With true-crime podcasts rising in popularity over the last couple of years, let’s not forget they got their humble start as history podcasts. Maybe they are history podcasts themselves? ANYWAY, here are a couple recommendations. You’re going to like the way you learn, I guarantee it.
The History of Rome – Mike Duncan
Mike Duncan made one of the greatest podcasts ever. Starting from the humble myth of Romulus and Remus (circa 800 BC) and spanning all the way to the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) comes 1200 years of democracy, culture, spiritualism, potential Hollywood scripts, and a skeleton of a state that hasn’t truly vanished from the minds of men.
Duncan nerdishly works his way through 1000 years of history like a soft obsession. But he warmly draws you in, contextualizes it, and never lectures – but simply tells. Every episode is less than 30 minutes. Perfect for your morning routine and a great way to decompress or get started for the day.
What I truly love about this podcast is its ultimate catharsis. The last episode comes and vanishes as simply as the western half of the empire did. No one really wanted it or planned for it to happen. It just came. A million problems brought down the empire just as a million episodes had.
Hannibal, Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Scipio Africanus, Crassus, Vespasian, Trajan, Aurelian, Diocletian, Constantine – I could go on. But these characters all live and exist today going by other names. As do their problems. Do you fight for a republic or live under a dictator? Do you abandon old values or do they simply adapt? What even makes a Roman? Is it military conquest or borrowed cultural norms? Do you see what I’m getting at here?
To know yourself you must look in the mirror. And while we are plagued with problems of certain defeat, I think now is a great time to turn and learn from those who have faced it before. We are not a divided people. We may be facing a Republican collapse or a crisis of a third century. Hell, we may even be subject to a rich man who sets fire to your house and the only way you survive is by selling him your house or else the city fireman he employs will let it burn. But we are not defeated yet. Give it a listen to find your reason to keep on keeping on.
The History of Byzantium – Robin Pierson.
When the Western Roman Empire fell in 476, ‘Rome’ or the ‘Romans’ never really fell with it. They morphed into a Greek speaking, orthodox leaning identity that was the dominant force in Europe up until the fourth crusade. When Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the last King of the Romans led a charge saying, “Never forget, we are Romans!” The skeleton of ‘Rome’ lingers longer than we realize. In 1912 when a Greek island was ceded from Ottoman sovereignty, a sailor approached a group Hellenes proclaiming, “You are free my Greek brothers!” To which a young boy responded, “Greek? We are descendants of Romans.”
Everything about the previous Roman podcast persists here. It’s just different. I recommend this podcast to anyone who was left wanting more. Those who are a fan of second chances (and sometimes third or fourth as well), I highly recommend you listen to the epically long first anthology Mike Duncan laid the groundwork for though. However, if you are a fan of Medieval history or Game of Thrones, you’ll enjoy it all the same.
A couple cool facts: the beacon system in Lord of the Rings was an actual system used on the Anatolian front in Byzantium; the last true blood heir to a Roman state/kingdom/empire/whatever died on an island in the Bahamas in the 1600s, and Byzantium boasted the only female emperor of the Roman people.
Robin Pierson isn’t Mike Duncan. But he is a worthy successor. Just like Byzantium. However, gone are not the characters, the myths, the legends or the epic storytelling. Gone is Mike Duncan. And what rises from the ashes is a different Roman identity picked up by a people who gave a shit about carrying it on. I love it when happy little accidents occur and reflect larger shinier things. Hits you right on the nose and leaves a bangin’ bruise. ANYWAY…
Hardcore History – Dan Carlin
One of the best armchair historians history has ever known. Largely because the man understands dramatic vocal performance. Carlin electrifies with 6 hour episodes dropped seemingly out of nowhere. And you won’t leave without a changed perspective on life. Or, simply what the fuck happened in the past and how do we even truly make sense of it? Everything he’s done is beautiful. The coverage of both World Wars, the Punic Wars, the Rise of the Mongols, (and my personal favorite) The Haitian Slave Rebellion (which should be Jordan Peele’s next horror film).
My great grandfather carried a flamethrower throughout all of World War Two in the Pacific. When I visited him, he would wake me up at night with his night terrors about fighting the Japanese. He screams echoed through the house like a Shakespearean ghost. My mother simply told me his dreams haunted him. But if his dreams were the reality Carlin espoused, god help us all and god save those who gave their lives fighting the darkness that haunts the evil in men.
Carlin has some truly awesome insight. For about twenty minutes I’ve attempted to write a sentence which captures what he can. So, I’ve opted for imagery he’s left imprinted in my mind which will hopefully make you give him a listen:
A picture of British, French, or German calvary from 1914 isn’t just a picture from 100 years ago – it's closer to seeing how warfare was fought and how soldiers looked up until 100 years ago.
When the Mongols sacked Baghdad, they Euphrates ran black with ink from its library – how much ancient knowledge was lost?
A people shaving their heads of hair to make rope in defiance of the Romans.
Carlin is worth giving a chance. He is the uncle you meet once a year who dazzles with storytelling that you wish you could see more often. Kind of like one of Dane’s uncles. But, more seriously, Carlin carries on the oral tradition of storytelling our ancestors were accustomed to. Give him a listen because he is the Ancien Regime of ages past.
Philosophize This – Stephen West
If broad philosophical ideas bore you – you’re in luck! Stephen West breaks down large concepts and makes them approachable. I too hated self-reflection, contemplating what is good vs. evil, how to be at peace with myself, etc. But, West moves you throughout the historical timeline of philosophical thought.
And it isn’t just a western centered approach. Recorded philosophical ideas and movements are told in tandem as they happened. And through this storytelling you learn who influenced who, how similar ideas are, and what everyone strives to earn from this one life. Episodes are short. So, if you aren’t wanting a traditional history podcast, I’d recommend this podcast for you. One which samples various mindsets toward solving life’s eternal struggles. I listen to my episodes in the shower. Where will you listen to yours?
Plus, West comes off as a genuinely nice, humble, and nerdy human. He’s guaranteed to brighten your day. My favorite episodes are on Taoism, Laoism, and the Greek Stoics. Give them a listen before deciding to dive in!
Timesuck Podcast – Dan Cummins
The car dealership owner in Paris, Kentucky has a kickin’ podcast. JKJK goshdang! Become a space-lizard today. And tune in for your favorite episode of Pootie and Ju Ju. Learn some kick ass true crime, one-off history lessons, and bizarre cultural tales that you only wish you could dive to the bottom of.
Dan Cummins (btw it’s not the car dealership owner) is a comedian and podcaster who has a bizarre since of humor. Similar to my own humor for those of you who have bothered to not judge a book by its cover and are willing to know the real me (JKJK gosh dang – love you all). So, if you want a guy that occasionally blends fact with fiction, titillates and dazzles with razzmatazz, all while still delivering the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, give this guy a listen. You really won’t be disappointed.
Every week a new topic he explores is picked by his podcast community. Some of my personal favorite episodes are about the Armenian Genocide (his best in my opinion), the distinction between bourbon vs whiskey (where he takes shots at the Paris, Kentucky car dealer who shares his name), and Victor Frankl and his Logotherapy. Each episode provides a historical timeline which describes how the subject came to be, a description of said subject, and then comical takeaways where Cummins’ comedic talent shines.
You’re going to love this guy. I know it. Give him a listen and thank me later.
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Did you know Aaron was this nerdy? Should he have been a history major? Does HAIM find historians attractive? Let us know in the comments below!
- Botts
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