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Relevant or Irrelevant

History Podcasts

In this weekly show, hosts John Kealey and Jay Swords examine events of history through the discussion of books, journal articles, papers, and presentations, then historians and history buffs ask the question, what is relevant or irrelevant in today’s...

Location:

United States

Description:

In this weekly show, hosts John Kealey and Jay Swords examine events of history through the discussion of books, journal articles, papers, and presentations, then historians and history buffs ask the question, what is relevant or irrelevant in today’s world. For more than a decade, this show has aired over-the-air on KALA-FM in the Quad Cities. Now, we're bringing it here to make listening easier than ever!

Language:

English


Episodes
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BONUS: Presidential Abuses Of The Constitution

4/24/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Sally Frank, professor of law and director of The General Civil Practice Clinic, Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa, USA), joins the "ROI" team to discuss, "Presidential Abuses Of The Constitution." The host for the 657th edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:14:12

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Presidential Abuses Of The Constitution

4/24/2026
Sally Frank, professor of law and director of The General Civil Practice Clinic, Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa, USA), joins the "ROI" team to discuss, "Presidential Abuses Of The Constitution." The host for the 657th edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:30:58

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Born Of Ice And Fire: How Glaciers And Volcanoes (With A Pinch Of Salt) Drove Animal Evolution

4/17/2026
Dr. Graham Shields, professor of geology at University College London, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss: Born Of Ice And Fire: How Glaciers And Volcanoes (With A Pinch Of Salt) Drove Animal Evolution. The host for the 656th edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:30:59

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BONUS: Born Of Ice And Fire: How Glaciers And Volcanoes (With A Pinch Of Salt) Drove Animal Evolution

4/17/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Graham Shields, professor of geology at University College London, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss: Born Of Ice And Fire: How Glaciers And Volcanoes (With A Pinch Of Salt) Drove Animal Evolution. The host for the 656th edition in this series is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:14:38

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BONUS: The Invention Of Good And Evil: A World History Of Morality

4/11/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Hanno Sauer, associate professor of philosophy at Utrecht University, in the Netherlands, joins the "ROI" panelists for the 655th show in the series to discuss his book: The Invention Of Good And Evil: A World History Of Morality. The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:14:39

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The Invention Of Good And Evil: A World History Of Morality

4/10/2026
Dr. Hanno Sauer, associate professor of philosophy at Utrecht University, in the Netherlands, joins the "ROI" panelists for the 655th show in the series to discuss his book: The Invention Of Good And Evil: A World History Of Morality. The host for this edition is Jay Swords, and the history buff is Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:32:13

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Eerie Iowa: The Hawkeye State's Darker Side

4/3/2026
Bruce Walters, professor emeritus at Western Illinois University, artist and author, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss a recent book he co-authored with Michael McCarty: Eerie Iowa: The Hawkeye State's Darker Side. The host for the 654th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:30:34

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BONUS: Eerie Iowa: The Hawkeye State's Darker Side

4/3/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Bruce Walters, professor emeritus at Western Illinois University, artist and author, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss a recent book he co-authored with Michael McCarty: Eerie Iowa: The Hawkeye State's Darker Side. The host for the 654th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:13:10

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Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities

3/27/2026
The "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team welcomes guests from the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities: including Chris Van Speybroeck, vice president of development; Timothy Smith, vice president of operations; and Chuck Long, chairman of the organization's board. The host for this edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:30:52

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BONUS: Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities

3/27/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: The "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team welcomes guests from the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities: including Chris Van Speybroeck, vice president of development; Timothy Smith, vice president of operations; and Chuck Long, chairman of the organization's board. The host for this edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:13:33

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Mary, Mother Of Christ

3/20/2026
Dr. Lisa Powell, professor of theology and director of The Justice, Diversity, and Gender Studies Program at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, joins the "ROI" team to discuss, "Mary, Mother Of Christ." The host for the 652nd edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:29:45

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BONUS: Reggae Music

3/13/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Zeb Brooks, reggae music enthusiast, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss this fascinating genre. The host for the 651st edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:15:37

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Reggae Music

3/13/2026
Zeb Brooks, reggae music enthusiast, joins the "ROI" panelists to discuss this fascinating genre. The host for the 651st edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:29:00

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BONUS: My Wicked Hometown: The Hidden History Of Davenport, Iowa

3/6/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Ezra Sidran, author of My Wicked Hometown: The Hidden History Of Davenport, Iowa, joins the "ROI" team to discuss his book. The host for this edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:14:26

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My Wicked Hometown: The Hidden History Of Davenport, Iowa

3/6/2026
Dr. Ezra Sidran, author of My Wicked Hometown: The Hidden History Of Davenport, Iowa, joins the "ROI" team to discuss his book. The host for this edition is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Rick Sweet and Ed Broders. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:29:41

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What Is Time?

2/27/2026
Dr. Adrian Bardon, American philosopher and professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss, "What Is Time?" The host for the 649th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:29:26

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BONUS: What Is Time?

2/27/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Dr. Adrian Bardon, American philosopher and professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" team to discuss, "What Is Time?" The host for the 649th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:14:24

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Dear Marty, We Crapped In Our Nest: Notes From The Edge Of The World

2/20/2026
Art Cullen, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and editor of The Storm Lake Times, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" panelists to discuss: Dear Marty, We Crapped In Our Nest: Notes From The Edge Of The World. The host for the 648th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:30:18

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BONUS: Dear Marty, We Crapped In Our Nest: Notes From The Edge Of The World

2/20/2026
BONUS DISCUSSION: Art Cullen, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and editor of The Storm Lake Times, joins the "Relevant Or Irrelevant" panelists to discuss: Dear Marty, We Crapped In Our Nest: Notes From The Edge Of The World. The host for the 648th edition in this series is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Terri Toppler and Brett Monnard. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:16:30

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Communist Ideology In 1930s Great Britain

2/13/2026
Historian Jackson Cleghorn returns to "ROI" to discuss "Communist Ideology In 1930s Great Britain" for the 647th edition in this series. The host for this program is John Kealey, and the history buffs are Brett Monnard and Rick Sweet. Opinions expressed in this program are those of the hosts and the guest(s), and not necessarily those of KALA-FM or St. Ambrose University. This program is recorded at KALA-FM, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa, USA!

Duration:00:32:21