15-Minute History

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Walking in the footsteps of history, fifteen minutes at a time. New episodes every Monday.

Academic Excellence in Travel, Inc. (AET)


    • Aug 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 467 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The 15-Minute History podcast is an incredibly informative and entertaining show that provides listeners with a brief history of various events. The discussions on the podcast are thought-provoking, and it is refreshing to hear the hosts' thoughts from different political perspectives. This diversity of opinions ensures that listeners are exposed to a range of viewpoints, preventing them from becoming ill-informed by only listening to like-minded individuals. The podcast is perfect for downloading before a long flight, as it will not only leave you well-informed but also thoroughly entertained throughout your journey.

    One of the best aspects of The 15-Minute History podcast is the banter between the hosts. Their back-and-forth adds an element of liveliness to each episode and keeps listeners engaged. The hosts also do an excellent job in presenting historical information clearly and concisely, making it easy for anyone to follow along even if they have limited background knowledge on the topic. Additionally, the research conducted by Jon Streeter using original sources rather than relying on others' opinions demonstrates his dedication to providing accurate historical information.

    However, there is one aspect of the podcast that could be improved upon. Some listeners have expressed their concern over Jon's gentle bullying of Joe at times. While banter can be enjoyable, it can become repetitive and tiresome if it crosses over into bullying territory. It would be beneficial for Jon to work on being a better teammate by ensuring that their conversations remain respectful and inclusive.

    In conclusion, The 15-Minute History podcast is an outstanding source of information and entertainment. With concise overviews of various historical events and insightful discussions between the hosts, listeners are bound to learn something new with each episode. The banter between Jon and Joe adds an enjoyable dynamic to the show but could benefit from more consideration towards maintaining a supportive environment for both hosts. Overall, this podcast is a fantastic resource for those looking to expand their historical knowledge while being thoroughly entertained.



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    Latest episodes from 15-Minute History

    Pop Quiz | Who Built the Pyramids? (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 4:12


    Welcome to the Pop Quiz! Every Thursday, one of the hosts will ask the other a question about history they must answer. Have an idea for a topic? Send it to us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com or submit it to our website at https://www.15minutehistorypodcast.org. We promise not to give him any hints.

    Espionage | Kim Philby and The Cambridge Five (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 17:56


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on November 18, 2024.___Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross—passed almost 17,000 classified documents to the Soviet Union for 30+ years. The information was so extensive and the volume so large, that Soviet intelligence initially suspected some of it might be disinformation, due to the high-ranking positions these spies held and the access they had. However, much of this intelligence was invaluable, influencing Soviet strategies during pivotal moments of World War II and the Cold War.Join us as we teach you about one of the most notorious spy rings in modern history, The Cambridge Five, and the most prominent member, Kim Philby.

    Pop Quiz | The Demon Cat of Washington and Folklore

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 7:25


    What is the Demon Cat of Washington? Where does folklore originate in culture? How do historians read folklore? Join us for this extended pop quiz as Joe and Jon discuss folklore and its effect on history.And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!

    Audie Murphy | An Uncommon Hero (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 17:43


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 4, 2023.___On the morning of January 26th, Murphy and his men saw movement in the tree line ahead. As the morning fog cleared, over two hundred German infantrymen and six Mark VI Tiger Tanks appeared and began a counterattack. I will stop here for a moment and give you an opportunity to take in this scene. First, consider eighteen men with two armored vehicles against two hundred infantry. Faced with just these odds, there is no strategic or tactical way Murphy's men could hold the line. Second, add the armor. A single Tiger tank was near impossible to destroy by Allied armor. To put it in perspective, one Tiger Tank could take out more than twelve American Sherman tanks before being crippled enough to be put down. It fired an 88-millimeter shell, the most powerful of the German artillery, and could decimate an entire town without any support. Six of these advanced on Murphy and his eighteen men. Six. I don't need to tell you the odds of the eighteen men winning against such a force, because there are no odds. It's zero. Listen now and join us in awe at what happened next. Remember…this is real history. Join us as we teach you about the life and heroism of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WW2.

    Pop Quiz | Phantom Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 5:34


    Was Charlemagne real? Did we land on the moon? Who are the real villains in history? Join us in this week's conversation about myths vs. reality and theory vs. facts when it comes to history.And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!

    Xerxes I | Hubris (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 18:11


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 16, 2024.___Xerxes I, also known as Xerxes the Great, was a Persian king who ruled over the vast Achaemenid Empire from 486 BCE to 465 BCE. He was the son of King Darius I and Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great. This lineage protected Xerxes during his time as a prince and solidified his claim to the throne. Join us as we teach you about Xerxes I, his conquest, and how hubris ruined him.

    Pop Quiz | Operation Mincemeat (or) Liar, Liar, Literal Pants on Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 6:36


    As Churchill once said, "Truth must be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies," and this is never more true in wartime (or a presidential campaign). This week we discuss a deception operation during World War Two, its effect on the war, and the anatomy of both humans and the continent of Europe!We love hearing from you, so post your comments, questions, and ideas for new pop quizzes below.

    Ivan the Terrible | The Sources of Evil (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 18:58


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on February 26, 2024.___Two men stood in a large room shouting at one another, raging over family and war or accusing each other of incompetence and cowardice. A third man stood nearby, servant of one and friend to both. In a corner, a young woman cowered with her face bruised and her body shaking. Anger swirled around the pair as words grew ever-more harsh. And then, the older man swung his scepter, the symbol of God's might wielded through him on earth, and it crashed into the temple of the younger man. Blood poured from the wound as the youth crumpled to the ground. And then, as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes, the Tsar of all Russia's knees gave out. He cradled his victim in his arms and howled to the heavens, "May I be damned! I've killed my son!"Ivan IV's long reign was among the most consequential for the Russian empire. His early reforms seemed to indicate that Russia was on the brink of a new age, only for it to fall into darkness as the tsar descended into paranoia and madness. The world soon gave him a new name as war and repression became ways of life under the man history knows as Ivan the Terrible.Join us as we teach you about Ivan the Terrible, his life, and the terror he caused.

    Pop Quiz | Health & Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 6:01


    Do we need government regulations to protect employees in the workplace? Can labor unions go too far in efforts to safeguard their members? And did the sinking of RMS Titanic have something to do with shoddy health & safety measures?Post your comments, questions, and thoughts about new pop quizzes below!

    Colt, Gatling, and Browning | Shooting for the Future (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 15:01


    Samuel Colt's name is forever linked to the company he founded and the revolver he called the “Peacemaker.” Born in Connecticut in 1814, he was steeped in America's gun culture from an early age. His grandfather had served in George Washington's army, and Samuel inherited an old flintlock pistol from the family hero when he was only six. At the age of fifteen, while working in his father's textile plant, he built a galvanic cell (basically an early battery) and used it to set off explosives beneath the surface of a nearby pond during the Fourth of July. He continued to experiment with chemicals and combustion—as many young men do—and became fascinated by inventors' work to create a firearm that could shoot more than bullets before needing to reload.Join us as we teach you about Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling, and John Browning. In this episode, you'll learn about their work, their impact on history, and how their names are culturally relevant - beyond the brand - in our world today. 

    Pop Quiz | The War of Jenkin's Ear (or) That Escalated Quickly!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 5:40


    What started as a simple question about The War of Jenkin's Ear devolved into a mighty whirlwind on social media, immortality, and Jon's opinion of Elon Musk!Let us know your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below, and tell us if you have ideas about new pop quizzes as well.

    The Ash Heap of History | The End of the Cold War (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 20:11


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on March 20, 2020.___The world's most powerful communist leader ultimately signed his own resignation with a capitalist's pen on Christmas Day 1991. This episode traces the stunning reversal of the Cold War from 1979, when the Soviet Union seemed poised for global victory with only nineteen non-communist nations left outside NATO, to the peaceful collapse of the entire communist empire just twelve years later. Through the strategic partnership of Pope John Paul II, Margaret Thatcher, and Ronald Reagan, the West forced Moscow into an economic competition it couldn't win, while Gorbachev's own reforms backfired as Soviet citizens tasted Western freedoms. Discover how three leaders changed history and why the Cold War's end wasn't the happy ending many expected.

    Pop Quiz | Holy Relics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 5:25


    Why, in medieval times, were holy relics so popular? Was the church displaying them to give people hope in the divine or for financial gain, or both? In this pop quiz, Joe and Jon discuss the possible answers while asking the fundamental question: Do these holy objects actually have power?Join us every Thursday this summer for new pop quizzes and leave a comment below with a topic you'd like us to cover!

    pop quiz holy relics
    What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 10:21


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on July 12, 2021.___The raft floated in the midst of the River Niemen. On it were two beautiful pavilions, one for the Emperor of the French and the other for the Czar and Autocrat of All the Russias. In the French tent, Napoleon Bonaparte argued with his foreign minister, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, over how harsh the peace terms with the defeated Russians should be. Talleyrand, a servant of every revolutionary government since 1789, was a snake in silk stockings, but he knew foreign policy better than anyone else in the emperor's entourage. He begged the emperor to treat Russia gently and put an end to fifteen years of war. But Napoleon, flush with the victory at Friedland earlier that year, was determined to humiliate Alexander I, and Talleyrand, ever the obedient servant in public, fell silent. What if Napoleon had heeded Talleyrand's advice in 1807 and treated the Russians with more respect? What would our world look like today if history had taken a different course? In this series of bonus episodes on “15-Minute History,” Joe and I will be sharing some of our favorite “What If?” scenarios from this series with you. Building on the theme of Season Four, learning from history, we hope to provide some lessons on how individuals shape the destinies of large groups and entire nations.

    Pop Quiz | "Stagflation"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 4:02


    With economics being all the rage these days and everyone on social media becoming experts in tariff and spending policy, Joe and Jon discuss one of the most serious economic problems a country can face.Join us every Thursday this summer for new pop quizzes and leave a comment below with a topic you'd like us to cover!

    What if? | Pizzaro & the Potato (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 9:58


    During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on August 30, 2021.___From 1531-1532, Pizzaro and his group conquered and destroyed the Inca Civilization. Climbing the Andes Mountains, they probably never questioned the ability of the Inca Empire to feed itself in the absence of cattle and wheat. That was, by most estimations, the farthest thing from the mind of the conqueror. Amongst the riches they stole and the mining they conducted, a resource emerged that McNeill believes would have altered history had it not been discovered and transplanted throughout the world. That discovery was the potato.What if Pizzaro hadn't brought the potato to Europe? Join us as we continue asking "What if", discuss what might have happened if the conquistador had left the potato behind in the ruins of his conquest, and how such a decision would have changed the world we know today.    

    Pop Quiz | "Sherman's Neckties"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 3:39


    Recently, Jon mentioned "Sherman's Neckties" in an episode that referenced the American Civil War. Now it's time to talk about these fascinating--and terrifying--examples of psychological warfare!Join us every Thursday this summer for new pop quizzes, and comment below with any topics you'd like us to cover.

    America's Utopian Mores | A Discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 31:37


    Where does utopianism come from? Can we really create a perfect world, and did the colonists think they could create utopia in the New World? And why did Jon pick this topic?Join us for answers to these questions and more in our last discussion of the season! We want to thank everyone who joined us each week this past year. We'll have some pop quizzes and other new content coming to you during the summer, and we will see you again with new episodes and discussions this fall!

    Sketches in History | The Speaking Stone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 9:47


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she goes back to Egypt for yet another ancient discovery. She witnesses French soldiers building a fort, only to discover an amazing find hidden in the rock! Your kids will learn about deciphering ancient texts and will be present to see the first step in decoding an ancient language.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

    America's Utopian Mores

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 16:41


    This season has been about good and bad ideas, and we are concluding with Jon's thoughts on a journey he's been on through early American history. In his 1989 book Albion's Seed, Dr. David Hackett Fischer describes how four groups of English settlers brought utopian ideals to the New World and created the foundations of what became the United States. Jon takes us through these English "folkways" and identifies some good and bad ideas that were part of America's cultural identity and how we still see them today.

    Pop Quiz | The Future of Warfare

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2025 4:39


    This week, Joe and I discuss how warfare is evolving on the battlefields of Ukraine, the role drones and other new technologies are changing the battlespace, and whether or not we are headed directly into the world of the Terminator!

    "Dieu et mon droit" | A discussion on the Divine Right of Kings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 27:28


    Join us for a discussion on the Divine Right of Kings and how it continues to shape modern political systems in our world today!Leave a comment below with any questions--we love to hear from our audience!(Also, please forgive us for the rather abrupt end with no closing comments--Jon forgot to include that in the recording!)

    Sketches in History | A Silent Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025 9:59


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she visits a grand symphony hall filled with anticipation, as the audience eagerly awaits the performance of one of the most celebrated pieces of music in history. Your kids will learn about triumph and will be present to hear some of the most beautiful music ever written.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

    "Dieu et mon droit" | The Divine Right of Kings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 18:02


    Throughout history, leaders have claimed their positions in a variety of ways: military conquests, electoral mandates, revolutionary uprisings, and more. But probably the most common and certainly the furthest from modern democratic sensibilities is the divine right of kings. While it is present in a variety of religious and social traditions, most audiences today are familiar with the Judeo-Christian concept that originates from both the Old and New Testaments. Using the words of Jesus Himself -- "Render unto Caesar that which is his" -- and those of His apostles Peter and Paul, Christian rulers from Late Antiquity to the Enlightenment proclaimed themselves beyond criticism because their thrones had come from Almighty God.___Join us as we explore the idea of the divine right of kings and how two nations, England and France, took different paths in their political cultures--to very different ends.

    Pop Quiz | Answering an Audience Question & The Overton Window

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 9:27


    In this double pop quiz, Jon answers a question from an audience member and then discusses the Overton Window and how the range of "acceptable" political discourse changes over time.Join us every other week for these pop quizzes during the summer, and comment below with any topics you'd like us to cover!

    The Magna Carta | A Discussion on Power, Politics, and the Birth of Liberty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 35:40


    Join us as we discuss the history of the Magna Carta, how it changed English governance, and its influence on all democracies and constitutional federal republics that came after.

    Sketches in History | Connecting Continents

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 9:40


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels aboard a ship with a mission. Sailors are working frantically to drop a cable into the Atlantic Ocean while two men review plans and a map. Your kids will learn about connection and be present for the moment when two continents are connected.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

    The Magna Carta | Power, Politics, and the Birth of Liberty

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 17:02


    It's raining. The men in the group are drenched and have been so almost all day. Nobles in their finest attire stand ankle-deep in mud, their expressions a mixture of triumph and apprehension. Before them, a thin, gray-faced king looks at the document. His jaw clenches."You would strip me of my God-given rights?" the king yells, his voice thick with contempt."We would remind Your Majesty of your duties to your subjects," replied one of the barons, his voice firm despite the gravity of the moment. "The crown does not place you above the law but binds you to uphold it."King John's eyes narrow. These men who would dare put limitations on him had brought not just their demands, but their armies. They had seized London; his London. They were standing in his meadow. This was his land and he was their king. Now, they dared to impose demands on him. He knew he had to sign it. He also knew that it wasn't going to end here. The King's hands trembled as he pressed his royal seal into the soft wax at the bottom of the parchment. The Great Charter was been sealed, though neither the king nor the barons could have possibly imagined what such a seal actually meant.___Join us as we show you the history of the Magna Carta, how it changed English governance, and its influence on all democracies and constitutional federal republics that came after.

    Pop Quiz | The New Deal, part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 8:01


    In part two of this pop quiz series, Joe and I discuss the New Deal's long-term legacy and the controversial idea that anything can really be "free."As always, we love to hear from you, so leave a comment on this episode with any questions or thoughts, and you can also give us a topic that you'd like us to discuss in another pop quiz this summer!

    The Khmer Rouge | “To Destroy You is No Loss” (Repost)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 15:16


    This week, the team wanted to revisit one of the most popular episodes from last season. A new, exciting episode is coming to you on Monday. ____“I was fifteen years old when the Khmer Rouge came to power in April 1975. I can still remember how overwhelmed with joy I was that the war had finally ended. It did not matter who won. I and many Cambodians wanted peace at any price. The civil war had tired us out, and we could not make much sense out of killing our own brothers and sisters for a cause that was not ours. We were ready to support our new government to rebuild our country. We wanted to bring back that slow-paced, simple life we grew up with and loved dearly. At the time we didn't realize how high the price was that we had to pay for the Khmer Rouge's peace."Join us as we teach you about the absolute horror that was the Khmer Rouge.

    Sketches in History | When the Walls Come Down

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 9:03


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to a divided country. Crowds are breaking down a barrier that until that moment had separated a city and nation. Your kids will learn about unity and be present for one of the defining moments at the end of the Cold War.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

    The Manhattan Project | Discussing Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 32:07


    Join us as we discuss the Manhattan Project, the reason behind the development of nuclear weapons, and the ethical implications of such an invention.

    Pop Quiz | The New Deal, part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 7:42


    In this first of a two-part pop quiz on the New Deal, Joe and I chat about the real origins of the Great Depression and how we still feel its effects today.Join us for the rest of this conversation in two weeks!

    The Manhattan Project | Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 17:30


    It was still dark. The group of men felt the breeze getting warmer as the eastern horizon began to show signs of light. One of the men, tall with no expression, watched as final preparations were made to a large object in front of the group. The others saw the anxiety in his face in a way that only those had had been around him could discern. The man walked forward, spoke with some of the technicians, and watched them haul it away. It was going to a tower, visible in the distance. Conversations around him continued, but only because it seemed like they had to. Somehow, the silence would have been louder. Not long after, notifications came from the tower; an all clear was given. At 5:29 a.m., a flash of light that was so brilliant it could be seen from 200 miles away blossomed in the desert. The mushroom cloud rose 40,000 feet into the air, and the shock wave was felt 100 miles from ground zero. The man who all that morning had worn no expression, would later recall remembering a Hindu scripture in that moment: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."Another man who witnessed the test described the overwhelming impression it left: "A new thing had just been born; a new control; a new understanding of man, which man had acquired over nature." Another observer said, "The lighting effects beggared description. The whole country was lighted by a searing light with the intensity many times that of the midday sun."Humanity had crossed a threshold.___Join us as we show you the Manhattan Project, the reason behind the development of nuclear weapons, and the ethical implications of such an invention.

    Sketches in History | Voices in the Wire

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 7:06


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to a workshop in Menlo Park. A man is working on an invention that will forever change how we communicate with one another. Your kids will learn about transformation and witness one of the most important communications in history.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!

    The Francis Factor | Inside the Modern Papacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 44:11


    Join us as we discuss the life of Pope Francis, his reforms, and the controversies that defined his papacy. From his humble beginnings to his efforts to reshape the Catholic Church, discover how Francis challenged tradition, sparked global debate, and inspired both admiration and criticism. Whether you're a devoted Catholic, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about one of the world's most influential leaders, this podcast offers a deep dive into the history of the papacy and the legacy of Pope Francis.

    Pop Quiz | Everything is Awful (How to Get Historical Interpretation Wrong)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 6:50


    In this pop quiz, Joe asks me why some historians choose to interpret the past through current-day lenses and the problems that can create for students of history. We then get into a discussion on the role of experts in academic inquiry and see why a narrow focus can lead to some truly awful outcomes.

    Tariffs, Tariffs Everywhere | A Discussion on the Intricacies of Global Trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 34:51


    Join us this week as Joe and I delve into the political, social, and (of course) economic consequences of tariffs. We stay away from the politics--mostly--and try to hone in on the fact that every economic policy has consequences, good and bad, and that leaders need to be open in how they present their ideas and honest in explaining their effects.

    Sketches in History | Impossible Escape

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 7:10


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to a dark night in Germany during World War II. She can see men whispering in the corners of a fortress, planning to do something impossible. Your kids will learn about ingenuity and witness one of the greatest wartime prison escapes in history. Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!Until then, remember that history is just a page away.

    Tariffs, Tariffs Everywhere | The Intricacies of Global Trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 16:57


    We're back from our spring break a week early! This episode is a timely overview of tariffs--taxes on imported goods--from a historical perspective. We will not get into the political aspects of the current trade war, but please join us next week for a discussion that will likely include some current events.

    Pop Quiz | Yalta (and a "What If?")

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 7:27


    This week, Joe comes awfully close to asking a "what if" question (and getting a shoe thrown at him)! Join us as we discuss historical perspectives on the Yalta Conference at the end of World War Two and what the West could have done differently in confronting the growing Soviet threat in Eastern Europe.

    Caesar Augustus | From Clay to Marble (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 16:11


    During the next few weeks, the 15-History Podcast team is taking a break and bringing you some of their favorite previous episodes. This episode originally aired on November 1, 2021._______The old man lay in his bed surrounded by courtiers and family members. He had traveled from Rome to visit the place where his father had died many years ago, and now his own life was nearing its end. History records his last words as, “Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit.” Caesar Augustus, the first citizen of Rome and the founder of an empire that outlasted him by over fourteen hundred years, departed this life peacefully. But his rise and reign had been anything but peaceful.Join us as we teach you about Ceasear Augustus, his life, and how his actions directed the rise of one of the largest empires in the history of the world. 

    Sketches in History | A Discovery in the Sand

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 8:22


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to ancient sands in the deserts of Egypt. She can see two men kneeling near a dark entrance on the brink of a major discovery. Your kids will learn about perseverance and witness one of the greatest historical discoveries in history. Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!Until then, remember that history is just a page away.

    Genius | Michelangelo Buonarroti (Republish)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 12:14


    During the next few weeks, the 15-History Podcast team is taking a break and bringing you some of their favorite previous episodes. This episode originally aired on November 16, 2020. Join us as we teach you about the genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, his timeless works of art, and the legacy he left behind. 

    Pop Quiz | Blurring the Lines

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 7:48


    This week, I got to ask Joe a question about the morality of targeting civilians in war. His answer was very thought-provoking and, perhaps, a bit controversial!

    "Hatched from a Cannon-Ball" | A Discussion on the Unification of Germany

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 40:51


    Join us for a conversation about the ideas behind Germany's unification, how that pivotal moment in world history shaped decades to come, and its legacy that the German people still confront today.

    Sketches in History | To the Skies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 9:52


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to a sandy beach on December 17, 1903. She can see two men next to a strange machine. Your kids will learn about innovation and witness the birth of modern aviation.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!Until then, remember that history is just a page away.

    "Hatched from a Cannon-Ball" | The Unification of Germany

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 16:38


    The creation of a united, powerful Germany completely reshaped European power politics in the late 19th century. But how did it happen? What was the character of that new country, and did it reflect older ideas and values of its Prussian ancestor? Join us as we consider the creation of a country that created so much art and technology but also violence and death. Was its formation a good idea or a bad idea?

    Pop Quiz | The Federal Reserve (and some Conspiracies?)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 6:18


    Join us every other week for a Pop Quiz! This week, Joe asked me about the Federal Reserve, how it works, and whether or not it's run by reptilian aliens.Well, maybe not the last one, but we do get into a conversation about the important--and dangerous--role the Federal Reserve plays in American finance today.

    Engines of Change | A Discussion on Steam Power and the Effects of Industrialization

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 31:33


    Join us as we explore the history of the steam engine, its impact on industrialization, and how both have translated into the modern age.

    Sketches in History | The Midnight Ride

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 9:34


    The 15-Minute History Podcast team is bringing you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn't just a story—it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer, as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life.In this episode, she travels to dark night on April 18, 1775. In the distance, she hears a horse fast approaching. Its rider has a special message for the inhabitants of the town! Your kids will learn about bravery, agency, and the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!Until then, remember that history is just a page away.

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