A Brief History
Step into the time machine with A Brief History, where each episode unpacks the surprising origins, forgotten moments, and pivotal turning points that shaped our world. Ryan Spanier blends sharp analysis with rich storytelling to make history feel fresh, relevant, and irresistibly curious. Whether you're a casual listener or a deep thinker, this podcast offers bize-sized journeys through the past that illuminate the present - all with a dash of wit and a keen eye for the unexpected. History, but make it brief. And brilliant.
Episodes
In this episode, we journey back to the 17th century to uncover the rise of one of history’s most powerful and controversial corporations. The East India Company began as a modest trading venture and evolved into a global force that shaped economies, toppled kingdoms, and laid the groundwork for modern capitalism.
Discover how a royal charter turned a group of London merchants into imperial agents, how tea, textiles, and spices fue...
From a five-and-dime in Northwest Arkansas to a global retail empire—this is the story of Walmart.
Built in Bentonville explores the origins, growth, and cultural impact of the world’s largest retailer. This episode dives into pivotal moments in Walmart’s history—from Sam Walton’s entrepreneurial spark to the innovations that reshaped supply chains, labor practices, and consumer habits across the globe.
Whether you're a business st...
Step into the world of Adam Smith, the 18th-century thinker whose ideas forever changed how we understand morality, society, and the economy. From The Theory of Moral Sentiments to The Wealth of Nations, this episode explores Smith’s life, his philosophy, and his lasting influence on everything from modern economics to everyd...
From ancient amulets and Silk Road trade to modern jewelry and spiritual healing, opalites have carried a story as luminous as the stones themselves. In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of opalites - tracing their geological origins, cultural symbolism, and enduring allure across civilizations.
Journey through the fascinating history of artificial intelligence, from ancient legends of mechanical beings to today’s powerful generative models. Explore the key breakthroughs, visionary thinkers, and pivotal moments that shaped AI, along with the challenges and ethical questions that define its future. Perfect for tech enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone curious about how we went from myth to machine.
From an unprecedented federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police force to a high-stakes Trump–Putin summit hinting at “land swaps” in Ukraine, today’s headlines are shaking political norms at home and abroad. We break down the global outrage over the killing of Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, the deadly U.S. Steel explosion in Pennsylvania, and fresh U.S. inflation data reshaping market expectation...
We cover today's (slightly belated) news, do a deep dive on the history of caffeine, and also take a tour of the unification of Japan. Enjoy!
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.