Yesterday I shared some of my favourite audiobooks for history lovers. So it seemed fitting to share my favourite podcasts for history lovers today! There are many history podcasts out there but it can be difficult to tell which are worth the download and which aren’t. (For me it usually hinges on the research behind the podcast and the hosts’ style.) This list is a mix of newer and more-established podcasts, but all are regular listens for me. Let’s get into my favourite podcasts for history lovers!
History Business Podcast
This podcast is slightly different from the others on this list, but is very relevant for anyone hoping to pursue history is any sort of professional capacity. Lucy Jane Santos and Laura Fitzachary have launched a fantastic new podcast that is exploring every related to being an historian for hire. There are so many more of us that are building careers and portfolios outside of the academy (aka universities and research institutions), and while we have a lot of freedom, that can also lead to a lot of questions. They are interviewing different people in the field, including yours truly, to help all of us learn and grow!
Favourite Episodes:”Online Presence” and “Networking”
British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics Podcast
Carol Ann’s podcast is one of my favourites- she covers so many topics in British history, and has so many wonderful guest hosts! (I’ve been lucky enough to join her twice.) While many of her episodes cover royal history, she does branch out in other topics like literary history. Carol Ann is an incredibly popular lecturer and works with organisations like the Smithsonian Museum and the Royal Oak Foundation, meaning that she is a wonderful speaker (that you can enjoy for free through the pod!). And if you are a fan, she has a book on the Tudors coming out this summer!
Favourite Episodes: “Sharing Some of My Favourite Tudor Numbers” and “Fiction Fun with our Favourite Jane Austen Novels”
Royal Studies Podcast
This is the podcast arm of the Royal Studies Network, and it is one of my favourites. While it is run by an academic network (that I’m a member of), this podcast is not solely for academics. The network brings on different specialists to hone in on one topic in royal history, and to make it accessible for anyone interested. There are some very talented historians who have joined this podcast, so it is a great, free way to hear them chat about their specialty. And the topics span the globe and the centuries! (I fully admit, I have linked my episode here as well- we chatted about period dramas and I think that was one of the most interesting panels I’ve taken part in.)
Favourite Episodes: “Representing Monarchy on Screen” and “Queens’ Roles in Warfare, Conflict, and Military Life”
Rex Factor Podcast
I’ve mentioned this podcast several times on the blog, and for good reason- I love that Graham and Ali have turned royal history into an X-Factor-style competition because I think it highlights the fun of it all. In their first season (which was several years long) they covered all of the monarchs of England who competed for the top title. The second season covered the Scottish monarchs, and this third (in-progress) season is covering the English consorts. So many of these monarchs and consorts get ignored for the more popular choices, so I love that each historical figure has their moment in the spotlight. (This podcast has a massive back catalogue, so if you are looking for a longer investment, this is the one for you!)
Favourite Episodes: “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” and “Elizabeth of York”
Scandal Mongers Podcast
This is a newer discovery for me, but I’m really enjoying this podcast. Author and historian Andrew Lownie and author and filmmaker Phil Craig get together each week to cover a different scandal from history. They sometimes have guest hosts but also tackle many of the scandals on their own. If Lownie’s name sounds familiar, it is because he has published books on both the Mountbattens and the Windsors. While I found it from the Mountbatten episodes, they cover an excellent range of topics. And I have to admit, many of the figures and scandals covered are entirely new to me! This is a fascinating podcast, start to finish.
Favourite Episodes: “Scandalous Georgians- with Tim Clayton” and “Oscar Wilde: icon, martyr, abuser,… or all three?”
I hope that you’ve enjoyed my list of the best podcasts for history lovers!
Cheers,
The Historian
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