The Uncommonwealth Podcast: Recent Episodes
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An Unorthodox Look at the Best State in the USA - Pennsylvania. Bill & Anastas speak on the history and culture of the Commonwealth, from Allentown to Zelienople, and everything in between.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the history behind Manayunk, a vibrant neighborhood in Philadelphia. This episode was recorded live in Manayunk during Julyfest, an annual celebration hosted by Bill himself!
Disclaimer: Due to some errors during recording, there is a missing piece of audio during the episode. There is also more background noise than normal due to the live setting.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on towns named after Confederate generals and Anastas' thoughts on communication during the battle.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the events leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg as well as the first day of battle! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on ghosts and Anastas' thoughts on Confederate flags.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the history behind wine in Pennsylvania! Keep an eye out for some of Bill's winery shout-outs and Anastas' comments on hipster winery names.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of the most tragic disasters in US history, the Johnstown Flood. Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on pipes and Bill's thoughts on callbacks!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas present the third part of an ongoing series on America's Daddy™ Ben Franklin. This episode focuses on Franklin's statesmanship and his impact during the early years of the United States. Keep an eye out for Bill's hot dog reference and Anastas' thoughts on Philly sports radio!
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss the writings of Lloyd Alexander! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on Dave Navarro and a surprise cameo from Anastas' dogs!
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss the Pennsylvania's connection to the beginnings of Memorial Day. Keep any eye out for Bill's maypole reference and Anastas' thoughts on Memorial Day celebrations!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of PA's favorite amusement parks, Knoebels! Keep an eye out for Anastas' disdain for drinking at amusement parks and Bill's first hand experiences at Knoebels!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of the most unfortunate and shameful events in Philadelphia's history, the 1985 MOVE bombing.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of Marvel's most famous visionaries Steve Ditko! Keep an eye out for Bill's Endgame "spoilers" and for Anastas' first comic book experience!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss a whole bunch of miscellaneous facts about Pennsylvania! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts Upper Darby and Bill's thoughts on day drinking.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of PA's most notorious outlaws... Harry Alonzo Longabaugh aka the Sundance Kid! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on Mont Clare and Bill's thoughts on the Pinkertons!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss former Dock Ellis and his no hitter! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on Ken Burns and Anastas' thoughts on hot dogs.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the birthplace of the modern oil industry: Titusville, PA! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on smoking cigars indoors and Bill's thoughts on leather jackets.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas present the second part of an ongoing series on America's Daddy™ Ben Franklin. This episode dives into Franklin's inventions and his impact on the scientific community! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on Chicago and Bill's thoughts on Westerns!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas conclude their discussion on America's most damaged heirloom... the Liberty Bell! Keep an eye out for a Taco Bell reference and Bill's thoughts on supporting historical landmarks.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss a true symbol of American freedom... the Liberty Bell! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on the Philadelphia accent and Bill's thoughts on the Wells Fargo Museum!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the life of Princess Grace Kelly! Keep an eye out for poorly pronounced French names and Anastas' thoughts on Monaco!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas conclude their exploration of Joseph Priestley's life. Special guest Tom Petersen joins in to rile up his brother and scare Anastas in the process!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas continue to explore the life of Joseph Priestley. Special guest Tom Petersen joins again to provide his insight and shenanigans!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas dive into the life of influential theologian and scientist Joseph Priestley! Special guest Tom Petersen stops by and chaos reigns.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of PA's strangest mysteries... the Erie Pizza Bombing! Keep an eye out for Anastas' ASMR moment and Bill's bad pronunciation of La Croix.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the Mushroom Capital of the World - Kennett Square! Keep an eye out for thoughts on first dates at Longwood Gardens and the humor that comes with mushrooms.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas dive into a little French-PA history, with the settlement of French Azilum! Keep an eye out for mispronounced French words and some thoughts on Burger King!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of PA's lesser known pieces of history, the Mattson witch trial! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on William Penn and Anastas' thoughts on Delco!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss America's Daddy™ Ben Franklin. Specifically, the boys discuss his early life as well as his career as a writer/printer. Keep an eye out for the introduction of a new segment!
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss a PA pantry standard... Heinz! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on beans and Bill's interpretation of The Burger King.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the Mummers and their traditional New Year's Day Mummers Parade. Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on clowns and Bill's Manayunk parade memories.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas explore some of Pennsylvania's Christmas traditions! Keep an eye out for Bill's Christmas tree pickle and Anastas' views on highly decorated lawns.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas dive into the history of Christmas City, USA - Bethlehem! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on George Washington and Anastas' thoughts on prog rock.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas drink that sweet, sweet PA nectar - Yuengling! Keep an eye out for a taste testing session and some of Bill's drinking stories.
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss Jimmy Stewart's decorated military career. This wraps up a two-part series on Stewart.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss Jimmy Stewart, a true PA icon. The first of a two-part series, this episode focuses on Stewart's incredible acting career. Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on Rhinestone Cowboy and Anastas' incredible lack of classic movie knowledge.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss one of the most important companies of the 20th century, Pittsburgh's own Westinghouse! Keep an eye our for Bill's thoughts on pigeons and Anastas' views on Siemens AG.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the Molly Maguires! Keep an eye out for Bill's tongue reference and Anastas' thoughts on spelling.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the past and present of Philadelphia's own Eastern State Penitentiary. Keep an eye out for Bill's rendition of the Duck Tales theme song and Anastas' views on Steve Buscemi.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss the haunted history of Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia's most famous prison. Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on ghosts and Anastas' disgust with Bill.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss PA's spookiest abandoned town, Centralia! Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on Dan Aykroyd and Anastas' thoughts on instant mashed potatoes.
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss PA's most famous nuclear power plant, Three Mile Island! Keep an eye out for Bill's lesson on Lyndon B. Johnson and Anastas' inability to pronounce "nuclear."
On today's episode Bill & Anastas discuss a PA rock icon - Joan Jett! Keep an eye out for Bill's views on punk rock and Anastas' views on Jett's musical prowess.
For their 10th episode Bill & Anastas dive into the sweet & salty history of PA snacks - as voted by you, the listener! Keep an eye out for meat pancakes and braided pudding! This episode also features Anastas' dogs in the background, so listen closely!
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss the murder of Olympic gold medalist Dave Schultz by multi-millionaire John du Pont. Keep an eye out for badly pronounced names and Bill's Villanova pride!
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss a Pennsylvania pop icon... Andy Wahol! Keep an eye out for Bill's views on ancient Egyptian artifacts and Anastas' temper tantrum.
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss one of the Revolution's most famous figures... Betsy Ross! Keep an eye out for Anastas' thoughts on Hessians and Bill's attraction to flags.
On this edition of The Uncommonwealth Podcast, Bill & Anastas discuss the history behind Bill's favorite college football team - Penn State! Keep an eye out for a bonus phone interview with a very special game day correspondent after our outro music.
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss the history of Little League Baseball and the World Series that calls Williamsport home. Keep an eye out for Bill's impression of a Little League parent and Anastas' thoughts on North Korean baseball!
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss the Penn's Creek Massacre. It's a darker episode, where PA doesn't look too good. Keep an eye out for Bill's horrific screen goofs and Anastas' thoughts on Ohio!
On today's episode, Bill & Anastas discuss Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood fame. Keep an eye out for Bill's thoughts on rabbits as well as Anastas' views on tattoos.
On this edition of The Uncommonwealth Podcast, Bill & Anastas discuss one of the more... interesting groups in Pennsylvania - the Amish! Make sure to keep an eye out for some horribly mispronounced German words as well as Bill's burning rage towards Anastas' childhood Lancaster field trip.
On the first episode of The Uncommonwealth Podcast, Bill & Anastas discuss one of Pennsylvania's most contentious rivalries - Wawa vs. Sheetz!