We’ve all been there. You see a breathtaking photo of the Geirangerfjord, watch a documentary on the Vikings, or trace your ancestry back to a tiny dot on a map of Norway, and a spark ignites. You want to know more. You crave the stories behind the scenery, the sagas beyond the longships. But how do you dive deep into a history that spans from the last Ice Age to the modern welfare state, especially from afar?
Enter the podcast—the modern-day skald (storyteller). With a good podcast in your ears, your daily commute, workout, or kitchen duty can transform into a time-traveling journey across the North Sea. The intimate, narrative power of audio is the perfect medium to hear the crash of axes on a Viking shield wall, the quiet determination of a resistance fighter in WWII, or the scholarly debates about what the Norse really believed.
This is your curated guide to the best podcasts that unravel the rich, complex, and fascinating tapestry of Norwegian history. Whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned history buff, there’s a voice here waiting to guide you.
Category 1: The Epic Narrative Journeys (The “Start Here” Series)
These are the blockbuster series. They are meticulously researched, beautifully produced, and designed to be listened to from start to finish. They are your comprehensive audio textbooks, narrated by compelling storytellers.
1. The History of Norway
(The Foundational Epic)
If you only listen to one podcast on this list, make it this one. Hosted by the dedicated and clear-voiced David, this podcast is a staggering, ongoing labour of love with a simple, monumental goal: to chronicle the entire history of Norway, from the first reindeer hunters to the present day.
- What to Expect: This is a linear, chronological deep dive. David begins in the Paleolithic era, painstakingly covering the archaeological evidence of the first peoples, the Nordic Bronze Age, and the pre-Viking Iron Age before ever reaching the era everyone knows. His coverage of the Viking Age is exceptionally detailed, drawing on sagas, skaldic poetry, and modern scholarship. He doesn’t stop there; he marches diligently through the Middle Ages, the Union periods with Denmark and Sweden, the cultural blossoming of the 19th century, the trauma of WWII, and into the modern oil era.
- Why It’s Great: The depth and commitment are unparalleled. David avoids glossing over “boring” periods, making you appreciate the full, complex sweep of history. It’s the ultimate foundation upon which all your other Norwegian history knowledge can be built.
- Perfect For: The serious learner who wants a complete, chronological understanding.
2. The Norse Mythology Podcast
(The Gateway to the Gods)
While focused on mythology rather than pure history, understanding the beliefs of the Norse people is essential to understanding their worldview, their motivations, and their art. Hosted by the passionate and knowledgeable Mathias Nordvig, this podcast is an accessible yet scholarly exploration of the Eddas, the sagas, and the cosmological beliefs of the pre-Christian North.
- What to Expect: Each episode focuses on a specific theme, character, or myth. You’ll get deep dives on Odin’s quest for wisdom, the complexities of Loki, the terrifying beauty of Ragnarök, and the many creatures inhabiting Yggdrasil, the world tree. Nordvig expertly separates later pop-culture interpretations from the original source material, providing a much clearer picture of what the Vikings actually believed.
- Why It’s Great: It brings the Old Norse worldview to life in a way that a dry historical account cannot. After listening, you’ll look at a Viking artifact or a stave church carving with entirely new, more informed eyes.
- Perfect For: Anyone wanting to understand the spiritual and cultural engine that drove the Viking Age.
Category 2: The Thematic & Bite-Sized Deep Dives
These podcasts tackle specific events, periods, or themes, often in shorter, more digestible episodes. They are perfect for filling in knowledge gaps or exploring a particular interest.
3. The Lidless Eye: A Podcast on the History of Intelligence (Norwegian Resistance Episodes)
(The Untold Stories of WWII)
World War II was a defining, traumatic period for neutral Norway when it was brutally invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940. While many podcasts cover the broader war, The Lidless Eye has produced some of the most gripping, detailed episodes on the Norwegian Resistance (Milorg) and related intelligence operations.
- What to Expect: Episodes like those on the Telemark Raid (the story behind the heavy water sabotage immortalized in the film The Heroes of Telemark) or the Vemork Plant are masterclasses in tension and detail. The host uses declassified files and firsthand accounts to reconstruct the incredibly dangerous work of the saboteurs and spies who worked to thwart the Nazi nuclear program and aid the Allied effort.
- Why It’s Great: It focuses on the gritty, human stories of courage and ingenuity within a larger historical narrative. It makes history feel immediate, personal, and incredibly suspenseful.
- Perfect For: WWII enthusiasts and anyone who loves stories of espionage and resistance.
4. The Almost Forgotten (Scandinavian History Episodes)
(Social and Cultural History)
This podcast specializes in “the interesting parts of history that you never learned in school.” While it covers a global range, its episodes on Scandinavian topics are absolute gems. The host has a fantastic talent for finding quirky, poignant, and deeply human stories that illuminate larger historical truths.
- What to Expect: Look for episodes on The Sámi People, exploring their ancient history and their struggle against colonization and cultural assimilation. Or an episode on the Lefse or the history of Skiing, tracing these cultural touchstones back thousands of years. This podcast excels at connecting everyday life to the grand sweep of time.
- Why It’s Great: It provides color and context to the broader political narratives. You learn not just about kings and battles, but about how people lived, what they ate, what they feared, and what they cherished.
- Perfect For: Listeners who love social, cultural, and culinary history.
Category 3: The Scholarly & Museum-Grade Discussions
These podcasts bring the expertise of academics, archaeologists, and museum curators directly to you. They are less about narrative and more about discussion, discovery, and the latest research.
5. The University of Oslo’s “Kulturhistorisk” Podcast
(Straight from the Source)
Many Norwegian institutions produce high-quality Norwegian-language podcasts, but for the English-speaking audience, the University of Oslo and the Museum of Cultural History often release English-language podcast episodes or interviews. These are often tied to new archaeological discoveries or academic conferences.
- What to Expect: You might find an interview with an archaeologist who just excavated a new Viking ship burial, a linguist discussing the evolution of the Norwegian language, or a historian presenting a new interpretation of the Black Death’s impact on Norway. The production value can vary, but the information is first-rate.
- Why It’s Great: This is cutting-edge history. You are hearing about discoveries and theories as they happen, directly from the experts making them.
- Perfect For: The advanced learner who wants to stay on top of current academic research.
6. The Medieval Podcast
(A Broader Nordic Context)
Hosted by medievalist and author Danièle Cybulskie, this podcast covers the entire medieval world, but she frequently features episodes with experts on Scandinavian topics. This is an excellent way to place Norwegian history within the wider context of medieval Europe.
- What to Expect: Look through the archive for interviews on topics like “Viking Age Women,” “The Christianization of Scandinavia,” or “Everyday Life in the Nordic Middle Ages.” The guest experts provide incredible depth in a short, conversational format.
- Why It’s Great: It helps you understand Norway’s connections to and interactions with the British Isles, the Continent, and the rest of the Nordic region. History doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and this podcast provides that essential context.
- Perfect For: Getting a specialist’s deep dive on a specific medieval topic.
How to Build Your Personal Listening Saga: A Curator’s Guide
With this list in hand, you can craft your own journey through Norwegian history. Here’s a suggested path:
- Lay the Foundation: Start with The History of Norway. Listen from the beginning. It’s a long-term commitment, but there is no better way to build a robust, chronological framework.
- Understand the Viking Mindset: As you progress through the Viking Age episodes of The History of Norway, supplement them with The Norse Mythology Podcast. This will give you the crucial cultural and spiritual context for the actions of the historical figures you’re learning about.
- Explore the Gaps: Once you have a solid base, start diving into the thematic podcasts. When you reach WWII in your chronological listen, pause and explore the Norwegian Resistance episodes of The Lidless Eye. When you want to know about daily life, turn to The Almost Forgotten.
- Engage with the Experts: As specific questions arise in your mind—”What’s the latest thinking on the Oseberg ship burial?”—seek out the scholarly discussions from sources like the University of Oslo.
Beyond the Podcast: Bringing the Stories to Life
Your audio journey doesn’t have to exist in a vacuum. Pair your listening with other resources to create a truly immersive experience:
- Google Earth is Your Time Machine: When a podcast describes the raid on Lindisfarne or the location of the Gokstad ship, pull it up on a map. See the terrain. Understand the distances. It makes the history visceral.
- Follow the Museums: On social media, follow institutions like the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, the Lofotr Viking Museum, and the Norsk Folkemuseum. They regularly post photos of their artifacts, which will now have so much more meaning.
- Read the Sagas: After learning about them in the podcasts, try reading a translation of Heimskringla or Egils Saga. The stories will leap off the page with the context you now possess.
The Final Word: Your Ear is a Portal
The story of Norway is one of dramatic landscapes, resilient people, and a culture that evolved from fierce Viking chieftains to peaceful modern innovators. It’s a history carved into stave churches, whispered in the sagas, and forged in the crucible of war and winter.
These podcasts are more than just entertainment; they are invitations. They are a chance to walk alongside Harald Fairhair as he unifies a kingdom, to feel the tension in a fishing boat fleeing the Nazis, and to understand the profound societal shifts that created the Norway of today.
So, plug in your headphones. Press play. And let the echoes of the fjords, the skalds, and the kings guide you on one of the most rewarding historical journeys you can take. The history of Norway is waiting to be heard.