Author name: Places and Profiles Podcast

Matt Briney joins host Adam Camac to discuss the life and legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt.  Matt is the Chief Communications Officer at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which is scheduled to open during the summer of 2026.  Matt previously worked at George Washington’s Mount Vernon as Vice President of Communications.

Wess Harris, a sociologist, miner, union organizer, author, and editor, joins host Adam Camac to discuss key figures, issues, and events from the West Virginia Mine Wars and the history of coal mining in West Virginia. Wess is the editor of “When Miners March” and “Written in Blood: Courage and Corruption in the Appalachian War of Extraction.”

Christopher Goscha joins host Adam Camac to discuss key events, figures, and influences from the history of Vietnam.  Chris has been a professor in the Department of History at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) since 2005.  Chris is the author of several books, including “Vietnam: A New History” and “The Road to Dien Bien Phu: A History of the First War for Vietnam.”

Sarah Beth Cox joins host Adam Camac to discuss the history and significance of Mount Rushmore. Sarah Beth is Lead Park Ranger Interpreter at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Tracey Laird joins host Adam Camac to discuss the history and cultural significance of country music, key figures and themes in country music history, and how country music has changed and grown over the decades.

Margaret George joins host Adam Camac to discuss the life, legacy, controversies, accomplishments, wives, advisors, and kids of King Henry VIII of England. Margaret is a historical novelist who specializes in fictional biographies.  She is the author of The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers: A Novel.

Salvador Rueda joins host Adam Camac to discuss key figures, issues, and events from the history of Mexico. Salvador is Director of the National Museum of History, which is located at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City.

Peter Alter joins host Adam Camac to discuss key figures, issues, and events from the history of Chicago.
Peter is Chief Historian at the Chicago History Museum.

Dr. Paul Reeve joins host Adam Camac to discuss the origins and history of Mormonism in Utah, how life in Utah has been shaped by Mormonism, and how the influence of Mormonism can be seen in Utah today. Paul is the Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies in the History Department at the University of Utah.

Rachel Helvering joins host Adam Camac to discuss the life and legacy of President James K. Polk. Rachel is the Executive Director of The President James K. Polk Home and Museum.