Significant Others

1,318

History #220

Did you know that the novel "Lolita" would not exist if Vladimir Nabokov’s wife hadn’t stopped her husband from burning the manuscript? Or that Gandhi learned his legendary method of passive resistance from his wife? Or that the person responsible for Maya Angelou’s genre-defining memoir was her good friend James Baldwin? Significant Others is a narrated, nonfiction podcast about folks just beyond the spotlight of history. Each episode tells the story of a talented, difficult and little-known individual who altered the destiny of their better-known partner, child, sibling, or friend, and impacted the world they left behind. Narrated and written by Liza Powel O’Brien and featuring the voices of Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Jameela Jamil, Rita Wilson, Timothy Olyphant, Lisa Kudrow and many more.

Recent Episodes

Episodes loading...

Recent Reviews

Helloisotmeyoufelookingfor69

Fantastic

Not my typical listen but wow I’m blown away. Such a great show and I love when she has Conan’s friends as actors for retelling of stories. Please never stop. This show is incredible. Bravo.
usualfan

Love this. Learning so much

I love these behind the scene lost historical tales. And it’s presented in such an interesting nuanced way.
plumpango

Wonderful pod!

I’m enjoying this podcast so much! It’s a great idea!
dgdstuoufx

Interesting biographies but biased interviews

Really interesting perspective on significant others - she’s clearly trying to give a balanced thought provoking non political perspective in her biographies; however she can’t contain her wokeness in her subsequent interviews (to impress/fit in with the likeminded,) which detracts from the whole podcast. I get the feeling she surrounds herself with only likeminded thinkers, so probably doesn’t realize she’s even doing it.
gwlk

Finally !

A podcast with female voice and her spouse supporting her inspirations and ideas.
Mateo_LM

Wow!

What a find! The storytelling is superb. I had seen Linda’s interview on Conan’s podcast, and although it piqued my interest, I was reluctant to check the podcast out. Thinking it was going to be a sort of radio plays, which I personally find boring. Not at all, curious people and history buffs are going to love this. The podcasts are very well structured and the guest actors playing the characters add a lot of dynamism to Linda’s almost journalistic telling of the stories. It delves deep into very interesting people and shines a light on the human story behind the legends. Highly recommended.
Laities redemption

I love this podcast…

When does the new season began? Liza voice is so perfect for storytelling and relaxing me.
The Nameless Twin

I confess…

I started this podcast because Conhead O’Brain told me to after she came on his show. But I’m so glad I did! Liza is a smart person and I kind of get them as a couple a little better. The scholarship and research on each person was is done very well. The presentation is great.
Skyneel

Love this podcast

I love this podcast. I love the takes of the episodes. I appreciate that you are not presenting flat linear history devoid of a viewpoint. I have cried through some episodes thinking of all the labor and pain these women have gone through. I found the Orwell episode particularly painful. Love the concept and as an architectural historian I must say there are so many famous architects who built their careers off the labor of their partners….great work!
Travelwithfamily

Forgotten history

As a history major in college I always wanted to know more about the people I studied. I wasn’t very interested in memorizing generals or war maneuvers or seeing the world only through the view of the men who ran countries. This podcast tells the kind of history that fascinates me. It is behind the scenes looks at important people and their forgotten others. I love it. Thanks for some very sound research on each topic. It’s amazing how much information your team has come up with.
Trixeebelle

Brilliant!

Liza Powell O’Brien is an absolute treasure. She’s intelligent, articulate and even-handed. The pod is well researched and very entertaining. Her voice is absolute perfection for podcasting. I love the follow up she does with experts on some of the episodes. I hope this lasts a long time. Of all of Conan O’Brien’s accomplishments - I think I’m the most impressed by his partnership with Liza.
wilks4

Best Podcast

I am sad to see the second season end. I look forward to this every week. Thank you to Liza Powel O’Brien and her team. I have learned so much and gained insight on many people that I assumed I knew all there is to know. This follow-up episode with Mr. Acemoglu expanded my understanding of AI but was presented in a way that was entertaining and not depressing! Thank you again, can’t wait for Season Three!
Cariveau

Highly recommend.

Not usually a history buff, or spend a lot of time reading or listening to it. However, Eliza’s writing style transferred into relatively short podcasts has been very easy to listen to. I found myself starting from the beginning and not just listening to the stories I had already knew about because of how well she relays information and keeps me engaged.
Cjfam

Love this podcast but commercial spots need better transitions

I really love these incredible stories. I’ve learned so much and appreciate my SO so much more! One piece of feedback is that her voice is so calming and engrossing that the transitions to the ads is very abrupt. There should be a slightly longer buffer sound break between the start of the spots.
Annimalplanet

Top 5 favorite pods of all time

And I've listened to hundreds across every genre. What an interesting topic to focus on! Every episode is so compelling and well reasearched . And Liza's voice melts my heart and soothes my soul. We need more Liza pods!
rden82

My absolute favorite history/biography podcast

A tremendously interesting and insightful take on important figures in history who have been overlooked.
EMStowell

Charming and enlightening

Conan says everyone prefers his wife, and I have to agree that she is delightful. I love this podcast! Each episode is well researched, the scripts are insightful and informative, and her voice is soothing. I love learning while being entertained. I enjoy the voices (some familiar and some new) reading the quotations. I also love her talks the next day with experts in myriad fields. Liza is smart, asks great questions, and leaves me wanting more. I also appreciate her admission, at the end, that she isn’t a historian and appreciates input on her research. She’s delightful and humble, too! Thanks for putting in the countless hours of research to bring these stories to life. Take a listen. You won’t be disappointed.
Hkclambo

Already sucked in

Liza’s voice is so melodious that you’re instantly sucked in! She spins a non-fictional/ biographical tale that is beyond compelling. It’s very NPR-ish & I love that!!!!!
JMDXa

Very, very, very good

A long time fan of Liza’s significant other, this podcast feels redeeming in comparison. Liza is a pleasure to listen too and her guest voices bring life to the histories.
bagsofpotatoes

Insightful, Interesting, with dashes of humor

I love this podcast, almost never miss an episode. It really paints a more accurate picture of how historic figures became historic. Because no one becomes influential without a significant other.
XY@@60

Great podcast

Such an excellent podcast. I especially enjoyed the Friedrich Neitzsche episode with Lou Ramoso voicing the evil sister!
Erica V-F

Very interesting and enjoyable

I am thoroughly enjoying this podcast! So glad season two has begun. Great historical figure choices and fascinating information about their relationships!
cph706

Almost perfect

The subjects are very interesting and the podcast is very informative. Voice of the narrator is pleasant. Only jarring note is the use of anachronistic jargon! It takes one out of the narrative, does not make the podcast more “hip” and lowers the tone of the subject. If the subject were modern then using phrases such as “cancelled” and “friend zone” would be apropos but in the context of the Revolutionary War is just silly.
Rebekah Ewing

Great Host, great podcast!

Stumbled on this podcast, and I LOVE it! What a fun premise to dig into the partners of well-known figures! Really great production value and research. Keep it up, Liza and Team!
franoo2oo6

Nepotism

Nepotism
Wild Dratini

Sorry to break it to u

I have no idea who u r. Not too significant 🙄
ClaudineMR

Fascinating insights into history!

This is a great podcast! I love the insight into the “lesser known” or somewhat overlooked partner of a historic figure. The stories are well researched and well told. I love the addition of bringing people back to life through the voiceovers. Liza is an excellent host and interjects facts and humor into these stories. Highly recommend!
Kritter123456789

Love This Podcast!

This is a great podcast about historical figures that aren’t as well known. I love hearing their stories! The episodes are so well put together and I always learn something new.
ItsmelittleT

3 Star Because

While the content is mostly fairly interesting, the monotonous delivery is not so much. Rather than simply reading the script, the podcaster might try a more conversational approach. I appreciate, however, that the podcaster doesn’t cater to the vocabulary of a third grader.
Sakura Amend

Fascinating, fun, gives you a whole new perspective on historical figures

Absolutely love Significant Others. It’s addictive and has led me down many rabbit holes after listening. I never had an interest in Tolstoy, or Russian literature for that matter, but now I am deep deep deep into learning about his writing and biography, etc., and thinking about it from this new perspective — through the life and story of his wife. #nerd Really well done. Good job, Team Coco! Conan really did marry up.
DD11223344fhfhf

Fascinating Show

Well researched and so well put together! Love it!
jennihagg

Love it!

Well researched and informative, and I’m glad someone is looking at history from this perspective. It’s also entertaining 🙂 Personally, I’d be interested in an episode about Lee Krasner, a fantastic artist from the NY school and married to Jackson Pollock. It’s an interesting story and it’s a shame she’s overlooked.
Alanalie

Great start to season 2!

I was so excited to see season 2 of Significant Others pop up in my feed! I loved the first season of this podcast and this season is off to a great start with Peggy Shipman!
@TheGirlPie

Fascinating, concise, valuable history!

Liza’s choices, writing, and delivery are A+. I’ve listened to all eps of Conan Needs a Friend and always knew the history he and Matt would reference— but THESE stories have depth and details I’d never heard. The perfect length for me, plus smart follow-up episodes where useful, adult storytelling (with perfect diction and zero uptalk — thank you!) make this my new go-to podcast. I’m just sorry there isn’t a decade of archived episodes to bing. Congrats to Liza and the whole team. (Now I’ll go find her plays!)
carvey conan fanatic

Wonderful and interesting

Love the new season! Great to have this podcast back, it is very insightful and gives a new perspective on history. The episodes are very well thought out and always keeps me listening.
InACompellingWay

My New Fave

This is such an amazing concept for a podcast. And it is all presented in such an interesting and engaging way. If history class had been like this I would have paid more attention!
PosiTina Turner

So excited

Love this podcast and so excited it’s back!
Quinn040612

Great and informative!

The podcast is entertaining and informative. I’m learning a lot and love the format of it!
EllenSamps

One of my favs!

Such a good podcast with unique, never been done before content. Please keep the episodes coming!
A then another A

A great listen

This has been one of my go to listens for a while. The way it flows makes it feel so natural I love it!
jess2468097531

Loving the bonus episodes!

I’m loving these bonus episodes. Each is fascinating and a window into a different world. I really like Liza’s interviewing style too. Thank you for this podcast!
myrtlemaven

Wifedom

I am reading this fascinating book about George Orwell’s wife, I’m sure you are probably aware of this, but just wanted you to know that I would love to hear one of your insightful interviews with the author.
Rklein22

Why all bonus episodes?

Can you bring the regular episode format back? They were great.
ryderboy26

The best pod cast

I really enjoy this awesome show! Interesting information . One of the best with a woman host.
fbfjeoebfb

Informative and entertaining

I came to listen because of Conan but this podcast is amazing. Her voice is relaxing but doesn’t put you to sleep and it’s told in such a way that leaves you informed but without putting you to sleep.
YaseminYazar

What a great history podcast!

I’ve been listening to Conan’s podcast since it’s humble beginnings and heard this one advertised. As a huge fan of what you missed in history class podcast, I found this one extremely entertaining and very well researched. I love the premise of studying the significant others of famous people we all know that are either obvious geniuses or the cusp of genius. How studying them sets the story straight when sometimes they are overlooked or just misunderstood. Keep ‘em coming!
Pit woman

I Listen With A Grateful Heart

As a former high school history teacher, I certainly wish I had access to your knowledge and insight 40 years ago. These are the exact stories that hook young people on history and the need for change. I still train in the corporate world and every class includes some history lesson or context, and now it is improved with your revelations. Young people marvel at a 66-year old woman who is addicted to podcasts, but yours is the best example of why they are relevant.
thewheelers

Fascinating

Such a brilliant podcast. You can tell it is written well and with passion. Insightful and entertaining. Can’t wait to hear more.
New IBM member

My new favorite podcast

Thank you so much for making these podcast. I know it takes more time to put together and research than just regular podcasts. This is such a fascinating topic that you very rarely read about. I’ve finished all of the episodes and I can’t wait for the next one!
CarleighEmiko

Joyce an Nora Barnacle?

Great show, amazing concept. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Just a suggestion for an episode that would be WILD—James Joyce and Nora Barnacle-Joyce. Brenda Maddox’s biography on Nora Joyce (“Nora”) is better than any biography I’ve ever ready about Joyce himself. If you think this sounds tame, as so many writers have their “muse”—read Joyces letters to Nora. Over a hundred years later they are shocking. As a Joyce fan and a creative writing MFA who has been so enampored of his work since high school, it’s almost unfathomable that the guy who wrote Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses had such an interesting life partner with whom he lived so debaucherously.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.