History Helms on YouTube Success, History, Music & Creative Storytelling
Mad Props with Chris Schnabel
08/03/26
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Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes YouTuber History Helms for a conversation about the art of making history entertaining, building a successful YouTube channel, and turning historical events into engaging stories that millions of people want to watch.
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History Helms discusses how his YouTube channel came to life, why he chooses the topics he covers, and how he balances historical accuracy with entertaining storytelling. Chris and History Helms also dive into college football, movies, music, Kanye West, YouTube algorithms, consistency, and what it takes to build an audience online.
Whether you're passionate about history, YouTube, filmmaking, storytelling, documentaries, or creating educational content, this episode offers an inside look at one of YouTube's rising history creators.
Follow History Helms
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HistoryHelms
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyhelms/
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
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Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props
00:21 – A Message About the Spokane Wildfires
03:57 – Why Spokane Changed Chris' Life
06:12 – Introducing History Helms
07:04 – How the History Helms YouTube Channel Began
09:07 – Growing a Channel & Understanding the YouTube Algorithm
13:06 – College Football, Sports & YouTube Recommendations
16:18 – Researching History Videos
19:34 – Movies, Books & Great Storytelling
23:11 – Picking Historical Topics That Connect
27:42 – Balancing Accuracy With Entertainment
31:16 – Favorite History Subjects & Historical Figures
36:04 – Music, Kanye West & Creative Inspiration
40:11 – Advice for New YouTube Creators
45:08 – The Future of History Helms
49:36 – Final Thoughts & Where to Follow History Helms
52:48 – Supporting Spokane & Episode Outro
Previous Episode
Welcome to Mad Props! Host Chris Schnabel sits down with actress, filmmaker, model, stunt performer, and comic creator Gia Skova for one of the most fascinating conversations the show has ever had.
From creating comic books and starring in action films to discussing quantum physics, time travel, creativity, discipline, and the future of technology, Gia brings an incredibly unique perspective shaped by both art and science.
The conversation explores everything from filmmaking and storytelling to personal growth, health, daily routines, and how she approaches building ambitious creative projects.
Topics include:
• Creating her comic book universe
• Bringing comics to life on screen
• Acting and filmmaking
• Performing her own stunts
• Quantum physics and time travel
• Artificial intelligence and the future
• Creativity and artistic inspiration
• Discipline, routines and productivity
• Exercise and maintaining balance
• Reading, learning and lifelong curiosity
• Advice for aspiring creators
• What's next for Gia Skova
Whether you're a comic book fan, filmmaker, science enthusiast, or someone looking for motivation to pursue ambitious goals, this episode offers an incredible mix of creativity and inspiration.
Join the Discord
https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb
Follow Gia Skova
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giaskova/
Website: https://giaskova.com/
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
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Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introducing Gia Skova
01:36 – Gia's Journey Into Acting & Comics
03:56 – Creating Her Comic Book Universe
06:52 – Quantum Physics & Time Travel
10:18 – Science, Curiosity & Big Ideas
13:04 – Building Stories That Matter
16:05 – Comic Books, Fans & Conventions
20:29 – Creativity Outside of Work
23:31 – Reading, Learning & Personal Growth
27:40 – Advice for Aspiring Creators
31:11 – Health, Fitness & Daily Discipline
35:02 – Building Confidence & Staying Motivated
40:09 – Filmmaking, Action Movies & Doing Her Own Stunts
44:10 – Future Projects & What's Next
48:38 – Final Thoughts
Next Episode
Welcome to Mad Props. Host Chris Schnabel welcomes sports broadcaster Perri Kitei for a conversation about her journey into play-by-play, working with the Portland Sea Dogs, breaking into sports media, and the viral foul ball moments that put her in front of millions of baseball fans.
Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb
Perri went viral after being hit by a foul ball while calling a Portland Sea Dogs game — and somehow, it wasn't even the first time it happened. The clips spread across MLB, ESPN, CBS Sports and social media, but there's much more to her broadcasting career than one viral moment.
Perri takes Chris through her path from college broadcasting and the Cape Cod Baseball League to calling professional baseball, hosting pregame and postgame coverage, producing broadcasts, preparing game notes, coordinating player interviews and handling the countless responsibilities that come with working in Minor League Baseball.
Chris and Perri also compare their own broadcasting backgrounds, including their early experiences in college radio and play-by-play, and discuss why constantly getting reps is one of the most important parts of improving behind a microphone.
Follow Perri Kitei
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrikiteisports/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@perrikitei
Website: perrikitei.com
Follow Mad Props
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropspod
X: https://www.x.com/madpropspod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpropspod
Follow Chris Schnabel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Chris.Schnabel
Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Welcome to Mad Props & Introducing Perri Kitei
01:23 – Perri Kitei Joins the Show
01:30 – Getting Hit by a Foul Ball While Broadcasting
03:21 – Going Viral Across MLB, ESPN & CBS Sports
06:43 – How Perri Got Her Start in Broadcasting
13:23 – Doing Everything Yourself Behind a Sports Broadcast
15:22 – Learning From Your Old Broadcasts & Improving
17:20 – Perri Reveals She Was Hit by a Foul Ball Twice
20:08 – Growing Up a Cubs & Bengals Fan
25:21 – Women in Minor League Baseball Broadcasting
26:38 – The Dodgers, MLB Spending & Competitive Balance
32:49 – Perri's Future in Basketball & Multi-Sport Broadcasting
38:45 – Final Thoughts
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