American Presidents: Totalus Rankium

Two British guys ranking every American president sounds like it shouldn't work, but Rob and Jamie have made American Presidents: Totalus Rankium into something genuinely charming and informative. The concept is straightforward: they work through each president, tell the story of their life and presidency, and then score them across several categories. The show has a tournament structure with group stages, semifinals, and finals, which adds a fun competitive element to what's essentially a biographical history podcast. With 117 episodes covering every president from Washington through Trump, plus ranking episodes, the show is substantial. Episodes range from 45 minutes to over two hours depending on the president. What makes it work is the outside perspective. Rob, being British, approaches American history without the assumptions that American listeners bring, and his reactions to the stranger moments of U.S. presidential history are often genuinely funny. Jamie plays the straight man well, and their banter keeps things light without undermining the historical content. The 4.8-star rating from 759 reviews is exceptional. They've also launched a sister series, Pirates: Totalus Rankium, and are scheduled as keynote speakers at the Intelligent Speech Conference in 2026. If you want a comprehensive tour of every American president that's educational and entertaining without taking itself too seriously, this is a great pick.