Tides of History

After wrapping up The Fall of Rome, Patrick Wyman expanded his scope dramatically with Tides of History. This show covers, well, basically everything -- from ancient civilizations through the medieval period and into early modernity, spanning continents and millennia. Wyman mixes solo narrative episodes with expert interviews and listener Q&A sessions, which keeps the format feeling fresh even after 400+ episodes. Each episode runs 30 to 55 minutes, hitting that sweet spot where you learn something substantial without needing to block out half your day. Wyman's PhD background gives him the academic credibility to handle complex topics, but his real strength is making those topics feel urgent and relevant. He draws connections between historical patterns and modern life in ways that feel earned rather than forced. The show airs weekly on the Wondery network, with a paid tier available for ad-free listening. Some listeners find Wyman's delivery style high-energy, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your preference -- he is genuinely enthusiastic about this material in a way that comes through in his voice. With a 4.7 star rating from over 6,000 reviews, the audience clearly appreciates the approach. While this is technically a broader history podcast, the ancient history episodes are among the show's strongest, and Wyman's ability to connect ancient events to their long-term consequences makes those episodes particularly rewarding.