Best Podcast Episodes About History
Everything podcasters are saying about History — curated from top podcasts
Updated: Apr 27, 2026 – 45 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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Jamie recounts the horrifying moment she finds a body after a murder, complete with blood spatter and a bizarre twist involving a tooth in Michael's shoe. The absurdity of trying to make it look like Ann Marie left voluntarily while dealing with the chaos of the crime adds a darkly comedic layer to this chilling tale.
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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.
“… and so we don't know the name of the omeks we don't know what language they spoke we don't know what they call themselves we don't know their history all we can do is look at the artifact record and try to put puzzle pieces together fuck yeah it's just so crazy the idea of going back in time seeing the shamanic ritual with this were jaguar priest he's standing on top of this altar he has ectodermal dysplasia these two teeth coming out it's like in the middle of the night it's like rainy you can hear the forest over you and he's standing on top of this giant sculpture of himself as a baby …”
“… live in this land that farm rubber are the rubber people but that translates in nahuatl to omekas so they just name the ancient people after the name of the modern people but the omeks had risen and fallen before the maya had really really gotten started and so we don't know the name of the omeks we don't know what language they spoke we don't know what they call themselves we don't know their history all we can do is look at the artifact record and try to put puzzle pieces together fuck yeah it's just so crazy the idea of going back in time seeing the shamanic ritual with this were jaguar priest he's standing on top of this altar he has ectodermal dysplasia these two teeth coming out it's like in the middle of the night it's like rainy you can hear the forest over you and he's standing on top of this giant sculpture of himself as a baby getting brought out of a portal by the priest before him and he's basically telling the people like yo we're gonna kill the kings He's got these fangs and you're just like, what the fuck? Imagine, man. Like what an insane thing to go back into. Yeah, yeah. No less complicated dramatic nuanced or intelligent than any of the other ancient civilizations …”
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Imagine a were-jaguar priest standing atop a giant sculpture of himself from a portal, declaring a revolution against kings! This segment dives into the bizarre and fascinating world of the Olmecs, whose mysteries rival those of ancient Egypt, all while delivering some wild and humorous imagery.
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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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Jesse Buckley is poised to win the Best Actress award for her role in 'Hamnet', where she portrays Agnes, a witchy young spirit in love with William Shakespeare. Her performance is noted for its emotional depth and complexity, with critics highlighting her ability to convey grief in a unique and compelling way. Despite other strong contenders, Buckley's cumulative body of work and her impactful portrayal in the film make her a standout choice for the award.
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The Vatican took drastic measures after witnessing the potential dangers of the chronovisor, a device that allows users to view past events, including the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After showing the footage to the Pope, the creators dismantled the device, fearing its misuse for spying on contemporary events. This decision led to the chronovisor's pieces being locked away in the Vatican's secretive archives, sparking theories about what else might be hidden there.
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Despite their massive success with 30 million weekly viewers, Sonny's controlling nature turned Cher's life into a prison. As he cut her off from friendships and imposed strict rules, Cher struggled to reconcile her happiness on stage with her increasingly isolated reality. This dynamic reveals the complexities of fame and personal relationships in the spotlight.
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In this wild segment, a guy casually confesses to abducting a woman to his girlfriend, leading to a hilariously absurd interrogation scenario. The kicker? He only has eleven bucks to his name when caught, making for a darkly funny twist on a serious crime.
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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 this segment, the hosts passionately debate Justin Gagey's fighting style, highlighting his chaotic yet technical approach. The funniest moment comes when they compare his fights to jumping off a cliff with reckless abandon, showcasing his wild nature and unpredictability in the ring.
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In a comedic twist, Michael presents Toby with a rock that says 'suck on this' during his exit interview, leading to a series of awkward moments and hilarious interactions. The absurdity escalates when Michael attempts to maintain professionalism in front of Holly while secretly wishing to berate Toby, culminating in a memorable improvised threat.
“… was happening then? And how did that set of possibilities, if you think they were real, fall apart? So the story of Iran-U.S. relations is really a history of missed opportunities and is replete with misunderstandings. And this episode is one of them. It's quite stunning that there was a real opportunity for a new beginning. Now, in retrospect, is really quite something when you think about the fact that Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Expeditionary Force, the goods force, was first a man to arrive in Afghanistan to prepare it for U.S. fighter jets to land and the …”
“… Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Colin Powell, then the Secretary of State. Their state shakes hands with the Iranian foreign minister at the UN. And, you know, 9-11 was a geopolitically disruptive event, and a lot can change in the aftermath of them. So what was happening then? And how did that set of possibilities, if you think they were real, fall apart? So the story of Iran-U.S. relations is really a history of missed opportunities and is replete with misunderstandings. And this episode is one of them. It's quite stunning that there was a real opportunity for a new beginning. Now, in retrospect, is really quite something when you think about the fact that Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Expeditionary Force, the goods force, was first a man to arrive in Afghanistan to prepare it for U.S. fighter jets to land and the operation to get rid of the Taliban. same commander that President Trump assassinated in 2020. But Iran believed that by cooperating with the United States, even at the military level, intelligence level, to get rid of a common foe would be the beginning of a new chapter. And then all of a sudden, some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since …”
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The Iran Hostage Crisis, which began in 1979 when Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran, marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations that has persisted for over four decades. This event was not just about the immediate hostage situation; it symbolized Iran's rejection of U.S. interference and the culmination of historical grievances stemming from the 1953 coup that removed Prime Minister Mossadegh. The crisis allowed Ayatollah Khomeini to consolidate power and redefine Iran's stance towards the West, creating a lasting rift in diplomatic relations.
“And at its centre sat a ruler whose very environment now reflected his unique position, neither fully Mongol nor Chinese, but something history had never witnessed before. While Kublai Khan's continental conquests earned prominent attention in most historical accounts, his maritime ambitions and their spectacular failures revealed perhaps more about the limitations of his imperial vision than his successes on land ever could. The Khan who conquered the Sung Dynasty did not simply inherit China's existing naval capacity. He dramatically expanded it, creating the largest maritime force …”
“And at its centre sat a ruler whose very environment now reflected his unique position, neither fully Mongol nor Chinese, but something history had never witnessed before. While Kublai Khan's continental conquests earned prominent attention in most historical accounts, his maritime ambitions and their spectacular failures revealed perhaps more about the limitations of his imperial vision than his successes on land ever could. The Khan who conquered the Sung Dynasty did not simply inherit China's existing naval capacity. He dramatically expanded it, creating the largest maritime force Asia had seen up to that point. By 1274 Kublai controlled over 5,000 ships, from river patrol vessels to massive ocean-going warships. His shipyards along the Yangtze and in Korea constructed vessels that dwarfed anything found in European waters during the same period. What drove this continental ruler toward maritime expansion. The answer lies …”
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In feudal Japan, clothing laws dictated social status and occupation, with samurai garments allowing for freedom of movement while merchants faced strict regulations despite their wealth. Farmers wore practical fabrics, while women’s clothing signified marital status and societal position. The government's enforcement of these laws created a complex social fabric where a person's attire could lead to severe penalties for violations, including exile.
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Kowloon Walled City, a notorious enclave in Hong Kong, was a densely populated area where residents lived amid chaos yet created a functioning community. Despite the lack of regulation, people thrived with unlicensed businesses, schools, and even volunteer services, making it a unique microcosm of society. The allure of cheap living and the absence of utility bills drew many, showcasing how life can persist under extreme conditions.
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The meeting at Cajamarca between the Inca ruler Atahualpa and the Spanish conquistador Pizarro highlights profound cultural misunderstandings. As the Inca prepare meticulously, the Spaniards approach with a sense of religious mission and political expansion, leading to a clash of worldviews. This encounter reveals the complexities of communication and authority across cultures, setting the stage for monumental historical consequences.
“… after the Legion's leave are genuinely confusing when viewed from the perspective of later historians trying to piece together what happened. History becomes fuzzy around the edges and then outright murky in the middle. The written records that Roman administration produced so reliably and archived so carefully simply stop. Britain enters what scholars sometimes call the sub-Roman period. Later generations will call it the Dark Ages, though that name says more about the absence of written sources than about the actual quality of life people experienced. Life goes on, obviously. farmers still …”
“… a story. The conditions that will create the need for an Arthur are only just beginning. The legend will grow from the chaos and violence and desperate resistance of the next century, but that growth is slow, much slower than you might imagine. The decades after the Legion's leave are genuinely confusing when viewed from the perspective of later historians trying to piece together what happened. History becomes fuzzy around the edges and then outright murky in the middle. The written records that Roman administration produced so reliably and archived so carefully simply stop. Britain enters what scholars sometimes call the sub-Roman period. Later generations will call it the Dark Ages, though that name says more about the absence of written sources than about the actual quality of life people experienced. Life goes on, obviously. farmers still plant and harvest, potters still make vessels, blacksmiths still work iron, children are still born and old people still die, and teenagers still fall in love and make the same mistakes teenagers have always made. The rhythms of daily existence continue regardless of what political structure exists or doesn't exist overhead. But the big picture …”
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In the chaotic aftermath of the Roman legions' withdrawal around 410 AD, Britain faces a turbulent transition marked by the gradual invasion of Saxon settlers. While the political landscape becomes murky, the daily lives of the people continue, setting the stage for the legendary figure of Arthur to emerge from the resistance against these invaders. This period, often referred to as the sub-Roman or Dark Ages, is crucial in understanding how myths and legends like Arthur's were born amidst real historical struggles.
“… minor mistakes. He works punishing hours, as if exhaustion might quiet his thoughts. He throws himself into studying hieroglyphics and pharaonic history, seeking escape in ancient mysteries. But thoughts of Josephine intrude constantly, unwelcome and unavoidable. The heat in Cairo during summer becomes oppressive. Even the stone buildings that stay relatively cool during the day radiate stored heat at night.”
“… this beauty. He's trying to focus on governing Egypt, while his mind circles obsessively around what Josephine might be doing 5,000 miles away. His officers notice their commander growing more short-tempered and distracted. He snaps at subordinates over minor mistakes. He works punishing hours, as if exhaustion might quiet his thoughts. He throws himself into studying hieroglyphics and pharaonic history, seeking escape in ancient mysteries. But thoughts of Josephine intrude constantly, unwelcome and unavoidable. The heat in Cairo during summer becomes oppressive. Even the stone buildings that stay relatively cool during the day radiate stored heat at night.”
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In the tumultuous marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine, jealousy and rumors become a significant strain. While Napoleon fights in distant lands, Josephine navigates the social scene of Paris, drawing attention from young officers that fuels whispers of infidelity, leading to a heartbreaking exchange of letters filled with accusations and pleas for reassurance.
“… his interest in the company and retires from active aircraft development. He spends his later years protecting the brothers' legacy and ensuring history remembers their achievement accurately. A bitter dispute with the Smithsonian Institution occupies much of Orville's attention in his later years. The Smithsonian credits Samuel Langley, its former secretary, as the inventor of the first powered flying machine. Langley's machine crashed spectacularly into the Potomac River just days before the Wright brothers succeeded at Kitty Hawk. The Smithsonian later modified Langley's machine extensively …”
“… that achieved flight cannot be replicated alone. Orville continues their work, but the joy has dimmed significantly. He serves as president of the Wright Company for a few more years, but his heart is not in business management. He eventually sells his interest in the company and retires from active aircraft development. He spends his later years protecting the brothers' legacy and ensuring history remembers their achievement accurately. A bitter dispute with the Smithsonian Institution occupies much of Orville's attention in his later years. The Smithsonian credits Samuel Langley, its former secretary, as the inventor of the first powered flying machine. Langley's machine crashed spectacularly into the Potomac River just days before the Wright brothers succeeded at Kitty Hawk. The Smithsonian later modified Langley's machine extensively and flew it briefly, then claimed this proved it was capable of flight in its original form. Orville knows this claim is false. The modified machine bore little resemblance to what Langley built. The Smithsonian is rewriting history to glorify its own scientist. In protest, Orville sends the original 1903 flyer to the Science Museum in London in …”
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The Wright brothers' wind tunnel experiments in 1902 revolutionized flight design, allowing them to test over 200 wing shapes with precision. Their meticulous work resulted in a glider that not only flew successfully but also demonstrated their advanced understanding of aerodynamics, setting the stage for powered flight. This segment highlights their groundbreaking discoveries and the confidence they gained as they prepared for the next phase of their aviation journey.
“… perhaps eighty feet, perhaps more. Your eyes follow the vertical sweep of stone upward until your neck protests. The rock here shows its age and history in horizontal bands of colour. Cream, rust, burgundy, pale pink and deep rose. Geological time made visible, each layer representing millennia compressed into stone. You step forward and the temperature Petra drops noticeably. The high walls block the direct sunlight, creating a corridor of cool shadow. Your footsteps echo slightly, a quiet percussion against the ancient pathway, worn smooth by countless feet before yours. In some places you …”
“… pass side by side. This is the Seek, the narrow gorge that serves as the main entrance to the city, and standing at its mouth you feel like you're about to step into another world entirely. The walls on either side rise immediately to dizzying heights, perhaps eighty feet, perhaps more. Your eyes follow the vertical sweep of stone upward until your neck protests. The rock here shows its age and history in horizontal bands of colour. Cream, rust, burgundy, pale pink and deep rose. Geological time made visible, each layer representing millennia compressed into stone. You step forward and the temperature Petra drops noticeably. The high walls block the direct sunlight, creating a corridor of cool shadow. Your footsteps echo slightly, a quiet percussion against the ancient pathway, worn smooth by countless feet before yours. In some places you can still see the remnants of the original paving, fitted stones that once made this journey even easier for the the heavily laden caravans that were Petra's lifeblood. Above you the narrow ribbon of sky seems impossibly blue, a colour so intense it almost hurts to look at directly. Occasionally a bird passes overhead, its shadow flickering across …”
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In ancient Petra, water was life, and the Nabataeans engineered an intricate water system that included cisterns and public fountains, ensuring even the poorest had access to this vital resource. The city's gardens showcased their power over nature, with wine flowing through fountains during festivals as a display of wealth. This careful management of water not only supported daily life but also maintained social cohesion in a society where inequality could easily lead to unrest.
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In ancient medicine, smoke was both a healing tool and a sacred element in rituals. Roman physicians like Galen and Dioscorides recommended specific incenses for ailments, while in ancient Judea, incense was central to temple worship, believed to veil the divine. This cultural practice evolved smoke from a simple discovery to a sophisticated technology for enhancing health and spirituality.
Top Podcasts About History
Boring History For Sleep | Gentle Storytelling And Ambient Sounds (Official)
9 episodes
The Joe Rogan Experience
3 episodes
The Bobby Bones Show
3 episodes
Small Town Murder
2 episodes
The Ezra Klein Show
2 episodes
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
2 episodes
Office Ladies
2 episodes
Behind the Bastards
2 episodes
Stories Mentioning History
Best Podcasts on Apple iPhone 17 & Vision Pro
Apple has reported robust earnings for the second quarter, largely attributed to the strong sales of its iPhone 17. However, there is ongoing debate about the future of its Vision Pro product, which has not met expectations. This performance highlights Apple's continued dominance in the smartphone market, while raising questions about its strategy in augmented reality.
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iPhone 17e
Apple Vision Pro