Explaining History
Nick ShepleyHow 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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 846 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryCoursesEducation | |||
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Latest Episodes
In this episode of the Explaining History podcast, host Nick Shepley is joined by veteran journalist and author Paul Vallely to explore the definitive inside story of Live Aid and its far-reaching legacy. Vallely’s new book, Live Aid: The Definitive ... more
Churchill’s Spaniards: The Spanish Republicans Who Fought for Britain in WWII — with Sean F. Scullion
In this episode, I speak with historian Sean F. Scullion, author of Churchill’s Spaniards, about a remarkable and little-known story: the Spanish ... more
What was life really like for the poor and powerless in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars? In this episode of the Explaining History podcast, we're joined by Katharine Quarmby, author of the powerful new historical novel, The Low Road.
Set in 1813, Th... more
In this episode of Explaining History, Nick is joined by acclaimed author Anne Weber to discuss her new book Sanderling (Indigo Press, 2025) — a deeply personal and philosophical exploration of family, identity, and the shadow of Germany’s past.
Thr... more
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Reviews
Covers a very wide range of modern history in an engaging way.
Podcast Addict54 months agoPolprofwatchHorrible sound quality, background noise, can't even hear what he says sometimes because words are missing. Shame, such an important topic.
Podcast Addict25 months agoAtlantisblauw- Speak into the mic
Sound quality is terrible. Extremely soft followed by very loud adds
Apple Podcasts1cancampaigner
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 Podcasts2ontariocanuckCanadaa year ago - One note, otherwise grand
This podcast has been a real joy for me to tune into, more in depth looks at critical places and times in history than I can find anywhere else. Presentation might be aided by reducing that little scrolling noise. There must be some way to record the episodes without that small tone in the bg.
Besides that it is FANTASTIC. Love the focus, perspective, and especially how it can serve to illuminate modern events with a historical context.
Apple Podcasts5jesterzworldCanadaa year ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #98 |  Italy/History |
Apple Podcasts | #170 |  New Zealand/History |
Apple Podcasts | #195 |  Sweden/History |
Apple Podcasts | #241 |  Ukraine/History |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Explaining History
What is Explaining History about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This podcast provides an in-depth examination of 20th-century history, presenting complex topics in an accessible format for students and history enthusiasts alike. With a commitment to exploring vital historical events and ideologies such as World Wars, political movements, and cultural shifts, it delivers thoughtful analysis and expert insights in episodes that typically last around 25 minutes. The chronological storytelling approach allows listeners to connect various events and understand their interrelations, making it particularly suited for educational purposes, including alignment with formal study curricula like the AQA syllabus for Russian history. The engaging narrative style enhances the learning experience, making historical co... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Explaining History?
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How many listeners does Explaining History get?
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What are the audience demographics for Explaining History?
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How many subscribers and views does Explaining History have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Explaining History has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Explaining History?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Explaining History:
1. Dan Snow's History Hit
2. History Extra podcast
3. The Rest Is History
4. A History of Europe Key Battles
5. Empire
How many episodes of Explaining History are there?
Explaining History launched 13 years ago and published 846 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Explaining History?
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What guests have appeared on Explaining History?
Recent guests on Explaining History include:
1. Paul Vallely
2. Sean Scullion
3. Anne Weber
4. Mark Beatty
5. Dr. Victoria Bateman
6. Joanna Lillis
7. Professor Angie Hobbs
8. Stewart Home
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.