Homeschool History

Greg Jenner is the historian behind Horrible Histories, and he brings that same blend of real scholarship and genuine humor to Homeschool History on BBC Radio 4. Each episode is a tight 12 to 16 minutes -- just long enough to cover a historical topic thoroughly, short enough that kids stay focused the entire time. Jenner has a talent for making history feel like gossip, finding the weird, gross, and surprising details that textbooks leave out. The show was born during the pandemic lockdowns as a way to support families suddenly doing school at home, and it stuck around because it was just too good to stop. There are about 22 episodes in the catalog, covering topics that line up with school curricula but approach them from angles that keep even adults entertained. Episodes include quizzes to test what you learned, and Jenner occasionally brings in consultants like Professor Mary Beard to add expert depth. The production includes sound effects and a polished BBC quality that makes each episode feel like a tiny documentary. With a 4.7-star rating from nearly 700 Apple reviews, Homeschool History punches well above its weight for a show with a relatively small episode count. It's proof that you don't need a massive catalog to make an impact. Parents and teachers use these episodes as supplements to history lessons, and kids remember the stories because Jenner makes them genuinely funny. If your child thinks history is boring, this podcast might change their mind in under fifteen minutes.