Jody Avirgan · History

This Day (An America 250 History Show)

To mark our 250th birthday, “This Day” presents "50 Weeks That Shaped America," a series of deep dives into the stories that brought us to this moment. "This Day" takes you beyond the head-spinning headlines of today and into the unexpected historical moments that have shaped American politics and culture. Hosted by Jody Avirgan (538), and historians Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt), and Kellie Carter Jackson (Wellesley), each episode explores a moment from that day in U.S. political history to uncover its lasting impact. On Sunday episodes, Jody, Niki and Kellie react to current news with their usual mix of humor, analysis, and historical perspective. New episodes released Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Lots more on our Instagram page, YouTube, and newsletter. Find it all at thisdaypod.com. This Day is a proud member of the Radiotopia podcast network from PRX.

Episodes

The 2008 financial crisis fundamentally reshaped economic journalism by exposing the fragility of global capital and the interconnectedness of the housing market. Alex Blumberg, co-creator of the seminal "Giant Pool of Money" audio story, reflects on the reporting process that transformed complex financial concepts int...

2008 Crash: The Bailout (Part 2)

27 Aug 2026

30m

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The 2008 financial crisis fundamentally reshaped American politics and public perception of institutional power, marking a transition from a period of relative stability to an era of constant, overwhelming news cycles. Barack Obama and John McCain adopted distinct strategies, with Obama positioning himself as a steady,...

2008 Crash: The Collapse (Part One)

25 Aug 2026

35m

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The 2008 financial crisis fundamentally reshaped the American economic and political landscape, marking a transition from long-term stability to systemic fragility. Driven by the financialization of the housing market and the proliferation of complex derivatives like collateralized debt obligations, the crisis exposed ...