My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

1,047
History #231

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates.  "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

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Recent Reviews
  • j gentes
    a great part of your politics and history diet
    Bruce does a great job of doing the important work of tying the past to the present as nonpolitically as possible, and digging out the nuggets that makes history so interesting. Go elsewhere if “facts” are not your thing.
  • Jerodsmom
    I'm learning so much!
    Bruce makes history more interesting by telling it as a story instead of facts and dates like in high school history class. He is such a font of knowledge.
  • Saltydog7
    Old guard podcast still going strong
    I'm pretty sure I have listened to every episode, back to the days whjen the tech was pretty primitive. Bruce digs in moderately deep and chooses some interesting and esoteric things from time to time. He still has editing blips which are endearing rather than annoying. The exclusive Patreon feed is certainly the way to go. PS the "extras" featuring tidbits that didn't make the final pod are lots of fun.
  • NeighborSpoofed
    Among the Best
    Bruce uses history to make sense of today’s politics. I’ve been listening for years and the research, production quality, and storytelling keeps getting better and better.
  • werljsd
    This pod is great
    I love listening to a pod that can match current events with history. This pod does an excellent job in doing that. You will love this pod if you like history.
  • mfs123321
    Very thought provoking - the antidote to news
    I’ve enjoyed Bruce’s work for the last couple years. When the news is too much (which is basically all the time now) I tune in for a listen to get perspective. His very deep knowledge of American history really can beat up your politics.
  • OjaiBound
    Don’t Miss
    Bruce is one of the more thoughtful and entertaining podcasters in the history field. I’d put him up there as the American equivalent of The Rest Is History. Cannot recommend enough his series about the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union was as engrossing as any.
  • RPWoods
    Great Perspective
    I gained so much understanding about different aspects of politics and history by listening to this great podcast, My History Can Beat Up Your Politics. Love this show.
  • Mike Z - 1776
    I like his podcast but he doesn’t take criticism well
    I made a quite mild comment about a post he made on X. It was a comment about making Washington DC a state. I said that no way we will go for that. Democrats just want to stack the deck. Then he BLOCKED me. Come on, what is wrong with that comment? His views of recent events tends to favor democrats. It seems to be more these days. Anyways, I generally enjoy his podcast, so I won’t take it personally.
  • thomaspromise
    A Fun American History Podcast
    I like the voices he does, I like how I never know what he’s going to focus on next, and I like how balanced he tends to be on more modern politics. Also, I LOVE reading the comments for this podcast! Some pretty funny stuff here.
  • TahmVahs
    Carter ‘78, style
    Can you please do a Carter in 1978 episode? Unexplained jump in two days from 77 to 79. On Bruce’s style: some strange unsettling pauses, please reduce. Also sometimes bad voice imitations - reduce theatricality when you cannot do it. But has a great way of building suspense into forgotten events and have us relive the surprise of things that seem banal today, and help us question unquestioned wisdom of today. Greatly researched. Some topics could have received more or less attention on Reagan, like whole episode on assassination attempt was unnecessary. But a fantastic resource and please keep doing what you’re doing.
  • DragonShrimp5
    5 star podcast
    Your 14 points about the Biden election are why I listen to and trust this podcast. I don’t agree with your politics, but your ability to notice and admit to challenges or concerns on your own side gives you integrity. Left or right, that is rare in political discourse. That is why I don’t listen to some of guests any more; once the individuals involved keeping things balanced left, the shows turned into an apology for the left and are away at their credibility. I Downgraded the star rating on this podcast in the past due to the increased frequency with which Chris Novembrino appears. Chris is smart and knows what he is talking about, but he is the Steven crowder of the left. His podcast took a major left turn when he lost his co-host which is ok. But, like crowder, he is loud, obnoxious, and fairly impolite. Once he stopped playing moderately, his negative qualities took center stage and it is extremely off putting. He has an insatiable need to be heard. Like people won’t know he’s smart if he isn’t talking every 10 seconds. In the ‘black swans’ episode of my history, Chris constantly interrupts and talks over Bruce, just like he does with all the guests on his podcast. I came here to listen some something intelligent with historical backgrounds, and instead get an insecure adolescent constantly pulling on daddy’s pant leg for attention. Bruce is great. Very smart, very well informed. His stuff his well researched with lots of historical background. I will keep coming back for him, and will increase my rating when more mature guests start to appear.
  • Anita - R
    Ok
    Ok
  • Akminer
    Why the political bias?
    Why focus on Biden’s debate performance but not Trump’s historical ability to lie, lie, lie and not suffer challenge or consequences. Or for his bigoted laced troupes. By now Americans recognize Gish Gallop when they hear it. I’d give you -ZERO stars if possible.
  • TJwheelie
    40years - big error
    “There was no NFL….it started when Eisenhower was President” The NFL was founded in the early 1920’s, well before Eisenhower was President- if you had said “before Super Bowls” you’d have been correct The 40 years of one party Congress dominance was entirely in the NFL era You’re usually good but missed here
  • Antener
    Much needed perspective
    Not everything is on Instagram. Listen to this and get your act together.
  • JKBWDE1988
    Enjoying the memory stroll…
    But dude, could you spin any harder for Dukakis?
  • Stee70
    My Favorite
    This is my favorite history podcast. Bruce is less concerned about political bent and is more concerned with what we can learn about where we are now from where we have been. Highly recommended!
  • reedmanmatt
    Very informative, well-researched, and balanced
    Bruce has read and continues to read every political history and biography in print (and probably many that no longer are). He offers deep context to all these historic stories (especially those that you may think you know well), and is particularly adept at relating them to current events. And the podcast can be very funny too!
  • podman451287
    Great podcast!
    Interesting topics, thorough research, engaging presentation. Highly recommend!
  • Anyoneatall123
    Well balanced, well researched, well presented
    I am an avid consumer of history media and thoroughly enjoy this MyHistory podcast. From the topics, to the hard work shown in the researched presentation, to the neutral (or rather balanced) presentation of the host, this podcast works. To highlight the balanced nature of MyHistory, this podcast was recommended to me by my brother in law, whose intellect I respect, but whose political viewpoint I disagree. If a podcast can please people from relatively opposite ends of a spectrum, you know the guy is good. Kudos, and thank you for thought provoking and conversation prompting content. VGC
  • SmokingMonkey256
    “Listeners of This Show Will Know Who Estes Kefauver Is”
    Knew I was in the right place hearing the title quote in the first episode I lucked upon. Can’t believe I never knew this show existed and it’s been around as long as it has, great analysis and history and really fun subjects and topics. Thank you for the amazing content!
  • daveofds
    Excellent
    I thoroughly enjoy this podcast. Well researched and well presented.
  • MIflyer
    Top notch!
    Thank you sir, well done.
  • bbjk1
    Brilliant
    Perspective. Context. Effectively addresses the question “What can I learn from history?”
  • PGH history
    Fantastic, informative, down to earth history podcast
    Been listening for two years and as a high school history teacher, I’m delightedly surprised if Bruce’s well researched and relevant podcasts. Despite his vast variety of topics, he frequently brings connections to the present in a non partisan manner.
  • DamDan13
    Unicorn
    Best show I’ve found which combines highly informative political information without being overtly political.
  • Dann665
    Old school
    There used to be a time when people would do their best to put the personal politics aside and report the facts as evenly as possible. They’d let you know if something was an opinion. Bruce honors that old (and sadly forgotten tradition) with well researched tales of historical events. Does he have a perspective? Listen long enough and you’ll figure it out. You will also see that he routinely reports facts that are inconvenient to his perspective. An outstanding podcast for people that favor fact over fiction.
  • cameramandan83
    Good Stuff
    First discovered Bruce when he was a guest on Pod Dylan and dug thru the catalog of MHCBUYP. Really liked it. Haven’t gotten to every episode but have really enjoyed the ones the piqued my interest most.
  • Big Island Pap
    Deep dive History
    Love the depth and breadth of these shows. Amazing. It’s everything you didn’t have time to learn in high school and college. Also sparks curiosity to further read up on people, situations and eras of American history.
  • Tulsa pizza dad
    Always enjoyable and always fascinating
    Have been listening for the last three years. Although I consider myself fairly well-read where US history and politics are concerned - I always learn some new fact or pick up meaningful insight on past events with each episode. Appreciate the pacing and the point of view. Remains one of my top five podcasts to put on, listen, and soak up.
  • SueBelib
    Love this podcast
    The variety of topics is one of the things I really enjoy. The balance Bruce brings to topics is one of my favorite things. Keep it up!
  • Orangeinpain
    Highly recommend.
    Clear, concise, witty, and well researched.
  • Bob in Va.
    Great show
    Very informative. Keep it up.
  • Cash361
    Excellent
    I enjoy your podcasts very much.
  • Vuff$7,64(7
    Incredible Storytelling
    What a great podcast. It delves into interesting historical stories and trying to tie it to political events of today. Highly recommend if you have an interest in history or politics or both.
  • paw19780726
    Contemplative and interesting
    This show has fantastic topical variety and is delivered in a fair and accurate way, and extremely well researched. Subscribe to this podcast if you want to avoid chaotic and noisy partisan chatter. This podcast is like enjoying a great college professor’s lectures, delivered by someone who genuinely loves the study of history.
  • Realgood r
    Informative and interesting
    I enjoy listening to this podcast and look forward to each episode. It gives perspective on current politics while providing books and other podcasts that I enjoy.
  • Xloganl13X
    Disappointed
    I came to this podcast because I heard an add where the host was saying something like his show isn’t biased. It most certainly is very much on the Left. As someone in the middle I crave unbiased info, I consume plenty of media from both sides. The show seemed like a very interesting idea, but unfortunately it’s a manipulation of history to back up his opinion.
  • Wardo Ky.Boy
    Soft Progressive Left Revision
    Tried to listen 10 times in 2 yrs. It’s not factual US history when viewed from his left leaning opinions, especially when the reader interjects his flawed opinions into modern day. Seems he’s really full of himself, maybe was a history minor in college? Some good information nonetheless. I can not listen. It’s maddening. So I’m letting people know 2/5 stars No thanks Wardo Lou., Ky.
  • hateclown
    Great non political review of politics
    Very interesting and entertaining. I stumbled across this podcast a year ago and have been a regular listener since
  • Gigligimli
    Good show
    Good history show that gives context to modern news and politics. The fact it’s angers the maga nutters makes it even better, they really hate facts which reinforces that we’re getting the real info. It loses a star because the ads are inserted randomly it seems. Like cutting him off mid sentence. It makes it a bit confusing.
  • pope boniface
    Upgrade
    I’m changing this back from the one-star.
  • Grazingcattle
    Not just a great history podcast
    Really in-depth history, and a critical eye to our historical political context! I enjoy really appreciate the podcast and try and make sure and listen weekly. One of my favorites
  • Michaelooch
    Interesting, informative and timely
    This one of my favorite history podcasts. Bruce Carlson presents well researched discussion on a wide variety of historical topics, and often ties history to the current news cycle.
  • Agronomist81
    my favorite history podcast
    If you’re looking for a great, in-depth history podcast with a host who has a genuine passion for his subjects, you’ve come to the right place.
  • RWBey
    The best us history podcast out there.
    And I listen to many many history podcasts. BBC has some good ones but for US history no one ties the past and it’s players to the present like Carlson. I am a history buff but every podcast I learn something new. Congratulations
  • Erik Backs
    Best Politics/American History Podcast
    If you haven't already subscribed and become a regular listener to the My History Can Beat Up Your Politics podcast, do it NOW. I mean, stop reading this and subscribe immediately. Still reading? I say again, subscribe NOW! Now that your back from subscribing and then listening to his latest cast, I can't say enough positives about Bruce Carlson's research, powerful reasoning, and very balanced analysis. His speaking rhythm can be stilted and/or there could be some editing to clean up some overly pregnant pauses now and again, but the content more than makes up for it. Using context, facts, and history truly is one of the greatest tools we have to overcome hyperbole and get to the root of issues in the most honest way possible. Bruce does this in every podcast. If you are an American and engaged even in the slightest way in civic discourse, on Facebook or anywhere else, you will come to treasure this periodic dose of history and politics.
  • VicStein
    My History..
    Great podcast, Bruce Carlson does an excellent job tying the past into current events.
  • Tracy6968
    Biased
    Would be so good if it could be more moderate, unfortunately if you aren’t liberal, do not waste your time.
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