With multi-part deep dives into the most famous and long-forgotten moments in history, Dominic Sandbrook and (non-Spider-Man) Tom Holland explore all sorts of stories, from the French Revolution to the Titanic to rock ’n’ roll. Sandbrook and Holland bring both information and levity in a conversational tone. While they talk with one another, this show is really a conversation with (or interrogation of) the past: The hosts consult primary sources, oral histories, archives, and artifacts to create an accurate picture of the period they’re covering. Listening is like having 10,000 textbooks in your pocket. There are crossovers, too—they size up the worst Roman emperor against modern politicians, or consider what Jane Austen’s experience was like during the Napoleonic Wars. The beauty of this show is that history doesn’t feel stuck in the past—rather, the hosts find ways to tie themes to the modern-day moment.

You can find some of our favorite episodes below.