If you’re a history buff looking for a new podcast, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the array of options available. There are literally thousands of podcasts focusing on every corner of history. To help you know where to start, we’ve waded through nearly everything out there and selected just a few of the best history podcasts. And we've divided them by categories and interests. You’re sure to find your next favourite listen in our list of the best history podcasts.
Historical Stories Podcasts
This Audible Original podcast looks at modern history through the lens of firsthand accounts and personal stories, offering an intimate perspective on landmark historical events that shaped the world as we know it today. Hosted by writer and history buff Carrie Gibson, each 20- to 30-minute episode explores an important date between 1936 to 2010, taking a deep dive into what happened through the eyes of those who were actually there—athletes, soldiers and unsung heroes among them. Days that Changed the World will give you the lowdown on important issues from race relations to war and natural disasters to the Space Race.
Although women make up at least half the population and have played a pivotal role in countless historic events, history has been traditionally written by men. Hosted by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider, two women who love history, The History Chicks is dedicated to making sure that the women who've shaped history are recognised and remembered. Each episode focuses on a different woman in history, unearthing important moments of her life, fun facts and other captivating tidbits. With over 200 episodes available on Audible, this history podcast is as binge-worthy as they come.
Not every person in history has set out to do good. In fact, many of history's most fascinating and well-remembered figures have done some of the most terrible things. Given its name, it comes as no surprise that this history podcast focuses on the worst of the worst. Behind the Bastards dives into the stories of some of the worst human beings throughout history—from notorious tsars and despots to lesser-known nefarious folks like George Shea, the hot dog villain. Hit play on this iHeartRadio podcast and learn everything you don’t know (and perhaps don’t want to know!) about the life and crimes of some of history’s worst offenders.
This weekly podcast is as interactive and engaging as it is informative. Futility Closet focuses on the forgotten moments of history—from the aerial reconnaissance missions of Sidney Cotton, a World War II pilot who never fired a shot or dropped a bomb, yet was instrumental in Allied victory, to the mysterious Lambeth poisoner. Satisfy your curiosity about subjects you may have never heard of as husband and wife duo Greg and Sharon Ross bring each story to life with their captivating storytelling skills and great chemistry. Add this podcast to your Library to discover interesting stories from history, and challenge yourself with the show's lateral thinking puzzles.
On Let Them Fight, comedians Jacob Trimmer and Tim Groeschel sit down to tell one another absorbing—and violent—stories from history and, of course, make jokes about it. As hilarious as it is interesting, this podcast is the perfect choice for history buffs who like to enjoy the subject with a healthy dose of comedy. Not for the faint-hearted, Let Them Fight delves into the gory details of the most violent crimes committed by the world’s most notorious villains, and makes light of the shocking situations that some unfortunate individuals found themselves in. Discover the unsavoury antics of English gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray, learn the bare facts about the Liberian warlord known as General Butt Naked, and much more in this podcast that unites history, true crime and comedy all in one.
Love history and unsolved mysteries? You can get your fix of both with Dark Histories, a biweekly podcast that explores unexplained and eerie happenings, from murders to mysterious sightings, around the world and across centuries. Host Ben Cutmore is a longtime fan of shows like The Twilight Zone and The X-Files, yet nevertheless considers himself a sceptic. Backed by Cutmore’s meticulous research and passion for storytelling, this thoroughly entertaining true crime-meets-history podcast takes a deep dive into some of the world’s most dark and twisted mysteries.
On Most Notorious!, host Erik Rivenes offers listeners true crime stories from history, cracking the cases of some of the world’s most notorious serial killers, gangsters, and gunslingers. Each week, Rivenes interviews authors and historians who know every detail behind these true tales of deceit, manipulation, revenge, and murder—some shocking, others tragic—providing an expert perspective that lends valuable context. Most Notorious! covers everything from murders tin the Victorian era to some of modern America’s forgotten crimes. The podcast is perfect for a listening binge, as there are over 200 episodes for you to enjoy on Audible.
We're always told that there are lessons to be learnt from history and that history can repeat itself. The podcast Cautionary Tales proves just that. In each episode, Tim Harford, author of The Data Detective and The Undercover Economist, tells a new story about awful human error, tragic catastrophe, or a daring feat with devastating consequences, in the hopes of making you just a little less impulsive and wiser. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford explores everything from the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel to the controversial launch of the first electric vehicle. Packed with fascinating facts, each episode of this history podcast is totally different from the next and yet connected by a common theme: caution pays.
Loved by history buffs for his “martian” unorthodox way of thinking, Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast has received rave reviews from listeners and critics alike. With each instalment lasting up to 6 hours, Dan Carlin takes a deep dive into each topic covered on his podcast, from Spartan battles to World War II. No stranger to history and world affairs, the American political commentator and host of the Common Sense with Dan Carlin podcast uses his knowledge and investigative skills to make sense of some of the most intriguing events and conflicts known to man. Love a long and in-depth story? Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History might just be the best history podcast for you.
If you’re looking to explore a broader range of topics, look no further than Dan Snow’s History Hit. The esteemed English historian and BBC journalist Dan Snow digs into events and affairs that have shaken and shaped the world. Dan Snow’s History Hit is one of the best history podcasts for listeners who want to learn about everything from ancient civilisations to present-day headlines, as no topic is off-limits for this curious host. From the history of pirates to the buzz surrounding cryptocurrency, each thirty-minute episode is sure to teach you something new.
American History Podcasts
Jump across the pond with American History Tellers, a history podcast that is as educational as it is entertaining. Leaving no stone unturned in the history of America, American History Tellers looks at the moments in history that shaped a nation—from the Civil War to the Space Race and so much more. Podcast veteran Lindsay Graham (not to be confused with the US senator with the same name) brings a dynamic, spirited air to each episode. American History Tellers sheds light on how each historical event in America affects the lives of people in today’s world. You won’t want to miss out on hundreds of years of conflict, revolution, political rivalry, and more packed into these 30- to 45-minute episodes.
Here's another fantastic American history podcast from host Lindsay Graham (still not the senator). This is a history podcast with a difference that looks at the various scandals that have shaped America in relation to everything from business to politics to sports. But how did these scandals happen? And who is to blame? From snake oil sales schemes to Olympic doping, every scandal starts with a lie. But as American Scandal shows, the truth always comes out in the end. American Scandal tells the stories of sex, lies, corruption, and betrayal that shocked America and tainted the reputations of many along the way.
If you thought the 2020 election was particularly divisive, you might be surprised to know that elections in America have almost always been this way. In American Elections: Wicked Game, seasoned podcast host Lindsay Graham is back to explore the truth behind the 58 presidential elections that led up to America’s most recent contentious electoral season. With plenty of episodes to binge, this podcast is the perfect political history podcast for modern history buffs. Get stuck into the dirty details of the infamous Watergate scandal, explore the aftermath of JFK’s assassination, and explore businessman Donald Trump’s presidency. Old and new, American Elections: Wicked Game takes a deep dive into it all.
Floodlines is a podcast brought to you by The Atlantic. Host Van R. Newkirk II takes listeners through one of the most catastrophic disasters in US history: Hurricane Katrina. Most people will be familiar with this tragic natural disaster that devastated New Orleans and surrounding areas in 2005 but how much do you know about the debacles that followed? While many think they understand the events that led to this tragedy, the people who lived through this flood and its aftermath have their own stories to tell—stories of human hubris and government incompetence, complicated by the wrath of nature.
The podcasting duo, Tom Meyers and Greg Young, call themselves The Bowery Boys, taking inspiration from the fictional New York-native characters from the Bowery Boys films. In this history podcast, Meyers and Young take a deep dive into the history of New York City, exploring everything from the origins of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to the lives of some of America’s greatest musical talents. Each hour-long episode is as educational as it is entertaining, as the hosts pull the curtain back on some of the most memorable and lesser-known events that have shaped the city that never sleeps.
Cold War Podcasts
This podcast is dedicated to retelling and preserving personal stories about lesser-known aspects of a critical period of world history, from 1947 to 1989: the Cold War. Featuring guests from across the globe, Cold War Conversations offers a greater understanding of fears, political tensions, paranoia, and fighting tactics that defined the era from those who lived through it.
World War II Podcasts
The World War Two Podcast covers what the title promises: just about anything and everything related to WWII. In each episode, host Angus Wallace interviews experts on a different aspect of the Second World War, ranging from tanks, guns, and other battle equipment to African American Medal of Honour recipients. Along with the military side of the war, the show looks at what was happening on the home front.
If you're looking to learn more about the WWII home front, this Audible Original history podcast is a great listen. Narrated with depth and impact by award-winning actor Martin Sheen, The Home Front captures the realities of life for Americans who supported the war effort from America. From women who stepped into factories to fill the demand for workers in war-related jobs to families that sacrificed basic comforts, unsung patriots sustained the country while the battles abroad raged on. Hear their inspiring stories.
LGBTQIA+ History Podcasts
Since 2016, host Eric Marcus has been introducing listeners to the forgotten and largely hidden history of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement. This standout podcast even features compelling archival interviews so that listeners can get the history straight from the voices of the people who lived it.
Black History Podcasts
Black people have had a significant impact on history, in both America and around the world, from ancient times to the present day. But their history is rarely told and typically lost in the standard accounts of Western civilisation. In this Audible Original podcast, host Bonnie Greer introduces listeners to impactful people of African descent—saints, philosophers, warrior women, and visionary leaders among them—that you may not know even existed. Rich and complex, their stories are part of all people's shared history.
When we think of the Civil Rights Movement, we typically remember the events that happened in America during the 1950s and ‘60s. But in reality, the fight for racial equality goes back as far back as slavery and continues in the present day. Each week, host Brooke Girley discusses important moments in the Civil Rights Movement, from slavery to now, and what we can learn from them.
Untold History Podcasts
Along with his exceptional audiobooks, including Talking to Strangers and Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon, Malcolm Gladwell is known for his popular podcast, Revisionist History, now in its sixth season. In each episode, Gladwell looks back at significant moments, people, ideas, or even songs from the past and asks one very important question: Did we get the story right the first time?
While fake news may be a really buzzy term right now, what about fake history? It turns out history is pretty easy to manipulate, and a lot of the stories we take as fact are actually based on lies. In Hijacked Histories, host Dominic Sandbrook travels the world to discover how two-and-a- half millennia of human history has been manipulated, rewritten, and reshaped.
The Last Archive is a show about the history of truth, and the historical context for our current fake news, post-truth moment. It’s a show about how we know what we know, and why it seems these days as if we don’t know anything at all anymore. The show is driven by host Jill Lepore’s work as a historian, uncovering the secrets of the past the way a detective might. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
You're Wrong About is a podcast hosted by Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall, two journalists who are equally obsessed with the past and committed to setting the record straight. Every week, Michael and Sarah look back at a person, a happening, or a historical event that has been miscast in public perception. What do we really know about history? And how much of what we think we know is wrong? With new episodes released every week, you’ll be rethinking everything you learnt at school in no time.
British History Podcasts
In the We Need to Talk About the British Empire podcast, journalist Afua Hirsch aims to make sense of the British Empire's legacy. Through intimate and lively conversations, Hirsch and her guests—poet Benjamin Zephaniah, actress Diana Rigg, broadcaster Anita Rani, and novelist Nadifa Mohamed, among other leading figures in British culture today—break through the old clichés to uncover the true complicated and difficult history of the British Empire.
Lovers of Victorian history, this is the history podcast for you. Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets, presented by (you guessed it) Stephen Fry, gets past the stuffy propriety that many people associate with Victorian England to discover the truth about this period. The Victorian era was a time of innovation and social change, but it was also a time of darkness: scandal, sadism, sex, madness, malice, depravity, and murder. English actor and broadcaster Fry's compelling storytelling abilities bring these intriguing historical events to life in this binge-worthy series. History buffs can learn a thing or two from this fascinating podcast.
Roman History Podcasts
The History of Byzantium is a podcast that explores the history of the Roman Empire, taking a deep dive into significant historical events from the collapse of the West in 476 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Each episode is backed by research and delivered with enthusiasm by history-loving host Robin Pierson. Add this podcast to your library to learn the ins and outs of some of the key historical events and battles that shape the history of Rome and the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
Barbarians, political breakdown, economic collapse, mass migration, pillaging, and plunder. The Fall of Rome is a time of history that has been studied for decades. Roman history buffs are in safe hands under the guidance of Ph.D. historian and specialist Patrick Wyman in The Fall of Rome podcast. Wyman shows listeners how a contemporary understanding of genetics, climate science, forensic science, network models, and globalisation has reshaped the way we think about the fall of this great empire. Learn the ins and outs of the history of Rome and the challenges that led to the downfall of the Western Roman Empire.
Micro History Podcasts
Who doesn't love food? The Fantastic History of Food brings the interesting history of food to life. Join host Nick Charlie Key as he shares bizarre and often ridiculous tales, such as The Man Who Ate King Louis XIV’s Heart and The German Coconut Cult, that you'll want to gobble up. For history buffs with an appetite for something new, look no further than The Fantastic History of Food podcast series on Audible.
Forget about self-help podcasts. If you're looking for romantic advice, health and beauty tips, or life hacks, why not turn to history? On Crush It Like Cleopatra, comedians Sindhu Vee, Mawaan Rizwan, and Emily Lloyd-Saini take trusted if bizarre historical rituals—from bathing in milk to gifting your sweetheart a courgette—and test them out in real life. Then they report back on how it all worked out with honest reviews.
Science History Podcasts
iHeartRadio presents Surprisingly Brilliant, a podcast all about the unsung scientists and visionaries behind some of history's most important discoveries and innovations, from the black hole to the lifesaving bean. Join hosts Maren Hunsberger and Greg Foot every week as they tell the stories behind these largely unknown heroes of science and technology. Each hour-long episode of Surprisingly Brilliant takes a deep dive into a discovery or event that changed the world in some way or another. Hit play on one of the best podcasts for history buffs with an interest in science and innovation.
DNA science, AI, smartphones, 3D printers... Science and technology have long been an important part of history, transforming the very world we live in. Through immersive scenes, host and best-selling author Steven Johnson delves into the stories of the scientists, engineers, and ordinary people behind some of the greatest discoveries of the past century. This educational history podcast offers insight into some of the innovations and creations that shaped modern America into the technology pioneer that it is today. With over 150 episodes available to listen to on Audible, there is so much to be learnt from American Innovations.
Join Ang, a travel nurse and medical history enthusiast, as she guides you through some of the most bizarre, outrageous, and fascinating stories in medical history, including the chilling tale of a serial poisoner. Approaching each topic with a combination of critical thinking and fun, Ang often invites other history buffs to join her discussions. With plenty of episodes available on Audible and new episodes launching each week, Dissecting Medical History leaves you with a choice of true crime stories to get stuck into.
World History Podcasts
Luther: In Real Time takes a detailed look at the dramatic story of theologian and activist Martin Luther and the dawn of the Protestant Reformation. Each episode is released 500 years to the day after the events are discussed, so you can relive the history of Luther from his heresy charges to his famous stand for God’s Word.
When you're wearing a crown, mistakes often mean blood. On Noble Blood, author Dana Schwartz explores the stories of some of history's most interesting royals from all around the world, from tyrannical rulers to tragic figures. Those born into the royal bloodline have been the topic of discussion throughout the ages. This history podcast sheds light on the life and crimes of some of the most fascinating royals of all time, from the notorious crimes of King Leopold II of Belgium to the actions that earnt England’s Mary Tudor the name Bloody Mary.
Echoes of the past are all around us and reverberating through our present. In the Tides of History podcast, host Patrick Wyman, Ph.D., delves into how the past affects everything in our world today, from how we pray to how we fight, and sheds light on often surprising reasons. The best part? All periods of history are open for Patrick Wyman in Tides of History, including recent British history, the Middle Ages, and even the dawn of history before written records. Get ready to travel back in time through some of history’s greatest civilisations and comprehend the world in a whole new way.
Myths, Legends, and Lore Podcasts
Created, produced, written, and hosted by Aaron Mahnke, Lore is a biweekly history podcast devoted to exploring the dark side of history. Episodes take on assorted monsters, beasts, and bogeyman, from the dreaded winged, red-eyed Jersey Devil to practising cannibals. And if you can’t get enough of Lore and its frights, listen to Mahnke's audiobook series, The World of Lore.
Join host Jason Weiser as he tells stories from the myths, legends, and folklore that have shaped cultures throughout history and around the world. Some, like the tales of Aladdin and Hercules, will be familiar—but you might be surprised by their origins. Others, like the strangely touching Chinese tale of a sleazy alligator man and his search for love, you might not know—but you really should hear. While researched and sourced from the original folklore, all the tales are retold in a style to captivate modern history buffs.
Jon Hagadorn hosts this well-researched, fast-paced weekly podcast that explores a wide range of historical events, persons, places, and legends. Filled with action, courage, and intrigue, these stories from the past are all brought to life with enthusiasm. With hundreds of episodes readily available on Audible, there is so much to be learnt about the fascinating legends and unanswered mysteries that span every era in history.
Co-hosts Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess are not content with leaving the whispers of legendary creatures and unexplained phenomena a mystery. On their podcast, they delve into the history of legends and investigate for evidence, with the help of professionals, researchers, and other guest experts. The Astonishing Legends podcast often lets listeners in on truths that have never before been revealed.
