Historical Blindness

694
History #189

Historical Blindness is a podcast about history’s myths, mysteries, and misconceptions. By examining cases of outrageous hoaxes, pernicious conspiracy theory, mass delusion, baffling mysteries and unreliable historiography, host Nathaniel Lloyd searches for insights into modern religious belief and political culture. 

Recent Episodes
  • Inalienable: Alien Enemies, the Great Writ, and Trump's Constitutional Crisis
    Jun 3, 2025 – 01:04:29
  • Gaslighter! Trump's Historical Distortions
    May 20, 2025 – 45:13
  • Tariff Men: A History of the US in Tariff Controversies
    May 6, 2025 – 48:18
  • Darkness Came: the Myths of Easter and Good Friday
    Apr 22, 2025 – 53:50
  • The Legend of Joan, Popess of Rome
    Apr 8, 2025 – 43:21
  • Empress Elagabalus
    Mar 25, 2025 – 57:32
  • The Erasure of Aspasia
    Mar 11, 2025 – 58:39
  • The Lincoln Legends - Part Four: Smoke and Fire
    Feb 25, 2025 – 52:37
  • The Lincoln Legends - Part Three: Puppet Masters and Masterminds
    Feb 11, 2025 – 54:58
  • The Lincoln Legends - Part Two: A Conspiracy, Simple or Grand
    Jan 28, 2025 – 54:34
  • The Lincoln Legends - Part One: Larger Than Life
    Jan 14, 2025 – 46:45
  • The Roots of the Christmas Tree (Another Very Historically Blind Xmas!)
    Dec 23, 2024 – 48:37
  • Patreon Release: A Very Shroomy Xmas!
    Dec 17, 2024 – 22:38
  • Special Presentation: Plodding Through the Presidents - Conspiracy Theories and the Corrupt Bargain with Mark Cheathem
    Dec 3, 2024 – 01:10:41
  • The Thanksgiving Union (Holiday Bonus Minisode)
    Nov 26, 2024 – 14:55
  • Jack the Ripper - Part Two: Ripperology
    Nov 19, 2024 – 55:47
  • Jack the Ripper - Part One: The Canonical Five
    Nov 5, 2024 – 50:46
  • Devil Books and Murder Ballads: The Myth of the Arch-Killer
    Oct 22, 2024 – 49:46
  • Special Presentation: Southern Gothic--The Forbidden Love of Annabel Lee
    Oct 14, 2024 – 51:42
  • Anthropophagi: The Myth of Cannibalism
    Oct 8, 2024 – 50:28
  • Slow-Motion Coup: Trump's Fake Electors Scheme
    Sep 24, 2024 – 56:25
  • The Looming Threat of Fascism - Part Two: The Beer Hall Putsch
    Sep 10, 2024 – 01:11:35
  • The Looming Threat of Fascism - Part One: The March on Rome
    Aug 27, 2024 – 01:09:59
  • Dänikenitis - Part Two: Human Chauvinism
    Aug 13, 2024 – 49:27
  • Dänikenitis - Part One: Wheels Within Wheels
    Jul 30, 2024 – 45:57
  • Ancient High Technology - Part Two: Electric Boogaloo
    Jul 23, 2024 – 51:46
  • Ancient High Technology - Part One: The Archimedean Spiral
    Jul 16, 2024 – 40:16
  • Pyramidiocy - Part Six: Pyramid Schemes
    Jul 9, 2024 – 01:13:23
  • Pyramidiocy - Part Five: The Curse of the Pharaohs
    Jul 2, 2024 – 46:56
  • Pyramidiocy - Part Four: Egyptomania
    Jun 25, 2024 – 40:18
  • Pyramidiocy - Part Three: The Book of Thoth
    Jun 18, 2024 – 43:13
  • Pyramidiocy - Part Two: The Pillars of Wisdom
    Jun 11, 2024 – 44:41
  • Pyramidiocy - Part One: Khufu's Tomb
    Jun 4, 2024 – 42:02
  • All Is Number: Pythagoras and Numerology (An Encyclopedia Grimoria Volume)
    May 28, 2024 – 50:20
  • Scatterbrained: The Bible Code Craze
    May 21, 2024 – 40:28
  • "An Idle and Most False Imposition"; The Shakespeare Authorship Question - Part Four: "The Truth Will Out."
    May 14, 2024 – 48:07
  • "An Idle and Most False Imposition"; The Shakespeare Authorship Question - Part Three: Oxford's Ghost
    May 7, 2024 – 39:30
  • "An Idle and Most False Imposition"; The Shakespeare Authorship Question - Part Two: The Baconian Heresy
    Apr 30, 2024 – 42:22
  • "An Idle and Most False Imposition"; The Shakespeare Authorship Question - Part One: Drama's God
    Apr 23, 2024 – 36:59
  • The Oak Island Scheme - Part Two: The Cursed Treasure Fraud feat. Dr. Sean Munger
    Apr 9, 2024 – 01:30:48
  • The Oak Island Scheme - Part One: The Legend of the Money Pit feat. Dr. Sean Munger
    Mar 26, 2024 – 01:00:31
  • Before Columbus - Part Two: False Claims
    Mar 12, 2024 – 01:01:25
  • Before Columbus - Part One: First Contact
    Feb 27, 2024 – 56:00
  • Introducing: Even the Royals
    Feb 22, 2024 – 07:31
  • West of Vinland: The Controversy of the Kensington Runestone
    Feb 13, 2024 – 45:03
  • The Lost Colony - Part Two: The Dare Stones (UPDATED and REMASTERED VERSION of episode 2)
    Feb 6, 2024 – 01:12:01
  • The Legend of the Bermuda Triangle - Part Two: Dead Reckoning
    Jan 30, 2024 – 45:04
  • The Lost Colony - Part One: The Secret Token (UPDATED VERSION of episode 1)
    Jan 23, 2024 – 52:46
  • The Legend of the Bermuda Triangle - Part One: A Watery Grave
    Jan 16, 2024 – 41:52
  • The Historical Jesus and the Myths of Christ Mythicism (Another Historically Blind Xmas Special!)
    Dec 25, 2023 – 58:16
Recent Reviews
  • DinoGramps
    Great
    Excellent in every respect!
  • 16934
    Unnecessary political rants
    I used to like the show but it seems like every one now contains a political rant that just isn’t relevant or needed. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I don’t need to hear it on every podcast
  • Tiffanyjclark
    Tariff Men
    This episode by far is one of my favorites, i appreciate the time you took to put facts together for this episode as well as all of your episodes. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to listen and hope in the future become a patriot member. Please sir keep up the great work!
  • ckmpbf
    Bold, knowledgeable, conscientious
    I appreciate that you’d take the flack to plainly call out modern fascists, without making it your whole thing. The bots and creatures will inevitably come for you for it, but they’re legitimately well argued episodes, whether you agree or not. Calling out the stupidest and most bankrupt beliefs of our time will never be well appreciated in its time, but it’s comforting to know that some people will do it anyway, because we need them to. Thank you for your work, your spine, and your commitment to intellectual honesty and self reflection. If we ever meet, I’ll buy you a beer. Or write a book - I’d buy that too.
  • robotunited
    great info. AI narration needs an upgrade
    All shows are packed with great info. the narration is… frustratingly slow, even at 1.25x. The over enunciation is difficult to listen to as well. Maybe a new narration-bot could be deployed.
  • Perma Link
    Not a Historian, but a lunatic
    Listened to a couple but was based on the man’s imagination throwing in terms comparing past and present that meant nothing of the same giving the time comparison he a lots too. I’m a Historian and this podcast is feeding his fantasy. I call this disturbed!
  • jdsmith7
    Severe TDS
    Pretty decent on a lot of things, but unlistenable due to severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
  • Tireauclair
    thinks Trump will win the 2024 election
    I check in every once in awhile to find out in which conspiracy theories the Left thinks the Right believes. I always learn something new; mostly that the left is afraid the right will win the election. They’re busy pumping out intense anti-Trump propaganda. I guess it’s nice to know that, according to the Democrats, the Republicans are winning.
  • VietSchlong
    Old, tired perspectives
    This is just your typical court-history stuff that you’ve heard a million times. Just watch the History Channel for these tired tales from a thoroughly leftist perspective.
  • Jad4guit
    Absolutely Riveting
    Just finished the JFK assassination podcast and found it well researched, interesting, and amazingly articulated . Keep up the good work!
  • Farmer Papa John
    Audio
    Is this voice AI. It has to be AI right?
  • Toon Link24
    I love it!
    I really enjoy this podcast. It's a great way to learn history without having to do the reading yourself and the stories are always interesting. I don't know if you already have an episode about it, but could you do one about the Lost City of Alantis. And do you believe it's in the middle of the Saraha desert?
  • ahahahayes
    Interesting ideas. Weird delivery.
    I do find a lot of your insights interesting. Dont always agree with your conclusions. You talk like you’re very angry, which is funny but is only listenable in small doses. Perhaps consider loosening up. Keep it up,nerd
  • PloddingThroughThePresidents
    Insightful and entertaining!
    I very much enjoy these passionate journeys to the truth!
  • JGT21872
    Fun history podcast
    Find out the truth about historical mysteries and hoaxes. Even when the truth lets it remain a mystery.
  • AJBPs memaw
    Refreshing
    I love this podcast! It is well researched and honest. Very in depth
  • tmzbrutus
    Full of ad hominem fallacy
    I listened to the tartaria episode and I was blown away by the lack of citations and ad hominem argument; eg how stupid and ignorant the people who believe in this nonsense are. I don’t believe one way or the other on the subject, and I was looking to hear a reason why it’s not plausible. Basically I take away from the episode “Tartaria doesn’t exist because the people who believe in it are too stupid and ignorant, to not no the real truth”. Side note, the CIA has a paper released, that states how the Bolsheviks erased it from history after taking power in Russia.
  • Benevolent Sociopath
    very entertaining
    Guaranteed to piss off a conspiracy theorist. And for this alone, I’d give it five stars. However, it is also informative and Very entertaining. Glad to see that the presenter is doing their part to promote critical thinking.
  • Vereiang
    Good podcast
    This is a very interesting podcast, the host definitely does a lot of research. The host colors most podcasts with his personal biases which can be annoying and off putting.
  • Thefanch
    Liberal garbage
    One-sided, unobjective, orange man bad garbage
  • david britannica xiv
    Outstanding
    Thought provoking, engaging, well researched. Deeply enjoyable and I highly suggest!
  • terminalwillness
    Good stuff!
    Very informative and well-researched exploration of various topics in history. My only complaint is that the host’s delivery of his material always sounds like a preamble to something that never comes.
  • Censord Reviewr
    Smart and engaging show
    This is a perfect podcast for listening to when doing all the mundane tasks life throws at you!
  • Toasty Puppy
    Listen to this podcast!
    Well researched and beautifully presented, Historical Blindness is one podcast I never miss!
  • Ddaedalus
    Topically Interesting but Filtered Through Opinion
    Sometime in the past, the exercise of writing history obliged the author to feign objectivity. This author doesn’t shy away from not only sharing his opinion but, more deleteriously, begins his research through a filter of sociopolitical beliefs. An example can be heard in the Gun Violence episode, in which the podcaster willingly conflates the possession of (assault) guns by whites with the disproprtionate deaths of Blacks by guns, suggesting a casual, if not direct relationship of the former killing the latter. In fact, these two phenomena are more nuanced, particularly when you look at who is killing Blacks and who is conducting mass-killings, and compare that with another fact that the podcaster evades, i.e. gun deaths in America. (Most gun deaths are not caused by mass-shootings). As a rational gun-control advocate, I found the historical information compelling, but the opinionated conclusion disingenuous and counter-productive to serious political debate, as the opinion ends in cul-de-sac of political ideology, rather than the historical elucidation that is full potential of writing about the past. This bias of this example, tragically, is ubiquitous throughout the show. Topically, I like what the podcaster focuses on, but would listen to it only for footnotes of where to begin serious historical research.
  • nahxybdvekandheube
    Well researched and beautifully presented
    Stumbled on this at the start of my summer work season and have not listened to anything else since. The wide range of topics all fit together well as well as having amazing audio quality. Nathaniel offers unbiased information by presenting all angles of a story and deeply analyzing presented information. If you listen and label Nathaniel as a left wing nut job you should consider asking your parents if you had lead paint growing up
  • 91gate
    Stumbled apon
    Felt like I needed to hear some history, searched history on apple podcast and your name piqued my curiosity. Really have enjoyed the episodes Ive listened to. Thanks.
  • Fix Siri!
    He said it right!
    People using all different kinds of social media have started using the term, “funnily enough”. I don’t care if you’re saying it ironically or not, that’s a thing stupid people say. The phrase is, “funny enough”. It’s a shame that praise needs to be giving to somebody for not saying it wrong but that where we are at as a culture so, thank you for not talking like a moron.
  • magiclike420
    Truth and a warning
    I love this podcast. To be fair, I share many of the same beliefs as the creator. Not so much politically (although I agree a lot with that as well), but more as a historian that appreciates someone who is working to connect the dots and help explain some of mystery behind the subject of history in an era of blinders and false news. Listen with an open mind, make your own decisions, and don’t be afraid of exposing yourself to ideas that are well-researched just because of your previous conceptions of the way things are/were. Please listen and give yourself a chance to enter a greater dialogue.
  • Bronson Bros.
    Leftist Trash
    A podcast full of conspiracy theory based lies and opinions passed off as truth. Obviously no research is done, unless it supports his leftist narrative. And be ready for a whopping dose of WOKENESS. The agenda here is obvious. Don’t waste your time! If you enjoy being led down a path of leftist lies and conjecture, this garbage is for you.
  • whi5key123
    Music too loud
    It’s distracting
  • comicaljunk
    Potential but garbage
    The podcast has potential. But the research for the episodes seem lacking. You’ll find a better podcasts elsewhere
  • Jane Hofman
    Learn Something New
    This podcast is extremely well presented and researched. It’s fairly unbiased - perhaps just left of center - and addresses topics few Americans really know much about. Take a listen…learn something!
  • Alphacadabra
    Pure sophistry
    Gaslighting and far left propaganda show for mid wit plebs. Topics sound great until you hear this sad shill’s opinions. Btw, I’m not religious and not a trump supporter, but this show does itself no favors by demonizing people’s politically incorrect opinions. Waste of time, this one is.
  • Reneehistory
    Enjoyable and informative
    This podcast is very informative and enjoyable.
  • RangerElk1977
    Left wing propagandist
    I started listening to this podcast a few months ago, really enjoyed a few, but when he did the Bonus Army pt1 episode it made me sick to my stomach. Especially the part where he quotes Rachael Maddox and comparing the Trump supporters as right wing nuts. That when I started questioning all his podcast episodes. This guy is a left wing ball sack supporter.
  • OuttaMyGourd
    Thank You!
    So happy I found this podcast! Thanks for doing such a great job and bringing us all such a wealth of knowledge…
  • AustinCynic
    Absolute Catnip
    Loving this podcast. As someone who loves to binge history, true crime & the unexplained depending on my mood, Historical Blindness offers all three—sometimes within a single episode.
  • Skateboard RN
    First episode
    I love this type of podcast. The background music is distracting. It completes with the speaker. I haven’t listened to episode 2 yet ,maybe it was fixed.
  • Icebergtce
    This is my all time favorite history podcast.
    Been listening since 2017!
  • johdru
    Waste of time
    Content has promise; however, Nathaniel is a lefty ideologue.
  • ba-mbu23
    Excellent and Informative
    This has been a thoroughly enjoyable podcast. Well-researched, broad ranging topics, stories, and myths that have never failed to get me thinking. It is biased towards the truth, and Mr. Lloyd does an excellent job of presenting multiple perspectives to arrive as close to the truth as is possible with forgotten and misunderstood historical occurrences. Highly recommended.
  • Nyarl de la Thotep
    Great podcast here
    It’s right wing ignorami that don’t appreciate this podcast because they choose to substitute facts for the whatever the horse crap they believe in this week. I’m satisfied with studying the world as it actually is so I like this podcast. Never be surprised by a clown’s stupid nose.
  • Martiniano
    Intelligent and Reasonable
    I love Historical Blindness for its intelligent reporting on historical events. If you are a lover of reason, critical thinking and unvarnished truth then this podcast is for you.
  • Vababeel04
    Great Topic. 0 personality.
    If you have insomnia this will be your cure. Absolutely no personality in the presentation. Love the topics but hard to listen to.
  • campiberger
    Informed with FACTS
    Crybaby right wing nut jobs are the only people giving this podcast 1 star. They love saying FACTS are leftist propaganda.
  • bobsunuffles
    Doesn’t tip toe around tough subjects
    I really appreciate your approach to history. I had listened to some other episodes but wondered how you would address darker points of American history. I have gotten so used to people addressing slavery like “yeah it happened, but that was the past”. After listening to 85 & 86 I had to leave a review with my thanks for talking about this issue head on. Since the election in 2016 I slowly lost a most of my non-black friends because issues in politics and history. And phrases that equate to “black people need to stop bringing up the past” came up to much. This podcast gave me hope that there still may be hope for America.
  • Twigs1123
    Suffering from its own historical blindness
    It’s a decent show depending on the topic, but if that topic crosses wires with today, expect Nathan to go insanely hyperbolic and hysteric in demonizing modern Republicans. I’m no conservative but I quite frankly do not care to have modern partisanship so overbearing in a podcast about things in the past. I came here to learn, not be lectured to. His JFK series is quite frankly one of the best, because he largely avoids falling into this pitfall.
  • Dr Miss Information
    Bias
    Very bias this is exactly the miss information that needs to be stoped
  • Jung MC
    Ablist title says it all
    When a podcaster can’t even name their podcast without employing bigoted language , something is seriously wrong
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.