Best Uncommon Heroes Podcasts (2025)

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Audie Murphy | An Uncommon Hero (Republish) 17:43

3d ago17:43

17:43

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 4, 2023. ___ On the morning of January 26th, Murphy and his men saw movement in the tree line ahead. As the morning fog cleared, over two hundred German infantrymen and six Mark VI Tiger Tanks appeared a…

1
Pop Quiz | Phantom Time 5:34

7d ago5:34

5:34

Was Charlemagne real? Did we land on the moon? Who are the real villains in history? Join us in this week's conversation about myths vs. reality and theory vs. facts when it comes to history. And post your ideas for new episodes, comments, and questions in the comments. You make this show a success and we love to hear from you!…

1
Xerxes I | Hubris (Republish) 18:11

10d ago18:11

18:11

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on January 16, 2024. ___ Xerxes I, also known as Xerxes the Great, was a Persian king who ruled over the vast Achaemenid Empire from 486 BCE to 465 BCE. He was the son of King Darius I and Atossa, the daughter …

1
Pop Quiz | Operation Mincemeat (or) Liar, Liar, Literal Pants on Fire 6:36

14d ago6:36

6:36

As Churchill once said, "Truth must be surrounded by a bodyguard of lies," and this is never more true in wartime (or a presidential campaign). This week we discuss a deception operation during World War Two, its effect on the war, and the anatomy of both humans and the continent of Europe! We love hearing from you, so post your comments, questions…

1
Ivan the Terrible | The Sources of Evil (Republish) 18:58

17d ago18:58

18:58

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on February 26, 2024. ___ Two men stood in a large room shouting at one another, raging over family and war or accusing each other of incompetence and cowardice. A third man stood nearby, servant of one and fri…

1
Pop Quiz | Health & Safety 6:01

22d ago6:01

6:01

Do we need government regulations to protect employees in the workplace? Can labor unions go too far in efforts to safeguard their members? And did the sinking of RMS Titanic have something to do with shoddy health & safety measures? Post your comments, questions, and thoughts about new pop quizzes below!…

1
Colt, Gatling, and Browning | Shooting for the Future (Republish) 15:01

24d ago15:01

15:01

Samuel Colt’s name is forever linked to the company he founded and the revolver he called the “Peacemaker.” Born in Connecticut in 1814, he was steeped in America’s gun culture from an early age. His grandfather had served in George Washington’s army, and Samuel inherited an old flintlock pistol from the family hero when he was only six. At the age…

1
Pop Quiz | The War of Jenkin's Ear (or) That Escalated Quickly! 5:40

28d ago5:40

5:40

What started as a simple question about The War of Jenkin's Ear devolved into a mighty whirlwind on social media, immortality, and Jon's opinion of Elon Musk! Let us know your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below, and tell us if you have ideas about new pop quizzes as well.

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The Ash Heap of History | The End of the Cold War (Republish) 20:11

1M ago20:11

20:11

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on March 20, 2020. ___ The world's most powerful communist leader ultimately signed his own resignation with a capitalist's pen on Christmas Day 1991. This episode traces the stunning reversal of the Cold War f…

1
Pop Quiz | Holy Relics? 5:25

1M ago5:25

5:25

Why, in medieval times, were holy relics so popular? Was the church displaying them to give people hope in the divine or for financial gain, or both? In this pop quiz, Joe and Jon discuss the possible answers while asking the fundamental question: Do these holy objects actually have power? Join us every Thursday this summer for new pop quizzes and …

1
Episode 85: In Summation (part 2)- From Where I Sit 11:13

1M ago11:13

11:13

What follows are lessons I have learned over the course of four years serving as a law clerk and 34 years as a solo private practitioner.By Rudy Greco

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What If? | A Lasting Peace at Tilsit (Republish) 10:21

1M ago10:21

10:21

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on July 12, 2021. ___ The raft floated in the midst of the River Niemen. On it were two beautiful pavilions, one for the Emperor of the French and the other for the Czar and Autocrat of All the Russias. In the …

1
Pop Quiz | "Stagflation" 4:02

1M ago4:02

4:02

With economics being all the rage these days and everyone on social media becoming experts in tariff and spending policy, Joe and Jon discuss one of the most serious economic problems a country can face. Join us every Thursday this summer for new pop quizzes and leave a comment below with a topic you'd like us to cover!…

1
Episode 84: In Summation (part 1)- Private Practice 16:26

1M ago16:26

16:26

What follows are lessons I have learned over the course of four years serving as a law clerk and 34 years as a solo private practitioner.By Rudy Greco

1
What if? | Pizzaro & the Potato (Republish) 9:58

1M ago9:58

9:58

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on August 30, 2021. ___ From 1531-1532, Pizzaro and his group conquered and destroyed the Inca Civilization. Climbing the Andes Mountains, they probably never questioned the ability of the Inca Empire to feed i…

1
Pop Quiz | "Sherman's Neckties" 3:39

2M ago3:39

3:39

Recently, Jon mentioned "Sherman's Neckties" in an episode that referenced the American Civil War. Now it's time to talk about these fascinating--and terrifying--examples of psychological warfare! Join us every Thursday this summer for new pop quizzes, and comment below with any topics you'd like us to cover.…

1
Episode 83: Queensboro Hill 19:53

2M ago19:53

19:53

In 1954 at the age of ten, Rudy's family moves from noisy, teeming South Brooklyn to what they thought was a quiet neighborhood in Flushing, Queens called Queensboro Hill. Little did they know, it was anything but quiet.By Rudy Greco

1
America's Utopian Mores | A Discussion 31:37

2M ago31:37

31:37

Where does utopianism come from? Can we really create a perfect world, and did the colonists think they could create utopia in the New World? And why did Jon pick this topic? Join us for answers to these questions and more in our last discussion of the season! We want to thank everyone who joined us each week this past year. We'll have some pop qui…

1
Sketches in History | The Speaking Stone 9:47

2M ago9:47

9:47

The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she goes back to Egypt for yet another ancient discovery. She witnesse…

1
Episode 82: The Record 7:24

2M ago7:24

7:24

The cliche says "let the record speak for itself." Yes, but what does the record say?By Rudy Greco

1
America's Utopian Mores 16:41

2M ago16:41

16:41

This season has been about good and bad ideas, and we are concluding with Jon's thoughts on a journey he's been on through early American history. In his 1989 book Albion's Seed, Dr. David Hackett Fischer describes how four groups of English settlers brought utopian ideals to the New World and created the foundations of what became the United State…

1
Pop Quiz | The Future of Warfare 4:39

2M ago4:39

4:39

This week, Joe and I discuss how warfare is evolving on the battlefields of Ukraine, the role drones and other new technologies are changing the battlespace, and whether or not we are headed directly into the world of the Terminator!

1
Episode 81: Fort Apache South Bronx 36:41

2M ago36:41

36:41

In the late 1960s, Vietnam wasn't the only American combat zone.By Rudy Greco

1
"Dieu et mon droit" | A discussion on the Divine Right of Kings 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

Join us for a discussion on the Divine Right of Kings and how it continues to shape modern political systems in our world today! Leave a comment below with any questions--we love to hear from our audience! (Also, please forgive us for the rather abrupt end with no closing comments--Jon forgot to include that in the recording!)…

1
Sketches in History | A Silent Symphony 9:59

2M ago9:59

9:59

The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she visits a grand symphony hall filled with anticipation, as the audi…

1
Episode 80: South Brooklyn 21:03

2M ago21:03

21:03

Being born in Brooklyn in the 1940s as I was, in retrospect, is nothing less than a blessing.By Rudy Greco

1
"Dieu et mon droit" | The Divine Right of Kings 18:02

2M ago18:02

18:02

Throughout history, leaders have claimed their positions in a variety of ways: military conquests, electoral mandates, revolutionary uprisings, and more. But probably the most common and certainly the furthest from modern democratic sensibilities is the divine right of kings. While it is present in a variety of religious and social traditions, most…

1
Pop Quiz | Answering an Audience Question & The Overton Window 9:27

3M ago9:27

9:27

In this double pop quiz, Jon answers a question from an audience member and then discusses the Overton Window and how the range of "acceptable" political discourse changes over time. Join us every other week for these pop quizzes during the summer, and comment below with any topics you'd like us to cover!…

1
Episode 79: Graffiti Busters 16:50

3M ago16:50

16:50

You've got a problem? That's no big news but don't complain. Do something if you have a problem. Don't just talk about it.By Rudy Greco

1
The Magna Carta | A Discussion on Power, Politics, and the Birth of Liberty 35:40

3M ago35:40

35:40

Join us as we discuss the history of the Magna Carta, how it changed English governance, and its influence on all democracies and constitutional federal republics that came after.

1
Sketches in History | Connecting Continents 9:40

3M ago9:40

9:40

The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she travels aboard a ship with a mission. Sailors are working frantica…

1
Episode 78: A Second Opinion 11:48

3M ago11:48

11:48

If you've ever gotten bad news whether it's from your dentist, your doctor, your accountant or lawyer, there's always a default reaction that kicks in: Let me get a second opinion.By Rudy Greco

1
The Magna Carta | Power, Politics, and the Birth of Liberty 17:02

3M ago17:02

17:02

It’s raining. The men in the group are drenched and have been so almost all day. Nobles in their finest attire stand ankle-deep in mud, their expressions a mixture of triumph and apprehension. Before them, a thin, gray-faced king looks at the document. His jaw clenches. "You would strip me of my God-given rights?" the king yells, his voice thick wi…

1
Pop Quiz | The New Deal, part 2 8:01

3M ago8:01

8:01

In part two of this pop quiz series, Joe and I discuss the New Deal's long-term legacy and the controversial idea that anything can really be "free." As always, we love to hear from you, so leave a comment on this episode with any questions or thoughts, and you can also give us a topic that you'd like us to discuss in another pop quiz this summer!…

1
Episode 77: Broadway Hits The Heights 17:48

3M ago17:48

17:48

In the 1930s and 40s the old musical movies would start with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland saying "Hey Kids, let's put on a show!" Well, we did.By Rudy Greco

1
The Khmer Rouge | “To Destroy You is No Loss” (Repost) 15:16

3M ago15:16

15:16

This week, the team wanted to revisit one of the most popular episodes from last season. A new, exciting episode is coming to you on Monday. ____ “I was fifteen years old when the Khmer Rouge came to power in April 1975. I can still remember how overwhelmed with joy I was that the war had finally ended. It did not matter who won. I and many Cambodi…

1
Sketches in History | When the Walls Come Down 9:03

3M ago9:03

9:03

The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she travels to a divided country. Crowds are breaking down a barrier t…

1
Episode 76: Club 21 12:34

3M ago12:34

12:34

High society in lowdown, blue collar East Williamsburg, Brooklyn.By Rudy Greco

1
The Manhattan Project | Discussing Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility 32:07

3M ago32:07

32:07

Join us as we discuss the Manhattan Project, the reason behind the development of nuclear weapons, and the ethical implications of such an invention.

1
Pop Quiz | The New Deal, part 1 7:42

3M ago7:42

7:42

In this first of a two-part pop quiz on the New Deal, Joe and I chat about the real origins of the Great Depression and how we still feel its effects today. Join us for the rest of this conversation in two weeks!

1
Episode 75: World's Fair 19:24

4M ago19:24

19:24

The 1964-65 New York World's Fair was a wonder for the millions of visitors... but it was an eye-opener for Rudy.By Rudy Greco

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The Manhattan Project | Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility 17:30

4M ago17:30

17:30

It was still dark. The group of men felt the breeze getting warmer as the eastern horizon began to show signs of light. One of the men, tall with no expression, watched as final preparations were made to a large object in front of the group. The others saw the anxiety in his face in a way that only those had had been around him could discern. The m…

1
Sketches in History | Voices in the Wire 7:06

4M ago7:06

7:06

The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she travels to a workshop in Menlo Park. A man is working on an inventi…

1
Episode 74: Romeo And Juliet 9:27

4M ago9:27

9:27

The stories of the star crossed lovers have resonated throughout the course of history, unceasingly, even to modern times.By Rudy Greco

1
The Francis Factor | Inside the Modern Papacy 44:11

4M ago44:11

44:11

Join us as we discuss the life of Pope Francis, his reforms, and the controversies that defined his papacy. From his humble beginnings to his efforts to reshape the Catholic Church, discover how Francis challenged tradition, sparked global debate, and inspired both admiration and criticism. Whether you’re a devoted Catholic, a history enthusiast, o…

1
Pop Quiz | Everything is Awful (How to Get Historical Interpretation Wrong) 6:50

4M ago6:50

6:50

In this pop quiz, Joe asks me why some historians choose to interpret the past through current-day lenses and the problems that can create for students of history. We then get into a discussion on the role of experts in academic inquiry and see why a narrow focus can lead to some truly awful outcomes.…

1
Episode 73: Small Claims Court 22:25

4M ago22:25

22:25

Small Claims Court of New York City Civil Court for Queens County is what Rudy came to call: The Land That Truth Forgot.By Rudy Greco

1
Tariffs, Tariffs Everywhere | A Discussion on the Intricacies of Global Trade 34:51

4M ago34:51

34:51

Join us this week as Joe and I delve into the political, social, and (of course) economic consequences of tariffs. We stay away from the politics--mostly--and try to hone in on the fact that every economic policy has consequences, good and bad, and that leaders need to be open in how they present their ideas and honest in explaining their effects.…

1
Sketches in History | Impossible Escape 7:10

4M ago7:10

7:10

The 15-Minute History Podcast team brings you a new segment, just for kids, called Sketches in History, where history isn’t just a story—it’s an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook where sketches from history come to life. In this episode, she travels to a dark night in Germany during World War II. She can see…