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HistoryExtra podcast

Immediate
World War II
Jane Austen
Cold War
Pompeii
Victorian Era
Roman Empire
Nuremberg Trials
World War I
Elizabeth I
Gunpowder Plot
Nazi Germany
Magna Carta
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Political Warfare Executive
British Empire
France
KGB
Vasili Mitrokhin
Atlantic Ocean
Victorian Humor

The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts. HistoryExtra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past. W... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2641Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Latest Episodes

The Roman empire was home to a multitude of religious cults in the first century AD. However, only one – Christianity – rose to global domination. But why? That's a question that Tim Whitmarsh sets out to answer in his latest book, Rome's Age of Revo... more

Why did Alexander the Great sleep with a copy of the Odyssey under his pillow? In this final episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series, Kev Lochun and classicist Daisy Dunn explore the astonishing cultural legacy of a poem that has been shaping how ... more

Who were the people that were accused of witchcraft in the 1640s British witch trials? And why did they confess to being in league with the devil? In this episode, Marion Gibson breaks down the trial and interrogation records left behind by the witch... more

The Maya have a rich and varied storyworld shaped by diverse traditions and communities. In this episode, Mallory E Matsumoto tells Emily Briffett about her recent book, The Maya Myths, which explores tales of destruction and rebirth, people made of ... more

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Recent Guests

Mallory E Matsumoto
Author of The Maya Myths, A Guide to the Gods, Heroes and Ancestors
Author, The Maya Myths
Episode: Inside the Maya storyworld
Dian Murray
Emerita Professor at the University of Notre Dame, historian of the South China maritime world
University of Notre Dame
Episode: Zheng Yi Sao: life of the week
Thomas Smith
Keeper of the Scholars at Rugby School and Royal Historical Society fellow; author of The Fifth Crusade, a history of the epic campaigns to conquer Egypt
University affiliations as described in transcript
Episode: The Fifth Crusade: triumph, disaster and the battle for Egypt
Roderick Bailey
Author of The Life Savers; research fellow at the Welcome Center for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: How blood banks saved Britain in WW2
Dr. Daisy Dunn
Award-winning classicist, author, expert on ancient Greek and Roman worlds
Independent/Academic
Episode: Gods and monsters: the hidden stories of the Odyssey
Gale Owen-Crocker
Professor and leading expert on the Bayeux Tapestry
University (Canterbury/Bayue heritage context)
Episode: The Bayeux Tapestry's secret code of tyranny and injustice
Marc David Baer
Professor of International History
London School of Economics and Political Science
Episode: Alliance and acrimony: a history of Jewish-Muslim relations
Daisy Dunn
award-winning classicist, author
Episode: Who wrote the Odyssey?
Michael Calvin
Author and broadcaster
Episode: 1966: The World Cup that changed a nation

Host

Emily Briffett
Host of the History Extra podcast; long-running history journalist and presenter with a focus on engaging historical narratives.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 9.7k ratings
  • One of my “go to” Podcasts

    Lots of fascinating topics. I usually find at least one episode weekly that interests me. The 2026 4-part series on the American Revolution is excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tim_MN
    United Statesa month ago
  • Disgusting

    Mostly good content, then they decide to go and make essentially pornographic episodes a couple times a year. Obviously just trying to get people’s attention and listeners. Disgusting.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    J296o
    United States2 months ago
  • Right?

    • SERIES: “Boston Tea Party”. Annoying Guest Catchphrase: “… Right?” (Not only at the end of sentences, but also MID-SENTENCE!).

    •Episode: Life of the Week — Susan B. Anthony: In which the host says: “Her name does loom so large,” then mispronounces that name for the entire podcast.

    ~

    •EPISODE: History of Extinction in which, in the opening seconds, the host misuses the words “hone in” instead of the correct “home in”. And he’s not even American, which might otherwise explain it. (“To ho... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    (Gibberer)
    Australia2 months ago
  • I too am a member

    of the Order of the Flatulence. And you’re right, people don’t seem to like us very much.

    Nothing much has changed regarding the Germans, constructing buildings to gas and burn the Jews seems to be in their blood.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike5591637
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent history podcast

    Been listening to history extra podcast for a number of years. Always interesting and brilliant experts. One of the best history podcasts out there

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    daveybj
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate deep dives and diverse topics across eras.
Audiences praise the rigorous scholarship and credible guests.
Some feedback highlights concerns about pacing or guest dynamics, but overall high regard for expert-led storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#28
United States/History
Spotify
#22
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#150
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#235
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside the Maya storyworld
Q: But first, to situate ourselves, would you mind describing Mayan society to us, Mayan history? And who do we mean by the word Maya?
Matsumoto explains that 'Maya' is a broad umbrella term for diverse linguistic communities with shared features, cautioning that people today often identify more with local origins than with a single pan-Maya identity, and that the term is useful but not perfectly uniform across time and space.
Zheng Yi Sao: life of the week
Q: How does she assume control over the fleets and then a wider confederation?
Her rise to leadership appears to rely on strategic navigation of internal family politics, adroit use of the fleet's structures, and authority that others acknowledged, culminating in her becoming the de facto commander after her husband's death in 1807.
Zheng Yi Sao: life of the week
Q: Can we start with talking about her earliest years?
The early life details are sparse; what is known points to a conservative maritime background and the social dynamics of a water-centered world in late 18th century Canton where piracy and privateering networks began to coalesce.
Zheng Yi Sao: life of the week
Q: Fantastic. So that's really helpful as we speak. Maybe as we go through this conversation, we can use both Madame Zheng or Zheng Yi Sao. First thing I really want to ask you, having clarified that, is how much do we know about her early life?
We have some educated estimates about her birth around 1776 and origins along the Pearl River in Guangzhou, with a possible time on a flower boat, but the details of her early life are not well documented.
Pericles: life of the week
Q: Could you introduce us to Pericles' 60-second biographical intro?
Pericles emerged from a distinguished Athenian aristocratic background and, despite early political setbacks, rose to become the leading general and demagogue of his time, guiding Athens through imperial ambitions, democratic reform, and a landmark cultural-building program that shaped the city for generations.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About HistoryExtra podcast

What is HistoryExtra podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides expert-driven histories and rigorous historiography across a wide range of periods, from ancient civilizations to modern events. Episodes typically feature one or more historians or scholars unpacking complex topics with archival evidence, archaeological finds, and scholarly debates, often connected to current research or new interpretations. Listeners can expect deep dives, nuanced arguments, and thoughtful discussions of how history informs today's world. A standout is the consistent use of subject-matter experts who offer context, debunk myths, and present fresh perspectives on well-trodden events, while keeping the storytelling accessible for educated general audiences. The format often blends biographical portraits, ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to HistoryExtra podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with HistoryExtra podcast:

1. Gone Medieval
2. Not Just the Tudors
3. Dan Snow's History Hit
4. The Ancients
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of HistoryExtra podcast are there?

HistoryExtra podcast launched 19 years ago and published 2641 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 HistoryExtra podcast?

Recent guests on HistoryExtra podcast include:

1. Mallory E Matsumoto
2. Dian Murray
3. Thomas Smith
4. Roderick Bailey
5. Dr. Daisy Dunn
6. Gale Owen-Crocker
7. Marc David Baer
8. Daisy Dunn

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