Best Sleep With Hiistory Podcasts (2025)

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The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) 18:00

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3h ago18:00

18:00

This Winter: the original Season 1 collection - the episodes that started it all. In this first episode of Sleep with History we'll traverse the battlefields, castles, and corridors of power during a period marked by honor, treachery, innovation, and resilience. We are about to explore the Hundred Years' War, a monumental conflict that shaped Europ…

1
Founding of the City of Constantinople (330 CE) 24:50

4d ago24:50

24:50

In the twilight of a faltering Roman Empire, the foundations of Constantinople were set, a city born from the vision of Constantine the Great amidst a time of tumult and transformation. As the empire writhed under the weight of internal strife and external threats, this new capital emerged as a beacon of hope and renewal, straddling the vibrant col…

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Building of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) 23:09

7d ago23:09

23:09

As twilight enfolds the isthmus of Panama, a slender bridge of land whispered with the dreams of navigators and conquerors, we transcend time to trace its transformation from an ancient transit route to a marvel of modern engineering. In our journey, the rugged landscapes speak of both the allure and the adversity faced by those who once envisioned…

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Marco Polo and His Journeys to the East (1271-1295) 25:24

10d ago25:24

25:24

As dusk settled across the medieval landscape, cities like Venice blossomed into thriving hubs of commerce and culture, their streets echoing with the whispers of an impending Renaissance. Meanwhile, far beyond the familiar canals, the vast Mongol Empire wove a mosaic of trade and tolerance, its borders pulsing with the safe transit of goods and id…

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The Crusades: Conflict and Commerce in the Middle Ages (1095-1291) 23:51

12d ago23:51

23:51

As dusk settles over a Europe in the throes of transformation, we find ourselves weaving through the dense kaleidoscope of the Crusades, a period not merely of religious zeal but of profound sociopolitical upheaval. In the shadows of fortified castles and the echoes of clashing swords, a complex ballet of ambition, desperation, and devotion plays o…

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The Rise of the Zulu Kingdom under Shaka Zulu (1816-1828) 23:57

14d ago23:57

23:57

In the quiet hours before the storm of empire, the land that would be called KwaZulu Natal lay tranquil, a mosaic of pastoral tribes under starlit African skies. Here, amid the gentle lowing of cattle and the soft murmurings of village life, the rolling hills held the whispers of change, ushered in by the formidable Shaka Zulu. His legacy, crafted …

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The Industrial Revolution in Britain (1760-1840) 24:09

17d ago24:09

24:09

In the gentle lull before the Industrial Revolution, our world rested in the calm of agrarian rhythms, where life danced quietly to the tune of natures ebb and flow. We journey back to a time where small villages dotted the English countryside, fields were tended by hands guided by centuries of tradition, and the impending whisper of change was car…

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The Phoenicians: Pioneers of Trade and Navigation (1550-300 BCE) 24:43

19d ago24:43

24:43

Envision the ancient sands of the Mediterranean cradling the dawn of Phoenician civilization, where the rugged terrains of Lebanon whispered secrets of survival to the seafarers. In the embrace of scarcity, these ingenious minds crafted ships, charting nebulous waters under starlit skies, connecting distant civilizations through webs of trade and c…

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The Edo Period: A Time of Peace and Cultural Flourishing in Japan (1603-1868) 26:13

21d ago26:13

26:13

As twilight deepens across an ancient Japan, we transport ourselves to the Edo period, an era of whispered calm settled beneath the watchful reign of the Tokugawa shogunate. Amidst this backdrop of societal stasis and sequestered splendor, the pulse of culture beats subtly yet resoundingly through ukiyo-e art, Kabuki theater, and the distilled brev…

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The Rise of the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922) 23:32

24d ago23:32

23:32

As night blankets the landscape, we find ourselves wandering through the early foundations of the Ottoman Empire, where the whispers of a nascent power stir under the moonlit sky of what is now Turkey. In this serene journey, we explore the intricate collage of Anatolian beyliks and the echo of Byzantine sophistication, weaving through the tales of…

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The Space Race: USA and USSR's Battle Beyond Earth (1955-1975) 22:36

26d ago22:36

22:36

Beneath the silver glow of the moon, we find ourselves cradled in the infinite embrace of the cosmos, where whispers of the Space Race evoke dreams of a time when the stars were a grand stage for rivalry and ambition. As the chill of the Cold War settled over the Earth, two behemoths, the United States and the Soviet Union, cast their gazes upwards…

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The Manhattan Project and the Development of the Atomic Bomb (1942-1945) 21:26

28d ago21:26

21:26

Beneath the shadow of a world at war, an assembly of brilliant minds embarked on a clandestine journey that would redefine the boundaries of power and possibility. In the secret havens of the Manhattan Project, from the remote deserts of New Mexico to the vast spaces of Washington, the air was thick with the silent anticipation of a discovery that …

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The Era of Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933) 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

As twilight settles over the whispered streets of a bygone era, we journey back to the soft shadows and hushed tones of Prohibition America, where the clipped jazz rhythms once played beneath the hum of quiet rebellion. In this tranquil exploration, we delve into a time when speakeasies flourished in secrecy, and the nations resolve was tested by t…

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The Amarna Period: Revolution and Artistry in Ancient Egypt (1353-1336 BCE) 24:57

1M ago24:57

24:57

As night deepens and the world quiets, we trace the serene yet transformative currents of ancient Egypts Amarna Period, a time of profound ideological shifts under Pharaoh Akhenaten. In the stillness of our thoughts, we wander through the echoes of Akhetaten, a city born from Akhenaten’s bold vision, where temples and art breathed life into a solit…

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Arrival of Europeans and the beginning of the Atlantic Slave Trade (15th century) 23:38

1M ago23:38

23:38

As dusk falls on the vibrant kaleidoscope of the 15th century, we wade gently into an era where the threads of the Renaissance wove through Europe, sparking an age of profound artistic and intellectual revival. Amidst this rebirth, whispers of distant shores began to stir the hearts of Europes maritime powers, driven by a complex blend of economic …

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The Byzantine Empire becomes the dominant power in Greece (4th century CE) 25:06

1M ago25:06

25:06

As the Roman Empire whispered its last breaths, a new era blossomed in the heart of Greece, where the Byzantine Empire slowly unfurled its regal mosaic. In this tranquil sleepcast, we wander through the hushed corridors of history, where the echoes of ancient politics, culture, and spirituality weave a tale of transformation and renewal. Drift with…

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People's Republic of China established under Communist rule (1949) 24:55

1M ago24:55

24:55

Tonight, we meander through the deep, transformative currents of history to the momentous year of 1949, when the Peoples Republic of China was born under a blanket of starlit revolution. In the shadowy quiet of pre-dawn years, the seeds of change were sown, nurtured by the struggle and aspirations of a nation fractured by warfare and ideological di…

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Founding of New York City (1624) 23:27

1M ago23:27

23:27

As twilight drapes over the verdant hills of ancient Mannahatta, the gentle rustle of trees and the lapping waters recount the islands tranquil beginnings, long before it became the throbbing heart of New York City. In this sleepcast, we journey through the echoes of time, where the strategic whispers between the Dutch and the Lenape foretell a cit…

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Queen Victoria's Reign Over the British Empire (1837-1901) 21:41

2M ago21:41

21:41

As the sun set on a young Queen Victorias first day of reign, her kingdom stood at the brink of transformation, where the smoky whispers of steam engines commingled with the crisp rustle of telegraph papers. We drift through the shadows and light of an era defined by iron and innovation, where railways stitched landscapes together and the pulse of …

1
Unification of Italy (1848-1871) 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

In the twilight of the Italian peninsulas fragmented past, where shadows of ancient empires and spirited city-states danced upon the cobblestones, our story unfolds. We journey through whispering echoes of the Roman Empires fall, feeling the soft brush of history as myriad rulers and diverse cultures crafted a mosaic ripe for transformation. Beneat…

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The Chartist Movement in Britain (1838-1850) 22:54

2M ago22:54

22:54

As the Industrial Revolution transforms 19th century Britain, weaving its mechanical tempo through the lives of its laboring class, we explore the landscape—smoke-filled skies over burgeoning factories and the stark contrasts of urban expansion. Amidst this profound upheaval emerges the Chartist Movement, a story of defiance and dreams, resonating …

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Peter the Great Modernizes Russia (1682-1725) 24:55

2M ago24:55

24:55

As night settles around us, we drift into the vast, enigmatic expanse of Old Russia, a realm tethered to the traditions of the Middle Ages and cloaked in the deep hues of serfdom and insularity. Here, under a heavy canopy of feudal order and restrained by ancient bureaucracies, the air is thick with the whispers of change stirring beneath the opule…

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Florentine Banking and the Rise of the Medici Family (14th-15th centuries) 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

In the soft shadows of night, let us journey back to Florence during the Renaissance, a time when culture blossomed amidst the quiet hum of fierce political and economic rivalries. Amidst the intertwining cobbled streets, the whispers of innovation and the rustle of rich velvets told tales of the Medici family, whose subtle financial maneuvers unde…

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The Construction of Machu Picchu (c. 1450) 22:09

2M ago22:09

22:09

As twilight descends on the Andean peaks, we find ourselves perched in the lost city of Machu Picchu, where whispers of a once-great civilization linger in the cool mountain air. Here, nestled between craggy cliffs, the Inca showcased their ingenuity in stonework and reverence for the natural world, creating a city that blends seamlessly with the s…

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The Age of the Vikings (793-1066) 24:12

2M ago24:12

24:12

In the mysterious embrace of the Dark Ages, we drift to the rugged lands of Scandinavia, where the lore of Vikings comes alive in the whisper of the wind through dense forests and the distant echo of dragon-headed ships slicing through misty fjords. Our journey unravels the tale of a people animated by the pulse of the ocean, guided by the stars, a…

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The Rise of the Inca Empire (13th century) 23:22

2M ago23:22

23:22

As twilight descends on the rugged peaks of the Andes, our minds wander through the mist-covered valleys where the Inca Empire once thrived. In the embrace of these ancient mountains, hear the whisper of Manco Capac, son of the sun god, as he plants the seeds of a civilization destined to intertwine diverse cultures into a profound unity. Our journ…

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The Golden Horde: Mongol Rule in Russia (13th-15th centuries) 24:58

2M ago24:58

24:58

As dusk falls gently over the vast steppes of Eurasia, we travel back to the time of the Golden Horde, where the whispers of the past blend seamlessly with the rustle of dry grass underfoot. In these quiet moments, we explore the immense kaleidoscope woven by Batu Khan’s empire, stretching from the cradle of Eastern Europe to the heart of Russia, a…

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Samurai Culture and Bushido in Feudal Japan (12th-19th centuries) 24:06

2M ago24:06

24:06

As we weave through the mosaic of feudal Japan, we find ourselves surrounded by the whispering winds of change that ushered in the age of the Samurai. Beneath the serene moonlight, our senses mingle with the shifting shadows of emperors and warriors, where the art of Bushido was not merely a doctrine but a breath of life, coursing through the veins…

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Vasco da Gama Reaches India by Sea (1498) 22:03

2M ago22:03

22:03

Beneath the velvet cloak of a Renaissance night, stars witness the whispers of the Age of Discovery, where new paths unfurl on seas less known. In the hush of late 15th century Europe, we find ourselves drifting on the tide of Vasco da Gamas monumental journey—a voyage fueled by the mingled scents of distant spices and the heavy breath of navigatio…

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Founding of Byzantium (330 CE) 24:44

2M ago24:44

24:44

By Whisper.fm

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The Dutch Golden Age of Art and Commerce (17th century) 23:19

2M ago23:19

23:19

In the soft embrace of the 17th century, the Dutch Republic blossomed into a serene kaleidoscope of innovation and artistry during its Golden Age. Amidst the whispers of peace that followed turbulent times, this small nation surged forward, finding rhythm in the calm of newfound stability and the hum of bustling trade and culture. As we explore thi…

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The Aztec Empire and Its Complex Societies (1345-1521) 20:39

3M ago20:39

20:39

In the shadowed quiet of pre-Columbian nights, beneath the vast, starry sky, wander with us through the majestic world of the Aztec Empire. As we trace the Mexica from their mythical origins in Aztlan, guided by prophetic visions toward the establishment of Tenochtitlán, feel the pulse of an empire built on the back of visionary engineering and pro…

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Trade on the Ancient Silk Route (2nd century BCE-14th century CE) 23:43

3M ago23:43

23:43

We traverse the winding paths of the Silk Route, a mixture woven through the epochs, unfurling from the 2nd century BCE to the 14th century CE. Here, the murmur of camel caravans carries not just silk but a symphony of ideas, from the spiritual whispers of Buddhism to the strategic whispers of empires. As we tread softly along these ancient routes,…

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The establishment of Yellowstone: America's First National Park (1872) 24:38

3M ago24:38

24:38

Amidst the post-Civil War reconstruction and the rush of Manifest Destiny, a narrative emerged celebrating the untouched wilderness of the American West. Our journey weaves through the awe-inspiring stories of explorers drawn to Yellowstones geysers and grand canyons, whose vivid accounts ignited a fervent dialogue on conservation versus conquest. …

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Founding of Yale University: Education and Innovation (1701) 24:27

3M ago24:27

24:27

In the hushed twilight dimness of early 18th century New England, we meander through the cobblestone paths of ambition and intellectual awakening where the seeds of Yale University first took root. Amidst the fervent Puritan ethos and the whispering winds of change brought by the Great Awakening, a group of visionary clergymen laid the cornerstone …

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The Suez Canal: Linking Seas and Cultures (1869) 23:41

3M ago23:41

23:41

Amid the whispers of sand and time, the Suez Canal emerged as a corridor between seas, an artery pulsing at the heart of the 19th centurys transformative spirit. As shovels turned the arid earth and the dreams of empires took form, this monumental endeavor not only reshaped maritime routes but also the very fabric of global connections. Through the…

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The Habsburg Empire: A European Dynasty (1526-1918) 22:42

3M ago22:42

22:42

In the delicate twilight of medieval Europe, a collage of nascent states and ancient lineages began to weave itself under the vast shadows of castles and the silent watch of stars. Here, amidst the echo of ancient stone and whispered oaths, the Habsburg family rose quietly from the humble origins of the Swiss Aargau, binding their fate to the conti…

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Founding of Sydney: From Penal Colony to Prosperity (1788) 21:07

3M ago21:07

21:07

In the twilight of the 18th century, Sydney emerged not just as a place, but as a poignant tale of endurance and transformation. As whispers of the past echo through time, imagine the maiden voyage of the First Fleet, finding its way to the rugged yet promising shores of what would become a bustling metropolis. Amidst struggles for survival and enc…

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The Hanseatic League: Economic Power in Medieval Europe (13th-17th Century) 22:26

3M ago22:26

22:26

As the Roman Empire faded into the shadows of history, a new chapter unfolded in the chilly realms of northern Europe, where the Hanseatic League began to weave its intricate collage of commerce and cooperation. Amidst the fragmented sovereignties of the Middle Ages, these visionary towns and guilds united under the shared banner of economic prospe…

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The Green Revolution: Transforming Agriculture (1950s-1960s) 19:42

3M ago19:42

19:42

As twilight settled over the mid-20th century, the world found itself on the precipice of profound transformation, driven by the urgent need to nourish burgeoning populations amid the looming shadows of food scarcity. In the fertile fields of Mexico, under a vast, open sky, the seeds of the Green Revolution were sown, nurtured by the hands of visio…

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The Charge of the Light Brigade (1854) 21:45

3M ago21:45

21:45

In the shadowy folds of the 19th century, we find ourselves enveloped in the complex mixture of geopolitical ambitions and military tactics that set the stage for the tragic Charge of the Light Brigade. As empires clashed over the diminishing glow of the Ottoman Empire and the strategic waters of the Mediterranean, the air was thick with the scent …

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The Chola Dynasty: Maritime Empire of Southern India (9th-13th Century) 25:22

3M ago25:22

25:22

As twilight descends on the ancient lands of Tamil Nadu, we embark on a voyage through time to the era of the Chola Dynasty, where a kaleidoscope of human endeavor and majestic rule was woven into the fabric of South Asia. Amidst the whispering echoes of architectural marvels and the bustling maritime routes, the Cholas emerged as a beacon of power…

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Maya Civilization: Innovators of the Ancient World (c.2000 BCE to 16th century CE) 24:59

3M ago24:59

24:59

In tonights journey, we delve into the lush, verdant realms that once nurtured the majestic Maya civilization, nestled within the dense jungles and expansive landscapes of ancient Mesoamerica. We trace the echoes of their intricate city-states, each a testament to a society that harmonized advanced agricultural practices and stellar architectural f…

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Renaissance Florence: Birthplace of the Arts Revival (14th-17th Century) 21:36

3M ago21:36

21:36

In the velvety shadows of a bygone era, Florence emerged as a beacon of renewal, lighting up the twilight of the Middle Ages with the brilliance of the Renaissance. Our journey weaves through the tapestried streets and vibrant piazzas where art and intellect blossomed under the nurturing gaze of the Medici, and where the dusty scrolls of antiquity …

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Confucius (551-479 BCE) 14:56

4M ago14:56

14:56

As twilight deepens, we find ourselves walking along the tranquil paths once trodden by Confucius, whose humble beginnings in the state of Lu blossomed into profound teachings that sought harmony in society through virtue and moral leadership. Through the echoes of ancient China, we explore his unwavering belief in the power of education and self-d…

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Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) 12:43

4M ago12:43

12:43

From a boyhood spent gazing at the sky above rural Ohio to the moment he became the first human to set foot on the Moon, Neil Armstrong’s story is one of quiet determination, curiosity, and courage. In this gentle episode, you’ll follow Armstrong’s early fascination with flight, his adventures as a naval aviator and test pilot, and the long path th…

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Falklands War (1982) 13:57

4M ago13:57

13:57

As the sun sets gently over the serene Falkland Islands, our thoughts wander to a time of conflict that reshaped the spirit of two distant nations. We explore the quiet resilience that thrummed beneath the surface, where the roar of engines and whispers of strategy unfolded across icy waters and windswept moors. In this embrace of night, let us dri…

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Construction of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome (1506-1626) 29:14

4M ago29:14

29:14

In the labyrinthine silence of ancient halls, we trace the elegant threads of Roman law, woven intricately into the mosaic of the Corpus Juris Civilis under Emperor Justinians keen vision. Surrounded by the hushed whispers of parchment and ink, Tribonian and his scholars craft a legal codex of unprecedented depth, merging centuries of decrees, doct…

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Samurai Culture in Feudal Japan (1185-1868) 28:17

4M ago28:17

28:17

As twilight embraces feudal Japan, we wander through the serene yet potent ethos of Bushido, the way of the warrior, a code shaping every breath of the Samurai—beyond the battlefield into the whispered realms of honor and duty. These warriors, entrenched in a society ripe with hierarchy and reverence, navigated through pledges of loyalty and frugal…

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The spice trade: Culinary Exchange That Shaped the World (Middle Ages) 25:52

4M ago25:52

25:52

As night draws its velvet curtain around us, we journey back through the whispers of time to the age when spices were as precious as gold, swirling through the Medieval marketplaces and palaces, igniting the fires of empires and economies. In our passage, we traverse the serene waters of the Venetian Republic where opulent galleys laden with cloves…