17 history podcasts you should be listening to in 2017
Learn about the future by reflecting on the past.
When people talk history podcasts, they invariably discuss the well-known history-focused shows, such as Hardcore History or The History of Rome, two of the greatest and most successful history podcasts made to date. But if that is the extent of your history podcast listening, you are seriously missing out. Here is a list of podcasts that have been running for a while that you need to check out this year.
1. Bulgarian History Podcast by Eric Halsey
The Bulgarian History Podcast me hooked from the moment that I heard the traditional Bulgarian music. And then I heard Eric Halsey talking about the history of a group whose history is closely intertwined with many of the great powers such as the Byzantine Empire, yet seems to get resorted to the footnotes. Start with episode: 1- Setting the Stage
2. The Lonely Palette by Tamar Avishai
Tamar Avishai has created a masterpiece in The Lonely Palette, giving us so much more than just art history. She gives us the story behind the painting; what was Jackson Pollack going through as he flicked paint? Why did Degas paint dancers? Context makes the art so much richer. Start with episode: 13- Edward Hopper’s ”Room in Brooklyn”
3. 10 American Presidents by Roifield Brown
Roifield Brown started out 10 American Presidents as an in-depth look at ten of the United States most interesting presidents, but it has become so much more. We have the history of how presidents have affected words and speech patterns, very interesting elections, and laws and decrees that have been made. Start with episode: Episode 11- The President’s Speech
4. The Viking Age Podcast by Lee Accomando
You know that The History Channel got you intrigued… who were the Vikings? Was there an invasion? Were these highly trained warriors, or was it more complicated than that? Well, The Viking Age Podcast explains vikings in a very interesting way, dispelling some of the myths and filling in the missing pieces as best as the sources will allow. Start with episode: Episode 6- The Iron Age
5. History of Exploration by Guillame Lamothe
In The History of Exploration, Guillaume Lamothe is working his way through the history of exploration, starting from the circumnavigation of Africa that was ordered by Necho II of ancient Egypt, and moving his way toward the Age of Exploration. So far, he has chronicled the travels of Alexander the Great’s admiral Nearchus and early Hellenistic exploration. Start with episode: Episode 1- Necho II’s Expedition and Early Mediterranean Exploration
6. The History of China by Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart has been tracing Chinese History for over a hundred episodes now. The History of China is a great overview of the political intrigue and daily goings-on of the Chinese. It is truly epic in scope and is a great listen. Chris injects a good amount of humor, which really helps when you look at some of the rulers that have led one of the oldest societies in the world. Start with episode: The narrative starts with episode 1, but episodes 14 and 15 are spotlight episodes on Confucius and Sun Tzu.
7. Giants of History by JT Fusco
JT Fusco has created an impressive body of work about some truly amazing people in history. Giants of History is an intimate look at some of the people who have shaped the world we live in. Start with episode: Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln’s famous failures.
8. The History of the Mongols by Ben Hill
One of my favorite history podcasts has already finished. The History of the Mongols is about thirty episodes that chronicle the Rise and fall of Genghis Khan and his family, in depth. It is a delightful, concise narrative. Start with episode: Episode 1, because you don’t want to miss any of the narrative.
9. A History of Oil by Peter B. Doran
From the first gusher to the rise of kerosene to the modern day, we are given an intimate history of how oil came to be the insanely lucrative commodity and driving force behind so much of our industrial and political changes in the past century in A History of Oil. Start with episode: Again, episode 1, because of… the narrative.
10. Inward Empire by Sam Davis
If you are not listening to the Inward Empire, you are missing out on great storytelling, some of the best in the business. Well-researched and written, if you are a fan of Dan Carlin you will love this. Start with episode: Buffalo Bill, the Mythic West, and the Imperial Frontier.
11. Martyrmade by Darryl Cooper
Martyrmade is an amazing podcast. Darryl Cooper so far has created an epic look at Israeli- Palestinian relations and anti-semitism, trying to untwist the most complicated situation I can think of. Start with episode: 1 Fear and Loathing in the New Jerusalem
12. History of Islam by Elias Belhaddad
The History of Islam really gives an insight into the history of the second largest religion in the world and should be required listening for all Americans, so that they can truly understand where the religion came from and what the core beliefs of its adherents really are. Start with episode: 1 Pre Islamic Arabia
13. History of the Crusades by Sharyn Eastaugh
Seriously, why aren’t you listening to this? Sharyn is just getting better as she goes on. And she started out really good. And she is going to start a new “season” in the next couple of months. And supporting her on patreon is SOOO worth the money. Start with episode: 109- The Crusade against the Cathars part 1
14. Iroquois History and Legends by Greg and Andrew Cotter
The brothers Cotter have created such a unique and entertaining look at one of the most powerful and influential cultures in the Western Hemisphere. Iroquois History and Legends explains everything you possibly could want to know about the six nations, from politics to food to family relations. Start with episode: L01 Native American Stories: Turtle’s Race with Beaver and How Bear Lost His Tail
15. Second Decade by Sean Munger
The Second Decade is an excellent look at the 1810s. The stories are worldwide and intertwined and interesting and Sean Munger’s storytelling style is wonderful. Start with episode: Episode 3- The Last Frost Fair
16. Migration Nation by Lyman Stone and Brian Hudson
Migration Nation is made by an economist and a teacher and chronicles the movement of Americans from the early republic onward, tackling such subjects as the impact of whiskey on American history and how slavery affected migration patterns. Start with episode: Season 1, Episode 1: The Birth of Bourbon
17. Singing Bones by Clare Testoni
Singing Bones is the history of Fairy Tales and it is a study in how music can enhance narration and become something beautiful and poetic and dark. Start with episode: The Singing Bone
The Bello Collective is a publication + newsletter about podcasts and the audio industry. Our goal is to bring together writers, journalists, and other voices who share a passion for the world of audio storytelling.
