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Artwork for Drafting the Past

Drafting the Past

Kate Carpenter
Writing Process
American History
The Black Tax
Covid-19
Local Tax Systems
Reconstruction
Jim Crow
Housing Inequality
Land Ownership
Racial Injustice
Red Dead Redemption
Storm Chasing
Diseased Cinema
Writing Coaching
Historical Writing
University Of Virginia
African-American Studies
Public Policy
Freeman's Challenge
Golden Years

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes86Founded4 years ago
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Artwork for Drafting the Past

Latest Episodes

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

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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

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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

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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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Recent Guests

Shaun Richman
Labor historian and program director at the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies
SUNY Empire State College
Episode: Episode 84: Shaun Richman Wants to Know Who the Rats Were
Dr. Renata Keller
Professor at the University of Nevada and historian of modern Latin America.
University of Nevada
Episode: Episode 83: Renata Keller Makes Space for Herself Through Writing
Dr. Jeff Roche
Professor of History at the College of Wooster, author of 'The Conservative Frontier,' and editor of various historical works.
College of Wooster
Episode: Episode 82: Jeff Roche Knows Exactly Who His Reader Is
Dr. Amy Erdman Farrell
Professor and endowed chair of American Studies and Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies at Dickinson College.
Dickinson College
Episode: Episode 80: Amy Erdman Farrell Leaps Into Something New
Dr. Alex Wellerstein
Historian of science and author, known for his work on nuclear weapons effects and history.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Episode: Episode 79: Alex Wellerstein Reminds Us That Writing Is a Skill to Hone
Dr. Edward Watts
Professor of History at the University of California San Diego and author of several books on Roman history.
University of California San Diego
Episode: Episode 78: Edward Watts Looks to the Ancient Past for Writing Advice
Marc James Carpenter
Associate Professor at the University of Jamestown and author of 'The War on Ilahi'
Yale University Press
Episode: Episode 77: Marc James Carpenter Calls A Lie A Lie
Karin Wulf
Historian, director of the John Carter Brown Library, and professor at Brown University
John Carter Brown Library
Episode: Episode 76: Karin Wulf Keeps Her Brain Humming Along
Dr. Jessica Lepler
Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire and author of 'Canal Dreamers'.
University of New Hampshire
Episode: Episode 75: Jessica Lepler Knows That Criticism Is Praise

Host

Kate Carpenter
Host of Drafting the Past

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 98 ratings
  • I never miss an episode

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laurrnn
    United Statesa year ago
  • My favorite poscast

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SpencerA+
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love at first listen

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Astor Lynn
    United States2 years ago
  • Amazing questions and great guests

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    public historian
    United States3 years ago
  • Inspiring and interesting!

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pignoli
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many highlight the show's value in promoting a deeper understanding of the writing process for historians and writers alike.
The podcast is frequently described as motivating and inspiring for those involved in or interested in the craft of writing history.
Reviews often commend the quality of guests and the host's ability to ask insightful questions that foster engaging dialogues.
Listeners find the discussions enlightening and entertaining, appreciating the blend of academic rigor with a conversational tone.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 84: Shaun Richman Wants to Know Who the Rats Were
Q: Did you have any trouble accessing the records that are still in Moscow?
Yeah, I did. I mean, ultimately, I mean, the war changed everything.
Episode 84: Shaun Richman Wants to Know Who the Rats Were
Q: What do you feel like you learned from that first book?
Just my processes, right? Like, what times of day am most productive? How to organize my notes so that the writing days are more productive?
Episode 82: Jeff Roche Knows Exactly Who His Reader Is
Q: What was your relationship like with your editor?
It was very productive. My editor challenged my choices but we had constructive discussions and a great working relationship.
Episode 82: Jeff Roche Knows Exactly Who His Reader Is
Q: What does your revision process look like?
Once I get a draft, I go through and clean it up, checking for gaps and adding details. Afterward, I revise it multiple times.
Episode 79: Alex Wellerstein Reminds Us That Writing Is a Skill to Hone
Q: What advice would you give when it comes to revision?
It's essential to cut excess content and plan out your chapters to ensure they're concise and justifiable.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Drafting the Past

What is Drafting the Past about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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Which podcasts are similar to Drafting the Past?

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

How many episodes of Drafting the Past are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Drafting the Past?

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

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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