Slate History

A feed with the best history coverage from Slate’s wide range of podcasts. From narrative shows like Slow Burn, One Year, and Decoder Ring, to timely analysis from ICYMI and What Next, you’ll get the fascinating stories and vital context you need to understand where we came from and where we're going. 

History
Society & Culture
101
Hear Me Out: The Iraq War Was a Necessary Evil
Iraqis are freer now than they would have been without us.
28 min
102
Decoder Ring: The Artist Who Was Both Loved and...
The painter LeRoy Neiman was adored by many Americans—but not the art critics.
33 min
103
Political Gabfest Reads: The Art of Writing Pol...
Alexandra Petri’s new book Alexandra Petri’s US History asks “What would sexting between John and Abigail Adams have been like?” among other burning questions.
21 min
104
Decoder Ring: The Curious Case of Columbo's Mes...
Why does no one remember the T.V. detective’s Cold War missive?
36 min
105
Hi-Phi Nation: Living in a Zoopolis
What Would It Look Like to Give Animals Full Legal Rights?
44 min
106
What Next: He Couldn’t Teach ‘Slavery Was Wrong...
More teachers are leaving their jobs as a wave of restrictive legislation targets educators across the country.
25 min
107
Decoder Ring: The Curious Case of Columbo's Mes...
Was the cigar-chomping detective also a Cold War diplomat?
39 min
108
A Word: The Battle for Eatonville
Classic novel Their Eyes Were Watching God immortalized Eatonville, Florida. Will the town survive?
24 min
109
Hear Me Out: Secession Could Be A Good Thing
Slate’s new podcast tackles increasing, nationwide calls for secession.
33 min
110
A Word: When a Race War Threat Was Real
Martin Luther King Jr.’s murder broke Black America’s spirit. It never fully healed.
28 min
111
What Next: A Disability Rights Icon’s Long Legacy
Judy Heumann changed the world for disabled people—and her mentees are the future of this on-going movement.
25 min
112
What Next: Does Steven Spielberg Have an Oscars...
It’s hard to call the most commercially-successful director of all time “underappreciated” but Spielberg’s relationship with the Academy hasn’t been particularly rosy.
25 min
113
The Waves: What Ballet’s Best Choreographer Des...
Ballet’s most famous choreographer left an amazing legacy–and many hurt women in his wake.
26 min
114
The Waves: The Inherent Fear in Being a Woman
The dread you feel walking alone at night is part nature, and part nurture.
33 min
115
A Word: Surviving “Driving While Black”
The original “Green Book” was a literal life-saver for Black travelers.
26 min
116
What Next: How Florida’s School Censorship Spreads
This culture war didn't start with canceling AP African American Studies. It's not ending there, either.
25 min
117
ICYMI: American Girl’s Addy Is More Than a Slave
It seems like every six months another person brings this discourse back online.
35 min
118
Political Gabfest Reads: Two Horrifying Days in...
Shahan Mufti discusses his new book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, D.C.
32 min
119
A Word: Haiti: Fear of a Black Republic
Historically, has American “help” pushed Haiti to the brink of failure?
26 min
120
Decoder Ring: The Mailbag Episode
From kids menus to succulents to the chicken that crossed the road, we answer your questions.
34 min
121
Outward: How Can Queer People Keep Each Other S...
Plus, a conversation with actress Jen Richards about the groundbreaking trans film Framing Agnes.
87 min
122
Decoder Ring: Encore: ‘You’ve Got Mail’ Got It ...
Who's afraid of... Barnes & Noble? The now quaint conflict that inspired the 1998 romantic comedy.
36 min
123
Political Gabfest Reads: Everything You Need to...
Gautam Mukunda explains how to predict presidential success – and how to make the right choice for the job - in his new book, Picking Presidents.
39 min
124
Decoder Ring: Cellino & Barnes, Injury Attorney...
Cellino and Barnes became the literal poster-men for personal injury advertising.
35 min
125
Decoder Ring: How Preppy Became Streetwear
Ralph Lauren’s modern Ivy style was remixed by ’Lo-Heads.
32 min