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| Try to guess which one is me! |
What possesses someone to attempt an audio collection of the entire history of the world? I dunno, that's like trying to figure out what the twenty three flavors in Dr. Pepper are. Or why the sky is blue. Or why birds suddenly appear every time you are near! Nobody knows!
I will say that the genesis of the show happened late one night after quite a few Dogfish Head Midas Touch brews were consumed with this podcaster's longtime good buddy. As I was a freshly unemployed social studies teacher with a masters degree and nothing to do, my amigo suggested that I take up the microphone and start making my own show. Which, I believe I responded with something unintelligible but agreeing to his suggestion.
Well the teaching thing hasn't worked out yet, but the show certainly has! If you had told me that night, that only four months later I'd be listened to in over 150 countries I'd slap you in the face for being a dirty rotten liar. Yet that's what happened! And I'm still in shock.
Podcasting is a beautiful medium that gives someone like me a chance to reach out and share my love and knowledge of history and culture to a huge audience. An audience that even ten years ago, I would not have been able to reach without the backing of traditional media. And that's incredible.
So to the listeners out there who took the time to read this: thank you. I've got big plans for the show down the line - you don't just name your show "The Podcast History of Our World" and NOT expect to do big things! It's gonna be great, and I can't wait to experience it with all of you.
-Rob 12/17/2012
radiomonaco@gmail.com
Congratulations on creating a great podcast! You have a real talent for this. I wish you continued success.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :) I'm glad you enjoy the show!
DeleteHello! I recently discovered podcasts as a way to pass the time at work and iTunes suggested yours so I gave it a chance...and it is SERIOUSLY AMAZING. You make history so much more interesting (and work for that matter). PLEASE CONTINUE!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's awesome. You're awesome. I'm flattered that my show has made history that much more interesting, as that's pretty much the most basic mission of the podcast. I have no intentions to stop anytime soon don't worry!
DeleteI love this podcast. I listen to it in the mornings while I get ready for work and sometimes on my drive to work. I'm only up to the Sumerians but I intend to get through all of it. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to help out with the morning commute! And thanks for the kind words!
DeleteRob, I am enjoying your podcast and am already lamenting the fact that at some point I will reach the end of the series. I expect its success will soon lead to bigger things for you (e.g., that lucrative offer from the History Channel), and when it does I hope you will continue to tackle big, complex subjects and podcast them to the world!
ReplyDeleteAww no worries Garrett! There is so much material to cover that it'll be quite a long time before the end is nigh. But I thank you so much for the well wishes. I too would love nothing more than to be able to take this podcast into bigger and bolder venues and share my historical vision with more people! So we'll have to keep waiting for a Medici like patron to support me and hope for the best! But in the meantime, we've got a good thing going with this little show and awesome listeners like yourself :)
DeleteGreat podcast. I really enjoy listening to you. You remind me of Bill Nye in the early years, before he sold out and went commercial. LOL. I see you're picture is from Signers' Hall at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. My name is Rob, and I am a huge history fan living in the Philadelphia area. Perhaps we are twin brothers separated at birth...
ReplyDeleteRob, first off being compared to Bill Nye is a TREMENDOUS honor so thanks! And secondly I can't wait to sell out and go commercial! Hahaha!
DeleteAlso congrats on being the first one to get where the picture is from! Yep that was me on a field trip, with my winter beard discussing the finer points of American democracy with our founding fathers. I commend you, my brother from another mother, and one day when TPHOOW goes on tour I'll be sure to stop in Philly and we'll all eat cheesesteaks and fight over who does it better: Geno's or Pat's.
I love this podcast! It's cool to hear about the Hebrews, we always just learned about the usual Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. I hope you do podcasts about the Eastern civilizations like in India, China and so on. I remember just skimming over these areas in school. I really enjoy your podcasts and look forward to more!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Fear not, I will absolutely be exploring the exciting world outside of the Mediterranean and Near East! The challenge of this podcast is to weave a story that ties everybody together without making crazy jumps. Like if one episode we're talking about Caesar, and the next it's like hey let's talk about the Mayans! That...doesn't really flow.
DeleteHowever, I'll let you in on a secret - I've got the podcast mapped out to the death of Alexander The Great. I'm not gonna say much more than that, but in there I will be covering Ancient India - of that I'm certain!
Rob, just wanted to say thanks for the excellent podcast! I have been searching for a long time for a podcast that would cover the history of the world in a comprehensive, yet entertaining way. You have certainly hit the nail on the head. You help make my work days much more interesting and I always find myself relaying information I have learned from you to others. Again, thanks so much and I wish you continued success!
ReplyDeleteRose
Aww thanks for such kind words! I'm glad that the show is that happy mix of educating and entertaining and that you can teach your coworkers what you've learned! That's a huge compliment for me, knowing that you're actually talking about what we're learning. Happy to have you listening!
DeleteRob,
ReplyDeleteI have just started listening to your podcast with my husband. It is seriously addictive ---(that from someone who has never been too fond of History class). You answer many of the questions I have also wanted to answers too....and you think through things where no answers exist (yet). Thanks so much for taking the time to create such an wonderful learning experience! I would sign up for your class any day! You are one excellent teacher!
That's tremendously nice of you to say so! (Especially for the teacher comment :D) It's a real pleasure to share my love of history, but I'm particularly happy when I can interest those who never liked history before! I'm flattered that you listen with your husband, and hopefully I can continue to answer many of your questions!
DeleteRob, Kuddos for you my friend! Your narrative keeps me company now that my car stereo broke. I cant wait to jump on the car to work and listen to you teaching history so interestingly! I like history but I got a bad memory (bad combination), so I listen more than once to your podcasts! I wish you find a teaching position that lets you keep on producing podcast!! I would hate to hear you took a position teaching in Harvard and you will leave us hanging dry! :D
ReplyDeleteOr, better yet, I wish you can find a way to make money out of these amazing podcasts!
Looking forward to what you have to say about Aztecs and Mayas!
Goodspeed!!!
You are far too kind to me Ray, but thanks all the same :)
DeleteI'm sure something will open up for me in the future that can allow me to share my passion for history and put food on the table, but have no fear! I will not give up on this! Although can you imagine me as a professor at Harvard? God help us all...
Also, another listener asked me when I'd get to the Mesoamericans, and regrettably it won't be for a while! To keep the story flowing along I feel like the best time to introduce them is with the discovery of the New World. But when we get there, oh are we going to have fun! Especially with the Inca/Quechua, as they're on my "Top 10 favorite civilizations list"
Dude! What a great Podcast!!! I give it my highest marks. Listened all the way from LA to Hong Kong and then Shanghai to Frankfurt.....You are da bomb man!!!! Thanks for making two agonizingly terrible flights in steerage pass quickly. I love your style and the content is first rate. I hope you keep it going until the world ends.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully,
Laszlo Montgomery
The China History Podcast
Holy cow! It's Laszlo Montgomery! I am a HUGE fan of your podcast man, this is a big honor!
DeleteOk it seriously means a lot that you not only have listened to my podcast but enjoy it! I'm going to have to pick your brain for a bit when I eventually (somewhere done the line at least) reach Ancient China!
Also because you were super polite not to post it, FOLKS here's Laszlo's companion website to his show -> http://chinahistorypodcast.com/ <- seriously, I know that the Ancient Chinese are the number two requested Civ I cover, but Laszlo's done it already AND actually knows Mandarin. I tried learning Mandarin but lost my temper when my teachers tried to make me write with my right hand. I'm temperamental like that. Anyway thanks Laszlo!!!
Reading this post is like witnessing Bob Dylan meeting Levon Helm. Expecting great things, and yes, you guys can infer rockstar status. Thanks for the great podcasts.
DeleteWhat an incredible comparison :)
DeleteIt only needs Mike Duncan and Lars Brownworth to join in!
DeleteI don't know if the Sultanate of Oman is one of the 150 countries where you have listeners. If not, you may add it now ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat podcast!
Wow Oman!! Better make that 151 countries now! See, this is exactly what I'm talking about. It's incredible that we can communicate like this, through our interest in the history of our world. So cool.
DeleteI'm glad you're enjoying my podcast, and thanks for stopping by, friend!
Mr. Monaco, yesterday I was on Sound Cloud for the very first time browsing for some new music. And well, destiny has led me to your podcast and I have to say....I LOVE IT. I can't get enough of it. I have passed on the word to a friend who may love your podcast as well. Thanks for it all :)
ReplyDeleteIt's kismet! I'm so glad you found my humble podcast, and early in the game too! Thanks for spreading the word about our little history journey, and I hope you continue to enjoy it!
DeleteSaying "Mabuhay!" from the Philippines, Mr. Monaco! Thanks for the podcasts! I follow @brainpicker on twitter who got your story from Open Culture (One of the fastest retweets I ever did--and I just woke up!). Anyway do you know how awesome your project is? Do you do you do you? :D
ReplyDeleteOoo a Tagalog greeting! COOL. Cheers to The Phillipines!
DeleteI had no idea there was a piece written about the show! But it's awesome that word is spreading around - especially thanks to people like you! And well, of course I'M of the opinion that my little podcast project is pretty nifty, but your enthusiasm just made me feel extra especially good about it :) Thanks for brightening my day Lauren!
love your podcasts...please keep them coming...just liked you on facebook. well done.
ReplyDeleteSuper nice of you to say so! And thank you for joining the facebook page. It's a lot of fun there as you'll no doubt find out!
DeleteI'm up to the King David segment and am thoroughly enjoying re-learning everything I forgot long ago. I listen while I drive the 40 minutes back and forth and find that it's the part of the day I most look forward to. It is stunning to realize how outrageously violent mankind has always been -- so much slaughter, beheading, behanding, disemboweling, gouging, and worse! And it's a sad commentary that current news reports don't sound all that different.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, I'm thoroughly enjoying your podcasts. Keep it up!
Man's inhumanity to man is definitely a troubling sign through our history...but hopefully by showing that everyone is guilty of it, we can drop cultural pretenses and learn to get along!
DeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying the podcast and you're along for the ride (even with the rampant eye gouging and excessive limb removals!)
Hello, Mr. Monaco! Thank you very much for such a wonderful podcast! It makes history understandable and even funny, certainly not as boring as at my history lessons at school. I'm grateful for the material with which you supplement the story (transcripts are especially helpful, because I'm just learning English). By the way, I wanted to ask you if you are going to tell us about Ancient Greece. This part of history is worth mentioning indeed.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying it (and you don't mind a little corny humor)!
DeleteAh, the ancient Greeks. What civilization is more iconic of the ancient world in the minds of so many of us? While the next few episodes will be covering the early days of the Persian Empire, their history is deeply intertwined with our Hellenic friends. So yes! Expect many episodes talking about Greece from its earliest days when there was no "Greece" per say, to Alexander and the Diadochi. Stay tuned!
Rob: I started listening to your podcast, as I love all kinds of history. The first few were ok and informative, but I could tell you were getting your bearings as a podcaster. So far so good, then you got to biblical characters and began using the bible as an historical reference. If you wish to do history, then the bible is the last source one would use. I would encourage you to use some critical thinking about your sources. When dealing with that period in history, there are is a lot of evidence one has to ignore in order to use the Bible. From archeology to genetics, ancient historical sources and literary works of competing societies, all need to be examined. Thanks for your efforts, but I want to hear real history, not recounting of mythologies from an uncritical perspective.
ReplyDeleteHi Darrel, it doesn't sound like you're on board with my vision for the podcast, and that's fine. I'm not setting out to present a sterile, distant observer report of history. I want this podcast to present the history of all the world's people from their own perspective, as often as possible. To that end I use whatever sources I can from their own words. With the Sumerians it was cuneiform tablets, the Egyptians hieroglyphic inscriptions, and for the Hebrews the Bible. Now if you're concerned about the veracity of the Bible as a primary source I will of course concur that angels did not "smote" Gomorrah, and that certain patriarchs couldn't have lived for hundreds of years. But using it as a record of history? I refer you to a letter issued by the Smithsonian when they were getting peppered by the same questions:
Deletehttp://www.csnradio.com/tema/links/SmithsonianLetter.pdf
If you listened to the episodes (and it sounds like you gave up as soon as you saw the titles), you will have noticed that I make constant reference to the archaeological record whenever I can to provide concrete evidence. In addition, should you have perused my Bibliography page you may have noticed quite a number of works I used for my sources outside of the Bible. Yet no matter what textbook or journal article or academic treatise I found, every scholar of ancient Israel and Judah uses the Bible as a primary source. And that's a fact. To ignore it, is to essentially deny an entire culture their heritage, and I want to celebrate these stories, not ignore them because a few people might be offended.
So really, I do appreciate your respectful criticism but I hold no regrets about covering the Hebrews the way I did. And ultimately, this is a pretty light-hearted history podcast as I'm sure you could tell. I'm not out to present an exhaustive scholarly survey of world history - there are far better historians than I who have done that. I'm just looking to tell a story, get a few cheap laughs, and show how interconnected everyone is. I'm sorry these episodes weren't for you, but I thank you for writing in.
This podcast is great. I look forward to each episode like I did for Mike Duncan's The History of Rome and I like I do for Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. No more Gilgamesh type episodes though please. The story was told well, it was just the voices that drove me nuts. Other than that keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteI love the show! As an amateur history/anthropology enthusiast, I am really digging it. Only about 7 episodes in but can't wait to listen to more. Appreciated.
ReplyDeleteRob you asked for comments.
ReplyDeleteI like your Podcasts. they are at the right level for a non historian. But a few things would make it better.
BC and AD are not insulting, but they are insensitive, especially when referring to Jewish history. You commented that this was from the Judeo Christian perspective. It is really the Christian perspective, not Judeo. Professional historians do use BCE and CE.
Also referring to the Christening of Abraham, the first Jew, just seems unprofessional or at least biased towards the Cristian perspective.
Thanks for writing in and glad you like the podcasts.
DeleteShort answer: I'm not a Christian, or a professional historian but you imply I'm both! I use BC/AD because I'm more familiar with it.
Long answer: There is no intentional desire to be biased here, it all goes to pragmatism: If I use Common Era dating, what is that system based on that makes it different? And it's the same exact system, just written differently. I'm not sure what the christening of Abraham is...or if you're referring to a date I applied to him. Except there are no dates for much of those early episodes because no one's quite sure when/if they ever happened in the first place.
Longer answer: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/8788464/BC-or-BCE-The-BBCs-edict-on-how-we-date-events-is-AD-absolute-drivel.html