Nailing History
Introducing "Nailing History," the podcast where two friends attempt to nail down historical facts like they're trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual. Join Matt and Jon (or Jon and Matt) as they stumble through the annals of time, armed with Wikipedia, Chat GPT, and a sense of reckless abandon.
In each episode, Matt and Jon pick a historical event that tickles their curiosity (and occasionally their funny bone) and dissect it like a frog in biology class—except they're the frogs, and they have no idea what they're doing. From ancient civilizations to modern mishaps, they cover it all with the finesse of a bull in a china shop.
But wait, there's more! In between butchering historical names and dates, Matt and Jon take a break to explore the intersection of history and pop culture. Ever wondered if Cleopatra would have been a TikTok sensation? Yeah, neither have they, but that won't stop them from imagining it in excruciating detail.
So grab your popcorn and prepare to laugh, cringe, and possibly learn something (though don't hold your breath). With Matt and Jon leading the charge, "Nailing History" is the only podcast where you're guaranteed to leave scratching your head and questioning everything you thought you knew about the past. After all, who needs a PhD when you've got two clueless buddies and a microphone?
Nailing History
Latest Episodes
143: Thomas Jefferson Broke And So Did Our Secrecy
We start with the kind of problem that somehow becomes a full debate: booking flights, planning a long weekend, and deciding whether checking a bag is smart or “low rent.” From airport security rules to the overhead bin hunger games, we talk th...
142: The American Revolution Within The Whimsical World of Ken Burns, Pt. 3
An army can survive cold, hunger, and defeat—but only if it learns how to stand. We dive into the messy middle of the American Revolution, where a self-made Prussian “baron” turns drills into discipline, a battlefield prima donna becomes a trai...
141: The American Revolution Within The Whimsical World of Ken Burns, Pt. 2
A near-collapse on Long Island. A fog that saves an army. A midnight gamble across black water that shocks a continent. We trace the most volatile stretch of the American Revolution—when Washington loses New York, wins at Trenton, and keeps the...
140: The American Revolution Within The Whimsical World of Ken Burns, Pt. 1
What happens when a twelve-hour history epic meets two hosts who love maps, motives, and messy truths? We dove into the first two parts of PBS’s American Revolution and came up with a sharper, more honest read: there’s real value in the battle ...
139: He Wanted Paris, Got Prison, And Sang On The Gallows
We ring in 2026 with fan calls, a messy production catch‑up, and a deep dive into Death by Lightning, using Garfield’s rise and Guiteau’s delusion to unpack the Gilded Age spoils system and a presidency undone by infection as much as a bullet. ...
Fan Mail
Thought I’d listen to Jon and stay curious. Regarding the "NC answer", I can confirm that Quoddy Head, ME is 3,154 miles from Morocco, making it the closest state to Africa. Cape Hatteras, NC is 3,625 miles from Morocco. It’s not even the closest state below the Mason-Dixon line. Nice try Matt. - Dick Pepperfield
Norristown, Pennsylvania