HistoryExtra podcast

Immediate

World War II

Gunpowder Plot

World War I

Cold War

Pompeii

Jane Austen

Victorian Era

Guy Fawkes

Nuremberg Trials

Civil Rights Movement

Slavery

Parliament

Catholicism

Elizabeth I

Roman Empire

England

Nazi Germany

Magna Carta

Tabloid Journalism

Malcolm X

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. We d... more

9.7k ratings

Publishes	Daily	Episodes	2612	Founded	19 years ago
Number of Listeners		Category	History

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Latest Episodes

An A-Z history of the English alphabet

Which letter of the English alphabet did Benjamin Franklin think we'd be better off without? Why must the letter U (almost) always follow the letter Q? And what is the point of silent letters? From the first scratches carved into stone to the maddeni... more

30 Jun 2026 • 47 min

Abigail Adams: life of the week

As the wife of a founding figure in early American history, Abigail Adams was able to push beyond the restrictions of many of her sex in the 18th century, influencing policy and advocating for those in society who often didn't have a voice. These act... more

29 Jun 2026 • 39 min

The astonishing laws of medieval Wales

From divorce settlements and cattle disputes to surprisingly modern ideas about gender and compensation, the laws of Hywel Dda shed unique light on how society functioned, in a turbulent age of rival princes and conquest. Speaking to Elinor Evans, le... more

28 Jun 2026 • 45 min

Inside the Declaration of Independence

It’s 250 years since the Declaration of Independence brought a new nation into formal existence. But what did it actually say – and who did it leave out? In the second episode of HistoryExtra’s series on the American Revolutionary War, Elinor Evans a... more

27 Jun 2026 • 32 min

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Recent Guests

Nandini Das

Professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture

University of Oxford

Episode: Strangers and aliens in Tudor England

Edmund Richardson

Professor of Classics and author of Alexander, God, King, Man

Durham University / Bloomsbury

Episode: Alexander the Great: life of the week

Kate Williams

Historian, presenter and author specializing in royal history

University/independent historian (as discussed)

Episode: What myths do we tell about royal women?

Islam Issa

Professor of Public Humanities at Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University

Episode: Cleopatra’s death – and cultural afterlife

Spencer Mizen

Historian and author of Fakers, a top-secret tale of phantoms and forgeries in the disinformation front line

Episode: Masters of disinformation: how British spies played dirty in the Cold War

Edward Abel Smith

Non-fiction author and historian specializing in World War II

Author of A Hateful Decision

Episode: Churchill's toughest decision

Michael Hall

Historian and author

Author of A Queer Inheritance; former architecture editor of Country Life magazine

Episode: Henry Paget: life of the week

Kate Lister

Historian, author of Flick, The Story of Female Pleasure

Historian, Betwixt the Sheets podcast host

Episode: The hidden history of female sexual pleasure

Katja Hoyer

German-British historian and writer

Author of Weimar, Life on the Edge of Catastrophe

Episode: Weimar's descent from democracy to barbarism

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

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 States23 days 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)
Australiaa month 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 States2 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 Kingdom2 months ago
Burger squad
Whoever gives this podcast a bad review is a burger (a nerd)
Apple Podcasts
5
CheezyPotatoes
United States2 months ago

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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	#30	United States/History
Spotify	#22	United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts	#191	United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts	#17	Canada/History
Apple Podcasts	#18	United Kingdom/History
Spotify	#30	Australia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Masters of disinformation: how British spies played dirty in the Cold War

Q: What are some of the standout, perhaps comically absurd but consequential operations you describe in the book?

One notable example is the Voice from the Well in Indonesia, a ghost-voice plot designed to destabilize Sukarno's regime by faking the voices of dead generals, and another case in Bulgaria where flower-power hippies were used to disrupt a festival and undermine the Soviet-aligned narrative.

Masters of disinformation: how British spies played dirty in the Cold War

Q: Could you start by introducing our listeners to the Information Research Department and what it did during the Cold War?

The IRD was a shadowy unit inside the Foreign Office tasked with prosecuting the propaganda aspect of the Cold War, operating anonymously and using forgeries and fake groups to seed deniable messages, a practice intended to be credible yet untraceable to the state.

The hidden history of female sexual pleasure

Q: What is the earliest evidence we have of people thinking about or having sex?

Early evidence comes from ancient artifacts and cuneiform tablets from Mesopotamia showing deities and erotic songs; later, written erotica from Mesopotamia reveals more explicit discussion of sex and gendered roles.

Henry Paget: life of the week

Q: How do historians interpret Paget's sexuality and gender expression given limited personal records?

Historians use the term queer as a flexible descriptor to discuss Paget's behavior outside conventional masculine norms, recognizing that direct evidence is scarce; they also note the influence of public perception, media portrayal, and the era's evolving attitudes on sexuality and gender.

Henry Paget: life of the week

Q: Who was Henry Paget and why did he become so famous?

Henry Paget was the fifth Marquess of Anglesey, known for his immense wealth and a flamboyant, theater-like public persona that made him a perennial subject in newspapers and society gossip; his fame grew from both his aristocratic status and his highly publicized interest in costumes, jewels, and performances.

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 2612 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. Nandini Das
2. Edmund Richardson
3. Kate Williams
4. Islam Issa
5. Spencer Mizen
6. Edward Abel Smith
7. Michael Hall
8. Kate Lister

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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