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History

American History Podcast 'BackStory' Does Things a Little Different

Producer Andrew Parsons tells us about working with the American History Guys to put a new spin on old stories.
“Gift for the Grangers” [Detail], c1873. From the Library of Congress.

Part of a series of interviews with the makers of our favorite history podcasts.

The third podcast in our Makers of History series is for anyone who picks up their phone mid-conversation to Google something, because they can’t wait to find out the… backstory. The appropriately titled BackStory podcast is put on by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. It takes advantage of the momentum of current events and the click-happy, instant knowledge gratification era that we live in by handing us engaging histories that we would have spent hours attempting to piece together on Google.

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During the recent controversy over the use of the confederate flag, BackStory produced an entire episode delving into the history of the flag. Not only do you learn surprising facts about the genesis of the flag, but they also interview an African-American woman in Atlanta, GA who is a member of a Confederate flag society, takes part in flag-toting rituals, and freely shares her unique philosophy on this taboo symbol.

Flags Confederate Reunion by Harris & Ewing, 1917. Image courtesy the Library of Congress.

BackStory is hosted by three American history experts, a.k.a., the American History Guys, who are prolific authors and professors at universities in Virginia: Peter Onuf handles the 18th century, Ed Ayers specializes in the 19th century, and Brian Balogh masters the 20th. These guys have a laidback conversational style that serves to simplify pretty complex historical narratives.

One element of their show that stands out from a lot of contemporary podcasts is their use of the audience. Oftentimes they engage their fans by accepting call-in questions or allowing them to dictate the direction of certain shows with challenges to the hosts. The Creators Project spoke with Andrew Parsons, the current producer of the show, about what goes on behind-the-scenes of the podcast.

L to R: Brian Balogh, Peter Onuf (via skype), Ed Ayers

The Creators Project: How did BackStory come into existence?

Andrew Parsons: My understanding is that the genesis of the podcast occurred in 2007 or so when Andrew Wyndham (who was director of media at the Virginia Foundation of the Humanities at the time) witnessed Ed Ayers and Peter Onuf chatting at a social function. They were talking about history but at the same time were laughing, jostling each other and having so much fun. It dawned on Andrew that public radio needed these two on the air. Once the ball was rolling, Ed and Peter insisted on adding Brian Balogh to enhance the chemistry and provide expertise in the 20th century.

BackStory is conversational and often mimics the style of talk radio, where listeners call in and ask questions about that day's episode. The listener questions in particular seem to necessitate improv and spontaneous recall of historical facts from the hosts. Is this an element that you found difficult to incorporate and how do you feel that it benefits BackStory

It's important to the staff that the show be highly varied in its sound since it's often tackling so many complicated stories in one episode. The listener engagement is key in providing that variety. The hosts are tapping decades of professional knowledge as historians when they speak on anything. That said, not every call or interview works out. There's a lot of the show left on the cutting room floor.

BackStory notes and equipment

Jamal Millner and Andrew Parsons