For everyone complaining about the premium version and wishing it were free: seven dollars is a bargain. It’s nothing. He already offers a free student version. Because of all these negative comments, I’m going to recommend this podcast to even more people. This is one of the rare occasions where the term “beggars can’t be choosers” is aptly applied.

It’s disappointing that you have disgraced these great leaders by mentioning MRBeast in the same breath.

I get so much value out of this show. Looking at history through the lens of how to improve your life in order to live your best life, and to take over the world in your own way is such a great concept. This show gives me so much inspiration to push myself harder, and also to make more goals that inspire me. I think Ben is a fantastic narrator, and I love how he evaluates the unconventional lifestyles that these amazing people exhibit, and shows that we don’t have to live our life like the masses do. I hope that he will continue to make these shows, and also continue to focus more on different ways that people have “taken over the world”, one of my favorite episodes was the “How to Raise a Genius” episode, even though it was far different from the rest of the episodes. Keep releasing these types of episodes, maybe you can do some on famous scientists, or sports stars, and even actors. Thanks for the value you bring. And everyone, keep living your best life😊.

This is my favorite history podcast by far. Ben is an amazing narrator and sorry teller. You can tell he has a true passion, not only for history, but the people that make up our history. He presents each subject unbiasedly. The overall podcast product has grown over the years. Even down to the noise effects he uses through the episodes now. They really set the tone. Thanks for your content!

I love listening to the "How to Take Over the World" podcast. It's very informative and engaging. I couldn't go to bed until I finished listening to "The Rise of Napoleon" episode. I particularly appreciate the summary and lessons of each episode, as it helps me learn something new. I also enjoy listening to Ben's movie reviews. They help me decide on whether to watch a movie or not. I have decided to get a paid subscription from the next episode to access the podcast library and support and encourage Ben to continue producing great content. The podcast is so inspiring that after listening to it, I go to Amazon, buy books Ben recommends, and read them myself. Keep up the great work!

Ben brings a curiosity and thoroughness to his retelling of histories greatest leaders and thinkers. This show excels in both the quality and interestingness of the story telling, but also it delivery on lessons learned. Digging out the nugget of wisdom from the successes and failures of subjects is spot on. It’s on my short list of must listen podcasts.

I was not excited to see Ben put the after notes behind a paywall. Now that he is doing whole episodes behind a paywall I can’t recommend this podcast any longer. At least with episode 55 he made most of the episode for members only. I feel like HTTOTW was a great podcast that was like a beautiful fountain in the middle of European town freely offering beauty and refreshment to everyone that walked by. Now it has transitioned to a nugly vending machine selling bottled water at $7 a pop. The water is basically the same but the feeling is completely different.

One of my all time favorites! Well researched, educational and entertaining. Always craving for next episode. But Ben recently added a pay to play feature that is knocking this down a few notches. No more endnotes of pods for non paying fans. No access to certain new pods for the non payers either. Love this podcast it is one the best! But the paywall is not cool. Advertising revenue should help generate income not the loyal fan base.

When my uncle started playing HTTOTW in the car over a long road trip instead of the music that me and my cousins wanted to listen to- my initial reaction was to zone out and not listen. But as Ben talked about Horatio Nelson ('the greatest British hero') I couldn't help but be incredibly intrigued. When we had to stop for food, all I wanted to do was get back in the car and listen some more. Despite carrying a certain hatred for the colonial British empire, I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what would happen next. After that I began listening to all the episodes that I could, and I just finished the ones on Leonardo da Vinci which might be my favorite although I don't think I could ever decide! I was totally surprised at what I didn't know, and even more surprised that I was this eager to learn. My ONLY complaint (which is a good one) is that there aren't more episodes! :)

HTTOTW is a perfect podcast for history lovers and lifelong learners alike. Ben’s ability to tell the story of some of history’s greatest figures and extrapolate lessons on life and leadership is unmatched. My favorite episode has to be Da Vinci.

Httotw is the perfect blend of history, human storytelling, and practical wisdom. Ben follows the lives and stories of some of history’s most influential figures with attentive intellect and easy wit. It’s a show I couldn’t dream existed but Ben has brought it to life in a wonderful way. Content aside, Ben is phenomenal host in his own right. His attitude and love for learning make already fascinating stories even more fun to learn about. Thank you Ben for one of my most valued resources. This show, and you, are game changers. Please keep it up!

Ben does an incredible job making these pods interesting and relevant to today’s history buff. I always listen immediately when he posts them!

I love this podcast and recommend it to everyone- history buffs or not. It applies to you whether your sights are set on taking over the world, or you just want to grow as a person, or if you want a genuinely captivating listen. The insights into creativity and leadership are gold. Entertaining and not overproduced. Intelligent and not pretentious. Fascinating and accessible. Keeps my attention and gives succinct info better than many bios I've read, and always unbiased and accurate. Thank you for all the research and thought and perspective.

Great narration, concise but riveting. We’ll researched, but love that Ben also adds his own commentary and takeaways.

In an age of hyper polished, almost plastic-feeling podcasts, this show is a breathe of fresh air. The presentation is crisp and natural, the subject matter and episodes are great, and the host doesn’t fall trap to that “Dave Chappelian” arrogance that some people take hold of when they hit “the top.” Worth the time in listening to.

Couldn’t recommend this show more. Every minute of engaging storytelling rich with insights from the world’s greatest minds. Like, imagine getting the essence of what goes into genius and greatness without pouring hours into reading up the bios. Huge shout out to Ben for sharing these 💎s.

He has precisely articulated every story. Must listen!

You can’t go wrong with this podcast

I dabble in a few history podcasts because I enjoy the subject. However, history podcasts probably tally up to <10% of my listening consumption. Why? Because most of them are good but not great. However, this podcast is great! (No pun intended). Ben is so good at weaving a narrative thread together. He focuses on the meaty parts of the story and sprinkles in fascinating tidbits throughout. His storytelling is crisp. The subjects he chooses to focus on are fascinating. You can also tell he’s just really passionate about the stories himself. So now I’m addicted and since beginning listening to this podcast earlier this month, I’ve listened to double digit episodes and it’s accounted for probably 70% plus of my listening consumption. Can’t recommend this podcast highly enough. Only complaint is that episodes don’t come out often enough.

The way he ties together every one he covers on the show to help us understand. The Alexander episodes were top notch, loved his recaps and his Julius Caesar episodes. Would recommend

This podcast is very good. Ben is able to give us his references and is a great story teller. History can easily in this day and age become lost. The host of this podcast gives us an intriguing perspective without too much of his own opinion and makes for a great 35-45 minute show. I really like his narrative style and the only complaint I have is how long it takes him to have new podcast. However, good things take time. Please make a series for Genghis Khan!

I found this podcast on a road trip. I NEED a Brigham Young Part 2! Been checking back for weeks for the sequel! Keep them coming, this is great!

I love this podcast! History is fascinating already but the way he tells the story is unmatched.

Ben Wilson is the best

Love this podcast! I listen to this while hiking, driving, doing dishes and more. Ben is a fantastic host. I love the content and his personal thoughts / side notes. Thank you, Ben! Keep up the great work.

Absolutely amazing storytelling and good information about iconic people in history. Wish there was more episodes!

I just found this podcast and have been loving it! It is just the right amount of information for me to feel like I better understand a world leader without getting lost in everything. I highly recommend this podcast.

This podcast provides so much value and I can’t believe I didn’t find it earlier. It presents the stories of truly great men and the their struggles and triumphs in a way you will thoroughly enjoy. If you are in business, it provides a different prospective on what it takes to be the absolute best and what it means to succeed. The only thing I don’t like about this podcast is it sometimes highlights how some of these men are born with innate abilities that you and I just don’t possess but it doesn’t take away from the experience at all since these guys are one of a kind. We can still learn so many new lessons and you cannot pass this one up.

I’m dyslexic and I love history. Reading takes me a lot longer then for others. This is an amazing way for me to really enjoy learning about the past. Thank you!

Ben breaks down greatness like no other this is so much better than reading or listening to a biography!

Unlike many of the starving inventors this is the perfect way to consume a biography of a person from multiple resources without having to read a 500 page book. Appreciate the research Ben!

I never thought I’d find a podcast as intelligent and insightful, as easy to listen to or as inspiring as Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History.” I can even remember how I stumbled on this, but Ben Wilson’s “How to Take Over the World” is extraordinary.

Ben has the best podcast out

One of the best podcasts in a sea of mediocre podcasts. Wish you had more!!

Love this pod

I love listening to the Walt Disney episodes.

Ben has a real way with storytelling. He gives you the full picture, while sharing helpful asides about the person. The most valuable piece is taking these famous lives and sharing what is actually actionable in yours. It’s a MUST LISTEN, binge it now!

I am a Roschild I liked learning about my family’s history

This podcast is the perfect mix of entertaining/interesting and productive/useful. These are fascinating stories and life portraits that illustrate useful character traits that one can apply to their own personal leadership development. It’s clear that Ben does an excellent job researching and preparing for these episodes to ensure their accuracy and that they capture the bigger picture of these world leaders. Recommend!!

This is the podcast that I recommend to EVERYONE I know. Ben does such a great job at providing historical accounts of famous figures in the most interesting and accurate way possible. I look forward to every episode and hope it never stops!

Best story teller and voice for covering historic figures. I just wish we had more episodes!

Great pod. It’s more organized than Dan Carlin, with all the cool and interesting anecdotes. It’s more condensed and less extreme detail than Mike Duncan. I love both those pods and Ben threads the needle between them for a fantastic listen.

One of the most criminally underrated podcasts I have ever seen. This guy compares and contrasts all of the great people through time, and then extrapolates upon their qualities and applies it to every day life. From Napoleon Bonaparte’s hat to Julius Caesar’s clothing, Ben Wilson leaves no stone unturned. I cannot recommend this podcast enough!

Ben, this podcast is amazing. Great research, storytelling and my most favorite part is the valuable takeaways at the end of each podcast. Keep up the great work

Ben Wilson weaves a story like few can and does so with many of the most intriguing figures in history. If you love learning and want to discover the unique character traits of people that have shaped our world, this is your opportunity to let HTTOTW be your engaging and trustworthy guide.

Very well presented from the facts to the voice to the information included all round great research and very interesting. Traits of histories greatest most influential people. Really well done. We look forward to the next episodes

Best podcast EVER!!!

This is a stellar pod. And plenty useful for anyone curious about power, potential and history. I feel it’s the superior cousin to my own Career Blindspot Podcast. Highly recommend for those looking to navigate their career!

Ben is so good. This is a fantastic podcast.

Great listen and summaries provide. Thanks for the work.