As we approach the end of another year, Nick takes a moment to step back from the history books and reflect on the Explaining History podcast itself. What started 13 years ago as a “flipped classroom” experiment by a history teacher in Wales has grown into a global community.

In this candid episode, Nick discusses his philosophy of history—why he rejects the “history as entertainment” model and the simplistic “Great Man” theories often peddled by TV documentaries. Instead, he argues for a structural understanding of the past, one that focuses on economics, demographics, and the lived experiences of ordinary people.

From the horrors of the Holocaust to the complexities of post-war American abundance, Nick explores why we must never reduce human suffering to mere content. He also shares his personal gratitude to the listeners, authors, and friends—like Alvaro, Mehdi, and Michael—who have helped build this platform into what it is today.

Key Topics:

• The Origins of the Podcast: From classroom tool to global platform.
• History vs. Entertainment: The moral responsibility of the historian.
• Structural History: Why “Great Men” don’t shape events as much as economics do.
• Community: A vote of thanks to the listeners and contributors who make it all possible.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20