History podcasts will bring you back in time to witness what happened decades and centuries ago. The American author David Von Drehle once said, “History is not about the past. It also reveals the present.”
We've researched and hand-picked a list of the 25 best history podcasts, check out our recommendations for the best history podcasts around.
1) Revolutions
If you are a big fan of political protests and want to learn more about revolutions worldwide. You should definitely listen to the Revolutions history podcast. You’ll get to know about how the situation was in war times, what was each nation’s background, and how the country’s society arose during and after the revolution. The podcast host, Mike Duncan created the content purely politically, and he doesn’t spare a revolution from the United States to Russia and much more.
2) The Rest is History
"The Rest Is History" is a captivating and entertaining podcast that takes a unique approach to exploring the fascinating narratives of history. Hosted by historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, this show offers a refreshing and engaging perspective on historical events, making it accessible and enjoyable for history enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
With its witty banter, dynamic storytelling, and the hosts' ability to draw connections between seemingly unrelated historical topics. Each episode takes a seemingly ordinary question, concept, or anecdote and unravels the intricate history behind it. Whether it's a discussion about the origins of the sandwich or the impact of a specific year in history, Tom and Dominic skillfully uncover the stories, personalities, and quirks that shaped our world.
3) Presidential
Presidential is a podcast about politics. Each episode chronicles the tale of an American president, his history, and his achievements, beginning with the first man who stepped in the Whitehouse and concluding with Joe Biden. This podcast show is hosted by Lillian Cunningham, a Washington Post journalist, and most of the guests are shrewd politicians.
4) Slow Burn
"Slow Burn" is an engrossing podcast series that delves into some of the most significant and controversial events in American political history. The podcast examines the complex stories surrounding various political scandals including Watergate and the LA riots, exploring the social, cultural, and historical context in which they unfolded.
What sets "Slow Burn" apart is its meticulous research and narrative storytelling. Each season focuses on a specific scandal, providing a deep dive into the intricacies of the event and its impact on the nation. The show not only recounts the facts but also highlights the human elements, bringing to life the key players and the emotions that drove their actions.
5) Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
In this podcast, Dan Carlin talks about all kinds of pivotal topics to show you how our world works. He covers numerous issues like wars, catastrophic events, rulers, nuclear industries, and many more. Dan Carlin is a skilled content creator, podcast host, and shrewd historian. He knows how to draw listeners’ attention to his episodes. He is the only speaker on this podcast, and he never hosts someone else. Furthermore, while listening to his history podcast, you’ll immediately notice he doesn’t mix music effects into his audio content.
6) Our Fake History
This podcast is for those who enjoy the interesting events in ancient tales and mythology. This kind of history sparks enthusiasm for many people. While some incidents actually occurred, others are pure fiction. Still, listening to these stories is exciting and a definite attention grabber.
7) The Memory Palace
This masterpiece podcast talks about many thrilling and surprising stories from the past. The pioneer radio producer and podcast host Nate DiMeo covers these unique and memorable stories in an exciting way. Each episode of this history podcast is short but captivating in the subject.
8) Art History for All
What if you love art but don’t understand the message behind every artwork? Have you ever been to a gallery without having a clue about the message behind the art pieces? It is the mission of the popular podcast Art History for All. Listening to this history podcast does not require you to be an art expert. It conveys the history of every artwork to everyone, whether they are fond of art or not. It also depicts how ancient art reflected the surrounding reality and carried the values of the time to which every artwork belonged. This is what the art historian Allyson Healey tries to tell us in her podcast.
9) You Must Remember This
Who said history only has to do with ancient civilizations? This podcast adds a little bit of spice to history and discusses strange and forgotten Hollywood incidents. You can listen to stories about real crimes or massive scandals that shook Hollywood in the past. Anyone who cares about Hollywood will find that this podcast is worth a try
10) The Fantastic History of Food
Food has found its way to our list of best history podcasts. The Fantastic History of Food contains various episodes about food and the history of certain dishes worldwide. It also includes some episodes that tell the story of funny incidents in which food played a significant role. There are many delightful episodes for everyone, especially food lovers.
11) Mogul
One of the most interesting history podcasts. This podcast is for you if you are a big fan of music, especially hip hop. Mogul podcast is about hip hop history and its most fascinating moments. The Hosts are Reggie Ossé and Brandon Jenkins, two enthusiasts in this genre of music. It sheds light on the origins of hip-hop, the artistic contributions of hip-hop legends, and how they enriched the industry. Unfortunately, podcast host Reggie Ossé passed away after the first season premiered.
12) Maritime Podcast
The content of this podcast is exactly as its name suggests. It talks about maritime history and everything related to it. The host sequences events in chronological order. Starting from boat building and naval exploration to marine trade and industry. He also talks about how maritime history marked societies and brought cultural diversity.
13) 15 Minute History
This podcast offers a historical story for 15 minutes each week. It’s not just about notable historical events but also people and their historical triumphs. The history podcast motivates people to learn from the mistakes of others. It also teaches listeners how to avoid falling into the same trouble. It is an excellent option for learning history delightfully and enjoyably while receiving some advice on the side.
14) Lore
Usually, people are attracted to hearing exotic incidents and mysterious stories. Moreover, we can all notice how people are attracted to horror movies more than comic or tragic ones. But what if those horror stories about criminals and odd creatures were real?! That’s what the Lore podcast is about. It is a bi-weekly podcast adapted as a television show. Lore is considered “The best history podcast” due to the massive number of listeners.
15) The Dollop
"The Dollop" is a unique and humorous take on history. Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds explore bizarre, obscure, and often hilarious stories from the past. The hosts take a lighthearted approach to recounting events and people that are often overlooked in traditional history books. Their witty banter and comedic spin on historical events make learning history a genuinely entertaining experience.
16) The History of Rome
Before Mike Duncan created "Revolutions," he produced "The History of Rome," a comprehensive podcast that traces the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Duncan's thorough research and engaging storytelling take you on a journey through the complex and fascinating history of Rome, from its legendary founding to its eventual demise. This podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in ancient history.
17) The History of Byzantium
Building on the foundation laid by "The History of Rome," "The History of Byzantium" picks up where Mike Duncan left off. Hosted by Robin Pierson, this podcast delves into the lesser-known history of the Byzantine Empire. Pierson's dedication to continuing the narrative of Rome's eastern counterpart is evident in his meticulous research and storytelling. If you're intrigued by the Byzantine Empire, this podcast offers a captivating exploration of its complex history.
18) Nice try!
Who doesn’t dream of an ideal world and utopian society? This podcast will be a suitable option for you if you are a fan of idealism. It contains many interesting, fun, and unconventional experiences and stories from the past when humans tried building utopian communities. It is really a nice try!
19 )The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
Hosted by Peter Adamson, this podcast covers the history of philosophy from ancient times to the present day. It’s a great listen for anyone interested in philosophy or intellectual history.
20) The British History Podcast
Hosted by Jamie Jeffers, this podcast covers British history from its earliest days to modern times. It’s a great listen for anyone interested in British culture and history.
21) The History Chicks
Hosted by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider, this podcast covers the lives and stories of women throughout history. It’s a great listen for anyone interested in women’s history.
22) Stuff You Missed in History Class
Hosted by Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey, this podcast covers various historical events and figures that may not have received as much attention as they deserve.
23) Africa's Untold Stories
This podcast aims to discuss African history that is largely untold. Each episode features a conversation about a topic in African history and points out some lessons that come with that significant aspect of the continent’s history.
24) The Latin American History Podcast
This show tells the story of Spanish and Portuguese America from its very beginnings up until the present day. It examines colonial society, slavery, and what life was like for the region’s inhabitants during this period. It also looks at what caused the wars of independence, how they were won, and what Latin America looked like afterwards.
25) Brown History Podcast
The Brown History Podcast explores South Asia through the lens of South Asians. It covers a wide range of topics related to South Asian history, including colonialism, partition, and post-colonialism.
Best History Podcasts on Spotify
- Revolutions
- The Rest is History
- Presidential
- Slow Burn
- Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
- Our Fake History
- The Memory Palace
- Art History for All
- You Must Remember This
- The Fantastic History of Food
- Mogul
- Maritime Podcast
- 15 Minute History
- Lore
- The Dollop
- The History of Rome
- The History of Byzantium
- Nice try!
- The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
- The British History Podcast
- The History Chicks
- Stuff You Missed in History Class
- Africa's Untold Stories
- The Latin American History Podcast
- Brown History Podcast
