Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast

For this month's History of Armenia, Joe and Ani discuss the history of the most decorated Armenian-American military veteran in US history: a midwest Armenian-American named Victor Maghakian who was, without exaggeration, an absolute beast during the Pacific campaign of World War II. Get the whole episode on Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/137451794 Livestream tickets for our October 4 show in Glasgow are still available! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449 Our merch store is open! https://www.llbdpodcast.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys LIVESHOW TICKETS FOR OCT 4TH IN GLASGOW AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1501072671769 LIVESTREAM TICKETS FOR OCT 4TH HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449 CHECK OUT THE MERCH STORE: https://www.llbdpodcast.com/ In this episode, Joe regales Nate and Tom with the story of the Schwerer Gustav, a novelty oversize rail cannon designed to be as big and stupid as possible. It required you to lay down double track anywhere it went, effectively creating the first Fortnite build mode. It looked like the Magitek Factory except real. It did not work very well and was used far less frequently than you'd expect. Sources: Ian Hogg. German Artillery of WWII https://www.historynet.com/hitlers-monster-tanks/ https://www.historynet.com/krupp-28-cm-k5e-railway-gun/ https://www.forcesnews.com/heritage/wwii/super-gun-hitlers-most-powerful-cannon-was-used-battle-against-russia https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/schwerer-gustav-the-biggest-cannon-during-wwii https://www.slashgear.com/1430418/biggest-gun-ever-used-in-combat-schwerer-gustav-dora/

For this month's LLBR, Joe and Tom reconvene to discuss episode 2 of Neon Genesis Evangelion ("The Beast"). It's an episode that speaks to our respective early-teen years of listening to terrible music on headphones and being depressed. Some of us have not stopped doing this and that's okay too. Cover art by Unzealous Get the whole episode on Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/lions-led-by-18-136876215 Our merch store is open here: www.llbdpodcast.com

LIVESTREAM TICKETS FOR OCT 4TH HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449 CHECK OUT THE MERCH STORE: https://www.llbdpodcast.com/ The conclusion to our series on the English Peasants' Revolt

Dive into the intense naval clash of the USS Buckley and a U-boat during WWII. Discover the strategic evolution that turned the tide in the Atlantic, as advances in convoy systems emerged. Enjoy a humorous take on U-boats, blending pop culture and personal reflections on modern relationships. Plus, explore quirky wartime anecdotes, like a basketball player's tales and the creative uses of Spam by Soviet soldiers. It's a mix of history and humor that keeps you engaged!

Listeners dive into the wild chaos of the English Peasants' Revolt, where absurdity reigns and rebels wreak havoc in their quest for equality. Explore the comical parallels between historical figures and modern culture, including humorous critiques on labor issues and consumer habits. Discover the unfolding drama as the young King Richard II grapples with a rebellious populace, leading to unexpected consequences. Blood, looting, and fervent demands create a colorful tapestry of 1381's vibrant upheaval.

The unexpected finale of the American Civil War is explored, focusing on the final shot fired by the CSS Shenandoah. Connections between Confederate descendants in Brazil and Nazi emigrants add intriguing layers to the narrative. The podcast delves into the birth of the Confederate Navy, highlighting struggles with loyalty and resources. It also examines the leadership challenges faced by Secretary Stephen Mallory as he attempted to establish a functional naval force amidst internal conflicts.

Peasants in England revolted against oppressive taxes and absurd regulations on their daily lives. The hosts delve into cultural quirks like Cockney slang and odd legal encounters. They explore how the sociopolitical climate post-Black Death fueled class struggles and shaped peasant rights. A humorous critique of the monarchy ties historical injustices to contemporary issues, while the absurdities of 14th-century wars and taxing systems highlight the growing discontent among the common folk, setting the stage for a significant uprising.

SEE US LIVE OCT 4TH IN GLASGOW: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1501072671769 CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE SHOW? WE'RE STREAMING IT! GET YOUR LIVESTREAM TICKETS HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/livestream-lions-led-by-donkeys-podcast-live-in-glasgow-4th-october-2025-tickets-1532091008449 SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys It is never a good time to go hiking in the swamp with 100,000 of your friends and two Emperors. Sources: https://earth-history.com/Europe/Goths/jordanes-goths-04-3rdcentury.htm https://historycollection.com/two-roman-emperors-brutally-died-battle-251-ad/ Jones, Christopher P. Further Dexippus (Online). Ludwig Heinrich Dyck. "Philippolis: Roman Disaster on the Western Border." Military Heritage. April 2008. Vol. 9. No. 5 The Cambridge Ancient History: Volume 12, The Crisis of Empire, AD

This is a preview. To listen to the entire episode support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134758548?pr=true&cr=true