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Artwork for Half-Arsed History

Half-Arsed History

Riley Knight
French Revolution
History's Strangest Deaths
Australia
History
World War I
Industrial Revolution
Half-Arsed History
East India Company
Toilet Paper
Mad Jack Mytton
Reign Of Terror
British East India Company
Melbourne
Marie Antoinette
Louis XVI
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Telescope
Transatlantic Telegraph Cable
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Soviet Union

Half-Arsed History's second book, The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, releases on the 29th of September and is now available for pre-order: booktopia.kh4ffx.net/bkq2G9

Welcome along to Half-Arsed History! It's a weekly podcast highlighting absurd and entertaining stories from history. Twice a week, it helps host Riley Knight feel as though his useless history degree has some... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes904Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryComedy

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Artwork for Half-Arsed History

Latest Episodes

This week in history we’ve got London destroyed by a fire, we’ve got the shortest war in history, we’ve got an Olympic marathon won by a bloke in a car - and we’ve got the interesting but somewhat dubious psychological origin of the term Stockholm Sy... more

In this week's episode, begin an exploration of the Viking Age, beginning with its origins by getting intohow and why Norse raiders spread across the seas from Scandinavia, looting and pillaging as they went.

The Most Interesting People You've Neve... more

Half-Arsed History is going on tour yet again - this time across the entire country - to celebrate the release of The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of!

For the first time, as part of this tour I'm coming to both Perth and Adelaide, in a... more

This week in history we’ve got an ancient volcanic eruption, we’ve got a prime minister being devoured, we’ve got a mysterious gas cloud killing thousands - and we’ve got Edmond Halley discovering something important about the famous comet that still... more

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Host

Riley Knight
Host of Half-Arsed History; presents as the main, consistent voice of the show with a humorous, approachable approach to history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 6.2k ratings
  • Love this show!

    Riley Knight’s ability to blend erudite explanations with a laconic, Aussie slang-tinged delivery is masterful. He has me both curious and amused, often astonished at the quirky twists of history. His voice reminds a little of “Rampaging Roy Slaven” of Roy & H.G.” fame with the same kind of dry humour that I find hilarious. Keep up the great work, Riley!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uniterp
    Australiaa month ago
  • Best podcast ever

    I use this podcast every night I’m 11 called Elliott and even I think it is awesome best podcast I honestly can’t think of anything to improve keep going Riley night I’ve been lisining 4 years I’d give it 10 stars but 5 is the limit it lets me do

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Möchtew
    Australia2 months ago
  • Fantastic, as always.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    BrockHedges
    4 months ago
  • Thank you

    Great listening & really interesting podcast. Thanks Riley.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dalia Day
    Australia4 months ago
  • Awesome stuff

    Super informative and engaging while still being relaxed and relatable. Highly recommend for all age groups

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JETC83
    Australia5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Critiques tend to focus on pacing or perceived over-enthusiasm, but many listeners return for the host's relatable style and depth of research.
Fans appreciate the Australian perspective and humorous delivery, calling the show both informative and fun.
Listeners praise the host's engaging, entertaining storytelling and approachable history lessons.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#160
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#229
Canada/History
Spotify
#19
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#35
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#47
New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts
#86
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 417: The History of the FIFA World Cup - Part 3
Q: In a penalty shootout, why don't soccer goalies stand in one side of the goal so there's a 50% chance they'll already be on the side where the ball is going?
The host speculates about a tactical shift in goalkeeping that could balance odds, but emphasizes that penalty dynamics, psychological pressure, and preparation complicate any simple one-side strategy.
QAH Episode 127: HAH Live Q&A from Maroochydore
Q: Can you reflect on your training as a historian?
My job hosting trivia nights and teaching has been more valuable than my formal education in helping me engage people with history.
QAH Episode 127: HAH Live Q&A from Maroochydore
Q: How do you think history will look back about Covid?
It will take a long time for a clear perspective on how Covid was handled to emerge, as emotions are still tied to the experience.
QAH Episode 127: HAH Live Q&A from Maroochydore
Q: Who or what would be your favorite person or time in history and why?
I'm fascinated by the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th century due to its interesting political context.
QAH Episode 126: HAH Live Q&A from Sydney & Brisbane
Q: What's the next big kind of saga that you're gonna do?
I haven't figured that out yet, but some possible topics include Christopher Columbus, the Protestant Reformation, or less explored areas like Three Kingdoms China or Indonesian history.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Half-Arsed History

What is Half-Arsed History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A history-focused show that blends quirky, entertaining storytelling with accessible analysis of unusual topics from the past. Episodes cover a wide range of subjects—from ancient civilizations and scientific milestones to cultural phenomena and notable biographies—delivered with a relaxed, humorous Australian perspective. The host leans into vivid narratives, clear sourcing, and a knack for turning niche histories into engaging, bingeable episodes. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on entertaining yet informative content, plus occasional book promotions and direct listener engagement, which can be valuable for sponsors looking for a curious, broadly educated audience.

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Which podcasts are similar to Half-Arsed History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Half-Arsed History:

1. The Rest Is History
2. Dan Snow's History Hit
3. Short History Of...
4. No One Saw It Coming
5. Empire: World History

How many episodes of Half-Arsed History are there?

Half-Arsed History launched 9 years ago and published 904 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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