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Artwork for Breaking History

Breaking History

The Free Press
Donald Trump
Populism
Andrew Jackson
JFK Assassination
Weather Underground
Bill Clinton
Democratic Party
George Wallace
H. Ross Perot
Joe Biden
Weathermen
Vietnam War
Palestinian Resistance
Soviet Union
Kamala Harris
Jewish Students
Tiberius Gracchus
Political Norms
Ronald Reagan
2024 Election

Sometimes the news moves so fast, you have to look closely to know if you’ve seen it before. And that’s what this show is about. Breaking History breaks down the news, by breaking down history. We cover everything from LBJ and the Roman Republic to Donald Trump and the chaos at Columbia. This twice a month show from The Free Press delivers the best historians, authors, and reporters by mining the ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes44Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Breaking History

Latest Episodes

Breaking History producer Poppy Damon sits down with Guardian security correspondent Jason Burke to unpack his new book, ⁠The Revolutionists⁠, a sweeping history of the 1970s wave of extremism that transformed global politics. From plane hijackings t... more

As Iran’s regime faces mounting internal pressure, one name keeps resurfacing: Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah. But is he a viable future leader, or simply the most recognizable symbol of a free Iran? In this conversation, host Eli Lake... more

In our last episode, we traced the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty and the forces building toward Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. In Part 2, we turn to the man who brought that monarchy to an end: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. From exile in a quiet Frenc... more

Breaking History dives into the paradox at the heart of modern Iran: How a nation born in revolt, from the tobacco protests of the 1890s to the 1979 Revolution, has time and again empowered autocrats in the name of democracy. This week we trace the c... more

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Recent Guests

Jason Burke
Author of "The Revolutionists," focusing on 1970s terrorism
Episode: Modern Terrorism Was Born in the 1970s
Abbas Amanat
Yale historian and the author of 'Iran, A Modern History'
Yale University
Episode: The Making of Modern Iran (Part 1)
Ray Takeh
Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of 'The Last Shah'
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: The Making of Modern Iran (Part 1)
Pamela Nadell
Historian at American University and the author of Antisemitism and American Tradition
American University
Episode: A History of Tough Jews
Rich Cohen
Author and cultural commentator
Episode: A History of Tough Jews
Salvatore Basile
Author of "Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything."
Episode: The Birth of Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything
Haviv Rettig Gur
Public intellectual, journalist, and commentator on Middle Eastern affairs.
Episode: BONUS: Haviv Rettig Gur and Eli Lake on Israel's Strike
Bari Weiss
Founder of The Free Press and journalist
The Free Press
Episode: BONUS: Conversations with Coleman & Bari Weiss
Bettina Rohl
Daughter of Ulrike Meinhof and author, she discusses her mother's legacy and the impact of the Red Army Faction.
Episode: Luigi Mangione & The History of Bourgeois Terrorism

Host

Eli Lake
Host of Breaking History, The Free Press

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Disgusting propaganda

    Only cult members will find this convincing or compelling.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    El Phantsmo
    United States2 months ago
  • Quality content

    Expertly researched production that is a barometer by which to measure other current affairs programs

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pro_eno
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fun

    This is one of my favorite podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jdubinMKE
    United States2 months ago
  • Love it!

    Very thorough and informative

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dawass
    United States2 months ago
  • Khomeiny

    Nice the podcast about Khomeiny. Only this ridiculous Arabic accent... At least do your best for a Persian accent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Je hé I
    Netherlands2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

I love history and the host's storytelling is engaging.
From critics: balanced, nuanced, rigorous history-focused.
Disgusting propaganda
Propaganda not history
Khomeiny,Nice the podcast about Khomeiny. At least do a Persian accent.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#72
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#137
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#145
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#166
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#13
Israel/History
Apple Podcasts
#102
Switzerland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Modern Terrorism Was Born in the 1970s
Q: How did the 1970s shape contemporary terrorism?
The 1970s was a critical moment for modern terrorism, with many young people turning to extreme actions for social change against the backdrop of revolutionary ideologies.
Modern Terrorism Was Born in the 1970s
Q: What was the response to the coordinated hijacking in September 1970?
The response was complex, with tensions in Western governments about how to deal with the situation and negotiations failing, eventually leading to the hijackers blowing up the planes with the hostages evacuated as a statement.
A History of Tough Jews
Q: Why are there no Meyer Lanskys today in the Jewish diaspora?
Jewish communities now rely more on formalized organizations for protection and advocacy, unlike in the past when individuals like Lansky took action against threats directly.
The Birth of Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything
Q: What happened to Willis Carrier?
Willis Carrier started his own company after being let go from his initial job and dedicated his life to promoting air conditioning as a comfort solution.
The Birth of Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything
Q: What were the surprising consequences of air conditioning?
Air conditioning set new standards for comfort in public spaces, like theaters and department stores, which directly impacted customer satisfaction and business profits.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking History

What is Breaking History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently explores how history informs current events, with a focus on political change, terrorism, international affairs, and cultural shifts. Episodes center on deep-dive conversations with historians, authors, and journalists who provide historical context to contemporary issues, from Iran and Middle East politics to modern surveillance, civil liberties, and the social consequences of technological and policy changes. A standout aspect is the wide range of thoughtful guests who offer historical lensing, rigorous research, and nuanced perspectives, making the program valuable for listeners who want to understand the roots and evolution of today's headlines. The production is characterized by thorough research, engaging storyte... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Breaking History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Breaking History:

1. Honestly with Bari Weiss
2. Conversations with Coleman
3. Ask Haviv Anything
4. Uncommon Knowledge
5. TRIGGERnometry

How many episodes of Breaking History are there?

Breaking History launched a year ago and published 44 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Breaking History?

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What guests have appeared on Breaking History?

Recent guests on Breaking History include:

1. Jason Burke
2. Abbas Amanat
3. Ray Takeh
4. Pamela Nadell
5. Rich Cohen
6. Salvatore Basile
7. Haviv Rettig Gur
8. Bari Weiss

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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