- 15
- Episodes
- 45
- Ratings
- 2025
- First episode
About Central Marc
Every week, Central Marc dives into alternative history and what-if scenarios across a broad range of subjects where a scenario is worked out that is provided by you, the listener. We dive into the forces shaping our world from central global topics in world history to niche stories, this podcast brings a fresh perspective and a dash of humor to navigate the world's complexities. Perfect for curious minds eager to explore the trends, ideas, and stories behind the history. Hosted by Marc Houben, a Dutchmen with background in history, economics, and business strategy. Living in NYC.
- Publisher
- Marc Houben
- Category
- history
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 31 Jan 2025
- Latest episode
- 22 May 2025
Latest episodes
15 episodes in the feed.
22 May 2025
#15 Unreal Oranje | The Glorious Revolution: What If The Revolution Never Happened? [Part 2]
📜 Episode Summary: Episode fifteen. Exploring the transformative impact of the Glorious Revolution. Delving into how this pivotal event reshaped governance, influenced national budgets, and even set the stage for modern democratic principles. Discover why historical figures like Hugo de Groot and Spinoza might have been less prominent without this revolution's influence on enlightenment thought. Uncover the intricacies of potential alternate histories, such as the implications if different candidates had ascended to power or how Anglo-French absolutism might have dominated global politics, influencing empires like China and Russia. The discussion also touches on the revolution's influence on the American War of Independence, linking its democratic ideals and the Bill of Rights to the founding fathers' motivations. 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) | Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
16 May 2025
#14 Unreal Oranje | The Glorious Revolution [Part 1]
📜 Episode Summary: Episode fourteen. The Glorious Revolution—arguably the most pivotal moment in British and Dutch history. From the fallout of the English Civil War to the rise of William of Orange, we explore how religion, monarchy, and geopolitics collided in 17th-century Europe. You’ll learn why William’s Dutch fleet landed in Devon, how he used PR and pamphlets to take power without bloodshed, and why this so-called “revolution” might actually have been an invasion. We trace the rise of parliamentary democracy, the founding of the Bank of England, and how this episode set the stage for the British Empire and Enlightenment thought. Was it truly glorious? Or just politically convenient branding? Tune in for part one of this two-part historical deep dive. 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) | Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
1 May 2025
#13 Unreal Oranje | What If Tulip Mania Never Wilted? Golden Age Crypto Bros.
📜 Episode Summary: Episode thirteen. Crypto bros of the Golden Age. What if tulips never wilted and futures never failed? In this alternate timeline, the Dutch Golden Age surges onward—powered by flowers. We explore a Netherlands where the tulip market never crashed, William of Orange builds a financial superpower, and Amsterdam becomes the world’s Wall Street. From bulb-backed marriages to the VOC’s unchecked expansion into Asia and America, this is the story of a floral empire that rewrote capitalism. 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) | Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
24 Apr 2025
#12 Falklands Unwritten | SAS Raids & Prince Andrew in Patagonia
📜 Episode Summary: Episode twelve. This episode of Falklands Unwritten unpacks the key events of the 1982 Falklands War—Argentina’s invasion, Britain’s rapid naval response, and major turning points like the sinking of the Belgrano and HMS Sheffield. We examine Operation Black Buck, special forces raids, and the strategic role of Ascension Island. Then we dive into counterfactual scenarios: What if the UK had invaded mainland Argentina? Could NATO have been triggered? How might Soviet support or a Chile-Argentina conflict have changed the outcome? A detailed, timeline-driven exploration of both real and alternate history. 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) | Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
10 Apr 2025
#11 Falklands Unwritten | Before the First Shot
📜 Episode Summary: Episode eleven. In this first episode of Falklands counterfactuals we unpack the deep historical roots, competing colonial claims, and messy geopolitical context that led to the Falklands War. From Dutch navigators and Spanish treaties to Margaret Thatcher’s garbage-strewn Britain and Argentina’s brutal junta, we trace the story before the shooting started. Why did Argentina invade in 1982? Why didn’t NATO respond? Could Britain have lost the Falklands—and what if it never fought back at all? Featuring Maradona, sheep flags, and naval blunders, this episode lays the groundwork for the explosive “what if” scenarios to come. 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
4 Apr 2025
#10 1066 Odds: What If The Vikings Won Stamford Bridge | Viking Series
📜 Episode Summary: Episode ten. Featuring Louis Eastwood. What if Harald Hardrada’s Vikings triumphed at Stamford Bridge in 1066? Explore an alternate England divided between Viking North and Norman South, shaping history without the Hundred Years’ War or traditional English-French rivalry. Would England embrace Scandinavian governance, language, and culture? Discover how a Norse victory could redefine medieval geopolitics, influence the Great Schism, and even impact colonial America. From Viking legends to medieval power struggles, dive deep into a fascinating scenario where history pivots dramatically, with legendary conquerors Harald Hardrada and William the Conqueror facing off for control of Britain’s destiny. Who would you bet on in 1066? Viking Rommel, Medieval Napoleon, or Boris Johnson? 📚Recommended Reading: “1066: The Year of the Conquest” by David Howarth 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
25 Mar 2025
#9 Vinland Rises: What If The Vikings Stayed in America? | Viking Series
📜 Episode Summary: Episode nine. Featuring Louis Eastwood. In this first-ever co-hosted episode with Louis Eastwood, we explore Norse settlers in Vinland, Indigenous alliances, and a radically different North America. From Leif Erikson to native diplomacy, Viking ships to canoes, we dive into the real Norse sagas. Could a Norse-Native superpower have risen? Would Leif replace Columbus? Axes, myths, and mayhem await in this bold reimagining of America’s forgotten first colony. 📚Recommended Reading: The Saga of Greenlanders and The Saga of Erik the Red 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
15 Mar 2025
#8 The City That Stood Still: What If San Francisco Never Shook in 1906?
📜 Episode Summary: Episode eight. In 1906, San Francisco was on the rise—a booming metropolis, the financial heart of the West Coast, and a gateway to the Pacific. Then the earthquake struck, leveling the city and reshaping its future overnight. But what if the disaster never happened? In this episode, we explore an alternate timeline where San Francisco never fell. Would it have overtaken New York as America’s financial capital? The quake that rewrote history—reversed. 📚 Recommended Reading: San Francisco’s Earthquake: The Disaster That Built a City (Simon Winchester, 2023) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Goodpods 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky | Instagram ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
2 Mar 2025
#7 The Cosmic Prison: What If We Never Explored Space?
📜 Episode Summary: Episode seven. What if humanity never looked up? No satellites, no Moon landing, no Star Wars—just an Earthbound existence. In this episode, we unravel how space exploration shaped technology, culture, and even our view of life itself. From ancient geocentrism to the modern Space Age, we explore what we’d lose without telescopes, GPS, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Would we be stuck in a smaller, more superstitious world? Would sci-fi even exist? What industries would have thrived instead? And without the Pale Blue Dot perspective, would we even care about Earth’s fragility? 📚Recommended Reading: Orbital (Samantha Harvey, 2023) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
23 Feb 2025
#6 The Star Spangled Batter: What If Cricket Had Beaten Baseball? America’s Lost Cricket Empire.
📜 Episode Summary: Episode six. Before baseball ruled the U.S., cricket was king. George Washington played it, Abraham Lincoln had his own bat, and in 1844, the U.S. and Canada faced off in the world’s first international sports match. So why did cricket fade while baseball became “America’s pastime”? In this episode, we break down the forgotten rivalry: How war, nationalism, and media pushed baseball ahead. What if the U.S. had embraced a T20-style format before the Civil War? The missed billion-dollar opportunity—how American cricket could have shaped global sports. Could a National Cricket League (NCL) have coexisted with MLB, the NFL, NHL, and NBA? 📚Recommended Reading: Howdy or howzat? When USA and Canada made cricket history in 1844 (Andy Bull, the Guardian, 2024) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
17 Feb 2025
#5 House of the Red Dragon: What If Wales Had Defeated England?
📜 Episode Summary: Fifth episode. In 1282, Wales stood on the brink of history. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last Prince of Wales, fought to keep his nation independent against the relentless expansion of Edward I. His defeat reshaped Welsh identity, law, and governance for centuries. But what if Wales had won? This episode explores the real history of the Welsh resistance, the brutal conquest, and the legal transformation under English rule. 📚Recommended Reading: The Prince of Wales: What Everybody Gets Wrong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_AP3Z6KvkM) (Cambrian Chronicles) BBC - Welsh History (https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history) Edward I’s Conquest of Wales (Sean Davies, 2017) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092) Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265)Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300)Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
9 Feb 2025
#4 The Crop That Scaled Civilization: What If The Potato Never Reached Europe?
📜 Episode Summary: Fourth episode. This episode uncovers how one crop scaled entire countries, and led to massive urbanization and population growth; also attempting to find some modern parallels. The Potato King, Potato Vodka & the Irish Famine. 📚Recommended Reading: The Potato's Contribution to Population and Urbanization: Evidence From A Historical Experiment (Nathan Nunn & Nancy Qian, 2011) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092) Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265)Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion: (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300)Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
6 Feb 2025
#3 Why are New Yorkers and the Dutch both so direct? [Part 3, Q&A]
📜 Episode Summary: Third episode. The final one on Dutch NYC, where we answer questions from listeners on directness, sports culture, unique facts, comparison with Londoners & the port. 📚 Recommended Reading: De Tawl: Hoe de Nederlandse taal (Bijna) Amerika veroverde (Philip Dröge, 2023) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGQl0J8ZkQI&t=47s) link to Pella Dutch example 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify (#), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion:Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
31 Jan 2025
#2 New York’s Forgotten Dutch Past: What If NYC Had Stayed New Amsterdam? [Part 2]
📜 Episode Summary: Second episode. Where we focus on the economical and cultural developments in Dutch NYC. 📚 Recommended Reading: Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 (Mike Wallace & Edwin Burrows, 1998) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify (#), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion:Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
31 Jan 2025
#1 New York’s Forgotten Dutch Past: What If NYC Had Stayed New Amsterdam? [Part 1]
📜 Episode Summary: Pilot episode. Discussing the first statement: how would New York City have developed if it had stayed under Dutch rule, the lost story of New Amsterdam. 📚 Recommended Reading: The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America (Russell Shorto, 2005) 🎙️ Like this episode? 👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify (#), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/central-marc/id1793839092), and Goodpods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/central-marc-627265) 📲 Join the Discussion:Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/centralmarc.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/centralmarc) ⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser (https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/central-marc-5980300) * The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 3 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 42 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 61
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 51
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