The Anthems Podcast

About The Anthems Podcast

What's the story with national anthems? Well, that depends entirely on the anthem. From the wildly mundane to the historically significant and every what else. In each episode I'll tell the story of a song that helps to tell the story of a nation. The connections between them will be a surprise and if I've figured this out you will be entertained. Questions, comments complaints, and corrections (please tell me where I'm wrong!) can get to me at anthemspod@gmail.com or at +1 (203) 759-8375

Publisher

Patrick Maher

Category

education · history · music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Jan 2023

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

47 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   I Need Your Vote: Help Me Win TopHost and Turn Guest Spot into a Six‑Episode Deep Dive on Anthems

   The link to vote for me is at tophost.org/2026/patrick-maher Don't spend any money on it unless you're rich and doing that mysterious benefactor thing. That would actually be super cool.

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Kiribati and Kunan Kiribati

   Kunan Kiribati sits at the heart of a much larger story told by climate change and it's anthem might be forced to become part a cultural ark for people facing geographic extinction. The song is at a node where considerations of climate science, colonial history , and questions of legal and cultural continuity all collide. The anthem is reveals how 19th‑century evangelizing practices shaped language, literacy, and national forms of feeling even as they displaced indigenous sonic ecologies . I'm again faced with the limits of the amateur internet historian but can still tell you how this song is an effective national signal. I weave geology, international law anxieties, and cultural survival strategies into a single narrative because the song cannot be disentangled from the forces reshaping its homeland. This is a good one. asa-sea-level-team-examines-an-island-nation-at-risk/ (https://sealevel.nasa.gov/news/276/nasa-sea-level-team-examines-an-island-nation-at-risk/) https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GL085378 (https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GL085378) https://www.fkmaddison.com/fkmaddison/facts-about-kiribati/ (https://www.fkmaddison.com/fkmaddison/facts-about-kiribati/) https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1956/jun/14/conference-suva (https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1956/jun/14/conference-suva) https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/234124487?keyword=Ioteba%20Tamuera%20Uriam (https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/234124487?keyword=Ioteba%20Tamuera%20Uriam) https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/258170487?keyword=Ioteba%20Tamuera%20Uriam (https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/258170487?keyword=Ioteba%20Tamuera%20Uriam) https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-326941531/view?sectionId=nla.obj-335512189&searchTerm=pim+%281+february+1968%29+Top+post+for+outstanding+Gilbertese.&partId=nla.obj-326954292#page/n72/mode/1up (https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-326941531/view?sectionId=nla.obj-335512189&searchTerm=pim+%281+february+1968%29+Top+post+for+outstanding+Gilbertese.&partId=nla.obj-326954292#page/n72/mode/1up) https://globaltrumpeteducation.knight.domains/published/kunan-kiribati/ (https://globaltrumpeteducation.knight.domains/published/kunan-kiribati/) https://app.homeschoolhistory.com/resource/1751135884749x660381712742831400 (https://app.homeschoolhistory.com/resource/1751135884749x660381712742831400) https://kids.kiddle.co/Kunan_Kiribati (https://kids.kiddle.co/Kunan_Kiribati) https://www.paclii.org/ki/legis/num_act/nia1989197/index.html?__cf_chl_f_tk=QoMLvhu_t2HLhzCGMG2qAfYI4T3QmXv9pfd9mAzpggk-1783127339-1.0.1.1-Z8eN6WgQQEJLe.GDwajzVIiad9nDaQCNG7rVoI7Ej_8 (https://www.paclii.org/ki/legis/num_act/nia1989197/index.html?__cf_chl_f_tk=QoMLvhu_t2HLhzCGMG2qAfYI4T3QmXv9pfd9mAzpggk-1783127339-1.0.1.1-Z8eN6WgQQEJLe.GDwajzVIiad9nDaQCNG7rVoI7Ej_8) https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/kiribati (https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/kiribati) https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/biggest-islands-and-atolls-in-kiribati.html (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/biggest-islands-and-atolls-in-kiribati.html) https://www.paclii.org/ki/legis/num_act/nia1989197/ (https://www.paclii.org/ki/legis/num_act/nia1989197/) https://kiribatitourism.gov.ki/dive-with-us (https://kiribatitourism.gov.ki/dive-with-us) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Tiny-atoll-in-Pacific-cries-out-for-help/articleshow/3104328.cms (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Tiny-atoll-in-Pacific-cries-out-for-help/articleshow/3104328.cms) https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/monument_features/physical_atoll_formation.html (https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/monument_features/physical_atoll_formation.html) https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/media/supp_coral04a.html (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/media/supp_coral04a.html) https://books.google.com/books?id=bk8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA91#v=onepage&q&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=bk8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA91#v=onepage&q&f=false) https://web.archive.org/web/20131027120538/http://secondenlightenment.org/Christian%20Complicity.pdf (https://web.archive.org/web/20131027120538/http://secondenlightenment.org/Christian%20Complicity.pdf) https://academic.oup.com/reference/62333/reference-article-abstract/554075214?login=false&redirectedFrom=fulltext#554075214 (https://academic.oup.com/reference/62333/reference-article-abstract/554075214?login=false&redirectedFrom=fulltext#554075214) https://www.jstor.org/stable/20704325 (https://www.jstor.org/stable/20704325) https://web.archive.org/web/20110830021646/http://www.janeresture.com/tuvalu_davis/index.htm (https://web.archive.org/web/20110830021646/http://www.janeresture.com/tuvalu_davis/index.htm) https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/narrativeofunite05wilk (https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/narrativeofunite05wilk) Ellis, Albert F. (1935). Ocean Island and Nauru; Their Story. Sydney, Australia: Angus and Robertson, limited. https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/publications/ruining-pacific-islands-australias-phosphate-imperialism/ (https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/publications/ruining-pacific-islands-australias-phosphate-imperialism/) https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1956/jun/14/conference-suva (https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1956/jun/14/conference-suva) https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-326941531/view?partId=nla.obj-326954157#page/n71/mode/1up (https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-326941531/view?partId=nla.obj-326954157#page/n71/mode/1up) https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Statesman_s_Yearbook_2003/7XXQDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22anote+tong%22+minister+kiribati+1998+statesman+yearbook&pg=PA991&printsec=frontcover (https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Statesman_s_Yearbook_2003/7XXQDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22anote+tong%22+minister+kiribati+1998+statesman+yearbook&pg=PA991&printsec=frontcover) https://www.worldwar2facts.org/battle-of-tarawa.html (https://www.worldwar2facts.org/battle-of-tarawa.html) https://web.archive.org/web/20171202095641/https://www.islandstudies.ca/sites/islandstudies.ca/files/ISJ-7-1-2012-McIntyre.pdf (https://web.archive.org/web/20171202095641/https://www.islandstudies.ca/sites/islandstudies.ca/files/ISJ-7-1-2012-McIntyre.pdf) https://www.rawa.asia/ethno/MUSIC%20OF%20KIRIBATI%20%96%20SONG%20AND%20DANCE.htm (https://www.rawa.asia/ethno/MUSIC%20OF%20KIRIBATI%20%96%20SONG%20AND%20DANCE.htm) https://www.trussel.com/kir/s_hymn.htm (https://www.trussel.com/kir/s_hymn.htm) https://www.national-anthems.org/world.htm (https://www.national-anthems.org/world.htm) https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/kiribati-government-invests-in-2210-hectares/#:~:text=Kiribati%20Government%20invests%20in%202210%20hectares%20%2D%20The%20Fiji%20Times (https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/kiribati-government-invests-in-2210-hectares/#:~:text=Kiribati%20Government%20invests%20in%202210%20hectares%20%2D%20The%20Fiji%20Times).

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Bangladesh and Aamar Sonar Bangla

   We’re diving deep into Bangladesh in this episode, exploring the significance of the national anthem, "Amar Sonar Bangla." From its poetic roots to its role as a symbol of national identity, this anthem encapsulates the spirit of a country shaped by colonialism and the renaissance, not that one though. We'll be learning about a song that not only echoed the sentiments of an era but also resonated with the struggles and aspirations of the Bengali people. As we navigate through Bangladesh's history, we’ll uncover how geography, politics, and artistic expression intertwine to create a narrative that's as rich as the country itself. https://archive.org/details/records-indian-museum-23-001-096 (https://archive.org/details/records-indian-museum-23-001-096) https://web.archive.org/web/20210204222711/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/area/country-comparison/ (https://web.archive.org/web/20210204222711/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/area/country-comparison/) https://greatersundarbans.org/theme/conservation (https://greatersundarbans.org/theme/conservation) https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/panam-nagar (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/panam-nagar) https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c4grpv04p90o (https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c4grpv04p90o) Nitish Sengupta (2001). History of the Bengali-speaking People. UBS Publishers' Distributors. p. 211. ISBN 978-81-7476-355-6 https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B0 (https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B0) https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/560?__goaway_challenge=meta-refresh&__goaway_id=c19aa9ea4154a8b3c956014aafc839ce&__goaway_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2F (https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/560?__goaway_challenge=meta-refresh&__goaway_id=c19aa9ea4154a8b3c956014aafc839ce&__goaway_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2F) Ali, A. (1996). "Vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change and sea level rise through tropical cyclones and storm surges". Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 92 (1–2): 171–179. Bibcode:1996WASP...92..171A https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amar-Sonar-Bangla (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amar-Sonar-Bangla) https://www.google.com/books/edition/Awakening/QqtVC-IUu2QC?hl=en (https://www.google.com/books/edition/Awakening/QqtVC-IUu2QC?hl=en) Baxter, Craig (1997). Bangladesh: From A Nation to a State. Westview Press. pp. 24–25. ISBN 978-0-813-33632-9. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44478532 (https://www.jstor.org/stable/44478532) https://www.google.com/books/edition/Calcutta/y-W6TjM2n1AC?hl=en (https://www.google.com/books/edition/Calcutta/y-W6TjM2n1AC?hl=en) Willem van Schendel (12 February 2009). A History of Bangladesh. Cambridge University Press. p. 57. ISBN 9780511997419. https://qz.com/india/810668/rabindranath-tagore-not-bob-dylan-the-first-lyricist-to-win-the-nobel-prize-for-literature-was-actually-indian (https://qz.com/india/810668/rabindranath-tagore-not-bob-dylan-the-first-lyricist-to-win-the-nobel-prize-for-literature-was-actually-indian) https://onbeing.org/programs/anita-desai-andrew-robinson-the-modern-resonance-of-rabindranath-tagore/ (https://onbeing.org/programs/anita-desai-andrew-robinson-the-modern-resonance-of-rabindranath-tagore/) https://www.google.com/books/edition/Population_Redistribution_and_Developmen/tGiSBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA6&printsec=frontcover (https://www.google.com/books/edition/Population_Redistribution_and_Developmen/tGiSBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA6&printsec=frontcover) https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-33543786 (https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-33543786) https://www.online-literature.com/tagore-rabindranath/my-reminiscences/14/ (https://www.online-literature.com/tagore-rabindranath/my-reminiscences/14/) https://www.countercurrents.org/comm-chatterjee310803.htm (https://www.countercurrents.org/comm-chatterjee310803.htm) https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.3639 (https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.3639) https://mchistelibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-History-of-Bangladesh.pdf (https://mchistelibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-History-of-Bangladesh.pdf) https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040219/https://www.bookdepository.com/History-Bangladesh-Willem-Van-Schendel/9780521861748 (https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040219/https://www.bookdepository.com/History-Bangladesh-Willem-Van-Schendel/9780521861748) https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1913/tagore/facts/ (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1913/tagore/facts/) https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Freedom_Movement_in_Banglades/DedtAAAAMAAJ?hl=en (https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Freedom_Movement_in_Banglades/DedtAAAAMAAJ?hl=en) https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074103/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=367&sections_id=24551 (https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074103/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=367&sections_id=24551) https://carnatic-circle.com/tabla-lessonsnotes/taals-kisme/dadra/ (https://carnatic-circle.com/tabla-lessonsnotes/taals-kisme/dadra/) https://www.rhythmoftabla.com/post/dadra-taal (https://www.rhythmoftabla.com/post/dadra-taal) https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/BGD/ (https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/BGD/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

54

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact The Anthems Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.