Illusory Time

Maya looks back on the past year and shares some news about what's in store for 2022.

Theme music by Just Milk.

Christmas is coming for the Donner Party, and it might not be the most wonderful time of the year after all. Maya gets into the juicy details of the dark days of December 1846 and the first instances of cannibalism.

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The last time we saw the Donner Party they had just reached Truckee Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Maya picks up the story from here and updates listeners on how these pioneers fared during the early days of their entrapment in the winter of 1846.

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Doubt creeps in around the witchcraft trials even as some residents remain afflicted. In this episode, Maya updates listeners on the happenings of Salem in October and November 1692.

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Maya offers a super condensed version of the true history of Thanksgiving and then explores how this holiday has been depicted in films and television shows.

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Maya takes a look back at her October postings of 31 Days of Horror media (including films, tv shows, and books) and somehow manages not to spoil any twists or endings. 

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Covering accusations, forced confessions, elf locks, fire balls, and hangings, it's the peak of the Salem Witch Trials. In this episode, Maya updates listeners on the happenings of Salem in September 1692. 

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Maya continues to explore the formative years of her middle and high school education, sharing personal and societal events along the way. 

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Maya gets personal with the Back-to-School theme this September by inviting listeners into her elementary school experiences. She contemplates what may be buried in a 1991 time capsule, discusses life lessons learned at an early age, and brags about her Oregon Trail game skills.

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Many people have heard of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, but did you know there was another colony on the island during the Civil War? After a Union victory, Roanoke became home to the largest population of formerly enslaved black southerners during the war. In this episode, Maya explores the role of education in this forgotten community. 

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Maya updates listeners on the happenings of Salem in August 1692. Be prepared for trials, confessions, and hangings as events continue to intensify. 

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Maya explores themes around Transcendentalism and Nature, with detours into reality, dreams, and illusion. She also offers a brief meditation in nature for listeners to try out on their own. 

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Our road trip with the Donner Party is coming to an end! In the final part of this multi-episode theme, Maya discusses delays, lies, and murders, as well as hates on James Reed big time. Will the Donners make it to California?

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It's back on the road with a multi-episode theme on the Donner Party! Maya introduces listeners to Charles Stanton, a bachelor from upstate NY, and covers landmarks like Courthouse and Jailhouse Rocks, Carhenge, Chimney Rock, Scot's Bluff, and Fort Laramie. 

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Maya updates listeners on the cuckoo-caca-insano happenings in Salem Village over the course of June and July 1692 as the official trials begin, specters run wild, and residents of Salem are executed by hanging.

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The journey continues in Part II of a multi-episode theme on the Donner Party. Maya introduces listeners to the always fascinating Tamzene Donner and discusses the early days of their travels along the California and Oregon Trail.

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Maya introduces Part I of a new multi-episode focus on the Donner Party. She shares her love for these cannibalistic pioneers, recalls a nightmarish camping experience, and lays the groundwork for the Donner Party's travels westward. 

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Take a journey through Freedomland USA, an American-history theme park in the Bronx in the early 1960s! Discover the attractions at this short-lived park and contemplate what it tells us about our understanding of American history. 

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Maya discusses the idea of nature and the "wilderness" in American history and literature with a focus on Henry David Thoreau and Louise Dickinson Rich. 

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Maya launches the new name of the podcast and business as History Happy Hour evolves into Illusory Time. She discusses the reasons behind the name change and contemplates the past, present, and future. 

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Maya and Adam discuss the process of renovating a 1971 Airstream and share initial thoughts on living in a 20' foot camper for the summer. Maya also reveals the upcoming name change for History Happy Hour. 

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Maya is joined by Liz Helmer to chat about the Salem Witch Trials. They share the cutest meet-cute and cover the happenings of May 1692, as well as contemplate Roger Toothaker, the popularity of Salem, and common myths around the trials. Maya also offers some clues to upcoming changes for History Happy Hour. 

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Listen in on contemplations around consciousness and altered states with this recording from the latest Virtual Salon event. Special thanks to our participants: Curt Nehring Bliss, Jean Carney, Amelia Cabral, and Josh Doolittle. 

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Maya reveals her favorite historical psychonauts (explorers of consciousness) and shares some of her original music with listeners. 

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Maya discuss the history of salon gatherings and what participants can expect from the new virtual salon event offerings this summer. Plus, unexpected surprises! 

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Maya updates listeners on the happenings in Salem Village during April 1692 as spectral attacks abound, accusations increase, and the examinations continue. 

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Writer Lynda Wheat joins May for a discussion of the Salem Witch Trials to share her creative thesis project "Letters of Salem," contemplate magic, and explore moments where fiction meets history. 

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Jasmine Bumpers joins the show to share her knowledge on the world of archives and what it is like to work as an archivist. 

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Maya returns to a contemplation of the roots of American history by taking an Afrocentric approach and exploring the culture of Africa and experiences of enslaved Africans during the colonial era. 

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Maya contemplates questions around altered states of consciousness, including an exploration of drugs, meditation, amusement parks, and float tanks. 

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Maya discusses what's been happening in Salem Village over the course of March 1692 as the afflictions spread, accusations are made, and the examinations begin. 

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On the anniversary of Heaven's Gate mass ritual suicide, Maya explores a history of this infamous cult, contemplates their beliefs, and answers the question of why they  all wore Nike Decades for this final exit from planet Earth. 

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Maya explore the history of Irish immigration, the holiday of St. Patrick's Day, and "traditional" foods like corned beef and cabbage. Special guest Heather Giacone, an executive pastry chef, shares an Irish Soda Bread recipe for listeners to try at home.

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Maya is joined by Adam Updyke to go deep with the 1987 film Adventures in Babysitting in preparation for an upcoming virtual event. They discuss movie trivia, as well as the main characters, iconic scenes, and memorable lines from this 80s teen classic.

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Maya chats with special guests Rebecca Budinger-Mulhearn and Cat Bundinger about the historical figure of Pocahontas in comparison to the popular Disney version.

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Maya interviews artist Lauren Cohen about her experiences growing up in Old Salem Village, how the past influences her art, and what it's like to lay in a ditch. They also discuss the historic events of the Salem Witch Trials from late January to late February, 1692.

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Maya explores the intersection of Black History and myth by expanding beyond the common trope that "the black guy always dies first" in  horror films. 

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Maya answers a variety of questions submitted by high school students about how history is taught, the research and writing process, and what it is like to work as a historian. 

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Maya discusses the connections between food, memory, and culture, as well as shares a recipe for momos (Tibetan dumplings), in anticipation of Losar (the Tibetan Lunar New Year). 

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Maya is joined by special guest Tara Rook to discuss their mutual love of Parks & Rec and contemplate how the fictional celebration of Galentine's Day became a real holiday. They reveal their P&R spirit characters, Tara shares some omelette advice, and Maya wraps things up with a brief history of Valentine's Day. 

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Maya welcomes special guest Ben Rubin to further investigate where American history begins by focusing on the colonial Deep South. 

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Maya launches a special monthly series of episodes on the Salem Witch Trials, explains her connections to this event, and plays with tarot cards. 

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Maya considers the origins of American history and the limitations of Eurocentrism, discusses the indigenous people of the North American continent, and shares her sun and rising signs. 

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Maya introduces herself and History Happy Hour, contemplates why we explore the past, and insults her AP European History teacher. 

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