Épisodes

  • Touring History 6-25-25

    Touring History 6-25-25
    Jun 26 2025
    Touring History Podcast Script - June 25th, 2025 Opening LANE: Welcome back to Touring History, the podcast where we prove that any random date contains enough workplace drama to power an entire season of "The Office." I'm Lane— DAVE: And I'm Dave, and this is our fourth episode of Touring History "X, Y, and Z"—our shorter format designed to entertain and educate across the three largest generations. LANE: Four episodes in, and we're really hitting our stride with this generational approach. It's amazing how the same historical events can mean completely different things depending on when you were born. DAVE: Think of it as historical perspective management with better workplace policies. And before we dive into a day that gave us everything from labor rights legislation to political scandal testimony to global media breakthroughs, we need to talk about Ike's Love & Sandwiches. LANE: Are we really segueing from workplace policies to sandwich craftsmanship? DAVE: Lane, when you're about to discuss minimum wage laws, Watergate testimony, and the birth of global television all in one episode, you need sustenance that understands both tradition and innovation. Ike's Love & Sandwiches doesn't just make sandwiches—they create portable workplace solutions. LANE: Since 2007, they've been proving that quality scales with creativity. Over 600 sandwich combinations, each one named after someone who made a difference—from "The Tony Soprano" to "The Menage a Trois." DAVE: Check them out at ikessandwich.com, because when history gets this foundational, you deserve food that's equally well-constructed. LANE: And today's history is definitely foundational. June 25th—the day America established fair labor standards, political accountability got televised, and the world got its first taste of global media. Three moments about protecting workers, exposing corruption, and connecting humanity. Birthdays DAVE: Let's start with birthdays, because June 25th spans the entire entertainment timeline. June Lockhart turns 100 today—"Lost in Space" and "Lassie" mom, proving that maternal authority figures were television gold long before anyone theorized about it. LANE: Plus we've got Carly Simon at 82, still keeping us guessing about who exactly was so vain, which might be the longest-running mystery in pop culture. DAVE: Ricky Gervais is 64, creating uncomfortable comedy that forces people to examine their own behavior, usually while making them laugh against their better judgment. LANE: Justice Sonia Sotomayor at 71, bringing both legal brilliance and lived experience to the Supreme Court, proving that diversity strengthens institutions. DAVE: And McKenna Grace just turned 18, transitioning from child actor to adult performer while maintaining both talent and apparent sanity, which is honestly remarkable in Hollywood. LANE: From 100-year-old television pioneers to 18-year-old rising stars. June 25th really captures the full arc of entertainment evolution. 1938 - Fair Labor Standards Act Establishes Minimum Wage DAVE: June 25th, 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act establishes the federal minimum wage at 25 cents an hour, and this is absolutely foundational Gen X economic policy. LANE: Oh, here we go. Dave's connecting Depression-era labor law to generational economics again. DAVE: No, seriously! Gen X were the first generation to grow up assuming that minimum wage was just... normal. That there were basic protections for workers that couldn't be eliminated. LANE: And they were also the first generation to watch those protections get systematically weakened. By the time Gen X entered the workforce in the '80s and '90s, minimum wage hadn't kept up with inflation for decades. DAVE: Right! So they inherited this expectation that work should provide basic dignity—40-hour weeks, overtime pay, child labor protections—but then experienced an economy that was actively undermining those principles. LANE: The Fair Labor Standards Act created the framework for what Americans consider "normal" employment, but Gen X watched that framework get dismantled through deregulation and union-busting. DAVE: Exactly! They grew up hearing about the "good jobs" their parents had—stable employment, benefits, pensions—then entered a gig economy where none of those things were guaranteed. LANE: What's fascinating is how this created Gen X's complicated relationship with work. They understand the value of labor protections because they've lived without them. DAVE: And they're deeply skeptical of corporate promises because they've watched companies eliminate benefits that previous generations took for granted. LANE: Although let's be honest—the original minimum wage of 25 cents would be about $5.50 today when adjusted for inflation. The current federal minimum of $7.25 is actually higher in real terms. DAVE: True, but housing, education, and healthcare costs have increased way faster than wages. The minimum wage might be higher, but it ...
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    16 min
  • Touring History 6-24-25

    Touring History 6-24-25
    Jun 25 2025
    Touring History Podcast Script - June 24th, 2025 Opening LANE: Welcome back to Touring History, the podcast where we prove that any random date contains enough constitutional upheaval to power a Supreme Court documentary. I'm Lane— DAVE: And I'm Dave, and this is our third episode of Touring History "X, Y, and Z"—our shorter format designed to entertain and educate across the three largest generations. LANE: Three days in, and this format is really clicking. We're focusing on the events that shaped how each generation sees the world, rather than just listing everything that happened. DAVE: Think of it as historical pattern recognition with better snacks. And before we dive into a day that gave us everything from space exploration breakthroughs to reproductive rights controversies to social media justice movements, we need to talk about Ike's Love & Sandwiches. LANE: Are we really segueing from constitutional law to sandwich architecture? DAVE: Lane, when you're about to discuss Sally Ride, the Dobbs decision, and the power of viral activism all in one episode, you need sustenance that understands complexity. Ike's Love & Sandwiches doesn't just make sandwiches—they engineer edible experiences. LANE: Since 2007, they've been proving that creativity scales. Over 600 sandwich combinations, each one named after someone who matters—from "The Tony Soprano" to "The Menage a Trois." DAVE: Check them out at ikessandwich.com, because when history gets this consequential, you deserve food that's equally intentional. LANE: And today's history is definitely consequential. June 24th—the day America sent its first woman into space, overturned constitutional precedent, and showed how social media can drive real-world change. Three moments about breaking barriers, changing rules, and organizing resistance. Birthdays DAVE: Let's start with birthdays, because June 24th is basically a creativity showcase. Lionel Messi turns 38 today—arguably the greatest soccer player ever and proof that artistic genius can exist in any medium. LANE: Plus we've got Mindy Kaling at 46, who went from "The Office" writer to creating her own shows and proving that representation in comedy isn't just nice to have—it's essential. DAVE: Mick Fleetwood's 78—the drummer who held Fleetwood Mac together through enough interpersonal drama to fuel several reality shows. LANE: Carly Simon at 81, who gave us "You're So Vain" and made speculation about song subjects into a decades-long cultural mystery. DAVE: And Solange Knowles at 39, creating art that's both deeply personal and politically powerful, often in ways that complement and challenge her sister's work. LANE: Plus some TikTok and YouTube creators like Nick Bencivengo and Brooke Morton, proving that creative platforms keep evolving even when the talent pool stays consistently impressive. 1983 - Sally Ride Returns from Space DAVE: June 24th, 1983, Sally Ride returns to Earth after becoming the first American woman in space, and this is peak Gen X representation right here. LANE: Oh, here we go. Dave's connecting space exploration to generational identity again. DAVE: No, seriously! Sally Ride became the symbol of Gen X possibility—she was 32 years old, had a physics PhD, and literally broke the ultimate glass ceiling by leaving Earth's atmosphere. LANE: And the media coverage was... something. "Do you weep when things go wrong on the job?" "Will the flight affect your reproductive organs?" Questions that no male astronaut ever got asked. DAVE: Right! But Gen X kids watching this saw someone who just handled the sexism with competence and humor. She didn't waste energy fighting stupid questions—she just did the job better than anyone expected. LANE: That became the Gen X template for dealing with institutional barriers—don't argue with the system, just outperform it so thoroughly that the barriers become irrelevant. DAVE: Exactly! Sally Ride showed Gen X that you could break into exclusive spaces not by demanding inclusion, but by being so obviously qualified that exclusion became absurd. LANE: And she did it with this matter-of-fact attitude that really resonated. No drama, no speeches about making history—just "Yeah, I'm going to space, and yes, I'm qualified." DAVE: What's fascinating is how this shaped Gen X women specifically. They grew up assuming that competence plus persistence could overcome almost any barrier. LANE: Although let's be honest—Sally Ride dealt with way more scrutiny and pressure than her male colleagues. The "first" always carries extra weight. DAVE: True, but she handled it so well that she made it look effortless. Which created unrealistic expectations for every Gen X woman who came after her. LANE: "Just be Sally Ride" became an impossible standard. Not everyone can be a literal rocket scientist with perfect media training. 2022 - Dobbs v. Jackson Overturns Roe v. Wade LANE: June 24th, 2022, the Supreme Court issues the Dobbs v. Jackson decision...
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    16 min
  • Touring History 6-22-25

    Touring History 6-22-25
    Jun 23 2025
    Touring History Podcast Script - June 22nd, 2025 Opening LANE: Welcome back to Touring History, the podcast where we prove that any random date can make you question everything you thought you knew about linear time. I'm Lane— DAVE: And I'm Dave, and today we're trying something new. This is our first episode of Touring History "X, Y, and Z"—a shorter format designed to entertain and educate across the three largest generations. LANE: Instead of our usual deep dive into everything that happened on a date, we're focusing on three events that specifically resonate with Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z. Same irreverent historical analysis, but more targeted and digestible. DAVE: Think of it as history's greatest hits, but organized by who's most likely to care about each story. And before we dive into a day that gave us everything from educational opportunities to voting rights to legendary soccer controversies, we need to talk about Ike's Love & Sandwiches. LANE: Are we really segueing from generational targeting to sandwich shops? DAVE: Lane, when you're about to discuss educational policy, civil rights victories, and Diego Maradona's most controversial goal all in one condensed episode, you need sustenance that understands complexity. Ike's Love & Sandwiches doesn't just make sandwiches—they craft edible narratives. LANE: Since 2007, they've been turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Over 600 sandwich combinations, each one named after someone who matters—from "The Tony Soprano" to "The Menage a Trois." DAVE: Check them out at ikessandwich.com, because when history gets this focused, you deserve food that's equally intentional. LANE: And today's history is definitely intentional. June 22nd—the day America opened college to veterans, lowered the voting age, and watched a soccer player literally hand his way into immortality. Three events, three generations, one surprisingly coherent narrative about opportunity and authenticity. Birthdays DAVE: Let's start with birthdays, because June 22nd produced some serious generational icons. Meryl Streep turns 76 today—arguably the greatest actress of our time, definitely the person who made award show speeches into performance art. LANE: Plus we've got Cyndi Lauper at 73, who didn't just want to have fun—she wanted girls to have fun, specifically, which was apparently a revolutionary concept in 1983. DAVE: Lindsay Wagner's 77—the Bionic Woman herself, proving that strong female characters existed long before the term "strong female character" became a marketing buzzword. LANE: And Graham Greene at 74, one of Canada's most respected Indigenous actors, bringing depth and authenticity to roles that too often went to... well, not Indigenous actors. DAVE: Oh, and some TikTok creators are celebrating today too—Zach Clayton, the Moody Unicorn Twin, and someone called Chex. I don't know what any of those names mean, but I assume they're very important to people under 25. LANE: Sometimes the birthday list is a perfect snapshot of how entertainment evolved. From bionic women to viral dances in fifty years. 1944 - FDR Signs the GI Bill DAVE: June 22nd, 1944, FDR signs the GI Bill into law, and honestly? This might be the most Gen X relevant thing we could possibly discuss. LANE: Oh, here we go. Dave's got theories about generational impact again. DAVE: No, seriously! Think about it—the GI Bill sent millions of World War II veterans to college who never would have gone otherwise. Working-class guys suddenly getting engineering degrees, business degrees, becoming doctors and lawyers. LANE: And those veterans became the parents of the Baby Boomers, who became the most college-educated generation in history up to that point. Which meant they had very specific expectations for their kids. DAVE: Exactly! So when Gen X comes along in the '70s and '80s, their Boomer parents are like, "Obviously you're going to college. Obviously you're going to get a degree. This is just what people do now." LANE: Except by the time Gen X hit college age, student loans had replaced government funding, tuition was skyrocketing, and suddenly that guaranteed path to middle-class success wasn't so guaranteed anymore. DAVE: The GI Bill created this expectation of higher education as the normal path to prosperity, but then the economics changed completely. Gen X got stuck with the expectations but not the support system. LANE: You know what's wild? The original GI Bill cost about $14.5 billion and sent 7.8 million veterans to college. Today's student loan debt is over $1.7 trillion. DAVE: See? The GI Bill accidentally created the conditions that made Gen X the first generation to be worse off financially than their parents, despite being more educated. LANE: Although to be fair, it also created the American middle class as we know it. So... mixed legacy? 1970 - Voting Age Lowered to 18 LANE: June 22nd, 1970, President Nixon signs the Voting Rights Act amendment lowering the ...
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    15 min
  • Touring History 6-21-25

    Touring History 6-21-25
    Jun 21 2025
    Touring History Podcast Script - June 21st, 2025 Opening LANE: Welcome back to Touring History, the podcast where we prove that any random date contains enough drama to power a Netflix series. I'm Lane--- DAVE: And I'm Dave, and before we dive into a day that gave us everything from the Constitution to space tourism to—wait for it—lab-grown chicken, we need to talk about Randy's Donuts. LANE: Are we really segueing from the founding of America to donuts? DAVE: Lane, when you're about to discuss constitutional ratification, World War II submarine attacks, and the birth of commercial space flight all in one episode, you need fuel that's been perfected over seven decades. Randy's Donuts doesn't just make donuts—they make reliable excellence. LANE: That giant donut on La Cienega isn't just a landmark, it's a promise. Fresh donuts made by people who've turned sugar and dough into an art form since 1952. DAVE: Check them out at randysdonuts.com, because when history gets this wild, you deserve snacks that are equally legendary. LANE: And today's history is wild. June 21st—the day America's Constitution became real, plus civil rights tragedy, papal elections, and humanity's first private trip to space. Birthdays DAVE: Let's start with birthdays, because June 21st produced some serious star power. Prince William turns 42 today—future King of England, current Duke of Cambridge, and proof that royal genetics can survive tabloid scrutiny. LANE: Plus we've got Chris Pratt at 46, who went from Parks and Recreation goofball to Marvel superhero to dinosaur trainer. That's range. DAVE: Lana Del Rey's 40, bringing us dreamy vocals and vintage American imagery that somehow makes melancholy sound luxurious. LANE: And Blake Shelton's 49—country music star and proof that being genuinely charming on TV can make you more famous than your actual job. DAVE: Oh, and Jussie Smollett's 43. We're... not going to spend much time on that one. LANE: Sometimes the birthday list writes itself into awkward territory. Moving on! 1788 - U.S. Constitution Goes Into Effect DAVE: June 21st, 1788—the U.S. Constitution officially goes into effect, which is kind of amazing when you think about it. They'd been operating under the Articles of Confederation, which was basically like trying to run a country through a group text. LANE: You know what's wild? New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify it on this exact day, hitting the magic number to make it official. The founding fathers were basically holding their breath waiting for that ninth vote. DAVE: The Articles of Confederation gave the federal government roughly the power of a neighborhood association. Can't tax anyone, can't regulate trade between states, can't really do... anything. LANE: So they're sitting there in 1788 like, "Well, this democracy experiment either works starting now, or we're going to have thirteen separate countries that share a really awkward border situation." DAVE: What gets me is how they just... figured it out. No template for modern democratic government, just a bunch of guys in wigs saying, "What if we try separation of powers and see what happens?" LANE: And somehow it worked! Sort of. I mean, we're still arguing about what they meant, but the basic structure held up. 1942 - Japanese Submarine Shells Fort Stevens, Oregon DAVE: June 21st, 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaces off the Oregon coast and shells Fort Stevens. This is literally the only hostile shelling of a U.S. military base in the continental United States during World War II. LANE: Picture this: you're stationed at this coastal fort in Oregon, it's the middle of World War II, and suddenly there's a Japanese submarine just... shooting at you. From the ocean. On the American West Coast. DAVE: The I-25 submarine fired about 17 shells. Damage was minimal—some barbed wire, a baseball backstop at the fort—but psychologically? This was huge. LANE: Americans had been told the mainland was safe from attack. Then boom—actual enemy fire hitting actual American soil. Not Pearl Harbor, which was a territory, but Oregon, which was definitely part of the United States. DAVE: What's fascinating is how the military responded. They ordered a complete blackout—no returning fire, no lights, total radio silence. They didn't want to give the submarine better targeting information. LANE: Can you imagine being the commander making that call? "Sir, we're under attack!" "Great, turn off all the lights and don't shoot back." That takes nerves. DAVE: The same submarine later started forest fires in Oregon and California with incendiary bombs dropped from a seaplane. The only deaths from enemy action on the continental U.S. during WWII were from those forest fires. 1964 - Civil Rights Workers Murdered DAVE: June 21st, 1964. We need to talk about James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—three civil rights workers murdered in Mississippi during Freedom Summer. LANE: They were registering Black ...
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    26 min
  • Touring History 6-20-25

    Touring History 6-20-25
    Jun 21 2025
    0000029E 0000029E 00006B65 00006B65 0003D37D 0003D37D 00007E86 00007E86 00009B34 00009B34 Touring History Podcast Script - June 20th, 2025 Opening LANE: Welcome back to Touring History, the podcast where we turn calendar pages into entertainment and occasionally learn something by accident. I'm Lane— DAVE: And I'm Dave, and before we dive into a day that gave us everything from Queen Victoria to Jaws, we need to talk about Randy's Donuts. LANE: Oh, are we starting with the important stuff today? DAVE: Lane, when you're about to discuss the French Revolution, movie sharks, and Lizzie Borden's acquittal all in one episode, you need proper sustenance. Randy's Donuts has been providing that to Los Angeles for over seven decades. LANE: That giant donut sign isn't just advertising—it's a promise. Inside, you'll find donuts perfected through generations of bakers who take their craft seriously. DAVE: Check them out at randysdonuts.com, because when you're learning about history's most dramatic moments, you deserve snacks that are equally dramatic. LANE: And speaking of dramatic, today is June 20th—revolutionary France to movie sharks, with royal succession and axe murder trials thrown in for good measure. Birthdays DAVE: Let's start with birthdays, because June 20th produced some seriously talented people. Brian Wilson turns 83 today—the mastermind behind the Beach Boys who proved pop music could be as complex as classical music. LANE: "Pet Sounds" alone makes him a genius. Plus Lionel Richie's 75, Nicole Kidman's 58, and John Goodman's 73. DAVE: And representing Gen Z, we've got 17-year-old TikTok star Ava Wood and 18-year-old rapper Ndotspinalot. LANE: I love that we're living in an era where teenagers can build global audiences from their bedrooms. Although I feel ancient when there are famous people younger than my T-shirts. 1782 - Great Seal of the United States [AI VIDEO PROMPT: Colonial-era Congress meeting room with founding fathers in period dress examining the Great Seal design. Show close-up details of the eagle, olive branch, arrows, and "E pluribus unum" motto on parchment. Include the moment of final approval and the seal being pressed into wax. Style: Dignified historical documentary with warm candlelit atmosphere.] DAVE: June 20th, 1782, the U.S. Congress adopts the Great Seal—that's the eagle and pyramid on the back of dollar bills. LANE: This took them six years to figure out! Three different committees, and they kept rejecting designs. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the national bird. DAVE: Can you imagine? "In God We Trust" with a turkey underneath? The eagle holds 13 arrows and an olive branch, but cleverly, the head faces toward the olive branch—peace over war. LANE: The reverse side with the pyramid and eye says "Novus ordo seclorum"—"a new order of the ages." The founding fathers were announcing America would change everything. DAVE: And they weren't wrong! Though I'm not sure they anticipated their symbols ending up on conspiracy theory websites. 1789 - Tennis Court Oath [AI VIDEO PROMPT: Indoor tennis court at Versailles with members of the Third Estate in 18th-century French attire raising their hands in solemn oath. Show the dramatic moment of collective commitment with revolutionary fervor and period architecture. Style: Classical historical painting brought to life with cinematic drama.] LANE: June 20th, 1789, brings us the Tennis Court Oath—basically the moment the French Revolution became inevitable. DAVE: The Third Estate got locked out of their meeting place and said, "Fine, we'll meet at the tennis court and overthrow the entire social order." LANE: Peak French drama! They swore never to separate until France had a proper constitution. Standing in a tennis court making promises that would lead to the guillotine. DAVE: It's such a perfect example of how revolutions work. You start with "we want representation" and before you know it, you're chopping off the king's head. 1863 - West Virginia Statehood [AI VIDEO PROMPT: Mountain landscape of West Virginia with coal miners and farmers in Civil War-era clothing celebrating statehood. Show Union officials and mountain communities as news spreads, with the West Virginia flag being raised. Style: Rustic Americana documentary with natural mountain lighting.] DAVE: June 20th, 1863, West Virginia becomes the 35th state. Basically said, "Virginia's seceding from the Union? Well, we're seceding from Virginia." LANE: The mountain folks never felt they had much in common with eastern Virginia plantation owners anyway. When Virginia joined the Confederacy, western counties were like, "Nope, we're staying with the Union." DAVE: What's legally fascinating is you can't create a new state without permission, but Virginia had technically left the United States, so... loophole! LANE: Like a really complicated divorce where someone claims the house because the other person moved out first....
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    14 min
  • Touring History 6-19-25

    Touring History 6-19-25
    Jun 20 2025
    00000247 00000247 00009E2C 00009E2C 00128ED1 00128ED1 00007E86 00007E85 001B20CB 001B20CB Touring History Podcast Script - June 19th, 2025 Opening DAVE: Welcome back to Touring History, where we turn calendars into entertainment and pretend we understand the complexities of human civilization. I'm Dave— LANE: And I'm Lane, and before we dive into what might be one of the most historically significant dates we've ever covered, let's talk about something that's been consistently significant since 1952—Randy's Donuts. DAVE: Oh, you're going straight for the donuts today? I respect that. LANE: Dave, when you're about to talk about Juneteenth, the Rosenbergs, and the first Father's Day all in one episode, you need proper fuel. And Randy's Donuts has been fueling Los Angeles with perfection for over 70 years. DAVE: That giant donut sign isn't just a landmark—it's a promise. A promise that inside, you'll find donuts that'll make you question every other bakery decision you've ever made. LANE: I was there yesterday, actually, and got one of their chocolate old-fashioned donuts. It's like they took everything good about chocolate and everything good about donuts and just... combined them into something that shouldn't be legal. DAVE: That's the Randy's difference right there. They don't just make donuts—they make experiences. Classic glazed, specialty filled donuts, bear claws that are basically breakfast pastries having an identity crisis in the best possible way. LANE: Check them out at randysdonuts.com, because if you're going to learn about history, you might as well do it with optimal blood sugar levels. DAVE: And speaking of history, today is June 19th, which means we're talking about Juneteenth—the day that actually ended slavery in America, even though most people didn't know it happened. LANE: Plus we've got executions, naval battles, civil rights victories, and somehow the first Father's Day gets squeezed in there too. DAVE: Oh, and the day that advertising became legally required to tell the truth. Which, honestly, feels like it should have been obvious, but here we are. Birthdays LANE: Before we get into the heavy stuff, let's talk about who was born on this day, because it's a fascinating mix of people. DAVE: Jose Rizal was born on June 19th, 1861. Filipino nationalist, writer, and basically the guy who helped inspire the Philippine independence movement. LANE: Rizal is one of those historical figures who was way ahead of his time. He was writing novels that criticized Spanish colonial rule when that was basically a death sentence. Which, spoiler alert, it eventually was for him. DAVE: The man wrote "Noli Me Tangere"—which translates to "Touch Me Not"—and it was such effective anti-colonial literature that the Spanish authorities banned it immediately. LANE: And then we have Aung San Suu Kyi, born in 1945, Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent years under house arrest for opposing Myanmar's military government. DAVE: Suu Kyi's story is complicated, though. She was this incredible symbol of democratic resistance, and then when she actually got power, things got... messy. LANE: Right, the Rohingya crisis really complicated her legacy. It's a reminder that heroes can be complicated, and liberation movements don't always lead to the outcomes you expect. DAVE: On a much lighter note, we've got Blair Underwood turning 61, who basically defined "smooth" for an entire generation of TV watchers. LANE: Blair Underwood in "L.A. Law" was peak 1980s television sophistication. The man made being a lawyer look glamorous, which is quite an achievement. DAVE: And then we jump to the modern era with KSI, who's 32. YouTuber, boxer, musician—basically the definition of internet celebrity entrepreneurship. LANE: KSI represents this whole generation of people who built media empires out of literally nothing but personality and internet access. It's kind of amazing when you think about it. DAVE: Plus Zoë Saldana, who's 47 and has basically been in every major sci-fi franchise of the last 15 years. Star Trek, Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy—she's the queen of fictional universes. LANE: She's got this ability to bring emotional depth to characters who are often blue or green or from other planets. That's a very specific skill set. 1865 - Juneteenth [AI VIDEO PROMPT: Union General Gordon Granger in military uniform reading General Order No. 3 to a gathered crowd of enslaved people and freedmen in Galveston, Texas. Show the moment of realization and joy as people understand they are free. Include period-accurate clothing, wooden buildings, and the Texas landscape. Show families embracing, people crying with relief, and children looking confused but hopeful. Style: Emotional historical documentary with warm, golden lighting to emphasize the significance of freedom.] DAVE: Alright, let's start with the big one. June 19th, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrives in Galveston, Texas, and ...
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    30 min
  • Touring History 6-18-25

    Touring History 6-18-25
    Jun 18 2025
    Touring History Podcast Script - June 18th, 2025 Opening LANE: Welcome back to Touring History, the podcast where we pretend we're qualified to talk about the past because we own calendars and Wikipedia accounts. I'm Lane— DAVE: And I'm Dave, and before we dive into today's cavalcade of historical chaos, we need to talk about donuts. Specifically, Randy's Donuts. LANE: Oh, here we go. Dave's hungry again. DAVE: Lane, I'm always hungry, but this is different. Randy's Donuts has been a Los Angeles institution since 1952—that's over 70 years of perfectly glazed happiness. And you know what I love about Randy's? They've got that giant donut sign that's basically become a landmark. You can't miss it. LANE: It's true. I drove past it once and honestly thought I was having some sort of sugar-induced hallucination. But no, it's just Randy's being gloriously extra about donuts. DAVE: Exactly! And speaking of being extra, they've got everything from classic glazed to filled donuts, croissant donuts, even donut holes for when you want the experience but can't commit to the full circle. Check them out at randysdonuts.com, because life's too short for mediocre pastries. LANE: Alright, and speaking of things that are sweet... today is June 18th, which means we're diving into a date that's seen everything from Napoleon getting absolutely wrecked at Waterloo to NASA launching America's first woman into space. DAVE: Plus we've got birthdays, military evacuations, and—oh God—the Titan submersible disaster. LANE: Yeah, we'll handle that one with the appropriate gravity. But first, let's talk about who was born on this day, because honestly, it's kind of a murderer's row of talent. Birthdays DAVE: So Paul McCartney turns 83 today. Eighty-three, Lane. The man who wrote "Yesterday" is now in his eighties. LANE: That's deeply unsettling. You know what's weird though? Paul McCartney was born the same day as Carol Kane, who's turning 73. And I cannot think of two people who seem like they inhabit more different universes. DAVE: Carol Kane! Princess Bride, Taxi, that voice that sounds like she's perpetually surprised by everything. I love that woman. LANE: Right? And then we've got Isabella Rossellini turning 73—daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, which is basically Hollywood royalty meeting Italian cinema royalty. That's some serious genetic lottery winning right there. DAVE: You know who else was born today? Blake Shelton. He's 49. LANE: Blake Shelton and Paul McCartney share a birthday. I need a minute to process that. One revolutionized popular music forever, and the other... well, Blake seems nice. DAVE: Hey, don't sleep on Blake! The man's been on The Voice forever. He's got staying power. LANE: Fair point. And rounding out our birthday crew is Antonio Gates, who's 45. NFL Hall of Famer, played for the Chargers his entire career, which honestly feels quaint in today's sports landscape where players change teams like they're changing socks. DAVE: Gates was unstoppable. Basketball player turned tight end, which is such a weird career pivot when you think about it. Like, "Well, I'm good at catching balls while people try to murder me, so... football?" 1778 - British Evacuate Philadelphia [AI VIDEO PROMPT: Colonial Philadelphia street scene with British redcoat soldiers marching with heavy packs and supplies, looking tired and dejected. Show them loading wagons and preparing to leave the city while American colonists watch from doorways and windows. Include period-accurate architecture and clothing. Style: Historical documentary footage with slight sepia tone.] LANE: Alright, let's jump into our historical timeline, and we're starting in 1778 when British troops evacuated Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. DAVE: Now this is interesting because Philadelphia was supposed to be this strategic prize, right? The British occupied it for like nine months, and then they just... left. LANE: Well, it wasn't quite that simple. The French had just entered the war on the American side, and suddenly the British had to worry about their supply lines getting cut off. Plus, they were getting pressure to focus on the Southern colonies. DAVE: But here's what I love about this—the British spent all this time and energy taking Philadelphia, which was the American capital at the time, and it basically did nothing for them. The Continental Congress just packed up and moved to York, Pennsylvania. LANE: It's like conquering someone's house and then realizing they've just moved in with their parents. "Well, this is awkward." DAVE: Exactly! And you know what makes this even better? The British evacuation was such a mess that they had to march their troops across New Jersey in the middle of summer, carrying all their supplies, while being harassed by American forces the entire time. LANE: That sounds absolutely miserable. Nothing says "strategic withdrawal" like trudging through New Jersey in July ...
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    34 min
  • Touring History 6-17-25

    Touring History 6-17-25
    Jun 17 2025
    TOURING HISTORY PODCAST SCRIPT Episode: June 17th - "Pyrrhic Victories, Lady Liberty, and White Broncos" Runtime: 10-12 minutes Hosts: Lane & Dave OPENING LANE: Welcome to Touring History, where we prove that June 17th might be the most accidentally dramatic date on the calendar. I'm Lane— DAVE: And I'm Dave, and before we dive into today's collection of military disasters, constitutional crises, and the most famous car chase in television history, let's thank Randy's Donuts for keeping us caffeinated through all this chaos. LANE: You know, Randy's has been a Los Angeles landmark since 1952, which means that giant donut sign has witnessed everything we're about to discuss—from Cold War tensions to the O.J. chase, probably while serving donuts to people who had no idea they were living through history. DAVE: When you're processing the fact that the same day gave us both the Battle of Bunker Hill and a white Ford Bronco driving slowly down the freeway, you need the stability of knowing that some things endure. Like excellent donuts and questionable historical timing. LANE: Speaking of questionable timing, it's June 17th, which means we have tennis legends, hip-hop poets, and—oh God—we're doing Watergate AND the O.J. chase, aren't we? DAVE: We're absolutely doing both, because apparently June 17th specializes in events that make you question everything you thought you knew about American institutions. But first... BIRTHDAY SECTION LANE: Birthdays! Venus Williams turns 45 today, which feels impossible because she's been dominating tennis for what feels like 847 years, but also she started so young that 45 actually makes sense mathematically. DAVE: Also celebrating: Kendrick Lamar at 38, Barry Manilow at 82, Jodie Whittaker at 42, and Joe Piscopo at 74. So we've got tennis royalty, lyrical genius, the king of soft rock, the first female Doctor Who, and... well, Joe Piscopo. LANE: You know what's fascinating? Kendrick Lamar and Barry Manilow both make music that gets stuck in your head for completely different reasons. One writes complex social commentary, the other wrote "Copacabana," and both are legitimately brilliant at their craft. DAVE: And Venus Williams has been playing professional tennis since before Kendrick Lamar was famous, which really puts the longevity of athletic careers in perspective. She's basically the Barry Manilow of tennis—enduring excellence that spans generations. LANE: Meanwhile, Jodie Whittaker broke gender barriers as the Doctor, and Joe Piscopo... existed during the 1980s. Sometimes birthday lists are just like that. Speaking of breaking barriers, Dave, let's talk about expensive military victories. HISTORICAL EVENTS - CHRONOLOGICAL 1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill VIDEO PROMPT: Revolutionary War battlefield with British redcoats advancing up hills while colonial militiamen fire from defensive positions, smoke and chaos of 18th-century warfare, Boston Harbor visible in background LANE: June 17th, 1775. The Battle of Bunker Hill, where the British technically won but lost so many officers that it was basically a disaster disguised as a victory. DAVE: This is where your obsession with military pyrrhic victories really kicks in, doesn't it? LANE: Look, the British lost over 1,000 soldiers, including 226 dead, to take a hill that the Americans evacuated anyway. British General Clinton supposedly said, "A few more such victories would have shortly put an end to British dominion in America." DAVE: It's the 18th-century equivalent of "We had to destroy the village in order to save it." The British proved they could win battles against colonial militias, but at a cost that made winning the war impossible. LANE: And this is where we get "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes," which is either brilliant tactical advice or the most American thing anyone has ever said in combat. DAVE: Probably both. Americans have always been good at turning military necessity into memorable quotes. 1835 - First Large-Format Billboard Ad VIDEO PROMPT: 1830s American street scene with workers installing large billboard advertisement, horse-drawn carriages passing by, period clothing and architecture, early commercial signage DAVE: 1835—Jared Bell prints the first large-format U.S. billboard ad, basically inventing the concept of "you can't escape advertising." LANE: And this is where outdoor advertising really takes off. Before this, advertisements were small newspaper notices. Bell figured out that if you make the ad big enough, people have to see it whether they want to or not. DAVE: It's brilliant and slightly evil at the same time. "What if we made advertising impossible to ignore?" And now we live in a world where every surface is a potential advertisement. LANE: Although to be fair, some billboards become landmarks themselves. Like Randy's giant donut sign—that's advertising that transcended into art. 1885 - Statue of Liberty Arrives Disassembled VIDEO PROMPT: ...
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    26 min