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History Unplugged Podcast

History Unplugged
World War II
Civil War
Barbary Wars
American Revolution
United States
Ottoman Empire
Cold War
Slavery
Soviet Union
Atomic Bomb
Climate Change
Vietnam War
War Of 1812
Hiroshima
Siege Of Leningrad
Alexander the Great
Great Depression
Western Roman Empire
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1117Founded9 years ago
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HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for History Unplugged Podcast

Latest Episodes

At 1:15 p.m. on April 12, 1945, Franklin Roosevelt was sitting for a portrait at his cottage in Warm Springs, Georgia, when his face suddenly fell forward. He raised his left hand to his temple and whispered to his cousin Daisy: "I have a terrific pa... more

George S. Patton is considered one of America’s greatest generals for his blitzes across Europe in World War 2. He is celebrated for breaking out of Normandy because his Third Army push out of their holdings along the coast, unleashing a lightning-fa... more

Ramón Mercader expected to easily kill Leon Trotsky, silently and instantly. He had rehearsed the blow for months, practiced the angle, tailored a pocket into his raincoat to conceal the shortened ice axe. On August 20, 1940, he stood behind Trotsky ... more

In 533, a twenty-eight-year-old general named Belisarius sailed from Constantinople with 15,000 men to reconquer North Africa from the Vandals, a kingdom that had held it for nearly a century since the sack of Rome. The last time the Eastern Empire h... more

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Recent Guests

James Scott
Author of Empire of Ashes, Truman, Hirohito, and the Descent into Total War
Author
Episode: Japan's Military Refused to Surrender Even After Two Atomic Bombs and a Coup Nearly Succeeded
James Ellman
Author of Patton Reconsidered: General George S. Patton Jr. as a Wartime Commander
Independent author / Historian
Episode: Is Patton America’s Most Overrated General?
Keith Melton
Author of The Assassination of Leon Trotsky, Espionage, Scandal, and the Crime of the Century
Co-author of the book with Nigel West
Episode: Stalin’s Ordered Killing of Trotsky Created the Playbook for Modern Political Assassination
Nigel West
Author of The Venona Secret and co-author of The Assassination of Leon Trotsky book
Co-author of the book with Keith Melton
Episode: Stalin’s Ordered Killing of Trotsky Created the Playbook for Modern Political Assassination
Matthew Storm
Co-host of Lost Roman Heroes, expert on Belisarius
Lost Roman Heroes
Episode: Belisarius Reconquered Africa and Italy for Rome. Why Did Rome Destroy Him for It?
Matteo Storm
Co-host of Lost Roman Heroes, expert on Belisarius
Lost Roman Heroes
Episode: Belisarius Reconquered Africa and Italy for Rome. Why Did Rome Destroy Him for It?
Geoff Williams
Author of The Summer of Death, The Great Heat Wave of 1936 and The Making of Modern Day America
Author
Episode: Summer of Death: America’s Heat Wave of 1936 That Killed 12,000
Patrick Wyman
Author of Lost Worlds
Author, Lost Worlds
Episode: New Archeological Tech Is Rewriting Everything We Know About the Ancient Past
Alex Wright
Author of Empire of Ink, The Printers, Rogues, and Radicals, Who Invented the American Newspaper
Author, Empire of Ink
Episode: The AI Jobs Panic of the 1890s: The Linotype Triggered Fears of Mass Layoffs but Created an Explosion in Newspaper Work

Host

Scott Rank
Host of History Unplugged; resident historian who guides discussions and explores big questions in history.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 5.1k ratings
  • I like the show but

    Every couple shows there’s some crazy author, why waste our time? The “dying languages lady” is a fool and I will never get my 20 minutes of my life back. I sadly listen that long before asking why this good show would waste my time with this guest. Please try harder.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Future-is-bright
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent show

    I have listened to perhaps a hundred episodes of this podcast. It's informative with good, knowledgeable guests. The host is solid, and he has a great sense of curiosity, which comes across to the listener.

    There are some reviews that reference ads. First, I skip the ads. Second, I'm always amused when people aren't shy to broadcast their own ignorance of a particular topic. Many have no understanding of bulk advertising and the rotation of ad packages. But why do reviewers hold the host respo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BWPnovelist
    United Statesa month ago
  • 1873 financial crisis

    Much enjoyed this episode. Best wishes

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alain LaVerdiere
    Canada2 months ago
  • I was a 5 year listener, until

    TPUSA became your advert sponsor.

    Boycotting Scott now.

    Over and out✌🏿

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jeremiah ben Jonah
    United States2 months ago
  • Commercials

    I really wanna give this podcast 5 stars, I really do….the production, host and topics are great, but the interruptions from commercials makes me skip or not even listen. Idk what the solution is, bcz I understand the economics of all this but damn. It’s jarring and forces me to completely change to another podcast. Sorry Scott…I already know this won’t change anything but you ask for reviews, so here ya go

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Avidpodlistener
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality content with diverse historical topics; some episodes draw polarized reactions.
Listeners praise depth and scholarly rigor; some critique guest selections or ad frequency.
Audience notes thoughtful guests and strong host curiosity, though pacing and ads spark mixed reactions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#57
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#238
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#144
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#115
Norway/History
Apple Podcasts
#116
Austria/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Japan's Military Refused to Surrender Even After Two Atomic Bombs and a Coup Nearly Succeeded
Q: Why was Kyoto considered as a potential target for the atomic bombs, and why was it ultimately not chosen?
Kyoto was viewed as a cultural and political jewel whose destruction could have a devastating psychological and political impact, but concerns about damaging postwar relations and the risk of driving Japan into the Soviet sphere led to reconsideration, with Stimson arguing for a more strategic choice.
Japan's Military Refused to Surrender Even After Two Atomic Bombs and a Coup Nearly Succeeded
Q: What made the March 1945 inflection point in Japan so critical to the decision to move toward total war?
By March 1945, Japan faced extreme material shortages, urban bombardment campaigns, and internal political pressures; the leadership faced a convergence of factors that pushed toward mobilizing the home front and accepting hard choices as the war threatened to collapse without decisive action.
Is Patton America’s Most Overrated General?
Q: What are the main criticisms James Ellman has about Patton's battlefield decisions?
Ellman argues Patton's aggressive tactics often led to high casualties and unnecessary risks, and that his reputation was built on selective emphasis in media and biographical portrayals rather than a consistently sound strategic record.
Is Patton America’s Most Overrated General?
Q: Why do you think Patton's image endured so long in American memory?
Because he embodied a larger-than-life persona, and Hollywood plus press coverage amplified his bravado and professional theatrics, which resonated with a wartime public seeking a heroic symbol.
Summer of Death: America’s Heat Wave of 1936 That Killed 12,000
Q: What were the workforce implications of the heat wave?
The period exposed harsh working conditions; some factories shut down on the hottest days, and the event contributed to rising labor tensions and later strikes, as workers demanded better protections and cooling provisions.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About History Unplugged Podcast

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

- A history-focused show that pairs long-form interviews with bestselling authors and expert analysis with a frequent emphasis on political power, empires, and cultural change across eras. Topics span ancient to modern, including data history, war, espionage, language endangerment, and economic policy, often tying historical events to contemporary issues. The format also features a resident historian guiding deep dives, with a reputation for rigorous research, clear storytelling, and a willingness to challenge myths and simplifications.

- Notable strengths include a broad range of high-profile guests, strong scholarly context, and episodes that connect big historical narratives to everyday relevance, making it useful for listeners who want... more

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Which podcasts are similar to History Unplugged Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History Unplugged Podcast:

1. Key Battles of American History
2. American History Hit
3. History That Doesn't Suck
4. This American President
5. American History Tellers

How many episodes of History Unplugged Podcast are there?

History Unplugged Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 1117 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 History Unplugged Podcast?

Recent guests on History Unplugged Podcast include:

1. James Scott
2. James Ellman
3. Keith Melton
4. Nigel West
5. Matthew Storm
6. Matteo Storm
7. Geoff Williams
8. Patrick Wyman

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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