
Is Monopoly Socialist?
From Part-Time Genius by iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
September 8, 2026 · 33 min · Season 3
About this episode
The episode explores the complex history of board games, including Monopoly's political shifts and connections to historical figures.
Turns out, the history of board games isn't as simple as passing Go and collecting $200. From the surprising way Abraham Lincoln's beard changed Milton Bradley's career, to the dramatic shift in Monopoly's political orientation, to the ancient Sumerian board game you can play online right now, today Will and Mango go wild game hunting... and come back with plenty of stories to tell. This episode originally aired on January 6, 2025. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social ! Photo by Maria Lin Kim via Unsplash. Thanks, Maria! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Hosts: Will, Mango
Topics covered
- board games
- history
- politics
- Monopoly
- Abraham Lincoln
- Sumerian games
Keywords
- Monopoly
- board games
- Abraham Lincoln
- Milton Bradley
- Sumerian games
- political orientation
- history
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Milton Bradley
Books & works: Monopoly, ancient Sumerian board game
More episodes of Part-Time Genius
- Will We Ever Live Without Sleep? Featuring Simone Giertz! · September 4, 2026 · 45 min
- Are Gummy Bears Good For Your Muscles? · September 1, 2026 · 31 min
- How Did a Family Feud Launch Aldi Supermarkets? · August 28, 2026 · 38 min
- Why Are We So Obsessed with Time Capsules? · August 25, 2026 · 42 min
- Why Do Kids Play Recorders in School? · August 21, 2026 · 20 min
- How Have Rats Outsmarted Us for So Long? · August 18, 2026 · 40 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Part-Time Genius podcast page.