PODCASTs
The following podcasts explore the complex history of World War II, and military history in general. Solace Wales joins journalists and military historians in discussion based upon her decades of research which she captured in her book, Braided in Fire: Black GIs and Tuscan Villagers on the Gothic Line. Listen to the specific podcast episodes below, and consider listening to other episodes in these podcast series to learn more about this searing point in human history.
WW II Gothic Line ghosts haunt modern day Italy, Europe | Joe Kirwin
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
A new podcast about the WWII impass on the Gothic Line & how it relates to the present:
Episode 4 | May 20, 2025
U.S. Army African American soldiers fought two Gothic Line wars: one vs. the Nazis, the other vs. racist U.S. Army commanders. Author Solace Wales tells the story based on 30 years of research.
(33:24 min)
Author’s note | JULY 2025: There is a new podcast I am privileged to be part of, for now one of twelve interviewees. (More are being added.) Joe Kirwin, a recently retired Bloomberg journalist, living in Europe for 35 years, has been assembling a podcast about the Gothic Line in WWII Italy. This is where the Apennine Mountains reach across the Italian peninsula in the north creating a natural fortification which was enhanced by Nazi troops using local Italian slave labor to install machine gun nests and even cannons.
Many (over 17) nations fighting with the Allies got stuck for seven cold winter months in 1944–45 along this line in their effort to push the Germans northward, and out of Italy. I am interviewed about my research for my 2020 book: Braided in Fire: Black GIs and Tuscan Villagers on the Gothic Line. The interview is 33 minutes long, and is under my maiden name: Solace Wales.
Through his series of interviews, Kirwin not only explains the little-known history of the Gothic Line, but discusses how it relates to current world happenings: the rise of fascism & the censorship of historical events. You may access the podcast thru Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music. (The podcast is a non-profit project and all revenue raised will be donated to the Save Ukraine charity.)
(Also available: 3 different hour-long interviews with me about my book on YouTube – just do a search for: Solace Wales.)
Point of the Spear with Robert Child
Season 2, Episode 1 | January 5, 2022
Author Solace Wales, Braided in Fire
(25 min)
Robert Child is a renowned military historian — he is an Emmy nominated screenwriter of films who explores history via compelling storytelling and chats with authors. His podcast Point of the Spear (accessible via Spotify & Apple Podcasts) has appeared weekly since early 2021.
In introducing Solace on his podcast interview which aired on 1/5/22, he said, “Your book was so invaluable to me in researching my book, Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Winners of WW II. The work you’ve done is just outstanding.”
(Child’s book was published in England by Osprey Press on 6/20/23.)