Thinking Outside Pandora’s Box

How did a multi-hour long show that consists of nothing more than a host talking about history ever become wildly popular? It’s got something to do with Dan Carlin.

He’s been called the king of long-form podcasting and “one of the greatest storytellers in the world”. His distinctive voice and style is one of the most instantly recognizable in the medium and with hundreds of millions of downloads, his shows are some of the most listened to podcasts of all time.

Carlin’s work weaves historical information with deep questions and Twilight Zone-style twists to help illustrate the power and continuing relevance of the past. Drama, extremes, empathy and vivid examples of both the highs and lows of humanity dominate the narrative. It’s a trademark mix of elements that has been entertaining listeners since 2005.

What others say about Dan

“If you listen to one episode, You’ll realize how absolutely stupendous and amazing Dan Carlin is“

“Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History is the world’s greatest podcast”

“One of the early pioneers in podcasting”

Carlin is, above all else, a skilled orator. He doesn’t interview guests or mix in audio effects. On his own, he dramatically narrates some of the most epic moments in human history with such color that Hollywood producers looking for new material ought to take notice.

“A virtuoso orator with a master’s feel for the rhythm of language“

“Dan Carlin is not a professional historian“

He is, however, one of the most gifted storytellers that your ears will ever encounter. He waxes lyrical about the darkest and most violent periods of humanity’s past with uninterrupted passion and drama, often for up to 4 hours at a time. The man is a yarn-spinning machine.

“This Podcast Tells the Stories High School History Class Forgot“

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Upcoming Events

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Atlanta Symphony Hall
August 1st 2025
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Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
August 2nd 2025
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Paramount Theatre
August 15th 2025
Houston, TX
Cullen Performance Hall
August 16th 2025

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Real Time With Bill Maher

Panelists Max Brooks and Dan Carlin join Bill Maher to discuss the impact . . .(Originally aired June 2021)

Talks at Google

The New Golden Age of Oral Historical Storytelling | Dan Carlin | Talks at Google

Dan at Harvard

A Hardcore Conversation With Hardcore History’s Dan Carlin at Harvard’s Sound Education 2018

Dan at Stanford

Part of the 2017-2018 Media Innovators Speakers series, organized by the Brown Institute for Media Innovation. Recorded on the campus of Stanford University on 11 October 2017.

World War 1, a century later

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated 100 years ago Saturday, which was the event that triggered World War I. Dan Carlin, host of the podcast “Hardcore History,” joins “CBS This Morning Saturday” to talk about the important day in human history.

Making Of | War Remains: Dan Carlin Presents an Immersive Memory

Podcast legend Dan Carlin, of Hardcore History, uses the power of virtual reality to transport audiences into one of the most extreme battlefields in history — The Western Front of the First World War. Viewers wear a wireless VR headset…

Variety: Does Dan Carlin Know Historical Lines from His Podcast?

Hardcore History podcaster Dan Carlin explains how he started the podcast, his process when making episodes and, ultimately, why history is important, while he guesses quotes from his most famous podcasts. . .

Dan Carlin, Hardcore History Podcaster, is CU Boulder Commencement Speaker 2020

Watch Dan Carlin speak at CU Boulder’s virtual commencement 2020, with introduction by Chancellor Philip DiStefano. This speech was recorded remotely in Carlin’s home.