Stuff You Missed in History Class

Episode: Interview - Toby Ball/Rip Current
Release Date: November 6, 2024
Hosts: Holly Fry & Tracy V. Wilson
Guest: Toby Ball, Creator and Host of Rip Current

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson sit down with Toby Ball, the creator and host of the podcast Rip Current. Released on November 6, 2024, the episode delves deep into the historical events surrounding the assassination attempts on President Gerald Ford in 1975 and explores the meticulous process behind creating a compelling historical podcast.

Overview of Rip Current

Rip Current is a limited-series podcast that investigates the two assassination attempts on President Gerald Ford, executed by Lynette Fromm and Sarah Jane Moore within a span of seventeen days in September 1975. Toby Ball discusses his motivation for choosing this story, emphasizing the rarity of female assassination attempts on U.S. presidents and the concurrent timing of these events.

Toby Ball [07:02]: "These are the only two times we know of that a woman has tried to assassinate a sitting president in 250 years of US history."

Historical Background

The conversation provides a comprehensive background on the two women involved:

1. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromm: A devoted follower of Charles Manson, Fromm transitioned from a conventional life into radical activism after enduring the Manson Family's notorious influence. Her involvement with Manson's group led her to adopt extreme measures, culminating in her assassination attempt on Ford.

2. Sarah Jane Moore: An FBI informant and aspiring radical, Moore's motivations were rooted in her deep-seated political beliefs and association with violent revolutionary groups. Unlike Fromm, Moore was a middle-aged housewife whose radicalization was influenced by her interactions with the underground radical scene in the Bay Area.

Tracy V. Wilson [07:56]: "Why did they want to kill President Ford?"

The hosts explore the socio-political climate of the mid-1970s, highlighting the remnants of 1960s radicalism, the rise of violent underground groups, and the pervasive anti-establishment sentiment that fueled these extreme actions.

Podcast Production Process

Toby Ball provides an insightful look into the intricate process of producing Rip Current. He emphasizes the extensive research involved, including:

• Primary Research: Delving into newspapers from the era, court documents, and existing literature on Lynette Fromm, Charles Manson, and related subjects.

• Interviews: Engaging with authors and experts who offer firsthand knowledge and specialized insights into the events and individuals involved.

• Archival Audio: Sourcing contemporaneous audio clips from university archives, local history museums, and online repositories like Archive.org, despite challenges with licensing certain materials.

Toby Ball [28:48]: "I use index cards and take notes on them, sorting them into piles to organize the script and narrative flow."

Ball highlights his traditional approach to research, utilizing colored index cards to organize information, a method reminiscent of older, manual research techniques.

Challenges and Solutions

One notable challenge discussed was the inability to use certain archived reporter footage due to licensing restrictions. Specifically, a Sacramento TV station owned by a major news organization refused to license audio of a reporter interviewing Lynette Fromm post-assassination attempt.

Toby Ball [31:21]: "We couldn't get the rights, so we decided to have an actor reenact the interview by reading from the transcript."

To overcome this, Ball and his team employed actors to recreate important interviews, ensuring the narrative remained immersive and accurate despite the loss of original audio.

Parallels to Present Day

The episode draws intriguing comparisons between the 1970s radical movements and contemporary social and political dynamics. Ball points out the heightened connectivity of today's society, facilitated by smartphones and the internet, contrasting sharply with the covert communications of radical groups in the 1970s.

Tracy V. Wilson [38:09]: "Today, a lot of us are walking around with a phone full of selfies. Are there things that similarly really stuck out to you...?"

Ball reflects on how modern technology could have altered the landscape of radical movements, suggesting that increased connectivity might prevent or dissipate similar movements through constant surveillance and communication.

Insights on Radicalization

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the rapid radicalization of individuals like Fromm and Moore. Ball explores how external pressures, societal changes, and personal experiences can swiftly transform conventional individuals into extremists willing to commit acts of violence.

Toby Ball [43:37]: "If you live a conventional life and then under duress are suddenly given this whole new way of looking at things... you could take irrational actions like trying to kill the president."

This segment sheds light on the psychological and social mechanisms that can drive individuals towards extreme actions, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of radicalization processes.

Future Projects and Conclusion

Towards the end of the interview, Toby Ball hints at his upcoming projects, indicating a continued exploration of radical movements and their impacts on society. He expresses a desire to examine other historical movements that attempted significant societal changes, aiming to provide valuable lessons from the past.

Tracy V. Wilson [51:51]: "Do you already know what your next project is after this one...?"

Ball responds by outlining his intention to maintain a focus on radical thought and action, suggesting that future projects will continue to dissect and analyze transformative movements within historical contexts.

The episode concludes with hosts encouraging listeners to explore Rip Current on available platforms, highlighting the depth and quality of content Toby Ball produces.

Notable Quotes

• Toby Ball [07:02]: "These are the only two times we know of that a woman has tried to assassinate a sitting president in 250 years of US history."

• Tracy V. Wilson [07:56]: "Why did they want to kill President Ford?"

• Toby Ball [28:48]: "I use index cards and take notes on them, sorting them into piles to organize the script and narrative flow."

• Toby Ball [31:21]: "We couldn't get the rights, so we decided to have an actor reenact the interview by reading from the transcript."

• Toby Ball [43:37]: "If you live a conventional life and then under duress are suddenly given this whole new way of looking at things... you could take irrational actions like trying to kill the president."

This episode offers a captivating exploration of a lesser-known chapter in American political history, enriched by Toby Ball's expertise and the hosts' thoughtful inquiries. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a fan of meticulously crafted podcasts, this interview provides valuable insights into both the events of 1975 and the art of historical storytelling.