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Explaining History

Nick Shepley
Neoliberalism
Nostalgia
British Working Class
Class Struggles
World War II
IRA
Industrial Revolution
Margaret Thatcher
Terrorism
Espionage
E.P. Thompson
Labour Party
David Lloyd George
Modernity
Social Hierarchy
Fantasy Literature
NHS
Make America Great Again
Historical Emotions
Medieval Times

How do we make sense of the modern world? We find the answers in the history of the 20th Century.

For over a decade, The Explaining History Podcast has been the guide for curious minds. Host Nick Shepley and expert guests break down the world wars, the Cold War, and the rise and fall of ideologies into concise, 25-minute episodes.

This isn't a dry lecture. It's a critical, narrative-driven convers... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes921Founded13 years ago
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EducationHistoryCourses

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Artwork for Explaining History

Latest Episodes

It's all too easy, when reading history, to see the world through the eyes of the coloniser rather than the colonised. The mandate system—the League of Nations framework through which Britain and France claimed legitimacy for their post-war territori... more

Host: Nick

Episode Overview

In this somber and reflective episode, Nick steps away from traditional historical narratives to analyze what he believes is a pivotal, "apocalyptic" turning point in the 21st century. Drawing on the concept of "Westless... more

In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we continue our examination of the unfolding crisis in the Persian Gulf—a crisis that has now reached a point where the world may already be past the threshold of avoiding a major economic recession,... more

Description:

In this episode, Nick explores a question currently weighing on the minds of historians and observers alike: are we witnessing the opening stages of a third global conflict? Drawing on the work of Richard Overy and examining the "quasi-... more

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Recent Guests

Monica Sandler
Film and media historian at Ball State University
Ball State University
Episode: The Oscars and the Making of Hollywood
Dennis Broe
Author of Pornocopia, commentator on Hollywood, censorship, and American cultural history
Episode: Gambling, Pornography, and the Making of Modern America with Dennis Broe
Susan Barrett
Writer focused on historical narratives and cultural commentary
Author of All Cats Are Grey
Episode: Serial Killers, the Blitz, and the Cracks in Britain's Wartime Myth
Karen Jennings
A former Booker Longlist nominee and author of the novel 'First of December'
Episode: The long wait for freedom for South Africa's slaves
Sofía Robleda
Author of "The Other Moctezuma Girls," a historical fiction novel about the daughter of Moctezuma II.
Episode: Survival and greed in the conquest of the Aztec Empire
Alexander Larman
Author of David Bowie biography 'Lazarus'
Episode: Bowie in the 90s and 2000s
Paul Vallely
Journalist and author of 'Live Aid: The Definitive 40 Year Story'
Episode: Live Aid, famine, debt and activism: A four decade struggle for justice
Sean Scullion
Author and expert on Spanish Civil War veterans in the British Army
Episode: Churchill's Spaniards: how veterans of the Spanish Civil War fought for Britain
Anne Weber
Writer and author of the book Sanderling
Indigo Press
Episode: Family, memory and the burden of Germany's past

Host

Nick Shepley
Host of the podcast, engaging in critical, narrative-driven conversations on historical topics relevant to contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 275 ratings
  • Poorly researched and unbalanced

    First rule in history - check your sources.

    I just listened to the episode on British spy agent / IRA hitman Freddy Scappaticci. Horrific to hear the flippant comments and near praise for the man from both host and guest. Referring to him as hopefully moral with a noble cause? He knowingly tortured and killed innocent people with the full knowledge of the British state. He was a mass murderer. Incredibly biased take from a supposed history podcast. Genuinely stunned and sickened.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bestbees
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Covers a very wide range of modern history in an engaging way.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Polprofwatch
    9 months ago
  • Horrible sound quality, background noise, can't even hear what he says sometimes because words are missing. Shame, such an important topic.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Atlantisblauw
    10 months ago
  • Speak into the mic

    Sound quality is terrible. Extremely soft followed by very loud adds

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    cancampaigner
    Canadaa year ago
  • Variable in quality

    A couple were good but many are terrible in presentation. Not everyone can did a podcast and this proves it despite my really wanting to like the content.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ontariocanuck
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive feedback reflects a deep appreciation for the host's ability to connect historical events with modern relevance, creating engaging discussions.
Some common critiques include concerns regarding sound quality and episodic presentation consistency, suggesting areas for improvement in technical execution.
Listeners appreciate the educational and insightful nature of the content, often highlighting the engaging presentation and narrative style.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#195
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#89
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#140
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#210
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Survival and greed in the conquest of the Aztec Empire
Q: What impact did the influx of silver from Mexico have on Europe?
The influx of silver contributed significantly to European economies, stimulating trade and influencing inflation rates across the continent during the 16th century.
Survival and greed in the conquest of the Aztec Empire
Q: What role did Malintzin play in Hernán Cortés's success?
Malintzin, as a translator, was essential in navigating the complexities of indigenous alliances and conflicts, facilitating Cortés's relations with various groups against the Mexica.
Survival and greed in the conquest of the Aztec Empire
Q: How did the Spanish approach to indigenous marriage differ from that of other colonies?
The Spanish actively intermarried with indigenous peoples, often marrying those with noble titles to strengthen their claims over conquered lands, unlike the British, who largely avoided interracial marriages.
Survival and greed in the conquest of the Aztec Empire
Q: What was Isabel Moctezuma's significance during the Spanish conquest?
Isabel Moctezuma, as the daughter of Moctezuma II, played a crucial role during the Spanish conquest by surviving through significant turmoil and becoming a wealthy landowner later on.
The long wait for freedom for South Africa's slaves
Q: Can you tell us about the cultural influences on South Africa as related to slavery?
Many of the enslaved in South Africa came from the East, particularly under the Dutch East India Company, and this has influenced South African patois and cuisine.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Explaining History

What is Explaining History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content revolves around the intricate events and themes of the 20th century, focusing primarily on major global conflicts like the World Wars and the Cold War, as well as the shifts in ideologies that shaped modern society. Each episode typically features a narrative-driven exploration of historical events, presented in a concise format that aims to make complex topics accessible to a wide audience. Noteworthy is the engaging and conversational style employed by the host and guests, which enhances comprehension and keeps listeners connected to historical narratives and their relevance to contemporary issues. This podcast serves as a valuable resource not only for history enthusiasts but also for anyone seeking to draw lessons from the p... more

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How many listeners does Explaining History get?

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How many subscribers and views does Explaining History have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Explaining History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Explaining History:

1. Empire: World History
2. HistoryExtra podcast
3. The LRB Podcast
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. Cold War Conversations Podcast

How many episodes of Explaining History are there?

Explaining History launched 13 years ago and published 921 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Explaining History?

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What guests have appeared on Explaining History?

Recent guests on Explaining History include:

1. Monica Sandler
2. Dennis Broe
3. Susan Barrett
4. Karen Jennings
5. Sofía Robleda
6. Alexander Larman
7. Paul Vallely
8. Sean Scullion

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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