Free Daily Podcast Summary
The History of Modern Politics: Daily Summaries Delivered
by We Are Libertarians
Get key takeaways, quotes, and insights from The History of Modern Politics in a 5-minute read. Delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Feb 5, 202655 min
14: Plague & Revolt
You have heard “Timbuktu” as a stand-in for the ends of the earth, but this episode opens with West Africa at the center of wealth, learning and trade. Chris Spangle and Matt Wittlief trace the rise of the Mali Empire, from Sundiata Keita to Mansa Musa, whose famed pilgrimage to Mecca becomes a lens for how gold, scholarship and Islamic trade networks connected the medieval world. Then the timeline snaps back to Europe and the crisis of the late Middle Ages. The conversation follows demographic collapse from the Great Famine through the Black Death, including how plague spread and why it hit with such force. From there, it moves through religious turmoil tied to the Avignon papacy and growing resentment of clerical wealth, plus the long-running battles over heresy that set the stage for later upheaval. Finally, the episode returns to political instability, from uprisings in Flanders and France to the burdens of the Hundred Years’ War, shifting labor laws, Parliament’s pushback, and England’s convulsions from Edward II to Edward III to Richard II. It closes with the Peasants’ Revolt, court politics, a cascade of titles and rivalries, and the fall of Richard II as Henry Bolingbroke takes the crown as Henry IV, with a tease of more turmoil before the Tudors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Dec 23, 202547 min
13: The Reigns of Three Edwards
In Episode 2 of Season 2 of The History of Modern Politics, Chris Spangle and Matt Whitlow trace the Edwardian period from Edward I’s legal reforms and Parliament’s growing role through Edward II’s favorites, Queen Isabella’s coup and Edward III’s rise. The episode also connects the Crusades era to shifting powers across Wales and Scotland, the wool-tax finance that fueled war, and the opening phase of the Hundred Years War in 1337. Cold open: the Nizari state, the Order of Assassins, Mongol expansion and the story’s link to Edward I and the late Crusader world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Dec 6, 202555 min
12: Things We Didn’t Tell You in Season One
Chris Spangle and Matt Wittlief open Season 2 with essential background for the late 1200s, tracing how the Holy Roman Empire’s electoral system emerged after the Carolingians, how the Great Interregnum unfolded and how the Habsburgs entered European politics. They also outline parallel developments in Wales, Scotland, the Low Countries, international trade, banking and the origins of English common law to set the stage for the reigns of Kings Edward I, II and III. Topics in this episode: Early imperial elections after Otto III and the king of the Romans title The Stauffers and the Welfs, plus the Ghibelline and Guelph factions Frederick II’s deposition in 1245, William of Holland and the Great Interregnum The seven prince electors and the contested 1254 election between Richard of Cornwall and Alfonso II of Castile Rudolf of Habsburg’s election in 1273, later Habsburg influence and Albert’s election in 1298 Wales from Offa’s Dyke to Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, Llywelyn the Great and the Marcher lords Scotland from the Picts and Gaels to Malcolm III, the Dunkeld line and the Treaty of York in 1237 Norway’s role in northern politics, including control of the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland The Low Countries, the county of Flanders, English wool and the trade cities of Bruges and Ghent The Champagne fairs, the growth of Italian merchant banking and the Knights Templar’s financial system The position of Jews in medieval Europe, including moneylending, Aaron of Lincoln, the York massacre and the 1255 Lincoln accusation The rise of universities in Bologna, Paris and Oxford and the development of English common law through writs, precedent and administrative expansion under Edward I Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Nov 24, 202519 min
History of Modern Politics is Back! An Update from Matt and Chris
Chris Spangle and Matt Wittlief reunite to bring back History of Modern Politics after a long hiatus. In this episode, they explain why the show is returning, how seasons two and three are already underway, and what listeners can expect as they continue tracing political thought from the Roman Republic to the American founding. Chris and Matt share behind-the-scenes updates on research, writing, episode structure, and how their work connects ancient history to today’s political shifts. They also discuss season one, the path ahead through the Middle Ages and the Glorious Revolution, and their plans to cover the first American political systems in future seasons. Subscribe to the History of Modern Politics feed - https://link.chtbl.com/history-of-modern-politics Join the Substack - https://www.historyofmodernpolitics.com/ Subscribe on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@historyofmodernpolitics5701https://www.youtube.com/@historyofmodernpolitics5701 https://youtu.be/izaO-EZsI0c Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 20, 20231h 18m
The Five U.S. Presidential Elections That Foreshadow 2024 with Dan Miller
I recently attended a talkshop by historian Dan Miller on five past Presidential elections that could inform the contest in 2024. I sat down with him to discuss parts of this fascinating presentation. Visit Dan's website - https://historicalsolutions.com/ Transcript - https://share.descript.com/view/TlaNaGBl4Jw https://youtu.be/ihug5M9BIKs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Oct 10, 20221h 35m
The Complete History of Columbus Day - Why We Celebrate It and Should We Continue?
From the Chris Spangle Show: Last Columbus Day, I decided to learn more about the history of the man and the day celebrating him. Since then, I've visited historical sites in Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic and San Juan in Puerto Rico. I read books and watched documentaries to gain a better perspective of who Columbus was. In this episode, I share what I've learned, beginning with the history of the day, who wants to change it (or not) and why, and then share a basic history of Columbus and his voyages. Links: Book by Laurence Bergreen: Columbus: The Four Voyages, 1492-1504 - https://amzn.to/3MlTHDz Columbus in America (Full Documentary) - https://youtu.be/JkFFy5yUdkE Secrets & Mysteries of Christopher Columbus - https://youtu.be/XXU3pEeVI9o 9 reasons Christopher Columbus was a murderer, tyrant, and scoundrel - https://www.vox.com/2014/10/13/6957875/christopher-columbus-murderer-tyrant-scoundrel Columbus Day - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day Christopher Columbus - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus Bartolomé de las Casas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolom%c3%a9_de_las_Casas What Columbus Day Really Means - https://theamericanscholar.org/what-columbus-day-really-means/ How Columbus Day Fell Victim to Its Own Success - https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/10/how-columbus-day-fell-victim-to-its-own-success/261922/ How Italians Became ‘White’ (Published 2019) - https://buff.ly/2pbSUyJ What Are We to Make of Columbus Today? - https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/10/11/what-are-we-to-make-of-columbus-today/ Join WAL Plus now for commercial-free shows and our complete archives - JoinWALPlus.com ---- This episode is brought to you by Iconic Insurance. Fifteen percent of Americans are left to find health insurance on their own. You might feel overwhelmed, lost, or frustrated, and if that's you, feel in control of your health with Matt Allen's help. Visit www.iconic-insurance.com/libertarians to get started. --- Chris Spangle and Leaders and Legends, LLC edited and produced this podcast. If you're interested in starting a podcast or taking yours to the next level, please contact us at LeadersAndLegends.net. ---- Looking to start a podcast? Download my podcast Podcasting and Platforms now, and check out my recommendations for buying the right equipment. ---- Q Sleep Spray assists in achieving a more restful sleep so you can wake up refreshed. Q SLEEP contains incredible ingredients, including melatonin, 5-HTP, and L-theanine, as well as a proprietary herbal extract, which synergistically promotes restful sleep and helps your mind and body rejuvenate. Buy Now - https://wearelibertarians.com/sleepspray/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Jun 1, 202254 min
11: The Birth of Parliament
The check and balance on the King's total authority known as Parliament did not happen in one swift action. It was a series of steps over generations. In this episode, we discuss some of those defining moments, as well as the important clauses of the Magna Carta, Simon De Monfort and the Second Barons War. For podcasts released months in advance and commercial-free, video, show notes, and reading lists, join. HMP Plus! - https://www.historyofmodernpolitics.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- May 15, 20221h 5m
10: The Angevins and the Magna Carta
Everyone has heard of the Magna Carta and its importance to liberty and the foundation of America, but what was it? What happened and why is it important? Chris Spangle and Matt Wittlief explain it. For podcasts released months in advance and commercial free, video, show notes and reading lists, join. HMP Plus! - https://www.historyofmodernpolitics.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get The History of Modern Politics summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
We Are Libertarians
We Are Libertarians
The Chris Spangle Show
We Are Libertarians
Talking Politics: HISTORY OF IDEAS
Talking Politics
My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
Bruce Carlson
Explaining History
Nick Shepley
Where Politics Meets History
Global
A History of the United States
Jamie Redfern
History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett
Turpentine
Modern Politics on Odysee
Modern Politics
History Unplugged Podcast
History Unplugged
American Political History
Jacob Edwards-King
Modern Age with Dan McCarthy
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
About The History of Modern Politics
Chris Spangle and Matt Wittlief are history nuts and news junkies. Often, modern political debates fail to see parallels in the past, so they've embarked on a long journey from antiquity to the present to illustrate where our ancestors can help us build a better future. Subscribe now to the History of Modern Politics to get the full backstory on our current events.Two episodes a month are now available to subscribers of WAL Plus or at HistoryofModernPolitics.Com or subscribe to the public podcast feed to get episodes in 2022. Part of the We Are Libertarians Podcast Network.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The History of Modern Politics in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The History of Modern Politics daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The History of Modern Politics as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The History of Modern Politics podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The History of Modern Politics product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by We Are Libertarians.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The History of Modern Politics release new episodes?
The History of Modern Politics publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The History of Modern Politics cover?
The History of Modern Politics covers topics including History. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The History of Modern Politics summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.