logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2008
4m 14s

What's Mutual Assured Destruction?

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode
During the Cold War, both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. stockpiled weapons, eventually holding enough power to destroy the world several times over. Yet neither side actually used these weapons. Learn more about M.A.D. in our article on HowStuffWorks. 
Up next
Today
Behind the Scenes Minis: Censorship Cats
Tracy talks about how the show's recording schedule meant that this week's Monday episode got revised repeatedly to reflect current events. Holly talks about the way theater performances during portions of heavy censorship in France incorporated audience participation.See omnystu ... Show More
26m 59s
Mar 4
Théophile Steinlen Beyond 'Le Chat Noir'
“Le Chat Noir” is one of the most famous pieces of late 19th century European art, but the artist behind it was also very active in France's anarchist and socialist political groups of the time. Research: Asimakis, Magdalyn. “War, Socialism, and Cats: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen ... Show More
38m 27s
Mar 2
Hercules Posey & the President’s House
The President's House was the first home of the U.S. president in the temporary capital of Phildelphia. While George Washington lived there, he had nine enslaved people that we know of., including the cook, Hercules. Research: “George Washington to Tobias Lear, 12 April 1791,” Fo ... Show More
45m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2018
The Cold War - Nuclear Fear | 3
<p>What is the United States to do when direct conflict with the Soviet Union promises almost certain annihilation? They turned to proxy wars and psychological warfare with the threat of nuclear weapons keeping both countries in check. Ever wondered how an atom bomb works? We’ll ... Show More
41m 56s
Dec 2020
How Did the Truman Doctrine Change U.S. Foreign Policy?
After World War II, what came to be known as the Truman Doctrine pulled the U.S. out of its previously isolationist stance and into global relationships that endure today. Learn more about it in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod ... Show More
8m 9s
Jul 2015
The Time Nazis Invaded Florida
tail spinning
56m 30s
Apr 2023
America's Top Secrets: Manhattan Project to Drone Warfare
<p>Much of American history has been redacted. Since the World War 2, the number of secrets the US government has kept has grown exponentially. There are some things they think are too dangerous for the public to know. Matthew Connelly, author of the Declassification Engine, take ... Show More
40m 1s
Jan 2018
The Atomic Whoops: When the US Air Force Bombed South Carolina
<p>During the height of the Cold War, both the US and the USSR constantly ran drills in anticipation of a possible nuclear conflict. While the Gregg family of Mars Bluff, South Carolina knew the Cold War was in full swing, they had no idea that they would become the first America ... Show More
29m 36s
Feb 2022
CLASSIC: Does the UK control the US?
<p>What if the Revolutionary War didn't happen the way it's described in textbooks? Tune in and learn why some people believe the UK still controls the US in this special collaboration with our friends at AllTime Conspiracies.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a hr ... Show More
46m 5s
May 2021
H-Bomb with Margaret MacMillan
The hydrogen bomb. A nuclear threat bigger and badder than any atomic bomb that came before it. How close did the USA and Soviet Union come to global annihilation during the Cold War? Very. And renowned historian and wonderful storyteller Margaret MacMillan is here to tell us why ... Show More
41m 49s
Oct 2022
Tactical Nuclear Weapons
In a scathing attack on the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared the world faces its most dangerous decade since WW2 - having reaffirmed that Russia will use every available weapon in its arsenal, including tactical nuclear weapons.Not only that, Russia has also ma ... Show More
30m 23s
Jul 2019
Nuclear Weapons VS Energy
“Nuclear” is a pretty scary word and people are more interested than ever since The Chernobyl Podcast was released. The word conjures up images of mushroom clouds, 1950s PSAs and Terminator movies. However, there is a huge difference between nuclear energy (civilian) and nuclear ... Show More
1h 36m
Jan 2018
The Cold War - Hearts and Minds | 2
<p>Forget trenches, infantry and tanks. The United States and Soviet Union fought the Cold War with ideas and information.&nbsp;Episode 2 describes the cunning of Soviet propaganda campaigns. The United States adapted those techniques for their own purposes, broadcasting an image ... Show More
36m 56s