Walking in the footsteps of history, fifteen minutes at a time. Join us for a 15-minute episode covering a person, place, or event in history, and stay for an extended discussion. New episodes and discussions every week.
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During the holiday break, Jon and Joe wanted to reshare some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on June 23, 2025.___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 States. Jon takes us through these English "folkways" and identifies some good and bad ideas that were part of America's cultural identity and how we still see them today.
Special Christmas Episode | The History of the Nativity (Repost) (00:07:55)
The imagery of Jesus' birth has evolved over the century, but its meaning to all humanity remains as simple as ever in this holiday season.Special thanks to my Uncle Matt for giving me the idea for this episode! - JonThis episode originally aired on December 23, 2024.
Low Songs, Holy Songs (00:11:24)
In this last episode of 2025, Jon takes us on a journey through time and space to learn the stories of several beloved Christmas carols. We hope you enjoy them, and we look forward to seeing you in January with new episodes, discussions, pop quizzes, and "Sketches in History." Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Music: O Come All Ye Faithful
Pop Quiz | A (Very Incomplete) History Reading List (00:03:55)
What are the essential works of history every curious reader should know, and where should someone actually start when diving into them? Join Jon and Joe for the first of many conversations about the timeless texts that shaped civilization.Join us each Thursday for Pop Quizzes and Sketches in History, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
What to Watch | History in Movies Part IV (00:44:17)
"Based on a true story." "Inspired by actual events." "The following actually happened."These five words might be Hollywood's greatest magic trick, transforming entertainment into education, fiction into fact, and Brad Pitt's abs into ancient Greek warfare. More Americans learn their history from movies than from any other source. Think about that for a moment. Our understanding of the past - of who we were, what we've done, and where we're going - can be shaped more by screenwriters than scholars, more by CGI than citations.So what happens when Hollywood gets it wrong? When the decade-long siege of Troy gets compressed into a long weekend? When a president's decision to invade Iraq gets reduced to daddy issues?And yet - what about when they get it right? When a film captures not just the facts but the feeling of a moment? When Colin Firth's king reminds us that history turns on personal struggles as much as grand strategies? When Spielberg refuses to look away from humanity's darkest hour and finds light anyway?Join Jon, Dan, and Joe as they wade through Hollywood's version of history - celebrating the films that honor the past and calling out the ones that butcher it for a buck. From newsrooms to royal courts, from Warsaw ghettos to Trojan beaches, we're asking the question that matters: in an age where movies are our history teachers, what exactly are we teaching ourselves? And more importantly - who gets to decide what's worth remembering?
Pop Quiz | "15-Minute Rage-Bait" (00:07:49)
Why do dumb ideas keep popping up like weeds? Why do people embrace them despite mountains of evidence they don't work and huge piles of bodies left in their wake? Are they true believers or just grifters? And should 15-Minute History rebrand itself into "fifteen minutes of rage-bait"?Join us each Thursday for Pop Quizzes and Sketches in History, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The War of 1812 | A Discussion - Myths, Realities, and Ideals (00:40:36)
"Don't give up the ship." "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Old Hickory." The Battle of New Orleans.The War of 1812 gave us some of America's most enduring symbols and phrases. But did it actually change anything? The treaty that ended it resolved almost nothing. The boundaries stayed the same. Impressment wasn't even mentioned. And the greatest American victory came after the war was technically over.So why does this "Second War of Independence" matter? Was it a pointless conflict that nearly destroyed a fragile young nation? Or the crucible that finally transformed thirteen squabbling former colonies into something that felt like a country?Join us as we dig into the contradictions, debate the consequences, and explore what the War of 1812 actually accomplished - or didn't. From the myths we tell ourselves to the realities on the ground, from Baltimore's ramparts to New Orleans' muddy fields, we're questioning everything about America's most misunderstood war. And before we're done, we'll grapple with something deeper: the ideals this nation was founded on - and how those very same ideals, however imperfectly realized, eventually gave us the tools to right some of our gravest wrongs.
Sketches in History | Don't Give Up the Ship (Part 2) (00:08:54)
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that 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 returns to September 10, 1813, to witness the dramatic conclusion of the Battle of Lake Erie. After Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship USS Lawrence was destroyed, the 28-year-old commander makes a daring decision that changes everything. Rowing through enemy fire to reach the USS Niagara, Perry raises his "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag once more and sails directly at British ships. In this episode, your kids will learn about grit, witness the first time an entire British fleet surrendered, and discover how the tides began to turn in the War of 1812. Experience what it's like to stand on the deck of the Niagara as Perry transforms certain defeat into triumphant victory!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!
War of 1812 (Part 2) | The Fire That Reforged a Nation (00:18:35)
Washington burns. The White House is in flames. But from the smoke and ashes, a nation discovers what it means to be American.The War of 1812's darkest hour became its defining triumph. As British veterans fresh from defeating Napoleon torched the capital, as rockets rained on Fort McHenry, as peace was signed but war raged on, Americans transformed humiliation into legend.Join us for the explosive conclusion of our two-part series on the War of 1812. In this second installment, we witness Perry's amazing victory on Lake Erie, the death of the great Tecumseh, the night America's capital burned to the ground, and Andrew Jackson's stunning victory at New Orleans - a battle that remade American identity, fought two weeks after the war had already ended.
Pop Quiz | Classical Influences on the Founding Fathers (00:05:16)
How did the writings of Greece and Rome influence our Founding Fathers, and what lessons did they take away from these documents? Join us for a conversation about the importance of representative government, the dangers of democracy, and how the Constitution both ensures our right to participate in government and protects us from tyranny.Comment below with thoughts, suggestions, or a funny story--we love hearing from you!From all of us at 15-Minute History, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving & the Art of Being Thankful (00:12:57)
On this week of Thanksgiving, join us as we share stories of Thanksgiving throughout history. (This episode originally aired in November 2019.)
Sketches in History | Don't Give Up the Ship (Part 1) (00:10:25)
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you back to another Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that 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 back to September 10, 1813, to the choppy waters of Lake Erie, where a young Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry faces impossible odds against the British fleet. When his flagship is destroyed and most of his crew falls, something incredible happens that will demonstrate what true courage looks like. In this episode, your kids will learn about courage, leadership under fire, and experience what it was like to stand on the deck of the USS Lawrence as cannonballs whistled overhead and a blue flag bearing the words "Don't Give Up the Ship" waves defiantly in the wind!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!
The War of 1812 (Part 1): Humiliation, Hawks, and Heroism (00:19:59)
Detroit falls without a fight. War Hawks demand blood. But on a blood-slick deck, four words become legend: Don’t give up the ship.The War of 1812 is often dismissed as a minor conflict, overshadowed by the Revolution and the Civil War. But this overlooked war forged American identity through fire and defiance on land and sea. Join us as we launch our two-episode exploration of the War of 1812. In this first installment, we experience the gathering storm of grievances - from British impressment and economic strangulation to frontier clashes with Tecumseh's confederacy - that propelled a young nation into battle, the early disasters that followed, and the pivotal moment on Lake Erie when the tide of the war turned.
Pop Quiz | The Founding Fathers' Reading List (00:10:43)
In this week's Pop Quiz, Joe asked about what the Founding Fathers were reading as they shaped the course and construction of American government and how these ideas influenced their decisions.Join us each Thursday for Pop Quizzes or Sketches in History, and comment below with your thoughts, questions, or ideas for pop quiz topics!
"I Know I am Right" | A Discussion on John Adams (00:38:19)
While our episode on John Adams centered on his career, today's discussion focused more on his personality, beliefs, and relationships with others (especially Abigail and his children). We also covered some of Adams' legacy and what he and the other Founding Fathers gave to Americans today.Join us every Monday for episodes or discussions and on Thursdays for Pop Quizzes and Sketches in History. Leave us a comment below--we love to hear from you!
Sketches in History | The President's Watch (00:13:23)
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you to a new season of Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that 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 in American history to the early hours of March 4th, 1801, and finds a tired John Adams making the final appointments of his presidency. Something incredible is about to happen that will forever set a precedent for leaders in American government. In this episode, your kids will learn about precedent, leadership, and experience what it was like on that faithful day to watch President Adams in his final hours in office!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!
John Adams | "I Know I Am Right" (00:14:20)
In the popular mind, John Adams' life and one term as President of the United States is often treated as a footnote alongside the careers of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. But Adams left an indelible mark on his country's history. So as we continue our look into the revolutionary period, this episode shares three elements from his life that capture the essence of this fascinating man.
A Proud Teacher's Pop Quiz | George Patton (00:08:15)
This week's pop quiz comes to us courtesy of a budding historian at Mr. Streeter's school! He asked about some details from our episode on George Patton a few weeks ago, and his questions were really deep and insightful. Thanks, Joshua, for sending these in--we love hearing from you (and everyone in our audience)!
Casting the Dice | A Discussion on the American Revolution (00:28:12)
Join us this week for a discussion on how and why the Americans revolted against King George III, the course that revolution took in the hearts and minds of the American people, and the hope seen at its end in the meeting between the King and America's ambassador, John Adams.Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and tell us about any topics you'd like us to cover as we continue our journey to America's 250th birthday next summer!
Sketches in History | The Feather Quill (00:15:08)
The 15-Minute History Podcast team welcomes you to a new season of Sketches in History. This segment, just for kids, shows that 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 early America to witness a great debate and compromise. She finds a building full of arguing state delegates. George Washington sits in the corner, his head bowed, as tensions in the room continue to rise. Then, one delegate rises to speak, and from this speech comes one of the greatest moments in American History. Your kids will learn about the compromise, how early Americans formed the Constitution, and experience the moments where its formation almost didn't happen!Listen and subscribe to the 15-Minute History podcast to hear Sketches in History every other Thursday. Got a favorite historical moment? Share it with us at 15minutehistory@gmail.com, and it might just make its way into the notebook!
Casting the Dice | The American Revolution (00:14:59)
America is often described as a nation of ideas because its founders risked everything for principles in which they believed. But the revolutionaries had to overcome fears in their own hearts and those of their more hesitant countrymen. In this episode, Jon takes us through how America found these ideas, overcame those fears, and clung to hope of victory.Join us for new episodes and discussions every Monday, and comment below with your questions and thoughts, or your own ideas, fears, and hopes. We love hearing from our audience!
Pop Quiz | Strength & Honor (00:05:17)
In this week's episode, Joe and I discuss the Roman defeat at Teutoburg and how it reflected the Empire's military philosophy.Join us for pop quizzes and "Sketches in History" episodes every Thursday, and send us your thoughts in the comments below!
We've Been Here Before | A Discussion on America's Political Realignments (00:42:28)
Join us for a discussion on last week's episode with our regular guest Dan Lindsey! Apologies for some audio issues when he first arrived--he was a bit too close to the microphone...Let us know your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below. We are excited to get this season going and hope you will join us every Monday for new episodes and discussions on American history.
Pop Quiz | The Viking Berserkers (00:04:26)
Who were they? Were they even real? And why did they fade? Joe and Jon discuss some of history's most fascinating warriors in this week's pop quiz.Join us this season for regular pop quizzes and our special "Sketches in History" episodes for younger listeners every Thursday. And post your comments, questions, and thoughts below.
NEW Episode | We've Been Here Before (00:17:03)
Season Nine is here!!!This year, we are joining Americans in celebrating our country's 250th birthday with episodes about our nation's history. In the season premier, Jon takes a look back at moments of political and cultural change to bring some context to the climate in America today.Join us next week for our discussion and post comments, questions, and thoughts below. We are thrilled to be back for a new season and hope you will join us as we walk in history's footsteps fifteen minutes at a time.
