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Explaining History

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes842Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CoursesHistoryEducation

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Artwork for Explaining History

Latest Episodes

Author Mark Beatty joins to explore three Victorians who shaped their era in very different ways yet rarely get the spotlight. We trace Grace Darling’s 1838 sea rescue and the birth of tabloid celebrity; Josephine Butler’s fearless campaign against t... more

Who was John Dee—the Tudor polymath who advised Elizabeth I, mapped the heavens, spoke (he believed) with angels, and penned a landmark preface to Euclid? Historian and writer Rachel Morris joins to unpack Dee’s strange, brilliant world at the fault ... more

In 1945, weeks before the Western Allies arrived in Hitler's capital the Red Army controlled the city and began to quietly impose a new generation of German communists. Amid the ruins and devastation, ordinary Berliners, aware of their country's crim... more

In the mid-1930s, with the shadow of one great war still looming and the threat of another growing darker, Britain faced a vexing national crisis: should it rearm? This episode delves into the complex political, economic, and social debates that defi... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Beatty
Author focusing on Victorian history and figures
Episode: Unsung Victorians: Grace Darling, Josephine Butler & George Biddell Airy
Dr. Victoria Bateman
Historian and Author of Economica
Gresham College
Episode: Economica: The Hidden History of Women, Wealth, and Power
Joanna Lillis
Journalist and author with extensive experience in Central Asia
Author of Silk Mirage
Episode: Uzbekistan and Central Asia in transition
Professor Angie Hobbs
Philosopher and author of 'Why Plato Matters Now', focusing on the intersection of Plato's ideas with contemporary issues
Sheffield University
Episode: What Plato can teach us about the crises of the 21st Century
Stewart Home
An author primarily known for writing fiction and non-fiction, including topics on punk rock and yoga
Episode: Fascist Yoga: The far right and its intersections with the wellness movement
Barney White-Spunner
Historian and author discussing his book on military history
Episode: Nation In Arms: Lessons from Five Armies That Made Europe
Ericka Verba
Director of Latin American Studies at the California State University at Los Angeles
California State University at Los Angeles
Episode: Violeta Parra: Chile’s Folk Revolutionary, Cold-War Exile & Mother of Nueva Canción
Vikki Heywood
Author of the novel 'Miss Veal and Miss Ham', which explores repressed passions and love in post-war Britain.
Episode: Post war lesbian life in Britain
Mark Bridgeman
Writer and researcher on Violet Charlesworth
Episode: Edwardian Britain's most famous fraudster

Host

Nick Shepley
Host of the podcast, offering in-depth historical analyses and discussions with expert guests to enhance understanding of complex historical topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 264 ratings
  • Covers a very wide range of modern history in an engaging way.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Polprofwatch
    3 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
    4 months ago
  • Speak into the mic

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    cancampaigner
    Canada10 months 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
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    jesterzworld
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

There are some concerns about sound quality, with a number of reviews mentioning issues with volume levels and background noise.
Listeners appreciate the thoroughness and educational value of the content, particularly praising the podcast's presentation and engaging narrative style.
Overall, many find the insights into complex historical topics enriching and relevant, especially the connections drawn to contemporary issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#155
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#176
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Uzbekistan and Central Asia in transition
Q: What are the core themes that you investigate in the book?
The core themes include politics, economic reforms, media freedom, civil society, and cultural issues, alongside a historical context for Uzbekistan.
What Plato can teach us about the crises of the 21st Century
Q: What would be Plato's answers for the time in which we live now? What were his answers when it came to conflict?
Plato warned about how democracy can be subverted into tyranny by a cynical demagogue, emphasizing that complacency and the corruption of language are significant threats to democratic integrity.
Edwardian Britain's most famous fraudster
Q: Mark, how did you come across Violet? Where did your connection to her begin?
Bridgeman found the story of Violet while researching a book about a similar figure, which led him to explore her life and the lack of documentation surrounding her story.
Argentina's mothers of the disappeared
Q: Were there any archival challenges in writing the book?
The government destroyed most documentary evidence, but the Abuelas kept extensive records.
Argentina's mothers of the disappeared
Q: Did you meet any of the Abuelas, the people from the movement?
Yes, I was very privileged to meet five Abuelas that were still living at the time and interviewed them.

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?

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

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How many listeners does Explaining History get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Explaining History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Explaining History:

1. History Extra podcast
2. Dan Snow's History Hit
3. The Rest Is History
4. Empire
5. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk

How many episodes of Explaining History are there?

Explaining History launched 13 years ago and published 842 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 Explaining History?

Recent guests on Explaining History include:

1. Mark Beatty
2. Dr. Victoria Bateman
3. Joanna Lillis
4. Professor Angie Hobbs
5. Stewart Home
6. Barney White-Spunner
7. Ericka Verba
8. Vikki Heywood

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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