Introducing Unsung History

Summary

Unsung History Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Introducing Unsung History
Host: Kelly Therese Pollock
Date: June 3, 2021

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Episode Overview

This introductory episode serves as a welcome and mission statement for the Unsung History podcast, hosted by Kelly Therese Pollock. Kelly outlines the podcast's focus on spotlighting lesser-known people and events in American history—stories often left out of mainstream narratives and textbooks. She explains her approach, background, and what listeners can expect from upcoming episodes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Origins and Mission of Unsung History

• Kelly introduces the podcast’s central idea: to shed light on people and events in U.S. history that receive little attention in popular media or standard history books.

  "The Unsung History Podcast will explore people and events in American history that don't get much attention in history books or popular media."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 00:47)

About the Host

• Kelly shares her academic and professional background:

  • Holds a Master of Arts in Religious Studies
  • Experienced in archival research
  • Producer and co-host of Two Broads Talking Politics
  • Has interviewed a wide range of public figures—from U.S. senators to local politicians

• She describes her personal identities (mom, Chicagoan, knitter, intersectional feminist, political activist) and acknowledges her privilege as a white, straight, cisgendered, middle-class woman. She pledges to remain mindful of how her perspective shapes her approach to history.

  "All of those identities inform my view of history. I'm also white, straight, cisgendered and middle class and I try my best to pay attention to how those identities affect my thinking too."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 01:22)

Podcast Format and Tone

• Unsung History episodes will begin with a brief, accessible narrative to introduce the week's topic—covering the "who, what, when, and where."

• Each episode features an interview with a scholar, journalist, researcher, or occasionally an eyewitness, to delve deeper into the “why and how” behind the story.

  "In each episode... I'll start us out with a short narrative... And then I'll talk to someone who can help us learn the why and how."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 01:50)

• Focus is on “the people who didn't have power”—those who endured struggles, fought for justice, or persevered against the odds.

  "My fascination is not with presidents or battles, but with the people who didn't have power. People who stood up for what was right or just did what they had to do to get through the day."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 01:35)

• Kelly promises a mix of emotions and engagement:

  "We'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll get righteously angry, and we'll all help sing out the Unsung history of the United States."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 02:37)

Logistics and Invitation

• New episodes released every Monday.
• Available at unsunghistorypodcast.com and on all major podcast platforms.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On historical focus:

  "People who suffered because they had no power and those who fought back so their descendants might not have to suffer."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 01:44)

• On the podcast’s emotional journey:

  "We'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll get righteously angry, and we'll all help sing out the Unsung history of the United States."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 02:37)

• On self-awareness and perspective:

  "I try my best to pay attention to how those identities affect my thinking too."
  (Kelly Therese Pollock, 01:27)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:47 – Host introduction; podcast mission
• 01:35 – Focus on those without power in history
• 01:50 – Episode structure and format explained
• 02:37 – Emotional tone and invitation to listeners

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This summary covers the core of Kelly Therese Pollock's introductory message for Unsung History, omitting advertisements and unrelated podcast promos. The focus is on what new listeners can expect: thoughtful, well-researched storytelling about the overlooked figures and episodes of American history, delivered with insight, empathy, and passion.

Transcript

[A]

It's no surprise that newsmakers try to manipulate the audience. They want you to believe that they are the one holding the line, and they'll use any trick they can to get you there. But don't let them fool you. Get Unspun I'm Amanda Sturgel. I've been a reporter and today I teach future reporters to cut the spin and think critically about what newsmakers say. My podcast, unspun, shows you how to know when you're being manipulated by the news, learn to spot the tricks, and how to make up your own mind about what's true. So if you're tired of being fooled by the news, subscribe to UNSPUN today. UNSPUN because you deserve the truth.

[B]

Launching on June 7, 2021, the Unsung History Podcast will explore people and events in American history that don't get much attention in history books or popular media. I'm your host, Kelly Therese Pollock. I have a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from a couple decades ago and I've spent just enough time chasing down footnotes and digging in archives to be impressed by those who do it for a living. I'm also the producer and co host of the long running Two Broads Talking Politics podcast and have interviewed everyone from U.S. senators to small town school board candidates. I'm a mom, a Chicagoan, a knitter, an intersectional feminist, and a political activist. All of those identities inform my view of history. I'm also white, straight, cisgendered and middle class and I try my best to pay attention to how those identities affect my thinking too. I love US History. My fascination is not with presidents or battles, but with the people who didn't have power. People who stood up for what was right or just did what they had to do to get through the day. People who suffered because they had no power and those who fought back so their descendants might not have to suffer. In each episode of Unsung History, I'll start us out with a short narrative answering the who, what, when and where to introduce you to the topic. And then I'll talk to someone who can help us learn the why and how. A historian or other academic, a journalist or researcher, or someone who was there as history unfolded. Join me each Monday at unsunghistorypodcast.com or everywhere podcasts are found. We'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll get righteously angry, and we'll all help sing out the Unsung history of the United States. NSW Media.

[C]

Hey, it's Jody Hamilton and Sean Smith Pierce Here's a taste of what you might have missed from the Politics Bar.

[D]

Jody, I was listening to you this morning filling in for Steph. You and Chris were debating. And just for the record, Jody is right. Chris's argument is that there is some truth to what's being said about the left being in their own information silo. Right.

[C]

Basically we started talking about how Gavin Newsom has invited people on his podcast High Up MAGA guys.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Well known right wing propagandists. That's what they are.

[C]

Yeah. And my argument is he shouldn't be inviting them because nobody on that side is listening to Gavin Newsom.

[D]

Right. It doesn't help to bring propagandists into a sphere where truth matters because they're just going to lie their asses off anyway.

[B]

Right?

[D]

So here is a public service message for Chris Lavoy. Jody Hamilton is right. Catch all that and more weeknights at the Politics Bar, available through your favorite progressive radio station, your favorite podcast player, or online anytime@the politicsbar.com.