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HistoryExtra podcast
30 episodes
How WW2 transformed Asia
Ep 2607 · Aug 16, 2026 · 38 min
For decades, the history of the Second World War has been told through predominately western eyes. That, writes historian Hans van de Ven, simply has to change. Hans's new book, Blood Dawn, sets out to reset the focus, exploring the conflict's story from an Asian perspective. In this episode, Hans tells Spencer Mizen how WW2 supercharged the fight for independence from European domination across India, China and Indonesia – and, in doing so, transformed a continent ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If…
Preview: Was Jack the Ripper Queen Victoria's grandson?
Ep 2606 · Aug 15, 2026 · 14 min
As recent years attest, royal scandals have a habit of coming to light. But what if the mother of all royal scandals is still waiting to be revealed? Could it be that an heir to the British throne, Prince Albert Victor, lived a double life as a serial killer? Today on the HistoryExtra podcast, we’re bringing you a taste of the first episode of our new series, History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, in which crime historian Dr Drew Gray tells Rob Attar about the explosive suggestion that a Britis…
How opium became a powerful global commodity
Ep 2605 · Aug 13, 2026 · 44 min
Opium has been a painkiller, a vice and the fuel for at least two wars. But what makes it such a powerful global commodity? Benjamin Robert Siegel takes Isabel King through this complex history, exploring how opium shaped capitalism, medicine and global power from ancient poppy fields to the modern opioid crisis. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Want to know why Britain went to war with China in the 19th century to protect the interests of drug dealers? To find out more, check out our 'Everything you…
A wild history of partying
Ep 2604 · Aug 11, 2026 · 40 min
For hundreds of years, people have gathered after dark to drink, dance and escape the pressures of everyday life. But how did 'going out' become a habit across the world? Jon Bauckham chats to Imogen Willetts about the hedonistic history of partying, journeying from 17th-century Japan to Weimar Germany, Cold War Las Vegas and beyond. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To learn more Berlin, including its role in shaping nightlife, don't miss this episode of our History's Greatest Cities series: https://…
Yuri Gagarin: life of the week
Ep 2603 · Aug 10, 2026 · 47 min
Yuri Gagarin’s journey from a Nazi-occupied Soviet village into outer space make him one of the most famous people on Earth. In this episode, historian Asif Siddiqi tells Danny Bird about the life behind the legend, revealing how Gagarin came to embody the USSR’s postwar ambitions and why his winning smile still evokes the optimism of humanity’s first steps into the cosmos. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Two television shows – For All Mankind and Star City – imagine an alternative universe in which…
How Christianity conquered the Roman empire
Ep 2602 · Aug 9, 2026 · 33 min
The Roman empire was home to a multitude of religious cults in the first century AD. However, only one – Christianity – rose to global domination. But why? That's a question that Tim Whitmarsh sets out to answer in his latest book, Rome's Age of Revolution. In this episode, Tim talks Spencer Mizen through a story that encompasses Christian entrepreneurs, Greek intellectuals and the surprising parallels between Jesus and the Emperor Augustus. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you’d like to hear more…
The Odyssey’s forgotten epilogue
Ep 2601 · Aug 8, 2026 · 44 min
Why did Alexander the Great sleep with a copy of the Odyssey under his pillow? In this final episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series, Kev Lochun and classicist Daisy Dunn explore the astonishing cultural legacy of a poem that has been shaping how we think about home, heroism and hospitality for nearly 3,000 years. Plus, they consider what its portrayal of women reveals about power in the ancient world. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Want to know more about ancient Greece? HistoryExtra's Kev Loch…
Why did witches confess?
Ep 2600 · Aug 6, 2026 · 48 min
Who were the people that were accused of witchcraft in the 1640s British witch trials? And why did they confess to being in league with the devil? In this episode, Marion Gibson breaks down the trial and interrogation records left behind by the witch hunters, to reveal the real stories of the individuals who were accused. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Marion explains why so many of these seemingly ordinary individuals actually agreed to the witchcraft accusations... ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST I…
Inside the Maya storyworld
Ep 2599 · Aug 4, 2026 · 44 min
The Maya have a rich and varied storyworld shaped by diverse traditions and communities. In this episode, Mallory E Matsumoto tells Emily Briffett about her recent book, The Maya Myths, which explores tales of destruction and rebirth, people made of maize dough, and journeys into the underworld – revealing a living tradition that blurs the line between history and storytelling. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Curious to hear more about the mythology of Mesoamerica? Don’t miss our conversation with C…
Zheng Yi Sao: life of the week
Ep 2598 · Aug 3, 2026 · 48 min
Few pirates in history wielded as much power as Zheng Yi Sao, the woman who rose from obscurity to command one of the largest pirate fleets the world has ever seen, challenging the Qing empire's control of the South China Sea. Yet despite her extraordinary achievements, surprisingly little is known for certain about her life, and many of the stories told about her blur the line between history and legend. In this episode, Dian Murray – author of Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790-1810 – join…
The Fifth Crusade: triumph, disaster and the battle for Egypt
Ep 2597 · Aug 2, 2026 · 45 min
In 1217, crusaders launched an ambitious campaign to conquer Egypt, believing it held the key to reclaiming Jerusalem and securing the Holy Land. Historian and author Thomas Smith tells Emily Briffett why the crusaders targeted Egypt, charts the dramatic naval assault that preceded the siege of Damietta, and explores how a promising campaign turned into one of the greatest missed opportunities in crusading history. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST William Purkis reveals the wide and complex reality o…
Is the Odyssey myth or memory?
Ep 2596 · Aug 1, 2026 · 44 min
The Odyssey is a tale of impossible monsters, angsty gods and the unquiet dead – but does that mean it holds no truth? In this third episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series, Kev Lochun and classicist Daisy Dunn turn archaeologist, tracing the real Bronze Age world of feasting kings and heroic warriors that inspired Homer's epic poem. What secrets can we glean from the layers of ancient Troy? What happened to the grand palace complexes of ancient Mycenae that caused them to vanish almost overn…
Renaissance Italy's firearm revolution
Ep 2595 · Jul 30, 2026 · 40 min
Long before the modern debates over gun control, Renaissance Italy was grappling with many of the same questions. As firearms became smaller and easier to conceal, guns spread rapidly through society: moving from battlefields to appearances at court, and the streets of the Italian city states. Speaking to Emily Briffett, historian Catherine Fletcher reveals how they were weapons of war, tools of personal protection, and sources of deep social anxiety. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Want to know how…
How blood banks saved Britain in WW2
Ep 2594 · Jul 28, 2026 · 35 min
How did the sign of the Red Vampire help British surgeons during the Second World War? Roderick Bailey, author of 'The Life Savers', explains to David Musgrove how Britain led the way in blood banks during the war, and how such prowess saved lives, strengthened the war effort, and boosted morale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pericles: life of the week
Ep 2593 · Jul 27, 2026 · 50 min
Ancient Athenian statesman Pericles was a remarkable figure, renowned for promoting democracy, championing the arts, and shaping the fate of the Athenian empire. Yet his legacy of military mistakes and eccentricity has landed him with a somewhat mixed reputation. Historian Paul Cartledge has written a new book on Pericles – subtitled Pericles: Statesman, Demagogue, Eccentric – and here, speaking to Emily Briffett, he explores his political career, personal life and enduring legacy. ----- GO BEYO…
Did Churchill save the monarchy?
Ep 2592 · Jul 26, 2026 · 38 min
Winston Churchill was a passionate defender of Britain’s monarchy – but that didn’t mean he always saw eye to eye with the royals themselves. Jon Bauckham talks to Ted Powell about Churchill’s complex relationship with the Crown – from his clashes with George V and controversial support for Edward VIII, to his role in guiding the young Elizabeth II through the early years of her reign. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Learn more about the highs and lows of Churchill’s leadership in the latest episode…
Gods and monsters: the hidden stories of the Odyssey
Ep 2591 · Jul 25, 2026 · 47 min
Twenty years away from home: 10 of them spent fighting a war, and 10 more spent battling monsters, gods and his own worst instincts. In the second episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the Odyssey, Kev Lochun and classicist Daisy Dunn explore Odysseus's greatest adventures – from encounters with the one-eyed Cyclops to brushes with the so-called witch Circe – and consider what they say about Greek views of civilisation, gender and divine power. ––––– GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Want to know mo…
Preview: Was Elizabeth I one of history’s greatest leaders?
Jul 24, 2026 · 13 min
From her defeat of the Spanish Armada to her iconic portraiture and status as the ‘Virgin Queen’, Elizabeth I is one of the past’s most famous figures – but what made her such an effective leader? Today on the HistoryExtra podcast, we’re bringing you a taste of our new series, History’s Greatest Leaders, as author and historian Tracy Borman tells entrepreneur Mike Soutar about why Elizabeth I’s indecision should be celebrated just as much as her strength and dynamism. To listen on, search for Hi…
The Bayeux Tapestry's secret code of tyranny and injustice
Ep 2590 · Jul 23, 2026 · 36 min
The Bayeux Tapestry is coming home to England for an exhibition at the British Museum. In discussion with Dave Musgrove, Gale Owen-Crocker explains how the Tapestry was made, and why she thinks it contains a hidden story of injustice and tyranny – subverting the obvious celebratory narrative of victory for Duke William's Norman Conquest. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Don't miss our six-episode HistoryExtra Academy course, The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry, in which Dave Musgrove considers what the…
How to survive a day in the 14th century
Ep 2589 · Jul 21, 2026 · 37 min
What threats might you have faced on a daily basis in England in the 1300s? In this episode, Ian Mortimer guides Charlotte Vosper through a day in the 14th century and argues that it would have been surprisingly difficult to stay alive... From struggling to put food on the table to breathing in the scent of your neighbour's cesspit, Ian discusses the perils that came with everyday medieval life. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you'd like to find out more about what medieval life was really like,…
Bess of Hardwick: life of the week
Ep 2588 · Jul 20, 2026 · 35 min
Bess of Hardwick fell out spectacularly with Mary, Queen of Scots and was dumped in the Tower of London by Elizabeth I. Yet nothing could get in the way of this extraordinary social climber. In this episode, Tracy Borman tells Spencer Mizen about a woman who accrued vast wealth, repeatedly rattled the Tudor court and ultimately earned the grudging respect of the Virgin Queen. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you’d like to hear more about Elizabeth I on the HistoryExtra podcast, then why not check…
Alliance and acrimony: a history of Jewish-Muslim relations
Ep 2587 · Jul 19, 2026 · 43 min
From Islam’s emergence in the early medieval period, Muslims have been deeply connected with the followers of another faith: Judaism. In conversation with James Osborne, historian Marc David Baer examines the long relationship between these two religions and their communities, tracing episodes of both conflict and coexistence. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST Check out this podcast episode with Barry Strauss, in which he discussed the conflict between Jews and the Roman empire – and its lasting legac…
Who wrote the Odyssey?
Ep 2586 · Jul 18, 2026 · 41 min
The Odyssey is one of the most celebrated stories ever told, recounting the tale of Greek hero Odysseus’s 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. It is one of just two ancient Greek epic poems said to be the work of ‘Homer’. But who was Homer? And why, today, do we ask ourselves: ‘Did Homer even exist?’ In this first episode of HistoryExtra's four-part series on the Odyssey, Kev Lochun sits down with classicist Daisy Dunn to unpack the origins of the epic poem – and the enduring mystery around…
1966: The World Cup that changed a nation
Ep 2585 · Jul 16, 2026 · 34 min
The England men’s football team has missed out on the opportunity to replicate the nation’s much-heralded victory back in the 1966 World Cup, still one of the most celebrated moments in its sporting history. But what did the football tournament reveal about the state of the country that staged it back in the 1960s? Jon Bauckham talks to Michael Calvin about the forgotten stories of that remarkable summer – from diplomatic tensions and class divisions, to Middlesbrough's unexpected love affair wi…
How Rome really conquered Britain
Ep 2584 · Jul 14, 2026 · 45 min
What if the Roman invasion and occupation of Britain was more complicated than we might think? Ferdinand Addis reveals how it really happened. Speaking to Charlotte Vosper, Ferdinand guides us through the complex process of conquest – from Caesar's arrival in 55 BC and the construction of Hadrian's Wall in 122 AD, to the decline of Roman occupation by 410 AD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Edward Colston: life of the week
Ep 2583 · Jul 13, 2026 · 40 min
Edward Colston was a philanthropist and slave trader in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is infamous today for the fact that a statue of him was pulled down by a crowd of protestors in central Bristol in 2020 and dumped in the river. Richard Stone explores his life, in conversation with David Musgrove, and considers how we should understand his complex legacy today. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST If you'd like to know more about the impact of the Barbary pirates on British society, check out this fa…
Was Elizabeth Báthory really a serial killer?
Ep 2582 · Jul 12, 2026 · 40 min
Elizabeth Báthory is history's most prolific female serial killer and took pleasure in bathing in the blood of virgins... or so the story goes. In this episode, Shelley Puhak challenges that idea. Speaking to Isabel King, Shelley describes the complex campaign of disinformation that Elizabeth faced, and reveals the truth behind the legend. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find out more about accusations of 'witchcraft' throughout history, don't miss our HistoryExtra Academy course: https://bit.ly/…
What did the American Revolution really achieve?
Ep 2581 · Jul 11, 2026 · 35 min
How revolutionary was the American Revolution, and how far do 18th-century arguments about liberty and property still shape US politics today? In the final episode of HistoryExtra’s four-part series, Elinor Evans is joined by Adam IP Smith to explore the end of the American Revolutionary War and the complicated legacy that followed. Beginning with Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown, they discuss Britain’s decision to cut its losses, the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the global consequences of the confli…
The captain's wife who took command
Ep 2580 · Jul 9, 2026 · 46 min
In the middle of the 19th century, the world's fastest ships raced across oceans carrying cargo, and the fortunes of ambitious young sea captains. In this episode, author Tilar J Mazzeo explores one voyage that produced an unlikely maritime legend. Speaking to Elinor Evans, Mazzeo shares the remarkable life of Mary Ann Patten, who found herself commanding a clipper ship after her husband fell gravely ill during a perilous passage around Cape Horn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc…
What could you eat in Georgian London?
Ep 2579 · Jul 7, 2026 · 45 min
Much of what was eaten by inhabitants of Georgian London is, perhaps surprisingly, familiar to us today. In this episode, Peter Ross takes Lauren Good on a culinary journey through the city – from people pocketing baked potatoes on their way home in the small hours to explaining why jelly was considered an aphrodisiac. ----- GO BEYOND THE PODCAST To find out more about what was eaten in the Georgian period, listen to another of Lauren's interviews on the podcast, with Amy Boyington, where they e…
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