Earlier this month, Yale historian Joanne Freeman began a nightly video series called "A Few Thoughts for Those Who Can't Sleep." Most nights she goes live on YouTube and talks about the news of the day, historical context for it, and the value of building community, as the comments swell in around her. This hour, Freeman joins us to share a few thoughts about the latest news, empathy, history, and America 250.

GUEST:


Joanne Freeman: Alan Boles, Class of 1929 Professor of History at Yale University. Her most recent book is “The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War”

Join the conversation on Facebook 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, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

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.

Earlier this month, Yale historian Joanne Freeman began a nightly video series called "A Few Thoughts for Those Who Can't Sleep." Most nights she goes live on YouTube and talks about the news of the day, historical context for it, and the value of building community, as the comments swell in around her. This hour, Freeman joins us to share a few thoughts about the latest news, empathy, history, and America 250.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Joanne Freeman: Alan Boles, Class of 1929 Professor of History at Yale University. Her most recent book is &ldquo;The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</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 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.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.
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="https://www.ctpublic.org/donate">ctpublic.org/donate</a>.

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

Historian Joanne Freeman on reckoning with where we are and where we want to be

Billboard

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, too. So we did another one.

This hour, the conversation winds around to the rule of law, the Epstein files, the economy, the Green Bay Packers, Gilmore Girls … Anything. (Seemingly) everything.

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
CAFé CON RON – Bad Bunny, Los Pleneros de la Cresta
The Obvious Child (Nashville) – I’m With Her
No More Lies – Thundercat, Tame Impala
Somethin’ Stupid – Norah Jones, Josh Homme
Patchwork – Charlotte Day Wilson
Cherry Tree – Lera Lynn
Whiiiplash – Brik.Liam CUT FOR TIME
Out Here – Gareth Donkin

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, too. So we did another one.
This hour, the conversation winds around to the rule of law, the Epstein files, the economy, the Green Bay Packers, Gilmore Girls &hellip; Anything. (Seemingly) everything.
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk2GZWHV3o4">CAF&eacute; CON RON</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Bad Bunny, Los Pleneros de la Cresta</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8XFUoPQu6Y">The Obvious Child (Nashville)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; I&rsquo;m With Her</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoguePcf9P4">No More Lies</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Thundercat, Tame Impala</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-WIIOSXw18">Somethin&rsquo; Stupid</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Norah Jones, Josh Homme</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9X0_dZ4Jh8">Patchwork</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Charlotte Day Wilson</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=javjzk0i3Qk">Cherry Tree</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Lera Lynn</li>
<li><a href="https://tidal.com/album/486098438">Whiiiplash</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Brik.Liam&nbsp;CUT FOR TIME</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXMPCLquw3I">Out Here</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Gareth Donkin</li>
</ul>

All calls: The fleeting joy of waking up in the United States of Bunny

Whatever your politics, the last month or so has been … a lot.

This hour, The Nose looks at how we’re all using pop culture (or not) to deal with all the news — to cope, to escape, to process.

Plus, a look at how well (or not) our pop culture has been meeting the moment lately.

GUESTS:
RS Benedict: A writer and bureaucrat whose fiction and non-fiction has been published in the New Haven Review, Fangoria, Current Affairs, and a bunch of other places
Sam Hadelman: Director of public relations at Dark Matter Media
Rich Hollant: The founder and principal of CO:LAB, a hall of fame designer, and a co-partner at CENTER
Mercy Quaye: Founder and president of The Narrative Project
Lindsay Lee Wallace: A writer and journalist covering culture, health, technology, bats, and anything else people will answer her questions about
Bill Yousman: Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down – Margo Price
How Much Did You Get for Your Soul – Lucinda Williams
Winter in America – Gil Scott-Heron
Let the Mystery Be – Iris Dement
The Olympics – Jesse Welles
See You On The Radio – Grayson Hugh

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!

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

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

Whatever your politics, the last month or so has been &hellip; a lot.
This hour, The Nose looks at how we&rsquo;re all using pop culture (or not) to deal with all the news &mdash; to cope, to escape, to process.
Plus, a look at how well (or not) our pop culture has been meeting the moment lately.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>RS Benedict: A writer and bureaucrat whose fiction and non-fiction has been published in the New Haven Review, Fangoria, Current Affairs, and a bunch of other places</li>
<li>Sam Hadelman: Director of public relations at Dark Matter Media</li>
<li>Rich Hollant: The founder and principal of CO:LAB, a hall of fame designer, and a co-partner at CENTER</li>
<li>Mercy Quaye: Founder and president of The Narrative Project</li>
<li>Lindsay Lee Wallace: A writer and journalist covering culture, health, technology, bats, and anything else people will answer her questions about</li>
<li>Bill Yousman: Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/uyhzsMWC4sw">Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down</a> &ndash; Margo Price</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGQptI_kbWk">How Much Did You Get for Your Soul</a> &ndash; Lucinda Williams</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjrxlU2H-jE">Winter in America</a> &ndash; Gil Scott-Heron</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlaoR5m4L80">Let the Mystery Be</a> &ndash; Iris Dement</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtaKoV-0lkQ">The Olympics</a> &ndash; Jesse Welles</li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/swampman-1/ill-see-you-on-the-radio">See You On The Radio</a> &ndash; Grayson Hugh</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>, <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!
<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.
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show.

The Nose tries to figure out how to deal with … all this

A: What is classical music?

B: Carolyn Kuan on music as meditation

C: Video game music IS art music

The term "classical music" includes a wide variety of music and artists. This hour we take a look at what that category really means. We celebrate the form and help you figure out how to start listening to the genre.

Plus, how video game music is bringing new listeners to classical music and live orchestras.

GUESTS:
Matthew Aucoin: American composer, conductor, writer, pianist, and a 2018 MacArthur Fellow. He is author of “The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera” and is co-founder of the American Modern Opera Company. His opera “Euridyce” was produced by the Metropolitan Opera in 2021, making him the youngest composer in nearly a century to have an opera produced by The Met
Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch: Author of “Declassified: A Low-Key Guide to the High-Strung World of Classical Music”. She is also a violinist who has performed in venues around the world
Carolyn Kuan: Music Director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. In 2025, she led the acclaimed world premiere of Huang Ruo’s "The Monkey King" at San Francisco Opera. Her recording of Huang Ruo’s "An American Soldier" with the American Composers Orchestra received a 2026 Grammy nomination
J. Aaron Hardwick: An internationally active professional conductor, professor of music at Wake Forest University, and Director of the Wake Forest University Symphony Orchestra, recognized for his work in classical and contemporary repertoire and innovative orchestral programming, including video game music

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
Symphony No. 5 I. Trauermarsch – Gustav Mahler, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic
21 Hungarian Dances No. 5 – Johannes Brahms, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic
Revolucion Diamantina Act IV: Speaking the unspeakable – Gabriela Ortiz, Gustavo Dudamel, LA Phil
Don’t Look Down I. Hammerspace – Christopher Cerrone, Sandbox Percussion
Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter” IV. Molto Allegro – W.A. Mozart, Seiji Ozawa, Mito Chamber Orchestra
String Quartet No. 8 II. Allegro molto – Dmitri Shostakovich, Dover Quartet
6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet III. Allegro grazioso – Gyorgy Ligeti, Claudio Abbado, Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Felix Mendelssohn, Seiji Ozawa, Boston Symphony Orchestra
An American Soldier Act II Scene 1: Hey Danny – Huang Ruo, Carolyn Kuan, American Composers' Orchestra
Hi – Caroline Shaw CUT FOR TIME
The Monkey King Act II Scene 3 – Huang Ruo, Carolyn Kuan, San Francisco Opera
Tears of the Kingdom Main Theme – Manaka Kataoka
Temple of Time Theme Montage – The Legend of Zelda

NES (1986) Style – Loeder Music
Ocarina of Time (1998) – Koji Kondo
Breath of the Wild (2017) – Yasuaki Iwata
Planetrise – Inon Zur (Starfield)
Lumiere – Lorien Testard (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) CUT FOR TIME
Atsu’s Theme – Toma Otowa (Ghost of Yōtei) CUT FOR TIME
The Perfect Wave – Austin Wintory

The term "classical music" includes a wide variety of music and artists. This hour we take a look at what that category really means. We celebrate the form and help you figure out how to start listening to the genre.
Plus, how video game music is bringing new listeners to classical music and live orchestras.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Matthew Aucoin:&nbsp;American composer, conductor, writer, pianist, and a 2018 MacArthur Fellow. He is author of &ldquo;The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera&rdquo; and is co-founder of the American Modern Opera Company. His opera &ldquo;Euridyce&rdquo; was produced by the Metropolitan Opera in 2021, making him the youngest composer in nearly a century to have an opera produced by The Met</li>
<li>Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch:&nbsp;Author of &ldquo;Declassified: A Low-Key Guide to the High-Strung World of Classical Music&rdquo;. She is also a violinist who has performed in venues around the world</li>
<li>Carolyn Kuan:&nbsp;Music Director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. In 2025, she led the acclaimed world premiere of Huang Ruo&rsquo;s "The Monkey King" at San Francisco Opera. Her recording of Huang Ruo&rsquo;s "An American Soldier" with the American Composers Orchestra received a 2026 Grammy nomination</li>
<li>J. Aaron Hardwick:&nbsp;An internationally active professional conductor, professor of music at Wake Forest University, and Director of the Wake Forest University Symphony Orchestra, recognized for his work in classical and contemporary repertoire and innovative orchestral programming, including video game music</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/9IfCeFvhyH8">Symphony No. 5 I. Trauermarsch</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Gustav Mahler, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/PyCHVikkt-E">21 Hungarian Dances No. 5</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Johannes Brahms, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6bWRrJNL0">Revolucion Diamantina Act IV: Speaking the unspeakable</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Gabriela Ortiz, Gustavo Dudamel, LA Phil</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCCASCzBBPY">Don&rsquo;t Look Down I. Hammerspace</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Christopher Cerrone, Sandbox Percussion</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/_3LLUMhDOA8">Symphony No. 41 &ldquo;Jupiter&rdquo; IV. Molto Allegro</a>&nbsp;&ndash; W.A. Mozart, Seiji Ozawa, Mito Chamber Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/Vv3ghWE2txg">String Quartet No. 8 II. Allegro molto</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Dmitri Shostakovich, Dover Quartet</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/-GKDmftmBzs">6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet III. Allegro grazioso</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Gyorgy Ligeti, Claudio Abbado, Chamber Orchestra of Europe</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=out0FCQWBak">Overture to A Midsummer Night&rsquo;s Dream</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Felix Mendelssohn, Seiji Ozawa, Boston Symphony Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/mAB6JEXgEoM">An American Soldier Act II Scene 1: Hey Danny</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Huang Ruo, Carolyn Kuan, American Composers' Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw73HvHik78">Hi</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Caroline Shaw&nbsp;CUT FOR TIME</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/02barYCv-lk">The Monkey King Act II Scene 3</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Huang Ruo, Carolyn Kuan, San Francisco Opera</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/UkyQAn7tJSE">Tears of the Kingdom Main Theme</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Manaka Kataoka</li>
<li>Temple of Time Theme Montage &ndash; The Legend of Zelda 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/XGUmp13dEuE">NES (1986) Style</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Loeder Music</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/n66LMxSH3ZM">Ocarina of Time (1998)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Koji Kondo</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/L1igglghRW8">Breath of the Wild (2017)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Yasuaki Iwata</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/phB7K7xpphU">Planetrise</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Inon Zur (Starfield)</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/LpNVf8sczqU">Lumiere</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Lorien Testard (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)&nbsp;CUT FOR TIME</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/iKh3nGP_7QI">Atsu&rsquo;s Theme</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Toma Otowa (Ghost of Yōtei)&nbsp;CUT FOR TIME</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/f7LCum-qq9Y">The Perfect Wave</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Austin Wintory</li>
</ul>

Historian Joanne Freeman on reckoning with where we are and where we want to be

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