The Arab Spring and Its Long Shadow
Note: This is a visual-heavy episode. You can watch the lecture here. The Arab Spring began in December 2010 when Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s desperate protest against corruption sparked...
12 Nov 20251h 47min
The Origins of the Syrian Crisis
The Syrian Civil War didn’t begin in 2011; it began centuries earlier. Dr. Roy explores how the legacy of empire, the carving up of the Middle East after World War I, and repeated Western interference...
6 Nov 20251h 50min
How Islam Saved Western Civilization
Western civilization didn’t vanish when Rome fell - it moved east. Dr. Roy explores how the libraries of Persia, Egypt, and Baghdad became the true heirs of the ancient world. From the Great Library o...
29 Okt 20251h 58min
A Brief Overview of the U.S. Presidency
What exactly is the job of the U.S. president? Dr. Roy traces the presidency from its constitutional origins through major turning points in U.S. history, exploring how each era redefined executive au...
22 Okt 20251h 56min
World War II: Part X - Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
*Listener discretion advised: This episode contains descriptions of violence, genocide, and other traumatic historical events that may be disturbing to some listeners. Please use discretion and take c...
15 Okt 20251h 30min
World War II: Part 2 - Interwar Chaos
When World War I ended, the fighting didn’t. Dr. Roy traces how a defeated Germany, shattered empires, and vengeful allies created the perfect storm for World War II. From the breakup of Austria-Hunga...
8 Okt 20251h 19min
World War II: Part 1 - World War I
World War II didn’t appear out of nowhere. Dr. Roy begins by going back to the 18th and 19th centuries, explaining how the rise of the British Empire, the exploitation of India, the discovery of oil, ...
1 Okt 20251h 50min
Modern Ideologies
Ideologies are powerful tools, but also deeply flawed. Dr. Roy explains how the human brain processes fear and emotion, why leaders exploit hatred and fear to gain power, and more. From Napoleon’s use...
24 Sep 20251h 5min
