History Unplugged Podcast

History Unplugged

World War II

Immigration

Winston Churchill

Theodore Roosevelt

Septuagint

Russian Jews

Anglo-Saxon Warfare

Ghost Army

World War I

Christianity

Second Temple Judaism

British Army

Benedict Arnold

Hebrew Bible

Bible

Translation

Congressional Gold Medal

Elizabeth Varon

James Longstreet

Pogroms

For history lovers who listen to podcasts, History Unplugged is the most comprehensive show of its kind. It's the only show that dedicates episodes to both interviewing experts and answering questions from its audience. First, it features a call-in show where you can ask our resident historian (Scott Rank, PhD) absolutely anything (What was it like to be a Turkish sultan with four wives and twelve... more

5.1k ratings

Publishes	Twice weekly	Episodes	1064	Founded	9 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	HistorySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

How Christianity Shaped America's 500-Year Mission to Become a Holy Land

Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists famously described the First Amendment as building a "wall of separation between church and State." This line has been the gold standard for those who point to the secular origins of America and ... more

Yesterday • 52 min

Every Communication Breakthrough—From Cave Art to AI Video—Exists to Tell Stories

There’s an argument to be made that every technology advance in communication – from cave paintings to fake AI movie trailers – is at its root an attempt to tell stories. Our first night-fires created the earliest audiences for spoken stories. In tim... more

26 Feb 2026 • 58 min

The East’s Auschwitz: How Imperial Japan’s Secret Experimenters Escaped Justice

During the Holocaust, Josef Mengele discarded every medical ethic to perform horrific human experiments at Auschwitz, including non-consensual vivisections, limb transplants, and agonizing surgeries conducted without anesthesia. Japan had its own pro... more

24 Feb 2026 • 44 min

The Chemistry of Conquest: Behind the USSR’s State-Sponsored (and Steroid-Powered) Olympic Glory

Since the era of Joseph Stalin, Moscow’s rulers have sent Russian athletes into the Summer and Winter Olympics with one command: you must win. These competitors operated under a "win-at-all-costs" doctrine most notably through the use of "shamateuris... more

19 Feb 2026 • 1 hr 3 min

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Recent Guests

Bruce Berglund

Author of 'The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused and Transformed Sports into the Hunt for Gold'

Episode: The Chemistry of Conquest: Behind the USSR’s State-Sponsored (and Steroid-Powered) Olympic Glory

Nancy O'Malley

Archaeologist and author of Kentucky Frontier to Commonwealth

Author

Episode: Daniel Boone’s Life as a Frontiersman and Adopted Son of a Shawnee Chief

Julian Sancton

Author of Neptune's Fortune: The Billion Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire

Episode: The Loss and Re-Discovery of the $20 Billion Imperial Spanish Treasure Ship

Richard Vague

Author of The Banker Who Made America, Thomas Willing and the Rise of the American Financial Aristocracy

Episode: Thomas Willing: The Revolutionary War Arms Dealer Who Led the First Bank of the United States

Jack Kelly

Author of Tom Paine's War, The Words That Rally the Nation

Four-Hour Time

Episode: The Man Who Sold the War: Tom Paine's Journey from Common Sense to Global Firebrand

Connor Heffernan

Author of When Fitness Went Global, The Rise of Physical Culture in the 19th Century

Episode: The Original Body Builders: How Greek Halteres and Celtic Gabal Stone Lifts Built the World's First Strongmen

Alex Wellerstein

Historian and author of The Most Awful Responsibility, Truman and the Secret Struggle for Control of the Atomic Age

Episode: Truman’s Deep Regret at the Atomic Age He Created

Jonathan Wilson

Author of 'The Power and the Glory, A History of the World Cup'

Episode: How Soccer Created African and Latin American Nations

Jaime Davila

Author of 'Forgotten, How One Man Unlocked the Modern World'

Episode: The Sawmill – Along With Gunpowder and the Printing Press – Created the Modern World

Host

Scott Rank

Host of extensive discussions focusing on varied historical themes and significant events. Engages with listeners through Q&A sessions and interviews with authors, facilitating a deep exploration of history.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 5.1k ratings

I can’t follow
He talks too fast
Apple Podcasts
4
theotartanian
United Statesa month ago
Great content
This is a great podcast.
Scott does a super job explaining the interesting details of historical events.
Covers the well known but also always finds and conveys the hidden gems as well. Not stuffy or dry, educational and interesting every time.
Apple Podcasts
5
24champs
Canada2 months ago
Most Professional History Podcast
I listen to many history podcasts. This is the most serious and professional one I’ve found. Truly informative.
Apple Podcasts
5
Builder25
United States2 months ago
Unable to download
For some time it has been impossible to download new episodes of the podcast. Apple did not provide any answer to this issue.
Apple Podcasts
1
lebaleinier
France2 months ago
Great show bad writer
“Harvy” considers the alternate history of Nixon defeating Kennedy and wants to look at the Cuban Missile Crisis. By the authors’s words, Nixon was better informed of the Bay of Pigs invasion and and would have provided air support to the bay of pigs invasion. It can be no question that would have eliminated the future threat of Russian missiles.
Either the end of communism in the americas or a prolonged North Korea type conflict but no nuclear crisis. I don’t believe there is a debate or a bo... more
Apple Podcasts
5
Future-is-bright
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 the informative and eclectic nature of discussions, often finding them insightful and engaging.

The interactive call-in segments are a highlight for many, fostering community engagement and personal connection to historical queries.

Some criticisms center on perceived biases in content and guest selections, particularly in relation to political subjects.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#74	United States/History
Apple Podcasts	#140	Canada/History
Apple Podcasts	#203	United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts	#151	Australia/History
Apple Podcasts	#79	Israel/History
Apple Podcasts	#99	Saudi Arabia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Daniel Boone’s Life as a Frontiersman and Adopted Son of a Shawnee Chief

Q: What is the general sense of what the general public knows about Daniel Boone when you talk about your work to them?

Most people know Daniel Boone's name and have some awareness of his frontier exploits, but their knowledge often lacks depth, focusing more on his name recognition than the details of his life.

The Man Who Sold the War: Tom Paine's Journey from Common Sense to Global Firebrand

Q: Can you explain Paine's involvement in the military and how it influenced his writings?

Paine's service as an aide to General Greene during critical moments of the war gave him firsthand experience with the challenges faced by the Continental Army, imbuing his writings with authenticity and urgency, particularly in essays like "The American Crisis" that aimed to boost morale.

The Man Who Sold the War: Tom Paine's Journey from Common Sense to Global Firebrand

Q: What was the significance of Common Sense in relation to the Declaration of Independence?

Common Sense provided the momentum towards independence and made it a popular movement, fundamentally shifting public opinion, which contributed significantly to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence just months later.

The Man Who Sold the War: Tom Paine's Journey from Common Sense to Global Firebrand

Q: How did Paine's experiences in life shape his views and writings during the Revolution?

Thomas Paine's working-class background and struggles informed his understanding of the common man's experience, allowing him to articulate the values of the Revolution in a relatable way, demonstrating his commitment by serving in the army and expressing these ideas through his writing.

The Sawmill – Along With Gunpowder and the Printing Press – Created the Modern World

Q: What do you think are the implications of thinking about bottleneck inventions like the sawmill?

Jaime suggests that identifying these bottleneck inventions can help us find what could lead to future breakthroughs, such as in nuclear fusion or quantum computing, much like how the sawmill cleared the way for modern financial systems and global trade.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About History Unplugged Podcast

What is History Unplugged Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content revolves around engaging discussions that bridge various historical topics and analyze significant events across time. Noteworthy are the long-form interviews with renowned historians, authors, and experts, providing deep insights into pivotal events and figures throughout history. The podcast distinguishes itself by combining call-in segments, allowing listeners to inquire about specific historical curiosities, creating a dynamic and interactive experience. The blend of expert narrative and listener participation caters to history enthusiasts seeking both entertainment and education, ensuring that discussions are not only informative but also thought-provoking and accessible.

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How many listeners does History Unplugged Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does History Unplugged Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers History Unplugged Podcast 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 History Unplugged Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History Unplugged Podcast:

1. American History Hit
2. History That Doesn't Suck
3. History Daily
4. American History Tellers
5. HISTORY This Week

How many episodes of History Unplugged Podcast are there?

History Unplugged Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 1064 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 History Unplugged Podcast?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for History Unplugged Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on History Unplugged Podcast?

Recent guests on History Unplugged Podcast include:

1. Bruce Berglund
2. Nancy O'Malley
3. Julian Sancton
4. Richard Vague
5. Jack Kelly
6. Connor Heffernan
7. Alex Wellerstein
8. Jonathan Wilson

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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