May 14, 2026
Legacy. What is it? In this episode, Cynthia L Simmons pours a cup of tea and invites you into Dolley Madison's parlor. History remembers her as the "Queen of Washington," but her greatest work may have been mentoring her great-neice. Adele took those lessons in diplomacy she learned from her aunt and put them to...
May 7, 2026
Have you ever felt you were in a season of "steeping" while you waited?
In this special Mother's Day episode, Cynthia L Simmons invites you to grab a cup of hot tea and step back 1700 years into history to discover the life of one of the most resilient mothers who ever lived: St Monica. The world remembers her son,...
Apr 30, 2026
Welcome to Heart of the Matter Radio/Podcast. I'm your hostess, Cynthia L Simmons, and I have been reflecting on navigating the storms of life.
Sometimes the best lessons in resilience and trust come from the most unexpected places. Today, that comes from the deck of a World War II battleship. I delight in finding fun...
Apr 9, 2026
Imagine living in the Confederacy during the Civil War. Your friends and acquaintances don't share your value for human life. Even worse, these people expect you to accept the social norms and refuse to see the injustice of slavery. What would you do? Listen to a snippet of Elizabeth Van Lew's story. After the war...
Apr 3, 2026
While researching the Revolutionary War era, I came across a theme of grave robbers, called 'resurrectionists.' People accused Dr. Edward Shippen of stealing bodies to dissect for the medical school in PA. However, as I kept reading, I found the problem started in ancient history and continued into the...