What's Old is News: Recent Episodes
Sean Graham
Exploring how current events are shaped by history.
Each week, Sean Graham will be joined by historians, journalists, and experts to discuss some of the biggest questions in history and how the connect to major policy and cultural decisions being made today.
There's also our 'Historical Headline of the Week' segment, where we look at how old news continues to resonate.
Sean Graham talks with Rosemary Pennington, author of Pop Islam: Seeing American Muslims in Popular Media. They discuss how Ms Marvel contributed to the book's origins, what forms of media are included in the book, and how stereotypes of Muslims are perpetuated in popular culture. They also chat about the challenges faced by Muslim stand-up comedians, how reality show editing influences perceptions, and how popular culture reflects society at large.
Historical Headline of the Week
Anika Steffen, "'Ms Marvel' treats being Muslim as ordinary - and that makes it extraordinary," NPR, June 17, 2022.
Sean Graham talks with Molly Schneider, author of Gold Dust on the Air: Television Anthology Drama and Midcentury American Culture. They talk about the origins of television anthologies, the transition from radio, and their popularity among audiences. They also discuss the role of anthologies in reflecting American culture, pushback from audiences and studios, and the legacy of anthologies and what they tell us about the significance of television programs.
Historical Headline of the Week
Joshua Rothman and Erin Overbey, "How TV Became Art," The New Yorker, August 28, 2017.
Sean Graham is joined by Eric Porter, author of A People's History of SFO: The Making of the Bay Area and an Airport. They talk about the importance of airports, telling local stories through the airport, and how battles over airports speak to questions of power. They also get into the specifics of San Francisco's airport, how its development shaped the city and region, and some of the major milestones in SFO's history.
Historical Headline of the Week
Tim Fang, "City files motion to stop OAK airport from using 'San Francisco Bay' name," CBS News, Bay Area, September 17, 2024.
Sean Graham talks with Blair Mirau, author of The City of Rainbows: A Colourful History of Prince Rupert. They talk about the benefits of the city's geography, the impact of colonialism on local Indigenous communities, and the different eras in the city's history. They also discuss Prince Rupert during the world wars and Great Depression, its challenges through the second half of the 20th century, and how the city's history speaks to local histories across the country.
Historical Headline of the Week
"Prince Rupert port to get busier with $1.35B gas export plant," The Canadian Press, May 30, 2024.
Sean Graham talks with Marth Hanna, author of Anxious Days and Tearful Nights: Canadian War Wives During the First World War. They discuss Martha's entry into the world of First World War letters, the challenge of tracking down letters from over 100 years ago, and how women on the front lines managed their relationships with significant others fighting the war. They also chat about censorship of letters, the challenge of what to share and what to hide from your spouse during the war, and what happened to relationships following the war.
Historical Headline of the Week
Arthur White-Crummey, "Captured First World War pilot's note reunited with family in Ottawa," CBC.ca, August 17, 2024.
This week Sean revisits a 2017 discussion with Jean-Marie Leduc, noted expert on skates, and the principal author of Lace Up: A History of Skates in Canada. They talk about Mr. Leduc's skate collection, why he wanted to write a book, and the cultural significance of sports on ice in Canada.
Historical Headline of the Week
Darren Bernhardt, "Brandon-made Tackaberry skate - Tacks - recognized for national historic significance," CBC, October 19, 2022.
Sean Graham is joined by Daniel Robinson, author of Cigarette Nation: Business, Health, and Canadian Smokers, 1930-1975. They discuss Daniel's initial interest in studying smoking culture, the increase in smoking rates in the 1930s and 1940s, and the initial studies linking cigarettes to cancer in the 1950s. They also chat about the industry's and government's response, the social side of smoking, and the cultural significance cigarettes in Canada.
Historical Headline of the Week
Aurelia Foster, "What is the UK smoking ban, how will it work and when will it start?" BBC, April 23, 2024.
Sean Graham is joined by Catherine Larochelle, author of School of Racism: A Canadian History, 1830-1915, which is also available in French. Recorded live in Montreal, they discuss Catherine's study of educational materials, the challenge of studying the history of schools, and the importance of exploring the history of both French and English language materials. They also chat about how colonialism influences curricula, how colonial ideas shape classroom programming, and the difficulty in confronting deeply engrained ideas.
Historical Headline of the Week
Sam Thompson and Daisy Woelk, "'Shock and disbelief' after Manitoba school trustee's Indigenous comments," Global News, April 25, 2024.
Sean Graham is joined by Patrick Bixby, author of License to Travel: A Cultural History of the Passport. They talk about the origins of the modern passport, the reaction to its introduction, and how artists and writers responded. They also chat about the role of the nation state in immigration, the relative value of nations' passports, and what the document tells us about its holder.
Historical Headline of the Week
Kanis Leung, "Hong Kong Invokes a New Law to Cancel Passports of 6 Overseas-Based Activists, Including Nathan Law," Associated Press, 12 June 2024.
Sean Graham is joined by Raymond Blake, author of Canada's Prime Ministers and the Shaping of National Identity. They discuss the role of the Prime Minister, how mass media changed the office, and the ways in which Prime Ministers have influenced national identity. They also chat about how international affairs shape domestic discussions, how the length of a government shapes public perceptions, and how retail politics influence conversations on identity.
Historical Headline of the Week
Erna Paris, "Canada's Multiculturalism is our Identity," Globe & Mail, April 27, 2018.
Sean Graham welcomes Adam Zientek, author of A Thirst for Wine and War: The Intoxication of French Soldiers on the Western Front. They chat about how wine became a staple of French rations in the First World War, the perceived benefits of wine, and how it was transported to the front lines in such large quantities. They also discuss perception of liquor compared to wine, the role of alcohol in French mutinies, and the cultural legacy of wine's role during the First World War in France.
Historical Headline of the Week
Brigit Katz, "Hundreds of Liquor Bottles, Downed by British Soldiers During WWI, Found in Israel," Smithsonian Magazine, March 24, 2017.
Sean Graham talks with Jennifer VanderBurgh, author ofWhat Television Remembers: Artifacts and Footprints of TV in Toronto. They discuss the challenge of studying Canadian television, how to find old programs, and why television researches often rely on the public. They also talk about Toronto as a television Canada's television production centre, how the city stands in for other locations, and how that shapes what Canadians see on their screens.
Historical Headline of the Week
Kate Taylor, "For CBC fans, TV history is just out of reach," Globe & Mail, June 2, 2017.
Sean Graham is joined by Michelle J. Manno, author of Denied: Women, Sports, and the Contradiction of Identity. They talk about Michelle's personal experience with collegiate basketball, how personal identity mixed with team identity in sports, and how players navigate contested spaces. They also discuss how coaches police players' identities, the role of Title IX, and how players assert agency within college sports.
Historical Headline of the Week
Shireen Ahmed, "WNBA's Toronto Expansion will help Amplify Culture of Women's Basketball in Canada," CBC Sports, May 15, 2024.
We're back with Season 2 of What's Old is News and to kick it off, Sean Graham is joined by Andy Lamey, author of The Canadian Mind: Essays on Writers or Thinkers. They talk about Canadian literature in the second half of the 20th century, where nationalism fits into the story, and the how literary critics treated Canadian writing. They also chat about questions related to identity, language, and legacies and major literary figures.
Historical Headline of the Week
Bob Weber, "Vast Digital Trove of Recordings by Canadian Literature Greats Nears Completion," Canadian Press, November 4, 2023.
Sean Graham talks with Dustin Galer, author of Beryl: The Making of a Disability Activist. They talk about Beryl Potter's entry into activism, how the 1970s public debates influenced her campaigns, and the financial challenges faced by disability activists. They also chat about Beryl Potter's personality and public encounters, her television program, and how many of the challenges she fought against persist in 2023. For further context, be sure to visit some of the activist organizations that continue to push for disability rights and accessibility.
Historical Headline of the Week
Rhianna Schmiunk and Michelle Ghoussoub, "Air Canada Makes Changes After Passengers with Disabilities Share 'Dehumanizing' Experiences.' CBC News, November 9, 2023.
Sean Graham is joined by Kristin Burnett and Travis Hay, authors of Plundering the North: A History of Settler Colonialism, Corporate Welfare, and Food Insecurity. They discuss the geographic parameters of the 'North,' the challenges faced by northern communities, and the origins of food insecurity. They also chat about the colonial structures that have created the problem, how communities are trying to challenge these systems, and the resulting political and economic implications.
Historical Headline of the Week
"U.N. Reviews High Food Insecurity Rates in Canada's Northern Territories," APTN News, August 31, 2023.
Sean Graham talks with David MacKenzie, author of King and Chaos: The 1935 Canadian General Election. They talk about the value of studying elections in history, the economic conditions leading into the election, and the fractured political environment at the time. They also discuss the leadership of R.B. Bennett, William Lyon Mackenzie King, J.S. Woodsworth, and William Aberhart, how foreign policy influenced the campaign, and the election's legacy.
Historical Headline of the Week
Michael Gates, "History Hunter: Martha Black - Yukon Lady Parliamentarian," Yukon News, April 16, 2023.
Sean Graham talks with Andrea Procter, author of A Long Journey: Residential Schools in Labrador and Newfoundland. They talk about how the residential schooling system there differed from Canada's in the early 20th century, student experiences at the schools, and how communities responded. They also discuss reconciliation in Labrador, why the province wasn't included in the initial national apology, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Healing and Commemoration Project. And be sure to check out the Them Daysarchives, where all the royalties for the book are being donated.
Historical Headline of the Week
Healing and Commemoration Portal, The Rooms, St. John's.
Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015
If you’re experiencing trauma, a National Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students. You can access information on the website or access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.
In this episode, Sean Graham talks with Angie Wong, author of Laughing Back at Empire: The Grassroots Activism of The Asianadian Magazine, 1978-1985. They talk about the magazine's origins, its regular features, and how it built community across the country. They also discuss how it was funded, how it fit within the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, and its legacy nearly 40 years after its final edition. Historical Headline of the Week Winston Ma, "I Was Ashamed of Being Chinese Until I Learned About my Ancestors' First Years in Canada," CBC, May 30, 2023.
A landmark work when it was first released a decade ago, David Austin's Fear of a Black Nation is now out in its second edition. In this episode, David stopped by to talk about the second edition, what has been added, and how the societal context has changed. He also discusses what made Montreal such a hotbed of international activism and politics in the 1960s, the legacy of slavery, and how economics influences these conversations.Historical Headline of the WeekCelina Aalders, "Legendary African Nova Scotian Boxer George Dixon Receives Historical Designation,"CBC.ca, June 12, 2023.
Since Confederation, Canada has implemented a number of restrictive immigration policies, including on Jewish immigrants during the 1930s. Norm Ravvin, author of Who Gets In: An Immigration Story, joins the show to talk about one story of a Jewish immigrant coming to Canada and challenging those restrictions, We talk about researching what was a hidden story, how prospective immigrants fought against the rules, and the power of community.Historical Headline of the WeekJadine Ngan, "A Look Inside the New Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver's Chinatown," Maclean's, July 6, 2023.
Alex Ketchum, author of Ingredients for Revolution: A History of American Feminist Restaurants, Cafes, and Coffeehouses, joins Sean Graham to talk about the book and how these sites build communities. They chat about what constitutes a "feminist' restaurant, the cultural significance of food, and how the cafes' business imperatives sometimes conflicted with their ideals. They also discuss the need to protect patrons, the role of racial discrimination, and how these sites are critical in the face of recent legislation.You can follow Alex's work on Twitter, Instagram, and through The Feminist Restaurant Project.
Historical Headline of the Week
Tim Carman, "Annie's Paramount Steakhouse, long a haven for D.C.'s gay community, wins a James Beard Classics Award," Washington Post, January 31, 2019.
Sean Graham is joined by Ian Kennedy, author of On Account of Darkness: Shining Light on Race and Sport, which explores how athletes from Chatham-Kent in southwestern Ontario fought racial discrimination through sports. They discuss Ian's interest in sports, Chatham-Kent's history as a terminus of the underground railroad, and why sports are a powerful tool for social change. They also talk about the Chatham Coloured All-Stars and Fergie Jenkins, the difference between amateur and professional sports, and the future of activism in sports.You can keep up with Ian's work on Twitter and at The Hockey NewsHistorical Headline of the WeekRichard McGahey, "The Super Bowl, Racism, and Segregation," Forbes February 13, 2023.
For over a century, Canadians have maintained a love affair with Hollywood, both as producers and consumers. This week, we look at how that has played out with Mary Graham, author of Stunning Backdrop: Alberta in the Movies, 1917-1960, and Michael Gates, author of Hollywood in the Klondike: Dawson City's Great Film Find. We discuss the presence of the American film industry in Canada, how films portrayed Canada, and the industry's role in colonialism.
Historical Headline of the Week
'North Island Students Reeling in Film Training," Campbell River Mirror, March 9, 2023.
In between games at the 2019 Continental Cup, Brian Chick stopped by to talk about his book Written in Stone: A Modern History of Curling. We talk about the sport's inclusion in the Olympics in 1998, the professionalization of curling, and it's current place within the sporting landscape.
Historical Headline of the Week
Tyler Searle, "Thistle Curling Club Closing Shop, Moving in with Deer Lodge," Winnipeg Free Press, February 28, 2023.
In the 1930s, Hogan's Alley in Vancouver was home to a vibrant community, which was slowly displaced through the construction of the Dunsmuir and Georgia viaducts. This is the settling for Junie, a historical fiction that explores the complexities of community, race, sexuality, substance abuse, and, most importantly, love. Author Chelene Knight talks about the book, balancing historical accuracy with artistic licence, and some of the key themes that emerge through Junie's story.
You can learn more about Chelene's work at her website.
Historical Headline of the Week
Kenneth Chan, "This is the plan to rebuild Vancouver's Hogan's Alley for the Black community," Daily Hive, June 15, 2020.
Authors Linda Peterat (From Denmark to the Cariboo: The Epic Journey of the Lindhard Sisters) and Michael Andruff (The Russian Refugees: A Family's First Century in Canada) join Sean to talk about how familial stories can shape our understanding of immigration to Canada. They discuss their respective stories, the push/pull factors that contribute to immigration, and the challenges families faced once in Canada. They also discuss immigration and colonialism, how factors like gender and education influenced newcomers' experiences, and the legacy of these stories.
Historical Headline of the Week
Irem Koca, "Turkish Diaspora Urges Canada to Expedite Immigration of Families Hit by Earthquake," Toronto Star, February 14, 2023.
Be sure to learn more about Michael's Homeglen Legacy Fund initiative.
Lauren Beck, author of Canada's Place Names & How to Change Them, joins the show to talk about the debate over changing names. The discussion ranges from how Canada's places got their names, colonial naming practices, and the cultural significance of place names. The conversation also touches on Indigenous naming customs, the politics of renaming, and the overall challenge of naming places after people.
Historical Headline of the Week
Cindy Tran, "Ottawa's Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway to Get an Indigenous Name," The Globe & Mail, January 19, 2023.
Janice Forsyth, author of Reclaiming Tom Longboat: Indigenous Self-Determination in Canadian Sport, talks with Sean about the Tom Longboat Awards and the role of sport in the story of colonization. They discuss Janice's history as a past winner, the importance of sporting role models, and mainstream sports' role in colonial structures. They also chat about how the media tells athletes' stories and the role of traditional sports and games in decolonization.
Historical Headline of the Week
Bobby Hristova, "Indigenous Teens Hope Return of Lacrosse to Canada Games will Inspire Future Generations," CBC News, August 6, 2022.
Catharine Wilson joins Sean to talk about the history of co-operative work bees in rural Canada. Communal events to complete big projects in short amount of time, work bees are representative of rural Canadian culture and are the subject of Catharine's new book Being Neighbours: Cooperative Work and Rural Culture, 1830-1960. They chat about community in rural areas, how work bees were organized, and their legacy today.
Be sure to check out the Rural Diary Archive and the People's Archive of Rural Canada.
Historical Headline of the Week
Stephanie Rogers, "Why Many Atlantic Canadian Farmers Struggle to Adopt High-Tech Solutions - and What can be Done to Change That," Dal News, August 23, 2022.
Nathan M. Greenfield, author of Hanged in Medicine Hat: Murder in a Nazi Prisoner-of-War Camp and the Disturbing True Story of Canada's Last Mass Execution, joins Sean Graham to talk about POW camp 132 in Medicine Hat. They talk about how the camp came to be, the prisoners' relationship with the local community, and the internal culture that developed at the site. They also discuss the Nazi influence in the camp, the murder of two prisoners, and the resulting trial and execution.
For more, you can read Nathan's editorial "When was it Unjust to Kill Seven Nazi Soldiers? When it Happened in Canada"
Historical Headline of the Week
Stephen J. Thorne, "Archeologists Uncover Hospital Artifacts at Notorious PoW Camp," Legion Magazine, October 25, 2022
Sean Graham talks with Michael Clemens, author of Screening Nature and Nation: The Environmental Documentaries of the National Film Board, 1939-1974. They discuss the origins of the NFB, its approach to portraying the environment, and the influence of federal politicians. They also chat about the filmmakers who documented Canadian wildlife, how the films changed over time, and some of the best picks for people to watch today.
If you want to watch some of the films discussed, you can check them out on the NFB website:
Cree Hunters of Mistassini
Death of a Legend
Historical Headline of the Week
Martin Morrow, "‘Iconic’ documentarian Gudrun Bjerring Parker helped define NFB’s signature style," Globe & Mail, December 8, 2022
Sean talks with Jenny Ellison, author of Being Fat: Women, Weight, and Feminist Activism in Canada. They talk about the origins of fat activism, the strategies used by activists, and the tensions with second wave feminism. We also talk about fitness and healthy eating campaigns, the role of fashion, and the entrepreneurship of some activists.
Historical Headline of the Week
Fat's not Where It's At, Participaction Commercial, 1984
More Information
Well Rounded Documentary
Sean is joined by Jane Griffith, author of Words Have a Past: The English Language, Colonialism, and the Newspapers of Indian Boarding Schools to talk about the significance and legacy of Indian boarding school newspapers. They talk about why schools published newspapers, who the intended audiences were, and the information they did not include. They also discuss the power of language, colonial efforts towards linguicide, and the legacy of how language was policed in residential schools.
Historical Headline of the Week
Victoria Daily Colonist, "Indian Schools Deal out Death," November 16, 1907.
If you’re experiencing trauma, a National Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students. You can access information on the website or access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.
For as long as people have been doing history, there have been debates over how to best share the stories of the past. In recent years, this has revolved around discussions over teaching history and ways to better engage people with the history that shapes our daily lives. In this episode, Sean Graham explores these themes with Trilby Kent, author of The Vanishing Past: Making the Case for the Future of History. They discuss the ways in which history is taught across Canada, the importance of historical knowledge within public life, and ways historians can move beyond the insular discussions that too often define the discipline.
Historical Headline of the Week
Roscoe Oliver, "Biography and Autobiography," The Maple Leaf, April 23, 1931.
Fort Smith, NWT is probably not where you would expect to find a suit of samurai armour and sword, but at the local museum that's exactly what you can find. When he first saw it, author Richard Van Camp started to think about all the possibilities of how it got there. The result is A Blanket of Butterflies, which is the first volume of The Spirit of Denendeh. This beautiful new edition, illustrated in full colour for the first time, tells the story of a young Dene boy and his grandmother helping a Japanese man recover his grandfather's armour. Through the story, Van Camp addresses questions of colonialism, knowledge transmission, and the complicated legacy of Second World War-era mining in the North.
Historical Headline of the Week
"Echoes of the Atomic Age: Cancer Kills Fourteen Aboriginal Uranium Workers," Calgary Herald, March 14, 1998
To learn more about RIchard's work, visit him at RichardVanCamp.com
You can watch A Village of Widows here.
Sean Graham explores the history of substance use disorders and overdose deaths in Canada, which have regularly be presented through a moral lens. By othering those experiencing substance use disorders, policymakers have created an environment where ensuring support is available to users and their families is not a priority. To highlight the importance of approaching this issue with humanity, Sean is joined by Tara McGuire, author of Holden After and Before: Love Letter for a Son Lost to Overdose. In telling the story of her son, Tara honours him while also sharing their collective story. Poignant and powerful, the book shows how community and compassion are central to addressing the issue.
Historical Headline of the Week
"Death of Dope," Vancouver Daily Sun, April 28, 1921
In this episode, Sean is joined by Steve Paikin of TVO's The Agenda to talk about Prime Minister John Turner, whose lengthy career spanned the decriminalization of homosexuality and abortion, stagflation, and free trade. They discuss Turner's career, legacy, and what we can learn about modern politics from studying Canada's 17th Prime Minister.
Be sure to check out Steve Paikin's new biography John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada's 17th Prime Minister.
Historical Headline of the Week:
"John Turner Maps his Future" - Maclean's, September 17, 1984
Welcome to What's Old is News! Enjoy this brief teaser episode as we get ready for our debut in November