
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 | 95 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsHistoryBooks | |||

In this episode, host Kate Carpenter is joined by Dr. Rhae Lynn Barnes to talk about book Darkology: Blackface and the American Way of Entertainment. Rhae Lynn is an assistant professor of history at Princeton University. With meticulous research and... more
Historian and writer Emily Lieb's professional history is a fascinating one, from crafting textbooks for kids to leaving a job as a professor to become a full-time writer. She taught history and urban studies at Seattle University for more than a dec... more
In this episode, Kate is joined by Dr. Matthew Delmont. Matt is a professor and associate dean at Dartmouth University, and he is the author of six books. His two most recent books are Half American: The Epic Story of American Americans Fighting Worl... more
In this episode we're taking a look at another great new book on this history of the American Revolution: The American Revolution and the Fate of the World, by Richard Bell. In this book, we get to see how the revolution affected not only North Ameri... 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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Apple Podcasts | #221 |
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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Drafting the Past:
1. The Book Review
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3. On the Nose
4. The LRB Podcast
5. In Our Time
Drafting the Past launched 4 years ago and published 95 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. Emily Lieb
2. Richard Bell
3. Sonya Bonczek
4. Andrew Edwards
5. Isabella Morales
6. Dr. Heather Ann Thompson
7. Dr. Fahad Bishara
8. Shaun Richman
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