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 | Twice weekly | Episodes | 955 | Founded | 14 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryCoursesEducation | |||
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Latest Episodes
In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we are joined by James Loeffler, the Felix Posen Professor of Modern Jewish History at Johns Hopkins University, to discuss his new book, An Exceptional Hatred: Antisemitism and the Fight Over Free S... more
In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we explore the life and legacy of Harold Wilson – the most successful Labour Prime Minister of the 20th century, and the man who attracted the most fevered paranoia from the British right.
Wilson is... more
In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, I examine the extraordinary diplomatic demands the United States has placed on Canada – demands that echo the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to Serbia in July 1914 and raise profound questions about Amer... more
In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we are joined by David F. Walbert, a veteran voting rights attorney whose new book, Stealing Elections American Style, traces the long, sordid history of contested and corrupted elections from the mi... more
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Reviews
- 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 Podcasts1Bestbees
United Kingdom9 months ago Covers a very wide range of modern history in an engaging way.
Podcast Addict5a year agoPolprofwatchHorrible sound quality, background noise, can't even hear what he says sometimes because words are missing. Shame, such an important topic.
Podcast Addict2a year agoAtlantisblauw- Speak into the mic
Sound quality is terrible. Extremely soft followed by very loud adds
Apple Podcasts1cancampaigner
Canada2 years 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 Podcasts2ontariocanuckCanada2 years ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #52 |  Finland/History |
Apple Podcasts | #158 |  Japan/History |
Apple Podcasts | #159 |  India/History |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Explaining History
What is Explaining History about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Brisk, story-driven history discussions that connect 20th-century upheavals to contemporary events. Episodes typically feature rigorous analysis of wars, geopolitics, and ideological shifts, with a clear narrative through-line and accessible explanations in about 25 minutes. The show often pairs archival sourcing and expert guest perspectives to illuminate less-explored angles of well-known events, while drawing thoughtful parallels to today's world. A standout trait is the host's ability to distill complex histories into concise lessons, along with occasional deep-dives into espionage, empire, and political economy that appeal to curious listeners who enjoy critical context and book recommendations.
Where can I find podcast stats for Explaining History?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Explaining History. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Explaining History and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
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. Empire: World History
2. The Rest Is History
3. In Our Time
4. HistoryExtra podcast
5. The Rest Is Classified
How many episodes of Explaining History are there?
Explaining History launched 14 years ago and published 955 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. James Loeffler
2. David F. Walbert
3. John McDonagh
4. Jean Felser
5. Tony Fox
6. John Gray
7. Mireille Gagné
8. Heidi Birick
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.