Podcast Episodes

CrossFit: The fitness phenomenon that changed the industry

In 2000, an American personal trainer invented CrossFit.

They now have gyms around the world and hold an annual international competition.

Rachel Naylor speaks to two-time world champion Annie Thorisd…

Published on 3 years ago

Mombasa terror attacks

In 2002, journalist Kelly Hartog was on a press trip in Mombasa, in Kenya, when suicide bombers drove a car packed with explosives into the hotel where she was staying.

The attack killed 18 people an…

Published on 3 years ago

How cat's eyes were invented

In 1934, the late Percy Shaw almost crashed while driving home from the pub on a foggy night in West Yorkshire, in England.

He was saved when his headlights were reflected in the eyes of a cat and it…

Published on 3 years ago

The corruption and sodomy trials of Anwar Ibrahim

On 20 September 1998, the former deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, was arrested and charged on suspicion of committing fraud and sodomy.

Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia but charg…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago

When Sweden’s roads went right

In September 1967, all Swedish traffic had to change the habit of decades and swap to driving on the right-hand side of the road.

It brought them into line with most of the rest of Europe except for B…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago

First women’s minister in Iran

Iran’s first ever minister for women’s affairs was appointed in 1975.

Mahnaz Afkhami was the first person in the Muslim world to hold that position. While she was in that role, the government granted…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago

The invention of the seat belt

In 1958, the late Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin invented the three-point safety belt for cars.

It's estimated to have saved more than one million lives around the world.

Rachel Naylor speaks to Nils' st…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago

Qatar's first female published author

In 1978, Kaltham Jaber published her first book – a collection of short stories. She is an assistant professor and acclaimed writer from Qatar. Her success as an author came just two decades after gi…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago

First Emirati female teacher

It was rare for women in what is now the United Arab Emirates to go to school in the 1960s.

At the time, the future country was a collection of emirates under British protection. The Sheikdoms were t…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago

Inventing robot camel jockeys

In 2003, a Qatari engineer came up with the idea for a robot jockey, to replace child jockeys in camel racing.

Two years later, the robot was approved for use. The tiny gadgets, which wear caps and ho…

Published on 3 years, 1 month ago