Scholars, politicians and meme-slingers alike talk about Western Civilization as if it's something concrete. Since it's named after a compass direction, you might even assume it refers to some actual place. But even old-school, traditional Western Civ textbooks show that The West is a much, much messier concept than it first appears.

Find out why the West isn't just about Western Europe. Sometimes it's in the East, or the Middle East, or in Western Asia, or in North Africa.

And sometimes it's only in your head.

Join historian Doug Sofer for the first part of this exciting three-part mini-series that was a whole big fat year in the making! Part I (this one!) is about the ancient origins of what's called the West. It's also somehow about robots, a rabbit's nose, and way too much about kicking footballs around.

Learn more about this rogue, underdog, Hail Mary pass of a project at findyourselfinhistory.com !

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Learn more about this episode and check out the blog at findyourselfinhistory.com.

This episode was revised with a brand-new tell-all confession and correction in late July, 2025.

How does history help us come to grips with the strangeness of now? Find out as the scholars of the Southeast World History Association tackle that very question! This special session of SEWHA's annual meeting was recorded live in November 2024 at Southeast Missouri State University. Join us as we cover issues of technology, science, religion, spirituality, big yellow school busses, getting folks out of their comfort zones, community celebrations, and even the importance of history itself.

Don't miss out!

Learn more about this rogue, underdog, Hail Mary pass of a project at findyourselfinhistory.com !

Support the show

Learn more about this episode and check out the blog at findyourselfinhistory.com.

What parts of today’s world would freak out folks who lived during the U.S. Civil War? In this first-ever interview-based episode* of the You Are A Weirdo history podcast, we ask a real-life U.S. Civil War historian that exact question! Join host Doug Sofer as he chats with Aaron Astor about such topics as today’s professional military, the size and scope of government, air conditioning, sports betting, and college football.

Doug and Aaron also play the inaugural version of a new history game called “Clionic Connections.” Sure, it's a good way to foster a fascinating conversation about history, but it's also an excuse for Doug to play unnecessary sound effects.

Check it out!

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* Technically speaking, this one is actually the second overall interview-based episode. The first one from Season One involved someone who's been dead for 124 years or so. You'll have to listen to the intro for details.

Learn more about this rogue, underdog, Hail Mary pass of a project at findyourselfinhistory.com !

Support the show

Learn more about this episode and check out the blog at findyourselfinhistory.com.