7 Best History Podcasts (2025)

---

The accessibility of knowledge on the go has made podcasts ideal for casual listeners to make the most of their morning commute. History content, in particular, has surged in popularity. They attract audiences of all kinds. History buffs enjoy the in-depth discussions in their groups. Students cramming for last-minute papers rely on it to maximize their time. Whatever your mood may be, here are the best history podcasts out there.

1. Mike Duncan’s Podcasts

Technically, there are two of the most cited podcasts by historian Mike Duncan. The History of Rome ran for five years, from 2007 to 2012. Fans love it as a great entry point into different time periods. The chronological structure and meticulous research Duncan puts into each episode make it one of many people’s all-time favorite shows. One caveat — it’s his first production. The first few installments may feel rough, but if you stick with it, it could easily become yours, too. 

Meanwhile, Revolutions ran from 2013 to 2022. There are no guest speakers, audio clips or background music that distract. It relies entirely on Duncan’s engaging and sincere narration of his carefully crafted scripts. Despite or perhaps because of, its simplicity, it has become remarkably popular by general history publishing standards.

You might wonder why he’s still at the top of this list if his work ended years ago. Simple — people continue to listen to him today and it remains one of the best history podcasts available. He’s also currently airing a fictional season about the Martian Revolution, with plans to return to covering 20th-century nonfiction revolutions afterward. Most of the audience grew up with Duncan chronicling the past, which is why his work continues to be rated highly. 

2. Behind the Bastards

If you want the intriguing history of the world’s worst humans — from Adolf Hitler to Elon Musk — Behind the Bastards is one of the most recommended. It’s perfect for those who enjoy dark humor while exploring the lives of infamous figures. It goes beyond typical generic accounts and exposes bizarre details about the individuals. Just imagine discovering that Saddam Hussein had a side career as a romance novelist. 

Robert Evans, the host, delivers a script-driven narration that listeners praise for its depth of research. This approach helps them truly learn history as it was documented, not just passed down through rumor. Each episode examines not only the individual but also the people and societal forces that contributed to their rise to power.

The podcast occasionally features guests, which can be hit or miss for the audience. Some don’t enjoy the banter or sarcastic tone, while others find it adds personality. Regular guests often bring great insight, although the one-off appearances sometimes feel less polished. Still, if you want to discover what makes the most evil of men tick, Behind the Bastards is a must-listen.

3. Hardcore History

Hardcore History is what happens when you take Dan Carlin’s unorthodox way of thinking and apply it to the past. You get an epic focused on the sheer violence of it all — a three-to-six-hour intense show about humanity’s darkest chapters. It’s for those as fascinated by the brutality of the man’s collective past as Carlin himself, who is clearly drawn to extreme situations. If you’re into the eerie and gruesome sides of history, you’ll appreciate the podcast’s niche appeal.

One of the strengths listeners love most is Carlin’s ability to bring stories to life. His vivid metaphors make historical events more relatable to modern audiences. The delivery even makes you feel what people of that era might have felt, especially the firsthand accounts. He’s practically unrivaled in storytelling.

As for drawbacks, his distinct “quote voice” and the lack of chapters in his multi-hour episodes can be challenging. Some find it immersive, while others find it a bit tough to follow. Still, Hardcore History remains one of the best history podcasts for anyone interested in the raw edge of human experience.

4. Conflicted

Another highly recommended podcast, especially if you’re interested in international wars but not so much the violence itself, is Conflicted. This show dives deep into the causes and consequences of global conflicts, focusing on how they shape societies and people rather than glorifying the battles. It’s perfect for listeners who want context and reflection instead of nonstop war narration.

Host Zach Cornwell is brilliant, funny and bold, much like Dan Carlin, but with a touch more reverence and excitement for the material. The show takes a deep look at historical conflicts around the world, but doesn’t stop at what happened. It also raises difficult questions, sparking debates that challenge the moral compass of people on all sides. They even explore what most school history books skip over, including the lasting consequences of those conflicts.

It’s so worth a listening spree, hence it consistently ranks high in forums and recommendation lists. Cornwell provides just enough context and background before diving into the good stuff. This definitely makes it easy to follow even if you don’t have much prior knowledge. Episodes are released monthly, so you have plenty of time to digest each one.

5. The Rest is History

If you want past events chronicled by two friends, Tom Holland — no, not the Spider-Man one — and Dominic Sandbrook, then The Rest is History is right up your alley. It easily ranks among the best history podcasts today. Dominic specializes in modern events, while Tom excels in the ancient world.

Fans love the show’s rich narrative that draws in anyone even mildly curious about the past. You’ll quickly grow fond of the hosts and the insightful content they produce. It’s no surprise the British Academy awarded them the President’s Medal for inspiring a new generation of history enthusiasts. Their witty jabs, self-effacing humor and hilarious turns of phrase often have listeners laughing out loud during their morning commute, so fair warning.

The podcast is also a fantastic way to gradually build your understanding of European history. It gives you more context and more hooks to hang new information on with each episode.

6. In Our Time

Melvyn Bragg chairs the BBC-produced In Our Time podcast. While it doesn’t strictly focus on history, it dives deeply into other topics like religion, culture, science and philosophy. Many fans adore the host’s soft-spoken English accent. He also invites expert guests to help unpack characters, events and discoveries in fascinating detail.

The show began long before the world even knew about what to call the art. It started as a radio series in October 1998 and transitioned into a podcast in 2004, where it continues to this day. It’s the same age as a working adult now. Anyone planning a listening marathon will have enough content to last years if they consume one segment a day.

What makes this British show so well-loved is its pure academic roundtable format that manages to keep even niche or complex topics engaging. Some of the best narrative sweeps to start with include The Fall of Rome, The French Revolution and The Mongols. Unfortunately, Bragg is reportedly leaving the show. The great news is that it still leaves you over a thousand segments to listen to. 

7. Tides of History

If you want a toned-down version of Dan Carlin without the gore fixation, Patrick Wyman’s Tides of History is the perfect choice. It’s his second podcast after The Fall of Rome.  The show explores how economic, cultural and political forces shaped the world, with a particular focus on early modern Europe. Fans love it because it makes history feel personal, connecting past events to their broader contexts for a deeper understanding of the past.

Tides of History follows a narrative format, offering about an hour of content each week. Some episodes feature Wyman only. Others include one-on-one interviews with historians and experts across various fields for nuance and depth.

It’s the best history podcast for anyone up for serious learning, especially those interested in the stories of people behind major societal transformations. Listeners recommend The Industrial Revolution and The Transformation of Medieval Europe episodes.

Honorable Mentions

While narrowing down this list was no easy task, a few runners-up simply couldn’t be left out. Here are some other best history podcasts worth a listen.

The Dollop

The Dollop is written and presented by stand-up comedians, with humor and history packing a punch. Dave Anthony typically reads a bizarre American tale to his co-host, Gareth Reynolds, who has no idea what the topic will be.

The duo takes on various roles from the story, creating moments so absurdly funny that the show stands out from the more somber history podcasts. However, some people might find the self-promotion in the first few minutes a bit off-putting before the main content begins.

History That Doesn’t Suck

Targeted toward Americans, History That Doesn’t Suck covers events that they probably weren’t taught or have long forgotten from school. Professor-slash-storyteller Dr. Greg Jackson discusses events with top-notch research, almost like a survey that moves from the Revolution to current events. It’s engaging because, as the name suggests, learning history doesn’t have to be boring.

The podcast releases each episode bi-weekly and talks not just about the great stories of the events but also the why and how that led up to them. Use a few clips for an eighth-grade class, and you get enthralled kids.

The Fall of Civilizations

If the greatest civilizations that ever existed fascinate you, The Fall of Civilizations offers an insightful look into how people once lived. Charismatically presented by host Paul Cooper, each episode is so compelling that it’s worth listening to more than once. One of the podcast’s best features is how each segment begins, with Cooper zooming out to provide the geological, environmental, political and economic context that sets the stage for a civilization’s rise and eventual decline.

He paints an incredibly vivid picture of bygone eras, supported by meticulous research. Segments often include music and language from the time period. Even the intro music perfectly sets the tone for a deep exploration of the past. There’s also a YouTube version for those who prefer visuals. The only downside? There just haven’t been that many fallen civilizations, so the episode list, unfortunately, is a bit limited.

The Best History Podcast Never Sounded This Good

These podcasts are your immersive audio time machine, so you can listen even if you don’t have the luxury of it. Somehow, they just make it worth your while — whether you’re driving home, cleaning or picking up a new hobby. You don’t even have to be a history buff to enjoy them. Pick one up and you might just become one.