Bill Humphrey

About Bill Humphrey

Bill Humphrey is the primary host of WVUD's Arsenal For Democracy talk radio show and a local elected official.

[Unlocked] Feb 17, 2021 – The Natural Ice Trade – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 351

Unlocked Patreon episode: In the early 19th century, the New England region of the United States emerged as the global leader of a lucrative new industry that would change the world: Harvesting and transporting ice from ponds and rivers. Nate and Bill discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 351 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bonus-AFD-Ep-351-Links-and-Notes-The-Ice-Trade.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

American Money, Part V: Epilogue – Personal Finance – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 399

The 5th part of our miniseries on money itself during the 2nd Industrial Revolution in the US. Bill and Rachel look at the ideology of consumer finance, the rise of home and auto loans, and how the seeds of the 21st century financialization were planted long ago.

Links and notes for Ep. 399 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/American-Money-Part-V_-Epilogue-Personal-Finance-Arsenal-For-Democracy-Ep-399.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

American Money, Part IV: The Cross of Gold – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 398

The 4th part of our miniseries on money itself during the 2nd Industrial Revolution in the US. Bill and Rachel look at the political battles over silver coinage and the gold standard and why neither position makes sense in hindsight.

Links and noted for Ep. 398 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/American-Money-Part-IV_-The-Cross-of-Gold-Arsenal-For-Democracy-Ep-398.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

American Money, Part III: Store Credit, Installments, and Shadow Lending – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 397

The 3rd part of our miniseries on money itself during the 2nd Industrial Revolution in the US. Bill, Rachel, and Kelley look at the initial emergence of proto-consumer credit as well as sketchy and predatory small loans in industrial cities.

Links and notes for Ep. 397 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/American-Money-Part-III_-Store-Credit-Installments-and-Shadow-Lending-Arsenal-For-Democracy-Ep-397.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

American Money, Parts I and II: Antebellum Through Reconstruction – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 396

The first episode of our miniseries on money itself during the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States. Bill and Rachel pose philosophical questions on the nature of money and look at changes in US monetary policy from the Antebellum period through 1876.

Links and notes for Ep. 396 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/American-Money-Parts-I-and-II_-Antebellum-Through-Reconstruction-Arsenal-For-Democracy-Ep-396.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

[Unlocked] Feb 23, 2021 – The American Protective League feat. @housetrotter – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 353

[Unlocked] During WWI, a Chicago ad man pitched the Bureau of Investigation on a volunteer secret police, which grew to nearly 300,000 unpaid agents and foreshadowed strategies of the later US intelligence state. Friend of the show Ben aka @housetrotter joins Bill and Rachel to discuss.

Links and notes for Ep. 353 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Bonus-AFD-Ep-353-Links-and-Notes-The-American-Protective-League-feat-Housetrotter.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Sept 5, 2021 – Fast Food and Automats – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 395

In September 1921, the first fast food restaurant (White Castle) was launched, taking inspiration from the Hygiene Movement. Guest John Leavitt (@LeavittAlone) joins Bill, Kelley, and Rachel to talk about this and Automats and to imagine a different future for restaurants.

Links and notes for Ep. 395 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AFD-Ep-395-Links-and-Notes-September-1921_-Fast-Food-White-Castle-with-guest-John-Leavitt.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.