Revisionist History

Back to Home
Revisionist History artwork
Society & Culture
History

by Pushkin Industries

Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance. To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

20 episodes summarized

Episodes

Introducing The News from Scene on Radio

Introducing The News from Scene on Radio

BONUS

<p>Scene on Radio is a two-time Peabody-nominated podcast that dares to ask big, hard questions about who we are&mdash;really&mdash;and how we got this way. Their new season, The News, asks: what&rsquo;s really wrong with the news? Some have called the news media the oxygen of a functioning democracy. But if that&rsquo;s true, America&rsquo;s lungs are in rough shape. Most Americans say they don&rsquo;t trust the media. The business model for local journalism has all but collapsed. And we all know about the barrage of misinformation that flows from our splintered mediascape. You can&rsquo;t separate the state of our news media from the other profound crises that America keeps on failing to solve. John Biewen explores the roots of this crises. Here's episode 1. Find <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scene-on-radio/id1036276968">The News, from Scene on Radio</a>, wherever you get podcasts.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

June 4, 202642:03
The Great American Elevator Tragedy | The Mistakes Series

The Great American Elevator Tragedy | The Mistakes Series

FULL

<p>A single line of a building code proposal filled out by a fire inspector in Glendale, Arizona has had a devastating impact on the way housing is built across the entire United States. Malcolm enlists Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the Center for Building in North America, to investigate.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

May 28, 202626:08
James Fleming’s Impossible Vietnam War Rescue | From Medal of Honor

James Fleming’s Impossible Vietnam War Rescue | From Medal of Honor

BONUS

<p>This July 4th marks the 250th Anniversary of America&mdash;250 years of rebellion and innovation, of struggle and survival. At many times, our American experiment looked like it could fall apart at the seams. When you look closely at those moments, it was ordinary people who kept it all together. In thew new season of Medal of Honor, our podcast about courage, leadership, identity, and sacrifice, we&rsquo;re telling the stories of some of those people. People like James Fleming. In 1968, in the dense jungles of Vietnam, a team of Green Berets was pinned down by an overwhelming North Vietnamese Army force. Their last hope was a young Air Force pilot named James Fleming. Despite being low on fuel and facing a wall of enemy fire, Fleming refused to turn back. The rescue mission seemed destined to fail, but a split-second decision would earn Fleming the nation&rsquo;s highest military honor.</p> <p>Binge the full season of Medal of Honor, ad-free, with a Pushkin+ subscriptions. Sign up on the Medal of Honor show page in <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medal-of-honor-stories-of-courage/id1751303783">Apple</a> or at <a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/join-pushkin">Pushkin.fm/plus</a> and use the code MOH25 for 25% off an annual subscription.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

May 22, 202631:08
The Trust Diagnosis

The Trust Diagnosis

FULL

<p>The episode centers on the dilemma of a man with an advanced, metastatic case of prostate cancer. His name is Dan. Every doctor he spoke to had a different opinion on what he should do &mdash; or whether it was even worth doing anything at all. His question was: which of these many opinions should I trust? The episode centers on which doctor he ended up committing to, how he made that decision of where to place his trust, and how his choice probably saved his life. What Dan will explain &mdash; and he is someone who has spent his life as a crisis communications specialist &mdash; is that trust only comes at the end of a careful and intentional process.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

May 21, 202639:09
The Blackberry Problem | The Mistakes Series

The Blackberry Problem | The Mistakes Series

FULL

<p>Jim Balsillie, the one time co-CEO of Research in Motion, reflects on the mistake that led to the downfall of Blackberry, once named the fastest growing company in the world.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

May 14, 202632:56
The Worst Poet in the World | From Cautionary Tales

The Worst Poet in the World | From Cautionary Tales

BONUS

<p>In light of our current series on mistakes, we're sharing an episode from <a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/cautionary-tales"><em>Cautionary Tales</em></a>&mdash;a podcast that&rsquo;s all about mistakes and what we can learn from them. This story is about a poet&mdash;some say the worst poet in the world&ndash;William McGonagall. McGonagall's works were full of jarring meter, banal imagery, and awkward rhymes. They made him a laughing stock in 19th Century Scotland and are still derided to this day.</p> <p>What can we learn from such a disastrous poet? And it is possible we&rsquo;ve misunderstood McGonagall all along?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>We'll be back with a new mistake next week.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

May 7, 202641:21
Why Would I Do That to Jennifer Lopez? | The Mistakes Series

Why Would I Do That to Jennifer Lopez? | The Mistakes Series

FULL

<p>Years ago a music producer named Irv Gotti&ndash;a hitmaker for Jay-Z, Ja Rule, and Ashanti&ndash;was tapped by Sony Music to make a record with Jennifer Lopez. They wanted a big hit. And Irv delivered. But then he made the biggest mistake of his career.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

April 30, 202631:02
A Tragedy in Texas | The Mistakes Series

A Tragedy in Texas | The Mistakes Series

FULL

<p>General David Goldfein, former Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, and Dr. Heather Wilson, former Secretary of the Air Force, tell the story of the worst day in their professional careers and what it taught them about leadership.&nbsp;</p> <p><br>You can find their book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/get-back-up-lessons-in-servant-leadership-unabridged/id1844712173"><em>Get Back up: Lessons in Servant Leadership</em></a>, here.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

April 23, 202629:49
The Shawshank Redemption | From What Went Wrong

The Shawshank Redemption | From What Went Wrong

BONUS

<p>We've just begun our series around mistakes and last week, you heard Michael Lynton, former head of Sony Pictures Entertainment, share how he found himself at the center of one of the most devastating corporate hacks in history. This week, we're sharing a preview of another podcast that looks at notorious Hollywood mistakes and the difficulties of movie-making, What Went Wrong. The Shawshank Redemption is the highest rated movie on IMDb. It&rsquo;s held that position for nearly as long as the site has existed, yet its history is far more troubled than most people know. Hosts Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer explore the journey the movie took from big screen disappointment to near universally beloved American classic. Find more episodes of <a href="https://apple.co/4cvP0on">What Went Wrong</a> wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

April 21, 20261:29:30
The Sony Hack: Mistakes Part 1

The Sony Hack: Mistakes Part 1

FULL

<p>The former head of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Michael Lynton, tells Malcolm about a time he made a really big mistake: greenlighting a film that would lead to an international incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>You can learn more about Michael Lynton and Josh Steiner&rsquo;s book,&nbsp;<em>From Mistakes to Meaning</em>, <a href="https://apple.co/3Qq8m6S">here</a>.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

April 16, 202630:15
Richard Pryor: The Story We Got Wrong | From Big Lives

Richard Pryor: The Story We Got Wrong | From Big Lives

BONUS

<p>Richard Pryor redefined comedy by telling the truth, even when it scorched him. And today, we&rsquo;re sharing a preview of a new podcast, <a href="https://apple.co/4saWuDN">Big Lives</a>, and a special episode about Pryor. Every week on Big Lives, hosts Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to explore the story behind the icons who shape our culture&mdash;trailblazers like David Bowie, George Michael, Muhammed Ali, and Tina Turner&mdash;and better understand how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape. In this preview, Kai and Emmanuel look at how Richard Pryor rose from a Peoria, Illinois brothel to become a comedic great, only to then wrestle with racism, fame, desire, and self‑destruction.</p> <p>If you like what you hear,&nbsp;<a href="http://lnk.to/BigLivesRH">find more episodes of Big Lives wherever you get podcasts.</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

April 9, 202643:17
Behind the Scenes with Andrew Jarecki

Behind the Scenes with Andrew Jarecki

FULL

<p>Since Andrew Jarecki&rsquo;s latest documentary <em>The Alabama Solution</em> debuted on HBO, it has stunned viewers with a story about a group of men seeking justice. The film shows the egregious abuse and systemic failure of Alabama&rsquo;s prison system, largely through footage shot by incarcerated men on contraband cellphones.</p> <p>In this conversation, Malcolm sits down with Andrew Jarecki to discuss the making of the Oscar-nominated film and how it resonates with The Alabama Murders, the seven episode series <em>Revisionist History</em> released last year.&nbsp;</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

March 26, 20261:00:49
Zootopia Exposed! (Part Two)

Zootopia Exposed! (Part Two)

FULL

<p>Did Disney make an anti-Disney movie? Ben and Malcolm engage in a bit of literary sleuthing to find out.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

March 12, 202631:11
Zootopia Exposed! (Part One)

Zootopia Exposed! (Part One)

FULL

<p>Screenwriter Gary Goldman claims the creators of the Disney franchise <em>Zootopia</em> stole his story. Malcolm investigates.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

March 5, 202631:37
From Valley of Shadows: The Devil's Punchbowl

From Valley of Shadows: The Devil's Punchbowl

BONUS

<p>Valley of Shadows is a new Pushkin true crime podcast that digs into a nearly 30-year old secret buried in the California desert. On June 11, 1998, Los Angeles County Sheriff&rsquo;s Department deputy Jon Aujay went for a run in California&rsquo;s Devil&rsquo;s Punchbowl park...and never came back. Nearly 30 years later, the mystery surrounding his disappearance has only deepened. Some say Aujay is just another missing hiker, claimed by the inhospitable landscape of the Southern California desert. Some say he took his own life out there. But there&rsquo;s another theory that many of Aujay&rsquo;s friends and LASD colleagues are convinced is true&mdash;that he was the victim of foul play, and that his own department is covering it up. Through exclusive interviews, revealing wiretaps, and buried police files, investigative reporters Hayley Fox and Betsy Shepherd uncover vestiges of the Wild West in a small California town, where outlaw biker gangs crank out methamphetamine and local cops operate on both sides of the law.</p> <p>Find <a href="https://apple.co/3YVCw3a">Valley of Shadows</a> wherever you get podcasts.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

February 26, 202647:11
The Big Birthday Party

The Big Birthday Party

FULL

<p>Despite his disdain for birthdays, Malcolm finds himself celebrating ten years of <em>Revisionist History</em> by looking back on the making of the show with producers past and present. And, of course, his mother.</p> <p>(00:03:40) <a href="https://apple.co/402OCaW">- Season 1, Episode 5: Food Fight</a></p> <p>(00:05:20) <a href="https://apple.co/46IatrW">- Season 6, Episode 10: The Dog Will See You Now</a></p> <p>(00:06:12) <a href="https://apple.co/3O9cGGG">- Season 2, Episode 4: The Foot Soldier of Birmingham</a></p> <p>(00:06:17) <a href="https://apple.co/4af6dmg">- Season 9, Episode 5: Guns Part 5: The Footnote</a></p> <p>(00:06:23) <a href="https://apple.co/4kwsZcJ">- Season 11, Episode 9: Hitler's Olympics, Part 9: A Plague on Both Your Houses.</a></p> <p>(00:06:30) <a href="https://apple.co/3MEPy2h">- Season 14, Episode 1: The Alabama Murders - Part 1: The True Church</a></p> <p>(00:17:06) <a href="https://apple.co/4qC5dNP">- Season 1, Episode 6: My Little Hundred Million</a></p> <p>(00:19:10) <a href="https://apple.co/46MDcvM">- Season 3, Episode 10: Analysis, Parapraxis, Elvis</a></p> <p>(00:25:35) <a href="https://apple.co/3O9yiCJ">- Season 11, Episode 6: Hitler's Olympics, Part 6: The Jiggle &amp; the Giddy Up</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

February 12, 202632:00
Invisible Infrastructure with T-Mobile for Business

Invisible Infrastructure with T-Mobile for Business

FULL

<p>A journalist reporting from some far-flung remote location. A massive blackout. Ticketless entry to a huge sporting event.&nbsp;Behind some of the most technologically complex scenarios is a network making it possible to connect.&nbsp;</p> <p>Malcolm sits down with Mo Katibeh, the Chief Marketing Officer for T-Mobile for Business, Guy Griggs, the CNN Senior Vice President of Ad Sales and Client partnerships, and Siemens Energy Senior Vice President Steve Douglas to learn more about this invisible infrastructure. This episode is brought to you in partnership with T-Mobile for Business, and recorded live at the iHeart Studios in New York City.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

January 29, 202643:46
Malcolm Gladwell Doesn't Mind Being Wrong | From Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know

Malcolm Gladwell Doesn't Mind Being Wrong | From Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know

FULL

<p>Malcolm recently went on the podcast of one of his favorite comedians, Hasan Minhaj. He enjoyed the experience so much, he wanted to share the conversation with you! Enjoy. </p> <p>On Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know, the two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian sits down with the biggest names in politics, culture, and tech with questions that are as thought-provoking as they are absurd. It&rsquo;s a dumb show for curious people who are looking for answers but can&rsquo;t find them, not even from their host. Because, ultimately, Hasan Minhaj Doesn&rsquo;t Know!<br><br>Find more episodes of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hasan-minhaj-doesnt-know/id1756014574">Hasan Minhaj Doesn&rsquo;t Know</a> wherever you get podcasts.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

December 30, 20251:02:56
How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab

How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab

BONUS

<p>According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, but can also hugely boost your happiness. So we're teaming up with other podcasts from Hidden Brain to Revisionist History to ask you to give to a charity helping some of the poorest people around. We're calling it #PodsFightPoverty.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>Go to <a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/happinesslab2025/">givedirectly.org/happinesslab</a> right now and give whatever you can. And the first $500,000 we donate will be matched thanks to our friends at&nbsp;<a href="https://givingmultiplier.org/">Giving Multiplier</a>!</p> <p>Even a small donation will make you feel good and have a much larger impact on the world than you thought possible. To help inspire you, this special episode examines the science of giving and shares stories of heartwarming and impactful acts of kindness.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

December 2, 202547:42S14
Introducing Business History: How Free Whisky, Hot Pants and Low Fares Led to Southwest's Success

Introducing Business History: How Free Whisky, Hot Pants and Low Fares Led to Southwest's Success

BONUS

<p>Today, we're sharing a new podcast from Pushkin Industries we think you'll enjoy. Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the archives of commerce and finance. <br><br>Jacob and Robert explore how Southwest revolutionized flying by offering free whisky, cheap late-night tickets and free-for-all seating allocation. Their winning formula forced Southwests' competitors to change how they did business&mdash;but then the Southwest model fell apart.</p> <p>Find Business History (00:10) on <a href="https://apple.co/4nuRrLg">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0eCqHmuyMoj8NXXFHP6wIi?si=b69941e775e54aba">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessHistoryPod">YouTube</a> or wherever you get podcasts.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

November 19, 202553:16S14