Tag: #history

Unearthing the Ninth Century: A Conversation with Author D.H. Morris

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast

On this episode of The Billy D’s Podcast, Billy sits down with historical novelist D.H. Morris for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most overlooked yet pivotal periods in European history—the ninth century. Morris, author of The Girl of Many Crowns, brings to life the true story of Judith, the first princess of France, and Baldwin Iron Arm, a knight whose courage and defiance helped shape the future of Europe. Drawing from meticulous research and personal genealogical discovery, Morris explains how this era—often mislabeled as the “Dark Ages”—was actually a time of political upheaval, cultural renaissance, and the very formation of the nations we recognize today.

D.H. Morris

Throughout the conversation, Morris paints a vivid picture of a volatile world marked by Viking invasions, civil wars among Charlemagne’s descendants, and high-stakes political marriages involving children barely into their teens. Judith’s life alone reads like epic fiction: married at twelve for political alliance, widowed twice by sixteen, imprisoned by her own father, and ultimately escaping across Europe in a daring act of love and defiance. Billy and Morris explore how these real historical events rival any modern drama, and how power, ambition, propaganda, and personal courage in the ninth century mirror many of the struggles we still see today.

The interview also offers insight into Morris’s creative and research process. Working from Latin chronicles, royal correspondence, and church records, she explains how she stayed faithful to historical truth while dramatizing events to make them come alive for modern readers. Morris reflects on how human nature—greed, love, loyalty, fear, and resilience—transcends time, making history endlessly relevant. The Girl of Many Crowns emerges not just as a historical novel, but as a reminder that the choices made over a thousand years ago still echo through our world today.

Zolal Habibi – Iran – The Alternative and Democratic Change

by Billy Dees, posted in Media, Podcast, Social Media
Zolal Habibi

In this powerful episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Iranian human rights activist Zolal Habibi for an in-depth and deeply personal conversation about Iran’s past, present, and possible future. Zolal shares her extraordinary journey into activism, shaped by the loss of her father during the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, and explains her work with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The discussion provides crucial context many Americans may not be familiar with, challenging oversimplified narratives about Iran before and after the 1979 revolution and explaining how a popular uprising for freedom was ultimately hijacked by a far more brutal theocratic dictatorship.

The conversation explores the realities of life under authoritarian rule, the failures of both monarchy and the current regime, and why Iranians remain deeply skeptical of foreign intervention while still seeking international solidarity. Zolal outlines the NCRI’s vision for a secular, democratic republic rooted in human rights, gender equality, and the separation of religion and state. She also discusses the Ten-Point Plan championed by Maryam Rajavi, highlighting why women have emerged as a leading force in Iran’s resistance movement and how decades of organized opposition have laid the groundwork for meaningful change from within.

Billy and Zolal also address the urgency of the current moment: widespread protests, brutal crackdowns, internet shutdowns, mass arrests, and executions. They examine what meaningful international support could look like without repeating past mistakes, emphasizing accountability, recognition of the Iranian people’s right to resist tyranny, and an end to policies that embolden the regime. This episode is a sobering yet hopeful look at a generational struggle for freedom, offering listeners rare insight into the resilience of the Iranian people and the real possibilities for a democratic future if the world chooses to stand with them.

These are the sites Zolal Habibi refers to during the interview. maryamrajavi4change.com and ncr-iran.org/en/

Questioning Narratives, Media Power, and Due Process: A Deep Conversation with Filmmaker, Sara Alessandrini

by Billy Dees, posted in Media, Podcast
Sara Alessandrini

In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Italian filmmaker and social commentator Sara Alessandrini for a wide-ranging, thoughtful discussion that cuts to the heart of today’s political and cultural tensions. Sara is the creator of the docu-series This Is What New Yorkers Say, a multi-episode project examining the rise and fall of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the role of legacy media, and the broader consequences of a culture increasingly driven by outrage rather than evidence. What begins as a discussion about one political figure quickly evolves into a much deeper examination of media narratives, public opinion, and the erosion of nuanced discourse.

Sara shares her journey from Italy to the United States, explaining why America’s openness to reinvention, entrepreneurship, and reinvention drew her in. From that international vantage point, she offers a perspective that many Americans rarely hear—one shaped by lived experience in Europe, where government systems, labor protections, immigration policies, and social safety nets often function very differently than how they are idealized in U.S. political debates. Throughout the conversation, she challenges both left- and right-wing orthodoxies, arguing that good intentions do not always lead to good outcomes, especially when long-term consequences are ignored.

At the center of the discussion is Sara’s documentary work on Cuomo and the broader implications of how accusations are handled in the court of public opinion. She raises difficult but necessary questions about due process, the limits of movements like #MeToo, and what happens when standards are lowered to the point where perception outweighs evidence. Billy and Sara explore how media amplification can rapidly transform public figures from heroes to villains, often without space for facts, context, or proportionality. The conversation also expands into topics like political polarization, the breakdown of shared reality, immigration, socialism versus capitalism, and the growing sense that society has lost the ability to have honest, good-faith disagreements.

This episode is not about defending any one politician or ideology—it’s about encouraging critical thinking, resisting manipulation, and reclaiming the ability to ask uncomfortable questions without fear of social exile. Thought-provoking, candid, and at times challenging, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the future of media, democracy, and civil discourse. Sara Alessandrini brings a rare blend of intellectual honesty and international perspective, making this a substantive and reflective episode.

Andrea LeDew – “Polemics – Political Poems and Prose”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Media, Podcast
Andrea LeDew

In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes author and poet Andrea LeDew, whose new book Polemics: Political Poems & Prose spans nearly a decade of American political history—from 2016 through early 2025. The conversation explores her creative process, her background in law and literature, and the personal experiences that shape her work.

Andrea explains that Polemics began as a way to process political events that felt unsettling or out of step with the American ideals she grew up with. Each poem in the collection is paired with a short explanation of the real-world event that inspired it, turning the book into both a creative and historical meditation. Her work ranges from sharp satire to somber reflection, and she discusses how humor sometimes helps her strip powerful figures of their mystique, while other moments call for a more serious, even foreboding tone.

Billy and Andrea dive into the long tradition of poets responding to political and historical moments, and Andrea shares examples—such as the James Comey “loyalty” episode and Trump’s “lunatic” tweet—that sparked specific poems. They also explore how her opinions on issues like Confederate statues have changed over time, influenced in part by her travels in Europe and a deeper understanding of how symbols are interpreted by different communities.

Beyond politics, the conversation takes a personal turn as Andrea describes raising a son with autism, navigating special education, homeschooling, and the social challenges families often face. She pushes back against misconceptions—especially the false link between vaccines and autism—and emphasizes how little support exists once children age out of school. Her legal background, she says, has played a role in advocating for her son and understanding the broader structural obstacles families encounter.

Andrea also talks about her lifelong love of rhyme and traditional poetic structure, describing it as both a creative discipline and a way to preserve the musicality of language in an age when memorization is rare. She recently completed the painstaking work of recording her audiobook, an experience Billy relates to from his own broadcasting career.

Throughout the episode, listeners are treated to an insightful, thoughtful exchange about writing, politics, history, disability, and the evolving story of America itself. Andrea’s reflections offer not only context for her book but a reminder of how personal and political narratives intertwine.

HOPress – Dan Rottenberg – “The Price We Paid”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Podcast
Front and back cover of “The Price We Paid.”

Author Dan Rottenberg 

The Price We Paid: An Oral History of Penn’s Struggle to Join the Ivy League, 1950-55 (Shorehouse Books, 2024)

Are you aware of the largely untold stories behind the transition of the University of Pennsylvania’s football program into the Ivy League? In this week’s episode of the Billy Dees Podcast for HOPress, we dive into the fascinating history shared by author Dan Rottenberg in his book, “The Price We Paid.”

Join us as Dan takes us on a journey through the struggles, pain, and ultimate triumphs of Penn players, coaches, administrators, and fans during the turbulent years of the 1950s. Discover the personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes moments that shed light on this pivotal period in both sports and academic history.

Dan Rottenberg

If you’re a sports enthusiast, a history buff, or simply love a good story, this episode is not to be missed. Tune in now to gain a unique perspective on the intersection of academics and athletics, and explore the invaluable lessons learned from the past.

This episode was produced in partnership with HumorOutcasts.com HOPress Shorehouse Books.

You can find out more about Dan and his work on his website.

The Billy Dees Podcast is available on all major podcast networks. For your convenience, the full interview is below on Spotify.

The Webcam version is below on YouTube.

HumorOutcasts Interview with Concha Alborg – Author of “My Mother, That Stranger, Letters from the Spanish Civil War”

by Billy Dees, posted in Books, Podcast

Concha Alborg CoverThis episode is an interview with Concha Alborg who is the author of “My Mother, That Stranger, Letters from the Spanish Civil War.”

This interview was done with our partners at HumorOutcasts.com.

Concha Resize1This book is a memoir about Concha’s mother based on the letters her mother wrote to her fiancé who was fighting against Franco’s forces during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

During this fascinating interview Concha talks about the scope of the Spanish Civil War, the plight of immigrants, and how she rediscovered her mother by researching and writing this book. We also discuss how certain historical elements and past political ideologies have relevance in today’s world.

You can find out more about Concha Alborg at ConchaAlborg.com.

Concha Resize2For your convenience the interview is available below at the bottom of this post. Just hit play. The podcast episode is also available on most of the major podcasting platforms including Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and many others under the “Billy Dees Podcast.”

The episode is titled on these services as:

HumorOutcasts Interview with Concha Alborg Author of “My Mother, That Stranger, Letters from the Spanish Civil War”