Podcast Episodes

Charles V and the Failure of Empire

Season 3 Episode 52

Charles V controlled more of Europe than any ruler in centuries, with resources other monarchs could only dream of. But that was never enough to give the Holy Roman Emperor more than a momentary vict…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Mike Duncan on Pandemics, Revolutions, and COVID-19

Season 3 Episode 51

DISCLAIMER: If you do not think that this pandemic is a big deal; if you do not want to hear our personal political views; if you don’t care about present-day politics; if you think that this will so…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

The Rise of Charles V

Season 3 Episode 50

Charles V was the most powerful European ruler since Charlemagne: king of Spain and Naples, Holy Roman Emperor, and ruler of a whole bunch else besides. How did all of these vast territories, and the…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Pandemics in History

Season 3 Episode 49

All of us are dealing with the ongoing pandemic in different ways, and I decided to wedge myself into my closet to record an informal talk with you all about pandemics throughout history and what, if…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Genetics and the Transformation of Prehistory: Interview with Spencer Wells and Razib Khan

Season 3 Episode 48

Genetics has radically transformed our understanding of prehistory over the past two decades, revealing everything from the existence of brand-new, unknown species to interbreeding between Neandertha…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Classic Tides: Plague, Climate, and the End of the Roman World

Season 3 Episode 47

In light of current events, we are re-posting one of my favorite episodes (from December, 2017) on natural disasters and the fall of the Roman Empire.

Justinian was the last great Roman emperor, but h…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

American Nations, American Union: Interview with Colin Woodard

Season 3 Episode 46

Few books have influenced my view of American history and politics more than Colin Woodard's American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. We've been divided sin…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Classic Tides: The Black Death Revisited

Season 3 Episode 45

In light of current events, we are re-posting one of my favorite episodes (from June, 2018) on the Black Death.

Between 1346 and 1351, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people - at least half…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Suleiman the Magnificent and Ottoman Decline

Season 3 Episode 44

The reign of Suleiman the Magnificent was the high point of the Ottoman Empire, but for centuries, it has also been pegged as the beginning of the empire's long, slow decline into irrelevance. Is thi…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Suleiman the Magnificent and the Apex of the Ottoman Empire

Season 3 Episode 43

Suleiman the Magnificent ruled the Ottoman Empire for forty-six years. During that time, his armies fought everywhere from Iran to Vienna. His navies touched Indonesia and the Straits of Gibraltar. U…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago