Mao Zedong
Mentioned in 18 analyzed podcast episodes across 10 shows
Former leader of China whose policies, particularly the Great Leap Forward and its coal-focused backyard furnace program, resulted in one of history's deadliest famines (30-55 million deaths). His approach to governance contrasted sharply with successor Deng Xiaoping's market-oriented reforms. Podcasters discuss him when examining China's historical economic policy shifts and the consequences of centrally-planned industrial strategies.
Appears On
Episode Appearances
Empire: World History · Apr 2, 2026
Jung Chang On Life Under Mao & Being Banned From China
“Former Chairman of China whose policies and Cultural Revolution directives are central subject of discussion”
Empire: World History · Mar 12, 2026
341. Chairman Mao: The Clash With Stalin (Ep 4)
“Central subject; Chinese Communist leader who transformed China through economic ambition, social restructuring, and systematic political terror during 1949-1958.”
Empire: World History · Mar 10, 2026
340. Chairman Mao: World War II, Japanese Invasion, & Massacre in Nanjing (Ep 3)
“Communist Party leader who rose from junior status during Long March to supreme leader by 1949 through ideology and military strategy”
Empire: World History · Mar 5, 2026
339. Chairman Mao: China's Communist Uprising (Ep 2)
“Central figure; traces his evolution from young communist intellectual to rising party leader through rural revolution and Long March”
The a16z Show · Feb 13, 2026
Balaji and Dan Wang: The Engineering State vs Lawyerly State
“Former Chinese leader whose policies were reversed by Deng Xiaoping's reforms”
Live Free with Josh Howerton · Feb 5, 2026
Megachurch Pastor Reacts to Billie Eilish & Jelly Roll's Grammy Speeches | Live Free with Josh Howerton
“Historical example cited (40 million deaths) to illustrate asymmetry in how secular vs. Christian atrocities are taught in schools”
Autocracy in America · Jan 23, 2026
Reality Reshaped
The Briefing with Albert Mohler · Jan 21, 2026
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
“Historical figure whose irrational agricultural policies caused devastating famines killing tens of millions”
Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey · Jan 5, 2026
Ep 1283 | Is Tucker Carlson Right About Islam?
“Communist leader whose policies caused deadliest famine in human history, killing up to 80 million people”
Live Free with Josh Howerton · Jan 5, 2026
Why Socialism is a Disastrous Idea (and UNBIBLICAL)?! | Live Free with Josh Howerton
“Chinese communist leader quoted on subordinating individual to collective; caused mass starvation and death”
Pekingology · Dec 11, 2025
The Broken China Dream
“Historical Chinese leader whose governance model contrasts with Xi Jinping's Stalinist approach”
Irregular Warfare Podcast · Nov 28, 2025
Codifying Irregular Warfare—Inside the Pentagon’s new DoD Instruction 3000.07
“Historical figure cited for concept that war is politics with bloodshed and politics is war without bloodshed”
Radiolab · Nov 7, 2025
The Wubi Effect
“Advocated for replacing Chinese characters with alphabet or Pinyin to modernize China's technological capabilities.”
Dwarkesh Podcast · Oct 31, 2025
Sarah Paine – How Russia sabotaged China's rise
“Chinese Communist leader who unified China in 1949 and eventually recognized Russian sabotage, leading to Sino-Soviet split”
Search Engine · Oct 31, 2025
America vs. China
“Former Chinese leader characterized as romantic and poet whose policies devastated the state, prompting Deng's engineering focus”
This Podcast Will Kill You · Oct 21, 2025
Ep 191 Famine: More than starvation
“Chinese leader whose Great Leap Forward policies caused 25-32 million deaths in largest famine in human history”
Pekingology · Aug 21, 2025
Is China’s Military Ready for War?
“Referenced for Korean War decision-making and 1962 India conflict decision-making processes”
Stepchange · Apr 27, 2025
Coal: Part II
“Chinese Communist leader whose Great Leap Forward backyard furnace program killed 30-55 million through coal-focused policies”