Podcast Summary: Stuff You Missed in History Class – Behind the Scenes Minis: Journalism Carols

Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class
Hosts: Holly Frey & Tracy V. Wilson
Date: December 26, 2025
Episode Description: Holly and Tracy reflect on behind-the-scenes insights from their recent episodes on Joseph Medill and William Sandys and their explorations into the history of journalism and Christmas carols. The conversation is rich with personal anecdotes, historical tidbits, and commentary on journalism, tradition, and holiday nostalgia.

Main Theme

This "Behind the Scenes Minis" episode features Holly and Tracy discussing two topics from recent episodes: Joseph Medill, a significant but lesser-known figure in American journalism and politics, and William Sandys, whose work with Christmas carols reflects both the whimsy and the digressions of Victorian literature. The episode explores the lines between historical bias and informed perspective, the personal impact of journalism, and the enduring (and occasionally awkward) traditions surrounding Christmas caroling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Joseph Medill: Journalism, Bias, and Political Power

• Medill’s Personality and Influence
  • Tracy describes Medill as “a pill,” calling him “bossy – not someone you could really reason with if he had made up his mind. But also super interesting and…one of those people we don’t really talk about in terms of people pulling the levers of power in the United States. But he sure did have a lot of influence.” (02:26)
  • Neither host had heard much about Medill before this research, reinforcing his surprising historical influence.
• Abe Lincoln Anecdote
  • Tracy shares a story: “When [Lincoln] came back to his office, he found Mr. Lincoln sitting, reading the paper with his feet up on the desk…they heard him yell, ‘Get your damn feet off my desk, Abe.’ …I just love somebody yelling that at Abraham Lincoln.” (03:01)
  • This story is told with some skepticism about its authenticity, noting only Medill’s account exists.
• Medill and the Douglas-Lincoln Debates
  • Medill was described as following the debates “like the Grateful Dead,” reporting on every development and using the Tribune as a key supporter of Lincoln. (04:10)
• Bias vs. Perspective
  • Discussion around Medill’s use of his paper to communicate with Lincoln:
    • “That’s the bias part. Right. I am helping you every way I can.” (05:17 – Tracy)
    • Both agree that while modern expectations for journalistic neutrality didn’t apply yet, Medill’s approach helped prompt the creation of such standards.
• Neutrality in Journalism
  • Holly and Tracy discuss today’s journalism and the struggle with “false equivalency.” Holly expresses: “I have various frustrations with the worlds of journalism and reporting…if the paper’s position is slavery is bad and should be abolished…reporting should point to that.” (06:00)
  • Tracy notes Medill’s editorials were calls to action rather than just for information: “Here’s the action you need to take.” (06:43)
• Medill’s Anti-Union Stance
  • Holly relates Medill’s shift to anti-union attitudes after becoming mayor to her own grandfather’s experience, moving from union worker to management and changing perspectives (07:14).
• Financial Transparency and Rebuilding Chicago
  • Tracy praises Medill’s detailed breakdowns during his mayoral tenure, noting: “It was like a spreadsheet being read aloud. So, yeah, problematic in a number of ways…but also incredibly powerful and quite smart, if he didn’t always use his smarts in the way we might have liked…” (11:23)

William Sandys and the Wandering Christmas Carol Book

• The Epic Introduction
  • Holly recounts reading Sandys’ lengthy and digressive introduction: “A lot of this introduction is not actually about the subject [carols].” (16:43)
  • Tracy quips: “Perceptible, in point of fact,” referring to Sandys’ own admission the intro had grown too long (16:46).
• Marginal Notes and Time Travel
  • Holly found a margin note from a previous reader who marked the actually relevant section: "The things that I found useful and noteworthy…were also things that this past person with their pencil had written in the book." (17:38)
  • They humorously speculate about time travel, submitting proposals for usage of a hypothetical machine (17:59).
• Random Internet Fun
  • Holly is delighted by an acapella video debating the proper comma placement in “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” which she finds “so funny.” (19:13)
  • Tracy fondly remembers earlier internet days filled with random joy versus today’s landscape. (20:31)

Personal & Cultural Reflections on Carols

• Bob’s Burgers & Caroling
  • Tracy shares that the caroling topic reminds her of a Bob’s Burgers Christmas episode where a scary house owner ends up singing “Adeste Fideles” beautifully (23:30).
• Holiday Traditions and Church Memories
  • Holly reminisces about United Methodist Christmas traditions, including ever-changing preachers and diverse Christmas services: “There were lots of Christmas carols that were sung as part of church services during Advent.” (24:06)
  • Both recall occasional caroling outings, especially to places like nursing homes, even though neither did much residential caroling.
  • Holly shares an amusing theater story: a cast of “Scrooge” tried in vain to discreetly handle a stray bottle on stage, prompting their theater teacher’s frustration (26:16).
• Holiday Wishes
  • Holly closes with a heartfelt wish: “Whatever is going on with this season…whatever you are celebrating or not celebrating, I hope that it is just all going as well as possible…I know a lot of folks need a break, and so if you need a break, I hope you’re able to get one before the new year turns over. It will be a whole new year by the time our next behind the scenes comes out. So Happy New Year a little in advance to everyone.” (28:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Medill's Bullishness: “Joseph Medill is a pill. Because he was very bossy. Not someone you could really reason with if he had made up his mind.” – Tracy, (02:26)
• Lincoln and Medill’s Friendship: “Get your damn feet off my desk, Abe.” – Joseph Medill (allegedly), related by Tracy, (03:01)
• Journalism and Integrity: “I think he did have an informed perspective…that’s the bias part. Right. I am helping you every way I can.” – Tracy, (05:17)
• On ‘Both Sides’ Journalism Today: “I have various frustrations with…the worlds of journalism and reporting…if the paper’s position is slavery is bad and should be abolished, that like the reporting points to that.” – Holly, (06:00)
• Medill as a Spreadsheet: “When I say he line itemed that thing, he literally was like, this is how much it costs to run these four government offices…anyone that was a numbers nerd was probably losing their minds with glee during that speech because it was like a spreadsheet being read aloud.” – Tracy, (11:23)
• Victorian Digression: “A lot of this introduction is not actually about the subject.” – Holly, (16:43)
• Time Machine Bureaucracy: “The time machine that we one day build is going to be like the JWST or the Very Large Array, where we'll have to submit our proposals for usage just to get on the wait list to use it.” – Tracy, (17:59)
• Changing Holiday Traditions: “The types of services that would happen for Christmas could change a lot when there was a different preacher.” – Holly, (24:06)
• Holiday Well-Wishes: “It has been a rough year and I know a lot of folks need a break. And so if you need a break, I hope you're able to get one before the new year turns over.” – Holly, (28:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:22–06:30 — Joseph Medill’s personality, Lincoln story, and editorial approach
• 06:31–08:13 — Medill’s transition from union-friendly to management, reflections on unions
• 08:13–11:23 — Reconstruction after the Chicago fire, Kitty Medill’s philanthropic work, and Medill’s financial transparency as mayor
• 15:53–17:38 — William Sandys’ rambling carol book introduction, relevance of margin notes
• 19:13–20:31 — Humorous internet finds and nostalgia for a funnier internet age
• 23:19–24:06 — Pop culture associations with caroling (Bob’s Burgers) and church caroling traditions
• 24:06–26:38 — Christmas traditions in different Methodist churches; caroling stories
• 26:38–28:12 — Theater mishaps and the legacy of awkward high school performances
• 28:12–29:39 — End-of-year reflections, holiday wishes, and looking ahead to 2026

Closing Tone & Takeaway

The episode is bright, witty, and nostalgic, blending playful banter with earnest reflections on history, journalism, and holiday traditions. Tracy and Holly’s approachable style, candid opinions, and personal stories make the history feel immediate and relevant.

For listeners who missed the episode:
You'll walk away with a new appreciation for Joseph Medill's impact and complexity, a smile at the quirks of Victorian Christmas literature, and a shared sense of holiday reflection and hope—wrapped up with a wink and a wish for a better year ahead.