Episodes

  • Bonus: Ghost Tours and Reader Research
    Jan 29 2026

    This bonus episode accompanies episode 8.3, "Is the house haunted?"

    Michele Hanks told us which ghost tours she's seen handle the subject carefully, and Ben Alderson-Day let us know how folks can participate in his presence research.

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    6 mins
  • Is the house haunted?
    Jan 22 2026

    For this episode, we're thinking through a question from visitors who've felt something extra at the Cottage. Along the way we explore the science of mysterious presences, the intersection of doubt and belief, and what makes a place feel like something more.

    Guests:

    Benjamin Alderson-Day

    Michele Hanks

    Tommy Griffiths

    www.lincolncottage.org

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    37 mins
  • Bonus: Douglass and Johnson
    Jan 15 2026

    This bonus episode accompanies episode 8.2, "Weren't they friends?"

    Lucas Morel and Jon White told us about the surprises they discovered in researching their book about Lincoln and Douglass, and Kevin Bryant shared a story that highlights the separation Douglass had to keep between his personal and professional lives.

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    7 mins
  • Weren't they friends?
    Jan 8 2026

    For this episode, we're looking into a question about the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Along the way we learn how they talked about each other, what we know about what friendship operates among boys and men, and how good relationships can make for good democracy.

    Guests:

    Jonathan White

    Lucas Morel

    Kevin Bryant

    Niobe Way

    www.lincolncottage.org

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    32 mins
  • Bonus: Christmas Decor and Chimney Flues
    Dec 24 2025

    This bonus episode accompanies episode 8.1, "Which chimney did Santa come down?"

    Ken Turino highlighted a few differences in Victorian Christmases, and Jeff Larry shared his adventures taking care of the Cottage chimneys.

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    6 mins
  • Which chimney did Santa come down?
    Dec 18 2025

    For this episode, we're exploring a question from a young person surprised to see another fireplace on their tour of the Cottage. Along the way we check out the origins of Christmas trees, how to believe in things you can't see, and how many chimneys the Cottage actually has.

    Guests:

    Ken Turino

    Penne Restad

    Jeff Larry

    Vaughn Joy

    www.lincolncottage.org

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    34 mins
  • LIVE: Was Willie's death preventable?
    Jun 9 2025

    During this week in 1862, the Lincolns moved out to the Cottage for the first time. Part of their reason for coming was to find solace in the wake of their son Willie's death earlier that year. To mark the anniversary, we're making public our live show from March!

    Guests:

    Alexandra Lord

    Matthew Laurens

    Brian Deer

    www.lincolncottage.org

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    53 mins
  • Would Lincoln have been a social democrat?
    Mar 20 2025

    For this episode, we're talking about a question asked by a college student hoping to make contemporary political connections. Along the way we learn the difference between agrarian, republican, socialist, and democrat, hear some of Lincoln's speeches, and discuss the process of unionization here at the Cottage.

    Guests:

    Harold Holzer

    Sean Griffin

    Haley Bryant

    www.lincolncottage.org

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    34 mins