Hosted by former history teachers Thomas Reszka and Peter Zablocki, this monthly podcast brings the past into the present through lively, unscripted conversations on history, politics, pop culture, and education. It's the kind of discussion you wish every classroom had—smart, approachable, and just unpredictable enough to keep you hooked. No lectures. No jargon. Just great history, well told.
Talking about History's Greatest Acts of Diplomacy
What was the greatest act of diplomacy in world history?
Was it Richard Nixon opening relations with Communist China? The Camp David Accords? The Congress of Vienna rebuilt Europe after Napoleon. Or the tense backchannel negotiations that helped prevent nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
In the first new episode of History Teachers Talking in two years, Peter and Tom dive into the diplomatic moves that reshaped the world—sometimes quietly, sometimes dramatically, and sometimes without firing a single shot.
From Cold War maneuvering and secret negotiations to overlooked "teacher flex" moments like the Helsinki Accords and the Dayton Accords, this episode explores how diplomacy has ended wars, prevented catastrophes, and changed the course of history.
Because sometimes the most important victories in history happened around a table… not on a battlefield.
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1 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Talking about History's Greatest Comebacks
After a two-year hiatus, Peter and Tom return to the microphones to dive into one of history's most compelling themes: comebacks. From political resurrections to military turnarounds, from personal redemption stories to moments when everything seemed lost—only to be reclaimed—this episode explores the figures and events that prove history is rarely final.
But this isn't just about Napoleon escaping exile or nations rising from collapse. It's also about the idea that history moves in cycles—and sometimes, so do we.
In a conversation that feels just like sitting back in the classroom with your favorite teachers, Peter and Tom reflect on legendary second acts, unexpected reversals, and what these stories reveal about resilience, leadership, and timing.
And fittingly, this episode marks a comeback of its own: History Teachers Talking returns under the History Shorts Network, bringing the same light-hearted, insightful, and engaging discussion you remember—just with a few more stories (and maybe a few more gray hairs).
Because in history, the best stories aren't just about the rise… they're about the return.
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2 May 2024
Talking about American POWs
Most Americans who have been prisoners of war are ordinary people who have been placed in extraordinary circumstances by no planning of their own. Join us as we run through the history of American POWs throughout all of our conflicts.
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Inside a recent episode
Talking about History's Greatest Acts of Diplomacy
Published 13 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And Nixon kind of uses this as a way because there was some good feelings there to go in. And even at the time, people are arguing like, was this more about peace or is it about power? Like, are we really trying to become peaceful with China or is it about getting... kind of like, you know, stealing China away from the Soviet Union. So there's definitely Cold War politics. Yeah, 100%. But it definitely shaped today's global economy. Can you imagine the US and China not being trade partners in 2026? Like, it's just unfathomable. And it starts here. That's why this is such a game-changing diplomatic move. […]
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