Introduction: Why Podcasts Work for APUSH
AP U.S. History (APUSH) is content-heavy. With 9 historical periods, hundreds of events, and thematic connections, it can feel overwhelming. But podcasts make studying easier by:
- Turning dead time (commutes, chores, workouts) into review sessions.
- Giving you story-based learning that’s easier to remember.
- Helping with big-picture themes instead of just facts.
When paired with RevisionDojo’s practice hubs, APUSH podcasts become one of the best tools for long-term retention.
Step 1: Best APUSH Podcasts
1. APUSH Podcast (by Mr. Tannenbaum)
- Why it’s great: Directly designed for APUSH students. Covers each unit aligned with College Board standards.
- Best for: Quick reviews before unit tests.
- Pro tip: Listen before class, then use RevisionDojo’s unit quizzes for mastery.
2. Heimler’s History APUSH Review Podcast
- Why it’s great: Heimler’s signature style — clear, concise, exam-focused.
- Best for: Exam prep, DBQ/SAQ strategies.
- Pro tip: Pair with Heimler’s YouTube and RevisionDojo’s DBQ practice bank.
3. Backstory Podcast
- Why it’s great: Hosted by historians, dives into lesser-known U.S. history stories.
- Best for: Adding outside evidence and unique perspectives to essays.
- Pro tip: Keep a journal of outside examples → use them in LEQs/DBQs.
4. Ben Franklin’s World
- Why it’s great: Deep dives into early American history, colonization, and revolution.
- Best for: Periods 1–3, where students often lack depth.
- Pro tip: After listening, summarize in RevisionDojo’s theme trackers.
5. Hardcore History (Dan Carlin)
- Why it’s great: Not APUSH-specific, but incredibly engaging for wars, politics, and cultural shifts.
- Best for: Contextualization and understanding complexity.
- Pro tip: Use Hardcore History to strengthen complexity points on essays.
6. Teaching Hard History
- Why it’s great: Focuses on slavery, civil rights, and race in U.S. history.
- Best for: Periods 4–8, especially Civil War and Reconstruction.
- Pro tip: Pair episodes with RevisionDojo’s Civil Rights Movement notes hub.
7. RevisionDojo APUSH Audio Guides
- Why it’s great: Designed specifically for APUSH students, structured around College Board periods.
- Best for: Students who want exam alignment plus practice resources.
- Pro tip: Use alongside RevisionDojo’s interactive quizzes for reinforcement.
Step 2: How to Use Podcasts Effectively
Listening alone isn’t enough. Here’s how to maximize learning:
- Take Notes: Write 3–5 bullet points per episode.
- Pause & Reflect: After each episode, explain the main idea in your own words.
- Theme Tracking: Connect episodes to APUSH themes like politics, culture, economy.
- Practice Right Away: Use RevisionDojo’s FRQ/SAQ practice to apply knowledge.
Step 3: Sample Podcast Study Plan
Summer (June–August)
- Listen to Ben Franklin’s World + Backstory → build foundation.
- Use RevisionDojo’s summer prep plan for notes.
Fall Semester (September–December)
- Follow APUSH Podcast → align with class units.
- Do 5–10 multiple-choice questions per week.
Spring Semester (January–April)
- Switch to Heimler’s History Podcast + Teaching Hard History.
- Pair with DBQ/SAQ practice from RevisionDojo.
May (Final Review)
- Re-listen to Heimler’s unit summaries.
- Use RevisionDojo’s 48-hour cram guide.
Step 4: Benefits of Podcasts vs Other Tools
- Podcasts = Storytelling. Great for big picture, cause/effect.
- YouTube = Visual. Best for diagrams, timelines, charts.
- RevisionDojo = Practice. Turns passive knowledge into exam-ready skills.
Together, they create a balanced APUSH review system.
Step 5: Mistakes Students Make with Podcasts
- Passive Listening: Treating podcasts like background noise.
- No Note-Taking: Failing to write down themes.
- Not Connecting to Exam Skills: Great stories are useless if you don’t apply them to DBQs/SAQs.
👉 RevisionDojo solves this with Podcast Note Templates and theme connection worksheets.
Step 6: RevisionDojo Resources
- APUSH Podcast Guides: Episode outlines with key takeaways.
- Theme Trackers: Link podcast content to APUSH exam themes.
- DBQ/SAQ Banks: Practice writing with podcast-based prompts.
- Exam Prep Audio Guides: Quick listens for final review.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s APUSH Podcast Hub here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which APUSH podcast is best for quick review?
A: Heimler’s History — concise and exam-focused.
Q: Which podcast helps most with outside evidence?
A: Backstory Podcast — adds depth to essays.
Q: Can I get a 5 just by listening to podcasts?
A: No — you need practice with DBQs, SAQs, and multiple choice. Podcasts should supplement RevisionDojo-style active study.
Q: How many podcasts should I listen to per week?
A: 1–2 episodes is enough if you take notes and connect to themes.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake with podcasts?
A: Passive listening — you must actively process information.
Final Thoughts
Podcasts are one of the best low-stress tools for APUSH review. They turn downtime into productive study time while making history engaging and memorable.
Remember:
- Use Heimler’s History for exam-focused prep.
- Use Backstory and Ben Franklin’s World for deeper outside evidence.
- Use Teaching Hard History for race and reform topics.
- Always connect podcasts to RevisionDojo practice resources to turn passive listening into exam-ready skills.
With this approach, podcasts won’t just entertain you — they’ll help you score a 4 or 5 on the APUSH exam.
