The History Podcast
BBC Radio 4For a century, Harry Houdini has been safely filed away in the public imagination as a nostalgic variety act: a man in monochrome film escaping handcuffs, water tanks, and straightjackets.
This series smashes that myth.
Hosted by “psychological illusionist” Derren Brown, How Houdini Made Magic reframes a penniless immigrant refugee named Erik Weisz as a prophetic, hyper-modern visionary. Long be... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 153 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||
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Latest Episodes
When an authoritarian empire threatens to brand you a fraud and destroy your legacy, how do you fight back?
Derren Brown explores the high-stakes legal battles that helped cement Houdini’s European triumph.
Arriving in a hostile Berlin where the Im... more
Houdini had made it big in America. At the very start of the 20th century, however, the pinnacle for performers was not the fledgling States, but Europe. So Houdini boarded a ship to London, where he learned how to make noise.
Derren Brown explores... more
Houdini almost gave up on the act that would make him a star: the handcuff escape. But with his wife’s encouragement, he persisted. And it paid off.
Join Derren Brown as we learn how Houdini went from a sideshow hustler to the big time.
In 1899, ... more
In the late 19th Century, a young Hungarian immigrant called Eric Weisz chose magic as the means to provide for his ageing mother. He found inspiration in the form of a memoir, and his identity morphed: young Eric became Harry Houdini, and a legend w... more
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Reviews
- Love Andrew Hunter Murray
All the series are excellent but Andrew Hunter Murray’s on the Hitler diaries is so well done witty history
Apple Podcasts5KMcLit
Canada12 days ago - Series 11 was fascinating
Excellent
Apple Podcasts5hoboctn-nta
United Kingdom19 days ago - Season 15
The American Century podcast is simply stunning! Love the narration, music, tone and editorial work.
Apple Podcasts5GoldfingerMonkeyUnited Kingdoma month ago - Season 15
Extremely interesting, very well researched and narrated
Apple Podcasts5Ci gatUnited Kingdom2 months ago - Insightful and perfectly delivered
An absolutely brilliant show, perfectly presented and narrated. Keeps one captivated and is really insightful. Extensive research went into this and it shows. Well worth a listen.
Apple Podcasts5Twigmaster1988
South Africa2 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #57 |  United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #87 | United Kingdom/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #9 | United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #41 | Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #205 |  Australia/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #13 | Australia/History |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About The History Podcast
What is The History Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A history-focused series that examines pivotal moments in 20th-century geopolitics, foreign policy, and cultural identity through archival voices, expert analysis, and narrative storytelling. Episodes often center on covert operations, diplomatic turning points, and big policy decisions, weaving in perspectives from historians, biographers, and journalists. A notable strength is the cohesive, story-driven approach that foregrounds big ideas (like Bretton Woods, Cold War power dynamics, and Middle East interventions) alongside human consequences, making complex history accessible without sacrificing nuance. The show frequently features guest divers representing academia, journalism, and cultural commentary, which helps ground big-picture eve... more
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How many listeners does The History Podcast get?
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What are the audience demographics for The History Podcast?
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How many subscribers and views does The History Podcast have?
To see how many followers or subscribers The History 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 The History Podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The History Podcast:
1. Intrigue
2. Americast
3. The News Agents
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. More or Less
How many episodes of The History Podcast are there?
The History Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 153 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 The History Podcast?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The History Podcast?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The History Podcast?
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What guests have appeared on The History Podcast?
Recent guests on The History Podcast include:
1. John Cox
2. Anushka Mutandadawati
3. Paul Zenon
4. Rory Sutherland
5. Ruth Brandon
6. Richard Wiseman
7. Steve Cohen
8. David Jarr
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.