Best Podcast Episodes About History
Everything podcasters are saying about History — curated from top podcasts
Updated: Apr 02, 2026 – 49 episodes
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Ridealong has curated the best and most interesting podcasts and clips about History.
Top Podcast Clips About History
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NASA is shifting its focus to groundbreaking projects like a nuclear power and propulsion spacecraft, set to launch in 2028. This shift comes as the agency recalibrates to tackle challenges that private companies like SpaceX can't address, such as interplanetary missions. With international partnerships and innovative technology, NASA aims to lead humanity's next giant leap into space exploration.
“… those guys had a tremendous amount of respect for them. Well, we fought. For the Americans. Sure, sure. We were the enemies. But it goes down into history as a deficit on America's sheep. There's no doubt about it. Tore society apart. And I think that we are divided now in this country as we were divided in Vietnam. I don't see a lot of difference then.”
“… though now. I think it was a little bit more. I think that the French were, you know, they were the colonial power and that had been going on for really a long time. But I think that particularly the Japanese or the Vietnamese military people, Jap and those guys had a tremendous amount of respect for them. Well, we fought. For the Americans. Sure, sure. We were the enemies. But it goes down into history as a deficit on America's sheep. There's no doubt about it. Tore society apart. And I think that we are divided now in this country as we were divided in Vietnam. I don't see a lot of difference then.”
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The Vietnam War may have been a negative experience for America, but it offered crucial lessons about public support and military engagement. Steve Kroft reflects on his service and notes that while the war tore society apart, it also fostered respect for Americans among the Vietnamese, contrasting it with the French colonial legacy. Today, he sees parallels between the divisions of the Vietnam era and current societal rifts in America.
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The CIA has secretly authorized the assassination of American citizens, as revealed by former officials. Notably, Anwar al-Awlaki was killed without trial, raising serious questions about legality and morality. This segment explores the implications of such actions and the agency's controversial past.
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In a hilarious twist, one host recounts watching the erotic thriller 'Jade' with a friend who fell asleep during the steamiest scenes, only to wake up furious about the lack of sex. The discussion takes a bizarre turn when they reveal a Hollywood producer's odd collection of women's pubic hair lockets, making for an unforgettable moment that blends absurdity with nostalgia.
“… because the apple at 50 thing is a bit before my time you know like there that was kind of my it was like a good reminder of how much of apple's history that i and we have not really been a part of like my interest in apple started like in the mid era of the ipods like the ipod nano kind of and you hear some of the other people in the community like john syracusa and jason snell like they've been a part of apple for so much longer i don't know it was weird it almost gave me a bit of like imposter syndrome you know like i've i was not involved in the vast majority of the history of this company …”
“… to do any reflection on your time using apple products and developing for apple platforms a bit a bit i think it happened more when we had like the 10th anniversary of the iphone or like when they saw the billionth iphone stuff that felt a bit more because the apple at 50 thing is a bit before my time you know like there that was kind of my it was like a good reminder of how much of apple's history that i and we have not really been a part of like my interest in apple started like in the mid era of the ipods like the ipod nano kind of and you hear some of the other people in the community like john syracusa and jason snell like they've been a part of apple for so much longer i don't know it was weird it almost gave me a bit of like imposter syndrome you know like i've i was not involved in the vast majority of the history of this company yeah and if you say apple at 50 most of the coverage is really about like the first 25 years because yeah that historical record of that is so filled out at this point because everybody's either retired or died so everyone's done their memos and their biographies the more recent period i.e the stuff which kind of we grew up in with jobs back at the …”
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Apple's 50th anniversary sparked introspection about its impact on the tech landscape and personal careers. The discussion reveals how much of Apple's history remains untold and how future generations will perceive this era. As the company evolves, the significance of its past continues to shape the present for many developers and users alike.
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The Colorado River Compact, established in 1922, was a crucial agreement aimed at resolving water distribution conflicts between the upper and lower basin states. As populations in California and Arizona surged, upstream states like Colorado and Wyoming felt increasingly deprived of their water rights, leading to negotiations that would shape the future of water usage in the region. This segment dives into the historical context that fueled this pivotal moment in water rights history.
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In this hilarious segment, Jenna and Angela reminisce about Steve Carell's unforgettable moments on The Office, including his iconic line, 'Sometimes I hit people with my car.' They share the joy of working on a set filled with laughter, and the challenge of delivering perfectly timed jokes without cracking up. It's a delightful peek into the comedic genius behind Michael Scott's character.
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In a gripping tale, Caesar once hid under a cloak to cross treacherous seas, asserting his destiny to rule Rome. However, historical accounts reveal he actually failed, yet a successful friend finds inspiration in this flawed narrative. This story highlights how belief can sometimes outweigh reality, embodying the very essence of Caesar's approach to leadership.
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Victor Wembanyama is the best player in the world, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves the MVP for his consistent performance and impact on the team's success.
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Recent discussions in Michael Pollan’s 'Journey to the Borderlands of Consciousness' explore the intriguing idea that plants may have a form of consciousness. Experiments show that plants like the mimosa pudica respond to anesthetics in a way that suggests they experience two states of being, raising questions about their sentience and what it means to be conscious. This segment dives into the implications of plant consciousness and how it challenges our understanding of life itself.
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Phil Spector's emotional turmoil after the death of comedian Lenny Bruce reveals a surprisingly vulnerable side of the infamous music producer. In a moment of deep grief, Phil spends $5,000 to buy crime scene photos of Bruce to prevent them from being published, showcasing his complex relationship with loss and friendship. Meanwhile, his tumultuous relationship with Ronnie takes a turn as family pressures force them to confront their commitment to each other.
“… the U.S.A. so unbelievably amazing. And if I get, if I get like teary, it's because these are the things that we need. We need this kind of amazing history for the books and not this garbage we're dealing with. We need people like Elon. We need technology. We need new, innovative, creative people that love the USA. And I feel your passion. And I don't want to keep you too long, but I just think that the more we can teach our children and the more that we can be an inspiration on radio and get across these kind of cool. I was so excited to have this moment with you. And I was so enwrapped in what …”
“… then literally moved back to Colleyville, Tarrant County. And I was helping family, and I love stuff like this because I think this brings, it unites our country together, and it takes us out of the bad things that we're dealing with, and it makes the U.S.A. so unbelievably amazing. And if I get, if I get like teary, it's because these are the things that we need. We need this kind of amazing history for the books and not this garbage we're dealing with. We need people like Elon. We need technology. We need new, innovative, creative people that love the USA. And I feel your passion. And I don't want to keep you too long, but I just think that the more we can teach our children and the more that we can be an inspiration on radio and get across these kind of cool. I was so excited to have this moment with you. And I was so enwrapped in what you were saying. Did you hear that sound? Did you hear the sound of those rockets? And let me tell you, you know, we've all we've all seen rockets blast off now. it's sort of like, oh, yeah, I've seen a rocket blast up. First of all, biggest rocket ever, biggest thrust ever is incredible. But also, you know how when a rocket when they do, you know, …”
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The Artemis II mission marks a pivotal moment in American space exploration, with a diverse crew set to embark on a 10-day journey around the moon. As emotions run high, the launch showcases not only technological advancements but also the unifying power of space exploration for the nation. This mission is about more than just science; it inspires future generations and rekindles the American spirit of innovation.
“… this stuff, Luke. The evidence. I love it all. I love it all. I love it all. Keep going. This is great. As disappointing as it is to most of the history, ancient history space, the evidence is overwhelming that the dynastic Egyptians themselves built the pyramids. The dynastic Egyptians themselves. Yeah. These are the people that existed in Egypt at the time. Yeah. So let's say the dynastic Egyptians would be 3100 B.C. to the death of Cleopatra in 30 B.C. That's the dynastic period. And you would posit that the dynastic Egyptians also built the pyramids down into Sudan? No so those are the …”
“… shake my hand, take a pic, and come enjoy some stand-up comedy. There's tons of stuff that I will say about the ancient world. I'll say, you know, I don't think it's that way. I still think it's amazing. Like, here's the big thing. The evidence. I love this stuff, Luke. The evidence. I love it all. I love it all. I love it all. Keep going. This is great. As disappointing as it is to most of the history, ancient history space, the evidence is overwhelming that the dynastic Egyptians themselves built the pyramids. The dynastic Egyptians themselves. Yeah. These are the people that existed in Egypt at the time. Yeah. So let's say the dynastic Egyptians would be 3100 B.C. to the death of Cleopatra in 30 B.C. That's the dynastic period. And you would posit that the dynastic Egyptians also built the pyramids down into Sudan? No so those are the Nubians The Kushites So the Nubians and Kushites had their own there no exchange of information technology A huge exchange They were influencing one another. So the Nubians were getting beat up so much by the Egyptians for thousands of years. There's no gold in Egypt. All of the gold comes from the Kushite mines, like down in the Nubian world. So all …”
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Imagine wearing gauntlets made of gold! In this hilarious segment, the hosts banter about the absurdity of ancient kings flaunting their wealth and the modern treasure hunters who may or may not strike it rich. The debate over what to keep and what to turn over to museums leads to some ridiculous conclusions about family ties and ownership.
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President Trump asserts that his decisive actions, including the elimination of General Qasem Soleimani and the termination of the Iran nuclear deal, were crucial in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He emphasizes that his administration's military strikes and strategies dismantled Iran's nuclear capabilities and thwarted their ambitions, claiming these efforts were vital for global security. The implications of these actions continue to resonate in international relations today.
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The segment dives into the CIA's operations and the implications of the Havana Syndrome, a mysterious ailment reported by U.S. diplomats. It raises provocative questions about whether the U.S. could retaliate against hostile actions without escalating to full-blown war, highlighting bureaucratic tensions within the CIA that may contribute to the denial of such incidents. This discussion sheds light on the experiences of operatives who claim to have faced these ailments due to their stressful environments.
“… widely used archaeological textbooks contained no mention of war before civilization. Some of the biggest names in anthropology, archaeology, and history have gone out of their way to pretend that life before civilization was actually pretty great. This might be because so many post-World War II academics deliberately ignored war. In one case, academics were in such denial about pre-modern warfare that they pretended battle axes were a form of currency. Now, you might be thinking, who cares about intellectuals? Well, the myths they made ended up appearing downstream in our mass culture. Around …”
“… than comforting myth. Since the end of World War II, American academics have pretended that pre-modern humans lived in a state of peace. Academic dishonesty was so out of hand by the 1990s that according to archaeologist Lawrence H. Keeley, the most widely used archaeological textbooks contained no mention of war before civilization. Some of the biggest names in anthropology, archaeology, and history have gone out of their way to pretend that life before civilization was actually pretty great. This might be because so many post-World War II academics deliberately ignored war. In one case, academics were in such denial about pre-modern warfare that they pretended battle axes were a form of currency. Now, you might be thinking, who cares about intellectuals? Well, the myths they made ended up appearing downstream in our mass culture. Around the same time that references to the Trail of Tears were rising, Hollywood started portraying Indians as peaceful and noble. Dances with Wolves portrays, of all people, the Lakota Sioux as a peaceful, harmonious community living in balance with the land and the buffalo. The Powhatan in Pocahontas were peace-loving environmentalists who sang about …”
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Contrary to popular belief, Native American tribes were not universally peaceful; in fact, 96% engaged in warfare. This segment reveals shocking historical evidence of violence, including cannibalism, among various tribes, challenging the romanticized portrayals found in modern media. Understanding this reality is crucial for grasping the true history of indigenous peoples in America.
“… up. So when you ask about the question, is this struggle intrinsic? I would say yes, from the Islamic side. We've seen the doctrine, but the history has been the way it is. The only reason it ever stopped was because it was physically stopped by the West. So I know that I know several people who, when they hear this interview, are going to say, but what about the Crusades? So what about the Crusades? I mean, the people leave Europe and they go to the Middle East to take back Jerusalem. What was that not an act of aggression? No, that was actually part of just war theory, because based on …”
“… of course. And like I said, three quarters of the Christian world, the older, richer, more sophisticated, more theologically advanced region, which no one connects with Christianity, like Egypt and Syria and Asia Minor, Turkey, we're all swallowed up. So when you ask about the question, is this struggle intrinsic? I would say yes, from the Islamic side. We've seen the doctrine, but the history has been the way it is. The only reason it ever stopped was because it was physically stopped by the West. So I know that I know several people who, when they hear this interview, are going to say, but what about the Crusades? So what about the Crusades? I mean, the people leave Europe and they go to the Middle East to take back Jerusalem. What was that not an act of aggression? No, that was actually part of just war theory, because based on what I just was saying, they knew the Crusaders and the church that that land, the Holy Land, was originally Christian. And moreover, they knew of what was happening, all the attacks and the violence. And in the years and decades before the First Crusade, this is when I was referring to the Turks. I mentioned the Ottomans, but before the Ottomans, …”
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The Crusades were not an act of aggression, but a response to horrific violence against Christians in the Middle East. Eyewitness accounts reveal massacres and brutal attacks by the Seljuk Turks, which led Pope Urban II to call for the First Crusade in 1095 as a justified military response. This historical context challenges the perception of the Crusades as mere conquest.
“… he had 700 concubines. So there's a lot of apocryphal, mystical, legendary stories that come out of the connection of Sheba with Solomon. There's no history behind it. It comes from the intertestamental period. These are legendary stories. When I lived in Oxford, I took my daughter Lily and my wife Audrey to Gastonbury. Glastonbury is like where a big musical fest is. We didn't go to that. But I went there because there was a legend that Joseph of Arimathea had brought Jesus to Glastonbury in England. It's just a total legend. Yeah, right by King Arthur, by the way, where King Arthur was buried and …”
“… reach Ethiopia? It's such an odd location. Well, actually, and there's a lot of odd, I mean, just to continue, I mean, there's connections with Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. There's thought to even be several from Africa. And we do know that he had 700 concubines. So there's a lot of apocryphal, mystical, legendary stories that come out of the connection of Sheba with Solomon. There's no history behind it. It comes from the intertestamental period. These are legendary stories. When I lived in Oxford, I took my daughter Lily and my wife Audrey to Gastonbury. Glastonbury is like where a big musical fest is. We didn't go to that. But I went there because there was a legend that Joseph of Arimathea had brought Jesus to Glastonbury in England. It's just a total legend. Yeah, right by King Arthur, by the way, where King Arthur was buried and the Knights of the Round Table. I mean, different Christian communities developed these unique, legendary, almost fanatical perspectives that are based on their ethnicity, where they're from, what they're facing. And so what you have, though, first Enoch was never removed from our Christian Bibles. It was part of the canon or library of Ethiopian …”
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The significance of bone boxes in biblical context is highlighted through the transformation of Jesus's brother, James. Initially skeptical of Jesus's claims, James becomes a pivotal church leader after witnessing his resurrected brother. This remarkable shift underscores the importance of James's bone box as tangible evidence of the resurrection.
“But again to reach back into history we are not the first people who are approaching a catastrophe without really being able to understand what is going to happen or what it looks like And I always think of the fact that years ago I went to write a piece on the great crash of 29 And I thought you know everybody done the you know the economics and everybody's done this and everyone's done that. What am I going to do? So I went back to a newspaper from the time and read the night …”
“But again to reach back into history we are not the first people who are approaching a catastrophe without really being able to understand what is going to happen or what it looks like And I always think of the fact that years ago I went to write a piece on the great crash of 29 And I thought you know everybody done the you know the economics and everybody's done this and everyone's done that. What am I going to do? So I went back to a newspaper from the time and read the night before to see what it looked like on the verge of it. And it's really interesting because it was the opening night of the opera in New York City. And So you had all these stories about the people in their beautiful coaches and the guys with the uniforms and the people wearing diamonds and going in and going to see the opera. And there was a really …”
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Imagine being at the opera on the brink of the Great Depression while one man faces a tragic fate. Heather Cox Richardson shares a poignant story about a businessman who couldn't wait just 12 more hours to see he wasn't alone in his despair. This reflection on leadership and societal failure is both humorous and thought-provoking, likening today's political climate to a ship ignoring icebergs.
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In 1993, Cuba attempted its first capitalist experiment since the revolution, allowing self-employment and small businesses, but with heavy restrictions. Despite the initial excitement, this small shift failed to alleviate Cuba's economic crisis, forcing the country to revert to its traditional communist allies for support. This segment reveals how a tiny step towards capitalism was overshadowed by state control.
Top Podcasts About History
Boring History For Sleep | Gentle Storytelling And Ambient Sounds (Official)
6 episodes
Stuff You Should Know
2 episodes
Office Ladies
2 episodes
The Ezra Klein Show
2 episodes
Behind the Bastards
2 episodes
Bannon`s War Room
2 episodes
The Glenn Beck Program
1 episode
Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
1 episode