I’ve been on a bit of a podcast binge lately – truthfully, I’ve always loved diving deep into longform storytelling series that can be used to peel through layers of history.

Plus, podcasts, unlike an audiobook, come in bite-sizes (typically at least- *stares at Dan Carlin*) and are perfect for the short drive, the walk to work, or while working around the house.

For me, there’s nothing better than tuning into a well-researched show that illuminates a topic I only half-knew about. And that’s exactly the case with my favorite podcast over the last month: The Troubles Podcast by Oisin Feeney.

If you haven’t explored this angle of modern history yet, “The Troubles” refers to the conflict in Northern Ireland that spanned from the late 1960s to the 1990s and continues to reverberate today – a multifaceted clash rooted in political, social, and religious tensions.

This was more than just a localized, low-grade civil war. The conflict had profound implications across Europe and influenced guerrilla tactics and terrorism worldwide in the latter half of the 20th century.

One of my favorite episodes of the show takes a historian’s lens to the conflict: “The Provisional IRA in the Republic of Ireland” with Gearóid Ó Faoleán. Here’s Feeney’s description of the episode:

“We talked about the Republic of Ireland’s response to the growth of the Provisional IRA and how they dealt with the rise of Republicanism. We talk about how the IRA made explosives, whether they helped or hindered the heroin epidemic in Dublin, how Republicanism and class have changed over the decades and a lot more.”

I really enjoyed this conversation as it thoughtfully examines why events unfolded the way they did, and what motivated the pivotal decisions that shaped the conflict, one that left more than 3,500 people dead over the decades.

What I also love about The Troubles Podcast are the long-form interviews with people who actually lived through the conflict – individuals who fought in pitched gunbattles, survived bombings, or reported on the events as journalists. Hearing their stories firsthand truly brings the history to life in a way that textbooks often can’t. Feeney brings an oral history angle to the podcast and it provides a valuable personal perspective to the show.

For those of you looking to understand a modern conflict that reshaped an entire region – and, by extension, the methods of insurgencies and counterterrorism worldwide – I highly recommend giving The Troubles Podcast a listen.

Check out the full series at The Troubles Podcast.

Let me know what you think – I’d love to hear your thoughts or any podcasts you might recommend!

And if you’re still here – check out our Public History podcast with stories and fun interviews with public historians from across the US.

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