Baltimore YouTuber Brings City's History to WYPR Podcast

Johns Hopkins adapts his popular 'Five-Minute Histories' YouTube series for a new radio segment on local public radio station.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Johns Hopkins, host and creator of the YouTube series 'Baltimore Heritage's Five-Minute Histories,' is now working with Baltimore's WYPR to adapt stories from the show into a new podcast and radio segment called 'Five Minutes of Baltimore History.' The four-minute radio segments air during local breaks in NPR's 'All Things Considered,' requiring Hopkins to distill his stories with precision. Despite the title, none of the original YouTube videos are actually five minutes long. The radio adaptation has helped raise Hopkins' profile around Baltimore as listeners recognize him and share their own connections to the stories.

Why it matters

The partnership between Hopkins and WYPR allows the station to elevate local community stories and history, aligning with its mission to serve as an 'amplifier and town square' for Baltimore. The radio segments also introduce Hopkins' passion for Baltimore's rich history to a wider audience beyond his YouTube subscribers.

The details

Hopkins, who has served as executive director of the historic preservation nonprofit Baltimore Heritage since 2003, began producing the 'Five-Minute Histories' YouTube videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. The videos, which now number nearly 400, explore various aspects of Baltimore's history, from architecture to notable figures. When WYPR president Craig Swagler saw the videos, he realized the stories could translate well to radio and approached Hopkins about adapting them for a new segment. The resulting 'Five Minutes of Baltimore History' debuted last fall, with Hopkins narrating each four-minute story and providing listeners with tips for exploring the featured locations.

  • The 'Five-Minute Histories' YouTube series launched in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The 'Five Minutes of Baltimore History' radio segment debuted on WYPR in November 2025.
  • 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and Hopkins plans to produce more stories in response to this milestone.

The players

Johns Hopkins

The host and creator of the 'Baltimore Heritage's Five-Minute Histories' YouTube series, and the executive director of the historic preservation nonprofit Baltimore Heritage since 2003. He is a distant relative of the philanthropist who established Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Craig Swagler

The president and general manager of WYPR since 2023, who recognized the potential for Hopkins' YouTube series to translate to a radio format.

Lisa Morgan

The WYPR producer who oversees the 'Five Minutes of Baltimore History' radio segment.

Baltimore Heritage

The historic preservation nonprofit that hosts Hopkins' 'Five-Minute Histories' YouTube series.

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What they’re saying

“I thought maybe we'd get four or five neighbors who would watch, but we got 200 people within the first hour.”

— Johns Hopkins (current.org)

“That has required a lot of discipline for me in a way that I had not been used to. Every word has to be useful because we don't have that much time.”

— Johns Hopkins (current.org)

“It's been really neat to be a part of a big community discussion.”

— Johns Hopkins (current.org)

What’s next

With 2026 marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Hopkins plans to dive into many more stories over the next few months. To demonstrate how cyclical history can be, he also wants to produce timely segments that respond to news events.

The takeaway

The partnership between Johns Hopkins and WYPR allows the local public radio station to elevate community stories and history, while also introducing Hopkins' passion for Baltimore's rich past to a wider audience beyond his YouTube subscribers. The radio adaptation has helped raise Hopkins' profile around Baltimore, sparking conversations and connections with listeners.