American Rambler With Colin Woodward

Mehdi Aminrazavi is Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Co-Director of the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. A native of Iran, he received his education in the United States and has lived and taught in Virginia for decades. He and Colin talk about Islam: how it developed, its central beliefs and practices, and how it has evolved since the time of Mohammad.

In the second part of their talk, Colin and Dr. Johnson discuss the good old days of academia, the Obama presidency, and the dangers of thinking of America as a "post racial" society. Dr. Johnson also explains how he got from Syracuse to Washington, D.C., to the Northern Neck of Virginia. In the intro, Colin explores his dislike of Brad Pitt and his fondness for a certain French actress.

John L. Johnson lives in Virginia now, but he is a native of Detroit. He and Colin talk about his southern roots, slave ancestors, and his long career in education. Dr. Johnson also looks back at growing up in Michigan during World War II, entering college at 16, and his move to Syracuse University and later Washington, D.C. Also, in the introduction, Colin talks about “April Brain,” and why you might be feeling a little crazy this time of year.

Part two of Colin's talk with Mark Stielper, an authority on Johnny Cash and the Cash family history. Episode two begins with a discussion of the talented and sometimes controversial June Carter Cash. And in the intro, Colin remembers Bob Wootton, who died on Sunday at the age of 75. Bob was Cash's guitarist for 30 years and the keeper of the essential "boom chicka boom" sound after the death of Luther Perkins.

Mark Stielper is a historian of Johnny Cash and the Cash family, who has been involved in many books and films. He also knew Johnny Cash personally and even played with him on stage in Virginia. After years of collaborations, he's now writing his own book on Cash. Colin and Mark discuss Johnny's life and career. It's a two part episode dedicated to the Man in Black.

Jim Hall worked as a newspaper writer for decades. Now, he's publishing history. Jim and Colin talk about Jim's journalism career in Bowling Green and Fredericksburg and his long study of racial violence in Virginia, which he began as a graduate student at VCU. Now, he has a book that examines the last lynching in northern Virginia.

Bernie Barclay was born in Ohio, but she’s lived in Virginia most of her life. She works with Colin at Stratford Hall. Their talk puts the “ramble” in American Rambler, covering everything from Iron Maiden and transgender bathrooms to growing up in Gloucester County, Turkish politics, and early Genesis. People born between 1972 and 1975 might be especially interested, but y’all should check this one out.

Dale Brumfield is an author, journalist, teacher, historian, and veteran of the Richmond zine scene of the early 1980s. He has written about his years working at an amusement park and is now finishing a new book on the prison system. Colin talks with Dale about saving an obscure Judd Nelson film, the alternative press in Richmond, and the history of the Virginia penitentiary.

Stephen Railton has taught in the English department at the University of Virginia for forty years. His specialty is nineteenth century American literature, and he has done major work on James Fenimore Cooper, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Mark Twain. He’s also overseeing the Digital Yoknapatawpha project at UVA. Colin and Steve talk about Faulkner, his books, and how he ended up in Charlottesville

James “Bud” Robertson published his first book on the Civil War in 1963. Among other accomplishments, he taught at Virginia Tech for decades, has written the definitive biography on Stonewall Jackson, and acted as a historical consultant to the 2003 film Gods and Generals. Now, he’s working on a new book on Robert E. Lee. Bud talks with Colin about studying at Emory, being in the White House when JFK died, and his relationship with Robert Duvall.

Major Scott Slaten retired from the army after more than twenty years in the service. In this episode, he talks about how he got involved in the armed forces and how it took him from Italy to Germany, Kosovo to Iraq. It’s a two part tour through the last thirty years of U.S. military history.

Major Scott Slaten retired from the army after more than twenty years in the service. In this episode, he talks about how he got involved in the armed forces and how it took him from Italy to Germany, Kosovo to Iraq. It’s a two part tour through the last thirty years of U.S. military history.

Richard Meagher teaches politics and philosophy at Randolph-Macon College. He also recently took on the “heritage” crowd in several op-eds for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Colin talks with Rich about teaching, his recent forays into Confederatelandia, the Trump revolution, and, of course, good local craft beers.

On the mend from another mutant pig virus, Bun and Hawk look back on the shit storm that was 2016. Listen as they go over the the “Death List,” which leads to some ill-prepared commentary about the many celebrities who left us last year. Bowie. Prince. Merle Haggard. Carrie Fisher. Two members of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. This episode covers everything from Phantasm and Time Bandits to the real-life inspiration for Don Draper. Bun and Hawk: what better way to usher in 2017?

Scott Hill was born in Texas, but he is a proud Coloradan. The son of a navy pilot, he works at the birth site of George Washington in the Northern Neck of Virginia. He’s devoted life to public history and the National Park Service. Scott and Colin talk about everything from the Civil War to the National Holocaust Museum to Ford’s Theater.

Steve Katz is a guitarist, songwriter, and author, known for his work with Blues Project, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and as the producer for three Lou Reed albums. Colin and Steve talk over dinner about music, politics, and Steve’s memoir, Blood, Sweat, and My Rock ‘n’ Roll Years. They also try to answer the question: is Steve Katz a rock star?

Karen Louvar is Collections Manager at Stratford Hall. She now lives in Virginia, but her moves across the country tell us a lot about surviving in the 21st century economy. Karen talks with Colin about growing up in West Virginia, her years in college in Kentucky, and the eternal resting place of "Socks," the presidential cat.

Ira Berlin has been called "one of the greatest living historians of slavery in the United States." His works include Slaves without Masters, Many Thousands Gone (which won the Bancroft Prize), and more recently, The Long Emancipation. He has taught at the University of Maryland for a half century and got his degree at the University of Wisconsin. But he was raised in the Bronx. Here, Dr. Berlin talks about his first plane ride, activism in the 1960s, and why he chose to exchange a lab coat for the historian's garb. Also, Ira and Colin share their thoughts about the 2016 election.

Bun and Hawk take another swipe at doing a porch podcast. Despite Bun's difficulty staying awake, the two manage to have fun talking about renting in Richmond (including an unpleasant encounter with a rat), Halloween's past and present, and the Trump campaign. Also, Colin manages to ask a question that allows him to do his Marc Maron impersonation.

William C. Davis is one of the most prolific and prodigious of American historians. Over the past forty years, he has focused on the Civil War era and southern history, writing about everything from Jefferson Davis to the Texas Revolution and (as he shows in his newest book) a New Orleans prostitute who claimed to be a Confederate soldier. Davis worked for 20 years at Civil War Times Illustrated, and has won the prestigious Jefferson Davis award four times. He talks to Colin about growing up in Missouri, college in California, his work ethic, and the near loss of Gregory Peck's hat.