Stuff You Missed in History Class – Episode: Behind the Scenes Minis: Pope Riot

Release Date: June 13, 2025 | Hosts: Holly Fry & Tracy V. Wilson | Produced by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve into the intricate legacy of Pope Leo XIII and explore the complexities surrounding the Christiana Incident. Balancing scholarly analysis with personal anecdotes, Holly and Tracy provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of historical events that are often simplified in mainstream narratives.

Exploring the Legacy of Pope Leo XIII

The discussion begins with an in-depth examination of Pope Leo XIII, a figure whose contributions and policies have been both lauded and critiqued over the past century.

• Balancing Religion and Objectivity

  • Holly Fry (02:31): "These are always tricky because I want to include as much as I can about their positions on religion without offering commentary on it."
  • Tracy V. Wilson (02:56): "I more struggled with the grammatical construction than the content. Some of the words were in an order that my brain was having a hard time with."

• Challenges of Translation and Language

  • The hosts highlight the difficulties in translating Latin documents and the archaic language used in early 20th-century translations, which can obscure the true intentions and beliefs of Pope Leo XIII.

• Revisiting Historical Narratives

  • Holly Fry (05:00): "There is an interesting thing that has emerged in the last 20 years... earlier accounts made him seem much more liberal than he actually was."
  • The hosts discuss how early 20th-century portrayals often "whitewashed" Pope Leo XIII's conservatism, omitting his firm stance against worker unions despite his progressive initiatives for the time.

• Influence and Outreach

  • Holly Fry (06:50): "He was very good at outreach and PR and talking to other people that were not part of the Catholic Church that had power."
  • This segment underscores Pope Leo XIII's strategic engagement with global leaders, enhancing his influence beyond the confines of the Catholic Church.

Unpacking the Christiana Incident

Transitioning from religious history, Holly and Tracy delve into the Christiana Riot, a pivotal event leading up to the American Civil War.

• Terminology and Interpretation

  • Tracy V. Wilson (15:19): "Christiana riot, Christiana resistance, Christiana incident... it's so messy and confusing."
  • The hosts debate the appropriateness of terms like "riot," arguing that such labels often misrepresent the true nature of historical conflicts, especially those involving racial tensions.

• Complexity of Historical Events

  • Holly Fry (15:31): "The actual details of what happened in those 90 minutes... are so messy and confusing."
  • They emphasize the chaotic and multifaceted nature of the event, highlighting the difficulty in pinpointing a singular narrative or moral lesson.

• Personal Connection and Scholarly Insights

  • Holly Fry (16:32): "Edward Gorsuch had another son... who was friends with John Wilkes Booth."
  • This revelation adds a layer of personal intrigue, connecting the incident to notable historical figures and illustrating the interconnectedness of historical events.

• Character Analysis of Key Figures

  • Tracy V. Wilson (18:00): "He sounds like an intense dude... very ready to go if it was like, alright, great, we gotta fight these people."
  • Discussion on William Parker, a central figure in the Christiana Incident, exploring his motivations and the societal pressures that shaped his actions.

Podcast Production and Topic Selection

Beyond historical discussions, Holly and Tracy provide listeners with a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes aspects of producing their podcast.

• Topic Planning and Organization

  • Tracy V. Wilson (24:32): "I have this list of potential topic episodes... Christiana was up near the top of that list."
  • They share their methods for brainstorming and organizing potential topics, utilizing spreadsheets and digital notes to keep track of ideas.

• Collaborative Efforts

  • Holly Fry (25:14): "I keep my list on my phone... if I am traveling and I haven't started a show yet, I'll be like, what am I thinking of?"
  • Emphasis on the collaborative dynamic between the hosts, ensuring a steady flow of content despite their busy schedules.

• Managing Idea Overflow

  • Tracy V. Wilson (26:09): "I am more likely to lose track of things that are in the notes app."
  • They discuss the challenges of managing numerous ideas, often filtering through notes to find the most relevant and engaging topics for their audience.

Personal Anecdotes and Listener Engagement

Interwoven with their historical analyses, Holly and Tracy share personal stories that humanize their podcast and foster a connection with listeners.

• Unexpected Acts of Kindness

  • Holly Fry (27:08): "While I was waiting for one of my friends... a woman asked me to hold her puppy."
  • A heartwarming anecdote about spontaneously helping a stranger, illustrating the unpredictable and joyful moments in daily life.

• Embracing Serendipity

  • Tracy V. Wilson (28:41): "We stopped at this little locally owned coffee roastery... and there was somebody with the cutest little corgi."
  • Another story highlighting the delight of unexpected encounters, encouraging listeners to remain open to the small pleasures around them.

Conclusion

Holly and Tracy wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of understanding the nuanced steps leading to significant historical events like the Civil War. They encourage listeners to appreciate the complexity of history and recognize the potential parallels in contemporary societal moments.

• Holly Fry (30:37): "It's important to look at history because we're all experiencing a lot of moments that are important and could potentially be steps to bigger things that are scary."
• Tracy V. Wilson (30:41): "Yeah."

They leave listeners with a hopeful message, wishing them enjoyable weekends filled with small joys and moments of kindness.

• Holly Fry (30:41): "I hope that you have a lot of fun and that surprise puppies land in your world..."
• Tracy V. Wilson (31:21): "Stuff you Missed in History Class is a production of iHeartRadio..."

Notable Quotes

• Holly Fry:

  • "[02:31] We talked about Pope Leo XIII this week."
  • "[06:50] He was very good at outreach and PR..."
  • "[10:57] And he's... I'm fascinated by it all."
  • "[15:31] Edward Gorsuch had another son... who was friends with John Wilkes Booth."

• Tracy V. Wilson:

  • "[02:56] I more struggled with the grammatical construction than the content."
  • "[15:19] Christiana riot, Christiana resistance, Christiana incident..."
  • "[24:32] I have this list of potential topic episodes..."

Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully balances scholarly discussion with personal storytelling, offering listeners both educational insights and relatable experiences. By dissecting complex historical figures and events, Holly and Tracy encourage a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted nature of history, emphasizing that understanding the past is crucial for navigating the present and future.

For more episodes, visit the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform.