Sebastian Major
Bachelor of Humanities; Creator and Host of Our Fake History
B.Hum 2007
Biography
Sebastian Major is an author, educator, musician, and storyteller who is best known as the creator and host of Our Fake History, a podcast that explores historical myths and misconceptions. Sebastian looks at stories that people think are historically factual but may very well be elaborate fabrications. The podcast launched in 2015 and is now in its 12th season.
Our Fake History has been acknowledged as one of Apple Podcast “Best Listens” and has topped the Apple Podcast charts in Canada. The show was recognized as the “Best Educational Podcast” at the 2018 Podcast Awards and has been noted as one of Toronto’s “most addictive podcasts” by Toronto Life Magazine. Between 2019 and 2024 the show was nominated five times for the Canadian Podcast Awards in the category of “Outstanding Educational Series.” Sebastian has been regularly featured on the CBC Radio shows Podcast Playlist, Out In The Open, Metro Morning, and Ottawa Morning. He has also contributed as a panelist and performer at Toronto’s Hot Docs’ Podcast Festival. Sebastian has been recognized by the community of history podcasters at the Intelligent Speech Conference where he has been a keynote speaker. In his time as the host of Our Fake History, Sebastian has interviewed NY Times bestselling authors, internationally recognized academics, Grammy Award Winners, and MacArthur Genius Grant recipients, and Pulitzer Prize Winners.
Sebastian’s first non-fiction book Frauds, Imposters, and Humbug Artists: Lessons from History for the Age of the Con-Man is being published by DoubleDay Canada and is on track to hit bookstore shelves in late 2027.
After completing his Bachelor of Humanities Sebastian returned to Carleton to complete a Masters in Public History. He also earned his Bachelor of Education from York University.
What was your experience like in the Bachelor of Humanities program?
I loved my time as a humanities student. There was a wonderful sense of community in the college that made it feel like I was part of something unique. Humanities students tended to be quirky, whip smart, and often hilarious. Some of my best friends to this day are people who I met while at the college. The unique approach of the core lectures and the discussion groups not only taught me to see beyond the constraints of any one academic discipline, but also pushed me to express my ideas as clearly as possible.
How did your Humanities degree help prepare you for your current career and how did it help shape you into the person you are today?
I owe a great deal to the College of Humanities. Not only did it give me an excellent grounding in the subjects that I taught while working as high school teacher, my career as a podcaster and an author is deeply linked to my humanities education. My show is all about the place where history and myth collide. The first-year core lecture was obviously extremely influential. The skills I learned as a researcher, writer, and critical thinker are what make my podcast possible.