The Nateland Podcast - Episode 248: "The Revolutionary War" Featuring Dr. Ben Sawyer
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Nateland Podcast
- Host/Authors: Aaron Weber & Brian Bates
- Guest: Dr. Ben Sawyer
- Episode: #248 The Revolutionary War
- Release Date: April 16, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Nateland Podcast, hosts Aaron Weber and Brian Bates welcome their special guest, Dr. Ben Sawyer, a renowned historian and comedian. With regular hosts Dusty Slay and Nate Bargatze unavailable, Dr. Sawyer steps in to fill their roles, bringing a blend of academic insight and humor to the discussion.
Guest Introduction and Background (00:43 - 03:08)
Aaron Weber introduces Dr. Ben Sawyer as the podcast's first guest with a postgraduate degree, highlighting his multifaceted career as a stand-up comedian and history professor. Dr. Sawyer humorously downplays his doctoral title, emphasizing his role as a historian over other doctorates.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Ben Sawyer (01:26): "I'm glad you guys are like, easing into it. Don't get a real doctor yet. You know what I'm saying? Start with a historian."
Podcast Updates and Promotions (03:08 - 04:30)
The hosts share updates about recent events in "Nataland," including a successful showcase at the Ryman Auditorium and promotions for upcoming specials and merchandise. Dr. Sawyer briefly plugs his own podcast, "The Road to Now," co-hosted with Bob Crawford from Avon.
Comedy and Show Experiences (04:30 - 18:25)
Aaron and Brian discuss their recent performances, including a showcase where both they and guest comics received mixed reactions. Dr. Sawyer shares anecdotes from his comedy experiences, emphasizing the challenges and humor in live performances.
Notable Quote:
- Aaron Weber (05:21): "It was just a solid show, top to bottom, beautifully hosted. And just a good night. Thank you to everybody who came."
Listener Comments and Interactions (18:25 - 45:08)
The trio engages with listener comments sourced from various platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. They tackle a range of topics from giving up chips for Lent to the definition of "chips," using Dr. Sawyer's historical perspective to add depth to their humorous banter.
Notable Quotes:
- Aaron Weber (19:02): "As a good Catholic, I chose to give up chips for Lent. I love chips in all forms, so this has been a challenge."
- Dr. Ben Sawyer (20:58): "Ryan, is a chip about its shape. I mean, is it just how flat it had to be?"
Discussion on the Revolutionary War (45:08 - 87:57)
Shifting gears, the conversation delves deep into the American Revolutionary War. Dr. Sawyer provides detailed historical insights, debunking common misconceptions and highlighting lesser-known facts. Topics include the motivations behind British taxation, the complexities of colonial unity, the role of key figures like George Washington and Benedict Arnold, and the impact of events such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party.
Notable Quotes:
- Dr. Ben Sawyer (49:36): "I'm for it now. Took a while. There's some years where I was like, I don't know, we could have. You know, having a monarch, you know, it's really hard to. To turn against the idea of having one guy who's just born and everybody goes, well, I guess he owns everything."
- Brian Bates (54:00): "I was so embarrassed how much I didn't know about the American Revolutionary War."
Key Points Discussed:
-
British Taxation and Colonial Response:
- The Stamp Act and its implications.
- Colonial unity issues, with different colonies having varied motivations and loyalties.
- The economic strain on Britain post the Seven Years' War leading to increased taxation.
-
Role of Key Figures:
- George Washington: His leadership qualities, strategic mind, and reluctance to engage in politics post-war.
- Benedict Arnold: His betrayal and its impact on the war's morale.
- Benjamin Franklin: His diplomatic efforts, scientific contributions, and celebrity status during the era.
-
Major Events:
- Boston Massacre: Its role as a rallying cry for colonists.
- Boston Tea Party: The act of rebellion and its symbolic significance.
- Yorktown Siege: The final major battle leading to British surrender.
-
Cultural and Social Dynamics:
- The involvement of Native Americans and enslaved people in the war.
- British reliance on Hessian mercenaries and their motivations.
- The transformation of colonial identity from British subjects to American patriots.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Ben Sawyer (65:26): "People believe that folks were like, rah, rah, America. They were not. They didn't know what it was. It was introduced to them."
Historical Misconceptions and Media Representation (87:57 - 106:43)
The discussion transitions to how historical events are portrayed in media, referencing movies like "The Patriot," "Braveheart," and documentaries. Dr. Sawyer critiques the accuracy of these portrayals while recommending more faithful representations like "Enemy at the Gates."
Notable Quotes:
- Dr. Ben Sawyer (93:03): "I mean, that's like you pointed out, that's April 1775. We don't even declare independence until July 4, 1770."
- Aaron Weber (99:38): "I've never heard of Ethan Allen."
Concluding Remarks and Future Promotions (106:43 - End)
As the episode wraps up, the hosts and Dr. Sawyer share upcoming events and promotions related to their respective podcasts and live shows. They humorously reflect on past experiences and emphasize the value Dr. Sawyer brings to the discussion with his historical expertise.
Notable Quote:
- Dr. Ben Sawyer (110:53): "I can't teach them everything, but what I try to do is teach them a little bit of love for this place we live and a little bit of appreciation for what happened before."
Insights and Conclusions
This episode offers a rich blend of humor and historical education, with Dr. Ben Sawyer providing depth to the hosts' comedic frameworks. Key takeaways include:
- Understanding Historical Context: The complexities of colonial motivations and British strategies highlight the multifaceted nature of the Revolutionary War.
- Challenging Misconceptions: Common beliefs about the war are scrutinized, offering listeners a more nuanced perspective.
- Media Literacy: The conversation underscores the importance of critically evaluating historical portrayals in films and media.
Final Thoughts
"The Revolutionary War" episode serves as an informative and entertaining exploration of a pivotal moment in American history. Dr. Ben Sawyer's participation bridges the gap between academic knowledge and accessible conversation, making history engaging for a broad audience.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the podcast episode.