In part four of our series on Frida Kahlo, the seminal artist's grand tour of the United States comes to an end. Devastation would follow devastation in Frida’s mid-twenties: a miscarriage in Detroit, followed by the death of her mother in Coyoacán. Diego, on the other hand, was at the height of his fame, and was receiving commissions from some of America's most elite clientele. Unfortunately for Diego, his work would be a little too "Red" for the taste's of client's, and his work would be destroyed before it was finished. After moving back to Mexico, Diego would find some redemption, but would soon commit a betrayal so painful that Frida considered it equal to her most devastating physical injuries. Bruised but not broken, Frida would go on to create a life somewhat free of Diego’s influence just as the tides would usher in the arrival of one of the biggest names in the history of Communism. Tune in for part four to learn more! (Ep. 074)

In part three of our series on Frida Kahlo, we explore Frida’s early years of marriage to the world-famous painter Diego Rivera, along with her time spent touring the United States. In Cuernavaca, Diego finds himself painting the Mexican Revolution for American oil investors, while Frida begins to paint from within. As fascism spreads across Mexico like a disease, the two depart for America — or, as Frida called it, “Gringolandia.” There, Diego relishes his newfound fame, while Frida is less than pleased. In New York, Frida confides in her new American friends, feeling disillusioned as she watches Diego's wealthy new clients trivialize their message. Following Diego's success, the two are whisked to the Motor City, where Frida's expressive, rebellious side begins to flourish more and more, laughing in the faces of the elite. Unfortunately, the fun is short-lived, as tragedy lurks just around the corner. Tune in to part three of Frida Kahlo to learn more! (Ep. 073)

In part two of our series on Frida Kahlo, we discuss the aftermath of one of Frida's greatest tragedies that would ultimately leave Frida in pieces. With dozens of shattered bones and an iron bar piercing her abdomen, Frida would spend the next two years evading death. As she recovered, her novio, Alejandro, slowly disappeared from her life, and Frida would find new meaning through painting. During this time, she created some of her first portrait works while mummified in a plaster corset to realign her spine. When she “recovered,” Frida reunited with the Cachuchas to support La Raza Cósmica through José Vasconcelos’ campaign. He would lose the election, but it gave Frida the opportunity to join the Communist Party, and there she would meet the world-famous muralist (and womanizer) Diego Rivera. Despite a 20-year age gap, the two would fall in love, and wedding bells were soon heard in the distance. Everyone had an opinion on the slovenly painter’s new fling, and Frida’s own mother called it “a marriage between an elephant and a dove.” Tune in to part two of Frida Kahlo to learn more! (Ep. 072)

We are thrilled to be speaking with incomparable Max Miller of the sensational YouTube channel: Tasting History. Max kindly agreed to work with us on a recent collaboration video about the eating habits of Nikola Tesla, whose culinary preferences are as specific as they are riddled with historical inaccuracies. We got the chance to sit down with Max to discuss our respective research processes, and how "facts" about history are not always what they seem.

We're officially starting series 13, and this time we're focusing on one of the most influential artists of all time: Frida Kahlo! In part one, we discuss Frida's family origins, the political turmoil in Mexico at the time, her early struggles with illness, and her wild years studying at the esteemed National Preparatory School in Mexico City. At school, she rubbed elbows with some of the greatest young minds in Mexico while also causing trouble with her rebellious gang, the Cachuchas. Frida would also experience all the ups and downs of being an angsty teenager, like falling in love, causing trouble, churning up drama, and occasionally detonating small bombs that shattered all the glass windows of her school . But just as her young life was beginning to blossom, she would experience a tragedy that would alter her life forever. (Ep. 071)

Time to sit back and relax for another casual episode of Office Hours. We go through questions and corrections from our series on Mark Twain, and share an amazing story from one of our listeners who has some personal connections to Pancho Villa. We'll be back for our regularly scheduled programming in two weeks, starting into our next biography subject: Frida Kahlo!

This week, we are thrilled to be joined for an interview with one of the world's leading Mark Twain scholars who currently teaches at Stanford University: Professor Shelley Fisher Fishkin (https://shelleyfisherfishkin.com/bio) . Most recently, Professor Fishkin has published a book called "Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade", which aims to debunk the notion that Mark Twain's character, Jim, in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a racist portrayal. Join us as we explore this complex subject with one of the world's leading authorities on all things Mark Twain.

Buy the book here: https://shelleyfisherfishkin.com/jim

Listen to the audiobook here: https://a.co/d/18NXmE8

It’s finally time to close the book on the life of the incomparable Mark Twain. His final ten years would not be easy, riddled with heartache and devastation, but the world at large would finally awaken to the utter genius in its midst, and his works would take their place among the great masterpieces of literature. Join us as we say goodbye to our pal, Mark Twain. (Ep. 070)