Rephonic
Artwork for Subject to Change

Subject to Change

Russell Hogg
Taiwan
Napoleon III
Japan
Tiberius
Pilgrimage Of Grace
Slavery
Constantinople
France
Salt
Islamic World
World War I
Fourth Crusade
Roman Empire
Rome
Sejanus
Eunuchs
Zanj Rebellion
English Reformation
Modern Slavery
Trans-Saharan Slave Trade

I talk to the world's best historians and let them tell the stories. And the stories are wonderful! (And occasionally I change the subject and talk about films, philosophy or whatever!).

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes113Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryFilm ReviewsTV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Subject to Change

Latest Episodes

Jonathan Clements is back to talk about Coxinga and the Fall of the Ming Dynasty, a tale so convoluted that its hero only gets born at the end of episode one! What happened in 17th century China for the Manchu invaders to just roll on in and take ove... more

YouTube

Armand D'Angour (Professor of Classics at Oxford University and Fellow of Jesus College) gives his take on Chrisopher Nolan's Odyssey and (more to the point) talks about the poem and the poet. Along the way we talk about Emily Wilson's blistering rev... more

YouTube

At the start of WW2 the U-Boat threat gave the British sleepless nights. But even during the Happy Time (of which there were two) when ships were being sunk at a terrific rate the German effort was too little, too late. And then the war in the Atlant... more

YouTube

This one is about Gabriele D'Annunzio. Italian poet, born in 1863 . . . I can already sense your attention drifting. But hang in there! 

A more lurid description would be that he is the poet who seduced over a thousand women. It is still puzzling ex... 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.

Conversations with Tyler
Conversations with TylerMercatus Center at George Mason University
Robinson's Podcast
Robinson's PodcastRobinson Erhardt
In Our Time
In Our TimeBBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

Armand D'Angour
Professor of Classical Languages and Literature at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: The Odyssey - No sex, terrible food
Donald Rayfield
Emeritus Professor of Russian and Georgian History
Queen Mary University of London
Episode: POWs of the Crimean War
David Parnell
Professor of History at Indiana University Northwest
Indiana University Northwest
Episode: Mutilated and exiled (the Emperor Justinian II - part 1)
Lucy Hughes-Hallet
Historian, critic, biographer; author of The Scapegoat about George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham
Author of The Scapegoat
Episode: Buckingham: the most hated man in England
David Rooney
Writer, historian, and museum curator
Episode: The Big Hop of 1919
Lyndal Roper
Regius Professor of History at Oxford University and expert on early modern European history.
Oxford University
Episode: Martin Luther, serfdom and the German Peasants’ War
David Stevenson
British historian specializing in World War I
Episode: World War I: The surprising victory of 1918
Ed West
A journalist and cultural commentator, author of "1066 and Before All That"
The Wrong Side of History
Episode: Ed West on 1066 and all that
Mark Morris
Historian and broadcaster whose work concentrates on the Middle Ages
Episode: Edward I - a Great and Terrible King

Host

Russell Hogg
Host of Subject to Change; appears to go by Russell Hogg with some spelling variations in transcripts.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 156 ratings
  • A dinner-party for my intellect

    I’m a doctor, this was recommended to me by a journalist, I love listening to a lawyer in their spare time speak to authors about history often with film references. It’s all here!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JslKeats
    Australia9 months ago
  • Top shelf

    One of the most stimulating listens out there. The host is enormously well-read yet modest, and it shows in his thoughtful questions and how he draws the most out of his interviewees. He really has a knack for picking subjects just off the beaten path that prove to be totally fascinating and teach me something I didn’t know I didn’t know. As good as this medium gets.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scooter1910
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent

    This is one of the best history podcasts I have heard. The host’s interaction with his guests is well done. I would give this podcast even more stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pho. Bolo. H.
    United States2 years ago
  • Unique stories

    I found this podcast serendipitously and it’s been one of the great hidden gems out there. Covering areas of historical and some contemporary interest, each story warrants full attention from start to finish. Great collection of interviews right here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hkio5
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • A wonderful history podcast

    The topic/guest selection is excellent: every episode is extremely interesting and well-developed, be it about the Lord of the Rings or the spice trade. Russell is also a fantastic interviewer that helps his guests shine.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hbgyjvtun
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the range of topics—from deep dives to broader cultural connections.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful questioning and in-depth guest preparation.
The show is regularly described as intelligent, well-researched, and engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#217
France/History
Apple Podcasts
#97
Russia/History
Apple Podcasts
#216
United Arab Emirates/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

POWs of the Crimean War
Q: When did the Crimean War take place and who were the main belligerents?
The conflict began in 1853, with Russia opposing the Ottoman Empire (and later aligned with Britain and France against Russia), and it lasted until 1856 when the Treaty of Paris was signed.
The Return of the Emperor (Justinian II - part 2)
Q: What does the episode reveal about the use of 'titles' as diplomacy with foreign powers?
The enemy state, the Bulgars, was offered the title of Caesar and money to join his cause, illustrating a strategic, if ethically murky, approach to diplomacy where honorary titles could grant legitimacy and leverage without immediate military force.
The Return of the Emperor (Justinian II - part 2)
Q: How did Justinian II's relationship with the papacy evolve from his first reign to his second?
In his first reign he clashed with Pope Sergius, attempting to arrest the pope and asserting imperial power, but in his second reign he reached a compromise with Pope Constantine, allowing the pope to visit and share communion, while Justinian accepted only parts of the council canons agreeable to him, signaling a shift toward greater papal influence.
The Return of the Emperor (Justinian II - part 2)
Q: What was the turning point that allowed Justinian II to regain the throne after his exile in Crescent?
He built a coalition with Turkic and neighboring groups, including the Bulgars, and orchestrated a risky return via alliance with the Khazars, culminating in a dramatic entry into Constantinople after the Bulgar forces escorted him to the walls, which persuaded the city's factions to back him.
Buckingham: the most hated man in England
Q: Shall we just start by talking a bit about James I?
The host asks for an overview of James I (VI of Scotland) and sets the stage for understanding Buckingham's rise in the English court, including James's early life, political environment, and how his fears and court dynamics shaped his rule.

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 Subject to Change

What is Subject to Change about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful history podcast that brings top scholars into long-form conversations about pivotal moments, figures, and eras from ancient to modern times. Episodes emphasize deep contextual analysis, narrative storytelling, and the human side of history, often linking archival details to broader cultural or political implications. A standout trait is the interviewer's ability to draw rich, nuanced insights from guests, covering everything from Byzantine politics to aviation milestones, while occasionally branching into film and literature connections. This mix attracts listeners who value rigor, curiosity, and well-constructed historical storytelling, with frequent episodes that feel like guided reading sessions with experts.

Noteworthy qua... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Subject to Change?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Subject to Change. 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 Subject to Change and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Subject to Change get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Subject to Change, 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 Subject to Change?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Subject to Change, 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 Subject to Change have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Subject to Change 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 Subject to Change?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Subject to Change:

1. The Rest Is History
2. Conversations with Tyler
3. Empire: World History
4. Robinson's Podcast
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of Subject to Change are there?

Subject to Change launched 8 years ago and published 113 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 Subject to Change?

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 Subject to Change?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Subject to Change 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 Subject to Change?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Subject to Change. 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 Subject to Change?

Recent guests on Subject to Change include:

1. Armand D'Angour
2. Donald Rayfield
3. David Parnell
4. Lucy Hughes-Hallet
5. David Rooney
6. Lyndal Roper
7. David Stevenson
8. Ed West

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