I miss this podcast so much, though I’m sure writing & researching these episodes were a lot of work! Liza would dive deep into the relationships that (we never knew) shaped history, art, and literature. I stumbled across this by accident on Conan Radio and I was hooked. Liza’s cool voice, dry wit, and excellent research pulled me in and suddenly I was enthralled by subjects I had never considered “interesting.” Thanks Liza! If you ever decide to make more episodes, you have at least one devoted listener! (Also, Conan is okay too.)

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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!!!!!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

Nepotism

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

Well researched and so well put together! 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.

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!

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!)

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.

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!

Love this podcast and so excited it’s back!

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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!