History Podcasts: Best Episodes & Shows of 2020
Are you tired of watching the news? Are you looking for an escape to another time? We have an excellent suggestion for you: history podcasts. Now we’re not talking about digging up those dusty books you dreaded reading in high school. Podcasts about history are stories narrated with style and passion. They’re tales that’ll fascinate and sweep you into, otherworldly times. You’d also be surprised to know, they’re not all about wars and revolutions. They come in many flavors.
Whether the podcast is about ancient history to the 20th century, you will learn many interesting things about how history has shaped our present. There are thousands of historical topics out there to choose from. But how do you find the ones worth listening to? The Repod community has curated the best and most popular shows and episodes for you. These podcasts might teach you something or simply remind you to smile… sit back… and enjoy a moment from the past.
The Best History Episodes for August 2020
With more than 30 million podcast episodes littering the internet, how will you ever find the perfect episode about history to invest your time into? To help save you time, we did the leg work and listed the top history podcast episodes for you. Whether they are amusing, informative, inspiring, or educational, we’ve highlighted the best and posted them below. How do we know they’re the ‘best’? Because our listeners voted on them. To find some gems is always a time saver for someone with little time to waste. Now all you got to do is select an episode that is unique to you and press play.
The list of the top 10 History episodes for August 2020 is compliled from Repod’s podcast app chart data. The list below is updated monthly, daily History charts can be found inside the app.
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Decoder Ring
The KarenThe Karen, a white woman who surveys, inconveniences, and terrorizes, service workers and people of color is a relatively new term in the culture, but her character type has been with us for centuries. In this episode of Decoder Ring we explore the history of this type, from the code-names used during enslavement, to the contemporary menace of the COVID age.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Interesting ep about Karens and more. I don’t know why I was surprised to find it in Decoder Ring. "
The Karen, a white woman who surveys, inconveniences, and terrorizes, service workers and people of color is a relatively new term in the culture, but her character type has been with us for centuries. In this episode of Decoder Ring we explore the history of this type, from the code-names used during enslavement, to the contemporary menace of the COVID age.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Interesting ep about Karens and more. I don’t know why I was surprised to find it in Decoder Ring. "
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Emperors of Rome
Episode CXLV - Battle of the Teutoburg ForestIn 9CE three Roman legions were walking through Germany when they were ambushed in what would become one of the most notorious defeats throughout Rome’s history. The loss of the legions were a crippling blow to Rome’s plans of expansion, and redrew the borders in the province.
Guest:
Barry Strauss (Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies at Cornell University, author of Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors From Augustus to Constantine).
"This is a great episode. Barry Strauss is brilliant."
In 9CE three Roman legions were walking through Germany when they were ambushed in what would become one of the most notorious defeats throughout Rome’s history. The loss of the legions were a crippling blow to Rome’s plans of expansion, and redrew the borders in the province.
Guest:
Barry Strauss (Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies at Cornell University, author of Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors From Augustus to Constantine).
"This is a great episode. Barry Strauss is brilliant."
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Signes des temps
Retour sur la série Westworld : du traçage à la programmation algorithmique des comportements individuelsdurée : 00:45:38 - Signes des temps - par : Marc Weitzmann - Depuis son retour à l'antenne, Signes des Temps s'efforce d'esquisser à gros traits quelques tendances du chaos en train de se construire. Aujourd'hui, l'émission explore l'avenir du traçage informatique à partir de la série Westworld. - réalisation : Charlotte Roux - invités : Antoinette Rouvroy Philosophe juridique, chercheuse au Fonds de la recherche scientifique (FRS-FNRS) à Namur, en Belgique, rattachée au Centre de recherche en information, droit et société (Crids).; Paul-Olivier Dehaye Ancien enseignant-chercheur à l’Université de Zurich, avant de se lancer à partir de 2016 dans le combat pour la protection des données, membre du bureau international de MyData.org, une ONG qui lutte pour le contrôle de leurs données par les individus.; Tariq Krim Entrepreneur, fondateur de Netvibes, Jolicloud et de la plateformes de web éthique Polite. Ancien vice-président du Conseil du numérique, spécialiste des questions d'éthique et de vie privée sur Internet.
durée : 00:45:38 - Signes des temps - par : Marc Weitzmann - Depuis son retour à l'antenne, Signes des Temps s'efforce d'esquisser à gros traits quelques tendances du chaos en train de se construire. Aujourd'hui, l'émission explore l'avenir du traçage informatique à partir de la série Westworld. - réalisation : Charlotte Roux - invités : Antoinette Rouvroy Philosophe juridique, chercheuse au Fonds de la recherche scientifique (FRS-FNRS) à Namur, en Belgique, rattachée au Centre de recherche en information, droit et société (Crids).; Paul-Olivier Dehaye Ancien enseignant-chercheur à l’Université de Zurich, avant de se lancer à partir de 2016 dans le combat pour la protection des données, membre du bureau international de MyData.org, une ONG qui lutte pour le contrôle de leurs données par les individus.; Tariq Krim Entrepreneur, fondateur de Netvibes, Jolicloud et de la plateformes de web éthique Polite. Ancien vice-président du Conseil du numérique, spécialiste des questions d'éthique et de vie privée sur Internet.
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Signes des temps
Roberto Bolaño ou la fiction en terre inconnuedurée : 00:44:05 - Signes des temps - par : Marc Weitzmann - A l'heure du déconfinement, survie oblige, la plupart des éditeurs comme des librairies se ruent sur les best-sellers prévisibles. Les éditions de l'Olivier, quant à elles, publient les oeuvres complètes de l'écrivain chilien, Roberto Bolaño. - réalisation : Vincent Abouchar - invités : Philippe Lançon journaliste à Libération (critique littéraire) et écrivain; Melina Balcázar Docteure en littérature à la Sorbonne Nouvelle et traductrice; Olivier Cohen directeur des éditions de l'Olivier
durée : 00:44:05 - Signes des temps - par : Marc Weitzmann - A l'heure du déconfinement, survie oblige, la plupart des éditeurs comme des librairies se ruent sur les best-sellers prévisibles. Les éditions de l'Olivier, quant à elles, publient les oeuvres complètes de l'écrivain chilien, Roberto Bolaño. - réalisation : Vincent Abouchar - invités : Philippe Lançon journaliste à Libération (critique littéraire) et écrivain; Melina Balcázar Docteure en littérature à la Sorbonne Nouvelle et traductrice; Olivier Cohen directeur des éditions de l'Olivier
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Signes des temps
Au nom du "Care" : vers une culture officielle globale ?durée : 00:43:20 - Signes des temps - par : Marc Weitzmann - Le monde de la culture s'est enrôlé massivement à travers des tribunes d'artistes internationaux contre "le retour à la normale", des vidéos d'acteurs appelant à de nouvelles taxes, des appels lancés par les journaux aux écrivains, des hymnes au civisme chantés par les radios nationales. - réalisation : Vincent Abouchar - invités : Isabelle Barbéris Maîtresse de conférences en Arts du spectacle à l'université Paris 7 Denis Diderot et chercheuse associée au CNRS.; Jean Birnbaum Rédacteur en chef du Monde des livres; Etienne Gernelle Directeur de la publication du magazine Le Point
durée : 00:43:20 - Signes des temps - par : Marc Weitzmann - Le monde de la culture s'est enrôlé massivement à travers des tribunes d'artistes internationaux contre "le retour à la normale", des vidéos d'acteurs appelant à de nouvelles taxes, des appels lancés par les journaux aux écrivains, des hymnes au civisme chantés par les radios nationales. - réalisation : Vincent Abouchar - invités : Isabelle Barbéris Maîtresse de conférences en Arts du spectacle à l'université Paris 7 Denis Diderot et chercheuse associée au CNRS.; Jean Birnbaum Rédacteur en chef du Monde des livres; Etienne Gernelle Directeur de la publication du magazine Le Point
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Witness History
Three Strikes LawOne man's experience of the controversial US law that saw thousands locked up for life. Under the law in California, a third conviction for a felony offence would lead to a life sentence. At times in California, 45% of "three strikers" were African American. Many were sentenced to life in prison for non-violent or minor offensives. Alex Last hears the story of Bilal Chatman, and his hopes for reform.
Photo credit: Getty Images
One man's experience of the controversial US law that saw thousands locked up for life. Under the law in California, a third conviction for a felony offence would lead to a life sentence. At times in California, 45% of "three strikers" were African American. Many were sentenced to life in prison for non-violent or minor offensives. Alex Last hears the story of Bilal Chatman, and his hopes for reform.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Witness History
The lost Nazi-era art troveIn 2012 a stunning, secret collection of art was found in Germany. Much of it had disappeared during Nazi rule in the 1930s and 40s. It had once belonged to one of the Nazi's top art dealers, Hildebrand Gurlitt. It was found by chance in the Munich apartment of his elderly, reclusive son, Cornelius. It contained lost works by Renoir, Matisse, Chagal and the masters of the German expressionist movement. Many of the works had been confiscated during the Nazis "Degenerate Art" campaign in the late 1930s, when the Nazis stripped thousands of works of art from public display. Alex Last spoke to Dr Meike Hoffmann, an expert on Nazi art policy, who was one of the first to examine the collection.
Photo: One of the art works discovered in the Gurlitt collection was Pferde in Landschaft (Horses in Landscape) by famous German expressionist Franz Marc.
In 2012 a stunning, secret collection of art was found in Germany. Much of it had disappeared during Nazi rule in the 1930s and 40s. It had once belonged to one of the Nazi's top art dealers, Hildebrand Gurlitt. It was found by chance in the Munich apartment of his elderly, reclusive son, Cornelius. It contained lost works by Renoir, Matisse, Chagal and the masters of the German expressionist movement. Many of the works had been confiscated during the Nazis "Degenerate Art" campaign in the late 1930s, when the Nazis stripped thousands of works of art from public display. Alex Last spoke to Dr Meike Hoffmann, an expert on Nazi art policy, who was one of the first to examine the collection.
Photo: One of the art works discovered in the Gurlitt collection was Pferde in Landschaft (Horses in Landscape) by famous German expressionist Franz Marc.
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Witness History
Quarantined in a TB sanatoriumWhat it was like to be a child quarantined in a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients in the 1950s. Ann Shaw was nine when she was first admitted to the Craig-y-nos sanatorium in Wales and 13 when she was finally allowed home. Until antibiotic treatments came along, to stop the disease spreading, TB patients were kept apart from the general population and their families, often for years. This included babies and children, leaving many traumatised. Ann Shaw tells Louise Hidalgo about the half-life they lived in the sanatorium.
Picture: boys on the balcony of the Craig-y-nos TB sanatorium; fresh mountain air was regarded as one of the best treatments for TB (Credit: from the private collection of the family of Mari Friend, a former patient at Craig-y-nos)
What it was like to be a child quarantined in a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients in the 1950s. Ann Shaw was nine when she was first admitted to the Craig-y-nos sanatorium in Wales and 13 when she was finally allowed home. Until antibiotic treatments came along, to stop the disease spreading, TB patients were kept apart from the general population and their families, often for years. This included babies and children, leaving many traumatised. Ann Shaw tells Louise Hidalgo about the half-life they lived in the sanatorium.
Picture: boys on the balcony of the Craig-y-nos TB sanatorium; fresh mountain air was regarded as one of the best treatments for TB (Credit: from the private collection of the family of Mari Friend, a former patient at Craig-y-nos)
Editors Choice: Top History Shows In 2020
Even within a popular history-related podcast, there may be shows that are more special than the others. Ones that capture the imagination, stir the heart, or perhaps tell such a compelling true story where listeners are moved. That podcast might have revealed something of impact and significance that you never thought of before or heard of anywhere else. Some of these historical stories might inspire you or give you a greater perspective into why things happened the way they did. When it comes to history, there’s always a reason why. And when it’s properly explained, it all makes more sense. You value history even more. Trust our listeners that these podcasts stand out from the others, as special and worthy of a listen. We’ve listed them for you and we’re sure you’ll enjoy these best history podcasts.
The list of the top 10 best History podcasts of 2020 is a compilation of the editor’s choice + collaboration with the Repod community.
Hollywood & CrimeHollywood and Crime is a ground-breaking true crime series about the most infamous murders in Tinseltown history. In The Black Dahlia Serial Killers, host Tracy Pattin investigates the sensational unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short. Known as the Black Dahlia, Short was a star-struck young woman whose body was found completely severed at the waist in January 1947. Many remember her tragic story, yet few know that more than a dozen other women died in similar circumstances around that same time. In Young Charlie, internationally acclaimed actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) joins Tracy for the story behind the making of mass murderer, Charles Manson. Young Charlie takes us on a unique journey, investigating Manson’s unlikely path from his troubled childhood in rural West Virginia to the night in August 1969 when he sent his followers out to commit the most notorious crime in Hollywood history.You can also find The Wonderland Murders here, Tracy and writer/director Larry Brand (Halloween Resurrection, The Drifter) journey back to 1981 – when four people were brutally murdered in their home in the Hollywood Hills. The Wonderland Murders is the tale of a violent home invasion robbery and the revenge rampage that followed. It involves a drug-fueled gang of criminals, a crazed crime kingpin -- and the world’s most famous porn star on a downward and deadly spiral.
Hollywood and Crime is a ground-breaking true crime series about the most infamous murders in Tinseltown history. In The Black Dahlia Serial Killers, host Tracy Pattin investigates the sensational unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short. Known as the Black Dahlia, Short was a star-struck young woman whose body was found completely severed at the waist in January 1947. Many remember her tragic story, yet few know that more than a dozen other women died in similar circumstances around that same time. In Young Charlie, internationally acclaimed actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) joins Tracy for the story behind the making of mass murderer, Charles Manson. Young Charlie takes us on a unique journey, investigating Manson’s unlikely path from his troubled childhood in rural West Virginia to the night in August 1969 when he sent his followers out to commit the most notorious crime in Hollywood history.You can also find The Wonderland Murders here, Tracy and writer/director Larry Brand (Halloween Resurrection, The Drifter) journey back to 1981 – when four people were brutally murdered in their home in the Hollywood Hills. The Wonderland Murders is the tale of a violent home invasion robbery and the revenge rampage that followed. It involves a drug-fueled gang of criminals, a crazed crime kingpin -- and the world’s most famous porn star on a downward and deadly spiral.
Slow BurnIn the late 1980s and early 1990s, a white supremacist became an American political phenomenon. David Duke’s rise to power and prominence—his election to the Louisiana legislature, and then his campaigns for the U.S. Senate and the governorship—was an existential crisis for the state and the nation. The fourth season of Slate’s Slow Burn will explore how a Nazi sympathizer and former Klansman fashioned himself into a mainstream figure, and why some voters came to embrace his message. It will also examine how activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens confronted Duke’s candidacy, and what it took to stop him.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a white supremacist became an American political phenomenon. David Duke’s rise to power and prominence—his election to the Louisiana legislature, and then his campaigns for the U.S. Senate and the governorship—was an existential crisis for the state and the nation. The fourth season of Slate’s Slow Burn will explore how a Nazi sympathizer and former Klansman fashioned himself into a mainstream figure, and why some voters came to embrace his message. It will also examine how activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens confronted Duke’s candidacy, and what it took to stop him.
Business WarsNetflix vs. HBO. Nike vs. Adidas. Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live. Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, inventors, investors and executives to new heights -- or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace. From Wondery, the network behind Dirty John and American History Tellers.
Netflix vs. HBO. Nike vs. Adidas. Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live. Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, inventors, investors and executives to new heights -- or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace. From Wondery, the network behind Dirty John and American History Tellers.
UndiscoveredA podcast about the left turns, missteps, and lucky breaks that make science happen.
A podcast about the left turns, missteps, and lucky breaks that make science happen.
In Our Time: ScienceScientific principles, theory, and the role of key figures in the advancement of science.
Scientific principles, theory, and the role of key figures in the advancement of science.
Most Notorious! A True Crime History PodcastSerial killers. Gangsters. Gunslingers. Victorian-era murderers. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Each week, the Most Notorious podcast features true-life tales of crime, criminals, tragedies and disasters throughout history. Host Erik Rivenes interviews authors and historians who have studied their subjects for years, and the stories are offered with unique insight, detail, and historical accuracy.
Serial killers. Gangsters. Gunslingers. Victorian-era murderers. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Each week, the Most Notorious podcast features true-life tales of crime, criminals, tragedies and disasters throughout history. Host Erik Rivenes interviews authors and historians who have studied their subjects for years, and the stories are offered with unique insight, detail, and historical accuracy.
UnobscuredHistory is full of stories we think we know. They are old and dark, but time has robbed us of perspective and clarity. They've become obscured and misunderstood. Which is why this series exists: to dig deep and shed light on some of history’s darkest moments. To help us better understand where we’ve come from. To make it Unobscured. Each season pairs narrative storytelling from Aaron Mahnke, creator of the hit podcast Lore, with prominent historian interviews. Season Two: Spiritualism
History is full of stories we think we know. They are old and dark, but time has robbed us of perspective and clarity. They've become obscured and misunderstood. Which is why this series exists: to dig deep and shed light on some of history’s darkest moments. To help us better understand where we’ve come from. To make it Unobscured. Each season pairs narrative storytelling from Aaron Mahnke, creator of the hit podcast Lore, with prominent historian interviews. Season Two: Spiritualism
ScatteredChris Garcia’s dad had one dying wish: That his family scatter his ashes off the coast of Cuba. Chris’s mom? She doesn’t give a crap about dying wishes. She’s vowed to never go back to Cuba again.
As Chris tries to do right by his dad, he sets out to uncover the truth about a man he barely knew.
Scattered is produced by WNYC Studios, home of other great podcasts including Radiolab, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and Nancy.
Chris Garcia’s dad had one dying wish: That his family scatter his ashes off the coast of Cuba. Chris’s mom? She doesn’t give a crap about dying wishes. She’s vowed to never go back to Cuba again.
As Chris tries to do right by his dad, he sets out to uncover the truth about a man he barely knew.
Scattered is produced by WNYC Studios, home of other great podcasts including Radiolab, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and Nancy.
Astonishing LegendsScott and Forrest have been called the 'Click and Clack of esoterica' by their listeners. Their mission is to take a look at legendary strange and unusual events from throughout history and interview people who've had close encounters with the unexplained. They strive to bring you everything that's entertaining about those stories and remind you that it's ok to laugh at scary stories sometimes. Put your headphones on, settle in for your commute and get ready to experience a show like nothing you've ever heard before. Show schedule is generally 3 weeks on and 1 week off.
Scott and Forrest have been called the 'Click and Clack of esoterica' by their listeners. Their mission is to take a look at legendary strange and unusual events from throughout history and interview people who've had close encounters with the unexplained. They strive to bring you everything that's entertaining about those stories and remind you that it's ok to laugh at scary stories sometimes. Put your headphones on, settle in for your commute and get ready to experience a show like nothing you've ever heard before. Show schedule is generally 3 weeks on and 1 week off.
BackStoryBackStory is a weekly public podcast hosted by U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman. We're based in Charlottesville, Va. at Virginia Humanities.
There’s the history you had to learn, and the history you want to learn - that’s where BackStory comes in. Each week BackStory takes a topic that people are talking about and explores it through the lens of American history. Through stories, interviews, and conversations with our listeners, BackStory makes history engaging and fun.
BackStory is a weekly public podcast hosted by U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman. We're based in Charlottesville, Va. at Virginia Humanities.
There’s the history you had to learn, and the history you want to learn - that’s where BackStory comes in. Each week BackStory takes a topic that people are talking about and explores it through the lens of American history. Through stories, interviews, and conversations with our listeners, BackStory makes history engaging and fun.
