Podcast
Josh Johnson’s Compendium
Hosted by Josh Johnson
Compendium is Josh Johnson’s exploration of the past, but through a new lens. In the tradition of long-form podcasting giants like Dan Carlin and Danielle Bolleli, Josh explores history you may not have learned in school.
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RSS32 episodes
Episodes
- Can You Become Well-Read? w/ Rebecca Schinsky & Jeff O'NealMay 11, 2026 · 1 hr 4 minJeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky from BookRiot join me to talk about books, the different avenues a reading journey can take, their favorite "bridge books", and what they can't wait to read next! Check out Zero to Well Read
- 19: Don Hollway - The Coolest Viking You've Never Heard ofMay 5, 2026 · 46 minDon Hollway is back! This time, we're talking about Olaf Tryggvason and his new book: Hammer of the Gods. Grab a copy of Don's book here Support the show on Patreon Subscribe to the FREE Newsletter
- 17: Tony Vanderhoef - Social Media, Partisanism, Executive Power, & How to Bridge the DivideApr 6, 2026 · 1 hr 3 minTony Vanderhoef is a Law student at Florida State and has also gained a following on Instagram, making short-form content in the political space. He approaches American politics from a constitutional perspective, and instead of trying to rally a base and divide, he aims to bridge the divide. Follow Tony here Join the Book Club Subscribe to my newsletter
- 16: I'm Thankful | Solo EpisodeMar 30, 2026 · 22 minIt's just Josh in this one, and he's rambling about writing, reading, and cool things that have happened.
- 15: Bob Crawford - America's Founding SonMar 2, 2026 · 54 minToday I'm joined by Bob Crawford to talk about his new book, America's Founding Son; what he describes as a digestible history of John Quincy Adams. Adams is a fascinating historical character, and Bob and I talk about why he was a unique president, what made him polarizing, and how he "stood in the gap" in his own time. Pre-order America's Founding Son here Subscribe to my newsletter
- 14: John Garrison Marks - Investigating George Washington's LegacyFeb 16, 2026 · 55 minI'm joined by historian John Garrison Marks to talk about his forthcoming book, Thy Will Be Done, which examines George Washington's complicated legacy and how it's been used in myriad political arguments throughout American history. Preorder Thy Will Be Done here
- 13: Building the Ultimate 'Guy Book' + Gateway Literary BooksJan 20, 2026 · 34 minJosh tries to build the ultimate 'Guy book' based on his Instagram habits. Also, he makes fun of old Bantam dime novels, because ads in books is hilarious. PLUS the books you should read if you want to get into literary fiction! Join the book club: https://www.patreon.com/c/JoshReadsBooks Timestamps: 0:00 - What I've Been Reading 4:39 - Building the ultimate Dude Book 20:10 - Gateway Books
- 12: 5 Books People Lie About Reading, 'Basic' Books, & Neo-ConfederatesJan 14, 2026 · 44 minJosh dissects which books are truly read and which are just for show. Find out what he thinks about popular titles like "Fahrenheit 451," "Dune," and "Lonesome Dove," and stick around for the Q&A that reveals the quirks of being a book influencer. Also, because he can't help himself, thoughts about the Civil War. Join the book club: https://www.patreon.com/c/JoshReadsBooks Timestamps: 0:00 - What I've been reading 8:50 - "Pretending I read it" list 21:09 - Mailbag
- 11: Write Like Cormac McCarthy in 21 MinutesJan 8, 2026 · 21 minSubscribe to the newsletter: https://compendiumshow.substack.com/ You might think writing like Cormac McCarthy is impossible. He may seem unapproachable or unreachable. But there are a few practical 'structural' techniques he uses in his writing that we can emulate.
- 10: John Gaddis - Grand Strategy for DummiesDec 29, 2025 · 1 hr 2 minThe practice of strategy today is a history-adjacent discipline, but it is one that history informs and one that shapes history. John Gaddis is one of the United States' foremost strategy thinkers, and he joins me on the show to talk about Venezuela, the war in Ukraine, how democracies and autocracies differ with regard to strategy, and much more. Support the show (and listen early) on Substack
- The Compendium #2 - Who Owns the Narrative?Dec 10, 2025 · 37 minThere's a lot to love in this episode. That is, if you love discussions about nationalism, slavery, and pre-Civil War politics. Notes: Impending Crisis by David Potter Apostles of Disunion by Charles Dew Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson
- 9: Barry Strauss - What Happens When a Small Nation Defies an Empire?Nov 25, 2025 · 1 hr 3 minHistorian Barry Strauss joins me to talk about his new book, Jews Vs Rome ! We also look at some of the greatest commanders in history, what they did well and what they struggled with, as well as why YOU should read history. Support the show (and join the book club) on Substack
- #11 - Alexander the Great’s Blueprint for EmpireOct 29, 2025 · 1 hr 28 minDid Alexander beat Darius because he was a better field commander, or because he was a greater gravitational force? Josh wonders if perhaps his secret weapon was something a bit more mundane? Support the show on Substack
- #10 - The Sound of Distant Guns IIOct 13, 2025 · 3 hr 27 minWhat happens when a 90-day war goes longer than 90 days? You get a soupy melange of nerves, avarice, and confusion. Nobody at the time is equipped to deal with it, least of all the men in charge. Support the show on Substack Check out the Distant Guns series Bibliography
- The Compendium #1 - Empire of ReasonSep 12, 2025 · 46 minPolitical violence is becoming a disturbing norm. The partisan divide grows wider. Can we close the gap? Can we resolve our disagreements through reason? For whatever they are worth, Josh shares a few thoughts.
- 8. Chris Dougherty - Alexander Hamilton and the Founding EraSep 8, 2025 · 1 hr 5 minThe Founding Era is fascinating in many ways; it marks the beginning of our American history and laid the foundation for the democratic republic we know today. But it's a more complicated period than what you learn in school. Infighting and partisan factionalism nearly strangled the American infant in her cradle. I talk with Chris Dougherty about the founding era, about Alexander Hamilton, and the great democratic experiment. Follow Chris on Instagram Support the show on Patreon Support the show & subscribe to the Compendium newsletter on Substack
- Listener Q&A: What if The Roman Empire Never Fell and MORESep 1, 2025 · 33 minThis is my attempt to get something out for you while you wait for TO THE SOUND part 2! What would have happened if the Axis powers won World War 2?? What about if the Roman Empire never fell? Have I toured Civil War battlefields? and more! Support the show on Patreon Support the show & subscribe to the Compendium show newsletter (Substack)
- 7. Scott Ellsworth - The Lincoln Assassination & Writing Narrative HistoryAug 25, 2025 · 1 hr 10 minToday on the show, I'm interviewing author and historian Scott Ellsworth. His newest book, Midnight on the Potomac , narrates the final year of the Civil War, the myriad Lincoln assassination attempts of 1864/65, and John Wilkes Booth's association with the confederacy. Grab a copy of Midnight on the Potomac : https://amzn.to/47G5WYm Support the show on Patreon Support the show & subscribe to the Compendium newsletter on Substack
- #8 - The Sound of Distant Guns IJul 28, 2025 · 4 hr 40 minThey say America's greatest strength is its ability to compromise. But what happens when compromise fails—when Americans on opposite sides of a moral and political divide find no recourse except violence? In the 1850s and '60s, the debates between northern and southern states migrated from marble halls to virgin fields, where rhetoric gave way to rifles. Compendium Amazon Storefront Support the show on Patreon Subscribe to the Compendium show newsletter To the Sound of Distant Guns Bibliography (so far)
- 6. AJ Bauckman - Investigating Presidential PowerJul 2, 2025 · 1 hr 9 minAJ Bauckman, who runs the Instagram account @21stcent_history , and I connected recently to talk about Trump’s attacks on Iran. Merits of the attacks aside, we both were intrigued by the presidential power aspect of this conversation and decided to hop on Zoom and chat about it. We dive into how presidential power (and legislative power) has changed over the past 50 years, disagreements about the Executive's role in government, and much more! Disclaimer: This show is more political in nature. If that's not your jam, see you in the next one! Support the show on Patreon Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
- History Podcasting 101 with Reflecting HistoryMay 19, 2025 · 1 hr 38 minThis show attempts to answer some of the questions I had (or address things I didn't know I'd need to know) before starting Compendium. I'm talking with Matt from Reflecting History (a podcasting OG) about what you're signing up for by starting a history podcast, how to research, how to process audio, and what to expect when you begin. It's a great conversation, and it's only Part 1. The second half of our conversation is on the Reflecting History feed, so go check that out! We talk over there about what the great podcasters do so well, opening and closing lines, how we can know history happened, and much more. Support the show on Patreon Subscribe for FREE to my Substack Newsletter
- #7 - Hell in a Small Place VMay 14, 2025 · 3 hr 16 minNixon and Kissinger think they’ve cracked the code. But handing off the war to South Vietnam proves no easier than it was for the three administrations before them, because some things change, but the quagmire doesn’t. Support the show on Patreon Sign up for the Compendium Newsletter on Substack Sources here
- #6 - Hell in a Small Place IVApr 2, 2025 · 3 hr 5 minMurky victory conditions and an obsession with body count turn the jungles of Vietnam into a human meat grinder. While the United States struggles to manage an increasingly brutal war, Hanoi prepares a knockout blow to break the stalemate. Sign up for the Compendium newsletter Support the show on Patreon
- 6. Myke Cole - Pike and Shot WarfareMar 26, 2025 · 1 hr 10 minI have the pleasure of interviewing Myke Cole on this episode of the show! He is a historian and the author of STEEL LOBSTERS, THE BRONZE LIE, THE KILLING GROUND, and others. We talk about Sir Arthur Haselrige and his Regiment of Horse; a group of knights-carrying-guns that fought in the English Civil Wars. We talk about Pike and Shot tactics, historiography, and the ways in which historians argue with one another. Grab a copy of Steel Lobsters here Support the show on Patreon
- 5. Edwin Moise - The Vietnam WarFeb 10, 2025 · 1 hr 5 minIt was my joy to get to speak with Edwin Moise, a professor of history at Clemson University, and Vietnam War expert. This conversation was the culmination of many conversations had in the background as I was researching Hell in a Small Place III–and this conversation acts as a bit of a companion episode to the HISP shows. Read Professor Moise's work here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Edwin-E.-Moise/author/B001ITVOIY?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true If you're interested in research materials on the Vietnam War, Professor Moise has curated an excellent bibliography that I would highly recommend: Ed Moise Vietnam Bibliography Support the show on Patreon
- #5 - Hell in a Small Place IIIFeb 3, 2025 · 3 hr 7 minSmoke drifts lazily upward from the consumed redoubts at Dienbienphu. A fledgling country rejoices in its newfound freedom…for a time. A line of demarcation is drawn: Communist north. Nationalist south. Larger powers move in to claim their proxies. The United States is left to reckon with a difficult question: can they win a race with a losing horse? They’re about to find out. Support the show on Patreon
- 4. Don Hollway - Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and NormansDec 26, 2024 · 1 hr 7 minToday, I have the honor of interviewing author and historian Don Hollway. His books include Battle for the Island Kingdom, At the Gates of Rome, and The Last Viking. It was the Last Viking that was my introduction to Hollway's work, and I was enthralled by the story of Harald Hardada, his larger than life persona and various outsized adventures. We talk about Hardrada's legacy, dive into anglo-saxon and Viking warfare, and how Vikings as a whole are perceived today, and how that may change in the future. Support Don at https://www.donhollway.com/ Consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.compendiumshow.com/
- #4 - Hell in a Small Place IINov 18, 2024 · 3 hr 33 minTotal War for the fledgling Democratic Republic of Vietnam means civilian suffering, economic disaster, communist consolidation, atomic scares, and lingering hope that the tiger can wear down the elephant. For the French, it means coming face to face with their own mortality. Support the show at www.compendiumshow.com
- #3 - Hell in a Small Place IOct 4, 2024 · 2 hr 53 minFrance's colony in Indochina ignites in a revolutionary inferno, led by the enigmatic figure of Ho Chi Minh. As the flames spread, Western powers must decide how far they are willing to go to stamp out the communist fire. Support the show at www.compendiumshow.com
- #2 - A Year of Conquest EXTRA: The Young VarangianJul 29, 2024 · 1 hr 10 minA Norwegian fugitive finds himself embroiled in a Byzantine political coup, and leaves his fingerprints permanently etched throughout the bloody proceedings. Sources and Reading Materials: https://www.compendiumshow.com/
- #1 - 1066: A Year of ConquestJul 22, 2024 · 2 hr 48 minIn 1066, the issue of Anglo-Saxon royal succession boils over into outright war. But as William the Conqueror's Normans invade England from the south, Harald Hardrada's Norwegians sweep down from the north. Sources and Reading Materials: https://www.compendiumshow.com/
- Introducing CompendiumJul 16, 2024 · 2 minComing soon, a podcast that will explore stories from our past in order to better understand the heroes we may or may not have learned about in school