Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchWomen who ruled over Africa
Episode 2277
From rainmaking queens to dogged isolationists, the lives and reigns of Africa’s female rulers have long been shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding and misogyny. Over the centuries and throughout the…
Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago
The Taiping Rebellion: everything you wanted to know
Episode 2276
It's considered to be the bloodiest civil war in history, but there's a fair chance you've never heard of it. The Taiping Rebellion convulsed China from 1850 to 1864, leading to over 20 million death…
Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago
How to choose a pope
Episode 2275
All eyes have been on the Vatican in recent days, as the conclave have decided who will be the next pope. But how does the process today compare to that of past centuries? What have been some of the …
Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago
VE Day: a people's history
Episode 2274
Nazi Germany had finally been defeated. And, for 24 hours, Britons could let their hair down and celebrate. But not everyone was in the mood to party. As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary, John Willis …
Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Nikola Tesla: life of the week
Episode 2273
Nikola Tesla is remembered as an enigmatic, eccentric genius who harnessed the power of electricity. But if we strip away some of this myth, what can we really say about the inventor's life and legac…
Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago
What caused the Irish Famine?
Episode 2272
In the 1840s, famine hit Ireland with devastating consequences. But what were the circumstances that turned a potato blight into a catastrophe that shattered societal structures and caused around a m…
Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago
The unification of Italy: everything you wanted to know
Episode 2271
In 1861, the kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, unifying the various Italian states under one national banner. But what did it mean to be 'Italian' in the mid-19th century? How did the pope react to th…
Published on 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Public vs private: history behind closed doors
Episode 2270
What's the difference between private and public life – and where should we draw the line between the two? Over the centuries, these boundaries have often been blurred, as Tiffany Jenkins explores in…
Published on 7 months, 4 weeks ago
The rise of James VI & I: when Britain went global
Episode 2269
Was Elizabeth I holding England back from establishing itself upon the global stage? Speaking to James Osborne, Professor Anna Whitelock explores how the accession of the new king James VI & I, and t…
Published on 8 months ago
Papal elections and tariff troubles: history behind the headlines
Episode 2268
In the latest episode of our monthly podcast series, regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter are joined by Frank Trentmann to discuss the historical parallels behind recent developments in th…
Published on 8 months ago