Podcasts (overall) are a fairly accessible form of media. You can create one if you have a cellphone or a computer and a microphone. And you can listen to one if you have a phone or a browser handy. And as it turns out, September is International Podcast Day, and September 30th is International Podcast Day. Meaning? It is the perfect time to share my favourite podcasts of 2020, the must-listens that I have on auto download!
I will admit, I’m very specific with my podcasts. I prefer longer format podcasts, with episodes of at least 45 minutes to an hour. (Not all of these are that length, but it is a general rule for me.) And I tend to prefer two to three hosts with chatting and discussion. You will notice, I do listen to a wide variety of topics- I will listen to most themes.
With the exception of Gallus Girls and Wayward Women, all of the links and descriptions are for/from Google Podcasts. (I don’t use Apple podcasts, sorry iOS users!) Here are my pleas for podcast creators: 1. Please make a website for your podcast with episodes that we can link to, so app preference doesn’t matter. 2. Please stop asking people to leave reviews on Apple podcasts, because a lot of us don’t use it. (And it happens in nearly every podcast now.)
So, without further adieu, let’s get listening!
My Favourite History Podcasts
Obviously I was going to include history podcasts in a list of my favourite podcasts of 2020- who would I be if I didn’t? There are many history podcasts out there. I’m not a fan of history podcasts where there is no evidence of research. Ideally, sources are listed in the show notes, but mentioning books/sources in the show also works for me. These cover a range of historical topics and themes, and are all highly entertaining.
Rex Factor
Rex Factor is a light-hearted look at all the kings and queens of England and Scotland. One by one we review every monarch by a number of factors – success in battle, notoriety, justice – before giving them our final judgement and deciding whether they have the Rex Factor!
Ah, Rex Factor, what I believe may be the greatest history podcast ever. Covering different monarchs in an X-Factor style competition, you will learn more about these men and women than you would have ever thought. The first season covers all of the Kings and Queens of England, the second the Kings and Queens of Scotland, and the third is now covering the Consorts of England. The reviewing categories (battle-y-ness, anyone??) and scoring are entertaining AND a succinct summary of often very long and complicated reigns. Start downloading their back catalogue now, they’ve been around for a decade!
Favourite Episodes: Mary, Queen of Scots (Review), George IV (the Prince Regent)
Hashtag History
The ultimate History podcast for History Nerds and History Haters alike! Here at Hashtag History, we dive into History’s greatest stories of controversy, conspiracy, and corruption.
Hashtag History has been one of my favourite 2020 discoveries, and they have definitely been a highlight of quarantine life for me. Rachel and Leah cover a wide variety of crimes, mysteries, and conspiracies on the pod, and I’ve learned quite a bit listening. I know very little about US History, so I’ve appreciated learning more about people and events that I otherwise may not have. Also, their trivia nights on Instagram are SO. MUCH. FUN.
Favourite Episodes: Catherine the Great, Dyatlov Pass
Gallus Girls and Wayward Women
A podcast for those who fancy a nosey into the lives of well-known and lesser known historical women. Join Donna and Tom for a bit of herstory, as they look at the the lives of interesting women from, or connected to the British Isles.
Donna and Tom are two of my favourite podcast hosts. My own areas of study are centred in British and Irish history, and they have introduced me to many women that I’ve never read/learned about before. They approach each woman with a critical and modern eye, and aren’t just repeating other historians, which is a refreshing approach. (I also appreciate that they didn’t just do all six of Henry VIII’s wives in a row, because they don’t have to come as a set…)
Favourite Episodes: Katherine Howard- Just a Girl, Constance Markiewicz- The Rebel Countess
My Favourite Style Podcasts
Style and fashion is one of my favourite topics, and as you would expect, especially as a podcast. There are less fashion podcasts than you might think that there would be. I’m not sure if it is because it is largely a visual medium, but there could definitely be more. In any case, these are my absolute favourite style podcasts that you need to be listening to!
Pop Fashion
Former vintage store owner Lisa Rowan and fashion stylist Kaarin Vembar discuss fashion news, pop culture, and questions about business and creativity.
I’ve been listening to Pop Fashion for several years now, and it is one of those podcasts that I keep checking on Friday to see when it has been uploaded. (When I wasn’t working from home, I saved it for my Friday afternoon drive home.) Kaarin and Lisa cover so many different fashion related topics, it is incredible. What I appreciate is that they cover topics that you might not first connect with fashion, like recent USPS issues (how are you going to get those online purchases?) and general economic trends. I am genuinely better informed on current events from listening to Pop Fashion than I am from watching the news!
Favourite Episodes: The CEO is 3 Kids Dressed in a Trench Coat, Germs Ain’t On My Booty
Dressed: The History of Fashion
With over 7 billion people in the world, we all have one thing in common. Every day we all get dressed. Join Dressed as we explore the social and cultural histories behind the who, what, when of why we wear.
The fashion of history- who wouldn’t love this podcast?? Cassidy and April are wonderful hosts, both having academic and hands-on experience with fashion history and costuming. They cover different designers, periods, garments, styles, figures, exhibitions, and more, often with erudite and interesting guests. They don’t assume any prior knowledge of the episode topic, but they also don’t dumb anything down and simplify, which is rare to see (hear?) in a podcast. It is always a wonderful introduction into the topic, and they provide many sources if you want to explore further.
Favourite Episodes: Dressing Downton Abbey, Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse
Dress: Fancy
Dress: Fancy explores the popularity, prevalence and power of fancy dress. Hosted by Lucy Clayton and Dr Benjamin Wild, the series looks at the social significance and psychology of people in costume. Episodes consider why fancy dress has been a constant theme throughout history; sometimes as an act of celebration or escapism, on other occasions as a form of protest or disruption.
Lucy and Benjamin are two academic fashion historians, and offer some of the most in-depth analysis of fashion history that I’ve found thus far. They tend to look at quite specific topics and events, allowing them to explore past the surface level of “this happened, that is what it looked like”. You can tell they are genuinely good friends, and it makes listening all the better!
Favourite Episodes: Masqued Realities, Barbaric Splendour- The Devonshire House Ball, 1897
My Favourite Culture Podcasts
When I say culture here, I mean truly every meaning of the word. Written culture, visual culture, pop culture- it’s all here! I find that good cultural podcasts are the hardest to find, because many people think “I will just chat about X and that’s it!”. It’s much harder than that, though…
First Impressions
In the podcast First Impressions, hosts Kristin and Maggie hilariously discuss the brilliance of Jane Austen and how her novels give us unparalleled insight into our own lives and characters. There’s no shame in loving (and obsessively re-reading) Austen’s novels, which are just as fresh and relevant as they were 200 years ago. Kristin and Maggie are here to give a big middle finger to any haters who say otherwise!
Jane Austen, of course! As most of you will know, I love all things Austen. I love her own works, I love film and television adaptations and spin-offs, I love Austen-themed games, I love it all! Kristin and Maggie discuss all forms of Austen, and it is a fun and easy-going approach. They don’t look down or mock any form of Austen/spin-off, which is a big plus for me. Warning: you will end up re-reading and re-watching a LOT of Austen.
Favourite Episodes: Northanger Revisited, Regency Daze (Part I)
Deck the Hallmark
Join Bran, Panda, and Dan as they attempt to watch and review Hallmark movies. Just 3 dudes…watching Hallmark. What could go wrong? New Episodes: Every Tuesday & Thursday @ 3am EST.
I think everyone could have seen this one coming… I started listening to Deck the Hallmark at the third episode, so there has been quite a bit of Hallmark discussion in my ears. Bran LOVES Hallmark Christmas movies, Panda LIKES Hallmark Christmas movies, and Dan DESPISES Hallmark Christmas movies- what more is there to love? Although it started out with a discussion of the Christmas movies, they now cover Hallmark movies year round. There are even a lot of cases where I listen to the episode without watching the movie, and it is still super relaxing. A fun and light-hearted pod!
Favourite Episodes: Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, Merry & Bright
Sinisterhood
Dallas based comedians and friends, Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney, focus on a different true crime, cult, or creepy topic each week “and chat all things sinister in this funny and well-researched podcast.”
Like everyone else, I do listen to a few true crime podcasts. I’m a giant scaredy cat, so I don’t tend to listen to overly graphic pods. And Sinisterhood fits that perfectly! Christie and Heather are comedians, and also friends, and cover a different crime, mystery, or supernatural figure. I love that there is a good mix of topics, so nothing gets stale. And I also very much appreciate that Heather is a lawyer, as she does a fantastic job of explaining the charging/trial/verdict part of criminal topics! (I know nothing about most law, let alone US law.)
Favourite Episodes: The Oak Island Treasure, Krampus
Pod Save the Queen
Welcome to Pod Save The Queen – the royal podcast from the Daily Mirror…. Expect behind the scenes details, fashion, travel, causes, politics and society, plus interviews with people who can provide a particular insight into your favourite royals, their work and their place in Britain today.Your regular companions are host Ann Gripper (@anngripper) and Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers (@rjmyers). Join the conversation about the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @podsave for a chance to hear your comments on the show, and follow @MirrorRoyal for all the latest royal news on Twitter.
I was hesitant to start listening to Pod Save the Queen, as it is associated with a British newspaper. If you don’t know, most British newspapers have strong feelings about the monarchy and individual royals, one way or another. However, Pod Save the Queen doesn’t go to extremes at all. They cover many of the lighter topics of royal news and info, and bring on reputable and informed guests when they are handling something in depth. It stays respectiful, and I like that approach for the royals!
Favourite Episodes: Secrets of Royal Etiquette, When Royals Visit Ireland
♠
Looking for more podcasts? You can find my favourite history podcasts here! And my favourite fashion history podcasts here! And lit and culture podcasts here!
What your favourite podcasts of 2020?
Cheers,
The Historian
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin’
