Working History, Past and Future

US history has always been contested. The work of historians is to constantly challenge and revise existing historical interpretations using new methods, source materials, and analytical frameworks. The past two years have been different though: historical understanding, and often the institutions that support and sustain the work of professional historians, have been subject to a sustained critique from officials within the federal government. Yami Rodriguez and Justin Randolph sit down with Beth English, the founder of "Working History," to discuss the history of the podcast, her current work at the Organization of American Historians, and the future of the historical discipline. Works Cited: Winant, Gabriel. 2026. “Is It Over?” Tribune, August 13, 2026. https://tribunemag.co.uk/2026/08/is-it-over. English, Beth, and Christopher Sellers. "Who Owns American History?" Dissent, August 4, 2026. Dissent Magazine. https://dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/who-owns-american-history/ *** For more information on the We Want More History initiative, please visit: https://www.oah.org/2026/07/07/we-want-more-history-a-national-day-of-history-in-public/ For more information on the Southern Labor Studies Association Conference (September 2027, at Hillsborough Community College in Ybor City, Tampa, FL), please visit: https://southernlaborstudies.org/conferences *** Working History is a joint project of: The Southern Labor Studies Association (SLSA), https://southernlaborstudies.org/; The Labor and Working-Class History Association (LAWCHA), https://lawcha.org/; LABOR: Studies in Working-Class History, https://www.dukeupress.edu/labor; and International Labor and Working-Class History, (ILWCH) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-labor-and-working-class-history; Follow the links to join and subscribe today! This episode was recorded, edited, and produced by Alex Dunphy and Patrick Dixon. Our music was composed and recorded by Alex Greene, a member of AFM Local 71. For updates, follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/workinghistorypodcast/