PODCAST · history
Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars
by Shawn Warswick
Empire, Republic & Shadow Wars connects the battles you know to the battles you’re not supposed to notice. I’m Shawn—teacher and historian (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. coursework in U.S. military history & empire). You’ll still get cinematic arcs on the Pacific War and Vietnam—and we’ll dive into the shadow wars: the war on terror, the war on drugs, covert finance, BCCI, and alleged/Documented intersections of intelligence services and the drug trade. We follow the paper trails, declassified files, and institutional incentives that move power.
Episodes
-
5.06 God is Dead
Send us Fan Mail Episode 6 of our mini season "The Great Unraveling" is finally here. Over the past five episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized, how both parties learned to delegitimize elections, how political violence gets selectively remembered, how two...
-
State of the Podcast 2025
Send us Fan Mail Today we talk about the state of the show and what's coming. Support the show
-
State of the Podcast
Send us Fan Mail Just an update about a change or two and where we are headed. Support the show
-
5.05 The Long March
Send us Fan Mail Over the past four episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized, how both parties learned to delegitimize elections, how political violence gets selectively remembered, and how two incompatible constitutional orders came to govern American life...
-
5.04 The Two Constitutions
Send us Fan Mail Civil rights vs. civil liberties—what happens when rights collide? Today we discuss. Support the show
-
5.03 Fiery But Mostly Forgotten
Send us Fan Mail Over the past two episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized decades before Trump, and how both parties learned to delegitimize elections they don't win. Today we're examining something even more fundamental: how Americans think about political...
-
5.02 Selected Not Elected
Send us Fan Mail Today we dive into the election of 2000. This is when both parties learned to delegitimize elections they don't win. Want to support the show and gain access to bonus episodes? Follow the link below: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1169162/supporters/new Support the show
-
5.01 The Great Unraveling
Send us Fan Mail We interrupt season 4 to bring you a special mini series (never fear I already have several WWII episodes written and one is already recorded). This series is based on the events of September 10, 2025, and the aftermath of that day. The purpose is to look into how the US got to...
-
4.36 The Track of Ghosts
Send us Fan Mail This is the American History Podcast, Season 4, Episode 37. I'm your host, Shawn, and welcome to "The Track of Ghosts" - the second of four episodes on the New Guinea Campaign. Questions: email [email protected] Support the show
-
4.35 "Into the Green Hell" The New Guinea Campaign part 1
Send us Fan Mail Guess who's back? Yep. We have a new WWII episode. I wasn't sure this day would arrive, but it has. In this episode we begin a four part look at one of the forgotten aspects of WWII in the Pacific. Support the show
-
Interview: Samuel Marquis
Send us Fan Mail Today we have a special treat. Author Samuel Marquis joins the show to discuss his latest book, "Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal." This is a fantastic book, and one I know you'll love. You can purchase it on Amazon or at your local bookseller, including Barnes...
-
Bonus Episode: 1983 Part 2
Send us Fan Mail We are getting close to the conclusion of the series. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: 1983 Part 1
Send us Fan Mail Finally we delve into the events of the year 1983. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: 1983: the Year the World Almost Ended: Ronald Reagan
Send us Fan Mail Ronald Reagan Support the show
-
Bonus: 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended: American Decline to American Resurgence
Send us Fan Mail title says it all. In the 1970s it seemed like the United States was on the decline, but the story wasn't over. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: 1983, the Year the World Almost Ended: Jimmy Carter and the Cold War
Send us Fan Mail We continue with Jimmy Carter and the Cold War. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: 1983 The Year the World Almost Ended: The Soviet Union from WWII to the 1970s
Send us Fan Mail The title sort of says it all. Enjoy Support the show
-
Bonus: 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended: The Workers State 2
Send us Fan Mail Support the show
-
Bonus: 1983, the Year the World Almost Ended: The Workers State 1
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended. In this episode, or miniseries of episodes within the main series, I want to take a look at the Worker’s state, specifically the Soviet Union, but also some of the “workers paradises” that were built in Eastern Europe in the...
-
Bonus: 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended: The Cold War in the 1970s
Send us Fan Mail Another bonus episode from our now discontinued Patreon. Enjoy Support the show
-
Bonus: 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended: The Cold War in the 1960s
Send us Fan Mail This bonus episode covers the Cold War in the 1960s Support the show
-
Bonus: 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended:: The Cold War Overview, the 1940s and 50's
Send us Fan Mail Part two of what was a "Patreon only series" on the Cold War. Enjoy Support the show
-
Bonus: 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended: The Cold War
Send us Fan Mail This is a bonus episode introducing "1983" which was a pattern only show about how the world almost ended in 1983 and none of us really knew it. Support the show
-
Bonus episode: Rednecks, Crackers and Donald Trump
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is a bonus one I did for Patreon members WAY back in 2020. I thought it had some relevance to today so here it is. Enjoy. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: Quagmire in the Middle East part 2
Send us Fan Mail This bonus episode was originally made available way back in 2021 to Patreon members and now it is available for you. Enjoy Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: Quagmire in the Middle East
Send us Fan Mail It was January 16, 1991. Your humble host was an undergraduate in college, and like others in the dorms, watching events unfold live on TV. US media had begun broadcasting the start of the air campaign to “free Kuwait” from the clutches of the evil Saddam Hussein. Looking back on...
-
Interview: Author Stuart A Reid
Send us Fan Mail Today we have a treat! Author Stuart A. Reid is here to talk about his just released book: "The Lumumba Plot" which is a fantastic Cold War era book . Just click the title and you can order your copy via Amazon. Support the show
-
4.34 WWII in China, part 3
Send us Fan Mail Finally, we are back into the narrative about WWII. In this episode we continue to look at the war in China. Enjoy! Support the show
-
Interview Episode: Eli Merritt
Send us Fan Mail Today we have the last episode until September. This book is "Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution." It's the perfect book for this time of year, plus it's quite timely. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3rasdKB Buzzsprout - Let's get your...
-
4.33 WWII in China part 2
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to the main narrative. Today we continue our look at China in WWII. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: Historian Katherine C. Mooney
Send us Fan Mail Today we have an interview with Dr. Katherine C. Mooney. She is a professor at Florida St. University and the author of the fantastic new book, Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey. Get your copy of this fantastic new book here. Check out the Luxurious bastard and…
more -
Bonus Author Interview: Craig Nelson
Send us Fan Mail We have a special treat today. Historian Craig Nelson has a new book coming out on May 23. V is for Victory: Franklin Roosevelt's American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II. I think this is a great book for listeners who are fans of WWII (or even if your aren't). I don't...
-
4.32 WWII in China part 1
Send us Fan Mail Last episode we spent our time looking at the final aspect of Guadalcanal and that was the naval battles that took place in November 1942. It’s been a while since we discussed China, but I don’t want us to forget that aspect of the war, so we will spend several episodes talking...
-
4.31 The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Send us Fan Mail Today we wrap up our look at Guadalcanal by discussing the naval battle that took place in and around the waters of that island. Enjoy. Support the show
-
4.30 The Santa Cruz Islands
Send us Fan Mail Today we delve into the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and a few other issues as we FINALLY leave the Battle of Guadalcanal. Support the show
-
Bonus episode: Interview with author Kathy Joseph
Send us Fan Mail Today we have one more interview (last for a while). This is author Kathy Joseph, author of the book The Lightning Tamers. It's one of my favorite books of the last few years and I think you will love it as well. Get your copy here. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!...
-
4.29 Guadalcanal part 5
Send us Fan Mail Today we finally get to the worst fighting (or some of the worst) on the 'canal. Enjoy! Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support...
-
Bonus Interview: Author Debra Yates
Send us Fan Mail Here is an interview episode with author Debra Yates, the author of "Woman of Many Names" a book about her 7th great grandmother. Enjo Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: Interview with historian Matthew Delmont
Send us Fan Mail The last in our series of bonus author interviews features historian Matthew Delmont of Dartmouth. In this episode we discuss his latest book which deals with African Americans and World War II titled Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at…
more -
Bonus Episode: Interview with author Alexander Rose
Send us Fan Mail Today we have a special treat, an interview with Author Alexander Rose about his just released book, The Lion and the Fox. This is a true story about two spies during the Civil War, and it's one you won't be able to put down. Grab a copy for yourself or the history buff in your...
-
Bonus Episode: Author William Inboden
Send us Fan Mail Today we have a very special bonus episode featuring scholar William Inboden, the author of a fantastic new book on Ronald Reagan and his foreign policy. There has not been a comprehensive survey (believe it or not) of this subject until now. This fantastic new book is available...
-
4.28 The Guadalcanal campaign part 4
Send us Fan Mail Today we get into some fierce fighting on the 'canal. The Marines will have their hands full trying to hold on to their gains. Support the show
-
Bonus Episode: Scott Horton
Send us Fan Mail It's my birthday week so you all get a special bonus episode. It's been 10 months since we last had Horton on the show, and a LOT has happened in that time. Just an FYI: I don't listen to many podcasts these days. Mainly because I don't want to be influenced by anyone, but, I...
-
4.27 The Guadalcanal Campaign, part 3
Send us Fan Mail Today we continue our deep dive into the Guadalcanal campaign. This promises to be a long "series" within the overall series, possibly as long as 6-8 episodes by the time we finish our discussion. Enjoy. Support the show
-
4.26 The Guadalcanal Campaign part 2
Send us Fan Mail Today we get even more into the weeds of the Guadalcanal campaign. This time the action is focused on the fight at sea, and the USS Enterprise is in the thick of it. This famous ship takes a beating, and the question is, will she survive? Listen to find out. Support the show
-
4.25 The Guadalcanal Campaign part 1
Send us Fan Mail Today we being a multi part look at the Guadalcanal campaign. There is a lot to it, hopefully I can keep it interesting without making it too complicated. Support the show
-
4.24. Summer 1942
Send us Fan Mail It is summer, 1942. Midway was a disaster for the Japanese, but the war is far from over. The Americans, at the insistence of Admiral King, have decided to challenge the Japanese in the Solomons. Support the show
-
4.23 The Battle of Midway
Send us Fan Mail Perhaps the most important battle of the early war, Midway was the make it or break it point for the U.S. Navy. The Japanese were determined to put the pressure on Nimitz, and the admiral himself rolled the dice. Would the Americans stop the Japanese? Well, here is that story....
-
4.22 The Battle of the Coral Sea
Send us Fan Mail Today we move the narrative forward and find the U.S. Navy determined to hit the Japanese in the south Pacific, hopefully to stop their advance in the region. Failure to do so could mean the Japanese will threaten the shipping lanes to Australia. This battle is historic in that…
more -
Bonus Episode: Interview with Author William Taylor
Send us Fan Mail Today we present the last of our "author interviews" for the year. William Taylor was a Marine who served in Vietnam for 13 months, earning 3 Purple Hearts and 2 Presidential Unit citations in the process. His book about the experience is a well written one which will take you…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Empire, Republic & Shadow Wars connects the battles you know to the battles you’re not supposed to notice. I’m Shawn—teacher and historian (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. coursework in U.S. military history & empire). You’ll still get cinematic arcs on the Pacific War and Vietnam—and we’ll dive into the shadow wars: the war on terror, the war on drugs, covert finance, BCCI, and alleged/Documented intersections of intelligence services and the drug trade. We follow the paper trails, declassified files, and institutional incentives that move power.
HOSTED BY
Shawn Warswick
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars have?
Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars currently has 159 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars about?
Empire, Republic & Shadow Wars connects the battles you know to the battles you’re not supposed to notice. I’m Shawn—teacher and historian (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. coursework in U.S. military history & empire). You’ll still get cinematic arcs on the Pacific War and Vietnam—and we’ll dive into the...
How often does Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars release new episodes?
Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars publishes regularly with 159 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars?
You can listen to Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars 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 Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars?
Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars is created and hosted by Shawn Warswick.
URL copied to clipboard!