8 History Podcasts That Help Explain Present-Day America
A historian on why nothing is better suited to podcast form than history
Podcasts are one of my favorite ways to learn about history, as well as share it. First, you can multitask while listening! Do you ever feel like you are wasting time while commuting, doing chores, running errands, cooking, cleaning, etc.? Try listening to an educational podcast! I feel much less resentful about time spent doing those activities if I’m also enriching my brain.
There’s also so much variety. I can learn about Egyptian pyramids one moment, the Jamestown Virginia colony the next moment, and finish up with race and politics in the 1980s. All in one morning! I never get bored because I can pick the subject depending on my mood.
Podcasts are a great way to discover new authors and fields. Podcasts do not replace books and other forms of written historical work. If I enjoy an interview with an author, I’m more likely to purchase their book. Book sales reports and my own personal experience as an author suggest that I’m not alone. Listeners rely on interviews to discover new books. Which is why historians should also welcome podcasts as a way to share their work! There is no better way to promote a book than to go on podcasts. Each podcast is an opportunity to reach new potential readers and share your work with a broader public. It doesn’t require travel, you can record episodes in your slippers, and they can be recorded at all hours (no live events required!). Podcasts are an amazing way to build a relationship with an audience because it’s such an intimate medium. See point number one. How often can you talk about history with someone while they are doing the dishes?
In 2016, Liz Covart, one of the first real history podcasters, wrote about why digital mediums make sense for historians:
“The 21st-century is a mobile age. We live on our smartphones and time has become our most valuable resource because our ability to connect to the internet and with people anytime, anywhere has drastically multiplied the demands on our time. This doesn’t mean that people dislike reading books or visiting museums. It means they have less time (or feel like they have less time) to devote to those activities. As a result, they want to know that they are going to enjoy something and benefit from an experience before they invest time and money into having an experience.”
Here are the podcasts I listen to all the time or enjoyed the most. Important caveat, everyone has their own podcast preferences. If a host doesn’t work for you, then that’s just not the right fit! I also prefer a more professionalized version of history podcast. You can tsk tsk me, but after getting a Ph.D. in history, it’s hard to stomach some of the more generic episodes and I want to learn from experts! Which is why I can heartily recommend these podcasts as serious, but fun, history.
In 2016, I downloaded my first podcast episode. I was scheduled to have a phone called with the host of Ben Franklin’s World and I wanted to know what this podcast thing was all about. Ok, so I’m a bit of a late adopted, but boy have I made up for it with gusto! BFW explores all aspects of Early American history during Ben Franklin’s life. Everything from female plantation owners in the Caribbean, to Franklin’s house in London, to George Washington’s first cabinet. BFW is the highest quality, most influential podcast in the history world (especially the Early American History world). Every episode is thoughtfully edited and the questions are fantastic.
Sometimes I want to learn about history, but not actually work, you know? If I’m listening to political history about the United States or Early American history, it’s hard for me to shut off my brain and not consider how I might write about a subject or the parallels for my own work. But if I’m learning about the Tudors or the Middle Ages or World War I, I can just learn and enjoy! History Extra does have some American history episodes as it is technically a World History podcast, but the British and European episodes are my favorite. They have fantastic guests and most have British accents, which I’ll admit, I find very soothing!
Narrative podcasts are a ton of work, but when done well, they are truly magical. Seizing Freedom does an incredible job blending interpretive story-telling, narrator insights, musical scores, and quotes. This podcast tells the story of how free and enslaved African-American fought for freedom, the end of slavery, and Reconstruction. This podcast is hosted by Kidada Williams and supported by unbelievable archival research. It is really entertaining, moving, and would be an excellent tool for teachers and classrooms.
4. This Day in Esoteric Political History
Sometimes the small moments in our history are forgotten. But sometimes they have ripple effects and shape developments decades later. This Day in Esoteric Political History episodes are short and sweet, the perfect length for a quick errand! The hosts, Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and Kellie Carter Jackson introduce you to the small and huge moments that make up our political story.
History Author Show is like Ben Franklin’s World in that the structure is an author interview, it just has a much broader chronological and geographic scope. The host, Dean, is super knowledgeable and asks really thoughtful questions. It’s super smart and you’ll learn a ton.
6. Axelbank Reports History and Today
Evan Axelbank is a tv journalist with a passion for history. As a result, he has a natural gift for asking thoughtful questions and bringing that history into our present moment. He focuses on pretty much everything as well, so everyone can find something that interests them!
7. The Past, The Promise, The Presidency
Full disclosure, this podcast is mine! Working together with the Center for Presidential History, we are currently releasing season one: Race and the American Legacy. It’s all about the history of the presidency and race, from Abraham Lincoln to today. We interview great guests each episode and then my cohosts and I chat at the end. Check it out, I think you’ll enjoy it. At the very least, you’ll have a better understanding of our nation’s history and our present moment.
8. Unobscured, Season 1: Salem Witch Trials
I’m currently listening to season three of Unobscured after getting hooked on season one about the Salem Witch Trials. I really enjoyed the narrative arc style of this podcast, as well as the inclusion of some truly fantastic guests. What impressed me about this podcast is that I learned so much and was dying to know what happened next (and I’ve done a fair amount of reading already about the Salem Witch Trials. Did I mention my degree is in Early American History?). That’s how good the story-telling is in this podcast.