Best Commune Media Podcasts (2025)

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How Christianity came to dominate the Roman world 43:52

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21m ago43:52

43:52

What if the 'fall' of Rome wasn’t a collapse, but a rebrand? In this episode, Alice Roberts delves into the dramatic transformation of the Roman world and the rise of Christianity, from cliffside burials in Wales to imperial politics in Constantinople. Speaking to Danny Bird, she reveals how early Christianity wasn’t a grassroots movement of the po…

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Boundless Parenting: Ben Greenfield’s Lessons For Raising Resilient Kids 50:24

4h ago50:24

50:24

Ben Greenfield shares wisdom on raising resilient, purposeful kids in a distracted, fractured world. Discover how presence, trust, and intentional family culture can build a foundation that lasts for generations. This podcast is supported by: Mimio Get 25% off with code COMMUNE25 at Mimiohealth.com Puori Go to Puori.com/COMMUNE use promo code COMMU…

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Ep. 190 Jonathan Berman – Producer, Director, Writer, Editor/ Commune 20th Anniversary Restoration 2:29:11

5h ago2:29:11

2:29:11

This week, Wes and Todd talk with the Director of the movie “Commune”, Jonathan Berman. Jonathan discusses his early history growing up on the south shore of Long Island, weird jobs, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, being a professor at Cal State San Marcos, his documentary “My Friend Paul”, reality tv, being a producer, “The Shvitz”, long tail, Black Bear Ran…

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The spy next door: Moscow's century-long plot to infiltrate the west 46:01

2d ago46:01

46:01

In 2010, the world was stunned when the United States exposed a covert Russian spy network operating on its soil. Seemingly all-American families living in white-picket-fenced suburbia were in fact deep undercover Russian agents. Many had been living under assumed identities for decades, lying even to their own children. In this episode, journalist…

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Marianne Williamson on Democracy in Crisis 39:08

2d ago39:08

39:08

In this episode, Jeff speaks with Marianne Williamson about the rise of authoritarianism in America. Marianne explores the spiritual dimensions of citizenship, the danger of complacency, and her vision for how we can come together to protect democracy and create a more just, compassionate future. For more live conversations check out jeffkrasno.sub…

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Edward the Confessor: life of the week 49:42

2d ago49:42

49:42

Edward the Confessor, England’s penultimate Anglo-Saxon king, has long been remembered as a saintly, pious monarch – but was he really the weak ruler whose indecision paved the way for the Norman Conquest that some historical sources would have us think? And if not, how should we understand him? Emily Briffett spoke to historian Tom Licence to expl…

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Britain and the Caribbean: from slavery to Black Lives Matter 30:00

5d ago30:00

30:00

Histories of British involvement in the Caribbean tend to focus mainly on the period of plantation slavery but, in her new book Empire Without End, Imaobong Umoren argues that we need to take a broader view. It's only by taking the story back to the 16th century and forward until the present, she contends, that we can fully understand the intertwin…

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Nationalism: everything you wanted to know 45:17

4d ago45:17

45:17

Human beings tend to identify with being in a group, and, historically, few groupings have been more potent than the idea of the nation. But when did people first embrace the idea of the nation state? Is nationalism predominantly a right-wing creed? And does it thrive during periods of crisis and uncertainty? In this Everything You Wanted To Know e…

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Preview: The forgers who faked a fortune 8:52

5d ago8:52

8:52

In 1775, a respectable lady, a mild-mannered apothecary and his fast-living identical twin stood accused of pulling off a scam that had earnt them a fortune. But as their trial unfolded, the defendants turned on one another, and the plot thickened – who was the real orchestrator of the scheme, and who would hang for it? In this preview of episode o…

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From dodos to 'lost' tribes: a history of extinction 35:06

6d ago35:06

35:06

After causing the extinction of the dodo, humans soon realised that we had the power to destroy entire species – and we continue to reckon with that power. Speaking to James Osborne, Sadiah Qureshi discusses her new book Vanished, which looks at the connections between extinction and imperialism, and explores how changing ideas about extinction hav…

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The New Science of Menopause With Dr. Amy Killen 26:57

7d ago26:57

26:57

For years, myths about menopause and hormone therapy have shaped women’s health. Dr. Amy Killen shares the latest science and shows how to stay vibrant, strong, and healthy at every stage of life. This podcast is supported by: Tia Join Tia today at AskTia.com and enter promo code COMMUNE25 and get the first 3 months of your annual membership FREE. …

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Europe's last pagans 41:43

8d ago41:43

41:43

Christianity came to dominate Europe in the Middle Ages. However, some parts of Europe remained pagan until very recently. So how did non-Christian peoples survive, and prosper, in parts of Europe for centuries after most of the continent had adopted the Church? Francis Young, folklorist and historian of religion and belief, explains all to David M…

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When the Violent Are Protected: The Dark Side of Post-Roe America 34:03

10d ago34:03

34:03

Should a convicted predator ever have custody of their victim’s child? As shocking as it sounds, in some states it’s still legal. Jeff and Schuyler trace how we got here, from the stacking of the Supreme Court to a chilling real-life case that should be a wake-up call for the nation. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assau…

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VJ Day and the story of women's football: history behind the headlines 45:19

11d ago45:19

45:19

In the latest episode of our monthly series charting the historical background of current news events, historians Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter discuss how VJ Day is remembered 80 years on – and explore the rise, fall and rise of women's football. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad …

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The tangled legacies of two Americas 38:14

11d ago38:14

38:14

For centuries, North and Latin America have been locked in a relationship of rivalry and reciprocity. From revolutionary dreams to imperial ambitions, their fates have never been separate. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Greg Grandin explores how Latin America has long shaped – and resisted – US influence, from critiques of the Spanish conquest in South …

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The Paris Commune: everything you wanted to know 56:14

12d ago56:14

56:14

In the spring of 1871, the citizens of Europe’s second largest city rose up and proclaimed the Paris Commune. For eight extraordinary weeks, the French capital defied the national government that had been forced to decamp to Versailles – and adopted a series of progressive policies ranging from the abolition of nightwork in bakeries to the toppling…

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VJ Day: why don't we talk about WW2 in Asia? 39:17

15d ago39:17

39:17

On the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, broadcaster Kavita Puri – presenter of a new BBC Radio 4 series on the Second World War in Asia – tells Matt Elton why stories of the Allied conflict with Japan remain overlooked and under-told. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po…

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What Menopause Does to the Brain: Dr. Sara Szal on Hormonal Recovery 45:25

15d ago45:25

45:25

Hormonal shifts like menopause affect more than mood or metabolism. Dr. Sara Szal explains how they rewire your brain’s energy system and how to restore resilience from the inside out. This podcast is supported by: Puori Go to Puori.com/COMMUNE use promo code COMMUNE to save 20% on a one-time purchase Tia Join Tia today at AskTia.com and enter prom…

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Ep. 189 Nicole Korbe – Painter, Gallerist, NKollectiv 2:27:53

14d ago2:27:53

2:27:53

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Painter and Gallerist, Nicole Korbe. Nicole discusses growing up in New Mexico & Oklahoma, creativity, being shy, her degree in Biology & Botany, her time working as a project manager for environmental consulting firms and how that experience plays into running a gallery, her beginnings as a painter, her pivot and …

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GPT-5, Who Is It For? 45:01

15d ago45:01

45:01

In this episode of Artificial Idiots, the hosts delve into the recent launch of GPT-5, discussing its expectations, usability issues, and the implications for developers and users alike. They explore the challenges faced by developers, the importance of user instructions, and the learning curve associated with the new model. The conversation also t…

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Zoot suits, mashers & New Romantics: the evolution of the dandy 29:08

16d ago29:08

29:08

From zoot suiters and mods, to mashers and Congolese sapeurs, since the early 19th century, fashionable male subcultures have popped up across the globe. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, Peter Andersson examines how the idea of the 'dandy' has evolved over time, and argues that the idea of dressing well was not limited to the elites. (Ad) Peter Anderss…

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Precious Scars / Into the Ice 15:15

17d ago15:15

15:15

In this episode, Jeff shares how a jagged scar from childhood illness and a freezing plunge with the ‘Iceman’ became unlikely teachers. Together, they reveal how discomfort and repair can transform pain into wisdom. Find more of Jeff's musings at jeffkrasno.substack.com. This podcast is supported by: LMNT Get a free sample pack with any purchase at…

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Mary of Modena: life of the week 46:32

17d ago46:32

46:32

Cultural historian and author Breeze Barrington brings to life the fascinating – and often misunderstood – story of Maria, or Mary, of Modena. Born into Italian nobility and raised with quiet ambitions of becoming a nun, Mary was thrust onto the European political stage as a teenage bride to James, Duke of York (later crowned as James VII of Scotla…

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Arson, murder and goddesses: secrets of a Seventh Wonder of the Ancient World 34:13

19d ago34:13

34:13

What would it have been like to have witness one of the most spectacular sights of the ancient world first-hand? Speaking to Rachel Dinning, Bettany Hughes explores the extraordinary Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. From its awe-inspiring grandeur to its dramatic tales of arson, murder, and sanctuary, she…

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Frontier life: everything you wanted to know 53:24

19d ago53:24

53:24

What was life like on the frontier in 19th-century America? Forget Hollywood’s high-noon shootouts and lawless swaggering cowboys – historian Karen Jones paints a far more complex picture of the American frontier. Speaking to Elinor Evans, she helps us look past the myths to find more diversity and humanity in the stories of those who travelled wes…

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Forgotten stories from South Asian history 42:42

21d ago42:42

42:42

South Asian history is currently in the spotlight, with 2025's South Asian Heritage Month focusing particularly on themes of movement and migration. But what's the value of such dedicated history months? And are there stories that are still being overlooked? Matt Elton spoke to three expert historians – Shrabani Basu, Sumita Mukherjee and Shalina P…

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Why Stress Heals: The Science of Resilience with Dr. Sharon Bergquist 1:13:04

22d ago1:13:04

1:13:04

We often think of stress as something to avoid, but what if certain kinds of stress could actually make us stronger? Dr. Sharon Bergquist joins Jeff to explore how intentional stress can build resilience all the way down to the cellular level. This podcast is supported by: LMNT Get a free sample pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/COMMUNE Bon C…

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Was the atomic bomb necessary to end war with Japan? 36:57

24d ago36:57

36:57

The decision by the United States to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 remains one of the most controversial moments in modern history. Did the atomic bombs force Japan's surrender in the Second World War? Or is this far too simple a narrative? Speaking to Elinor Evans, historian Richard Overy reconsiders the …

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How Balance Creates Health 18:58

24d ago18:58

18:58

To be balanced is not to be still, but to be skillful in motion. Jeff distills timeless wisdom and science into a simple truth: well-being means learning to walk the tightrope with grace. This podcast is supported by: Bon Charge Get 15% off when you order at ⁠boncharge.com⁠ and use promo code COMMUNE LMNT Get a free sample pack with any purchase at…

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JMW Turner: life of the week 38:40

24d ago38:40

38:40

In 2015, the Bank of England asked the British public to nominate a deceased cultural figure they felt deserved the honour of appearing on a banknote. The figure they chose was JMW Turner. So what made Turner such an extraordinary artist? And why do his landscape paintings still resonate today, 250 years on from his birth? Here, in conversation wit…

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Hiroshima: in the shadow of the bomb 43:36

25d ago43:36

43:36

At 8.15am on 6 August 1945, an atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima. It was an event that changed the course of history, but it was also one driven by individuals. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Iain MacGregor tells this story through the eyes of people whose lives were forever shaped by the quest to build the bomb – and those affected by…

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WW2 evacuees: everything you wanted to know 33:58

26d ago33:58

33:58

Imagine being torn from your home and sent to live with strangers... well that was exactly what happened for many in the Second World War. To escape the threat of bombing in British cities, thousands of people were transported to the countryside – and they weren't just children. In this everything you wanted to know episode, historian Joshua Levine…

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Queen Victoria's secret love affair 41:19

28d ago41:19

41:19

Ever since the 1870s, rumours have swirled around Queen Victoria and her Highland servant John Brown. Were the pair in love? Could they have got married? And might they even have had a secret child? Historian Fern Riddell investigates these claims in her book Victoria's Secret, and has made some dramatic discoveries that she believes cast the story…

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Help in a Hurry: Rewire Your Mind with Dr. Caroline Leaf 1:32:14

28d ago1:32:14

1:32:14

Dr. Caroline Leaf joins Jeff to explore the profound power of the mind to shape our thoughts, emotions, and even our biology. She shares practical tools from her new book Help in a Hurry to manage anxiety in the moment and rewire the brain for long-term mental well-being. This podcast is supported by: Bon Charge Get 15% off when you order at boncha…

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Ep. 188 Max Kauffman – Painter, Curator, Maker of Things 2:56:33

28d ago2:56:33

2:56:33

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Artist and Curator Max Kauffman. Max discusses the South Park premiere, the different work that he makes being like poems and songs, watercolor & gouache, anthropology, the cassette tape, his love of pattern, the importance of being in the head space for fun, analog, improvisation, growing up in Indiana, skateboard…

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How to Violate AI Guardrails, AI Psychology, AI Clones and Privacy 38:51

29d ago38:51

38:51

In this episode, the Artificial Idiots discuss the implications of AI on employment, privacy, and ethics. They explore the potential for AI to replicate human abilities and the ethical considerations surrounding data ownership and manipulation. The conversation delves into the psychology of AI, the effectiveness of persuasion techniques, and the fu…

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The 300-year battle over free speech 37:32

30d ago37:32

37:32

From the French Revolution to the social media age, Fara Dabhoiwala charts the surprising history of the idea that people should be able to say what they like From America's founding fathers via John Stuart Mill to today's social media giants, humanity has long wrestled with the idea of free speech. What does it mean? Can it really apply to everyon…

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Reading Together 30:36

1M ago30:36

30:36

Episode Notes A quick one this time, with an exploration of how some UFO books just... go together really well and how they provide a level of understanding that is often more than the sum of their parts. Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes, behind the scenes action, and more! Website | Instagram…

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Three Models of Nature 21:09

1M ago21:09

21:09

What if your body isn’t a machine, but a living, breathing process—just like the universe itself? Jeff explores three worldviews of reality, from Hindu drama to Newtonian mechanics to Taoist flow, and how they reshape our understanding of health. Read the full article on Jeff's Substack: https://jeffkrasno.substack.com/ This podcast is supported by…

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Erik the Red: life of the week 44:21

1M ago44:21

44:21

According to the Vinland Sagas of the early 13th century, Erik the Red was a violent and murderous outlaw. But he was also an explorer, a powerful leader and the father of a famous dynasty. Historian and Old Norse expert Eleanor Barraclough charts his fascinating life and legacy, in conversation with James Osborne. The HistoryExtra podcast is produ…