
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 | 99 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksHistoryArts | |||

In this episode, host Kate Carpenter is joined by Dr. Daniel Neep to talk about his new book, Syria: A Modern History.
Daniel is a non-resident fellow at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University and is currently senior editor... more
In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr. John Garrison Marks, whose new book is Thy Will Be Done: George Washington's Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory. This is a fantastic book that takes a careful, and often surprising look, at how ... more
In this episode, Kate welcomes back episode 1 guest Dr. Megan Kate Nelson as the very first return guest on Drafting the Past! Megan is a historian and the author of five books, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist. In our first conversation, we talked abo... more
Before we get to the episode, I need a favor: Will you take a minute to fill out this survey about Drafting the Past, and let me know what is and isn't working for you about the show? It will help me bring even better episodes to you. Thanks in advan... 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.
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Apple Podcasts | #228 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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A thoughtful exploration of historical writing and narrative craft, this show pairs a seasoned host with historians and authors to unpack research methods, storytelling decisions, and publishing realities. Episodes emphasize how writers shape voice, balance scholarly rigor with accessibility, and organize vast notes into compelling narratives across vast time periods and global contexts. Listeners often gain practical tips on research workflows, collaboration with editors, and strategies for engaging diverse audiences, from graduate students to general readers. A notable strength is its clear focus on the writing process itself, featuring guests who bridge academia and public-facing storytelling, along with a consistent emphasis on ethics, ... more
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Drafting the Past launched 4 years ago and published 99 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. Daniel Neep
2. Dr. John Garrison Marks
3. Megan Kate Nelson
4. Matthew Avery Sutton
5. Rhae Lynn Barnes
6. Emily Lieb
7. Richard Bell
8. Sonya Bonczek
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