PODCAST · news
Backstory with Larry Potash
by WGN-TV
Explore the BACKSTORY behind some of the most intriguing tales in history, culture, religion and science from Chicago and beyond.
Episodes
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The Fight to Save Bees
The honeybee is perhaps the lynchpin to planet earth’s entire ecosystem, but their existence is very much threatened. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash connects with three Chicago area people, two scientists and a beekeeper, who are attempting to help restore the balance of nature....
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The Nazis’ Legal Reckoning
The Allies defeat the Nazis, “but now what?” asks Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson. He argues the victory would be incomplete without a legal reckoning. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash introduces us with two people in the present day with a personal connection to the Nuremberg...
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Diamonds Are Forever: Chicago’s Senior Baseball League
Baseball is a slower game, and in this Chicago area league, it’s even slower. And the only vital analytic in the Chicago North Men’s Senior Baseball League is 65—the minimum age to play. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash introduces us to a group of men still chasing a lifelong dream....
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America’s First Celebrity Sex Scandal
One author describes it as “Romeo and Juliet meets the shining.” Arguably America’s first celebrity sex scandal, and one that ended in tragedy, Larry Potash brings us the sordid tale of Frank Lloyd Wright, his mistress, and murders that shocked a nation. Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday...
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Who Killed Jennifer?
WGN Films presents a true crime special: Who Killed Jennifer? The murder of a college student in 1993 leads to a rush to a wrongful conviction. What did detectives miss? We examine the case that investigators are still trying to solve. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and…
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The Hidden Suburban P.O.W. Camp
During World War II, the U.S. captured hundreds of thousands of German Soldiers. What to do with them all? House them in the United States, of course. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash looks at one such Prisoner-of-War camp nestled in Chicago’s tony North Shore, and the tavern that will...
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The Father of Modern Advertising
Catchy jingles. Pithy slogans. They help tell stories and sell products. But advertising wasn’t always colorful or memorable. The modern form of advertising came into existence in large part due to one man’s vision, Albert Lasker. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash unearths what we know...
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The Artist Who Saved a Hollywood Classic From Never Being Made
One of the most famous and beloved films in history was never made. We’re talking about Walt Disney’s Bambi. During pre-production, there was a particular challenge that Disney and his team couldn’t quite figure out, until an artist named Tyrus Wong proposed an idea. Larry Potash profiles this...
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The Rise & Fall of Toys
Toys are designed to be fun, but are rooted in reality. They mirror what is going on around us in the grown-up world. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash goes deep on some of the most popular toys ever made and what the future is for children’s toys in an increasingly digital world.…
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America’s History of Doomsday Cults
There are currently at least 10,000 cults in the United States. Cults have been part of life here going back four centuries. Why is America such a breeding ground for these groups? Larry Potash goes deep in this Backstory piece. Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on WGN-TV and…
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The History of Pseudoscience
Even intelligent people fall victim to faulty thinking, especially when it comes to science. Some try to use it to validate their spiritual beliefs. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash delves into the history of pseudoscience, and what it can tell us about our present era. Backstory with...
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Ian Fleming’s Wartime American Wingman
It’s a question that anyone who loves movies wants to know. Who was the inspiration for James Bond? In this episode of Backstory, Larry Potash looks at one possibility from Ian Fleming’s life, his wartime wingman, former NFL player, White House insider, and America’s first WWII spy, Ernest Cuneo....
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Why Dungeons and Dragons Still Thrives
Larry Potash looks at the backstory of what is for some, more than just a board game, but a way of life. See how the 1980s pop culture phenomenon Dungeons and Dragons is thriving a quarter of the way into the 21st century. Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on WGN-TV and on…
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A Short History of Magic Acts
In a world where everything is explained, magic still offers two increasingly rare commodities--wonder and mystery. Larry Potash does a deep dive on the history of magic in this piece for Backstory, including a profile of two Chicago magicians plying the trade today. Backstory with Larry Potash...
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The True Genius of Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury is perhaps the bridge between the early visionaries of science fiction and our currently catalogue of Marvel and Star Wars. And it all started just north of Chicago, in Waukegan, Illinois. Larry Potash unearths the true genius of Ray Bradbury in this piece for Backstory. Backstory…
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From Pulp to Popular: A Short History of Science Fiction
Science fiction is everywhere in our 21st century culture, from superheroes to spaceships. But there was a time it was an odd subculture. But those in what was an eccentric circle of literary pioneers were visionaries, who gave people a glimpse into the future, and perhaps timeless lessons on how...
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A Decorated Pilot’s Final Mission
He’s been called the “Mexican Lindbergh.” In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash profiles Emilio Carranza, the famous Mexican aviator who was renowned for his long-distance flights and 1928 goodwill mission to the United States, and his tragic final flight. Backstory with Larry Potash airs...
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Murder in the Desert: a Break in Brother’s Search for Killer
In 1974, Dan Walker is shot and killed on a desert highway in the Mojave Desert. After nearly four decades, a break in the case leads Dan’s brother Doug to meet a key witness. Has he solved the case? Larry Potash brings us this cold case story for Backstory. Backstory with Larry Potash airs…
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The Viking Ship that Took the World by Storm
Crossing the Atlantic in the 15th century was no easy feat. But the Vikings did it 500 years earlier. Larry Potash unearths this story about a replica ship that took the world by storm at Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair and is still captivating the imagination to this very day. Backstory with Larry...
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How Journalism Survives
In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash asks the question, how does journalism survive? Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on WGN-TV and on smart TVs on the free WGN+ app. For more, download the Backstory podcast wherever you get your podcasts, go to WGNtv.com/backstory, or...
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Preserving history: The rarely seen reels of the Chicago Film Archive
The Chicago Film Archive is on a mission to preserve. Archiving film footage shot in Chicago and all over the Midwest, preserving not just celluloid memories, but saving history. From protests to politics to home movies, Larry Potash profiles this unique organization in this segment for…
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The Suburban Nazi Janitor Hiding in Plain Sight
Once upon a time in suburban Chicago, there was a fairly ordinary suburb, with an ordinary high school, with an ordinary janitor. But it turns out the janitor’s backstory was quite extraordinary. He maintained a secret, one that would bring about worldwide manhunt to American cities in pursuit of...
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Collecting Abraham Lincoln
Few Americans have captured our attention as much as Abraham Lincoln. More books have been written about him than any other American, and many of them are at a small bookshop in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. In this segment for Backstory, Larry Potash meets a Lincoln expert whom some...
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Psychology of Collecting
Most everyone collects something. Coins. Baseball cards. Stamps. For some people, it’s not just a hobby, it’s a passion. But why? In this segment for Backstory, Larry Potash talked to a collector, who is also a neurologist to explore the psychology of collecting. See Privacy Policy at...
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Chicago's Starring Role in the Rise of Golf
Where and how did the game of golf get its start? And how pivotal was Chicago in the game’s rise in popularity? Larry Potash has the Backstory. Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on WGN-TV and on smart TVs on the free WGN+ app. For more, download the Backstory podcast wherever…
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How the West Was Won: Professor Channels Gaming to Reach & Teach History
So often history class is a bunch of names and dates we’re perhaps remember long enough for test day and then forgotten. But history is rich with stories and too often we get those stories wrong. One professor came up with a new strategy—he teaches history through a video game. Larry Potash…
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An Army Doctor's Career Threatening Secret
Secrets and wartime are common pairings. But what happens when the secret could end a career and alter lives? In this segment for Backstory, Larry Potash profiles a U.S. Army psychologist caught between two worlds. Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on WGN-TV and on smart TVs on...
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Larry Potash Uncovers his Family Tree
In this segment for Backstory, Larry Potash digs into his own family tree and ancestral DNA. What did he learn? Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on WGN-TV and on smart TVs on the free WGN+ app. For more, download the Backstory podcast wherever you get your podcasts, go to...
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The Woman Who Legally Kidnapped Over 5,000 Children
5,000 children wrongfully removed from their homes, sent to live with total strangers. And the worst part? It was all completely legal. In this Backstory piece, Larry Potash looks at the life and terrible legacy of one Georgia Tann, and some of the descendants that she left in her wake. Backstory...
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The World’s First Super Spy
Before Bond. Before Bourne. There was a real-life man named Thomas Miller Beach, AKA Major Henri Le Caron. His claim to fame? Arguably, he was the world’s first super spy, caught in a four-nation conflict in the 19th century. Larry Potash has the fascinating Backstory on the man who led a ragtag...
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How Iconic Chicago Sports Statues Came to Life
The Michael Jordan Statue. Some argue this sculpture of the G.O.A.T., unveiled in 1994, ushered in a golden era of monuments to our heroes on the field. Larry Potash has the backstory on it, as well as other Chicago sports legends immortalized in bronze, and asks the question, what if statues...
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Billy Caldwell: A new look at a Chicago pioneer’s legacy
A stroll through a neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago leads a local woman to come across a stone that’s a part of history. Behind the stone? A story of one man caught in two worlds, pursuing peace and history. The man? Billy Caldwell. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash looks at...
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The Backstory of the Guitar
The guitar has always seemed like the “lead instrument” on stage. Its power chords pushed it to the front and center of radio airwaves. And yet, it seems to come and go from popular music. The one constant has been when it comes to making a guitar, nobody does it better than America. In this…
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The Origin & Legacy of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes started out as a character in a British magazine in the late 19th century. Thus began over a century of pop culture fame, but, more importantly, it began a new way of looking at crime…and justice, as Larry Potash reports in this piece for Backstory. Backstory with Larry Potash…
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The Rise of the Tattoo
About one in three Americans now has a tattoo somewhere on their body. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash looks at the psychology at play inside of those who get tattooed. And asks, why are Americans in particular so eager to ink? Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 11 on...
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The Rise, Fall, and Reinvention of the American Mall
Malls started out as a sort of town center 2.0, eventually becoming staples of suburban life. But with the rise of online shopping, what does the future hold for these icons of American consumerism. In this Backstory piece, Larry potash looks at the rise, fall, and reinvention of the American…
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The Powerful Allure of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is a powerful force that permeates every class and demographic. What exactly is its allure? And what is its danger? In this Backstory piece, Larry Potash delves into how nostalgia has infused our present-day lives, and what it means for the larger cultural picture. Backstory with Larry...
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Scots in America
America's founding fathers go beyond the English. About half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence have Scottish roots. And they remained an influence on America from that moment forward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
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The Backstory of Whiskey
There are more than 750 whiskey and bourbon distillery businesses in the United States. They are growing at a pace of about 15% every year. Dark spirits have made a comeback, in no small part, because of its backstory. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice…
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The Evolution of Maps
For centuries, maps have shown us how to get from point A to point B. But they’re much more than that. They’re a record of what people care about. How do you preserve these stories when maps are no longer on paper? In this Backstory piece, Larry Potash introduces us to a Chicago family who have...
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Vintage Baseball
Baseball pre-dates the other main sports in America. And while it’s often referred to as the American Pastime, its origins are steeped in myth. In this Backstory piece, Larry Potash introduces us to a group of people playing the game as it once was. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...
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Mr. Sound Effects
Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio. Nick White. You have probably heard of the first two, but the third has a fascinating story to tell. In this Backstory piece, Larry Potash introduces us to a man who creates vintage sound effects, and does it so well he talked his way into a major Hollywood…
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From Reefer Madness to Big Business, Cannabis’ Comeback St
For thousands of years, the cannabis plant was a crucial crop in helping civilizations evolve, used for products from clothing to medicine. But then in the early 20th century, the American government demonized it. Is weed a wonder drug or dangerous habit? In this piece, Larry Potash explores the...
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The Hidden Meanings Embedded all over ‘It’s a Wonderful Life'
It's a Wonderful Life isn't a hit at the box office in 1946. But decades later it becomes a Christmas classic. In this segment for Backstory, Larry Potash unearths the hidden meanings contained in the sets, props, and more. You may never see it the same way again. Backstory airs Sunday nights at...
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The Deadliest Maritime Disaster in U.S. History
It was the deadliest maritime disaster in the history of the United States, the sinking of the S.S. Sultana right after the end of the Civil War. And yet, no one was ever convicted of a crime, despite evidence of gross negligence. Larry Potash profiles a man with a personal connection to the...
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The Chicago Movie Pioneer Who Revolutionized an Entire Industry
Hollywood is the global capital of making movies, but it might not have been if it wasn’t for a man in Chicago. Larry Potash gives us the backstory on one William Selig, a visionary who took the concept of silent films to a new level, and revolutionized an entire industry. Backstory airs Sunday...
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THE MAN WHO TOOK ON LAKE MICHIGAN
In 1961 Chicagoan Ted Erikson is a 33 year-old chemist who swims as a hobby. What possessed him to attempt to become one of the first to swim across Lake Michigan? Larry Potash digs into this little-known story through the eyes of Ted’s widow. Backstory airs Sunday nights at 6:30 & 11 on WGN, or...
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THE PIONEERING CUBS OWNER WHO LOST IT ALL
Eight seasons, four pennants, two World Series titles. Not bad for a Cubs owner. Charlies Murphy has been called “the George Steinbrenner” of the early 20th century. In this piece for Backstory, Larry Potash digs into the innovations he pioneered, how he became the most hated man in baseball, and...
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THE "SECRET SIX" WHO HELPED BRING DOWN CAPONE
Elliott Ness and the Untouchables, along with Treasury agent Frank Wilson, were instrumental in taking down Al Capone. However, there was another force working behind the scenes, a group of Chicago businessmen, the so-called “Secret Six.” In this segment for Backstory, Larry Potash talked to a…
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THE SMALL TOWN PASTOR WHO HELPED SAVE THE WORLD
How would World War II have turned out if the Nazis had successfully developed Nuclear weapons? And what does a small town in downstate Illinois have to do with preventing that from happening? Larry Potash digs deep into the crucial role a pastor from a small town in Illinois, and others, played…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Backstory with Larry Potash have?
Backstory with Larry Potash currently has 132 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Backstory with Larry Potash about?
Explore the BACKSTORY behind some of the most intriguing tales in history, culture, religion and science from Chicago and beyond.
How often does Backstory with Larry Potash release new episodes?
Backstory with Larry Potash publishes regularly with 132 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Backstory with Larry Potash?
You can listen to Backstory with Larry Potash on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Backstory with Larry Potash?
Backstory with Larry Potash is created and hosted by WGN-TV.
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