11 Best History Podcasts For You

Best History Podcasts

The format of podcasting is the perfect medium for exploring history. 

Podcasts allow for great depth and breadth when covering time periods or historical topics.

There is no such thing as being too niche in podcasting. So getting as granular and exhaustive on the research and exploration of historical time periods is a welcomed approach for podcasts. 

You will also see from our listing that there is a great variety of approaches to covering history through podcasts. 

Some shows are free to range from any period of time they prefer while other shows may choose to hyper-focus on a specific war and do a comprehensive investigation and retelling of its compelling tales.

No matter the chosen format or approach, these shows are sure to stoke the flames of passion for any history enthusiast.

These are the 11 Best History Podcasts For You:

1. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History transcends the subject at hand and podcasting for that matter. Arguably the best podcast ever, Hardcore History is as named.

Carlin takes you deep into some of the most intense moments in all of human history.  

Whether it is a mysterious, cataclysmic event in the Bronze Age or life as a soldier in the trenches of Verdun in 1916, Carlin’s unique broadcasting style captivates his audience with his in-depth portrayal of the fascinating historical subject matter.  

Each time a new episode drops, it never disappoints. Even if you are not a history buff, this is a must-listen. You will soon become one for sure.

 2. Lore

Created by Aaron Mahnke, the Lore podcast has gained so much popularity that it has even been picked up and produced as a television show now available on Amazon Prime.  

Where most history podcasts touch on significant historical events, for good reason, of course, Lore delves into subject matter that is buried deep within the folklore of cultures throughout time and from around the globe.

How we humans have dealt with folklore has its own fascinating history. The Lore podcast fuses folklore and traditional history into a campy, entertaining, compelling podcast.  

I honestly do not know how Mahnke does it. In episode 1, “They Made A Tonic”, Mahnke takes us into the history of vampires, from Vlad the Impaler to the notions that Vikings held of vampires.

Mahnke even explores tales that vampires had existed on the secluded island of Madagascar. Lore covers them all. Wild stuff.  

3. The History Of Rome

Created by Mike Duncan, The History of Rome podcast is an award-winning show.

Duncan relies on primary source materials combined with modern interpretations to give you an entertaining, educational, and comprehensive take on the Roman Empire.  

Although the podcast is narrated as an audiobook, Duncan keeps you captivated. From the Punic Wars to Marius and Sulla, Julius Caesar, the Huns, Vandals, and Goths, The History of Rome gives you all of it and then some.  

Once you get sucked into The History Of Rome, one of the most infamous history podcasts to date, you can pick up Duncan’s book The History of Rome and his latest book The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic.    

The History of Rome podcast has influenced the creation of other podcasts such as The History of Byzantium by Robin Pierson. I recently heard an interview between Mike Duncan and Dan Carlin, coincidence?   

Check out The History Of Rome on Apple Podcasts right here.

4. Historical Figures

This is a Parcast joint hosted by Carter Roy and Vanessa Richardson. Historical Figures gives you a unique take on some of history’s most notorious figures.

This podcast was formerly known as Remarkable Lives, Tragic Deaths, I believe to appeal to the true crime genre enthusiasts, but it has found its identity as a history-focused podcast.  

Episode 1 starts with Albert Einstein and other episodes include an eclectic mix of Lewis and Clark, Marco Polo, Charlemagne, and Marie Curie amongst other greats.

Roy and Richardson narrate in a comfortable fashion and Historical Figures is a great family-friendly podcast you can even listen to while your children are in the car. This is why I love me some Historical Figures!

5. Legends Of The Old West

Brilliant production, incredible research, and covering one of the most fascinating time periods and regions from the history of the United States lands Legends Of The Old West onto our rankings.

Much of what we think of or understand about the wild west comes from Hollywood. 

While there are some accurate depictions out there in movies and shows, this podcast series does an exhaustive job of researching the granular details of life and society in the wild west. 

It then packages up the research and delivers it to us the listener in one of the more entertaining and enjoyable podcast formats around. 

Legends Of The Old West is a must-listen for any fan of history.

6. Stuff You Missed In History Class

Hosted by Tracy Wilson and Holly Frey, the Stuff You Missed In History Class is an offshoot of How Stuff Works.

Holly and Tracy are history enthusiasts and they tackle historical subject matters by examining how they influence today’s issues.

They approach each topic from an unconventional angle to give you an informative, unique perspective. The Stuff You Missed In History Class is enlightening and a must-listen.

 7. History On Fire

Created and hosted by author and university history professor Daniele Bolelli, History on Fire was inspired by, drum roll…..Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History.  

I could not satiate my appetite for history podcasts after binge listening to Hardcore History and then I stumbled upon History on Fire.

Bolelli’s thick Italian accent takes a little getting used to, but once you do you get sucked in for good.

From his telling of the Third Servile War to Spartacus or his deep dive into the mindset of Theodore Roosevelt, you will be captivated and onboard for the ride. If you enjoy Hardcore History, do check out History on Fire.

Check out History On Fire on Apple Podcasts right here.    

8. History Of Pirates

Hosted by Captain Craigbuddy or CB for short, the History of Pirates podcast takes you, “The Crew”, on a fantastic voyage about the history of pirateering including exploration of all the myths and legends.

What is the difference between a pirate and a privateer? How about a swashbuckler or buccaneer?

From the golden age of the pirates of the Caribbean to ancient pirates from the ancient Phoenicians and Greeks, the History of Pirates covers it all.  

Check out The History Of Pirates on Apple Podcasts right here.

9. History Of The Great War

After listening to Dan Carlin’s “Blueprint for Armageddon” my appetite for World War I history was immense. I stumbled across the History of the Great War podcast to get my fix.

Man, I thought that Carlin’s 6-part series went into depth on The Great War but the History of the Great War does thirteen episodes on Verdun alone!

Started in 2014, the podcast chronicles weekly what transpired in the great European conflict almost one hundred years ago to date.

 

10. The History Of WWII Podcast

Hosted by Ray Harris Jr. who stated that he was so obsessed with the events of World War II that he could not wait for a podcast about it to come out, so he created one.

With the History and Military television channels and the vast amount of content pertaining to World War II, you would think there would be more podcast content out there as well. Ray Harris Jr. filled that void perfectly and does a fantastic job.

If you are a World War II junkie this is the podcast for you.

Check out The History Of WWII on Apple Podcasts right here.

11. The Thread With Ozy

The Thread podcast series takes a different approach to history.

It ties together storylines, people, and places that might not initially appear to have any connection but upon further review are intricately woven details of a complex historical moment.

Their mini-series on the murder of John Lennon is a brilliant piece of podcasting. Check out our deep-dive audio review of that John Lennon mini-series right here.

Please Comment

Are you a history fanatic? What is your favorite history podcast going right now? Please leave a comment and let us know.

13 Best True Crime Podcasts

If you are already a fan of true crime or if you are looking to get indoctrinated into this thrilling new wave of investigative entertainment, we have compiled the ultimate true crime podcast feature for you.

Here are The 13 Best True Crime Podcasts:

1. Sword and Scale

This is the podcast show that is “proving that the worst monsters are very real.” Creator Mike Boudet masterfully produces the best true crime podcast out there to date.

Boudet artfully uses real audio clips from 911 tapes, police confessions, and news sources to tell the tales from some of the most horrifying crimes our society has endured.

Boudet narrates and gives his commentary from time to time but as a great documentarian does, he allows the interviews to do the bulk of the storytelling.

This show is not for the faint of heart. If you are sensitive to explicit content involving murder and violence you may want to skip this show.

2. Crime Junkie

From the opening chords of the theme music, Crime Junkie podcast sets a serious but slightly sassy tone. The primary host, Ashley Flowers, does most of the heavy lifting in terms of research and reporting. 

Brit Prawat, the co-host, is a strong contributor in that she represents the audience’s reaction through her visceral comments and supporting questions. 

This true-crime podcast’s first episode aired in December 2017 and, from the start, the ladies stated that they are dedicated supporters of their local chapters of Crime Stoppers. 

So not only want do they want to bring the crimes they discuss to a growing audience in an interesting way, but they also value having justice for the victims.

Go check out the full listing of the 13 best true crime podcasts right here!