Explaining History

Nick Shepley

The Explaining History Podcast, created and hosted by Nick Shepley, offers a comprehensive exploration of 20th-century history through weekly episodes. For over a decade, this podcast has been providing students and history enthusiasts with in-depth analyses of key events, processes, and debates that shaped the modern world. The podcast covers a wide range of topics within 20th-century history, including: - Major historical events like World Wars I and II, The rise and fall of communism, fascism and imperialism - Political movements and ideologies - Economic developments and crises - Social and cultural changes Episodes typically run for about 25 minutes, offering concise yet informative discussions on specific subjects. The podcast invites listeners to engage with complex historical topics in manageable segments, making it ideal for students and busy history enthusiasts. Expert Insights Nick frequently invites expert guests to contribute their knowledge and perspectives, enriching the podcast with diverse viewpoints and specialized expertise. This approach helps listeners understand the competing debates and interpretations surrounding historical events and processes. Educational Focus The podcast is particularly valuable for students, especially those studying A-level history. It offers targeted content aligned with specific curricula, such as the AQA syllabus for Russian history. This educational focus makes it an excellent supplementary resource for formal history studies. Chronological Approach While the podcast primarily focuses on the 20th century, it adopts a chronological approach to storytelling. This method allows listeners to follow the progression of events and understand how different historical moments are interconnected Engaging Presentation Nick's presentation style combines rigorous historical analysis with an engaging narrative approach. The podcast aims to not only inform but also captivate listeners, making complex historical topics accessible and interesting to a broad audience By offering this mix of comprehensive content, expert insights, and engaging presentation, the Explaining History Podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of 20th-century history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. VOR 2 TAGEN

    Gorbachev's diplomacy 1985-88

    In this episode of Explaining History, we explore Mikhail Gorbachev’s bold diplomatic strategy during the mid-1980s. Between 1985 and 1988, Gorbachev sought to end the crippling arms race with the United States and ease the immense economic burden of Cold War militarisation on the Soviet Union. We examine the key moments of his diplomacy: the Geneva and Reykjavik summits, his pursuit of arms reduction agreements with President Reagan, and the wider goal of redirecting Soviet resources away from military expenditure and towards much-needed economic reform. By reassessing both superpowers’ assumptions about security, Gorbachev challenged decades of Cold War orthodoxy. But his reforms also carried risks, provoking resistance from hardliners at home and raising questions about the future of the Soviet empire. Join us as we unpack how Gorbachev’s efforts to reduce the arms spending burden helped reshape the Cold War, and how his diplomacy set in motion forces that he could neither fully control nor contain. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 Min.

  2. VOR 3 TAGEN

    Occupied Vietnam 1940-45

    In 1940, when France fell to the Nazi invasion its colonies became Vichy satellites and in Asia, Vietnam rapidly fell under Japanese control. The French colonial elites saw their power gradually stripped away from them but it was the Vietnamese people that suffered terribly from Japanese rule with over a million dying in a famine created by the occupiers. The American OSS shipped arms to the Vietminh, the national liberation movement, but by 1945 they were far more concerned about the returning French colonisers than the Japanese. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 Min.

  3. VOR 4 TAGEN

    Tony Benn on Marxism and the Labour Party

    Tony Benn was one of the most important political figures in the second half of the 20th Century in Britain. His journey from the centreground of Labour politics to the left and his understanding of the various traditions and ideas within the Labour movement is the topic of today's podcast. In this episode we look at the collection of Benn's postumous speeches and writings - The Most Dangerous Man in Britain - and his essay Marxism and the Labour Party. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 Min.

  4. VOR 5 TAGEN

    The British Left's Revival in 2025

    Something is happening in Britain, and it's not going to go down well with the established parties, the media, or the far right Reform Party that the country's elite class are placing their hopes in. There are the seeds of a new left emerging around the Green Party and a new and so far unformed movement 'Your Party' pioneered by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana. An independent socialist movement led from outside of the Labour Party (the catch and kill party for British radicalism), is emerging with a significant sector of the public in support. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 Min.

  5. VOR 6 TAGEN

    Black Britain and Roots

    In this episode of Explaining History, we explore how the 1970s became a turning point for Black Britain. Drawing on Eddie Chambers’ Roots and Culture, we examine how a new generation of Black British people embraced the politics of Pan-Africanism and Rastafari, forging cultural and political identities rooted in pride, resistance, and global solidarity. At the heart of this story is the transformative moment of Alex Haley’s Roots. Broadcast on British television and widely read, Roots offered Black British communities a powerful connection to ancestry, struggle, and survival. For many, it was the first time that the history of slavery and its legacies had been portrayed on such a scale. We’ll consider how Rastafari and Pan-African ideas influenced music, art, and activism in 1970s Britain, and how Haley’s Roots reshaped the cultural landscape for a generation determined to define itself beyond the limits of racism and exclusion. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 Min.

  6. 26. AUG.

    What Plato can teach us about the crises of the 21st Century

    What Plato Can Teach Us About the Crises of the 21st Century — with Professor Angie Hobbs In this special episode of Explaining History, I’m joined by Professor Angie Hobbs to discuss her new book Why Plato Matters Now. Together we explore Plato’s life and thought, and the urgent relevance of his ideas in today’s world. From the dangers of oligarchy and the corruption of language, to the decline of truth, the rise of the demagogue, and the path to tyranny, we trace Plato’s insights into politics, war, and human nature. We also consider Plato’s view of conflict and how, even amidst division, he believed our better selves could prevail. This is a conversation about philosophy as a living guide to confronting the crises of the 21st century. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 Min.

  7. 25. AUG.

    War Reporting in Vietnam

    In this episode of Explaining History, we explore the fraught world of war reporting in Vietnam during the decade before full-scale U.S. involvement. Drawing on Philip Knightley’s classic study The First Casualty, we examine how embedded American correspondents were constrained by censorship, official manipulation, and the Pentagon’s control over information. We also highlight the surprising advantage held by some British reporters, who—operating outside the U.S. military’s embedded framework—were often able to uncover truths their American colleagues could not. Finally, we consider the striking indifference of the U.S. media to Vietnam before 1964, and what this meant for public awareness of America’s growing commitment to the conflict. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 Min.

  8. 22. AUG.

    Fascist Yoga: The far right and its intersections with the wellness movement

    In this episode I speak with writer and cultural critic Stewart Home about his new book Fascist Yoga. Our conversation traces the modern origins of yoga and the surprising, often disturbing ways it has intersected with the history of ideas—from early twentieth-century Aryanist fantasies and far-right esotericism to today’s conspiracy-laden online subcultures. We explore how yoga, once reframed and globalised, became entangled in Western intellectual and political currents: the 1920s European far right, occult movements, and fascist appropriations of the body and spirit. Fast-forward to the present, and we discuss how similar patterns resurface in the modern digital landscape, from QAnon to anti-lockdown activism, anti-vaccine movements, and the revival of pseudo-Aryan esoteric mythologies. Newsflash: You can find everything Explaining History on Substack, join free hereHelp the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 Min.
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Info

The Explaining History Podcast, created and hosted by Nick Shepley, offers a comprehensive exploration of 20th-century history through weekly episodes. For over a decade, this podcast has been providing students and history enthusiasts with in-depth analyses of key events, processes, and debates that shaped the modern world. The podcast covers a wide range of topics within 20th-century history, including: - Major historical events like World Wars I and II, The rise and fall of communism, fascism and imperialism - Political movements and ideologies - Economic developments and crises - Social and cultural changes Episodes typically run for about 25 minutes, offering concise yet informative discussions on specific subjects. The podcast invites listeners to engage with complex historical topics in manageable segments, making it ideal for students and busy history enthusiasts. Expert Insights Nick frequently invites expert guests to contribute their knowledge and perspectives, enriching the podcast with diverse viewpoints and specialized expertise. This approach helps listeners understand the competing debates and interpretations surrounding historical events and processes. Educational Focus The podcast is particularly valuable for students, especially those studying A-level history. It offers targeted content aligned with specific curricula, such as the AQA syllabus for Russian history. This educational focus makes it an excellent supplementary resource for formal history studies. Chronological Approach While the podcast primarily focuses on the 20th century, it adopts a chronological approach to storytelling. This method allows listeners to follow the progression of events and understand how different historical moments are interconnected Engaging Presentation Nick's presentation style combines rigorous historical analysis with an engaging narrative approach. The podcast aims to not only inform but also captivate listeners, making complex historical topics accessible and interesting to a broad audience By offering this mix of comprehensive content, expert insights, and engaging presentation, the Explaining History Podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of 20th-century history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Informationen

  • Erstellt von
    Nick Shepley
  • Jahre aktiv
    2012 - 2025
  • Folgen
    826
  • Bewertung
    Unbedenklich
  • Copyright
    © Nick Shepley
  • Sendungswebsite
    Explaining History

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