The Ottoman Empire plays a significant role in several of the podcast episodes, as it was the dominant political power in the Middle East and Mediterranean region during the time periods covered.

In Samuel Dolbee's episode, the Ottoman Empire's policies and approaches towards locust management are examined, and how this shaped the environment and politics of the Jazeera region. The Throughline episode discusses the Ottoman Empire's control of Palestine and its interactions with the early Zionist movement. The History Daily episode focuses on the Armenian Genocide, which took place during the final years of Ottoman rule. Finally, the Rest Is History episode explores Lord Byron's travels and experiences within the Ottoman Empire, including his encounters with the Sultan.

The Ottoman Empire's legacy and its impact on the modern Middle East is a common thread running through these diverse podcast episodes.