
Drafting the Past is a podcast devoted to the craft of writing history. Each episode features an interview with a historian about the joys and challenges of their work as a writer.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 86 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsBooksHistory | |||

In this episode, host Kate Carpenter interviews labor historian Dr. Shaun Richman.
Shaun is a program director at SUNY Empire State College, and he recently completed his PhD in American Studies. But before that, he spent more than a decade as a un... more
In this episode of Drafting the Past, you'll hear from a historian who had to figure out how to wrangle narratives from twenty different countries to tell a new history of the Cuban Missile Crisis. But keeping track of all those threads wasn't her on... more
This is the first episode of 2026, which means that we are at the beginning of the fifth season of this show. That's a lot of great conversations about writing history, and I want to thank you for being here for them. There are many more to come this... more
Welcome back to Drafting the Past, and to the final episode of 2025. This episode is all about you! I asked listeners to call in and share the best history books they read in 2025, and they delivered. We've got history books covering a huge range of ... more
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I get so excited when I see that a new Drafting the Past episode has released. The show is as entertaining as it is enlightening. So grateful to Kate for creating these conversations.
When I heard a historian mention this podcast, I was so excited to listen. And it did not disappoint. I await the release of every episode with that same anticipation and excitement I first felt. Every episode offers me a valuable lesson whether it’s the introduction to a new-to-me author’s work, the affirmation that there’s not just one way to write, the teaching of research methods and questions, the imparting of best writing advice nuggets of gold, or suggesting another way to think and see t... more
This is the podcast of my dreams. Thank you for bringing us into conversation with so many great writers about the craft of writing history well. I now have a long reading list filled with titles I never knew I’d be so excited to read!
Kate Carpenter manages to ask the most interesting questions and elicit the best responses from the historians that she has as guests on the show. It’s a real treat to listen to every episode.
I am not writing history but am loving every episode of this podcast as I write my dissertation. I enjoy learning a bit about each guest’s research while also hearing how they approach their work both technically and socially. I highly recommend this podcast to academics in a variety of disciplines, as well as writers of other forms.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.









Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Focused on the art of writing history, this podcast features in-depth conversations with historians who share their insights, struggles, and triumphs in crafting historical narratives. Each episode highlights the unique perspectives of various historians, discussing topics such as research methodologies, narrative structures, and the impact of personal experiences on writing. The engaging discussions provide both aspiring writers and seasoned researchers with valuable advice and encouragement, making it a vital resource for anyone interested in the intersection of history and the writing process. Notably, the emphasis on personal storytelling and the exploration of often-overlooked historical figures differentiates this podcast in the realm... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Drafting the Past:
1. In Our Time
2. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
3. Close Readings
4. Arts & Ideas
5. The LRB Podcast
Drafting the Past launched 4 years ago and published 86 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Drafting the Past include:
1. Shaun Richman
2. Dr. Renata Keller
3. Dr. Jeff Roche
4. Dr. Amy Erdman Farrell
5. Dr. Alex Wellerstein
6. Dr. Edward Watts
7. Marc James Carpenter
8. Karin Wulf
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