8 Best History Podcasts to Listen to

With 40 thousand different radio stations worldwide, radio is still one of the most frequently used audio technologies. The first human voice to be wirelessly transmitted was in 1900 by the Brazilian priest and inventor, Roberto Landell de Moura. By 1912 the first purpose-built radio factory opened its doors in Chelmsford, England; beginning the boom in the communication technology phenomenon. 

It wasn’t until 2004 that “podcasting,”, formally known as audio-blogging, took off. As of January 2020, there were over 900 thousand podcasts and 30 million podcast episodes globally. From comedy sketches to history lessons; there is a podcast for everyone. Whether you are cleaning your living room or out a daily walk, these 8 history podcast’s will bring the past to life and give you an insight into the people and places of centuries gone. 

Our Tour Guide, Adam, pictured below as wealthy merchant prince Steven Boyd kindly lend us a hand compiling this list of the best history podcasts. Keep reading for his personal rating and favourite episodes!

1. Queens 

The first of Adam’s best history podcasts. Think Queens, cocktails, and a whole bunch of laughs. Katy and Nathan discuss some of the powerful women who ruled throughout history. From our well-known guest, Mary Queen of Scots, to Marie Antoinette, this podcast is a fun way to hear past tales retold. With each woman they drink a different themed cocktail and to top it off they throw in a curveball Freddie Mercury episode to spice it up. 

Apple rating: 4.5/5 stars

Adam rating: 4/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: Zenobia, Episode 25

Listen here: apple.co/QueensPodcast

Also read:Powerful Women of Edinburgh’s History

2. Ancient History Fangirl

This podcast will be quick to become one of your favourites; Genn and Jenny dive into the mythology and real-life experiences of the ancient world. Funny and informative, they do not sugarcoat the tales of the past but give it a fresh, sometimes romanticised spin on some fascinating historical stories. 

Apple rating: 4.5/5 stars

Adam’s rating: 5/5 Steven Boyds, winning favourite history podcast.

Adam’s favourite episode: War Elephants Part 1: Alexander’s Immortals

Listen here: apple.co/AncientHistoryFangirl

3. You’re Dead To Me

Marketed by the BBC as, “The history podcast for those who don’t like history,” You’re Dead to Me is the podcast everyone can enjoy. Brought to you by Greg Jenner, each week Greg invites some of the world’s best comedians and a history expert to discuss the history you may well have snoozed through in high school. For the past decade, Greg Jenner has been creating the children’s show, Horrible Histories. Now creating for an adult audience with all the same wittiness. 

Apple Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Adam’s rating: 5/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: Harriet Tubman

Listen here: apple.co/YoureDeadToMePodcast

4. The Gladstone’s Land Podcast

For something a bit closer to home, this podcast is brought to you by our neighbours on The Royal Mile, Gladstone’s Land, a 17th-century high tenement not unlike what would have originated on Mary King’s Close. Operated by the National Trust for Scotland, Kate, Thomas and their guests rummage through the history of Edinburgh and the dark tales of the renaissance period. 

Apple Rating: 5/5 stars

Adam’s Rating: 4/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: Tea and Tranquility in Georgian Edinburgh

Listen here: apple.co/GladstonesLand

5. That’s Ancient History 

If you could not get enough of Classics at school, this history podcast will have you hooked. Delving into the myths and fairytales of the ancient past, Jean Menzie and her guests demonstrate how history has its place in modern life with this fun and engaging listen. 

Apple Rating: 5/5 stars

Adam’s Rating: 5/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: Women in Wartime with Pat Barker

Listen here: apple.co/ThatsAncientHistory

6. Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby

Another myth-busting history podcast that will have you sniggering away on your daily commute is Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby. Liv focuses on the treatment of women in the ancient world but giving classics a modern (and sarcastic) twist. Discover how cruel the Greek and Roman gods were perceived to be and who were the monsters we heard of in history class. 

Apple Rating: 5/5 stars

Adam’s Rating: 4/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: XLI: Hecuba, Cassandra, Andromache – Euripides’ Trojan Women 

Listen here: apple.co/MythsBaby

7. Dan Snow’s History Hit 

From interviewing some of the world’s best historians to exploring significant historical anniversaries, Dan Snow’s podcast seems to have the variety and expertise of topics to start anyone on a history binge. Delving into some of today’s headlines and the history behind them; this podcast is relevant, informative, and entertaining. 

Apple Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Adam’s Rating: 5/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch

Listen here: apple.co/DansHistoryHit

8. Lore

Next up on Adam’s list of the best history podcasts, this podcast is for those made of stronger stuff. Not for the faint-hearted, Lore unravels the darker side of the past. It covers mysterious creatures as well as tragic events from all over the world. Aaron Mahnke will keep you on your toes with these tales filled with suspense and backed with eery music, “because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction.”

Apple Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Adam’s Rating: 4/5 Steven Boyds

Adam’s favourite episode: Half-Hanged, Episode 12

Listen here: apple.co/LorePodcast

Also read: The Real Edinburgh Plague Doctor

If you liked this list of the best history podcasts, follow The Real Mary King’s Close on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to hear more stories from Scotland’s and Edinburgh’s turbulent history.