Shows / 15-Minute History
15-Minute History
Walking in the footsteps of history, fifteen minutes at a time. Join us for a 15-minute episode covering a person, place, or event in history, and stay for an extended discussion. New episodes and discussions every week.
Episodes
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | What the Founders Got Wrong
Let's step into a time machine and tell the American Founding Fathers what they should have done as they were writing the Constitution! Join us every Thursday…
- 15-Minute History
The Men Who Owned the World | A Discussion on the Titans of Industry, Then and Now
Join us as we talk about the era of industrial titans. In this discussion, we trace the Gilded Age from Carnegie's steel mills and Rockefeller's stranglehold…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | The "War of the Worlds" Radio Drama
On Halloween night in 1938, a radio drama shocked the American people by describing a Martian invasion. This event demonstrated the power of the spoken word…
- 15-Minute History
The Men Who Owned the World | Titans of Industry, Then and Now
Every era has its titans. Men who look at the rules of commerce, find the gaps, and build empires inside them, until society catches up and writes new rules to…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | This Sunday. Ten O'Clock. The President Speaks.
Welcome back to Sketches in History! This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives…
- 15-Minute History
What the Medium Made | A Discussion on How New Technology Reshaped the American Presidency
Join Jon and Joe as they discuss how presidents have used, and sometimes botched, major communication mediums from radio to social media, and what it tells us…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | The Secret at Teapot Dome
Welcome back to Sketches in History! This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives…
- 15-Minute History
What the Medium Made | How Every New Technology Reshaped the American Presidency
Every president wants to speak directly to the American people. This has looked different in every era, with the technology helping to shape the man, and most…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Remember the California Wildfires?
Remember the California Wildfires? Most of us watched the footage, maybe donated to the cause, and moved on. But what happened after the cameras left? Are the…
- 15-Minute History
Temptations of Power | A Discussion on Presidential Scandals
The modern presidency's power is beyond anything our founders could have dreamed. Its limits often seem ill-defined, as are efforts to hold elected officials…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Taiwan
What happens when a powerful nation attacks a long-standing rival? No, we aren't talking about the United States and Iran (though that conversation is coming)…
- 15-Minute History
Temptations of Power | Scandals in the American Presidency
Americans love a scandal, especially when it involves those in power. In this episode, we take a look at three of the most scandal-ridden presidencies in…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | Marching for Progress
Welcome back to Sketches in History! This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story; it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives…
- 15-Minute History
The Grey Ghost | The USS Enterprise (Repost)
By popular demand, the 15-Minute History team is re-airing one of our most popular episodes. This originally aired on April 8th, 2019. New episode next Monday…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson's biography paints Steve Jobs as a visionary genius. But was Jobs truly the inventor and designer he's often portrayed as? In this pop quiz, we…
- 15-Minute History
Changing the Constitution | A Discussion on the Progressive Amendments
This discussion covers the four progressive amendments and how each changed Americans' relationship with their government. Joe and I also delve into some…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Containment or Integration?
Historians have often compared current Russian aggression toward Ukraine with the two world wars of the last century. But what does history tell us about an…
- 15-Minute History
Changing the Constitution | The Progressive Amendments
American progressives at the turn of the 20th century saw major flaws in the United States Constitution and worked to correct them through the process of…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | The President Who Slept Under the Stars
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story; it's…
- 15-Minute History
Theodore Roosevelt | A Discussion and Reckoning
"What struck you most about Roosevelt?" The question hangs in the air as we return to last week's episode. The spectacles, the gymnasium, the Badlands, the…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Monopolies
Why do so many large corporations, especially the tech giants, seem to avoid federal antitrust legislation? Join us every Thursday for pop quizzes and Sketches…
- 15-Minute History
Theodore Roosevelt | A Strenuous Life
"You must make your body." An asthmatic boy in wire-rimmed spectacles nods. Decades later, shot in the chest, he'll deliver a 90-minute speech: "It takes more…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | The Panama Canal
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story; it's…
- 15-Minute History
"Daring Mighty Things" | A Discussion on the Panama Canal and America's Role in Latin America
In this week's discussion, we cover more detail about the building of the canal and the herculean medical and engineering feats American and Panamanian workers…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz - Iran, then and now
With events in Iran moving hour by hour, Joe asked about the Iranian Revolution of 1979, how that regime could hold onto the country for so long, and why we…
- 15-Minute History
"Daring Mighty Things" | The Panama Canal and American Intervention in Latin America
Over a century ago, the United States blasted its way through a continent in one of the largest engineering projects in world history. The Panama Canal's…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Communism vs. Fascism (Repost)
During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on December 14, 2023. New episodes…
- 15-Minute History
Arrows vs. Knights | How England Defied the Odds at Agincourt (Repost)
During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 27, 2025. New episodes…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Answering an Audience Question & The Overton Window (Repost)
During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 5, 2025. ___ In this double pop…
- 15-Minute History
America's Utopian Mores (Repost)
During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 23, 2025. ___ This season has…
- 15-Minute History
Special Christmas Episode | The History of the Nativity (Repost)
The imagery of Jesus' birth has evolved over the century, but its meaning to all humanity remains as simple as ever in this holiday season. Special thanks to…
- 15-Minute History
Low Songs, Holy Songs
In this last episode of 2025, Jon takes us on a journey through time and space to learn the stories of several beloved Christmas carols. We hope you enjoy…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | A (Very Incomplete) History Reading List
What are the essential works of history every curious reader should know, and where should someone actually start when diving into them? Join Jon and Joe for…
- 15-Minute History
What to Watch | History in Movies Part IV
"Based on a true story." "Inspired by actual events." "The following actually happened." These five words might be Hollywood's greatest magic trick…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | "15-Minute Rage-Bait"
Why do dumb ideas keep popping up like weeds? Why do people embrace them despite mountains of evidence they don't work and huge piles of bodies left in their…
- 15-Minute History
The War of 1812 | A Discussion - Myths, Realities, and Ideals
"Don't give up the ship." "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Old Hickory." The Battle of New Orleans. The War of 1812 gave us some of America's most enduring symbols…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | Don't Give Up the Ship (Part 2)
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's…
- 15-Minute History
War of 1812 (Part 2) | The Fire That Reforged a Nation
Washington burns. The White House is in flames. But from the smoke and ashes, a nation discovers what it means to be American. The War of 1812's darkest hour…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Classical Influences on the Founding Fathers
How did the writings of Greece and Rome influence our Founding Fathers, and what lessons did they take away from these documents? Join us for a conversation…
- 15-Minute History
Thanksgiving & the Art of Being Thankful
On this week of Thanksgiving, join us as we share stories of Thanksgiving throughout history. (This episode originally aired in November 2019.)
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | Don't Give Up the Ship (Part 1)
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's…
- 15-Minute History
The War of 1812 (Part 1): Humiliation, Hawks, and Heroism
Detroit falls without a fight. War Hawks demand blood. But on a blood-slick deck, four words become legend: Don’t give up the ship. The War of 1812 is often…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | The Founding Fathers' Reading List
In this week's Pop Quiz, Joe asked about what the Founding Fathers were reading as they shaped the course and construction of American government and how these…
- 15-Minute History
"I Know I am Right" | A Discussion on John Adams
While our episode on John Adams centered on his career, today's discussion focused more on his personality, beliefs, and relationships with others (especially…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | The President's Watch
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you to a new season of Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn’t just a story—it’s…
- 15-Minute History
John Adams | "I Know I Am Right"
In the popular mind, John Adams' life and one term as President of the United States is often treated as a footnote alongside the careers of Benjamin Franklin…
- 15-Minute History
A Proud Teacher's Pop Quiz | George Patton
This week's pop quiz comes to us courtesy of a budding historian at Mr. Streeter's school! He asked about some details from our episode on George Patton a few…
- 15-Minute History
Casting the Dice | A Discussion on the American Revolution
Join us this week for a discussion on how and why the Americans revolted against King George III, the course that revolution took in the hearts and minds of…
- 15-Minute History
Sketches in History | The Feather Quill
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you to a new season of Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn’t just a story—it’s…
- 15-Minute History
Casting the Dice | The American Revolution
America is often described as a nation of ideas because its founders risked everything for principles in which they believed. But the revolutionaries had to…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Strength & Honor
In this week's episode, Joe and I discuss the Roman defeat at Teutoburg and how it reflected the Empire's military philosophy. Join us for pop quizzes and…
- 15-Minute History
We've Been Here Before | A Discussion on America's Political Realignments
Join us for a discussion on last week's episode with our regular guest Dan Lindsey! Apologies for some audio issues when he first arrived--he was a bit too…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | The Viking Berserkers
Who were they? Were they even real? And why did they fade? Joe and Jon discuss some of history's most fascinating warriors in this week's pop quiz. Join us…
- 15-Minute History
NEW Episode | We've Been Here Before
Season Nine is here!!! This year, we are joining Americans in celebrating our country's 250th birthday with episodes about our nation's history. In the season…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Lost Knowledge through a Thousand Cuts
In this week's episode, Joe follows up from our last pop quiz and asks about the knowledge lost in the Library of Alexandria, how its destruction affected…
- 15-Minute History
The Manhattan Project | Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility (Republish)
During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 5, 2025…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | Lost Technology
In this week's pop quiz, Joe asks about why and how military technologies fade from the battlefield. Join us each week as we approach the start of the new…
- 15-Minute History
J.R.R. Tolkien | Optimism (Republish)
During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on October 10…
- 15-Minute History
Pop Quiz | A New Dark Age?
In this episode, Joe asks about the changes in culture and education after the collapse of Rome, and we discuss some historical parallels to our own day. Join…
- 15-Minute History
George Patton & the Third Army | “You Wonderful Guys” (Republish)
During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 12, 2023…