Central Marc
Marc Houben
1 Creator
1 Creator
7 Listeners
What is Central Marc about?
Every week, Central Marc dives into alternative history and what-if scenarios across a broad range of subject matter where a scenario is worked out that is provided by you, the listener. We dive into the forces shaping our world from central topics in the world history to global power shifts, this podcast brings a fresh perspective and a dash of humor to navigate the world's complexities. Perfect for curious minds eager to explore the trends, ideas, and stories behind the history. Hosted by Marc Houben, with a background in history, economics, and business strategy and has lived in Utrecht (the Netherlands), London, and New York City.
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Top 10 Central Marc Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Central Marc episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Central Marc for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Central Marc episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
02/09/25 • 31 min
📜 Episode Summary:
Fourth episode. This episode uncovers how one crop scaled entire countries, and led to massive urbanization and population growth; also attempting to find some modern parallels. The Potato King, Potato Vodka & the Irish Famine.
📚Recommended Reading:
The Potato's Contribution to Population and Urbanization: Evidence From A Historical Experiment (Nathan Nunn & Nancy Qian, 2011)
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The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
7 Listeners
1 Comment
1
01/31/25 • 21 min
📜 Episode Summary:
Second episode. Where we focus on the economical and cultural developments in Dutch NYC.
📚 Recommended Reading:
Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 (Mike Wallace & Edwin Burrows, 1998)
🎙️ Like this episode?
👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Goodpods
📲 Join the Discussion:Bluesky | Instagram
⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser
The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
3 Listeners
01/31/25 • 29 min
📜 Episode Summary:
Pilot episode. Discussing the first statement: how would New York City have developed if it had stayed under Dutch rule, the lost story of New Amsterdam.
📚 Recommended Reading:
The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan and the Forgotten Colony That Shaped America (Russell Shorto, 2005)
🎙️ Like this episode?
👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Goodpods
📲 Join the Discussion:Bluesky | Instagram
⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser
* The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
3 Listeners
02/06/25 • 27 min
📜 Episode Summary:
Third episode. The final one on Dutch NYC, where we answer questions from listeners on directness, sports culture, unique facts, comparison with Londoners & the port.
📚 Recommended Reading:
- De Tawl: Hoe de Nederlandse taal (Bijna) Amerika veroverde (Philip Dröge, 2023)
- Youtube link to Pella Dutch example
🎙️ Like this episode?
👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Goodpods
📲 Join the Discussion:Bluesky | Instagram
⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser
The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
2 Listeners
02/17/25 • 35 min
📜 Episode Summary:
Fifth episode. In 1282, Wales stood on the brink of history. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last Prince of Wales, fought to keep his nation independent against the relentless expansion of Edward I. His defeat reshaped Welsh identity, law, and governance for centuries. But what if Wales had won? This episode explores the real history of the Welsh resistance, the brutal conquest, and the legal transformation under English rule.
📚Recommended Reading:
- The Prince of Wales: What Everybody Gets Wrong (Cambrian Chronicles)
- BBC - Welsh History
- Edward I’s Conquest of Wales (Sean Davies, 2017)
🎙️ Like this episode?
👉 Follow Central Marc on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Goodpods
📲 Join the Discussion: Bluesky | Instagram
⭐ Leave a Review on Podchaser
The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and do not reflect the official policy or position of any employer, organization, or affiliated entity.
1 Listener
Podcast Q&A
Why did you start this show?
I always wanted to put a spotlight on niche history trends and break down complex topics in a simple way with a dash of humor.
What do you hope listeners gain from listening to your show?
I hope they are entertained, learn something new & are triggered to go out and read up on new topics themselves.
Which episode should someone start with?
I think my very first episode o
Which have been your favourite episodes so far?
At this moment, my first series on NYC is my favourite as I am a Dutchie living in NYC, and NYC obviously was founded by the Dutch and still has certain artefacts related to that period in time - it was great to fantasize about a modern Dutch NYC.
Which episode are you most proud of?
Currently, the one on the potato (Episode 4) - it is niche, impactful, funny, creative.
What is your vision for your show?
It is very exciting that the concept serves a never-ending pool of historical stories and areas we can go into. My vision is to have listeners very engaged and contribute ideas, topics, and avenues we can start exploring together. I am hoping to get experts and historians join the show to contribute based on their expertise.
What is your favourite other podcast that isn't yours?
The Rest is History - without question!
How did you come up with the name for your podcast?
It is a funny spin on my name and Central Park, because I live in NYC..
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a Dutchmen living in NYC with a university background in history, economics and strategy. In my daily life I manage technical sales teams at a major payments company.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Central Marc have?
Central Marc currently has 5 episodes available.
What topics does Central Marc cover?
The podcast is about History and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Central Marc?
The episode title '#4 The Crop That Scaled Civilization: What If The Potato Never Reached Europe?' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Central Marc?
The average episode length on Central Marc is 29 minutes.
How often are episodes of Central Marc released?
Episodes of Central Marc are typically released every 5 days, 4 hours.
When was the first episode of Central Marc?
The first episode of Central Marc was released on Jan 31, 2025.
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