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History Unplugged Podcast

History Unplugged
World War II
Civil War
American Revolution
United States
Slavery
Ottoman Empire
Soviet Union
Climate Change
War Of 1812
Cold War
Siege Of Leningrad
Alexander the Great
George Washington
Great Depression
Western Roman Empire
Christianity
Prohibition
Thomas More
Alaric
Flavius Stilicho

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1135Founded9 years ago
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HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for History Unplugged Podcast

Latest Episodes

Contrary to popular belief, Robin Hood may not have been the merry medieval outlaw of Sherwood Forest. Rather, a look at real historical figures who inspired the legend are narrowed down to the most unlikely suspect: an Anglo-Saxon hitman who may hav... more

When Andrew Mellon arrived in Marion, Ohio, for his interview with President-elect Warren Harding in December 1920, nobody met him at the train station. The third-richest man in America picked up his worn leather valise and his cane and walked a mile... more

Genghis Khan built a formidable land empire, but he never crossed the sea. Yet by the time his grandson Kublai Khan had defeated the last vestiges of the Song empire and established the Yuan dynasty in 1279, the Mongols controlled the most powerful n... more

In 1784, a young German immigrant named Bernard Quaritch walked into the London office of Henry George Bohn, one of the largest booksellers in England, and told him: "Mr Bohn, you are the first bookseller in England. I mean to become the first bookse... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Peter Staveley
Author of Robin Unhooded, And the Death of a King
Episode: Was Robin Hood Actually an Anglo-Saxon Hitman
Greg Steinmetz
Author of The President and the Oligarch: Roosevelt, Mellon, and the Triumph of Big Government
Episode: Andrew Mellon Nearly Ended Big Government Forever. FDR Destroyed Him For It
Jack Weatherford
Historian and author of books on Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan
Episode: The Mongols on the High Seas: The Yuan Dynasty's Massive Navy
Andrew Pettegree
Historian and author of The Bookshop: A History
Episode: Amazon Won’t Destroy Bookshops Because 600 Years of Disruptions Haven’t Either
Alexander Christie-Miller
Author of “To the City: Life and Death Along the Ancient Walls of Istanbul”
Episode: The Ancient World's Best Military Technology Was Constantinople's City Walls
Emily Ogden
Author of Darkness Becomes Bright: On the Brief Life and Immortal Art of Edgar Allan Poe
Episode: Edgar Allen Poe’s Self-Sabotage, Early Death, and Path to Becoming America’s Greatest Poet
Myke Cole
Author of Steel Lobsters: Crown, Commonwealth, and the Last Knights in England
Episode: England's Last Knights Fought in Armor Until the 1640s
Thomas Williams
Former British Museum curator and author of *God's Hammer: A History of the Viking Crusades*
British Museum
Episode: Vikings Went from Christendom’s Terror to Its Best Crusaders
Nicholas Morton
Author of The Crusader Storm, A Global History of the Wars for the Middle East
Author
Episode: Why the Most Powerful Muslim Rulers in the Middle East Considered the Crusaders a Minor Annoyance

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 5.2k ratings
  • I was a 5+ year listener…

    until the advertisements swarmed the episodes. Hope Scott lives well, but this podcast is now dung!

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

    I love this podcast. I love history and have learned so much. I have researched areas covered because I want to learn more.

    He is a great interviewer because he knows so much. He never gets in the guest’s way and keeps everything on track. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ms Aires Sky
    United States2 months ago
  • 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. Today some nobody is tearing down a historic person, not a review of history with things that are unflattering but just a laundry list of negative comments without any history. We deserve better. Please try harder.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Future-is-bright
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States3 months 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 States3 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
#52
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#87
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#212
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#98
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#64
Indonesia/History
Apple Podcasts
#87
United Arab Emirates/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Andrew Mellon Nearly Ended Big Government Forever. FDR Destroyed Him For It
Q: What is your take on Mellon's policies in the 1920s for good or for ill?
Steinmetz argues that reducing very high tax rates encouraged investment and growth, and says the Depression resulted from postwar financial conditions and the Federal Reserve's response rather than the stock-market crash.
Andrew Mellon Nearly Ended Big Government Forever. FDR Destroyed Him For It
Q: Tell me about this FDR's targeting of Andrew Mellon when he first enters office.
Steinmetz says Roosevelt viewed Mellon as a politically useful scapegoat for the Depression and pursued a tax-fraud case to bolster his progressive credentials, despite advisers' doubts about the case.
Was Robin Hood Actually an Anglo-Saxon Hitman
Q: So could you talk about this more? How does this change our perception?
Staveley says his theory presents Robin Hood as a violent, religious man who may have killed William Rufus for political and family reasons, rather than as the modern folk hero who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
Was Robin Hood Actually an Anglo-Saxon Hitman
Q: With Robin Hood, what is the challenge of trying to determine what is true, what is not true, and it's difficult to say anything incontroverbeal one way or another, but what are the challenges with the sources of trying to determine things in one direction or another direction?
Staveley says there is little direct evidence, and the ballads lack clear historical dates and named figures. He argues that references to real places in South Yorkshire point toward a historical inspiration whose story may have circulated orally before being written down.
Amazon Won’t Destroy Bookshops Because 600 Years of Disruptions Haven’t Either
Q: What was the agreement and how did it end change book purchasing?
Retail price maintenance limited discounting. As book chains pushed to end it, price promotions spread and independent booksellers found it harder to compete.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
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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. American History Hit
2. Key Battles of American History
3. History That Doesn't Suck
4. History Daily
5. HISTORY This Week

How many episodes of History Unplugged Podcast are there?

History Unplugged Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 1135 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. Peter Staveley
2. Greg Steinmetz
3. Jack Weatherford
4. Andrew Pettegree
5. Alexander Christie-Miller
6. Emily Ogden
7. Myke Cole
8. Thomas Williams

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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