The 16 Best Nazi Germany Podcasts (2026)

Narrated by Paul McGann with that unmistakable gravitas he brings to everything, this NOISER production traces the full arc of Hitler from awkward Austrian youth to the bunker in Berlin. Across 38 episodes and five seasons, the show builds a meticulous chronological portrait using expert historians and dramatic reconstruction. The production quality is genuinely impressive -- full sound design, archival atmosphere, and McGann steering it all with a steady hand. Each episode runs between 30 minutes and an hour, which keeps the pacing tight without ever feeling rushed. What sets it apart from other Hitler biographies is how it treats the man as a product of specific historical circumstances rather than some inexplicable monster. The show spends real time on the Weimar Republic, the beer hall putsch, the mechanisms of propaganda, and the incremental steps that turned a failed painter into a dictator. Historians contribute analysis throughout, and the show does not shy away from uncomfortable details about how ordinary Germans were complicit. The 4.8-star rating from over 300 reviews is well-earned. If you want one show that covers the entire Hitler story start to finish with serious production values and genuine historical rigor, this is the one. It respects the weight of the subject without being preachy about it.

Waitman Wade Beorn is a Holocaust scholar who clearly loves the long conversation format. His episodes regularly stretch past 90 minutes, and honestly, they need to -- he brings on an incredible rotating cast of academics and specialists who each bring something different. One week you might hear about women's experiences during the Holocaust, the next about the role of Yiddish culture, and then a deep examination of how we define genocide itself. The show has about 73 episodes so far and maintains a 4.7-star rating with listeners consistently praising the fact that it feels academic without being stuffy. Beorn knows how to ask the right follow-up questions and let his guests actually talk, which sounds obvious but is rarer than you would think in podcast interviews. The breadth of topics is remarkable -- queer perspectives during the Nazi era, the psychology of perpetrators, the politics of Holocaust memory today. It is not a chronological march through events. Instead, it treats the Holocaust as a complex historical phenomenon that demands examination from dozens of angles. Sensitive topics get handled with care and respect throughout. This is probably the single best podcast if you want to seriously understand the Holocaust beyond the basics.

Rachel Maddow built this two-season series around a historical thread most Americans have never heard of: the organized effort by Nazi sympathizers to infiltrate American politics in the 1930s and 1940s, and then the postwar scramble to cover it up. Season one follows the sedition trial of 1944 and the network of domestic fascists who operated openly in the United States. Season two picks up after the war, tracking an American traitor who fled to Germany and the people in Washington who wanted certain truths to stay buried. With 22 episodes total, it is a contained narrative -- you can finish it in a week of commutes. The research is meticulous, drawn heavily from primary sources, and Maddow narrates with the intensity she is known for. Over 31,000 ratings and a 4.8-star average tell you something about the impact. Some listeners find the background music a bit heavy-handed, and there is an unavoidable contemporary political undertone to the storytelling. But the history itself is genuinely surprising and well-documented. The show works because it tells a specific, largely forgotten story rather than trying to be a general WWII overview. It is investigative history at its best. The connections it draws between past and present are genuinely unsettling and necessary.

Produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, this show carries institutional weight that most podcasts cannot match. Across four seasons and 23 episodes, it tells real stories of real people who lived through the Holocaust between 1933 and 1945. The most recent season follows three young Jewish individuals from the town of Eyshishok through Nazi occupation and eventual liberation. Episodes run a tight 24 to 36 minutes, which makes the storytelling efficient without sacrificing emotional depth. Museum historians like Dr. Edna Friedberg and Dr. Lindsay MacNeill guide the narrative, grounding personal stories in broader historical context. The 4.9-star rating from 189 reviews reflects genuine listener appreciation. What makes this show stand out is its focus on choices -- the decisions people made under impossible circumstances, the moments where paths diverged between survival and death. It does carry a content advisory, appropriately, because these are true stories that do not flinch from what happened. The production is polished but never slick in a way that diminishes the material. For anyone looking for a structured, manageable entry point into Holocaust history backed by one of the most important research institutions in the world, this is an obvious starting place. Each season tells a self-contained story, so you can start anywhere that interests you.

The official podcast of the Auschwitz Memorial does exactly what you would hope it does: it takes the history of the camp seriously, carefully, and with the full weight of institutional knowledge behind it. With 73 episodes updated bimonthly, the show covers an astonishing range of topics -- SS garrison activities, evacuation marches, medical experiments, the punishment system, daily life in the barracks. Episodes run anywhere from 17 to 58 minutes, featuring researchers and historians from the Auschwitz Museum itself. The 4.9-star rating from 178 reviews speaks to the quality. Some episodes are available in both Polish and English, which adds a layer of authenticity. The show treats its subject with factual precision and genuine compassion, never sensationalizing what happened within those walls. Individual episodes focus on specific aspects of camp history that even well-read listeners might not know about -- the economics of forced labor, the bureaucratic machinery behind mass murder, the small acts of resistance that happened despite everything. It pairs well with a visit to the memorial site or with the educational resources at lesson.auschwitz.org. If any podcast has earned the right to tell this particular story, it is this one. The bilingual format also makes it accessible to a broader international audience seeking authentic perspectives.

BBC Radio 4 produced this scripted drama series to answer one of history's most persistent questions: how did a fringe movement of fewer than a hundred members become the dominant political force in Germany in just 13 years? Written and directed by Jonathan Myerson, the 17-episode series features an impressive cast including Sir Derek Jacobi as President Hindenburg, Tom Mothersdale as Hitler, Alexander Vlahos as Goebbels, and Juliet Stevenson narrating. Episodes range from quick 2-minute vignettes to full 27-minute dramatic scenes. The dramatized format makes it a genuinely different listening experience from standard history podcasts -- you hear the backroom deals, the street-level violence, the propaganda speeches performed rather than just described. It holds a 4.1-star rating from 170 reviews, with positive responses praising the production quality and critical ones debating specific historical interpretations. As a complete, self-contained series, you can listen to the whole thing in an afternoon. The drama format will not be for everyone -- if you want footnotes and historian commentary, look elsewhere. But for understanding the political mechanics of how fascism actually takes hold, told through voices that make you feel like you are in the room, it is remarkably effective. The BBC production quality alone makes it worth adding to your queue.

Yad Vashem is the world center for Holocaust research and remembrance in Israel, and their official podcast reflects that standing. Across 32 episodes running 20 to 49 minutes each, the show covers a remarkably wide range -- corporate complicity during WWII, survivor letters, life inside ghettos, concentration camp testimonies, the Wannsee Conference, and the Eichmann Trial. The perfect 5.0-star rating from 25 reviews might reflect a smaller but deeply engaged audience. What you get here is authoritative history from the institution that holds one of the largest Holocaust archives in the world. Episodes release irregularly, which can be frustrating if you want a steady feed, but each one feels thoroughly considered rather than rushed to meet a schedule. The show balances institutional expertise with personal narratives, making abstract historical events feel immediate and human. It does not try to be a comprehensive chronological history -- instead, individual episodes pick specific threads and follow them with care. For listeners who have already consumed the basics and want deeper, more specialized perspectives grounded in primary source research, this is essential listening. The connection to Yad Vashem means access to archival materials and scholarly insights that few other podcasts can offer. Each episode rewards patience and careful attention with genuinely new understanding.

Another strong entry from NOISER, again narrated by Paul McGann, this 15-episode series zeroes in on the Normandy landings of June 1944. Named one of Apple Podcasts Favourites of 2024, it follows real people across multiple theaters of the invasion -- on the beaches, in the skies, at sea, and behind enemy lines. Episodes run 31 to 64 minutes, giving enough room for detailed storytelling without bloat. The production team includes Duncan Barrett and Miriam Baines, with original music that enhances rather than overwhelms the narrative. One particularly memorable touch: Episode 8 features McGann discussing his own father's D-Day experience, adding a personal dimension you rarely get in historical podcasts. The 4.9-star rating from 354 reviews confirms the quality. This is not a broad WWII survey -- it is a focused, cinematic retelling of a single pivotal operation. The show excels at putting you inside the experience of individual soldiers, pilots, and sailors while keeping the strategic big picture clear. If you have any interest in military history or want to understand the operation that began the end of Nazi Germany in Western Europe, this is outstanding work. The sound design alone sets it apart from most history podcasts, creating genuine atmosphere without feeling manipulative.

Angus Wallace has been producing this show since 2015, and with nearly 300 episodes and a 4.6-star rating from over 1,100 reviews, he has built one of the most substantial WWII audio libraries around. Episodes typically run 45 to 60 minutes and mix solo deep-dives with expert interviews. Recent guests include historians discussing British Army leadership and the Siege of Warsaw. The format is conversational and accessible -- Wallace is clearly passionate about the subject and brings a genuine curiosity to each topic. The show looks at all aspects of the Second World War, not just the Western Front or the major battles everyone already knows about. You will find episodes on the Pacific Theater, the Eastern Front, resistance movements, intelligence operations, and the home front. Some listeners note that Wallace can occasionally ramble or that the balance between host and guest varies, but these are minor quibbles for a show that has maintained quality over nearly a decade. As the show itself notes, WWII is slipping from living memory, and there is real value in a podcast that treats this history with both depth and a personal touch. A solid, reliable companion for anyone working through the war chronologically or jumping between topics.

The title tells you exactly what this show is about: examining World War II from both Allied and Axis perspectives. Hosted by Prof. Matthias Strohn and Jesse Alexander, the show has built up 83 episodes with a 4.9-star rating from 112 reviews in a relatively short time. Episodes run 42 to 74 minutes, and listeners consistently praise the chemistry between the two hosts -- Strohn brings deep academic knowledge while Alexander keeps the conversation engaging and accessible. The show intentionally moves beyond the well-worn narratives of D-Day and the Battle of Britain to cover campaigns in East Asia, Soviet partisan warfare, the Balkans, and special operations like Operation Anthropoid. This dual-perspective approach is genuinely valuable for understanding the war as a whole rather than just through the lens of the victors. The hosts are connected to Battle Guide Tours, which gives them practical knowledge of the battlefields they discuss. Weekly episodes keep the feed active, and there are both free episodes and premium membership tiers for deeper content. If you find most WWII podcasts too focused on the Anglo-American experience, this show deliberately broadens the lens. The tangents between the hosts often lead to the most interesting moments. A companion WW1 podcast is also available from the same production team.

Ray Harris Jr started this podcast back in 2012 and has produced over 610 episodes -- a staggering amount of content that makes it one of the most comprehensive WWII audio resources in existence. Harris holds a history degree from James Madison University and narrates the entire show himself. Episodes release biweekly and typically run 17 to 39 minutes, which keeps individual listens manageable even as the overall scope is enormous. The 4.4-star rating from nearly 3,900 reviews puts it among the most-reviewed history podcasts on Apple. Harris takes a detailed, chronological approach to the war, covering military campaigns operation by operation. The shorter episode format means you can listen during a commute without feeling like you are only getting a fragment of a larger story. Some listeners note that earlier episodes have rougher production quality and that pacing can vary, but the improvement over a decade-plus of production is clear. An ad-free subscription tier is available for regular listeners. This is the podcast for the person who wants to methodically work through the entire war in sequence, with each episode building on the last. The sheer dedication to the project over more than a decade says something about both Harris and the audience that has followed along.

Wesley Livesay takes the chronological approach to WWII history, starting from the post-World War I period and working through the 1930s descent into conflict, the war itself, and the aftermath. With 374 episodes updated weekly and a 4.5-star rating from 549 reviews, the show has found a solid audience. Episodes average 20 to 30 minutes -- concise enough to cover a specific topic thoroughly without overstaying. Livesay mixes narrative episodes with interview-based discussions, which keeps the format varied across the long run of the series. Recent episodes have covered the North Africa campaigns, Operation Taranto, and the Yugoslav invasion, showing the show is well into the thick of the war period. Listeners praise the thoughtful historical context Livesay provides and his ability to connect individual events to larger strategic patterns. The weekly release schedule means there is always something new, and the chronological structure gives a sense of forward momentum. An ad-free subscription option is available through Airwave Media. Some listeners have requested more naval warfare coverage, and a few have compared the narration style to competing shows, but the overall consensus is that this is a thorough, well-researched series. Good for listeners who want the war told in order with consistent quality and a steady release cadence.

Canadian author Timothy Taylor inherited boxes of mysterious family documents and did what any writer would -- he turned the investigation into a podcast. Produced by The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, this 7-episode documentary series follows Taylor through Germany as he uncovers stories of persecution, death, exile, and survival under the Nazis. Episodes run substantial at 51 minutes to an hour and a half, giving real room for the story to breathe. The perfect 5.0-star rating from 9 reviews reflects a small but deeply impressed audience. What makes this show distinctive is the personal framework. This is not a historian lecturing about events -- it is a grandson literally holding documents in his hands and trying to piece together what happened to his family. The emotional weight is unavoidable, and Taylor handles it with genuine honesty rather than melodrama. Executive produced by Anthony Cantor, the production values match the ambition of the storytelling. The final episode includes a live recording with audience conversations and behind-the-scenes insights. As a contained, bingeable series, it works beautifully for a weekend listen. If you respond more to personal narrative than to academic analysis, this is the Holocaust podcast for you.

Ryan Stackhouse and Chris Osmar produced 35 episodes between 2017 and 2021 covering specific aspects of Nazi governance and Third Reich history. Episodes run 42 minutes to an hour and 39 minutes, and the content itself is genuinely detailed -- the roots of Nazism, the concentration camp system, post-war justice for Nazi war criminals. It holds a 4-star rating from 54 reviews, and the reason that number is not higher is almost entirely about audio quality. Multiple listener reviews mention that one host's microphone setup makes them difficult to hear clearly. The content gets consistent praise for its depth and historical accuracy, which makes the technical issues all the more frustrating. The last episode featured an excerpt from a book about the Gestapo's critics, and then the show went quiet. So this is a concluded series -- you get 35 episodes and that is it. For a listener who can tolerate uneven audio quality, the actual historical content here is solid and focused squarely on the Third Reich rather than WWII more broadly. It fills a specific niche that the bigger, more polished shows sometimes miss by being so focused on military history. Think of it as a rough but earnest seminar series from two people who genuinely care about the subject.

The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure produced this quietly remarkable podcast built around a simple concept: each episode focuses on a single object from a Holocaust museum or archive and tells the story behind it. A teddy bear from Belgium. Gramophone discs from Italy. Handwritten manuscripts. Photographs that survived decades of displacement. Across 19 episodes and three seasons, the show connects physical artifacts to human stories spanning the entire continent -- from Ukraine to Romania, Italy to the Netherlands. Episodes run 23 to 35 minutes with rotating hosts including Katharina Freise and Kevania de Vries-Menig, alongside guest researchers from institutions like Yad Vashem. The 5.0-star rating comes from just 3 reviews, which tells you this show deserves a bigger audience than it currently has. The object-centered approach is genuinely clever because it gives each episode a concrete anchor. You are not listening to abstracted history -- you are hearing about something you could hold in your hands, and then learning about the person who once held it. Original music by Blue Dot Sessions adds atmosphere without intruding. This is the kind of podcast that stays with you long after the episode ends, precisely because it makes the enormous scale of the Holocaust personal and specific.

Zach Cornwell hosts this monthly show that untangles history's greatest controversies, and several of its most compelling episodes deal directly with Nazi Germany and its aftermath. The three-part series on the hunt for Adolf Eichmann is standout material, told with the kind of detailed research and narrative tension that keeps you listening through all three installments. With 68 episodes total, the show covers topics from the 1971 Bangladesh War to Byzantine history to modern terrorism, but its WWII and Holocaust content is particularly strong. Episodes vary from 48 minutes to over two hours -- Cornwell gives each subject the time it needs rather than forcing a uniform format. The 4.8-star rating from 544 reviews reflects a dedicated listener base. What separates Conflicted from straight history podcasts is its emphasis on controversy and moral complexity. It does not just tell you what happened -- it forces you to sit with the difficult questions those events raise. Source citations are provided for each episode, which shows a commitment to getting it right. The show is free through Evergreen Podcasts. While it is not exclusively about Nazi Germany, the episodes that touch on this period are among the best in its catalog, and the broader context of how the show examines historical conflict adds layers that a single-topic podcast might miss.