Civics & Coffee: "Happy Podcast Anniversary"

Host: Alycia Asai
Episode Release Date: August 14, 2021

Episode Overview

In this milestone episode celebrating one year of Civics & Coffee, Alycia Asai reflects on her podcast journey, shares stories behind its creation, and answers listener questions spanning her personal inspirations, historical interests, and behind-the-scenes insights. The episode offers a heartfelt look at the show's origins, Alycia’s approach to storytelling, her passion for history, and connections with the Civics & Coffee community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Origins and Inspiration

• Transformation of a Covid Side Project: Alycia began Civics & Coffee as a temporary pandemic project, which quickly evolved into a passionate long-term endeavor thanks to an enthusiastic and supportive listener community.
  • "What I thought was going to be a short term Covid project has turned into so much more." (01:10)
• Making History Approachable: The central goal is to present U.S. history in digestible, engaging segments that demystify complex topics—"in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee."
• Listener Response: The joy received from every listen, share, and comment has been a major motivator.
  • "Each listen, share, review and comment truly makes my day and so I want to say thank you so so much." (03:10)

2. Q&A: Listener Questions and Alycia's Personal Histories

• Why Start a Podcast?

  • Sparked by a conversation with a “history-averse” friend during Covid, Alycia realized the need to make history more accessible and relevant to people's lives.
  • "If we don't understand our past, truly assess its failings and triumphs, how can we ever move forward and how can we learn and develop and grow?" (05:57)
  • Civics & Coffee was born from the idea: "History and the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee." (07:40)

• Personal Influences:

  • Middle School teacher Mr. Lamb's memorable personality and critical perspective sparked her initial love for history (track shorts and all).
  • High school teacher Mrs. Cain inspired Alycia through exposure to moving real-life stories (like the Vietnam War and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire).
    • "It brought history home to me much more than any worksheet or textbook had ever done before." (10:03)

• The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire:

  • Alycia's favorite and most impactful historical event discussed on the podcast:
    • "Those women fought so hard for the right to organize and were ignored. And it took a massive event...for the country to snap to attention and luckily implement some major changes." (12:48)

3. Behind the Scenes of Topic Selection

• "History Squirrel" Approach: Alycia’s curiosity leads her from topic to topic, but for the show she structures the narrative in a linear way to ensure a broad and diverse historical coverage.
  • "I jump from story to story and become infinitely fascinated in something until I see a reference about some other story I feel I need to explore even more." (14:06)
• Strives for a balance between well-known topics (e.g. Hamilton v. Burr) and underrepresented stories (e.g. their collaboration as co-counsel in a murder trial, or lesser-known aspects of figures like Washington).

4. Hypotheticals, Favorites, and Fun Facts

• Historical Dinner Guest:

  • After much internal debate, Alycia selects Frida Kahlo for her resilience, artistry, and potential as a modern revolutionary.
    • "I feel like [Kahlo would] be trying to organize marches and protest and attempting to cultivate a revolution." (17:04)

• Surprising Personal Fact:

  • Alycia has an obsession with sharks and dreams of swimming with great whites—thanks in part to the movie "Jaws."
    • "If I was any good at science, I may have turned into a marine biologist." (19:01)

• If She Could Write Any Book:

  • Women entrepreneurs throughout history, focusing on their impact on local economies and representation. Also intrigued by Prohibition and its role in the rise of the Italian American Mafia.

• Research Process:

  • Typically spends 10–15 hours per episode, more if the topic is less familiar. Always aims to read at least a book or two on each subject.
    • "I'd say it probably takes me about 10 to 15 hours of research on average." (21:18)

• Time Travel Era:

  • Would travel to 1950s America to observe the rise of consumer culture, presidential legacies, and especially the fight for civil rights—hoping to meet icons like a young John Lewis.
    • "So much changed in the 50s on so many fronts that I think this would be where I'd want to hang out for just a little bit." (23:17)

• Obscure History Movie Dream:

  • The trial of Levi Weeks for the Murder of Elma Sands. Offers playful takes on casting (e.g., Charlie Hunnam as Hamilton, Ian Somerhalder as Burr).
    • "For the casting choices, oh gosh, I think I would go with Charlie Hunnam for Alexander Hamilton and Ian Somerhalder for Aaron Burr..." (25:39)

5. Most Impactful Moment

• Women in Tech Bonus Episode:
  • Researching this story left a profound mark, combining exhilaration and frustration at the lack of representation of women's achievements in tech.
    • "To learn about so many women and their roles...was both exhilarating and infuriating all at the same time." (28:18)

6. Making History Relevant

• Connections to the Present:
  • Alycia emphasizes tying past events to contemporary issues (e.g., linking recent women presidential candidates to historical trailblazers like Shirley Chisholm).
  • Sharing stories people see themselves in makes history come alive and feel urgent.
    • "History becomes more impactful to someone once they see themselves in the story." (30:43)
  • Personal note: the Triangle Shirtwaist fire resonates even more because her immigrant family “could have been” directly affected.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Listener Impact:
  • "I fell in love with this whole thing and it's all because of each and every one of you." (03:00)
• On Difficult History:
  • "We are not a perfect union. You would be hard pressed to find a country who is without flaws, but the beauty of the human experience is the ability to learn and to make change." (07:03)
• On Inspirational Teachers:
  • "Mr. Lamb...was unapologetic in his critique of American history. He was unabashedly sarcastic, and for the first time, I found myself truly fascinated with the events of the past." (09:14)
• On Making History Relevant:
  • "Tying events of the past to the stories of the present is the one way to make history relevant." (29:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:45: Anniversary intro, milestones, guest appearances, and gratitude to listeners
• 02:45–07:40: Why the podcast began; making history accessible; impact of Alycia’s personal history
• 07:40–14:06: Influential teachers and early historical fascinations; the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
• 14:06–17:04: How episode topics are chosen; balancing the well-known and obscure
• 17:04–21:18: Hypotheticals: dinner party picks and surprising facts about Alycia
• 21:18–23:17: Research process; time commitment for episodes
• 23:17–25:39: Favorite historical era to visit; “movie pitch” for obscure history stories
• 28:18–29:53: Most impactful episode moment: Women in Tech
• 29:53–32:00: Making history relevant for today’s listeners; closing reflections

Tone & Style

Alycia’s tone is warm, candid, and enthusiastic, peppered with humor and deep feeling. Her storytelling is personal and approachable, making history feel lively and immediate—“context without the homework and storytelling without the fluff.”

Summary

For both newcomers and dedicated listeners, this celebratory episode offers an intimate tour behind the scenes of Civics & Coffee. Alycia Asai’s answers to listener questions provide insights into her process, passions, and the community that has grown around her podcast. The episode is laced with gratitude, memorable anecdotes, and a clear dedication to making history relevant, accessible, and engaging for everyone—always, in the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.