Nailing History
Introducing "Nailing History," the podcast where two friends attempt to nail down historical facts like they're trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual. Join Matt and Jon (or Jon and Matt) as they stumble through the annals of time, armed with Wikipedia, Chat GPT, and a sense of reckless abandon.
In each episode, Matt and Jon pick a historical event that tickles their curiosity (and occasionally their funny bone) and dissect it like a frog in biology class—except they're the frogs, and they have no idea what they're doing. From ancient civilizations to modern mishaps, they cover it all with the finesse of a bull in a china shop.
But wait, there's more! In between butchering historical names and dates, Matt and Jon take a break to explore the intersection of history and pop culture. Ever wondered if Cleopatra would have been a TikTok sensation? Yeah, neither have they, but that won't stop them from imagining it in excruciating detail.
So grab your popcorn and prepare to laugh, cringe, and possibly learn something (though don't hold your breath). With Matt and Jon leading the charge, "Nailing History" is the only podcast where you're guaranteed to leave scratching your head and questioning everything you thought you knew about the past. After all, who needs a PhD when you've got two clueless buddies and a microphone?
Episodes
50 episodes
143: Thomas Jefferson Broke And So Did Our Secrecy
We start with the kind of problem that somehow becomes a full debate: booking flights, planning a long weekend, and deciding whether checking a bag is smart or “low rent.” From airport security rules to the overhead bin hunger games, we talk th...
142: The American Revolution Within The Whimsical World of Ken Burns, Pt. 3
An army can survive cold, hunger, and defeat—but only if it learns how to stand. We dive into the messy middle of the American Revolution, where a self-made Prussian “baron” turns drills into discipline, a battlefield prima donna becomes a trai...
141: The American Revolution Within The Whimsical World of Ken Burns, Pt. 2
A near-collapse on Long Island. A fog that saves an army. A midnight gamble across black water that shocks a continent. We trace the most volatile stretch of the American Revolution—when Washington loses New York, wins at Trenton, and keeps the...
140: The American Revolution Within The Whimsical World of Ken Burns, Pt. 1
What happens when a twelve-hour history epic meets two hosts who love maps, motives, and messy truths? We dove into the first two parts of PBS’s American Revolution and came up with a sharper, more honest read: there’s real value in the battle ...
139: He Wanted Paris, Got Prison, And Sang On The Gallows
We ring in 2026 with fan calls, a messy production catch‑up, and a deep dive into Death by Lightning, using Garfield’s rise and Guiteau’s delusion to unpack the Gilded Age spoils system and a presidency undone by infection as much as a bullet. ...
138: Road Trip Through The Founders’ Backyards
The plan was simple: drive to Charlottesville, see three presidential homes, soak in the views, and come back with a few good stories. What we got was a bracing look at how history is curated, where it gets messy, and how visitor experiences ca...
**URGENT** -- Google Pulled The Plug
The door slammed without warning: our podcast Gmail was disabled, our recording tools broke, and our notes vanished into a limbo we couldn’t even name. We hit record anyway, tracing the chain reaction from a single login error to a full-stack o...
137: After Dark: Money Talks, BS Walks: The Sequel No One Asked For
Ever wondered why a president can send the National Guard into a city that didn’t ask for it? We light the fuse on a late-night, no-bleeps conversation that links today’s deployments to a long trail of precedent—from George Washington’s march d...
136: Hold on to Your Butts + Fashion Crash Course
We announce our ambitious new project covering each state's journey to joining the Union, starting with Delaware and proceeding in order of ratification or annexation. This special series will coincide with America's upcoming 250th anniversary ...
135: Newlywed, Jon N., Needs Our Help
When newlywed John returns from his California nuptials, the podcast takes a refreshingly personal turn as Matt recounts his best man experience and the unexpected drama surrounding the wedding's signature cocktail. The "Simply Peach Juice deba...
134: We paid $35 to get yelled at by people in colonial costumes
Have you ever paid good money for a disappointing experience? In this continuation of our Virginia adventure, we dive into the reality behind the tourism facade of the Historic Triangle – and it's not always pretty.We pick up where we l...
133: Two amateur historians walk into historic homes and immediately annoy the tour guides.
When typical bachelor party debauchery gets replaced with historical site tours, you know you're dealing with history nerds of the highest order. What began as an attempt to check off the "Historic Triangle of Virginia" quickly spiraled into a ...
132 Alternative History Vol. 1–The Butterfly Effect: Britain's Victory in the American Revolution
History is built on pivotal moments where the outcome could have gone either way—and perhaps no American moment carries more weight than our fight for independence. But what happens when we flip the script and imagine George Washington captured...
Special Edition: The Simpson Saga Pt. 5: Laughter, Lawsuits, and Legendary Trials
Join us on a sartorial rollercoaster as we navigate the hilarities of wedding suit shopping with our friend Emily M, dialing in from her racetrack-adjacent hideaway in the Poconos. As the best man, I recount my misadventures alongside our groom...
131 Welcome to 2025
Ever wondered how a simple Italian-style egg roll could turn a day into a comedy of errors? Join us as we recount our holiday escapades, from the whirlwind of family chaos to the laughter-filled moments at La Scala's Fire in Philadelphia. The t...
130 Laughs, Lag, and Legendary Misadventures: Our Year in Review
Ever wondered what Mussolini and Hitler have in common with a good laugh? Join us on a whimsical trip down memory lane as we recount the year-long journey of the Nailing History Podcast. From our hilariously awkward first recording to the notor...
129 Unraveling Pardons Past and Present
What happens when global politics, family ties, and the complex world of presidential pardons collide? Join us as we unpack the shocking overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria and the assassination of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, events that have ...
128 Tariff Town: The Trade Wars (feat. Mark C.)
Ever wondered how the decisions of a century-old presidency still ripple through today's political landscape? Join us for a lighthearted yet insightful exploration as we kick off with a playful exchange about my co-host John's infamous procrast...
127 From Grover Cleveland to Modern Parallels
Ever had a perfectly innocent morning vote turn into a full-blown drama series? Well, grab your popcorn, because Jon's story starts like a Hallmark movie—he breezes into the polling station, votes early, feels powerful, maybe even a little hero...
126 Columbus, Halloween, and Fan Mail
Does Christopher Columbus have a secret Spanish Jewish identity? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion as we challenge a long-held belief about Columbus's heritage and delve into the historical context of Sephardic Jews in 1492 Spain. We u...
125 From Poland to Philadelphia: Kościuszko's Impact
Picture this: You’re trekking through the vibrant fall foliage of the Adirondacks with your best friend, sharing laughs and the occasional grumble along the way. Ever thought about how a spontaneous hiking trip could lead to a deeper unde...
124 Solo Shot: From Bay Bridge Dreams to Royal Decrees
Can frequent handwashing really keep you from getting sick, or is it just one of those life ironies? As I steer the Nailing History Podcast solo while my co-host John battles an illness, this conundrum seems all too real. Join me as I ponder th...
123 Wilson's Points Revisited: A Century of Parallels
Could the principles of a century-old peace plan hold the key to understanding today's political landscape? In this fascinating episode, we draw unexpected parallels between Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and the modern conservative agenda of Proje...
122 Candles in the Wind: The Day Diana Died: Memories and Controversies
What if the tragic death of Princess Diana wasn't just an accident? Join us as we revisit the life and untimely demise of the People's Princess through a blend of personal stories, public reactions, and the ever-persistent conspiracy theories t...