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Explaining History

Nick Shepley
Neoliberalism
Nostalgia
British Working Class
Class Struggles
World War II
IRA
Industrial Revolution
Margaret Thatcher
Terrorism
Espionage
E.P. Thompson
Labour Party
David Lloyd George
Modernity
Make America Great Again
Social Hierarchy
Historical Emotions
Fantasy Literature
NHS
Medieval Times

How do we make sense of the modern world? We find the answers in the history of the 20th Century.

For over a decade, The Explaining History Podcast has been the guide for curious minds. Host Nick Shepley and expert guests break down the world wars, the Cold War, and the rise and fall of ideologies into concise, 25-minute episodes.

This isn't a dry lecture. It's a critical, narrative-driven convers... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes861Founded13 years ago
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EducationHistoryCourses

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Artwork for Explaining History

Latest Episodes

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Explaining History, Nick delves into the harrowing yet complex world of child labour during the British Industrial Revolution. Moving beyond the Dickensian caricatures of helpless victims, we explore Emma Griffin'... more

In 1840, a monk disappeared in Damascus, and the ancient, deadly accusation of "blood libel" was levelled against the city's Jewish community. This event, known as the Damascus Affair, became a pivotal moment in 19th-century Jewish history, sending s... more

In this episode of Explaining History, Nick analyzes the newly published 2025 US National Security Strategy, a document that could be considered a foundational text for the global far-right.

We explore how this strategy, with its language of "civili... more

Episode Summary:

In the second part of our exploration into the Stalin-Tito split, Nick delves into the dramatic climax of 1948: the expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Cominform.

Stalin famously boasted, "I will shake my little finger, and there will... more

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Recent Guests

Paul Vallely
Journalist and author of 'Live Aid: The Definitive 40 Year Story'
Episode: Live Aid, famine, debt and activism: A four decade struggle for justice
Sean Scullion
Author and expert on Spanish Civil War veterans in the British Army
Episode: Churchill's Spaniards: how veterans of the Spanish Civil War fought for Britain
Anne Weber
Writer and author of the book Sanderling
Indigo Press
Episode: Family, memory and the burden of Germany's past
Mark Beatty
Author focusing on Victorian history and figures
Episode: Unsung Victorians: Grace Darling, Josephine Butler & George Biddell Airy
Dr. Victoria Bateman
Historian and Author of Economica
Gresham College
Episode: Economica: The Hidden History of Women, Wealth, and Power
Joanna Lillis
Journalist and author with extensive experience in Central Asia
Author of Silk Mirage
Episode: Uzbekistan and Central Asia in transition
Professor Angie Hobbs
Philosopher and author of 'Why Plato Matters Now', focusing on the intersection of Plato's ideas with contemporary issues
Sheffield University
Episode: What Plato can teach us about the crises of the 21st Century
Stewart Home
An author primarily known for writing fiction and non-fiction, including topics on punk rock and yoga
Episode: Fascist Yoga: The far right and its intersections with the wellness movement
Barney White-Spunner
Historian and author discussing his book on military history
Episode: Nation In Arms: Lessons from Five Armies That Made Europe

Host

Nick Shepley
Host of the podcast and an expert in history, known for his engaging narrative style and ability to connect past events with contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 265 ratings
  • Covers a very wide range of modern history in an engaging way.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Polprofwatch
    5 months ago
  • Horrible sound quality, background noise, can't even hear what he says sometimes because words are missing. Shame, such an important topic.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Atlantisblauw
    6 months ago
  • Speak into the mic

    Sound quality is terrible. Extremely soft followed by very loud adds

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    cancampaigner
    Canadaa year ago
  • Variable in quality

    A couple were good but many are terrible in presentation. Not everyone can did a podcast and this proves it despite my really wanting to like the content.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ontariocanuck
    Canadaa year ago
  • One note, otherwise grand

    This podcast has been a real joy for me to tune into, more in depth looks at critical places and times in history than I can find anywhere else. Presentation might be aided by reducing that little scrolling noise. There must be some way to record the episodes without that small tone in the bg.

    Besides that it is FANTASTIC. Love the focus, perspective, and especially how it can serve to illuminate modern events with a historical context.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jesterzworld
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners express concerns about sound quality, noting that audio issues can detract from their experience.
Many commend the host for his thoughtful presentation and ability to distill complex topics into understandable narratives.
The podcast is recommended for those interested in a narrative-driven exploration of history, appealing to a diverse audience with a passion for learning.
Overall, feedback indicates a thoughtful, well-researched podcast that delivers valuable insights while remaining accessible.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative discussions that connect historical events to modern day issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#125
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#230
Finland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Uzbekistan and Central Asia in transition
Q: What are the core themes that you investigate in the book?
The core themes include politics, economic reforms, media freedom, civil society, and cultural issues, alongside a historical context for Uzbekistan.
What Plato can teach us about the crises of the 21st Century
Q: What would be Plato's answers for the time in which we live now? What were his answers when it came to conflict?
Plato warned about how democracy can be subverted into tyranny by a cynical demagogue, emphasizing that complacency and the corruption of language are significant threats to democratic integrity.
Edwardian Britain's most famous fraudster
Q: Mark, how did you come across Violet? Where did your connection to her begin?
Bridgeman found the story of Violet while researching a book about a similar figure, which led him to explore her life and the lack of documentation surrounding her story.
Argentina's mothers of the disappeared
Q: Were there any archival challenges in writing the book?
The government destroyed most documentary evidence, but the Abuelas kept extensive records.
Argentina's mothers of the disappeared
Q: Did you meet any of the Abuelas, the people from the movement?
Yes, I was very privileged to meet five Abuelas that were still living at the time and interviewed them.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Explaining History

What is Explaining History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the critical moments and movements that have shaped the modern world, this podcast explores the 20th century through a narrative-driven conversation that connects historical events to contemporary issues. The episodes cover significant topics, such as the world wars, Cold War dynamics, the evolution of ideologies, and pivotal historical figures, all presented in a concise format. Featuring expert guests and engaging dialogues, it aims to make history accessible and engaging to a wide audience, including history enthusiasts and students alike who seek to understand the relevance of historical context in today's society.

Where can I find podcast stats for Explaining History?

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How many listeners does Explaining History get?

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What are the audience demographics for Explaining History?

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How many subscribers and views does Explaining History have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Explaining History 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 Explaining History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Explaining History:

1. History Extra podcast
2. History of the Second World War
3. The WW2 Podcast
4. Cold War Conversations Podcast
5. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of Explaining History are there?

Explaining History launched 13 years ago and published 861 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 Explaining History?

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 Explaining History?

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What guests have appeared on Explaining History?

Recent guests on Explaining History include:

1. Paul Vallely
2. Sean Scullion
3. Anne Weber
4. Mark Beatty
5. Dr. Victoria Bateman
6. Joanna Lillis
7. Professor Angie Hobbs
8. Stewart Home

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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