Christopher Columbus: Hero, Villain, or Misunderstood? A Conversation with Rafael Ortiz

📖 Episode Description:
Few names in history spark as much debate as Christopher Columbus. For some, he’s a bold explorer who changed the course of history. For others, he represents oppression, cruelty, and colonization. But what’s the truth?

In this special Columbus Day conversation, I sit down with Rafael Ortiz—author of Christopher Columbus The Hero and Christopher Columbus The Hero 2—to dig into the history, controversy, and modern revisionism surrounding Columbus.

Together, we explore:

• Why Columbus has become one of the most polarizing figures in modern culture.
• The strongest accusations against him—and how historical sources actually measure up.
• What primary records (like journals and legal documents) reveal about his leadership.
• How 15th-century context changes the way we interpret his actions today.
• Why Columbus statues, holidays, and education have become cultural battlegrounds.
• What lessons we can draw from history about how to handle controversial figures today.

Whether you’ve grown up celebrating Columbus Day or questioning it, this episode will challenge assumptions and invite you to see the story through a fresh lens.

 

👤 Guest Bio – Rafael Ortiz
Rafael Ortiz is a researcher and author committed to re-examining the life and legacy of Christopher Columbus. His books, including Christopher Columbus The Hero and its sequel, tackle the accusations that have fueled modern debates, using primary sources and historical analysis to paint a fuller picture of the explorer’s life.

📚 Find Rafael’s books on Columbus here: https://www.christophercolumbusthehero.com/p/books-written-or-published-by-rafael.html

 

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