History Unplugged Podcast

Scott Rank holds a PhD in history and hosts what might be the most prolific history podcast out there, with over 1,100 episodes since 2017. The show has a dual format that sets it apart: some episodes are long-form interviews with bestselling history authors, while others are call-in Q&A sessions where listeners ask Scott absolutely anything about the past. The call-in episodes are where the Q&A magic happens. Listeners submit questions like "Could the Roman Empire have survived if it adopted gunpowder?" or "What was daily life actually like on a pirate ship?" and Scott treats each one with genuine scholarly enthusiasm. He does not just give the quick Wikipedia answer -- he provides context, brings in lesser-known primary sources, and is honest about what historians still argue over. The interview episodes are equally strong, featuring authors who have spent years researching specific topics like the Spanish treasure fleet, Soviet Olympic doping programs, or the financial maneuvering of the American founding fathers. Scott asks good follow-up questions and is clearly well-read enough to push back when a guest oversimplifies. The show has built an audience of nearly 4,000 raters on Apple Podcasts, and the weekly release schedule means there is always something new in the feed. It is the rare history podcast that works both as entertainment and as genuine education.