Show Notes
It’s been a full year since The Steam & Splendor Network first launched—and what a journey it’s been! In this special first anniversary episode, hosts Tad Fitch and J. Kent Layton take a nostalgic trip through the highlights of the past year. From memorable moments and favorite episodes to surprising discoveries and behind-the-scenes insights, they reflect on everything that’s made the channel and podcast so special. But that’s not all—Tad and Kent also offer an exciting glimpse into what...
More from The Steam & Splendor Network Podcast
Hosts Tad Fitch and J. Kent Layton welcome author and researcher Mark Chirnside back on the podcast to discuss his latest release, Olympic & Titanic: Triumph and Disaster. In this episode, Mark reveals compelling new findings and stories that make this book a standout addition to maritime history. Whether you are new to the subject or a lifelong researcher, this detailed work offers fresh discoveries on nearly every page while recontextualizing the legacy of the Olympic-class ships. Th...
Hosts Tad Fitch and J. Kent Layton are joined by Patrick Cornelius Vida—President of the RMS Olympic Steinway Association and founder of The White Star Line Quintet—for crucial updates on the campaign to preserve a legendary piece of maritime history: the Steinway piano from Olympic’s luxurious À la Carte Restaurant. In this episode, Patrick shares an important update on the acquisition process, revealing how close the society is to securing the instrument and what steps remain to ensure it s...
Join hosts Tad Fitch and J. Kent Layton for a gripping exploration of maritime history with renowned researcher Parks Stephenson. A retired Navy veteran and Executive Director of the USS Kidd Museum, Parks brings unparalleled expertise from his extensive research and multiple expeditions to the Titanic wreck site. In this episode, we challenge long-held assumptions and dive into the technical mysteries of the world’s most famous shipwreck: Engineering Icons: A comparative look at Titanic’s wa...
Join hosts Tad Fitch and J. Kent Layton as they welcome fellow researcher Bill Wormstedt for an exclusive look at their upcoming paper, Titanic: The Lifeboat Launching Sequence, A New Study. Ahead of its April 10, 2026, release, the trio discusses a multi-year project born from a desire to critically examine an alternate chronology recently proposed by another researcher. By returning to the primary sources to reconcile conflicting accounts, they have worked to refine our collective understan...
Hosts Tad Fitch and J. Kent Layton are joined by fellow researchers, authors, and longtime collaborators Bill Wormstedt and Mike Poirier for a lively and thought-provoking discussion on historical research methods—and the ongoing debate over how the story of the Titanic should be studied and understood. Should historians rely only on official inquiry testimony and private letters from survivors, or can newspaper interviews and trade-press accounts also be trusted? Are later-in-life recollecti...