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History Teachers Talking

History Shorts Network

Hosted by former history teachers Thomas Reszka and Peter Zablocki, this monthly podcast brings the past into the present through lively, unscripted conversations on history, politics, pop culture, and education. It's the kind of discussion you wish every classroom had—smart, approachable, and just unpredictable enough to keep you hooked. No lectures. No jargon. Just great history, well told.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 38 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • August 12 · 48 min

    History's Greatest Empires... Maybe... Potentially

    From the Nile to the Thames, from Cusco to Constantinople — history's greatest empires shaped the world we still live in. In this episode, we walk through 12 of the most consequential empires ever built, from the Bronze Age to the 20th century. Twelve empires. Three thousand years. One argument: every world you've ever lived in was shaped by one of these. VISIT: facebook.com/HistoryShortsPodcast

  • July 12 · 56 min

    Events That Made America, Part 2: 1876–2026 | The American Experiment at 250

    America's 250th anniversary continues with the second half of the story. In Part 1, Peter Zablocki and Tom Reszka debated the ten events that built the nation from the Declaration of Independence to the hollow centennial of 1876. Now they pick up where America left off — battered, reunified, and about to become one of the most powerful nations on earth. From the Haymarket Affair to the moon landing, from Pearl Harbor to the Cuban Missile Crisis, from the March on Washington to September 11th, Peter and Tom debate the ten events of the last 150 years that didn't just happen to America — they made it what it is today. Along the way, they argue about what got left off the list, including the highway system that rebuilt American life around the automobile and the internet that's still rewriting the rules of democracy itself. This is the second half of a special two-part series marking 250 years of the United States — and it ends with the question every American should be asking right now: after 250 years, is the experiment working? History Teachers Talking is part of the History Shorts Network.

  • June 24 · 44 min

    Events That Made America: 1776-1876 | The American Experiment at 250 (Part 1)

    America turns 250 this year. To mark the occasion, Peter Zablocki and Tom Reszka — the hosts of History Teachers Talking — sit down to debate the ten events that shaped the first half of the American story, from the founding in 1776 to the hollow centennial of 1876. From the Constitutional Convention to the Civil War, from the Louisiana Purchase to the collapse of Reconstruction, these are the moments where America made its defining choices — and where the consequences are still being felt today. Plus three honorable mentions that almost made the cut — and why. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 covers 1876 to 2026. History Teachers Talking is part of the History Shorts Network.

  • May 13 · 40 min

    Talking about History's Greatest Acts of Diplomacy

    What was the greatest act of diplomacy in world history? Was it Richard Nixon opening relations with Communist China? The Camp David Accords? The Congress of Vienna rebuilt Europe after Napoleon. Or the tense backchannel negotiations that helped prevent nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis? In the first new episode of History Teachers Talking in two years, Peter and Tom dive into the diplomatic moves that reshaped the world—sometimes quietly, sometimes dramatically, and sometimes without firing a single shot. From Cold War maneuvering and secret negotiations to overlooked "teacher flex" moments like the Helsinki Accords and the Dayton Accords, this episode explores how diplomacy has ended wars, prevented catastrophes, and changed the course of history. Because sometimes the most important victories in history happened around a table… not on a battlefield. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT www.historyshortspodcast.com/http VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryTeachersTalkingPodcast/

  • May 1 · 48 min

    Talking about History's Greatest Comebacks

    After a two-year hiatus, Peter and Tom return to the microphones to dive into one of history's most compelling themes: comebacks. From political resurrections to military turnarounds, from personal redemption stories to moments when everything seemed lost—only to be reclaimed—this episode explores the figures and events that prove history is rarely final. But this isn't just about Napoleon escaping exile or nations rising from collapse. It's also about the idea that history moves in cycles—and sometimes, so do we. In a conversation that feels just like sitting back in the classroom with your favorite teachers, Peter and Tom reflect on legendary second acts, unexpected reversals, and what these stories reveal about resilience, leadership, and timing. And fittingly, this episode marks a comeback of its own: History Teachers Talking returns under the History Shorts Network, bringing the same light-hearted, insightful, and engaging discussion you remember—just with a few more stories (and maybe a few more gray hairs). Because in history, the best stories aren't just about the rise… they're about the return. For More Information, Visit: https://www.historyshortspodcast.com/http

  • #175
    May 2, 2024 · 40 min

    Talking about American POWs

    Most Americans who have been prisoners of war are ordinary people who have been placed in extraordinary circumstances by no planning of their own. Join us as we run through the history of American POWs throughout all of our conflicts.

  • Apr 19, 2024 · 32 min

    Talking about Jimmy Carter

    Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Yet, ironically, it is everything but those years that make him famous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Mar 28, 2024 · 29 min

    Talking about Rome's Worst Emperors

    Bad? Cruel? Weird? Ruthless? Violent? Yep, yep, yep, yep, and yep. Join us as we discuss Rome's worst Emperors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Mar 13, 2024 · 33 min

    Talking about Women's Firsts in History

    In celebration of Women's History Month, join us as we discuss some of the famous firsts in women's history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • #171
    Mar 1, 2024 · 37 min

    Talking about Submarine Warfare

    Submarines played a significant military role for the first time during the First World War and then again in the Second World War, but their history and legacy extend past way that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • #170
    Feb 21, 2024 · 39 min

    Talking about Forrest Gump & History

    "Forrest Gump," directed by Robert Zemeckis and released in 1994, is known for cleverly integrating its titular character into various historical events and cultural phenomena. Join us as we discuss these historical and cultural events in the context of Forrest's story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E168
    Feb 7, 2024 · 27 min

    Talking about Weird Sports

    Never underestimate humanity's ability to turn the mad or the mundane into a competitive sport. Join us as we discuss some of history's (and modern times') crazy sports! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E168
    Jan 26, 2024 · 30 min

    Talking about the Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre was a deadly riot that occurred on March 5, 1770, on King Street in Boston. But was there more to it than just that? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E167
    Jan 17, 2024 · 28 min

    Talking about Mary Queen of Scots

    Political turmoil, religious conflicts, and tragic personal circumstances marked Mary Queen of Scots' life. Here is the story! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E166
    Jan 5, 2024 · 31 min

    Talking about Japan's Unit 731

    Unit 731 was a Japanese research program during World War II that conducted horrific experiments such as infecting subjects with plague, giving subjects frostbite, and cutting people apart while alive and unsedated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E165
    Dec 29, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min

    Talking about (new) We Didn't Start the Fire

    This song covers the 1989 Billy Joel smash, which hit #1. The lyrics are updated to reflect the 1990s to the current day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E164
    Dec 22, 2023 · 30 min

    Talking about Hirohito's Role in WWII

    Japan's Emperor Hirohito presided over the invasion of China, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and eventually, the Japanese surrender to the Allies. So, what role did he actually play in any of these events? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E163
    Dec 14, 2023 · 41 min

    Talking about Patton

    Here is the story of the life and death of George S. Patton Jr., one of the ablest and most controversial U.S. commanders in World War II. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E162
    Dec 7, 2023 · 32 min

    Talking about American Shopping Malls

    In the 1980s and '90s, malls dominated American social life. Today, there are dead and dying malls scattered across the country. Here is the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • S1 · E161
    Nov 30, 2023 · 32 min

    Talking about American Political Parties

    Democrat or Republican, or perhaps a Whig or a Federalist? Join us as we discuss the history and evolution of America's Political Parties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes