By Episodes

643. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage Destroyed (Part 4)

February 12, 2026

Three decades after the defeat of Hannibal, how had the Roman Empire managed to conquer vast swathes of the known world? Why did the predatory eyes of this terrifying behemoth turn once more to...
2 books
Greatest Paintings: The Ghost of Spain – Velázquez’s Las Meninas

February 11, 2026

Why does Diego Velázquez’ Las Meninas represent the fading Spanish Golden Age? How did he challenge the boundaries between viewer and artwork? And, in what ways does his defining style foreshadow...
1 book
Ep. 832: Osceola, Native American Slavery, and The Seminole Wars

February 09, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with author Jamie Holmes, Randall Williams, Brody Henderson, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.  Topics discussed: Jamie's new book, The Free and the Dead: The Untold Story...
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7 books
642. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Bloodbath in Africa (Part 3)

February 09, 2026

Would the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio successfully march on Africa? What happened when Hannibal and Scipio - the greatest commanders of their age - came head to head at the Battle of...
1 book
641. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Hannibal’s Nemesis (Part 2)

February 05, 2026

What happened at the Battle of Ibera, a totemic though overlooked battle of the Punic Wars? With the forces of Carthage closing in on a depleted Rome, would a young Roman, Publius Cornelius Scipio...
0 books
Greatest Paintings: Dawn of the Dutch Golden Age - The Arnolfini Portrait

February 04, 2026

Why is Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait perceived as one of the greatest mysteries of the arts? What elements and symbolisms provoke debates about its identity and meaning? And, what do we know...
0 books
The Arnolfini Portrait, with Laura Cumming

February 04, 2026

Why is Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait perceived as one of the greatest mysteries of the arts? What elements and symbolisms provoke debates about its identity and meaning? And, what do we know...
0 books
Ep. 829: Who Will Save the Columbia River's Salmon?

February 02, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with Donella Miller and Doug Hatch of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), Brody Henderson, Janis Putelis, Seth Morris, Phil Taylor, and Corinne...
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0 books
640. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage at the Gates (Part 1)

February 02, 2026

Did Hannibal march on Rome after his legendary victory at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC? How could Rome fight on after losing so many men? And, where would their next cataclysmic clash take...
1 book
639. Revolution in Iran: Death in the Desert (Part 4)

January 29, 2026

How did America respond after the American Embassy in Tehran was seized, and American citizens taken hostage? Would the hostages survive? And, what became of the Iranian Revolution, and Ayatollah...
1 book
Ep. 826: Like Nuts on a Cat

January 26, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with Kevin Murphy, Seth Morris, and Max Barta. Topics discussed: Fruit cakes; get ready for two drops per week from Steve and The MeatEater Podcast!; finding a mastadon's tusk...
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1 book
638. Revolution in Iran: The Hostage Crisis (Part 3)

January 26, 2026

Why and how was the American Embassy stormed in 1979, at the height of the Iranian Revolution? Did America respond when large numbers of American civil servants were taken hostage? And, would a...
2 books
637. Revolution in Iran: Rise of the Ayatollah (Part 2)

January 22, 2026

What set off the final uprisings of the Iranian Revolution, against the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi? Would President Jimmy Carter and America back the Shah’s forbidding opponent, the...
3 books
Ep. 823: Restoring Alaska's Wild Buffalo

January 19, 2026

Steven Rinella talks withTom Seaton, lead biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wood Bison Restoration Project.  Topics discussed: Where and when buffalo are considered wildlife and...
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1 book
636. Revolution in Iran: Fall of the Shah (Part 1)

January 19, 2026

Why did the Iranian Revolution erupt in 1979? What was the nature of the relationship between President Carter and the ostentatious Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi? And, who was the Ayatollah Ruhollah...
4 books
635. Joan of Arc: For Fear of the Flames (Part 4)

January 15, 2026

What were the harsh conditions of Joan of Arc’s imprisonment, at the hands of her English captors? How did Joan’s trial unfold, and with what was she charged? And, would Joan confess at the last...
1 book
Ep. 820: Skunks Ruin A Marriage and Colorado’s Wolf Plan In Trouble

January 12, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with Brody Henderson, Janis Putelis, Randall Williams, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.  Topics discussed: Canadian hunters helping Canadian hunters; Corrections!; go see...
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0 books
634. Joan of Arc: Heroine in Chains (Part 3)

January 12, 2026

How was Charles VII, with the help of Joan of Arc, able to fight his way to Reims to be crowned in the ancient seat of French kings? Why was she able to continually defeat the formidable soldiers...
2 books
633. Joan of Arc: Saviour of France (Part 2)

January 08, 2026

How did a young, uneducated peasant girl dressed in men’s clothing, Joan of Arc, plan to crown the son of the mad and feeble Charles VI, the King of all France, and save them from the English?...
2 books
Ep. 817: Conservation Wins and Losses with Senator Martin Heinrich

January 05, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich, Ryan Callaghan, and Randall Williams.  Topics discussed: Corner crossing and the Supreme Court ruling; stream access; the Arctic...
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0 books