Podcast Episodes

Surviving the Great War: Medics in the Trenches

Episode 1554

The brutal nature of the First World War presented frontline medical personnel with an array of horrific and debilitating wounds, inflicted on a previously unimaginable scale. From gas attacks and ba…

Published on 1 year ago

Fascism in Pre War America

Episode 1552

The rise of fascism in America in the 1920s & 30s looked just like the rise of fascism in Germany at the same time- scapegoating, the dissemination of false information, the attempted erosion of demo…

Published on 1 year ago

Roman Saturnalia

Episode 1551

The Roman winter festival celebrating the harvest god, Saturn, laid the foundations for many of our Christmas traditions today- feasting, gift-giving and revelry. During Saturnalia, Emperors held ela…

Published on 1 year ago

Churchill & FDR: The Origins of the 'Special Relationship'

Episode 1550

Today we explore one of history's most consequential relationships - that of Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, a pivotal alliance that shaped the world we live in today.

Alongside Lindsay G…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

The Greeks vs Persia: The War that Changed the Ancient World

Episode 1549

In the 5th century BC, the ancient world's pre-eminent superpower turned its gaze towards the turbulent fringes of its empire. Under the illustrious Persian conquerors Darius and Xerxes the Great, th…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Oswald Mosley & Fascism in Britain

Episode 1548

This is the story of British fascism seen through the life of its leader, Oswald Mosley. We explore his charismatic yet deeply flawed personality, his relationship with European fascists, and the eve…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Ian Fleming's Commandos

Episode 1547

Amid the chilling tension of the Cold War, Ian Fleming captured readers with his character James Bond, whose missions were based on his experiences with the elite and secretive 30 Assault Unit in WW…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Escapees of Alcatraz

Episode 1545

Alcatraz was the jewel in the crown of America's prison system. The wind-swept island fortress was the final stop for the nation's most dangerous criminals, including the notorious gangsters Al Capon…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

The True Story of London's Blitz

Episode 1544

Dan explores stories of London's Blitz, beyond the stiff-upper-lip stereotypes and discovers an unexpected world of crime, sexual revolution and desperation. Dan is joined by Joshua Levine, historica…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Gladiators: The Praetorian Guard

Episode 1543

The true nexus of power in the Roman Empire wasn't in the Emperor's box but in the shadowy ranks of the Praetorian Guard. First established in 27 BCE by Caesar Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, th…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago