Rephonic
Artwork for SNAFU with Ed Helms

SNAFU with Ed Helms

iHeartPodcasts
FBI
Vietnam War
COINTELPRO
Fox News
J. Edgar Hoover
Civil Rights Movement
2000 Presidential Election
Medburg Burglary
George W. Bush
Citizens Commission To Investigate the FBI
Kent State Shooting
Activism
Election Night
Al Gore
Church Committee Hearings
Curling
Draft Resistance
Black Panther Party
Media Burglary
Roger Ailes

SNAFU with Ed Helms, America’s favorite podcast about history’s greatest screwups, returns for Season 4 with even more SNAFUs - one per episode, to be precise. And this time around, Ed ropes in a cavalcade of smart, hilarious guests to help unpack what these blunders, fiascos and faceplants say about who we are (spoiler: we’re basically just toddlers with nukes). Think of it as part history less... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes72Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for SNAFU with Ed Helms

Latest Episodes

I’m taking a break to share an episode of another podcast I think you’ll enjoy, Business History. Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest inn... more

Bob Crawford is a musician with a historian's heart. Bassist and founding member of The Avett Brothers, his expertise on the Founding Fathers of the United States comes in handy on today's SNAFU, where Ed and Bob delve into the folly of Lord Dunmore,... more

Today is another SNAFU treat from the book tour archives! Tig Notaro joins Ed live on stage at Live Talks Los Angeles, where they break down Ed's book, SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History's Greatest Screwups. Tig also roasts Ed like a campfire mar... more

Rory Scovel is a man of opulence. But he won't let greed go to his head like the subject of today's SNAFU. Ed and Rory discuss a modern Wall Street legend: the story of Ivan Boesky, a wall street trader who turned Arbitrage into front page headlines,... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
SmartLess
SmartLessJason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

Recent Guests

Bob Crawford
Bassist and founding member of The Avett Brothers; historian and author
The Avett Brothers; author of America's Founding Son
Episode: Bob Crawford and Lord Dunmore's Folly
Tig Notaro
Comedian, actor, writer, podcast host
Episode: Live at LA Talks with Tig Notaro
Rory Scovel
Comedian, actor, writer, and podcast host
Crimeless (co-host) and SNAFU guest
Episode: Rory Scovel and Arbitrage on Wall Street
Chelsea Handler
Comedian, author, and host of Dear Chelsea
Author and entertainer
Episode: Chelsea Handler and The Hindenburg
Adam Scott
Award-winning actor
Parks and Recreation; Severance; Taylor-made guest on SNAFU
Episode: Adam Scott and Air Transat Flight 236
Lizzie Bassett
Co-host of What Went Wrong podcast; writer/director/producer
What Went Wrong
Episode: Chris Winterbauer & Lizzie Bassett - Starfish Prime
Chris Winterbauer
Co-host of What Went Wrong podcast; writer/director/producer
What Went Wrong
Episode: Chris Winterbauer & Lizzie Bassett - Starfish Prime
Jake Johnson
Prolific actor, comedian, writer, and director known for roles in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and New Girl
Episode: Jake Johnson and the Metric Pirates
Jack Barsky
Former KGB spy who infiltrated the US and later became a US citizen.
Episode: Former KGB Spy Jack Barsky

Host

Ed Helms
Comedian and actor known for his work in film and television, bringing a humorous yet insightful perspective to discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Fan-freaking-tastic!

    Just finished season 1 and it was incredible! Geeky and historical and full of all the dad jokes you could want from Ed Helms, who has the perfect voice for this. Seriously, please narrate some audiobooks so I can listen to you tell me other cool stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    krismus
    United States24 days ago
  • Boo Season 4

    This is billed as a history podcast, and the first three seasons genuinely were, and they were really good. The fourth season is less about history and more about banal celebrity chatter with a brief Wiki-level summary of a historical event. So if you want to be immersed in and learn more about an interesting event in history, listen to S1-3. If you want to hear celebrities promoting their latest projects and adding nothing substantive to a discussion that’s sometimes tangentially related to his... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    avavavavav
    United Statesa month ago
  • Used to be great

    This podcast was one of my favourites. Ed talking about some of the craziest stuff from history was fun, funny and very interesting. Season 4 has ruined it though. I don’t care about some celebrity’s opinion of what happened. Their seemingly constant need to interject with a “witty” comment or unrelated tangent is frustrating.

    The exception was the interview with Jack Barsky, which was great. Please do more episodes like this, with people that were either somehow involved or at least knowledgeab... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BEdginton
    Canadaa month ago
  • Season 4 is a Bug Time Miss

    Seasons 1-3 were great!! Interesting stories, great storytelling and concise without (seemingly) sacrificing details. Please go back to that format. These stories in season 4 are very interesting, but I’m sick of listening to these celebrities contribute nothing. They don’t add any facts, very few have been funny, and when they give opinions, they are literal nothing-burgers. Just garbage that tells the audience “I don’t know what to say, but I definitely know what NOT to say.” Please cut out th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Hips17
    United Statesa month ago
  • This is bad

    Listened only to Jenna fisher and Angela episode but wow that was bad, were they in a massive rush, it’s ed helms being like I googled lost nuclear weapons and dint do any more research then what the google AI said at the very top

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    gabriel.iocco
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the humorous take on historical events, finding the blend of education and entertainment engaging.
Overall, the vibrant discussions and unique themes resonate well, but recent changes have left some longtime fans wanting more depth.
Comments indicate that while the early seasons were well-received, some recent episodes have sparked frustration over perceived political slants.
The transition to more guest-centered formats has received mixed reviews, with some loving the new approach and others preferring earlier styles.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#53
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#50
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#164
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#74
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#184
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#54
Singapore/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Live at LA Talks with Tig Notaro
Q: What spawned your interest in this type of history project in the first place?
Ed explains that the format evolved from wanting to tell fresh, lesser-known historical stories through a humorous lens, using SNAFUs as a vehicle to explore big ideas without getting weighed down by heavy narrative.
Chelsea Handler and The Hindenburg
Q: What was their reasoning for using hydrogen instead of helium?
Helium was scarce and tightly controlled, so they used hydrogen to gain lift, accepting the higher risk.
Chris Winterbauer & Lizzie Bassett - Starfish Prime
Q: What were the visible effects, and how did people react at the time?
Eyewitness accounts describe a dramatic sky show seen hundreds of miles away, with aurora-like lights, and a mix of awe, fear, and disquiet about the unknown consequences.
Chris Winterbauer & Lizzie Bassett - Starfish Prime
Q: Why did they choose to detonate a bomb in space at such a high altitude?
The hosts explain it was driven by Cold War impulse to test nuclear capabilities and to explore the strategic effects of high-altitude detonations, even though the exact benefits were unclear and the risks turned out to be far larger than anticipated.
Jon Lovett and the Donner Party
Q: What are your reflections on the lessons from the Donner Party's story?
It's a reminder that we should keep moving and not wait for help, that we must take responsibility for our situations and act to save ourselves.

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 SNAFU with Ed Helms

What is SNAFU with Ed Helms about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on humorous explorations of historical missteps, this podcast unpacks various fascinating screw-ups throughout history, tying them to modern-day implications and human experiences. Each episode features engaging discussions with a diverse range of guests, who help delve into different events, creating a blend of education and entertainment. A unique aspect of this show is its light-hearted yet genuine take on serious topics, allowing listeners to learn about complex historical narratives while enjoying witty banter. Its accessible format and comedic slant likely appeal to those interested in history, humor, and social commentary.

Where can I find podcast stats for SNAFU with Ed Helms?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for SNAFU with Ed Helms. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to SNAFU with Ed Helms and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does SNAFU with Ed Helms get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for SNAFU with Ed Helms, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for SNAFU with Ed Helms?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for SNAFU with Ed Helms, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does SNAFU with Ed Helms have?

To see how many followers or subscribers SNAFU with Ed Helms 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 SNAFU with Ed Helms?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SNAFU with Ed Helms:

1. Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
2. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
3. Behind the Bastards
4. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
5. SmartLess

How many episodes of SNAFU with Ed Helms are there?

SNAFU with Ed Helms launched 4 years ago and published 72 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 SNAFU with Ed Helms?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for SNAFU with Ed Helms?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for SNAFU with Ed Helms from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for SNAFU with Ed Helms?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of SNAFU with Ed Helms. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on SNAFU with Ed Helms?

Recent guests on SNAFU with Ed Helms include:

1. Bob Crawford
2. Tig Notaro
3. Rory Scovel
4. Chelsea Handler
5. Adam Scott
6. Lizzie Bassett
7. Chris Winterbauer
8. Jake Johnson

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days