Best Computer History Hour Podcasts (2025)

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#829: James Nestor — Breathing Protocols to Reboot Your Health, Fix Your Sleep, and Boost Performance 1:50:12

1h ago1:50:12

1:50:12

James Nestor is a science journalist and the author of the international bestseller Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, with more than three million copies sold in 44 languages. This episode is brought to you by: Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://HelixSleep.com/Tim (27% off all mattress orders) Momentous high-quality creatine for cognitive…

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The Velvet Underground & Nico Album Review – Heroin, Feedback, and Bananas 23:25

5h ago23:25

23:25

Send us a text In this episode I dive headfirst into The Velvet Underground & Nico — the album that flipped 1960s pop on its head, shoved a banana on the cover, and whispered “I’m not like the other girls” while staring dead-eyed into the void. From the hazy bells of “Sunday Morning” to the 8-minute sonic meltdown of “European Son,” I cover every t…

1
Dining Dos, Dining Don’ts: The New Rules of Restaurant Etiquette 51:36

5d ago51:36

51:36

Bon Appétit columnist Maggie Hennessy helps us navigate the new rules of dining out. Is it ever OK to take out your phone? What’s the best way to grab your server’s attention? And how fussy is too fussy? Plus, Irene Yoo throws a soju party, and Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of A Way With Words share the stories behind your favorite pasta shapes…

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#828: David Senra — How Extreme Winners Think and Win: Lessons from 400+ of History’s Greatest Founders and Investors (Including Buffett, Munger, Rockefeller, Jobs, Ovitz, Zell, and Names You Don’t Know ... 2:55:55

6d ago2:55:55

2:55:55

David Senra is the host of the Founders podcast. For the past nine years, David has intensely studied the life and work of hundreds of history’s greatest entrepreneurs. His new podcast, David Senra, showcases conversations with the best-of-the-best living founders and extreme winners. This episode is brought to you by: Cresset family office service…

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Amy Winehouse Back to Black Album Review - Motown, Mayhem & Heartbreak 16:26

8d ago16:26

16:26

Send us a text In this episode of Album Reviews and You, I dive into Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black — the late-night diary entry turned Motown funeral march that redefined heartbreak records. From the swaggering horns of “Rehab” to the mascara-stained tragedy of “Back to Black,” every track is drenched in humor, pain, and just the right amount of ch…

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Culinary Tour of Colombia: Sweet Corn Arepas and Brisket Dust 50:57

12d ago50:57

50:57

We explore the cooking of Colombia with Mariana Velásquez, from homemade arepas to sweet panela that tastes like almost-burnt caramel. Plus, we learn about the secret world of creating food emojis with artist Yiying Lu, Adam Gopnik ponders the elements of dinner, and we present a recipe for Spicy and Sour Julienned Potato Salad with Sichuan Pepper.…

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Episode 140: The 49 Ways of Sinistar 1:03:15

13d ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Host Frank Cifaldi is joined by documentarian, historian, hacker, and all around cool guy SynaMax to talk about their documentary Resurrecting Sinistar: A Cyber-Archaeology Documentary. The 1983 top-down space shooter arcade game’s unique 49-way joystick allowed players to pilot their spaceship to prevent a giant skull, Sinistar, from forming. Syna…

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Radiohead OK Computer Album Review – An Hour of Mumble and Noise 21:08

14d ago21:08

21:08

Send us a text Critics call OK Computer one of the greatest albums of all time. I call it an endurance test in distortion, mumbling, and half-baked ideas. From the car-crash shrug of “Airbag” to the robot poetry of “Fitter Happier” and the slow-motion crawl of “The Tourist,” Radiohead’s so-called masterpiece feels less like revolution and more like…

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#827: Pablos Holman — One of The Scariest Hackers I’ve Ever Met 2:31:41

14d ago2:31:41

2:31:41

Pablos Holman is a hacker and inventor and the author of Deep Future: Creating Technology that Matters, the indispensable guide to deep tech. Previously, Pablos worked on spaceships at Blue Origin and helped build The Intellectual Ventures Lab to invent a wide variety of breakthroughs. Pablos also hosts the Deep Future Podcast and is managing partn…

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Samin Nosrat Interview: The Extended Cut 32:39

15d ago32:39

32:39

In this special episode, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Samin Nosrat. We discuss everything from fame and family to her current culinary obsessions. She shares her favorite salad dressings, go-to snacks and treasured old recipes, alongside exciting new flavors and techniques (whipped tahini! burnt honey!). Plus, hear how she fo…

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Samin Nosrat Returns: New Book, New Recipes, New Life 50:37

19d ago50:37

50:37

Following her 2017 hit—“Salt Fat Acid Heat”—Samin Nosrat is back with her second book, “Good Things”. We talk about fame, family and what she’s cooking; her favorite new flavors and techniques (whipped tahini! burnt honey!); and how she found the sublime in food processor pesto. Plus, James Ooi shares secrets from the Chinese supermarket and Chris …

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Prince Purple Rain Album Review – Guitar, God, and the Purple Gospel 21:51

19d ago21:51

21:51

Send us a text Prince’s Purple Rain isn’t just an album, it’s a coronation. From the sermon-on-the-dancefloor explosion of Let’s Go Crazy to the filth and fury of Darling Nikki, to a closing anthem that could level a stadium, this is Prince at his most unfiltered and unstoppable. I dig through the solos, the Linn drums, the screams, the ego, and th…

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Dua Lipa Future Nostalgia Album Review – Disco Burned, Rebuilt, and Recycled 14:17

19d ago14:17

14:17

Send us a text Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia promises both retro flair and futuristic shine — but does it deliver? In this episode of Album Reviews & You, I dive track by track into one of the biggest dance records of the 2020s. From Chic-inspired basslines and Bee Gees strings to EDM festival drops and over-compression fatigue, I pull apart the groo…

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Marvin Gaye What’s Going On Album Review – Soul, Suffering, and Sweet Falsetto 14:13

20d ago14:13

14:13

Send us a text Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On isn’t just an album — it’s a 35-minute sermon on war, poverty, racism, pollution, drugs, and everything else humanity insists on screwing up. In this episode, I go track by track: from the deceptively smooth party vibes of the title cut, to the gut-punch prophecy of Mercy Mercy Me, to the bongos that fad…

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#826: Q&A with Tim — Supplements I’m Taking, Austin vs. SF, Training for Mental Performance, Current Go-To AI Tools, Recovering from Surgery, Intermittent Fasting, and More 1:25:12

21d ago1:25:12

1:25:12

This episode is a solo Q&A session where I answer a bunch of questions. We covered a ton of ground, from personal health protocols to professional frameworks and creative projects. This episode is brought to you by: Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for dynamic cooling and heating: EightSleep.com/Tim (use code TIM to get $350 off your very …

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Nirvana Nevermind Album Review – Flannel, Feedback, and Underwater Babies 15:38

22d ago15:38

15:38

Send us a text In 1991, three scruffy guys from Seattle dropped an album that killed hair metal, dethroned Michael Jackson, and made “grunge” the word of the decade. Nevermind is loud, messy, surprisingly melodic, and responsible for about 10,000 terrible high school “Teen Spirit” covers. In this episode, I go track by track: from the underwater ba…

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Michael Jackson Thriller Album Review – Zombies, Solos, and Gloved Kid Trauma 16:24

22d ago16:24

16:24

Send us a text Thriller is the biggest album of all time, and it’s basically nine tracks of Michael Jackson throwing sequencer bass, funk grooves, and red leather swagger at the world until it broke the charts in half. From Eddie Van Halen shredding “Beat It” into the stratosphere, to Vincent Price doing his best spooky laugh, to Billie Jean insist…

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Fleetwood Mac Rumours Album Review – The Ultimate Breakup Album 16:15

23d ago16:15

16:15

Send us a text Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours isn’t just an album — it’s a soap opera pressed to vinyl. Divorce, betrayal, cocaine, and tambourines that never quite hit the beat — somehow it all came together to create one of the best-selling and most beloved records of all time. In this episode, I break down the songs track by track: from the galloping b…

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Magnolia Ice Cream? Yes! Plus Candied Acorns and Spruce Bark Cookies 50:36

26d ago50:36

50:36

When Justin Davies cuts into a piece of wood, he wonders what it tastes like. Today, he shares his adventures in crafting desserts out of trees, from the bark infusion that made his tongue go numb to the ice cream concocted from an infamously smelly tree. Plus, Lidia Bastianich returns to answer your questions on pasta and pesto; we eat through the…

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Olivia Rodrigo Sour Album Review – Teenage Heartbreak and Pop Perfection 11:31

26d ago11:31

11:31

Send us a text In 2021, Olivia Rodrigo burst onto the scene with her debut album SOUR, a raw and unflinching look at heartbreak, jealousy, and growing up in the spotlight. Mixing pop-punk energy with confessional ballads, the record connected instantly with listeners across generations. In this episode of Album Reviews & You, we explore the univers…

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Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly Album Review – A Hip-Hop Masterpiece of Our Time 25:03

26d ago25:03

25:03

Send us a text In 2015, Kendrick Lamar released To Pimp a Butterfly, an album that shattered expectations and redefined the boundaries of hip-hop. Blending jazz, funk, soul, and raw lyricism, the record dives deep into themes of race, identity, politics, and personal struggle. In this episode of Album Reviews & You, we explore how tracks like “Alri…

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Sly & the Family Stone There’s a Riot Goin’ On Album Review – Funk, Darkness, and Revolution 15:42

26d ago15:42

15:42

Send us a text Released in 1971, Sly & the Family Stone’s There’s a Riot Goin’ On captured the turbulence of its era with a sound both raw and revolutionary. Known for its murky production, stripped-down grooves, and Sly Stone’s weary but powerful vision, the album signaled a stark departure from the band’s earlier uplifting funk anthems. In this e…

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The Beatles Album Review – The Album That Changed Everything 17:18

26d ago17:18

17:18

Send us a text Released in 1966, The Beatles’ Revolver marked a turning point not only for the band, but for modern music as a whole. From the haunting strings of “Eleanor Rigby” to the groundbreaking psychedelia of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” this album redefined what rock could be. In this episode of Album Reviews & You, we break down how Revolver pu…

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#825: Dr. Dominic D’Agostino — All Things Ketones, How to Protect the Brain and Boost Cognition, Sardine Fasting, Diet Rules, Revisiting Metformin and Melatonin, and More 1:54:59

27d ago1:54:59

1:54:59

Dr. Dominic D’Agostino (@DominicDAgosti2) is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and a Visiting Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. This episode is brought to you by: Helix Sleep premium mattres…

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Episode 139: Phoenix: The Rise of Leonard Herman 1:11:36

27d ago1:11:36

1:11:36

We’re joined by pioneer video game historian Leonard Herman, author and publisher of several video game history books including the first comprehensive book chronicling the history of the videogame industry, Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Home Videogames, and its subsequent series. We touch on Leonard’s early career, the challenges of self-publishing,…

1
The Glory Days of In-Flight Dining: From Smorgasbord to Baked Alaska 50:40

1M ago50:40

50:40

Is airplane food bad on purpose? Historian Richard Foss takes us through the turbulent history of food in flight, from extravagant meals aboard zeppelins, to the flaming Baked Alaskas once served en route to Singapore, to the truth about mediocre food service on planes today. Plus, Rebecca Rupp tells us how carrots won the Trojan War, Amanda Herber…

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Ice Cream Crazy! Live Longer? Hot Chicken Flavor? Blue Moon? 51:05

1M ago51:05

51:05

For this special bonus episode, we share a story from the Points North podcast about blue moon ice cream—it's a wacky, surprisingly delicious and very blue ice cream flavor beloved in the Midwest. But no one knows what the flavor actually is, and ice cream makers are notoriously secretive about it. We hear about Morgan Springer's quest to find out …

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#824: What Most Has My Attention Right Now — Credible (vs. Bogus) Vagus Nerve Stimulation 2:23:18

1M ago2:23:18

2:23:18

Kevin J. Tracey, MD is president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, a pioneer of vagus nerve research and author of the recent book, The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes. This episode is brought to you by: Eight Sleep Pod Cover 5 sleeping solution for …

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Saffron Coffee, Black Limes and Tahini Dates: Inside the Gulf Kitchen 50:40

1M ago50:40

50:40

This week we’re joined by Noor Murad—longtime recipe developer at the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen. She’s here to share cooking inspired by her home country, Bahrain. We talk about the magic of tahini dates, lamb with fenugreek, and spiced rice. Plus, Meathead is back to take more of your barbecue and grilling calls, from the rules of ribs to whether bo…

1
Episode 138: Playing Faceball 2000 With 15 of Your Closest Friends 1:17:35

1M ago1:17:35

1:17:35

Host Phil Salvador is joined by Derek Alexander, of the YouTube channel Stop Skeletons From Fighting, and Zarithya, of the YouTube channel Zarithya, to talk about the fan-restored 16-player mode for the 1991 Game Boy game Faceball 2000 as laid out in My 2 Year Journey to Solve the 30-Year Myth of Faceball 2000 | SSFF. In this bit of video game arch…

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#823: Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg — Creating Supranormal Vision, Cutting-Edge Science for Eye Health, Supplements, Red Light Therapy, and The Future of Eyesight Restoration 1:44:33

1M ago1:44:33

1:44:33

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg is Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology and Director of the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University, a leading scientist in the development and degeneration of the visual system from eye to brain, and a practicing ophthalmologist and surgeon. This episode is brought to you by: Gamma AI design partner for effortless presentat…

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Paul Needham, "The Catholicon Press Revisited: The Evidence of Nailheads," 29 July 2025 1:19:25

2M ago1:19:25

1:19:25

RBS faculty member Paul Needham (Princeton Univ.) gave a public lecture on "The Catholicon Press Revisited: The Evidence of Nailheads" on 29 July 2025. You can watch the full recording of the lecture on YouTube at https://youtu.be/o4aMEB38slw?feature=shared.𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸:The 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯, whose colophon states that it was printed in Mainz, 1460, has…

1
Christopher N. Warren, "What Is Computational Bibliography?" Malkin Lecture, 30 July 2025 1:04:06

2M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

Christopher N. Warren delivered the 2025 Sol M. and Mary Ann O’Brian Malkin Lecture, “What is Computational Bibliography?”, on 30 July 2025. You can watch the full recording of the lecture on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ElvNacFyoWQ?feature=shared.𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸:Book historians have long faced a methodological dilemma. Do we want to study particular…

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Rachael DiEleuterio, "Curious and Creative Women," 2025 Sue Allen Lecture 1:01:10

2M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Rachael DiEleuterio gave the inaugural Sue Allen Lecture for Women in Book History, on “Curious and Creative Women,” on 28 July 2025. She was joined by Daphne Sawyer, who endowed the lecture in memory of her mother, Mary Sawyer (1925–2024), and of longtime RBS faculty member Sue Allen (1918–2011). You can watch the full recording of the lecture on …

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James H. Marrow, "Iconographic Disjunction in the Ruskin Psalter/Hours," 2025 54:38

2M ago54:38

54:38

James H. Marrow gave a public talk on “Iconographic Disjunction in the Ruskin Psalter/Hours: A Flemish Illuminated Manuscript of ca. 1470–80,” on 23 July 2025, as part of Rare Book School's 2025 Summer Lecture Series. You can watch the full recording of the lecture on YouTube at https://youtu.be/LxIPOQ6ehss?feature=shared.𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸:Illustrated…

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E. M. Rose, "Books for Virginia 1620: America's First Public Library?" 2025 NEH-SHARP Lecture 51:25

2M ago51:25

51:25

This NEH-SHARP Living American History in Primary Documents Lecture by E. M. Rose was part of Rare Book School's 2025 Summer Lecture Series. You can watch the full recording of the lecture on YouTube at https://youtu.be/VaN2qqFnPto?feature=shared.𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸:What did American colonists need to know? What should they believe? The Virginia Company…

1
Outdoor Summer: Cowboy Cooking, Mail Order Chickens and Freezer Door Daiquiris 51:02

2M ago51:02

51:02

Cowboys work hard—which means they need to be fed well. This week, hear how ranch cook Kent Rollins feeds cowboys out of his chuck wagon, serving up his famous coffee, steaks and “burger dogs.” Plus, Tove Danovich introduces us to Mike the Headless Chicken, as well as her brood of mail-order chickens and their complex emotional lives; Martha Barnet…

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#822: The Random Show — Ketones for Cognition, Tim’s Best Lab Results in 10+ Years, How Kevin Hit 100 Days Sober, Home Defense, Vibe Coding Unleashed, and More 2:07:46

2M ago2:07:46

2:07:46

Welcome to another wide-ranging "Random Show" episode that I recorded with my close friend Kevin Rose (digg.com)! We cover Kevin's sobriety journey and marking 100 days without alcohol, my results with the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting, GLP-1 agonists, home security, the future of Venture Capital, AI, authenticating yourself online in a w…

1
I Catered Napoleon's Wedding: Carême, the First Celebrity Chef 51:01

2M ago51:01

51:01

He cooked for the czar of Russia, the Rothschilds, and he even made Napoleon Bonaparte's wedding cake. He invented the chef’s hat and published the first recipes for soufflé and meringue, but you’ve probably never heard his name. This week, it’s the story of the world’s first celebrity chef: Marie-Antoine Carême. Plus, we’re joined by one of today’…

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Episode 137: Computer Entertainer 1:37:17

2M ago1:37:17

1:37:17

Frank Cifaldi and guest-host Kate Willaert (of A Critical Hit) are joined by Marylou Badeaux to discuss the history of the vitally important Computer Entertainer, also known as The Video Game Update: a monthly newsletter which covered video game availability information and reviews in the 1980’s. Co-created with Marylou’s sister Celeste Dolan, this…

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#821: My Two-Year Secret Project, COYOTE — The Strategies and Tactics for Building a Bestseller from Nothing with Elan Lee of Exploding Kittens 3:00:18

2M ago3:00:18

3:00:18

This is a very special episode for me. My brand-new card game, COYOTE, created in collaboration with Elan Lee and Exploding Kittens, is here. It is available in ~8,000 locations worldwide, including Walmart, Target, Amazon, and many others. Learn more: https://coyotegame.com. This episode is brought to you by: Gamma AI design partner for effortless…

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Welcome to Our Cocktail Hour! Bourbon Myths, Martini Crawls and Mixology Tips 51:04

2M ago51:04

51:04

It's a very happy hour of Milk Street Radio: Chef Edward Lee returns for a tour of Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries, where the water is sweeter, the barrels are (accidentally!) charred, and the rickhouses are sacred territory. Plus, Gary Shteyngart recounts his wet, dry, twisted and dirty martini tour of New York City; Grant Barrett and Martha Barne…

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#820: Elizabeth Gilbert — How to Find Your Inner Voice, Set Strong Boundaries, and Live a Life of Radical Ease (Repost) 1:56:02

2M ago1:56:02

1:56:02

Elizabeth Gilbert is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love as well as several other international bestsellers. Her latest novel, City of Girls, was named an instant New York Times bestseller. Go to ElizabethGilbert.Substack.com to subscribe to “Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert,” her newsletter, which has …

1
100 Years of Food Writing at the New Yorker: M.F.K. Fisher, Calvin Trillin and A.J. Liebling 51:01

2M ago51:01

51:01

Adam Gopnik takes us on a tour of great food writing from the New Yorker in celebration of the magazine's centennial. We hear A.J. Liebling’s tip for finding a good restaurant in Paris, M.F.K. Fisher’s fantasy about potato chips and Calvin Trillin’s obsession over constructing the perfect bagel. Plus, Matt Goulding shares why paella is a hotbed of …

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#819: Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. — Protocols for Fasting, Lowering Dementia Risk, Reversing Heart Aging, Using Sauna for Longevity (Hotter is Not Better), and a Few Supplements That Might Actually Matter 2:31:28

2M ago2:31:28

2:31:28

Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. (@foundmyfitness) is a biomedical scientist and the founder of FoundMyFitness, a platform dedicated to delivering rigorous, evidence-based insights on improving healthspan and mitigating age-related diseases. Sponsors: Helix Sleep premium mattresses: https://HelixSleep.com/Tim (27% off all mattress orders) Momentous high-quali…

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Episode 136: Halfway Through 2025: A Mid-Year Update 1:22:01

2M ago1:22:01

1:22:01

It’s time for a little review of what we’ve been up to, so far, this year. With the official launch of our digital library archive, livestreams of game magazine unboxing and EPROM dumping, the newest collections of Craig Stitt and Kirk Henderson, a Trade Magazine Week special event, and teasing some special new acquisitions we have SO much to catch…

1
Food Fights: I Love You But I Hate Your Cooking 51:05

2M ago51:05

51:05

Forget the bedroom: the kitchen is where relationships are made and broken. Journalist Ella Quittner reveals the many ways the kitchen causes problems in our love lives, and what psychologists say we can do about it. Plus, listeners call in with their own culinary feuds; writer Crystal Wilkinson recalls the kitchen ghosts and family recipes of her …

1
Mark McConnell, "Christophe Plantin's Business Strategy," Karmiole Lecture, 9 July 2025 58:58

3M ago58:58

58:58

Rare Book School's 2025 Kenneth Karmiole Endowed Lecture on the History of the Book Trades featured a talk by Mark McConnell on “Publishing in the Renaissance: Christophe Plantin’s Business Strategy." The event took place on 9 July 2025. You can watch the full recording of the lecture on YouTube at https://youtu.be/QFmRSz-laUE?feature=shared.About …

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Summer Lollapalooza! Meathead Q&A, BBQ Road Trip and Grilling Pizza 1:01:16

3M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

We’re covering everything you've ever wanted to know about grilling and barbecue. First up, a road trip with Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor at Texas Monthly. We taste whole-hog barbecue in Greenville, coffee-rubbed brisket in Nacogdoches and cow-eye tacos in Brownsville. Then, Meathead joins Chris on the phone lines for your toughest cookout questi…

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Episode 135: Baldur’s Gate 3’s Lawrence Schick and His Decades of Work in Game Development 1:04:15

3M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

Veteran game designer and author Lawrence Schick shares stories from his early 80's work with the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and Intellivision. With over four decades of experience in the industry, Schick details how he helped pioneer a multi-discipline, team-based approach to game development designing games like Smurf: Rescue and Tarzan while pull…

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