Episodes

Sept. 26, 2024

55: The Rise of Wage Labor in Early Modern Europe

Send Me A Text Message In this captivating episode, we explore the dramatic transformation of European labor markets during the Early Modern period, a transition that laid the foundation for modern capitalism. Our journey be…
Sept. 14, 2024

54: From Fairs to Finance: The Evolution of Global Trade

Send Me A Text Message Journey through centuries of economic evolution in this captivating exploration of global trade. We begin with Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait of Georg Giese, a 16th-century Hanseatic merchant, off…
Aug. 29, 2024

53: To Market, To Market

Send Me A Text Message In this episode of "I Take History with My Coffee," we explore the critical role markets have played in ensuring fair trade and supporting local economies. We get an overview of different markets from …
Aug. 13, 2024

52: The Fall of Constantinople: A Turning Point in History?

Send Me A Text Message Was the fall of Constantinople a turning point in history? Under Sultan Mehmed II's leadership, the Ottoman forces achieved a historic victory, capturing Constantinople on May 29, 1453. This marked a s…
Aug. 1, 2024

51: The Siege of Constantinople

Send Me A Text Message In our latest podcast episode, we delve deep into one of history's most transformative sieges—the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The Byzantine Empire, once a beacon of strength and culture, faced its …
July 18, 2024

50: The City of Constantine

Send Me A Text Message What if the mighty walls of Constantinople could talk? Join us on a captivating journey through the centuries as we uncover the historical significance and strategic importance of this legendary city, …
June 26, 2024

49: The Grand Turk

Send Me A Text Message What drove Mehmed II to become one of history's most formidable conquerors? Uncover the enigmatic life of Mehmed the Conqueror, a man born under auspicious signs in 1432 who sought to emulate Alexander…
June 11, 2024

48: From Crisis to Conquest

Send Me A Text Message What if one man's ambition could shift the fate of an entire empire? In this gripping episode of I Take History With My Coffee, we chronicle the meteoric rise and shattering fall of Bayezid I, the Otto…
May 23, 2024

47: House of Osman

Send Me A Text Message The dawn of the Ottoman Empire is a saga woven with the threads of strategy, ambition, and cultural synthesis. Our latest podcast episode transports listeners back to the early 14th century when Osman …
May 11, 2024

46: Origins of the Ottomans

Send Me A Text Message The Ottoman Empire, a subject of immense historical intrigue, stands out as one of the most powerful empires of the medieval and early modern world. Its rise from the rugged landscapes of Anatolia repr…
April 25, 2024

45: Machiavelli the Historian

Contrary to popular belief, Machiavelli was not merely a pragmatic strategist but also a sophisticated thinker deeply engaged with the lessons of history. In this podcast, we explore how Machiavelli's insights into the cycli…
April 11, 2024

Episode 44: Machiavelli the Politician

Niccolò Machiavelli, often synonymous with cunning and ruthless political tactics, is frequently misunderstood. His works, particularly "The Prince," are much more than guides to unscrupulous behavior. They reflect a deep un…
March 28, 2024

Episode 43: Machiavelli the Man

In this episode, we unlock the enigma of Niccolò Machiavelli, the man whose name is a byword for cunning strategy. With the fall of Savonarola as our starting point, we'll traverse Machiavelli's rise from a modest upbringing…
March 1, 2024

Episode 42: The Warrior Pope

Step behind the curtain of history as we dissect the Italian Wars—a tapestry of strategy and bloodshed that forever altered the landscape of Renaissance Italy. Be prepared to unravel the aftermath of Charles VIII's invasion …
Feb. 16, 2024

Episode 41: Trial by Fire

The spring of 1498 Florence concludes the tumultuous story of Girolamo Savonarola, a man who once held the city in his moral grasp. Journey with us through the fervent streets of a divided Florence, where faith and power col…
Feb. 1, 2024

Episode 40: A Certain Friar

Step inside Renaissance Florence's tumultuous political and religious landscape, as we unravel Girolamo Savonarola's meteoric rise and dramatic clash with Pope Alexander VI. This episode peels back the layers of Savonarola's…
Jan. 18, 2024

Episode 39: Bonfire of the Vanities

The once-great Medici name, synonymous with power and artistry, crumbled under Piero de Medici's rule as he faltered where his father, Lorenzo the Magnificent, had thrived. Listen in as we navigate through the events of his …
Jan. 5, 2024

Episode 38: The French Invasion of Italy

Our latest episode delves into the seismic events of 1494, as France's quest for Italian dominance under Charles VIII abruptly ended Italy's golden era. We unravel the political machinations that left Italy fragmented for ce…
Dec. 16, 2023

Episode 37: The Affairs of Italy

This episode delves into the complex relationships among Italian states during the late 15th century. We'll spotlight the four major regional states outside of Florence. Venice shifted from a maritime empire to a focus on …
Nov. 29, 2023

Episode 36: Twilight of the Medici

Lorenzo de Medici left an indelible mark on Italian politics and economics during a time riddled with conspiracy and war. In this episode, we explore Medici rule in the aftermath of the Pazzi conspiracy, the impact of war on…
Nov. 8, 2023

Episode 35: The Florentine Golden Age

This episode promises a richer understanding of the Florentine "Golden Age" marked by the prolific patronage of Lorenzo de Medici, who fostered an inspiring environment for artists and writers alike. We will spotlight his s…
Oct. 25, 2023

Episode 34: The Platonic Academy

Ever wondered how the seeds of the early modern period were sown? Prepare to journey back to mid-15th century Florence, a period of profound intellectual evolution, as we trace the steps of the central figure of this shift -…
Oct. 11, 2023

Episode 33: The Pazzi Conspiracy

We venture into the complex world of 15th-century Italy, exploring the early years of Lorenzo de' Medici's rule and the intricate web of politics, diplomacy, and intrigue that shaped the Italian Renaissance. When Lorenzo de…
Sept. 26, 2023

Episode 32: Il Magnifico

This episode tackles the uneasy shift towards dynastic rule, casting light on Piero de Medici's humanist upbringing, his complex web of relationships, and the political discontent that simmered as he inherited power from his…