Season 1
Consolation Prize: Trailer
Aug. 6, 2020
Consolation Prize is a podcast about the history of the United States in the world through the eyes of its consuls.
Episode 1: Burroughing into Mexico
Sept. 1, 2020
In this episode, we travel to Vera Cruz, Mexico, to learn about how American consuls helped American businessmen assert their rights in contradiction of Mexican law.
Episode 2: An Impressive Consul in Liverpool
Sept. 22, 2020
In this episode, we meet Liverpool consul James Maury, whose job included helping American sailors who had been shipwrecked, were out of work--or were kidnapped by the British navy!
Bonus Episode 1: What is a consul, anyway?
Oct. 7, 2020
In this bonus episode, we delve into questions like "What is a consul?" "How do you get a job as a consul?" and other things. Listen to this if you feel adrift when listening to our regular episodes!
Episode 3: Havana Hard Time as Consul
Oct. 13, 2020
In this episode, we travel to Havana, Cuba to meet the consul Nicholas Trist, as he struggles between the dilemma of morals and money.
Episode 4A: A Webb of Connections, Part 1
Nov. 3, 2020
In this episode we meet Alexander Russell Webb, U.S. consul to Manila in the Philippines turned Muslim missionary to America.
Episode 4B: A Webb of Connections, Part 2
Nov. 4, 2020
In this episode we continue our story of Mohammed Alexander Russell Webb from his decision to resign as an American consul to his inauguration as an honorary consul-general for the Ottoman Empire!
Episode 5: Uncertain Waters in Zanzibar
Nov. 24, 2020
In this episode, we learn about Richard Waters who served as the first consul from the United States to Zanzibar.
Episode 6: Making a Good First Empression
Dec. 15, 2020
Within a year of the end of the American Revolution, the United States sent a ship to China, where the government hoped Americans could start a robust (and lucrative) trade.
Bonus Mini-Episode 1: Yeah, That Poinsett
Dec. 21, 2020
In this bonus holiday episode, we explore the consular life of Joel Roberts Poinsett, everyone's favorite holiday historical figure.
Episode 7: Selah in Jerusalem
Jan. 26, 2021
We go to Jerusalem to find out more about Selah Merrill, the longest-serving consul there before 1948.
Episode 8: Eden to Ashes
Feb. 16, 2021
In this episode, we venture into the tragic story of the 1902 volcanic eruption of Mount Pelée on the island of Martinique. Consul, Thomas Prentis and his family were among the 30,000 victims of this natural disaster.
Episode 9: Victims of Independence
March 9, 2021
James Leander Cathcart and Richard O'Brien were uniquely suited to their jobs, from one point of view: they had spent a lot of time in the region they were consuls to--as captives of the ruler during the previous decade.
Episode 10: Worthy of Notice
March 30, 2021
In today’s episode, we take a look at some people connected to the consular service who are worthy of notice: the women.
Bonus Episode: Interview with Maura Harty
April 6, 2021
In this bonus episode, we learn about the much more recent history of women in the consular service, as Abby interviews Maura Harty, a career Foreign Service officer.
Episode 11: Greener Pastures
April 20, 2021
In Episode 11, we explore the complicated, and sometimes tragic, life of Richard Greener, the first Black consul to a predominantly white post.
Episode 12: Unrecognizable Citizens
May 11, 2021
We've been to Mexico a few times this season, but we promised in the first episode that we'd return one last time, to talk about the relationship between Black Americans and the consuls in Mexico.
Summer Episode: Cuisine, Consumption, and Consuls
Aug. 17, 2021
In this bonus episode, we look back on the stories from season one with an eye for food.
Summer Episode: Against the Grain
Sept. 14, 2021
In this second installment of our summer series on food and consuls, we shift our gaze to look at food ways from the bottom-up.