Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the first season about Teddy Roosevelt. They did a great job of covering a wide range of topics and it was entertaining to listen to. Highly recommend for any fan of TR or of American History!

And searching maps and routes and this is so interesting! Great job - the use of sound just makes me FEEL cold while listening. Before publishing a producer unfamiliar with the content should listen, catch, and fix the missing items - Needs a touch more description for the ear; feels like an print writer wrote this and not a broadcaster. Did I miss why Peary didn't have photos from the pole - a photo of his compass showing 90 degrees North? It’s just not clear why he couldn’t prove his achievement. Also could’ve used a description of those old compass instruments. Episode 8 had audio issues for me with weird edits-Kat’s voice layered over herself. Just loved it though. Thank you!

There are bunch of recording issues with episode 6. The narration is being overwritten a fair number of times.

My review of History vs. TR is below. I gave it 5 stars. The podcast is now called The Quest for the North Pole, which I’d like to give 3 stars, but I decided I should average the two. I’m very interested in the topic, but I’ve listened to the first 4 episodes and found myself zoning out in all of them. I don’t know if the writing isn’t as interesting as in the TR series, or if the host’s voice is too monotone and soothing. I’m about ready to give up on it because I just can’t concentrate on the content and am learning very little as a result. History vs. TR: I usually prefer history to be presented in chronological order, but the breaking up of TR’s life into themed episodes was an interesting way of doing it. I’m looking forward to finding out who the next subject will be!

The description says this is a podcast about the North Pole but all the episodes I see are about Theodore Roosevelt...am I missing something?

Thanks for showing us how we can change the world (if we have enough caffeine)

History vs. Anticipating more, but frustrated having to wait!!!!!

I feel bad for TR during WW1... His youngest son killed by the German Red Baron with a kill streak of 80 lives killed in a air battle...

Finally, someone in the mainstream understands and is able to articulate how game management and conservation work to support a healthy wildlife population. Bully!

Theodore Roosevelt was one of the greatest people America ever produced. Due to that, when material discussing his life is available, I will pay attention. However, hearing this podcast was like being forced to listen to a bright third grader discuss Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five. They may get the facts of the story correct, but have no idea what the storyline really means. There is no better glimpse of this than one of the final episodes regarding the removal of the Roosevelt statue from the Museum of Natural History. The narrative falls all over itself letting us know that according to the experts, TR would have not minded his statue's removal, and all is well. Authorities such as his great grandson (who's apparent career zenith is as a curator of his ancestor's legacy!) tell us so. Please. Imagine TR in the White House, at his desk. He learns that mobs throughout the country without any legal process are pulling down statues. He learns that along with Confederate statues, statues of Ulysses Grant, Christopher Columbus, Junipero Serra, George Washington and others are being defaced or destroyed. The advantage an actual third grader with no woke prism may have here is they might have gleaned some understanding of the man, and realize that he would be enraged. That same third grader, imagining Roosevelt learning that he is to be added to a list of Americans that warrant image repair or removal due to a possible harmful impact of viewing his statue, would easily surmise that the man would be disgusted with any apologists for such actions. Even a child would understand that TR would have stood firm on the principle that as a people we cannot allow a shrill and strident mob to decide for our country who we should admire. It would not be the statue, but the principle of being judged by these apologists, that would anger him. I can safely predict that the creators of this podcast will never stray in their historical profiles from those boundaries set by their woke masters, and will present these profiles in ways that will draw nothing but derision by future historians. After a cursive glance, such materil will be deleted or simply shrugged at as a product of an intellectual dark age. Am I wrong? Are these actually fearless historians, discussing the the true nature of these individuals? If so, I eagerly await their series on another one of the greatest men to have ever lived- Martin Luther King, with viewpoints on his sacrifices, martyrdom, vision, and many battles. Of course, in the interest of being so complete, we'll also hear about his PhD dissertation, the FBI surveillance recordings currently archived until 2027, and the Reverend Ralph Abernathy's accounting of their final days together. Not likely. Maybe Nixon will be next- he's safe to talk about.

The title speaks for itself

I like this podcast - it’s great to hear about a president warts and all and put things in historical context

I’m a huge TR fan! I’m also 48 and a conservative. The fact that there is a modern method for today’s generation to get a glimpse into this man’s extraordinary life is awesome. And Erin is a pioneer in her own right for doing it! Thanks so much!

Thank you for the courage to talk about such an important subject.

Interesting take on TR. Biggest complaint is the narrator’s pronunciation of Albany, NY. It’s All-bany not Al-bany!

This podcast apparently can’t engage in original thought and simply ripped off their name from “Science Vs.” (which is a title more befitting as that podcast actually pits science against an issue).

I have always been A fan of TR but this Had such great detail. Fascinating and interesting.

Very well done podcast series that was an absolute joy to listen to. I loved the host and thought she did an excellent job. Keep up the good work!

What about a series in which you present each president? I learned so much about Teddy, I bet each president has a story that could be told. Keep up the good work!

I truly enjoy this podcast. The content, organization, and presentation style are all very compelling. TR did so much 100+ years ago that is very relevant to today’s politics and issues. Thank you Erin McCarthy for bringing his history to life! I look forward to listening to you for seasons to come.

Cool way of showcasing TR knowledge while still being fun to listen to!

I didn’t know much about Teddy Roosevelt, beyond the fact that he was a conservationist, before I started listening to this podcast. It’s been so much fun to learn about how disciplined he was, how laser focused from the time he got up in the morning to the time he went to bed, and how he tried to change the world with progressive policies. Erin is a great narrator and storyteller with a fantastic radio voice (and her enunciation is top notch). I can’t wait for more episodes!

Perfectly produced and a joy to listen to.

I love Theodore Roosevelt and this podcast is great!

Someone trolling with the 14th episode or did I miss a bunch of episodes

A really informative podcast that sheds light on both the big moments of Teddy Roosevelt's life, as well as some lesser-known anecdotes. TR was definitely colorful, and Mental Floss does a great job of illustrating why so many are still obsessed with him today.

Great storytelling! Fun and informative tales about America’s 26th president.

Well written, accurate, informative. I wish Erin would read the script slower!

The title really says it all. Good podcast but the Narrator speaks so quickly it’s difficult to understand what she’s saying. Reminds me of a high schooler nervously giving a presentation in history class.

She talks so fast and sounds like simply reading off paper. What a waste of a podcast.

Mental Floss really nailed it - really well done podcast on one of our great presidents

Great pod! You did an exceptional job!

The subject is well chosen and fascinating. The presentation is self conscious, and gets in the way. Example: In the “vs Tragedy” ep, there’s a fairly lengthy detour for an inane audio road trip to TR’s no-longer present former ranch on the Little Missouri River, complete with aw shucks commentary from the car as they drive in on a dirt road, etc. I’d have been much happier if that time had been spent on actual content. Still, the pluses outweigh the minuses. A good pod with room for improvement.

The content and production is outstanding!

I know a lot about TR but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at some of the stories I’ve heard that I didn’t know about. Absolutely love it!!

I know very little about TR but this podcast open my eyes to the guy. Dude was savage (in a good way lol). I want to know more about the guy. Great podcast.

This is a great concept for a podcast and I’m thrilled they chose Theodore Roosevelt as the first subject . Bully for Mental Floss!

I love this! I actually got engaged at Sagamore Hill and was told by the tour guide that only one other couple got engaged there and they both met and worked there. I am a history teacher but also a giant Theodore Roosevelt fan and am so happy about this. Thank you!!

Great podcast on TR. Might not be much new info for “ted heads” but for the majority of listeners it is easy listening and a lot of information about one of the most interesting people to have served as President.

Awesome pod for real Ted Heads and casual listeners alike. Looking forward to hearing about TR in the Badlands!

Do you love A) History? B) Teddy Roosevelt l? C) Mental Floss? Or D) Crazy stories and hilarious quotations? If so this pod is well worth a listen. Hoping that future episodes will delve into some parts of his life ignored in ep1, but I believe that will be the case.

Super stoked for future Teddy episodes, and future seasons with other historical figures.