History Unplugged Podcast

Scott Rank holds a PhD in history and has turned History Unplugged into one of the most prolific history podcasts around, with over 1,100 episodes since 2017. The format mixes two styles: long-form interviews with bestselling historians and authors, and call-in segments where listeners pose questions directly to Rank. That hybrid approach keeps the show varied and gives it a community feel that pure interview shows often lack. Topics span widely -- WWII military campaigns, alternative history scenarios, maritime exploration, Revolutionary War figures -- though American history is a recurring focus. The weekly publishing schedule means there's always something new, and the sheer volume of the back catalog means you can search for almost any historical topic and probably find an episode about it. Rank is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, though some listeners note he speaks quickly and episodes can run long. The 4.2-star rating from nearly 3,900 reviews is solid but not spectacular, and that middling score probably reflects the trade-off between quantity and consistency that comes with producing this much content. Not every episode will grab you, but the ones that hit are genuinely informative. If you want a history podcast that functions almost like a living encyclopedia -- something you can dip into whenever a specific topic catches your interest -- History Unplugged fills that role better than most.