Have you heard the big news in audio entertainment? Podcasts have exploded onto the scene, unlocking a universe of on-demand shows capturing millions of obsessive fans. And no community showers podcasts with more love than Reddit. Its army of contributors frequently compare notes on the cream of the crop across topics like history, science, true crime and technology.
As your trusted guide, I‘ve dug into numerous Reddit discussions to uncover which history and computer-focused podcasts emerge as all-time favorites. Together, we‘ll spotlight the soaring popularity of podcasts, reveal why one show towers above all others, and explore Reddit‘s top 15 hits that brilliantly blend education with entertainment.
So plug in your headphones, my friend! This tour through rich storytelling, expert analysis and groundbreaking concepts will tune you into podcasts as captivating as your favorite television dramas.
Surging Tide of Podcasts Finds Perfect Home on Reddit
Let‘s first spotlight key platforms and facts fueling the rapidly rising podcast tide:
- 104 million American listeners tune into podcasts each month as of 2022, nearly doubling since 2018 (source: Statista)
- Leading platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts make finding and accessing shows easier than ever
- The flexibility to pause, replay and resume podcasts on your schedule drives the appeal for many fans
As the medium enters its golden age, Reddit has emerged as the premiere site for podcast superfans to gather, discuss and idolize their newest obsessions. Niche subreddits feature constant debate over ever-shifting top 10 lists and recommendations across genres.
But for topics like history and technology, a few podcasts consistently dominate the discussion thanks to their gripping storylines and wealth of information. Let‘s find out why one podcast stands so far above the rest, before exploring 15 other hit shows Reddit adores.
Dan Carlin Earns Reddit‘s Top Spot with "Hardcore History"
Towering over all other contenders, Dan Carlin‘s Hardcore History podcast overwhelmingly claims the #1 spot according to most Reddit threads. This juggernaut show attracts millions of downloads per episode thanks to Carlin‘s unconventional and deeply researched accounts of historical events.
Rather than simply reciting names and dates, Carlin immerses listeners inside pivotal moments like the fall of the Roman Empire or rise of Ghengis Khan‘s hoards. He injects historical figures with intensely human motivations, analyzes the strategic decisions dictating victory and ruin with the insight of a war college professor, and most importantly…tells the gripping tales with the gravitas of a fireside storyteller.
Reddit fans gush with praise for Hardcore History and host Dan Carlin‘s talents:
- "I never was into history in school but Carlin brings these stories to life in a way that feels like you‘re watching an epic movie unfold."
- "It‘s insane the amount of research and preparation he does for each series. Easily more than 100 hours for a single 4-5 hour episode."
- "The passion and nuance he brings to covering something like the rise of the Persian Empire or start of WWI is just masterful."
While episodes can stretch beyond 3 hours, Reddit is united in enthusiasm for Hardcore History‘s ability to cultivate an irresistible addiction for the grand sweep of human civilization. It catapulted the medium‘s potential and remains required listening.
But Dan Carlin‘s brilliance only scratches the surface of amazing history and technology podcasts favored on Reddit. Let‘s explore 15 more captivating shows loved by the community.
More Podcast Gold Awaits in Reddit‘s Top 15 History & Tech Hits
| Podcast | Year Started | Avg Episode Length | Topics | Why Reddit Loves It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Napoleon | 2018 | 45-60 mins | Napoleonic Wars era early 1800s Europe | High production polish, vibrant retelling of surprisingly modern global conflict |
| Revolutions | 2013 | 60 mins | Political/societal revolutions and their leaders | Similar addictive style to Dan Carlin‘s Hardcore History |
| 80 Days: An Exploration Podcast | 2016 | 30-45 mins | Obscure historical events and eras | Well-structured narrative focus on overlooked gems |
| The History of Rome | 2007 | 20-30 mins | Roman civilization rise and fall | Comprehensive 170+ episode journey spanning 500 years |
| The History of English Podcast | 2012 | 20-40 mins | Linguistic evolution of English language | Quirky hosted dive into language origin stories |
| Decode DC | 2018 | 20-40 mins | Non-partisan U.S. political analysis | Smart, contextual analysis of today‘s news out of Washington, DC |
| Lex Fridman Podcast | 2019 | 2+ hours | Longform interviews exploring technology, AI, science breakthroughs | Unparalleled access to many of the world‘s great technical minds |
| Darknet Diaries | 2017 | 40-50 mins | Tales of hacking, cyber crime, internet security issues | Drama and intrigue around "black hat" hackers and vulnerabilities |
| CORPO Sapiens | 2020 | 35-50 mins | Tech innovations tied to companies, products and business history | Great Portuguese-language option highlighted for quality of content beyond just English-speakers |
| Accidental Tech Podcast | 2015 | 60-90 mins | All things tech – analysis, reviews, industry commentary | Top Apple developers banter informed by building world-class software firsthand |
| Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast | 2021 | 60-80 mins | Interviews with leading consumer tech visionaries and celebrities | Rising star podcast leverages host Marques Brownlee‘s 6 million YouTube subscribers |
| Command Line Heroes | 2018 | 30 mins | Developers behind Linux, open source movement, coding languages like Python | Humorous insider tales behind technologies powering the internet |
| Reply All | 2014 | 40-60 mins | Digital culture, peculiar internet subcultures | Top-notch storytelling making technology accessible and moving |
| Babbage from The Economist | 2020 | 30-40 mins | AI trends reshaping business and society | Reddit favorite for quality analysis from AI experts |
| Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History | 2006 | 3+ hours | Sweeping narrative-driven analysis of human history and progress | Overwhelming #1 podcast across Reddit |
As we‘ve uncovered on this journey together, my friend, podcasts offer a treasure trove of captivating history and technology shows to delight and surprise even the most ardent learners.
From the peerless brilliance of Dan Carlin‘s geopolitical epic storytelling to niche podcasts reconstructing historical eras in vivid detail…you‘ll never fall short on mind-expanding and smile-inducing podcasts to stream from this Reddit-approved collection.
Let the bingeing begin! Reach out anytime if you want personalized suggestions on which show to try next. There‘s a captivating podcast adventure awaiting you my friend. So plug in your earphones, and let‘s get listening!
