THE THIRD REICH – the history of National Socialism

Janez Erat's solo project takes a methodical, almost biographical approach to the Third Reich. Across 26 episodes released since 2024, the show builds its picture of National Socialism through the individual people who shaped it -- pilots, politicians, members of Hitler's inner circle, and the family connections that bound them together. What makes the show distinctive is its emphasis on psychology. Erat is clearly interested not just in what happened, but in why people made the choices they did. He spends time on background and personal motivation in ways that larger, flashier productions sometimes skip. Episodes range from tight 15-minute pieces to longer explorations pushing past 50 minutes, and the show updates twice a week, so new material comes at a steady clip. The production is straightforward -- this is one person researching and presenting history, not a big studio operation with sound design and dramatic recreations. That simplicity actually works in its favor for listeners who prefer their history unadorned and focused on substance over style. Erat is upfront about approaching the subject purely from historical interest and aiming for objectivity, which sets the right tone. It has a perfect 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts, though from a small number of reviews so far. For anyone who wants to understand the machinery of the Nazi state through the lives of the people who ran it, this is a solid and growing resource.