Podcast Episodes

Trump's State Visit 2.0

This week, two seemingly separate events tell a single, troubling story about Britain's place in the modern world. First, a massive, 100,000-strong far-right rally, supported by American funding, too…

Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago

The Explaining History Podcast

If you’re new to Explaining History, this short trailer is the perfect introduction to the show.

For over a decade, we've been helping listeners understand the 20th Century. Host Nick Shepley and expe…

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

The creation of the Central African Federation

In this episode, we explore the creation of the Central African Federation (1953–1963), Britain’s attempt to bind together Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland into one semi-autonomous…

Published on 4 weeks ago

Anti Communist Hysteria and state legislation in America

In the late 1940s and early 1950s some of the most extreme anti communist laws were passed at state level, including the death penalty for membership of any seditious organisation and the compulsory …

Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago

Iran's White Revolution 1963-77

During the Second World War Mohammad Reza Pahlavi took to the throne of Iran, placed into power by the British and the Soviets to depose his Nazi backing father. The Shah was able to break from the c…

Published on 1 month ago

An American retreat from Asia

A seismic shift in US global strategy appears to be confirmed. In this explosive episode, we dissect the leaked draft of the Pentagon's latest National Defense Strategy, which signals a historic reve…

Published on 1 month ago

Gorbachev's diplomacy 1985-88

In this episode of Explaining History, we explore Mikhail Gorbachev’s bold diplomatic strategy during the mid-1980s. Between 1985 and 1988, Gorbachev sought to end the crippling arms race with the Un…

Published on 1 month ago

Occupied Vietnam 1940-45

In 1940, when France fell to the Nazi invasion its colonies became Vichy satellites and in Asia, Vietnam rapidly fell under Japanese control. The French colonial elites saw their power gradually stri…

Published on 1 month ago

Tony Benn on Marxism and the Labour Party

Tony Benn was one of the most important political figures in the second half of the 20th Century in Britain. His journey from the centreground of Labour politics to the left and his understanding of …

Published on 1 month ago

The British Left's Revival in 2025

Something is happening in Britain, and it's not going to go down well with the established parties, the media, or the far right Reform Party that the country's elite class are placing their hopes in.…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago