Show of the Year

Inside the Apple Podcasts Show of the Year: The Rest Is History

Featured interviews

Kaelyn Moore

Find out her secret code for engaging listeners.

Mina Kimes

How she tapped into authentic sports podcasting.

Payne Lindsey

Discover what makes him a standout in true crime.

More advice from creators

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Goalhanger created a winning game plan to engage listeners.

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Inside the Apple Podcasts Show of the Year: The Rest Is History

In an age of relentless innovation, why does the past still hold such a powerful grip? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland, hosts of The Rest Is History, the Apple Podcasts Show of the Year, reveal their unique approach to history — one that champions relatable human stories, unexpected humor, and a community of committed fans.

In this world of modern technology, why does history matter at all?

Dominic: It reminds us that all our assumptions and preconceptions are not absolute. Lots of people have been on this Earth before us who thought very differently from us, so it should make us a little bit more humble and give us a bit of perspective.

Tom: It gives you a sense that you’re in communion with people who might have points of resemblance to you but might also have completely different perspectives.

Why do you think your show has struck a chord?

Dominic: We don’t moralize, we don’t judge the past, and we approach it in a spirit of, I think, real enthusiasm. We love talking about the past, exploring the characters. We don’t look down on people in the past. We just try to enjoy it, to relish the madness, the bonkers-ness of people.

Tom: People are very funny. And we’re not afraid of that. We’re not looking for the humor in the past, but when it emerges, we enjoy it, and I think that people who listen to the podcast enjoy it as well.

The Rest Is History weaves together relatable stories, humor, and a genuine enthusiasm for characters of the past.

What is the perfect historical story?

Tom: Well, I think the perfect historical story — and it took both of us by surprise — is the story of the Titanic. There is a reason why it is an iconic, almost mythic narrative.

Dominic: I think the perfect historical story is one in which there is fantastic, relatable human interest, which is often rooted in character. But then beyond that, it acts as a window onto a vanished world.

You both have different expertise. How does that impact your show?

Dominic: The point of the show was that we would be coming from different ends of the spectrum. But what we discovered, is that the specialisms are not as trapping as you would think. For both of us, the joy of the show is partly in the discovery.

Tom: You have me coming from antiquity and Dominic coming from the 20th century, but we were a bit worried about what we were going to do in the middle. But actually, it’s like building a bridge. We’ve got the two pillars at either end of the river, but we’re slowly building the arch over the great stream of time, and hopefully, we’ll meet in the middle.

What do you most love about your listeners?

Dominic: We love the sense of community. I enjoy reading all the speculation about the show. We have a genuine feeling of camaraderie with our listeners. It’s something that we never, ever imagined when we started the show.

From your perspective, how has Apple Podcasts been part of the show’s own history?

Dominic: It’s been an absolutely central part. When we started the show, so much of it was geared to how it would look on Apple Podcasts — what the title art would be, the episode description, how that would look on the page. It’s completely integral to the way I think of the podcast.

What does it mean to you to be recognized as Apple Podcasts Show of the Year?

Dominic: It’s something that we could never possibly have dreamed of. It’s recognition not just for us but for the Goalhanger team who produce the show. It’s lovely that people recognize history in an age when people aren’t doing it at university as much as they used to.

Tom: It’s the biggest thrill imaginable. We’re the first British podcast to win it, so that’s a cause of patriotic pride. I feel particularly delighted that it’s Apple who has recognized us. I couldn’t be more delighted and honored by it. Incredibly grateful.

Listen to The Rest Is History on Apple Podcasts.

Kaelyn Moore

Her secret code for engaging listeners.

Kaelyn Moore, the host of Heart Starts Pounding, has redefined the horror and mystery podcast genre. Her show plunges listeners into meticulously crafted auditory worlds, guided by a single narrator and immersive soundscapes. We sat down with Kaelyn to discuss her research philosophy, the evolution of her storytelling format, and how she cultivates a deeply engaged community.

What compelled you to create Heart Starts Pounding?

There was a gap in the market for mystery and horror stories that were told from a single narrator with lots of sound design, music, and world-building. There’s something about the experience of putting on headphones and feeling like I enter a whole different world. That’s really what the show aims to achieve.

How do you approach research and storytelling?

I’m very no-stone-left-unturned for research. I ask myself, is there a reason that this story needs to be told today? Is there an angle on it, an update? Is there something about it that resonates with me that I can inject into the episode?
Using a single narrator and immersive soundscapes, Heart Starts Pounding redefines horror and mystery podcasts.

What was an early challenge, and how did you push through it?

I put out an episode every week, and on weeks where I’m hitting a wall, I still have to put something out. Sometimes I’m not in love with the episode, and someone will reach out and say, “That was my favorite episode.” That really keeps me going, and helps push through the creative blocks.

What skill helped you in the beginning?

My ability to not feel embarrassed by trying things out publicly. I was making stuff and putting it out. The audience was listening, and I wasn’t second-guessing myself.

What advice would you give a creator just starting out?

If you feel like something’s not working at the beginning, you’re not married to anything. You are allowed to play, it’s your show. Try new things and figure out what works for your audience.

How do you engage with your Apple Podcasts subscribers?

I’ve done bonus episodes where there’s like a little tack at the end that only Apple Podcasts subscribers are getting. I told them, “If you leave me a review, include this emoji.” Now when they reach out to me, and I see the emoji, that’s the message I’m going to look at first because I know that person’s engaged in the community and a true fan.

Away from your microphone, what’s one essential habit?

Reading books. It sounds really basic, but there’s so much that hasn’t made it onto the internet from books. There are so many great stories, perspectives, and angles that I’ve gotten from books.
Listen to Heart Starts Pounding on Apple Podcasts.

Mina Kimes

How she tapped into authentic sports podcasting

Mina Kimes, host of the popular podcast, The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny, shares invaluable insights on her approach to sports podcasting. We talked to the writer and broadcaster about nerding out on football, the unique dynamic with her canine cohost, and the power of genuine connection with listeners and guests.

What drew you to podcasting?

I wanted a space to nerd out about football. Podcasting allowed me to dive super deep into the X’s and O’s with friends and create a space with my own name on it. That wasn’t possible in other mediums.

Your cohost is your dog, Lenny. What does that personal, authentic element tell your listeners?

Having Lenny signals it’s a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a show that takes football very seriously but does so in a fun way. We’re gonna have a lot of jokes, and I’ll weave in elements of my personal life. And you know, he’s a star. He just has the it factor.
With humor and a canine sidekick, The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny takes a unique approach to sports podcasting.

How do you balance preparation with being spontaneous and conversational?

My prep involves studying games and creating dozens of pages of notes combining film and stats. The prep is perhaps the most important part. It’s like studying for a test.

What advice would you give on blending expertise with true personality?

My guiding principle is, “Do I feel good doing this right now? Do I feel like myself?” When I became a little bit looser and more like I am in my day to day, the podcast really started to resonate with people.

How do you approach listener feedback?

There’s so much noise on the internet, and a lot of those people don’t actually consume your work. Two years ago, I did a survey for listeners, asking what they liked, what they didn’t, and it was such a valuable experience. I got over a thousand thoughtful responses. It was a really wonderful way to engage with people who actually love your work.

What is the single most important lesson you’ve learned on your journey?

My listeners like to hear me talking to people that I like. Instead of focusing solely on famous guests, listeners respond well when I bring on people I genuinely enjoy conversing with. I love finding new voices and elevating them with my podcast.
Listen to The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny on Apple Podcasts.

Payne Lindsey

Discover what makes him a standout in true crime.

Payne Lindsey, host of Up and Vanished, found podcasting to be a medium of unexpected power and creative freedom. He shares how embracing audio’s unique constraints led to cinematic storytelling, a captivated audience, and lessons for any aspiring creator looking to make their mark.

When did you realize that podcasting was the right medium for Up and Vanished?

When I became submersed in an audio story, I found myself surprised. I felt like I was engaging with something cinematic, even though I wasn’t watching anything. It dawned on me that it was possible to create a narrative that gave that same feeling without the visual component.

What did audio offer that film couldn’t?

When you don’t have that visual aid, you have to come up with other creative ways to tell the audience something. As a creator, that’s a fun challenge. Finding clever ways to push a story along became addicting to me.
Cinematic storytelling is a hallmark of Up and Vanished.

What is your philosophy for storytelling?

The most important thing is, “make me care first.” I try to envision what it would be like hearing this for the first time. There are interesting ways that you can peel back the layers of the story and create a better experience by remembering that listeners don’t know what you know.

True crime is incredibly popular but also extremely crowded. How do you stand out?

If we can create a podcast where you’re getting the same experience as you would in a 10-part documentary, then we’re doing something right. People are looking for relatability. Relatability isn’t always what everyone else is doing.

What’s been the most surprising lesson about podcasting?

The podcast space feels like one of the last mediums where there aren’t a lot of rules. You can just go make some cool stuff and put it out whenever you want. You can turn that into a book, a movie, a TV show. You can build a career off of that.

How do you think about the relationship with your audience?

They’re invested emotionally in the story that I’m telling, and we have that in common. Unlike a scripted series where the stakes aren’t very high, the stakes are quite possibly the highest here. These stories really poke and pull at every human’s morals. It’s been really special to be able to tell someone’s story that may otherwise be forgotten or pushed aside.

What is the single most important piece of advice for creators?

Stop overthinking it. Hit record.
Listen to Up and Vanished on Apple Podcasts.