Alan Lester, an expert on Britain's imperial history, Bronwen Everill, who deepens our understanding of colonial legacies, and Sathnam Sanghera, a commentator on the empire's controversies, dive into the heated debates surrounding imperial history. They discuss the challenges historians face in today's politicized climate, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives. The conversation critiques simplistic narratives of pride or shame, arguing for a more inclusive, analytical approach to understanding the complex legacies of colonialism.

Vincent Brown, a Harvard history professor specializing in slavery, is joined by Bronwen Everill from Cambridge and Jake Subryan Richards from LSE to discuss the 1781 Zong Massacre. They reveal how the Zong crew tossed 132 enslaved Africans overboard for insurance profit, highlighting the brutality of the transatlantic slave trade. The guests explore the legal and moral outrage ignited among British abolitionists, the broader implications of prioritizing profit over humanity, and the links to modern societal issues surrounding justice and ethics.