Best Civilwar Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 168: Never Let Me Go and The Bear 20:10

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10d ago20:10

20:10

One particular episode of "The Bear" inspired me to think about Kazuo Ishiguro's classic novel "Never Let Me Go"- friendship, love, memory, regret, and what it is that makes us human. This is a bonus episode I released a few years ago to my Patreon supporters. I think it fits well with the holiday season, see you in the new year! The Bear: https://…

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Episode 45 - Prince Rupert's Dog 50:02

12d ago50:02

50:02

Send us a text Professor Mark Stoyle (University of Southampton) joins me to discuss Rupert's dog, Boye, and belief & superstition of the time. * How was Boye woven into witchcraft, superstition, and belief? * What do we know of the real dog and his fate? * Magical powers given to the dog in pamphlets * The explosion of pamphlets and printing press…

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WHO IS CORK GRAHAM AND WHY SHOULD YOU LISTEN TO HIM? 2:39:27

29d ago2:39:27

2:39:27

In Part 1 of this episode, we learn about Cork Graham's experiences around the world that started with his childhood in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This formative experience was then followed by six more years in Asia (turning him into a heavily experienced world traveler by the age of 12), based in Singapore, as the son of a Korean War M…

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Episode 167: The Odyssey Part V - Purifying Memory (Books 21-24) 45:36

1M ago45:36

45:36

The Odyssey concludes with release, purification, and contradiction. A legendary bow and arrow contest sets the stage for Odysseus' rampage through the suitors who tormented his household for so long. The results of this explosion of violence and the conclusion of the story have been discussed and debated for millenia. This episode looks at books 2…

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THE PREPARATION with Maxim Smith 1:41:58

1M ago1:41:58

1:41:58

In this episode of Cork's Critical Thinking Corner, Cork Graham interviews Maxim Smith and what it was like to be the test subject for his father Matt Smith and American economist and bestselling author Doug Caseys'' program created for revealing an alternative to going directly to university, which will likely offer a better and more useful educat…

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Episode 44 - The Youth of Charles, Prince of Wales. 58:55

2M ago58:55

58:55

Send us a text Author Claire Hobson joins me to discuss the formative early years of King Charles II, and how they were scarred by civil war. * Childhood companions, George & Francis Villiers * Awareness of the growing political turmoil * Relationships with Christabella Wyndham (wet-nurse) & Lucy Walter * Commander of the Western Association * Pote…

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Episode 166: The Odyssey Part IV - There Will Be Blood (Books 17-20) 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

Odysseus has finally made it home, but the Ithaca he has returned to is almost unrecognizable. "Dangerous men and fools" hold power now, and the island has fallen into disrepair. Odysseus comes up with a plan to destroy the corrupt suitors, and Penelope has her own schemes. The stage is set for The Odyssey to reach it's conclusion. This episode ana…

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Episode 165: The Odyssey Part III - A Touch of Evil (Books 11-16) 45:52

3M ago45:52

45:52

In books 11-16 of The Odyssey, Odysseus runs through a murderous string of mythological creatures on his long journey home. The Underworld, seductive Sirens, deadly whirlpools, and six headed monsters are menacing obstacles to overcome, but they also represent different elements of evil in Homer's Greek world. By the end of the this section, Odysse…

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Episode 43 - What Happened to the Covenanters? 1:24:58

3M ago1:24:58

1:24:58

Send us a textBy Mark Turnbull

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Episode 164: The Odyssey Part II - The Wanderer (Books 6-10) 1:04:42

3M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

This episode delves into books 6-10 of The Odyssey. Odysseus has finally found a helping hand on his journey home, but before he can go, he must tell the story of where he came from. Lotus eaters, cannibals, cyclops, and the seductively terrifying Circe highlight this portion of the story. The "Homeric Question" is also examined. Who was the author…

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CHARLIE KIRK AND "BREAD AND CIRCUSES" 57:26

3M ago57:26

57:26

In this return from traveling down the rabbit holes of history for months, Cork Graham opens with the latest news on the Kirk political assassination, and how the game is now being played on Americans and other nations of the world. Best-selling memoirist, former combat photojournalist, POW/MIA and paramilitary officer (PMO) Cork Graham has covered…

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Episode 163: The Odyssey Part I - A Taste of Elysium (Books 1-5) 1:13:34

4M ago1:13:34

1:13:34

Homer's The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most enduring stories in all of civilization. Set in the aftermath of the legendary Trojan War, the great war hero Odysseus has been lost at sea for decades. As he struggles to return home, his story asks us important questions about history, memory, choice, kindness, leadership, violence, and much more.…

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Episode 162: The Orchestration of Genocide with Alexandra Birch 1:16:06

5M ago1:16:06

1:16:06

In this episode I'm joined by historian Alexandra Birch to talk about the role of music and sound in Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. We discuss her recent book Hitler's Twilight of the God's: Music and the Orchestration of War and Genocide in Europe, how music and sound contributed to genocide and Nazi identity formation, how the Nazis used music t…

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Episode 161: Civilization and Its Discontents Part III-Before They Are Hanged 21:04

5M ago21:04

21:04

Is human morality a facade? What is human nature, when you strip away Civilization? How does "Civilization" respond to the answers to these questions? This is final part in a series on Sigmund Freud's "Civilization and Its Discontents." It discusses Freud's broader thesis about the impact of guilt and anxiety on humanity. It also takes a look at hu…

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Episode 42 - Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyll 1:06:14

6M ago1:06:14

1:06:14

Send us a text Murdo Fraser MSP will discuss the life and times of Archibald Campbell, Marquess of Argyll, and his rivalry with James Graham, Marquess of Montrose. Hear about the coincidental similarities between the two men, but also their great differences. Also, Alison Diamond, archivist for the current Duke and Duchess of Argyll (Argyll Estates…

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Episode 160: Civilization and Its Discontents Part II-Putting Out the Fire 18:30

6M ago18:30

18:30

What is Civilization? How did it develop and what are its goals? In his book "Civilization and Its Discontents," Sigmund Freud looks at these questions from a psychoanalytic perspective. The conclusions he draws are as surprising and sometimes outrageous as they are insightful. This is part two in a series on Sigmund Freud's "Civilization and Its D…

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Episode 159: Civilization and Its Discontents Part I-Psychoanalytic Happiness 30:30

7M ago30:30

30:30

What is happiness? Why is it so hard to achieve? What is "civilization" and how did it develop? Legendary psychologist Sigmund Freud seeks to answer these questions in his book "Civilization and Its Discontents." Freud traces the development of human culture all the way from the beginning, all from the psychoanalytic perspective. While modern psych…

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Episode 158: Unraveling Historical Threads with Josh Johnson 1:37:49

7M ago1:37:49

1:37:49

In this episode I'm joined by Josh Johnson-host of Compendium: A History Collection, which is a history podcast covering a variety of topics, currently doing a fantastic series on the Vietnam War. He's also known as Joshreadsbooks on social media, where he has a devoted social media following on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc. This …

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Episode 157: What is Fascism? 47:14

8M ago47:14

47:14

This podcast provides an overview of fascism as both an ideology and a political tactic. In what ways was Nazi Germany a typical fascist state? This episode is one small part of my larger podcast series called "Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart." How does something like the rise of Nazi Germany happen? Why? Who's responsible? What is …

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Episode 156: The Fall of the Roman Republic 4:25:21

9M ago4:25:21

4:25:21

The fall of the Roman Republic is one of the great stories in all of ancient history and it can still teach lessons relevant to every element of modern life. This telling of the Roman Republic's demise blends systems-based history, trends and forces, events like the Punic Wars and Spartacus' slave rebellion, and the sheer will of legendary historic…

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Episode 155: Aztec Memories-The Story of the Aztec Empire 4:45:51

9M ago4:45:51

4:45:51

Watch with video here: https://youtu.be/PB1eoviYJ2Y?si=cVOCqmRo5C_Li93y This is all eight chapters of my Aztec Memories series, all in one place. I'm hoping this makes it easier for some folks out there to listen to the whole series, and it will allow me to release a video version of this podcast--coming very soon! Thanks for listening and for all …

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PRINCES & POLITICIANS: View Behind the Veil of Power with E.M. Burlingame 1:13:07

9M ago1:13:07

1:13:07

In the tradition of the Wizard Oz, global finance and technical strategist and former US Army Green Beret E.M. Burlingame takes the listener into the world of how power is played on a national and international level. A Senior Research Fellow with the National Foundation for Integrative Medicine, in 2020 E.M. launched the Jason Dawson and Stewart M…

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Episode 154: Aztec Memories Part VIII-Columbian Nightmare 28:13

10M ago28:13

28:13

The Columbian Exchange remains maybe the most significant historical development in modern history-setting the stage for the world we inhabit today. In modern day Mexico, the post-conquest colonial period led to the beginnings of many processes that would define Mexico and the Americas for years to come-the encomienda system, the racial casta syste…

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Episode 41 - Ned Hyde & Bulstrode Whitelocke (Friends in Youth) 1:33:17

10M ago1:33:17

1:33:17

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Episode 153: Aztec Memories Part VII-The Tickler 25:42

10M ago25:42

25:42

For many fans of history, the story of the Aztec empire ends with the Spanish conquest and the fall of Tenochtitan. But there was a post-conquest period, lasting for hundreds of years, in which the Spanish exerted authority and control over the people of the former Aztec Empire. The Mexica people had to make difficult decisions about conversion to …

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Episode 152: Aztec Memories Part VI-Mightier Than the Sword 30:21

11M ago30:21

30:21

The Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire provides a great opportunity to think about many complex historical questions. How should we think about topics of colonialism and conquest from a modern lens? How are morality and historical narrative closely tied together? How did Spanish people and Mexica people think about the conquest both at the time a…

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Episode 40 - New England 1:01:49

11M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Send us a text Professor Emerson Baker (Salem State University) discusses 17th centuryNew England. From Royalist, Catholic, and Puritan colonies - hear about their aims, how they were governed, and how the Wars of the Three. Kingdoms affected them. Plus Hugh Peter & witch trials! This podcast looks at anything and everything to do with the Wars of …

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Episode 151: Aztec Memories Part V-Crimson Sky 42:48

12M ago42:48

42:48

In November of 1519, Aztec Emperor Moctezuma and Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez met on the causeway leading to Tenochtitlan in maybe the first official contact between powerful leaders of the Old and New Worlds. One of the great what if moments in world history, this was the opening act in what would eventually lead to a clash of civilization…

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Episode 150: Aztec Memories Part IV-The Chontal Gift 42:33

1y ago42:33

42:33

While the Aztec Empire peaked in central Mexico, a different empire was spreading it's tenticles across the Atlantic Ocean. The Spanish were in the early phases of setting up a global superpower powered by colonialism. In early 1519, the Spanish arrived in force on the shores of the Yucatan Peninsula. After crushing the Chontal Maya city states, He…

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Episode 149: Aztec Memories Part III-The City on the Lake 36:11

1y ago36:11

36:11

The Aztec Empire at its height in the 1400's was a flourishing civilization that had a rich social and cultural tradition. In addition to the political realities of statebuilding-war, tribute, human sacrifice, and slavery, the Mexica people took care of their families, tended to gardens, ate rich foods, listened to music, participated in religious …