Economic History Podcasts

Business History

Pushkin Industries

What if the most important lessons for today’s boardroom were actually written centuries ago? Business History peels back the layers of the global economy, moving beyond dry textbooks to uncover the human stories behind the triumphs, collapses, and quiet revolutions that shaped the modern world. Whether it is the tragic oversight that led to a chemical disaster, the hubris of Nobel Prize-winning economists, or the daring, seemingly absurd gamble of shipping ice to the tropics, this podcast transforms complex market shifts into gripping narratives. Through an engaging, conversational lens, the hosts explore the evolution of our financial landscape—from Benjamin Franklin’s role in birthing "hustle culture" to Ida Tarbell’s fierce journalistic stand against the titans of industry. The show excels at connecting these historical dots, revealing why the same impulses for innovation, greed, and risk-taking continue to drive corporations today. You will encounter visionary disruptors, flawed geniuses, and the quiet innovators who changed how we shop and work. If you are interested in the mechanics of trade, the psychology of failure, and the messy reality of how our world became so commercialized, this series offers a front-row seat to the experiments and crises that defined the history of business. It is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the origins of the systems we live in today.

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

History Hit

Ever wondered what was actually happening behind the closed doors of history? Join sex historian Dr. Kate Lister on Betwixt the Sheets, a podcast that peels back the layers of our past to reveal the scandalous, intimate, and often surprising truths your history textbooks conveniently left out. Each week, Kate sits down with leading historians and authors to explore the private lives, cultural taboos, and human desires that have shaped civilizations. From the gritty commercial realities of sex work during the Klondike Gold Rush and the political infidelities of American Presidents to the gender-bending stagecraft of burlesque and the heroic activism of those fighting through the AIDS crisis, this show covers it all. Betwixt the Sheets is more than just a collection of salacious stories; it is a thoughtful examination of how power, morality, and gender roles have evolved—or stubbornly remained the same—over time. Whether she is debunking long-standing myths about historical figures or uncovering the grassroots histories of marginalized communities, Kate brings a sharp, witty, and deeply empathetic perspective to every conversation. You will laugh, you will wince, and you will certainly never look at a history book the same way again. If you are ready to explore the complicated, messy, and fascinating intersection of sex and society, you have found your new favorite listen.