History Extra podcast
Immediate Media
The History Extra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past. We delve into global history stories spanning the ancient world right up to the modern day. You’ll hear deep dives into the lives of famous historical figures like Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn and Winston Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day. Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens. Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history. Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War. Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK. Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past. Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/
Episodes
Mentioned books
20 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 46min
America in Korea: a failed occupation?
Kornel Chang, a historian and professor, delves into the U.S. occupation of South Korea from 1945 to 1948, highlighting critical missed opportunities for a unified future. He shares personal motivations rooted in his family's history and explains the impact of Japanese rule on Korean leadership dynamics. Chang discusses early Korean hopes for independence which quickly turned sour, contrasting the U.S. approach in Korea with that of reformist Japan. Ultimately, he explores how decisions made by Soviet and American powers cemented Korea's enduring division.
9 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 47min
The real Miss Moneypennys: the secret history of Britain's female spies
In this engaging discussion, historian Claire Hubbard-Hall reveals the often-overlooked contributions of women in British intelligence, detailing their vital roles from secretaries to spies. She shares fascinating stories of early operatives like Agnes Blake and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated environment. Claire highlights Kathleen Pettigrew's central influence at MI6 and debunks the myth of the femme fatale in spy lore. Ultimately, she emphasizes the progress being made and the legacy these pioneering women have left in the world of espionage.
26 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 48min
Andrew Carnegie: life of the week
David Nasaw, a historian specializing in US cultural and business history, dives into the paradoxical life of Andrew Carnegie. They discuss Carnegie's rise from a poor immigrant to a steel magnate, revealing his ruthless business strategies and the violent Homestead Strike. Nasaw highlights Carnegie's transformation into a philanthropist and his ambitious peacebuilding efforts, illustrating his struggle to balance capitalism with a conscience amidst the backdrop of war and conflict.
20 snips
Sep 21, 2025 • 29min
Wages for housework: the daring 1970s campaign that challenged women's roles
Emily Callaci, a historian and author focused on global feminism, dives into the revolutionary 1970s campaign for 'wages for housework'. She highlights how this movement challenged traditional gender roles and capitalism by demanding compensation for unpaid labor. Callaci shares fascinating insights into the founding figures like Selma James, the movement's impact on second-wave feminism, and its ongoing significance today, exploring internal divisions and the creative ways activists made invisible work visible.
22 snips
Sep 20, 2025 • 41min
Ancient Roman theatre: everything you wanted to know
Jessica Clarke, a historian specializing in ancient Roman theatre, delves into the captivating world of Roman performances. She reveals who attended these spectacles and what made them so alluring. The discussion touches on the political implications of theatre and how it influenced society, including the role of magistrates. Clarke also highlights the emergence of various genres, the significance of iconic stock characters, and the unique performance styles of actors. Discover how theatre served as both entertainment and a reflection of cultural values in ancient Rome.
16 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 52min
Haiti's first and only king
Marlene L. Daut, a Yale professor and author of "The First and Last King of Haiti," illuminates the gripping life of Henri Christophe, the only king of Haiti. She explores Christophe's journey from enslaved origins to a military leader during the Haitian Revolution. Daut discusses the tumult of the era, including Christophe's pivotal role in independence and his controversial reign marked by economic reforms and forced labor. Their conversation also delves into Christophe's complex legacy and his tragic end, highlighting the contradictions of his rule.
27 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 48min
How the Cold War made the modern world
Vladislav Zubok, a Professor of International History at LSE and Cold War expert, discusses the ideological complexities of the Cold War. He reveals that Americans were often more ideological than Soviets. Zubok delves into how decolonization acted as 'nuclear fuel' for global tensions and examines Gorbachev's transformative impact on Eastern Europe. He also highlights how the Cold War's legacy influences today's geopolitical landscape, marked more by trade and diplomacy than ideological conflict.
Sep 15, 2025 • 41min
Alva Vanderbilt: life of the week
Nancy Unger, Professor Emerita of American History and an expert on Alva Vanderbilt, shares insights into the life of the ambitious socialite who revolutionized 19th-century society. Unger discusses Alva's strategic rise in the elite world, her groundbreaking divorce that challenged norms, and her fierce advocacy for women's rights. She highlights the lavish parties and high society ambitions that defined Alva, alongside the personal struggles that shaped her legacy as both a social climber and a suffragist.
Sep 14, 2025 • 46min
How women were erased from economic history
Victoria Bateman, a Fellow at the University of Cambridge and author of "Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth and Power," discusses the overlooked impact of women on economic history. She unveils how bias has erased women's contributions from narratives of prosperity over 12,000 years. Bateman highlights powerful figures like Ching Shih, the pirate leader, and critiques traditional views that limit women's roles. She warns that ignoring women's economic influence risks repeating historical mistakes, advocating for their recognition in shaping societies.
33 snips
Sep 13, 2025 • 50min
The Phoenicians: everything you wanted to know
Josephine Quinn, a historian and Professor of Ancient History at the University of Cambridge, dives into the fascinating world of the Phoenicians. These ancient seafarers left a profound legacy, including the development of the alphabet and the establishment of Carthage. Quinn unravels their complex identity and the reasons they’ve been overlooked in history. She highlights their maritime mastery and trade innovations, while also addressing the challenges of understanding their influence amid Greek and Roman narratives. The Phoenicians’ contributions to concepts of ethnicity and heritage are also explored.
