
15-Minute History
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.
Latest episodes

Mar 1, 2021 • 38min
The American Civil War, Part 1 | A Discussion on War is Glory
Join us as we discuss the beginnings of the American Civil War, the vile and evil institution of slavery, and the beginning of the bloody process by which it was finally brought to an end.

Feb 22, 2021 • 15min
Thomas Crapper | A Brief History of Plumbing
The concept of moving water from one place to the other has been on the minds of humans since their creation. Conversely, the desire to move soiled water away automatically has – at times – been considered equally important. The means by which this could be done has evolved as civilizations have come and gone. In all of them, a basic pattern emerged in plumbing conception and construction: the path, the pipe, and the seal. Join us as we teach you a brief history of plumbing, its evolution through the ages, and the influence of Thomas Crapper on plumbing technology and sanitation practices. Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

Feb 22, 2021 • 18min
Thomas Crapper | A Discussion on the Brief History of Plumbing
Join us as we discuss the history of plumbing, the influence of Thomas Crapper, and the legacy of the pipe, the path, and the seal.

Feb 15, 2021 • 16min
Romanticism | From Enlightenment to Emotion
Discover how the Romantic Era blossomed in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, igniting a powerful shift from Enlightenment rationalism to deep emotional expression in art and literature. Explore the influential works of Goethe, Schiller, and Victor Hugo, which reflect a newfound individualism. The podcast also highlights the far-reaching effects of Romanticism on music, architecture, and even science with figures like Beethoven and Darwin. Dive into how this movement shaped ideas of nationalism and the interpretation of history itself.

Feb 15, 2021 • 25min
Romanticism | A Discussion on Enlightenment to Emotion
Join us as we discuss the age of Romanticism and its effect on culture, art, and the sciences.

Dec 21, 2020 • 34min
The Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte | "The Enlightenment on Horseback"
"At the turn of the 18th century, the greatest nations in Europe, separated by only 21 miles of water, offered two distinct ideologies that would shape the new century. In England, there was democratic, constitutional monarchy; in France, the cataclysm of revolution had dragged the absolute King from the throne and replaced him with the Mob. Out of the maelstrom emerged a military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, commander of the revolutionary army, who went on to conquer Italy and Egypt before returning to Paris to proclaim himself Emperor. As Napoleon gained power in France, the world stood on the brink of total war. For out of the furnace of the Napoleonic Wars, the modern world was born." — Robert Harvey, The War of Wars, 2006 — Join us as we teach you about the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, his effect on France and Europe, and the enduring legacy of his reign and influence. Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. It really does help!

Dec 21, 2020 • 42min
The Rise and Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte | A Discussion on "The Enlightenment on Horseback"
Join us as we discuss the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, his effect on France and Europe, and the enduring legacy of his reign and influence.

Dec 14, 2020 • 20min
The French Revolution | The Collective Insanity
Join us as we teach you about the French Revolution, why it happened, how it transpired, and its effects on the world at the time and history as a whole. Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org. Please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. It really does help!

Dec 14, 2020 • 30min
The French Revolution | A Discussion on the Collective Insanity
Join us as we discuss the French Revolution, why it happened, how it transpired, and its effects on the world at the time and history as a whole.

Dec 7, 2020 • 15min
Getting the Right Response | A History of Vaccines
Join us as we teach you about the first vaccines, two examples from recent history, how they work, and the impact they have had on the practice of medicine.