Best Carthaginian Podcasts (2026)

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The Dark Origins of Fairy Tales, Part I 13:18

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24m ago13:18

13:18

Modern fairy tales often conclude with a protagonist achieving their dreams and a simple "happily ever after." This popular image, often promoted by studios like Disney for family-friendly consumption, only scratches the surface of these classic narratives. In reality, many of these beloved stories boast far darker origins, featuring unsettling the…

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Al Capone 15:14

20h ago15:14

15:14

Alphonse Gabriel Capone, aka Al Capone, aka Scarface, is one of the most notorious gangsters in American history. Known for dominating Chicago’s underworld during prohibition, his criminal operation had a reach that extended throughout the United States. Capone cultivated a celebrity image while participating in violent criminal activity. Despite h…

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The Great Arab Revolt 14:38

2d ago14:38

14:38

One of the most significant and long-lasting outcomes of World War I didn’t take place in Europe. It was a reshuffling of the political order in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant. During the war, various Arab tribes joined together to free themselves from centuries of Ottoman Rule. The legacy of the rebellion can still be seen in the map of the …

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The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising 15:11

3d ago15:11

15:11

In 1943, one of the most notable acts of Jewish resistance during World War II took place. For nearly one month, residents of the Warsaw Ghetto fought against Nazi soldiers who were attempting to transport the residents to concentration camps. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest single Jewish Revolt during the war, was well-organized, hard-foug…

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The Defenestrations of Prague 15:13

4d ago15:13

15:13

Prague is one of the truly great cities of Central Europe. Prague is noted for its preserved medieval and Baroque architecture, the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Astronomical Clock, and its Gothic Old Town. In addition, it has one of the world’s greatest beer and brewing cultures. They also happen to like to throw people out of windows. Learn …

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Questions and Answers: Volume 38 15:07

5d ago15:07

15:07

January is upon us, the month that honors the Roman god Janus, the god of two faces. One face looked forward, and the other looked back. Janus was the god of beginning and ending wars. He was also the god of doors and bridges. …and while I have absolutely no proof of this whatsoever, I also think that his two faces would have provided both question…

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Interview with Professor Tom Birkett on "Runes: A Concise History" 42:48

5d ago42:48

42:48

Runic writing carries connotations of magic and fantasy, but it was a widespread, useful, and long-lasting system of writing. Professor Tom Birkett has written a fantastic overview of runic writing that returns it to the real time and place in which it existed - Runes: A Concise History. Patrick launched a brand-new history show! It’s called Past L…

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The Boxer Rebellion (Encore) 14:46

6d ago14:46

14:46

From 1899 to 1900, China underwent a widespread and violent uprising. The revolt, a reaction against China’s exploitation by foreign powers, was decades in the making. In response to the revolt, a group of eight nations joined together to put down the rebellion and ultimately subjected China to yet another humiliating treaty. The rebellion wasn’t s…

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The Empire That Never Existed 14:15

7d ago14:15

14:15

You may have heard of many of the largest empires in world history. The Romans, the Mongols, the British, the Persians, the Ottomans, the Incas, and the Byzantines. That last empire, however, the Byzantines, never actually existed. How can one of the world’s greatest empires not have existed? Learn more about the Byzantine Empire and why no one eve…

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The Mahan Doctrine 16:15

8d ago16:15

16:15

In 1890, an obscure professor at the US Naval War College published a book that at first seemed fairly innocuous. However, it turned out his book found an audience. An extremely powerful audience. Its success led to further research, which in turn ushered in a revolution in naval warfare, which influenced the world’s great powers for over a century…

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Episode 2001: A Podcasting Odyssey 30:52

9d ago30:52

30:52

Episode 2001! Sponsors Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Mint Mobile Get your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Chubbies Get 20% off your purchase at Chubbies with the promo code DAILY at checkout! Aura Frames Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.…

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The Year 2000 15:21

10d ago15:21

15:21

The year 2000 was a milestone year. It was the end of a century and of a millennium. It was one of the rare years that was divisible by 100 and was a leap year. In the previous 25 years, the world had radically changed. Empires fell, superpowers emerged, and technology had changed civilization. …and that year, a whole lot of people thought the worl…

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The Battle of Trenton (Encore) 15:07

11d ago15:07

15:07

In the winter of 1776, things did not look good for the Continental Army. Everything got off to a great start in 1775, but this year saw a series of defeats at the hands of the British. Things were looking so bad that many Americans thought that the revolution was effectually over. If Washington was to keep the revolution going, he needed a miracle…

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A History of Christmas Trees 14:42

12d ago14:42

14:42

Perhaps the preeminent symbol of Christmas is the Christmas tree. Christmas trees aren’t just a symbol of Christmas; the act of setting up a tree is an event, and the adornment of a tree often uses ornaments that have been passed down for generations. But why is cutting down an evergreen tree and draping it with doodads a Christmas tradition? Learn…

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How Alexander the Great's Soldiers Spent Their Money 33:55

12d ago33:55

33:55

Let's imagine a Macedonian soldier during the time of Alexander the Great. How did this man, whom we'll call Red Cleitus, spend the vast amounts of coin he plundered and earned as he and his comrades fought their way across Asia? Patrick launched a brand-new history show! It’s called Past Lives, and every episode explores the life of a real person …

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Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs 14:43

13d ago14:43

14:43

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories in psychology. First introduced in 1943, the theory posits that people have an innate desire to reach their maximum potential, but to achieve this goal, they must first have their basic needs met. These needs can be both physical and psychological, but they play a major role in u…

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National Geographic 17:00

14d ago17:00

17:00

On January 13, 1888, a group of thirty-three prominent citizens, including geographers, explorers, teachers, lawyers, cartographers, military officers, and financiers, gathered at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC, to establish "a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge." At first, the organization was more of a scholarly e…

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The Chartist Movement 14:59

15d ago14:59

14:59

The mid-19th century saw the rise of the first mass working-class political movement in British history. Despite being a working-class movement, they sought reforms in the British political system, not necessarily economic. Their grievances were set out in six points, known as The People's Charter, which was signed by millions of people. While thei…

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The Domestication of the Horse (Encore) 13:33

16d ago13:33

13:33

Sometime around 5,500 years ago, an event took place on the Eurasian steppes that fundamentally changed the world. We don’t know who did it or exactly when it took place, but it was one of the single greatest moments in all of human history. It ushered in revolutions in agriculture, transportation, and warfare, and its impact can still be witnessed…

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Age of Discovery - Vasco da Gama - Epilogue: The Legacy of the Portuguese Empire 18:15

16d ago18:15

18:15

In 1524 Vasco da Gama made his third and final voyage to India. This man who had discovered the sea passage to India, returned not as an explorer but as an administrator. He would oversea a massive trade empire that now streched over four continent and set a precedence that every other nation was eager to copy. PLEASE LEAVE A RATING AND REVIEW ON A…

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Europa 14:37

17d ago14:37

14:37

Located around the orbit of Jupiter is the moon Europa. It is the smallest of the Gallelian moons and the second closest to Jupiter. Despite being a moon, Europa might just be the most interesting body in the Solar System outside of Earth. According to some, Europa might be the best place in our solar system outside of Earth to find life. Learn mor…

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The 1994 Rwandan Genocide 15:50

18d ago15:50

15:50

In 1994, the nation of Rwanda endured a brutal 100-day spasm of violence that tore families apart and claimed the lives of over one million people. Members of the ethnic minority Tutsi group were hunted down and murdered by members of the larger Hutu group. While this was the worst episode of violence between the two groups, it was not the first. W…

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Synthetic Diamonds 16:42

19d ago16:42

16:42

For thousands of years, diamonds have been among the most valuable substances on Earth. Diamonds are not only the hardest substances known, but they are also incredibly hard to find. However, in the last several decades, researchers have discovered ways to make diamonds in the lab, and they are now being made at scale. It has the potential to revol…

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Two Murders at the Dawn of History (Lost Worlds Audiobook Preview) 27:07

19d ago27:07

27:07

Patrick's new book, Lost Worlds: How Humans Tried, Failed, Succeeded, and Built Our World, launches May 5th, 2026! Check out this audiobook preview chapter on two murders around 5,300 years ago, hear about everything we can learn from Otzi the Iceman in the Alps and Gebelein Man in Egypt, and be sure to preorder the book in your medium of choice th…

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The History of Coca-Cola 15:58

20d ago15:58

15:58

Perhaps the most well-known brand in the world is Coca-Cola. Best known for its cola soda, the company has become a global powerhouse in the soft drink market through its drink’s formula and visual branding. Its products can be found in every country in the world except three, and the company has made a profit every year since its founding. Learn a…

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Lend Lease 15:39

21d ago15:39

15:39

Before the United States entered the Second World War in late 1941, the US wasn’t an active combatant, but it wasn't entirely neutral. In December 1940, after the Nazi invasion of France, President Franklin Roosevelt initiated a program to assist the British who were being assailed on all fronts by the Germans. He likened it to helping a neighbor o…

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Past Lives: Nanaya'ila'i and the Bleeding Edge of the Assyrian Empire 24:21

22d ago24:21

24:21

Check out a scripted episode of Patrick's new show, Past Lives! Nearly 2,700 years ago, a woman and her daughter were ripped away from their homes in what is now Iran by the soldiers of the Assyrian Empire. Nanaya'ila'i was one of thousands upon thousands of people to experience the violence that accompanied conquest, but she's one of the very few …

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The Cortes of Leon of 1188 15:21

22d ago15:21

15:21

In 1188, a historic gathering took place in the city of Leon in the Kingdom of Castile. It was a kingdom-wide assembly convened by King Alfonso IX that brought together nobles, clergy, and town representatives to advise the crown. It is significant because it is the earliest documented European assembly to include urban representatives and to forma…

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The History of the Bow and Arrow (Encore) 14:09

23d ago14:09

14:09

One of the most important inventions in human history was the bow and arrow. A bow and arrow is a rather simple device, but it was a revolutionary advancement in humanity’s ability to hunt and fight. Unlike many early human inventions, the bow and arrow have had an extremely long lifespan. For thousands of years it remained virtually unchanged. Tha…

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The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope 15:44

24d ago15:44

15:44

Assuming everything goes well, sometime in late 2026, NASA’s next major space observatory will launch: The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Assuming the launch and deployment go well, it will map large areas of the universe to understand why cosmic expansion is accelerating and how galaxies and dark matter evolved. It will also survey stars to di…

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Pocahontas 13:45

25d ago13:45

13:45

One of the most notable figures in early American history is Pocahontas. Best known as the main character in Disney’s animated film Pocahontas, she was not a fictional character. She was, in fact, quite real. However, her real life is radically different from that depicted in popular culture. In fact, there are enormous discrepancies between the st…

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Helium 16:24

26d ago16:24

16:24

Sitting at the far top right of the periodic table is the element helium. Helium is the second-lightest and second-most abundant element in the universe. It is also an inert gas that doesn’t form molecules with anything. It has extremely few uses and, despite its cosmic abundance, is very hard to find on Earth. Yet in the future, it might become on…

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The Economic Life of Megakles, Farmer of Classical Athens 35:40

26d ago35:40

35:40

We've talked about how rich classical Athens was, but what did that mean for an average person living at the time? In this episode, we follow the life of a composite character, an Athenian citizen farmer named Megakles, to see how the economic developments of the classical age shaped daily life in Athens. Patrick launched a brand-new history show o…

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Romance Languages 16:25

27d ago16:25

16:25

Almost a billion people in the world today speak a language that originated from Latin, aka a Romance Language. Despite sharing the same origin, the Romance languages have evolved differently, in some cases very differently. ….and while you are almost certainly aware of the largest Romance language, there is a good chance that you have never heard …

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The Luddites 14:16

28d ago14:16

14:16

At some point, you might have been called, or might have called someone else a Luddite, due to a refusal to adopt a new technology. Nowadays, it’s usually done in jest, but the Luddites were real. While the term is often used to describe any anti-technology attitude, the actual Luddite worldview was more subtle than simply opposing anything new and…

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All About Dog Breeds 13:39

29d ago13:39

13:39

When looking at your neighbor's dachshund and your great dane, it is hard to believe that these dogs trace back to the same ancestors. Yet, this is true! Through centuries of domestication and selective breeding, humans have transformed dogs into the most diverse mammal species known today. Yet, despite the incredible diversity in dog breeds, remar…

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The Manhattan Project (Encore) 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

During the Second World War, the United States embarked on one of the greatest science and engineering projects the world had ever seen. Over 125,000 people took part in the program, the vast majority of which had no clue what it was for, and the total cost of the program was over a billion dollars at a time when a billion dollars was a lot of mone…

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Operation Bernhard 16:28

1M ago16:28

16:28

Wars can be fought in many different ways. Ultimately, they are resolved on the battlefield. However, there are other ways to try to subdue an enemy. You can try to destroy their logistical support for their troops. You can attempt to destroy their economic base by burning their agricultural fields and destroying their factories. However, one relat…

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A Brief History of Neckties 14:27

1M ago14:27

14:27

One of the most ubiquitous items of clothing in formal and business attire is the necktie. Yet even a cursory check of paintings from several centuries ago shows that neckties have not been around forever. They are, in fact, a relatively recent invention. Over the last century, neckwear has both defined fashion and changed with the times. Learn mor…

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NASCAR 16:12

1M ago16:12

16:12

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as NASCAR, has become one of the most recognizable and uniquely American forms of motorsport. It emerged from the traditions of the rural South, shaped by the ingenuity of moonshine runners and the broader story of the American car. Over time, the sport transformed into a highly sophi…

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Doing History through Movies: Interview with Dr. Jason Herbert 48:25

1M ago48:25

48:25

Like many of you, I first fell in love with history through the movies. Dr. Jason Herbert hosted a podcast called Historians at the Movies, now retitled Reckoning with Jason Herbert, that focuses on films depicting the past and what historians think about them. We have a delightful conversation about some of our favorite history movies, what makes …

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The History of Nintendo 15:26

1M ago15:26

15:26

Nintendo is one of the most legendary video game companies in the world. Many of you have probably owned a Nintendo system to play video games. If you are old enough, you might have even played some of their games in a video arcade. Even if you have never played a video game, through cultural osmosis, you are probably still aware of many of its pop…

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Listen to Patrick's New History Podcast, Past Lives 19:56

1M ago19:56

19:56

Patrick has a new history podcast, Past Lives! It's all about the experiences of real, everyday people throughout the human past, people just like you. Listen to the first full episode, "On Historical Storytelling," right here, and then go subscribe to the Past Lives feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast platform of choice. Past Lives is…

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The Year 1975 16:27

1M ago16:27

16:27

By 1975, the world had seen 25 years of radical change. The changes seen in the first half of the 20th century accelerated even faster. Empires ended, there were social and technical revolutions, new nations were created, humans landed on the moon, and the world was in the midst of peak Cold War. Energy, inflation, and civil rights, which had alway…

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Questions and Answers: Volume 37 13:23

1M ago13:23

13:23

In the north, things are getting colder, snow is starting to fall, and the days are getting shorter. It is also the season for gift-giving. As I can’t personally give all of you a customized gift, I can do the next best thing and answer your questions. Stay tuned for the 37th installment of questions and answers on this episode of Everything Everyw…

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Panama 15:36

1M ago15:36

15:36

Panama is best known as the location of the Panama Canal, the waterway that revolutionized international sea transportation. However, there is a lot more to the country. Its history is unlike any other nation in the Americas, and its path to independence was unusual to say the least. Given its location, it also has a geography unlike any other coun…

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Italian vs German Fascism 16:26

1M ago16:26

16:26

Fascism is one of the most notorious political ideologies that shaped the 20th century. Fascism is typically only thought of in tandem with Nazi Germany, but it wasn’t the only country that adhered to the ideology, and they weren’t even the first. The originator was Italy. Despite many similarities between fascist Italy and Germany, the two nations…

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The Desecration of St. Denis (Encore) 12:53

1M ago12:53

12:53

The French Revolution was one of the most significant events in history. It wasn’t just a political revolution where one government replaced another. It was also a social revolution where the revolutionaries attempted to upend the entire foundation of French society. But it wasn’t just enough to change France. There were also efforts to obliterate …

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The Apollo 1 Disaster (Encore) 14:16

1M ago14:16

14:16

In the early 1960s, the United States was always a step behind the Soviet Union in the space race. By the mid-1960s, the Americans had caught up. They didn’t have many glamorous firsts, but they were doing increasingly difficult things in space. All of that came crashing to a halt on January 27, 1967, when three astronauts died in what was a seemin…