Retropod

The Washington Post

Retropod is a show for history-lovers, featuring stories about the past, rediscovered. Host Mike Rosenwald introduces you to history’s most colorful characters - forgotten heroes, overlooked villains, dreamers, explorers, world changers.

Last refreshed: January 3rd, 2026 at 4:41 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

All the president's ghosts

Whether you believe in this stuff or not, the many accounts that have spilled out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue over two centuries give ghosts an undeniable place in the country’s history.

Feb 19, 2018•4 min

Don't mess with Harriet Tubman

She was just 5 feet tall. There was once a $40,000 bounty on her head. She suffered seizures throughout her life. She never gave up. She never gave in.

Feb 16, 2018•5 min

When Olympic silver beats gold

Ski jumping involves flying more than 800 feet in the air and then landing on two feet, without dying. Where on earth did this sport come from?

Feb 15, 2018•5 min

The most romantic day

From all over the country, couples rushed to Las Vegas to get married. The demand for quickie weddings was at a fever pitch. But it wasn't Cupid's arrow causing the frenzy. It was the Vietnam War.

Feb 14, 2018•4 min

The best birthday card ever

In 1926, the United States received a birthday card signed by 5.5 million Polish people.

Feb 13, 2018•3 min

What hath God wrought?

The history of social media began in 1844, when Samuel F.B. Morse sent a message from Washington to Baltimore. It said, "What hath God wrought?"

Feb 12, 2018•4 min

Introducing 'Retropod'

Preview The Washington Post's newest daily podcast, a show about the past, rediscovered. Subscribe now to get the first episode when it launches February 12.

Feb 07, 2018•4 min

← Prev

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android