NEW YORK CITY
- BOSS TWEED -
The Most Dangerous Politician You Never Learned About
Dec 2025 | 21 min | Forgotten History

ⓘ  Boss Tweed, New York City Democrat Boss

This episode uncovers how Tweed built an empire of graft that touched nearly every corner of New York City. It dives into the rise and fall of Tweed, the structure of the Tammany Hall machine, and the investigations that finally brought the Boss down. It also explores how political corruption shaped New York's future and the lasting lessons about power, money, and influence in American politics.

Huey Long rose from rural poverty to become one of the most polarizing figures in American political history. His rapid rise in Louisiana reshaped the state through sweeping reforms, intense patronage, and aggressive political tactics that alarmed his opponents. This episode examines how Long built his influence from the ground up and why his methods still raise questions about political power in America.

Supporters saw Long as a champion of the poor who challenged entrenched elites and redirected resources toward public programs. Critics saw something far different. They believed he operated through coercion, controlled state institutions, and undermined democratic safeguards to fortify his control. This investigation traces key events from his earliest elections to his takeover of Louisiana’s government and expansion of authority as a United States Senator.

The story of Huey Long is not only about ambition. It is about the fragile nature of checks and balances when one leader gains momentum faster than the system can adapt. This episode explores the allegations of corruption, the structure of his political machine, and the lasting effects of his rule on Louisiana and the nation.

Jan 2026 | 20 min | Forgotten History