We published more than 700 links to history podcast episodes over the course of February 2023 and over 3000 of you visited those links. We analysed this data and can now reveal Your Top 10 History Podcasts and thier most popular episodes.
Looking for The Top 30 – The Best, Most Popular History Podcasts?
1. Dan Snow’s History Hit
Most Popular Episode:
Russia & Ukraine: A Year of War
On the 24th of February, 2022, the world looked on in disbelief as Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. One year on he shows no signs of easing his commitment to the conflict, despite the many setbacks that Russian forces have faced. The question is, why hasn’t Russia’s invasion gone to plan? Where did they get it wrong, where have the Ukrainians got it right, and how can we make sense of the conflict as it stands today? To answer these questions, we are joined by conflict scholar Mike Martin, who explains Russia’s issues by looking at how wars have been waged in the past. We are also joined by the Ukrainian medical student and refugee, Margo Bendeliani, who gives us the perspective of someone who lives this war every day and reminds us of the conflict’s human cost.
Produced by James Hickmann
Edited by Dougal Patmore
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3xQNB7P
Google: http://bit.ly/3IwXWuR
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IQQX0T
2. We Have Ways Of Making You Talk
Most Popular Episode:
Bougainville
John McManus joins Al and James to explore the Bougainville campaign. This otherwise unassuming little island just off mainland Papua New Guinea was home to one of the final campaigns in the Pacific Theatre. The trio also explore issues of race in the US Army chain of command and the resulting treatment of the 24th Infantry Regiment, the African American unit.
A Goalhanger Films Production
Produced by Vasco Andrade
Exec Producer: Tony Pastor
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3SrFZSM
Google: http://bit.ly/3StDQpB
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ECJhge
3. Patented: History of Inventions
Most Popular Episode:
God
If God invented Heaven and Earth, then who invented God? To explain how gods ‘are invented’, how they evolve and why so many seem to have vanished, Dallas is joined by Francesca Stavrakopoulou, author of ‘God: An Anatomy’. They explore the human instinct to create deities and the origins of the God of Abraham, of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Who, it turns out, was once a lowly storm deity with black eyeliner and a pierced ear.
Produced by Freddie Chick.
Mixed by Benjie Guy.
Senior Producer: Charlotte Long.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3ElCyaB
Google: https://bit.ly/3SaUH0k
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IaSLAA
4. Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!
Most Popular Episode:
BONUS: Xerxes, Hairless Like a Sphinx Cat: Tearing Apart the 300 Film w/ Ben of CSMFHT
Liv speaks with Ben of Classical Studies Memes for Hellenistic Teens to break down the movie 300… And there’s no holding back because this movie is a mess of so many issues.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3X1hjBf
Google: https://bit.ly/3HVtDyM
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/40Hrhen
5. Empire
Most Popular Episode:
The Greatest Ottoman Adventurer
Evliya Çelebi travelled for 41 years. He documented his adventures, which included interactions with vampires, humans transforming into chickens, and dervishes riding rhinos. Listen as William and Anita are joined by Caroline Finkel to discuss this man and the vivid descriptions he provided of the Ottoman Empire.
Producer: Callum Hill
Exec Producer: Jack Davenport
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3JSo99u
Google: http://bit.ly/3HIL9ov
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3DSEkQi
6. Tudors Dynasty
Most Popular Episode:
Talking History with Rebecca Larson
Given a choice, my inclination is always to discuss history rather than talk about myself. However, at the urging of a dedicated listener and friend of the show, I have agreed to answer a series of questions. These queries touch on not only my interest in history but also shed light on my motivations for starting a podcast and other intriguing aspects of my life – things not everyone knows about me. Therefore, for those who are ardent fans of the show and are curious to gain a deeper understanding of me, I sincerely hope you enjoy.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/41jyXn7
Google: https://bit.ly/3ZiOJwI
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3lRIvFG
7. Gone Medieval
Most Popular Episode:
Women and the Crusades
Women were an integral feature of the crusade movement. They were not only sometimes participants on the battlefields but also played their part recruiting crusaders, and supporting the effort with patronage, propaganda, and prayer.
In this episode of Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis talks to Professor Helen J. Nicholson, author of Women and the Crusades, which explores the roles that women played and how their contemporaries recorded their deeds, limited by social convention and cultural expectations.
This episode was edited and produced by Rob Weinberg.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3YYgBpO
Google: https://bit.ly/3Z49tZd
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IbuKcr
8. Warfare
Most Popular Episode:
Nuclear Near Misses
What happens when a nuclear bomb is accidentally dropped onto foreign soil? Or when a nuke just goes missing? Rather worryingly, it happens more often that you would think.
There’s a special term for these nuclear near misses – ‘broken arrow incidents’. In this episode, James is joined by Warfare favourite and historian Alex Wellerstein, to explore these many broken arrow incidents spanning from the Cold War to the present day. They’ll be finding out how close to disaster we’ve come over the years, and importantly where those missing nukes might be hiding.
Senior Producer: Elena Guthrie.
Assistant Producer: Annie Coloe.
Edited and mixed by Stuart Beckwith.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3XnG8HG
Google: https://bit.ly/3IdeA3E
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YEJSWh
9. Stuff You Missed in History Class
Most Popular Episode:
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is treatable with antibiotics, but in the middle of the 19th century, it was the leading cause of death in children in some parts of the world. Today, there are several ongoing mysteries about the disease.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3Yrf5g8
Google: http://bit.ly/3IkmWqj
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3jZ6KBb
10. Betwixt The Sheets
Most Popular Episode:
Wedding Dresses
In the UK, just over half of people above the age of 16 are married. Whether in a registry office, a place of worship or a remote beach somewhere sunny, each of these couples will have had to do some form of planning. Guest lists, cake, flowers and, of course, outfits.
Today Betwixt the Sheets, Kate is speaking to Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell about wedding dresses. When might you have worn the same dress day to day? When did white become the norm in western countries? And what is a decoy bride?
Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee
Mixed by Joseph Knight.
Listen now:
Apple: https://apple.co/3ZhwYOj
Google: http://bit.ly/41psffj
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3EBuimL