Interviews and Media Appearances
NPR 1A
"The xenophobia, the bigotry, the exclusion, the patriarchy...those are the reasons why the Roman Empire is calling out for more study. Not because we want to repeat the lessons it offers us, but because we want to make sure that we don't.” Join Doug, senior WIRED editor Angela Watercutter, and NPR’s Indira Lakshmann for the discussion.
Originally aired September 25, 2023
NPR Weekend Edition
Weekend Edition host Lulu Garcia-Navarro invited Doug to talk about the injustices that foreigners endured in the Roman Empire and to reflect on why the history of Alaric the Goth matters today.
Originally aired June 7, 2020.
The Colin McEnroe Show
Why is the Roman Empire still worth thinking about? Doug joins Connecticut Public Radio/NPR host Colin McEnroe to explore its surprising longevity: from the language we still use to the movies we remember, from virtual reality to the life of Alaric the Goth.
Originally aired October 25, 2023.
The Al Franken Podcast
Al Franken, an award-winning comedy writer, radio host, and former U.S. senator, invited Doug to discuss religious intolerance, systemic racism, and Ancient Rome’s hatred of immigrants in an episode that draws out the disturbing parallels between our world and 410 A.D.
Originally aired September 6, 2020.
Writer’s Voice
Long-time public radio producer and host Francesca Rheannon invited Doug to discuss some of the cautionary lessons we can draw from Ancient Rome about xenophobia and anti-immigrant bigotry.
Originally aired October 1, 2020.
Available on iTunes.
The John Batchelor Show
Podcaster, radio host and expert storyteller John Batchelor invited Doug on his show to talk about Alaric: as a soldier, a government official, and ultimately, as the Goth who sacked Ancient Rome. Listen to part one of their conversation, and follow the link for more.
Originally aired October 31, 2020.
Tides of History
Doug joined historian and podcast host Patrick Wyman, creator of the popular podcast series The Fall of Rome, to talk about Alaric the Goth, the ideas of citizenship at the heart of the book, and how challenging it was to write about the life of a historical figure who always seemed to be hiding.
Originally aired June 4, 2020.
Counterpoint with Amanda Vanstone
Amanda Vanstone, host of the popular Australian news podcast Counterpoint on ABC, spoke with Doug about Alaric, multiculturalism, and the Roman Empire.
Originally aired June 14, 2021.
Religion for Breakfast
YouTube host Andrew Mark Henry, whose popular channel Religion for Breakfast gives audiences an easy-going but sophisticated look at topics in history and religion, asked Doug to explain why August 24, 410 A.D., has affected so many generations of writers and thinkers.
Originally aired June 9, 2020.
