Afleveringen
-
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Benjamin Reiss and comedian Desiree Burch in 19th-century America to meet the self-proclaimed showman, P.T. Barnum. He was a man famous for his museums and shows as well as "curiosities" such as General Tom Thumb, Bearded Ladies and The Fiji Mermaid. But look beyond Barnum’s infamous spin and you’ll find that contrary to his pop culture image this showman was far from the greatest.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Charlotte Potter
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Sarah Churchwell and comedian Kemah Bob in 1920s USA to hear about the implementation and after effects of Prohibition. From bootleggers to speakeasies, we learn the origins of the Prohibition Laws and discover why a movement designed to encourage temperance backfired.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Tim Galsworthy
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Katrina Phillips and comedian Alex Edelman in the 19th century to meet an icon of American history, Sacagawea. Hired to lead Jefferson’s Corps of Discovery through the newly acquired Louisiana territories at just 16 years old, Sacagawea was responsible for the lives of the corps and her "man-baby" husband as well as her actual baby who she gave birth to mid-expedition. Her heroics along the course of the journey are well documented but why is there no record of any first-hand account from the woman herself?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Charlotte Potter
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Joanne Freeman and comedian Chris Addison in the 18th century to look at the birth of a nation as America takes its first steps after achieving independence from the British. Where did party politics come from? How were Vice Presidents originally selected? Why was Washington DC chosen as the capital? Did George Washington really have a special presidential suit? And just why did Jefferson keep a mammoth cheese in the lobby?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Tim Galsworthy
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
In the first of five special episodes on US history, Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Emily Bernard and Roy Wood Jr in 1920s New York as they take a look at the movers and shakers of the Harlem Renaissance. Walk through one of Harlem's infamous rent parties and meet the greatest icons and minds from music, politics and the literary world during a cultural revolution.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Harry Prance, Jess White, Tim Galsworthy
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Olivette Otele and comedian Sophie Duker in 18th century France to meet the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Born the son of a slave and a white plantation owner, he lived a remarkable life in France, becoming a master fencer, violin virtuoso, composer, confident of Marie Antoinette and a revolutionary. He is regarded as one of the most significant composers of the 18th century and Mozart is widely regarded to have had major beef with him. So why is his story mostly unknown?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Lloyd Roberts
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Janina Ramirez and comedian Kae Kurd in medieval Iceland to delve into the world of old Norse literature. It's full of elves, giants, trolls, gods, deadly mistletoe and eight-legged horse babies. Anything goes in a world created from the decapitated body of a giant where a squirrel runs communications! But what was the ultimate purpose of these stories? Who wrote them? And what do they teach us about Viking culture?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Charlotte Potter & Hannah Mackenzie
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Tineke D’Haeseleer and comedian Evelyn Mok in medieval China to explore the Tang Dynasty. Known as the Golden Age of China, it was the time of China’s Emperor Wu, the only woman to hold power in her own right and Emperor Xuanzong, who became so bored with austerity he came up with a unique way to have fun.
-
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Anna Whitelock and comedian Larry Dean in 16th-century Scotland to meet King James VI, the first Stuart king to rule Scotland and England simultaneously. He is renowned for his translation of the bible, his belief in witches and for being the primary target of the Gunpowder Plot. But is that really how we should remember him?
-
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Augustus Casely-Hayford OBE and comedian Sophie Duker to explore the incredible Asante Empire. We learn the roots of Ghanian heritage including storytelling, fabric, food, music and using rhythm as communication. And we hear how centuries of traditions across the empire came together to protect the most sacred symbol of power in the Asante Kingdom from the hands of the British during the War of the Golden Stool.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Lloyd Roberts
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Catherine Fletcher and comedian Phil Wang in 15th-century Rome as they introduce us to the infamous Borgias family. With dynastic alliances, poisonous rings, murders and chestnut orgies, it’s not hard to see how they may have inspired Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather. But how much of what we know of Italy’s original crime family is actually true?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Jessica White
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Kristi Upson-Saia and comedian Stu Goldsmith to explore the strange world of Ancient Greek and Roman medicine. Welcome to a time when health was fleeting, water could be dangerous and communal bum sponges were all the rage. The team will take you through a variety of common ailments from tight atoms to wandering wombs and provide startling cures in the form of electric eels and beavers' anuses. Welcome to the world of ancient medicine!
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Hannah MacKenzie
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Gillian Kenny and comedian Catherine Bohart in 16th century Ireland to look at the life of the pirate queen, Grainne O’Malley. Against the backdrop of the changing legal landscape of Ireland as it faced brutality from incoming English administrators, we hear about the difficult decisions Grainne was forced to make to ensure her family's survival. From bold changes to her appearance as a teenager to ensure her place on her father's ship, to aggressive actions on a castle that refused to serve her food. Grainne O’Malley was not a woman to be messed with and this strength and defiance would lead to an unlikely understanding with Queen Elizabeth I.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Jessica White
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Host Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid and comedian Kae Kurd in Ancient Mesopotamia as they explore the Babylonian civiliisation. If your knowledge of Babylon doesn’t extend beyond the Boney M. song then this is the episode for you. We reveal all sorts of fascinating facts that connect you to a people who existed 4000 years ago – from the way we communicate to a maths system which we still use to tell the time.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Amy Grant and Lloyd Roberts
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by returning guests, historian Dr Emma Southon and comedian Cariad Lloyd as they travel back to 1st-century Rome to meet Agrippina the Younger. Empress, overbearing mother of the Emperor Nero and murderer, but how much of what has been written about this extraordinary woman is true? What does it really take to survive as a woman at the top of the Roman Empire?
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse
Research by Harry Prance
A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Mehreen Chida-Razvi and comedian Sindhu Vee to explore the Mughal Empire and its legacy in art and architecture.
We learn why an Emperor always needed to be wary of his siblings and how a zebra came to cause disbelief in court, and we hear the real story behind the wondrous Taj Mahal.
A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by chocolate historian Alex Hutchinson and British TV legend Richard Osman to explore the culinary and cultural history of chocolate.
How did cacao become chocolate and find its way into our shops and hearts?
A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4. -
Why do we celebrate Christmas with cards, crackers and a tree? Join us as we travel back and explore the weird and wonderful history of the Victorian Christmas.
Just who the Dickens had the idea to bring trees indoors? Can a soft-drinks firm really take credit for Father Christmas’s red suit? And why did the Victorians send each other such bizarre Christmas cards?
Greg Jenner is joined in the studio by historian Dr Fern Riddell and comedian Russell Kane.
Produced by Cornelius Mendez
Scripted and researched by Greg Jenner
A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historical expert Dr Michell Chresfield and comedian Desiree Burch to travel to 1920s Paris and meet the phenomenal Josephine Baker. Josephine Baker was a renowned performer and entertainer, a civil rights activist and even a spy during the German occupation of France. But just how did the daughter of a laundress in St Louis find herself at the centre of some of the most pivotal moments in history?
A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4. -
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Misha Ewen and comedian Alex Edelman to take a trip back in time and across the Atlantic with the passengers of The Mayflower.
A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4. - Laat meer zien