Podcast Episodes

The Soviet James Bond

The most successful TV spy series ever to be broadcast in the USSR, went on air in 1973. The central character was a Soviet secret agent in Nazi Germany, Max Otto von Stierlitz. In 2017, Dina Newman …

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Who shot JR?

Dallas was already a hit American TV series in 1980. But when its leading man, JR, was shot, the reaction worldwide was extraordinary. Claire Bowes spoke to Larry Hagman, who played JR, in 2010.

(Pic…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Madhur Jaffrey’s ‘Indian Cookery’

A ground-breaking Indian cookery programme broadcast on the BBC, launched 40 years ago. It was presented by actor turned food writer, Madhur Jaffrey. She’s been speaking to Farhana Haider about the p…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

The school for telenovela stars

In 1987, broadcaster Televisa set up a drama school in Mexico City to train actors for its hugely popular telenovelas, Mexican soap operas. The Centro de Educación Artística became one of the most su…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Fighting for the pill in Japan

The contraceptive pill first was approved for use in the US in 1960. But it wasn't until 1999, that women in Japan were allowed to take oral contraceptives. In 2020, Rebecca Kesby spoke to politician…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

The man who invented the Pill

In 1951, in a lab in Mexico City, Austrian chemist Dr Carl Djerassi created a synthetic hormone from wild yams. It would go on to become the Pill's active ingredient.

Rachel Naylor brings together arc…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

When Tunisia led on women's rights

In 1956, Tunisia became the first country in the Muslim world to legalise civil divorce and abortion. President Bourguiba also gave women the vote and widened access to education. In 2019, Nidale Abo…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

Poland's strict abortion law

In 1993 Poland introduced some of the most stringent abortion laws in Europe. It followed the fall of Communism in 1989. Ewa Kowaleska was among those who campaigned for the new law, she’s been speak…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

How abortion was legalised in Great Britain

In the 1960s, a young mother, Diane Munday became well-known in Britain for her work demanding abortion rights for women. She and others in the campaign faced fierce opposition, but in 1967 abortion …

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago

The US’s first gay election candidate

In 1961 the first openly gay person ran for public office in the United States. He was called Jose Sarria and he was a drag queen. He was determined that gay people would no longer be second-class ci…

Published on 3 years, 5 months ago