The boom of podcasting has led to coverage of nearly every subject imaginable—and history is no exception. No matter your preferred historical niche, there’s a podcast out there for you. We’ve found some of the best history podcasts for any listener. We won’t be mentioning the big hitters here: Apologies to Dan Carlin and the Bowery Boys.
Below, you’ll find some of the best history podcasts, each with a specific focus and exquisite attention to detail.
War Queens
Presented by Game of Thrones and Fast & Furious actress Nathalie Emmanuel, this new podcast introduces listeners to “killer queens” throughout history—the women in power who have waged war, and occasionally ruled with an iron fist. Hosted by father-and-daughter team Jon and Emily Jordan, each week the duo breaks down true stories, from ancient Persia to modern-day Britain. The podcast is based on their book of the same name.
Revisionist History
Hosted by Malcolm Gladwell—author of The Tipping Point and Blink—this podcast focuses on moments of history that have been misinterpreted or altogether dismissed. Churning out new episodes since 2016, Revisionist History sheds light on even the most obscure corners of the past, touching on topics from studies during the Vietnam War to 1950s Hollywood.
30 for 30
While much of this list deals with war and politics, this podcast dives into the fascinating history of sports. Produced by ESPN, this audio documentary series unravels pivotal moments in sports with as much attention to detail as its like-named video documentary series. More than just triumphs on the field, these episodes encapsulate the ways in which the world has changed through the lens of athleticism.
More Perfect
Jad Abumrad hosts this insightful podcast which focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court. Comprised of three seasons, the podcast provides a look at American law through a unique and complicated lens. While the third season is peculiar in that it shares songs inspired by the 27 amendments, the prior seasons are more typical, covering topics ranging from gerrymandering, the right to bear arms, the power of the Judicial branch, and even a Supreme Court heist.
Related: 5 Overturned Supreme Court Cases That Changed History
Slow Burn
Leon Neyfakh, a journalist for Slate, hosts this podcast which focuses on presidential crises. Each season hones in on a different period, and the topics span President Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal to Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky. While these subjects have been widely covered in the past, Neyfakh makes the podcast coverage fresh with original interviews, as well as highly researched recordings and news clippings.
Lore
While you might be familiar with the Amazon Prime series of the same name, nothing compares to this show in its original podcast format. If you're a fan of myth and folklore as much as you are history, then this insight into the true stories behind famous legends will hit the mark for you. It's a little macabre, a lot fascinating, and deeply informative.
The British History Podcast
The British History Podcast has been exploring Britain for six years—and they’ve only just gotten to the 10th century. That’s just a hint at Jamie’s incredible knack for detail and organization. If you’re looking for a podcast to satisfy your history obsession, this is it. And there’s over 250 episodes you can catch up on in your spare time.
American Military History Podcast
Host Justin Johnson is working his way through the wars and conflicts that define American history. Starting with the Revolutionary War and working his way forward, Justin’s ability to track the narrative of war while pulling out personal details from the battlefield makes his podcast stand out from the crowd.
The History Chicks
Hosts Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider are longtime friends—and you can feel that in every episode of their show. Their interchange provides a wonderful base for their exploration of famous and infamous women of the past. They cover both women you’ve known about forever, and women whose contributions are too-often overlooked. Recent standout subject? Wallis Simpson. The hosts are sympathetic, yet fair to the woman who supposedly brought down King Edward VIII.
Related: 10 Accurate Historical Fiction Books for Nonfiction Readers
The History of English
Word nerds unite. Kevin Stroud is creating the podcast that may (we stress, may) finally help you understand the strange and oft-backwards language that is English. Traveling back to Old English and interrogating modern words alike, The History of English is sure to make the listener’s semantic heart sing.
Professor Buzzkill
All too often, those fun historical anecdotes you encounter—especially on the internet—are fake. This writer’s favorite fake story? The Lichtenstein army, made up of 70 men, once traveled through Sweden on their way to a conflict. After the battle, they left with no casualties and 71 men. Luckily, Professor Buzzkill is here to separate fact from fiction. Thankfully, host Joseph Coohill is charming enough so that you’ll still feel good after your cherished stories are debunked.
99% Invisible
99% Invisible takes a truly fascinating approach to interrogating our world. The podcast investigates the history of objects, ideas, and technology that are so integrated into our world that their provenance is never questioned. Why were revolving doors invented? Why are all computer screens blue? 99% Invisible has the answers.
Whistlestop
Slate’s John Dickerson zeroes in on the details of presidential history, then expertly frames these facts in their historical context. Dickerson goes as far back as Washington and Jefferson, and also takes inspiration from more modern presidents.
Related: 9 Fascinating Books About the Founding Fathers of America
You Must Remember This
You Must Remember This investigates early Hollywood history with a deft touch. Host Karina Longworth has written books about modern moguls of cinema but uses her podcast to go back in time. Her tightly structured seasons make the show a joy to listen to. From “star wars” (Hollywood stars during WWII) and MGM stories to the Charles Manson story, each season offers its own distinct narrative. We suggest starting with the Charles Manson season—it weaves together true crime, cultural context, and the history of the stars whom Manson idolized.
History of India
Finding history podcasts that aren’t about the United States or Europe is still a bit hard. There are a few podcasts focusing on Eastern or African history, though—History of Egypt, History of China, and History of the Ottoman Empire are a few worthwhile examples. The History of India podcast travels back to ancient India, despite the fact that, as host Kit Patrick explains, India didn't really exist then. Patrick began the cast as an homage to his wife, Snehal Sidhu-Patrick.
Featured photo: C D-X / Unsplash
