History Behind the Headlines podcast artwork
History

History Behind the Headlines

by History Extra
History

Last recorded placements from this show’s chart history. These are not current rankings.

Not on the United States charts we track today.

If you like History Behind the Headlines, try…

Latest episodes

  • What’s the point of public executions?

    October 21, 2026 · 45 min

    Two recent cases in the United States have brought the issue of state executions on to the front pages – the failed execution of murderer Christa Pike and, particularly, the plans to livestream the death of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13…

  • What happens when students go on strike?

    October 7, 2026 · 44 min

    Students have been protesting throughout France in recent weeks, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets in cities including Paris and Marseille. It’s far from the first time that students have been involved in such mass…

  • What do US-Asia summits reveal about American imperialism?

    September 23, 2026 · 39 min

    US President Donald Trump has hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a summit in Washington this week, with topics including AI and international trade up for discussion. But how have such meetings reflected the way in which the United…

  • Why is the blockbuster Bayeux exhibition so important?

    September 9, 2026 · 39 min

    The British Museum’s major Bayeux Tapestry exhibition finally opens its doors in London this week, following months of build-up and excitement. But why are blockbuster historical events such as this so important in bringing history to a…

  • What does history tell us about Trump's Canada tariffs?

    August 26, 2026 · 40 min

    US president Donald Trump issued his latest tranche of tariffs this week, as talks between the United States and Canada broke down. But what would economists of the past have made of his ongoing trade war? Regular panellists Rana Mitter…

Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes
  • Why has The Odyssey proved so enduring?

    August 12, 2026 · 48 min

    Christopher Nolan’s big-budget adaptation of The Odyssey has become the film-maker’s highest grossing film, surpassing $1.1 billion at the box office. Why has the story proven such a draw for audiences – not just now, in the 21st century…

  • Why does the Bayeux Tapestry still command our attention?

    July 29, 2026 · 36 min

    The British Museum's upcoming blockbuster exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry marks the likely homecoming of this venerable artefact, to immense excitement. But why has it taken so long for it to return? And how has it become such a…

  • Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors?

    July 15, 2026 · 51 min

    A by-election in the UK constituency of Clacton, triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to quit as an MP and fight to reclaim his seat, features an unusual rival: Count Binface. Yet the costumed candidate is far from the…

  • Why has the UK had so many prime ministers this decade?

    July 2, 2026 · 39 min

    The news of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party means that the UK is set to have its seventh PM in ten years. But what are the historical factors that have led to this instability? And what…

  • How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries?

    June 17, 2026 · 51 min

    US business leader Elon Musk has been in the headlines again in recent weeks, as a result of becoming the world's first trillionaire. But how were enormously rich people seen in past centuries? In this episode, regular panellists Hannah…

  • How has war impacted economies of the past?

    June 3, 2026 · 49 min

    There have been plenty of headlines over the past month about the possible financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But what does history tell us about the ways in which the impact of war has been felt far from the…

  • How were leadership challenges launched in previous centuries?

    May 20, 2026 · 49 min

    The past fortnight has seen headlines here in the UK dominated by news of potential leadership challenges to Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, following the party's heavy losses in recent local council elections in Wales, Scotland…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

How does the past shape today's world? In HistoryExtra's fortnightly podcast History Behind the Headlines, Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and guest experts to explore the historical context you need to understand the latest news. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this podcast and all History Extra podcasts by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠ This podcast is hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter. This series is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs.