Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as saying, “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.” Perhaps more intelligently however, George Santayana is quoted as saying, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Whatever the reason, we history buffs truly enjoy recalling tales of old, reminiscing and learning about the past, and sharing that knowledge with others.
With that, below are the top 10 history podcasts. Enjoy!
1. You’re Dead to Me
Where history meets comedy, You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4 strikes the perfect balance between educational content and entertainment. Host Greg Jenner brings together comedians and expert historians for engaging conversations that make the past accessible and enjoyable.
From Egyptian pyramids to medieval fashion, the podcast covers a remarkable range of historical topics with wit and insight. Whether you’re interested in ancient landmarks, cultural movements, or historical figures both famous and overlooked, this podcast transforms what might have been dry history lessons into captivating stories that will keep you coming back for more—no textbooks required.
2. The Rest Is History
The Rest Is History features hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook exploring fascinating historical narratives with depth and accessibility. Their conversational style makes complex historical events approachable, whether they’re discussing ancient civilizations or modern political developments.
The show’s extensive archive covers everything from Alexander the Great to Watergate, offering listeners a rich tapestry of historical storytelling. With their premium club offering bonus episodes and live streamed shows, Holland and Sandbrook have created a community where history enthusiasts can dive deeper into the stories that shaped our world.
3. Throughline
Throughline takes listeners on an auditory time travel experience, answering the crucial question: “How did we get here?” Hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalists Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei, this NPR podcast uses immersive sound design and compelling storytelling to bring historical moments to life.
Rather than simply recounting events, this show places you in the middle of history’s pivotal moments, connecting past events to present circumstances. The hosts excel at highlighting forgotten figures and overlooked connections in history, providing context that helps listeners understand contemporary issues through their historical roots.
4. Fall of Civilizations Podcast
What causes great societies to collapse? Fall of Civilizations examines this haunting question by focusing each episode on a different civilization’s decline and ultimate demise. The podcast meticulously reconstructs not just the historical facts but the lived experience of witnessing a society’s downfall.
From economic factors to environmental challenges, military defeats to internal corruption, the show identifies patterns across different collapses throughout human history. With atmospheric sound design and vivid storytelling, listeners are transported to these pivotal moments, offering both cautionary tales and profound insights into human society’s fragility and resilience.
5. The Spy Who
Enter the shadowy world of intelligence operations with The Spy Who, hosted by actors Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey. This captivating podcast unveils the secret lives and missions of spies who operated under extraordinary circumstances, often risking everything for causes both patriotic and personal.
Each episode navigates the morally complex terrain of espionage, presenting stories that were classified until recently. With dramatic narratives and expert insights, the podcast reveals how intelligence work has shaped international affairs throughout history, often without public knowledge. This podcast pulls back the curtain on a world where loyalty, deception, and sacrifice intersect.
6. OBSCURUM
OBSCURUM, hosted by investigative journalist Gabe Lenners, illuminates the hidden corners of rural America’s history. Its first season, “Invasion of the Drones,” delves into the mysterious drone sightings that bewildered Midwestern communities beginning in 2019. Lenners methodically unpacks this modern mystery, examining how these unexplained aircraft sightings spawned conspiracy theories, misinformation, and government responses.
Through interviews with witnesses, officials, and experts, the podcast reveals how this phenomenon reflects broader patterns of technology, surveillance, and public trust in American society. This podcast excels at finding historical significance in events that might otherwise be dismissed as mere curiosities.
7. The Ancients
For enthusiasts of our most distant past, The Ancients offers a compelling journey into antiquity. Host Tristan Hughes brings remarkable clarity to historical periods that can often seem inaccessible, spanning from Neolithic settlements to the fall of Rome. Each episode tackles a specific theme with the help of archaeologists and historians who share their expertise in conversational terms.
The podcast excels at incorporating recent archaeological discoveries and scholarly interpretations, bringing fresh perspectives to ancient civilizations. This show helps listeners appreciate how these distant societies laid foundations for our modern world while respecting their unique cultural contexts.
8. REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana
Former Marine Corps Reconnaissance veteran Luke Lamana guides listeners through newly declassified information in REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries. This investigative podcast examines once-secret government and military operations that have shaped history from the shadows. Lamana brings his military background and analytical skills to bear on documents and testimonies that have only recently become available to the public.
Each episode methodically reconstructs historical events as they actually occurred, often contrasting official narratives with newly revealed information. This podcast offers listeners the thrill of discovery as classified history becomes accessible for the first time.
9. American History Tellers
How do historical events continue to shape American society today? American History Tellers, hosted by Lindsay Graham, explores this question by examining defining moments in America’s past with remarkable narrative skill. From the Cold War to the Gold Rush, Prohibition to the Space Race, the podcast connects historical developments to contemporary American life.
Graham excels at contextualizing events within their era while highlighting their lasting significance. Through immersive storytelling that emphasizes both broad societal changes and individual experiences, listeners get a glimpse into how history has influenced everything from policy decisions to everyday vocabulary in modern America.
10. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
Dan Carlin’s distinctive “Martian” perspective on historical events has made his Hardcore History a cornerstone of history podcasting. Rather than offering conventional academic interpretations, Carlin approaches history with provocative questions and unexpected comparisons. His episodes, often spanning multiple hours, provide the space to explore historical events with exceptional depth and nuance.
Carlin’s dramatic narration and thought-provoking analysis bring intensity to topics ranging from ancient warfare to modern conflicts. By challenging listeners to reconsider established historical narratives and drawing connections across different eras, this podcast offers both entertainment and intellectual stimulation for history enthusiasts.
More History Podcasts Hosted Right Here on RSS.com
Man Overseas Podcast
Man Overseas Podcast, hosted by Brad Dantonio, offers a blend of personal development, financial independence insights, and life lessons drawn from years of study and observation. While categorized under Self-Improvement, History, and Personal Journals, the show frequently explores current events, political commentary, and cultural observations through Dantonio’s opinionated lens.
Episodes feature discussions on topics ranging from negotiation strategies and wealth-building principles to social dynamics and current affairs, all delivered with a straightforward, unapologetic style. The podcast combines practical advice with cultural critique, appealing to listeners interested in both personal growth and societal analysis.
The History Hotline
The History Hotline explores all things Black history and beyond. Host Deanna Lyncook says it’s “A space to have honest conversations about Black history and how it impacts the world we live in.” She says, “We’re here to explore some of the facets of Black history ignored by the mainstream, your teachers and the textbooks.”
Finest Hours
The Finest Hours podcast is a compelling audio series hosted by Brayden Cromar, Hayden Hansen, and Skylar Williams that explores remarkable true stories of human achievement and influence throughout history. The series delves into fascinating historical figures and events, from Louis Wain’s artistic evolution through mental illness to Operation Cowboy’s daring rescue of prized horses during World War II. With episodes spanning topics in self-improvement, history, and society & culture, this podcast brings to light extraordinary stories of human resilience, courage, and impact that continue to resonate today.
On This Day In History – Marion County Library System
On This Day In History features unique events and happenings in the Marion County Region of South Carolina. This podcast is brought to you by The Marion County Library System.
How to Create Your Own Standout History Podcast
So you’ve been listening to these amazing history shows and thought, “I could do that!” Well, you’re right! You absolutely can. We’ve talked with dozens of successful history podcasters over the years, and here’s what we’ve learned about creating a show that actually attracts listeners.
Find Your Unique Historical Angle
Look, there are already podcasts covering the big wars, famous monarchs, and well-known revolutions. What there isn’t enough of are shows exploring the weird little corners of history that fascinate you personally.
Maybe you’re obsessed with the history of your hometown, or perhaps you can’t get enough of medical history’s bizarre treatments. Perhaps you could build a large following of listeners just by focusing on forgotten American roadside attractions and their stories. Your weird passion might just be your ticket to standing out.
Tell Stories, Not Just Facts
Let’s be honest – nobody wants to listen to a dry recitation of dates and events. The history podcasts that hook listeners are the ones that make you feel something.
For many podcasters, their breakthrough moment came when they stopped presenting discoveries and started telling the human stories behind them. People don’t remember facts, but they remember how discoveries changed lives. Think about the drama, the personal conflicts, and the “what would I have done?” moments that make history come alive.
Make History Accessible
You know what makes people turn off a history podcast faster than anything? Feeling dumb. Many of us had history teachers who made us feel that way, but great podcasters do the opposite. They break down complex events into understandable pieces without talking down to their audience. Don’t worry about impressing academics – focus on helping ordinary people understand why your historical topic matters today.
Choose a Consistent Format
After seven episodes, a lot of podcasters all but quit podcasting because they are exhausted trying a different format every week. The successful podcasters we’ve met all found their groove by picking a style that felt natural and sticking with it. Some hosts are born storytellers who shine in solo episodes. Others need a co-host to bounce ideas off. Many find interviewing experts works best for them. Try different approaches early on, but once you find what works for you and your material, embrace it as your signature style.
Here’s a quick video featuring tips on how to pick a format for your show:
Research Thoroughly, Present Clearly
Here’s a lesson many of the best history podcast hosts learn the hard way: spending 40 hours researching a topic doesn’t mean you should include 40 hours of content. The best history podcasters are ruthless editors of their own material.
They might research 100 fascinating details but only share the 20 that actually advance the story. The most popular episodes aren’t the ones where the host included everything they know—they’re the ones where they only included what listeners needed to know.
Invest in Quality Audio
Nothing kills credibility faster than audio that sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. You don’t need expensive gear (despite what YouTube influencers tell you), but you do need to sound clear.
You can get started with an expensive microphone in your closet surrounded by hanging clothes as sound dampening. The point is, find a quiet space, get a decent microphone, and learn the basics of reducing background noise. Your listeners will take notice and be more likely to stick around.
Watch our video about why you need an external mic for podcasting:
Be Consistent and Patient
We won’t sugarcoat it – your first year of podcasting might feel like talking into a void. The history podcast that now supports its creator full-time? It had a handful of listeners for the first several months. Most successful shows we’ve studied took at least 25-30 episodes to find their audience.
The creators who succeeded were the ones who kept showing up, releasing on a predictable schedule (even if that’s just once a month), and gradually refining their approach based on what resonated with their small but growing audience. History enthusiasts are some of the most loyal podcast listeners out there once they discover a show they love – but you need to give them time to find you.
Want to know more? Watch our video 7 Essential Things to Know Before Starting a Podcast:
Ready to Start Your Own History Podcast?
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