The Road to Now is a history podcast hosted by Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers and Dr. Benjamin Sawyer of MTSU. It explores past events and figures through conversations with historians, journalists and artists. The show has 495 episodes, released weekly, with a median length of about 54 minutes. Estimated downloads per episode are 8,000 to 20,000, a rate range of $140 to $500 per episode.
Long-running weekly history show with a loyal, engaged listener base
- 495 episodes since 2016 with a weekly release schedule and a median length near 54 minutes
- Apple Podcasts shows 639 ratings averaging 4.8 stars, with 588 five-star reviews
- Hosts pair a MTSU history professor with a Grammy-nominated musician, bringing credibility and reach
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- interview, co-hosted banter, solo monologue
- Tone
- thoughtful, conversational
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 50 to 60 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The description links a Patreon page for support, and no sponsor mention appears in the 20 recent episode titles.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles cover elections, wars and political figures such as Mitch McConnell and the Senate, with no explicit flag in the feed.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.theroadtonow.com/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1115470371 |
| RSS feed | roadtonow.libsyn.com/rss |
Benchmark score: 90 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| #380 The Elections of 1946 (Midterm Elections Series #3) | 2026-10-12 | 50 min |
| #379 The Elections of 1874 w/ Jefferson Cowie (Midterm Elections Serie | 2026-10-05 | 53 min |
| #378 The Elections of 1858 (Midterm Elections Series #1) | 2026-09-28 | 48 min |
| Hannah Arendt: Facing Tyranny w/ Jeff Bieber | 2026-09-21 | 1 h 1 min |
| #377 The Hindenburg w/ Catherine Grace Katz | 2026-09-14 | 55 min |
| George Carlin's American Dream w/ Michael Bonfiglio & Kliph Nesteroff | 2026-09-07 | 54 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 7 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
Bob Crawford (The Avett Brothers) & Dr. Ben Sawyer (MTSU History) share conversations with great thinkers from a variety of backgrounds – historians, artists, legal scholars, political figures and more –who help us uncover the many roads that run between past and present. For more information, visit TheRoadToNow.com If you'd like to support our work, join us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheRoadToNow
About The Road to Now
The Road to Now is a history podcast that looks to the past to explain the present. It is hosted by Bob Crawford, bassist for The Avett Brothers and managing director of The Press On Fund, and Dr. Benjamin Sawyer, Senior Instructor of History at Middle Tennessee State University, according to the show's website. Episodes feature conversations with historians, journalists, political figures and artists, and the feed lists 495 episodes released weekly, with a median run time of about 54 minutes.
Apple Podcasts shows 639 ratings with an average of 4.8 stars. Listener figures are estimates, not published numbers: the show's rating volume suggests roughly 8,000 to 20,000 downloads per episode, and the listeners are likely to be adults interested in American history and politics. No sponsors are named in the feed, website or recent titles.
Based on the estimate, a host-read mid-roll would typically cost about $140 to $500 per episode. That suits brands in education, books, civic or heritage products, and small businesses seeking an engaged audience. Sources: the show's RSS feed, the website, and Apple Podcasts.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. The Road to Now can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about The Road to Now
How much does The Road to Now charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 8,000 to 20,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll would typically range from about $140 to $500 per episode. Final pricing depends on the placement and the terms agreed with the show.
What is The Road to Now about?
The Road to Now is a history podcast hosted by Bob Crawford and Dr. Benjamin Sawyer. It features conversations with historians, journalists and artists about how past events shaped today's world.
How do I contact The Road to Now about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.
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