
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 | 109 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsBooksHistory | |||

Dr. Dolly Jørgensen is professor of history at the University of Stavanger in Norway. As you'll hear in this episode, Dolly is one very busy historian. She is the author of three books, including her newest, Ghosts Behind Glass: Encountering Extincti... more
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In this episode, Kate welcomes Scott W. Stern and Dr. Charles O'Malley to the show.
Scott is a writer and lawyer who is the author of two previous books of narrative ... more
In this episode, Kate Carpenter interviews Dr. Anna O. Law, a political science who retrained herself in historical methods to write her new book, Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship. Anna is a professor of political science and Herbert... more
It's not every day that I find myself so invested in the characters of a history book that I stay up way past my bed time to find out what happens next, but that's exactly what happened when I read the new book by today's guest, Dr. Charlotte Brooks.... 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.
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How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #153 | |
Apple Podcasts | #204 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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Drafting the Past centers on the craft of writing history, featuring in-depth conversations with historians about research methods, narrative technique, and the publication journey. Episodes balance practical writing tips with behind‑the‑scenes stories—from archival sleuthing and editing workflows to coordinating with publishers and public audiences—often highlighting collaboration with mentors, editors, and Indigenous or community voices. A standout angle is how guests translate rigorous scholarship into accessible, engaging narratives, making the series valuable for historians, graduate students, and writers seeking actionable craft guidance and industry insight.
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5. Galaxy Brain
Drafting the Past launched 4 years ago and published 109 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. Dolly Jørgensen
2. Scott W. Stern
3. Dr. Charles O'Malley
4. Anna Law
5. Charlotte Brooks
6. Dr. Gautham Rao
7. Dr. Tara Mulder
8. Jessica Riskin
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