logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
24m 11s

American Girl Doll (Part 1) w/ Aisha Har...

JODY AVIRGAN & RADIOTOPIA
About this episode

We’re doing a special two-part series on the American Girl Doll line of historical dolls!

Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Aisha Harris of NPR to look at the origins of the American Girl Doll, the various periods of American history represented by the series — and how they served as an entry point to history for many people.

Be sure to check out Aisha’s work on Pop Culture Happy Hour, and pre-order her new book Wannabe: Reckonings With The Pop Culture That Shaped Me

Next episode: a deep dive into Addy, the American Girl Doll’s first Black character.

Sign up for our newsletter! We’ll be sending out links to all the stuff we recommended later this week.

Find out more at thisdaypod.com

This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.

If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.com

Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Follow us on social @thisdaypod

Our team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia

Up next
Oct 9
Teach-Ins (Plus A Special Announcement!) w/ Nate DiMeo
It's October 9th. Today, we look back at the first "teach-ins" at the University of Michigan in 1965, and discuss the power of gathering together to learn and teach. Plus, we announce our very own teach-in, taking place in Washington DC on October 26th!Jody, NIki, and Kellie are ... Show More
29m 25s
Oct 7
The First Modern Shutdown w/ Steve Kornacki (2013) [Archive Episode]
Today, we look back an episode we did about October 2013, when the United States government shut down after the Congress was unable to agree to a new budget proposal, that had been saddled with provisions that would have defunded Obamacare.Jody and Niki are joined by NBC/MSNBC co ... Show More
24m 25s
Oct 5
The First Time Democrats Shut Down The Government (1879) [Some Sunday Context]
On Sundays, we try to bring you new conversations and episodes from the archives that provide a little context for the news of 2025. Today: a look back at the very first government shutdown, and how shutdowns have wrapped up budget fights and larger ideological battles before.Sig ... Show More
21m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
Barbie: German Sex Doll to American Icon
She's an icon, a polymath, a fashionista, and she's absolutely everywhere right now. Where did Barbie come from? What has she represented to the many who have bought and played with her? And what makes her an American doll? In this episode, M.G. Lord joins Don to introduce us to ... Show More
31m 54s
Jul 2020
IN CONVERSATION: Aisha Dee
HELLO WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THIS EPISODE THERE’S SIMPLY NO TIME FOR PUNCTUATION Today on the show, we bring you the delightful Aisha Dee. You’ll likely know Aisha as the Australian actor who currently plays Kat Edison on The Bold Type. (And she also played Desi on the Australian ... Show More
42m 4s
May 2024
History of Geishas
What does it mean to be a geisha? How does someone become one? And how do they differ from sex workers? The geisha world is famously very secretive and private, and taking us into it today is Lesley Downer, who spent years befriending geishas in research for her book Geisha: The ... Show More
42m 27s
Mar 2023
First Ladies of the United States
Don talks to former White House reporter Kate Andersen Brower about how the role of First Lady has changed - and stayed the same - since the 1960s. Supporting their husband's presidency, while pursuing their own agenda. Each putting their stamp on their time in office - while oft ... Show More
31m 17s
Aug 2023
Folk Heroes: Annie Christmas
Annie Christmas (c. 1900s) was a fantastical figure based on a real person, but stories about her were passed down through oral tradition, old timey radio shows, collections of folklore and children’s tales. This brawny and brave keelboat captain has been hailed as the queen of t ... Show More
6m 39s
Aug 2020
BOOK CLUB: The Yield
Correction: An earlier edit of this episode said the fictional town of Massacre Plains was based in the Northern Territory of Australia. This is incorrect - the town is based in New South Wales. HELLOOOOO BOOK CLUB PALS! This month, we’re discussing the 2020 Miles Franklin Litera ... Show More
35m 36s
Oct 2022
Best of: Bonnie Nettles
Bonnie Nettles (1927-1985) was co-founder of the Heaven’s Gate cult, whose members committed mass suicide.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — w ... Show More
6m 47s
Mar 2023
Introducing: The Girl in the Blue Mustang
As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for The Girl in the Blue Mustang, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Keith Morrison. When 18-year-old Michelle O’Keefe is found murdered in her shiny new blue Mustang in a California park and ride, investigators enco ... Show More
1m 56s
Aug 2023
Folk Heroes: Maria Bonita
Maria Bonita (c. 1900 - 1938) was a legendary Brazilian outlaw. This month, we're talking about Folk Heroes. People whose lives and stories took on mythic proportions. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wonder ... Show More
6m 12s
May 2023
it's a doll's house and we're living in it (with Dr. Jillian Hernandez)
This episode is a director's cut version of So we’re all obsessed with dolls right now, including extra discussions on dolls in horror films, "living dolls," the power of Bratz, and an interview with Dr. Jillian Hernandez, professor and author of Aesthetics of Excess: The Art of ... Show More
1h 23m