Best Renaissance Polymath Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 55 - The History and Best Documentation of UFOs 20:21

Play Pause

20h ago20:21

20:21

Email The Podcast Follow On Instagram Follow On Twitter Follow On YouTube On this episode I discuss the history of UFO sightings and why it might be a good idea to no longer simply dismiss the possibility that they are all hoaxes or misidentifications. Music by Colin BoutwellBy Renaissance Polymath

1
How the Ancients Made Fire 15:07

22h ago15:07

15:07

One of the most critical developments in the course of human history was the control of fire. Without fire, we probably wouldn’t have even reached the Stone Age, let alone the Industrial Age. But how exactly did ancient people make fire? To make fire out of nothing is no easy feat, and it was a skill that had to be mastered for survival. Learn more…

1
The History of Ice Hockey 15:18

2d ago15:18

15:18

One of the most popular sports in North America and Northern Europe is ice hockey. Ice hockey, like all popular sports, has undergone considerable changes since its inception. In fact, hockey has a rather surprising origin and a relationship to other sports that many people are unaware of. Today, professional hockey is a multibillion-dollar busines…

1
The History of Surgery 16:51

3d ago16:51

16:51

Over the years, human life expectancy has increased dramatically. While there have been many developments that have led to longer human lifespans, most of that has come from just a few major advancements. One of the biggest of which has been the development of surgery. The types of surgical procedures that exist today are just the latest in a long …

1
The Eruption of Krakatoa (Encore) 15:06

4d ago15:06

15:06

On the morning of August 27, 1883, one of the most destructive natural disasters of the 19th century occurred between the islands of Java and Sumatra, in what is today the nation of Indonesia. After weeks of low-level rumblings, a volcanic eruption totally obliterated the mountain that it had formed. The devastation wasn’t limited to the immediate …

1
Macau 16:42

2h ago16:42

16:42

Located in the Pearl River Delta, off the coast of the mainland of the People’s Republic of China, is Macau. Macau is often overlooked due to its larger neighbor, Hong Kong, but Macau, despite being similar, has had its own unique history. What began as a fishing village evolved into a major trading port, and in the 21st century, it has become one …

1
Catherine the Great 17:32

6d ago17:32

17:32

Catherine the Great was one of the most influential rulers in Russian history, transforming the Russian Empire into a major European power through territorial expansion, internal reforms, and cultural patronage. Her reign marked the pinnacle of Enlightened Absolutism in Russia, as she embraced Western philosophical ideals while consolidating autocr…

1
SONAR 16:23

7h ago16:23

16:23

One of the most significant developments in the history of naval warfare was the submarine. The submarine offered a means of stealth and surprise that surface ships couldn’t compete with. At first, navigating submarines was relatively simple, as they traveled just below the surface and used a snorkel and a periscope. However, as submarines improved…

1
Alternate Forms of Space Travel (Encore) 14:18

8d ago14:18

14:18

Every single rocket that has ever been launched into space has been a rocket that burned some sort of fuel. These chemical fuel rockets have worked well for making the short trip to orbit. Beyond that point, however, they are not necessarily the best option for space travel. There are a host of proposed methods for space travel that don’t involve r…

1
Questions and Answers: Volume 31 17:33

2d ago17:33

17:33

You have questions, and I have answers Sponsors Newspapers.com Get 20% off your subscription to Newspapers.com Mint Mobile Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Stitch Fix Go to stitchfix.com/everywhere to have a stylist help you look you…

1
The History of the Hamburger 15:54

10d ago15:54

15:54

One of the most popular foods around the world is the hamburger. If most people think of American foods, it is probably the first thing that they might think of. Hamburgers are pretty simple in terms of what they are composed of and how they are prepared, but they have developed an enormous amount of diversity. But where did this popular food origi…

1
The Last Days and Death of Adolf Hitler 17:10

11d ago17:10

17:10

In April 1945, in the last days of the war in Europe, everything was falling apart for the Third Reich. Adolf Hitler and his closest advisors holed up in a bunker in Berlin and issued delusional orders until the Russians arrived. Hitler, his wife, and other high ranking Nazi officials took their own lives rather than be captured. However, what happ…

1
Marco Polo 15:47

5d ago15:47

15:47

In the 13th century, the Republic of Venice was one of the leading merchant empires in Europe. The merchants from Venice traveled far and wide in pursuit of profit. A few of them, however, traveled very far. A small group of men from the same family made the extremely long and dangerous voyage to China during the reign of the Mongol Empire. The res…

1
The Bataan Death March 15:59

13d ago15:59

15:59

On December 8, 1941, as the Japanese were bombing Pearl Harbor, they were simultaneously attacking other Allied positions around Asia. One of the biggest attacks was on Manila and the Philippines and the Filipino and American forces on the island of Luzon. Filipino and American forces ended up surrendering, which began one of the most brutal and ho…

1
Episode 54 - Essential Tools Every Adult Should Own 9:07

14d ago9:07

9:07

Email The Podcast Follow On Instagram Follow On Twitter Follow On YouTube On this episode I discuss the tools I feel are must-haves for every adult across a few different categories. Music by Colin BoutwellBy Renaissance Polymath

1
Bonds and the Bond Market 17:02

14d ago17:02

17:02

One of the most important markets in the global economy is the bond market. The bond market doesn’t get as much attention as the market for stocks. Yet, the global market for bonds is actually larger than the total value of all publicly traded stocks. Moreover, bond markets have the power to influence policy and possibly even topple governments. Le…

1
A History of Memorial Day (Redux) 15:15

15d ago15:15

15:15

Every year, on the last Monday in May, the United States honors its war dead. It is often celebrated with parades, cookouts, and ceremonies at military cemeteries. While many people just think of it as a three-day weekend and the beginning of summer, it is a tradition that extends back over 160 years. From its 19th-century origins, its path to beco…

1
You Might Enjoy: The Best Idea Yet 9:23

15d ago9:23

9:23

Ever wondered how Birkenstocks went from a German cobbler’s passion project 250 years ago to a starring role in the Barbie movie? Or who created that bottle of Sriracha that is permanently living in your fridge? Did you know that Air Jordans were initially banned by the NBA, or that Super Mario became the best-selling video game character ever than…

1
The Moons of Jupiter 17:08

16d ago17:08

17:08

In 1610, a European astronomer used a new invention called the telescope to observe the planet Jupiter. What he found revolutionized the science of astronomy and our entire understanding of the universe. Galileo also observed Jupiter that same year. The observation of Jupiter led to the discovery of the first objects in the solar system since antiq…

1
The First and Second Banks of the United States 17:31

17d ago17:31

17:31

After the American Revolution, the United States economy was in trouble. One solution proposed to solve the crisis was the establishment of a national bank. The bank wasn’t just an economic issue; it also sparked one of the first constitutional debates in the nation’s history. Fast-forward several decades, and the United States found itself debatin…

1
How Much Did Rome and Sub-Saharan Africa Know About Each Other? 16:13

18d ago16:13

16:13

The Romans were familiar with Africa. At one point, they controlled everything on the north coast of Africa from Morocco to Egypt. However, below their African territories was the vast Sahara Desert, which was extremely difficult to cross. For all practical purposes, it served as a permeable barrier between the people above and below the desert. As…

1
The Channel Tunnel 15:55

19d ago15:55

15:55

For centuries, the English Channel served as a moat that kept the conflicts of Continental Europe away from the island of Great Britain. While it served as a barrier for armies, it also served as a hindrance to commerce. The movement of goods and people across the English Channel was much more difficult than he small distance that had to be crossed…

1
The History of Salt (Encore) 15:59

20d ago15:59

15:59

One of the most important substances throughout world history has been salt. Salt might seem mundane, but it is actually necessary for the functioning of life. For millennia, Salt has been used as a preservative, a seasoning, and even a medium of exchange. Salt is one of the universal things that has remained the same throughout history and everywh…

1
"Honest" Jack Sheppard 15:56

21d ago15:56

15:56

In early 18th-century London, a petty criminal became one of the most celebrated people in England. He wasn’t celebrated despite the fact that he was a criminal; he was celebrated because he was a criminal. The authorities didn’t share in the public’s enthusiasm. He was arrested several times, but he managed to escape custody each time. However, th…

1
Emperor Diocletian 16:29

22d ago16:29

16:29

In the middle of the Third Century, things were looking really bad for the Roman Empire. This period was marked by civil war, economic collapse, foreign invasions, and a rapid succession of emperors, often military usurpers, most of whom died violently. If things had gone just a little differently, we would have been talking about the collapse of t…

1
Comets 16:59

23d ago16:59

16:59

For thousands of years, people have looked into the night sky and seen something unusual. It was fuzzy, sometimes bright, and it wasn’t there before. It appeared out of nowhere and, after a few days or weeks, disappeared as mysteriously as it had appeared. When these events occurred, they were often interpreted as omens. Good or bad depending on wh…

1
Aircraft Carriers (Encore) 15:27

24d ago15:27

15:27

Aircraft carriers are some of the most fearsome weapons in the world. They are enormous platforms that can travel around the globe, projecting power over an enormous part of it. However, aircraft carriers have a rather humble origin that actually predates the invention of the airplane. Throughout the 20th century, they saw many innovations and adap…

1
1775: The Start of the American Revolution 16:04

25d ago16:04

16:04

If you were to ask most people what year they associate with the American Revolution, it would be 1776. That was the year that the Continental Congress declared Independence. However, 1776 wasn’t the start of the revolution, nor was it the end of the revolution. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the Declaration of Independence, it would have gone down…

1
The Norman Conquest 16:48

26d ago16:48

16:48

On October 14, 1066, England changed forever. Forces from Normandy, France, defeated the English King and changed life in England forever. It affected everyone from the aristocracy down to the commoners, and it even trickled down to the very language spoken in the country itself. In fact, the events of 1066 can still be seen and felt today. Learn m…

1
Alcatraz 16:30

27d ago16:30

16:30

Located in the middle of San Francisco Bay is one of the Bay Area’s most iconic landmarks: Alcatraz. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, with over a million visitors every year. Most people know of Alcatraz as a prison, yet it only served as a prison for a very short period of time. During its history, it has served mu…

1
The RMS Titanic 16:54

28d ago16:54

16:54

On April 15, 1912, one of the greatest disasters in modern nautical history took place. The RMS Titanic, one of the most celebrated ships of its era, struck an iceberg and sank on its inaugural voyage. While the story of the Titanic is well known, it has been exaggerated throughout the years, and there are many misconceptions about the ship and its…

1
Miyamoto Musashi (Encore) 13:51

29d ago13:51

13:51

In the early 17th century, Japan was witness to a samurai who was arguably its greatest warrior ever. He wasn’t just one of the greatest swordsmen in history; he was a philosopher, a writer, an artist, and, in contravention to the samurai code at the time, he was a vagabond. Today, he is considered a saint of Japanese martial arts, and he has been …

1
The Ancient Greek Olympics 15:27

30d ago15:27

15:27

Almost 3000 years ago, the Ancient Greeks established what was a unique method of honoring their gods: an athletic competition. Men from city states all over the Greek world would come to Mount Olympus to compete. For those crowned champion, there were few honors greater. Over the centuries, more and more competitions were added until one day, an e…

1
Dubrovnik 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

Located on the Adriatic Sea in the southernmost part of Croatia is the city of Dubrovnik. Founded in the 7th century, it rose in prominence and became one of the leading city-states in Europe. It was a major competitor with Venice in the region and had complicated relations with both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. It was the site of one of the …

1
The Third Amendment 15:03

1M ago15:03

15:03

The Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution holds some of the most treasured rights held by Americans. This includes the rights of free speech, religion, assembly, due process, and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, and self incrimination. However, there are other parts to the bill of rights. Parts that don’t get quite…

1
Seed. Oils 16:35

1M ago16:35

16:35

Whether or not you are aware of it, in the last day, if you are anywhere near average, there is a very good chance that you have consumed seed oils. Seed oils are everywhere in the modern diet. They are contained in almost every processed food and a great many foods prepared at home and in restaurants. For one of the biggest components of the moder…

1
The Battle of Tours (Encore) 14:20

1M ago14:20

14:20

In the year 732, one of the most important battles in world history took place between the cities of Tours and Portier in France. On one side was an unstoppable juggernaut that had amassed one of the largest empires in world history in less than a century. On the other side was a vastly outnumbered force that lacked the primary weapon of the era, h…

1
A Journey to the Center of the Earth 16:16

1M ago16:16

16:16

No matter where you are on Earth right now, there is approximately 6,400 kilometers or 4,000 miles of rock beneath your feet. All of that rock isn’t the same. There exist different layers below the surface that have different properties and different compositions. There is even a layer near the center of the Earth where the rock isn’t even a solid,…

1
Triple Crowns and Grand Slams 15:40

1M ago15:40

15:40

Many different sports have a concept of a triple crown or a grand slam. What it is defined as differs from sport to sport, but what they all have in common is that achieving a triple crown or a grand slam is considered to be the pinnacle of the game. In some sports, the triple crown or grand slam has achieved a legendary status, and in others, the …

1
A Brief History of Australia 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

Australia is a unique country. By area, it's huge. By population, however, it is dwarfed by smaller countries such as Nepal, Ghana, Yemen, and the United Kingdom. By modern standards, the nation is quite young, yet it has a history that goes back further than almost any other country. …and there is also the thing with the criminals. Learn more abou…

1
When Exactly Did the Roman Empire Fall? (Encore) 14:15

1M ago14:15

14:15

The Roman Empire was one of the greatest empires in the ancient world. It left us a host of languages based on Latin, as well as many cultural institutions which still exist. While the Roman Empire is gone, when exactly did it cease to exist? Learn more about exactly when the Roman Empire fell and if such a thing even makes sense on this episode of…

1
The Isles of Scilly and the 350-Year War 15:10

1M ago15:10

15:10

Located off the tip of Cornwall, England, lies a small group of islands known as the Isles of Scilly. If you’ve never heard of the Isles of Scilly before, you probably just chuckled when you heard the name. If you have heard of them, you know that they comprise the extreme southwest point of the United Kingdom and are the warmest part of the countr…

1
Questions and Answers: Volume 30 14:54

1M ago14:54

14:54

You have questions and I have answers. Sponsors Mint Mobile Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Stitch Fix Go to stitchfix.com/everywhere to have a stylist help you look your best Tourist Office of Spain Plan your next adventure at Spai…

1
The Bahamas 17:08

1M ago17:08

17:08

Located just 50 miles off the coast of Miami, Florida, is the nation of the Bahamas. It is a large archipelago of islands covering over 5000 square miles in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas are a unique country both historically and geologically. It has a landscape unlike any other in the world, and it has been at the forefront of the European colon…

1
Numbers Stations (Encore) 14:13

1M ago14:13

14:13

If you ever stay up at night scanning through frequencies on shortwave radio, there is a good chance you might come across something very odd and kind of creepy. You will find a station that is nothing but a disembodied voice reading off a seemingly random string of numbers. There is often an identifying sound or song which is played on a regular b…

1
Origins of the Internet 17:36

1M ago17:36

17:36

If you are listening to my words right now, then you are obviously an internet user. The internet has arguably been the most transformative technology of the last fifty years. But it wasn’t developed overnight or all at once. It was a gradual process to solve specific problems, and no one knew at the time that it would become the basis of a global …

1
The Battle of Vicksburg 16:25

1M ago16:25

16:25

The most famous battles of the US Civil War all occurred in the eastern theater, such as Gettysburg, Antietam, Shiloh, and Bull Run. However, one of the most important battles, from both a strategic and tactical standpoint, took place in the west. It was one of the most brilliant led battles of the entire conflict, and it vaulted into prominence a …

1
The History of Banks and Banking 17:14

1M ago17:14

17:14

One of the biggest and most important industries in the world is banking. Banks are large, control an enormous amount of money, and are often the most influential economic institutions in most countries. Yet, banks are not a modern invention. Banks, in one form or another, have been around for thousands of years and have evolved into the modern ins…

1
Calendar Reform 16:38

2M ago16:38

16:38

Our calendar and system of keeping time are rather unique. It isn’t nice and tidy like the metric system. It is a collection of odd time units, leap years, and rotating calendars. As such, many people throughout history have thought that they could do better. So they have made proposals for changing our calendar, some of which would be very differe…

1
Sherman’s March to the Sea (Encore) 14:12

2M ago14:12

14:12

Just one week after President Abraham Lincoln was re-elected in November 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman set out to execute one of the most audacious plans of the US Civil War. His plan involved violating several central tenets of warfare, which had been established for thousands of years, yet in the process, he helped bring the war to…