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):


Flamingo – Kero Kero Bonito


The Last Shanty – Derina Harvey Band


Rope – Foo Fighters


Tightrope – Janelle Monae


Rope A Dope – Victor Oladipo, 2 Chainz


Double Dutch – Charity

Join the conversation on Facebook.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 15, 2025.

Rope has been foundational to so much of human civilization. It's made sailing, hunting, building, and so much more, possible. This hour, we look at the history and utility and future of rope.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Tim Queeney: Author of <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250346452/rope/">Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization</a>, among other books
</li>
<li>
Manuel Medrano: A PhD candidate in Harvard&rsquo;s History Department, <a href="https://medranomanuel.com/">who studies quipus</a>
</li>
<li>
Tahira Reid Smith: Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Design and the Director of the REID Lab at Penn State. She is also the patented inventor of the <a href="https://tahirareidsmith.com/">Automatic Double Dutch Machine</a>, and the founder of <a href="https://jumpdreamsinc.com/">Jump Dreams, Inc.</a>
</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY-FJvRqK0E">Flamingo</a> &ndash; Kero Kero Bonito
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugpTBrhWDss">The Last Shanty</a> &ndash; Derina Harvey Band
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbpqZT_56Ns">Rope</a> &ndash; Foo Fighters
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc">Tightrope</a> &ndash; Janelle Monae
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UdSJ-6Utcc">Rope A Dope</a> &ndash; Victor Oladipo, 2 Chainz
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpPa4e3nLyQ">Double Dutch</a> &ndash; Charity
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show&nbsp;is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://ctpublic.org/donate">ctpublic.org/donate</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired on October 15, 2025.

Rope has been knotting humanity together for centuries

Billboard

Westend61/Getty Images

What happens when the people reshaping our world don't believe in introspection? This hour, a look at looking inward. And, we explore the spectrum of mental imagery.

GUESTS:
Elizabeth Lopatto: Senior reporter for The Verge
Maja Spener: Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. She is the author of Introspection: First-Person Access in Science and Agency
Reshanne Reeder: Lecturer in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Liverpool

Music featured (in order):
Who Knows – Daniel Caesar
What Kind of Fool Am I – Sammy Davis Jr.
Man in the Mirror – Michael Jackson
There’s No Telling – Duncan Sheik
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – Cassandra Wilson
Pretty Little Picture – Zero Mostel (Original Broadway Cast)

Westend61/Getty Images
What happens when the people reshaping our world don't believe in introspection? This hour, a look at looking inward. And, we explore the spectrum of mental imagery.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Elizabeth Lopatto:&nbsp;Senior reporter for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/authors/elizabeth-lopatto">The Verge</a></li>
<li>Maja Spener:&nbsp;Associate Professor in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. She is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/book/55721">Introspection: First-Person Access in Science and Agency</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.reshannereeder.com/">Reshanne Reeder</a>:&nbsp;Lecturer in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Liverpool</li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glscfhJyZHo">Who Knows</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Daniel Caesar</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Hv5Bw-AUc">What Kind of Fool Am I</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Sammy Davis Jr.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps">Man in the Mirror</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Michael Jackson</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZL-XeZvv5k">There&rsquo;s No Telling</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Duncan Sheik</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBvVwgEjRsM">I&rsquo;m So Lonesome I Could Cry</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Cassandra Wilson</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/7qBLJCZZPi4">Pretty Little Picture</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Zero Mostel (Original Broadway Cast)</li>
</ul>

The value of introspection in an outward-looking world

We’ve been doing these shows where we don’t book any guests, where we fill the hour with your calls, calls about anything, everything. These shows are fun for us and they seem to be fun for you. So we’re doing another one. In other words: Give us a call during the 1 p.m. EDT hour. 888-720-9677.

Music featured (in order):
Any Old Fool – Thee Sacred Souls
What You Get – They Might Be Giants
TSOD – Blu & Exile
Dumbest Girl in the World – LØLØ
Blue Money – Van Morrison
CUT FOR TIME I Am Here – Tracy Wong, London Voices
Playground – flipturn
Till Your Mind is Shining (Bright-Side Mix) – Peter Gabriel

We&rsquo;ve been doing these shows where we don&rsquo;t book any guests, where we fill the hour with your calls, calls about anything, everything. These shows are fun for us and they seem to be fun for you. So we&rsquo;re doing another one. In other words: Give us a call during the 1 p.m. EDT hour. 888-720-9677.
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks7tPm8CaEQ">Any Old Fool</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Thee Sacred Souls</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r2oeuS3Vv8">What You Get</a>&nbsp;&ndash; They Might Be Giants</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcljqpMLCiY">TSOD</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Blu &amp; Exile</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJjqnXhLeM0">Dumbest Girl in the World</a>&nbsp;&ndash; L&Oslash;L&Oslash;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECPWpAlgaU">Blue Money</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Van Morrison</li>
<li>CUT FOR TIME&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbHIFRhZ4XQ">I Am Here</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Tracy Wong, London Voices</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyMHeSHH7wI">Playground</a>&nbsp;&ndash; flipturn</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KMiXJpSpnE">Till Your Mind is Shining (Bright-Side Mix)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Peter Gabriel</li>
</ul>

Heather Cox Richardson helps us make sense of this moment in American history

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