Podcast Episodes

The Hungarian footballer executed for love

The Magnificent Magyars were Hungary’s golden football team of the 1950s.

But behind their shine lay a dark secret.

In 1951, defender Sándor Szűcs was executed for trying to defect from the communist r…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Wang Jingwei: China’s traitor or protector?

In 1937, Japan invaded China committing atrocities including the Nanjing Massacre. Wang Jingwei was a Chinese national hero and second-in-command of China’s ruling Nationalist Party. He wanted to neg…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Axis Sally: World War II traitor who broadcast for the Nazis

In 1949, Mildred Gillars – otherwise known as Axis Sally – became the first woman in American history to be convicted of treason.

The former Broadway showgirl broadcast antisemitic Nazi propaganda on …

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Vidkun Quisling: Norway's traitor

In December 1939, fascist Norwegian politician Vidkun Quisling travelled to Berlin from Oslo for a secret meeting with Adolf Hitler.

Quisling suggested to Hitler that the British were planning to move…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Jamuna Tudu: The real life 'Lady Tarzan'

In the early 2000s, a woman called Jamuna Tudu set out on a mission to protect her home state of Jharkhand's forests from India's so-called timber mafia.

She inspired thousands of people to care for …

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Ibadan Zoo

British zoologist Bob Golding turned the University of Ibadan's zoo into one of Nigeria's biggest tourist attractions in the 1970s.

The zoo was famous for two gorillas he rescued from traffickers. And…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Tortured in Iran's Evin Prison

In June 2009, millions of Iranians took to the streets to protest against what they considered a rigged presidential election.

The hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won 62% of the vote. All three…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

The Green March: Moroccans take over the Sahara

On 6 November 1975, tens of thousands of Moroccans poured into Spanish Sahara in a bid to claim it for their own.

They danced, waved flags and played music as they faced off, unarmed, against gun-carr…

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

The hunger-striking Bolivian president

In Bolivia, on 25 October 1984, President Hernán Siles Zuazo announced he was going on hunger strike.

He was trying to stop the booming cocaine industry in his country. It was the second time he had …

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago

Gürtel scandal: Spain's Watergate

For two years, José Luis Peñas risked his life making secret recordings that revealed one of Spain's biggest corruption scandals.

It forced the ruling party from power and brought down Prime Minister …

Published on 1 year, 11 months ago